The British Simmental Review 2022

shape, but they were also well fleshed and had very good growth
rates. We are optimistic our new herd sire, Wroxall Lost Property
will deliver similar quality calves – his first are due on the ground in
2023.”
Attention to detail is paramount at Stone Acton, a level of
management that’s reflected in the herd’s performance. “All the
heifers, for example, calve at 24 months, and in the last five years
they’ve all reared their own calves,” James explains. “The whole herd
achieves an average 97% calves reared from females put to the bull.
In a so-called normal year, we would have between 95 and 105 cows
and heifers in calf. We would normally only lose one or two calves
and then if we’re lucky have one or two sets of twins, ensuring most
cows would have at least one calf, all being well. However there have
been exceptional years - in 2017 we had 17 sets of twins off 96 in calf
cows and heifers.
“We bolus every female to enhance fertility and provide
supplementary buckets pre calving, otherwise the herd totally
depends on forage – grazing and quality silage and hay, and the
majority calve in the first six weeks.”
Simmental is demonstrating the longevity factor too for the Turners.
All cows would have at least 10 calf
crops and some up to 14. We still
have cows that were born here in 2006, they
started annually producing calves in 2008
and are scheduled to calve again in March
2023.
“We also pride ourselves on maintaining herd health. Apart from
buying in high health status bulls, the herd has remained closed for
over three decades. It is currently BVD accredited, Lepto vaccinated
and Johne’s free.
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