Why Buy Our Red Devons?
 

About the breed


Red Devons are an ancient breed of cattle from the West Country of England.


Originally a triple purpose breed used for milk and cream production, as draught animals on farms, and of course for beef.


They are a medium-sized, well muscled animal. Cows weigh 450-600kg, and bulls 700-1000kg fully grown.




The docile easy nature they were selected for in the past is apparent today.





What do calves look like?


Devon calves are small, fast growing and vigorous:


X Friesian are pure black with a white tail switch, and maybe some white underneath.


X Kiwicross may be black or dark red with white tail switch usually.


X Jersey will be red with white tail switch.


X Hereford will be deep red with white face and white tail switch, maybe some white underneath.


X Angus are black with white tail switch usually.


See links page for photo examples...

 
 

Our registered Red Devon cattle are the result of years of good and considered breeding using artificial insemination and natural mating. We use imported semen from old lines of UK Ruby Red Devons i.e. fullblood sires to maintain genetic diversity in our herd. When coupled with ruthless selection it makes them the perfect cattle for us and our farm.


Several years ago we purchased unrelated females from a wide genetic base to progeny test our herd sire Monte Pahu Charles. We selected Te Maewa females as Mr.G.Dyke farms and records his animals faithfully and records efficiently.

All calved unassisted, strong, healthy calves that have grown admirably, the rear end of Charles being superbly transmitted to all his offspring, no matter what the female used.


We scan for intramuscular fat, eye muscle area and rib fat levels, and are then able to select the finest animals to breed with.


They are hardy, calm, dependable cattle that thrive on our farm environment of forage and pasture on steep hills in all weather to grow the best beef I’ve ever tasted.

They have many wonderful attributes, some of which I list below.


If you have limited pasture, or pasture of poorer quality or have found dairy cross cattle take longer than expected to finish, our Red Devon cattle are a breed to consider farming.


They grow well, finish easily, and are sought after by stock agents who understand the difference in carcass quality of pure traditional beef breeds.


In summary, an absolute delight to farm.




* Easy calving - Devons are noted for their small, easy-born calves that mature quickly from birth.


  1. *Hybrid vigour - When Red Devons are crossed with another breed, the resulting calves show heterosis, or hybrid vigour.


  1. *Marbling of meat on pasture based farms. We scan and select for the highest quality animals.


* White fat


  1. *High fertility - Devons mature early, and will improve the fertility of a herd


* Foraging ability


* Docility - they are a delight to work with.


  1. *Hardy. Devons grow a winter coat which they shed in early summer. They remain comfortable all year round and are able to continue to grow well throughout the year.


  1. *Red Devon cattle gain condition easily, even on coarser pasture, and maintain their condition well, even through times of drought.


  1. *Pigmented skin, including face and eye area.





 

Good Cattle   Click for Breed Character Summary

Heifers in the drought of 2020 doing well.