JAY — Thursday, Feb. 4, Kyesland Farms was treated with an unexpected delivery.
About 1:30 p.m. the last of a load of silage was unloaded near the paddock housing several British White beef cattle. When the herd was checked again less than an hour later, one of the cows had given birth to a heifer calf.
The British White is a naturally polled (no horns) British cattle breed, white with black or red points, used mainly for beef with a confirmed history dating back to the 17th century, according to Wikipedia.
“British Whites are possibly the most gentle cattle of any beef breed,” according to the British White Association of American LTD, formed in 1987. The breed is also known for its fertility, easy calving, growth, hardiness and meat quality.
Last summer, Kyesland Farms purchased several British Whites from a breeder in Kentucky. According to him the cow Molly was due in November, farm owner Jessi Fortin said.
Thursday, the long awaited birth occurred with no forewarning. Molly had the calf, named Willow in the outdoor paddock but they were moved to a stall in the barn afterwards.
Both are doing well and more calves are expected later in the coming months.
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