Welcome to Ellesmere Stud
Around 35 Red Devon cows which includes some heifer replacements, 3 herd Sires and 6 Limousin cross cows that also run with a Red Devon bull all are raised on our 66ha farm. Positioned on the Southside of Banks Peninsula with an expected average rainfall of just 800mm annually. With no fertilizers or sprays used whatsoever on the land our Red Devons excel on the rich volcanic soils which will yield good grass and herb growth during the good growing months along with many Summer months of exceedingly dry hot days, which then yield only brown crispy grass. Our Red Devons will tolerate these conditions exceptionally well and thrive thru these extremes.
Contact Details:
Trevor Holdstock
Email: trev_holdstock@yahoo.com
Phone: 03 329 0093
Location: Banks Peninsula, Mid Canterbury
Number of Cows
35 Red Devon cows and Heifers. 3 Red Devon bulls. At the moment we are focusing on breeding into our herd a slight reduction of the gestation timing, by around 3-4 days this has been helped by the use of one of our Stock bulls who has mainly been used on the Autumn calvers, this is still a trial in the making.
Number of Stud Sires
Three
Size and contour of farm
66ha of about 44ha being flat and a 22ha gentle to slightly steeper hill block. All down to permanent pasture. Baleage and hay are all made on the farm.
Annual Stock Sales
Annually we have available low birthweight (35kg or less) 3-4 Commercial yearling to 18mths of age bulls for the cross breeding market. Also, 2 to 3 Registered yearling bulls to 18mths of age can be available from either AI sired bulls or our own stock bulls for breeders. A number of weaned heifers at certain times of the year also.
Other farming Activities
Alongside the Red Devon cattle are run around 60 or so Saanen and Toggenburg Dairy does and their offspring. These are machine milked. Some of these Milking Does, kids and young bucks are also successfully shown each show year.
Natural or AI mating
Both AI and Natural mating is used.Normally 4-6 cows and heifers are artificially mated per year, resident Stock Sires are used on the remainder of the herd. We utilize the use of Spring and Autumn calving.
