Rescue Mission: Rare Jersey Cows Saved to Preserve Pure Bloodlines

Buttercup, one of the pure-bred Jersey cows recovered.

On the 14th of November 2023, Tony Howe, one of the BBRT trustees, was alerted to the fact that a herd dispersal at Exeter Mart potentially contained several pure-bred Jersey cows who were close to, or actually 100% pure original population animals. These were -

Durdon Designer Buttercup UK 366704 700472 - due with 8th calf in Dec 2023 and dry now - (Lot 165)

Durdon Fantastic Verety 3 UK 366704 600443 - 6th calver (dark head) - (lot 153)

Durdon Fantastic Fantail UK 366704 400623 - a slightly smaller and lighter framed cow - pretty type and a very good udder - 4th calver. (lot 155)

On the 15th Tony was able to visit the farm where the cows were living and speak to the owner who agreed to withhold these three cows from the sale with a view to the BBRT being able to identify their genetic worth and preserve the bloodlines if necessary.

On the 17th the BBRT heard that Fantastic Fantail had been sent to the market in error and had been sold – this was a real blow, but once again Tony went to work, and once the buyer realised she had been sold in error, he generously agreed to return her to the farm so that the BBRT could include her in the project.  We are very grateful to him for this – to lose her over a mistake would have been very unfortunate, but the drama had not finished.  A lorry sent to the mart to retrieve some other cattle sent in error, returned to the farm without Fantail, but she was eventually returned to her home farm to wait until we could arrange for her and her herd-mates to be removed to other farms.

The BBRT then set out to arrange a plan with partner farmers who would be able to house the Jerseys while their genetic purity was confirmed and flushing for eggs could be completed.  On the 28th of November, a farm near Chepstow with skilled farmers, interested in rare breeds and the BBRT’s efforts and goals, offered to house the cows on a permanent loan basis. The person who originally alerted the BBRT to the sale was also anxious to help out and offered to buy a couple of the cows himself, with the aim of using BBRT approved semen for any calves in the future.  Without such willing and experienced farmers and their interest in the BBRT and our aims, the outlook for such rare bloodlines and indeed some of the UK’s genetic heritage, would be much harder to preserve for the future.

There were many questions, confirming ages/stage of lactation of the cows, how they had been milked and timings of milkings, BVD, Johnnes, Leptospirosis vaccine/testing, any history of digital dermatitis or calving problems with the herd. Not to mention the TB status of the farm and how long it had been clear.

The health of the cattle, and - most importantly – of the herds they were coming into, were paramount.

 A few lengthy Zoom meetings later the agenda was set – now all we had to do was transport the cows to the two farms – one in Chepstow, one in Aberystwyth.  Cue more lengthy negotiations, and concerns over one of the cows, Buttercup, who is thought to be in-calf, having been running with a bull – alas not a Jersey.  It was imperative that her health and the health of her potential calf were considered and she should be moved quickly.

Happily, on December the 5th, five Jersey cows were moved, the original three (Lots 153, 155 and 165) went to Chepstow and two others to Aberystwyth.  In her new home in Chepstow, Buttercup will have her calf within the next eight weeks, and the others will be milked through the winter.

The BBRT feels that this is a tremendous start to our Jersey project.  Deeper investigation into pedigrees and genetic makeup will know be ongoing, with the aim to flush these cows in spring 2024.  100% Jersey semen (hopefully sexed) from historic bulls will then be used to create embryos. These can then be either frozen or implanted into recipient cows.

Every penny given by our friends and donors has helped us to buy such rare cattle and give them and their genetic lines a future in the UK where they were created to be part of our landscape and our heritage.  Thank you!