The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Cattle => Topic started by: PhillipWillie on July 19, 2011, 12:14:35 am

Title: Are there any shetland cattle in NI
Post by: PhillipWillie on July 19, 2011, 12:14:35 am: Hello there, i am in northern ireland and am interested in purchasing a couple of shetland cattle come winter time. I was wondering if there are any breeders or shetland cattle in NI?
Title: Re: Are there any shetland cattle in NI
Post by: Rosemary on July 19, 2011, 08:04:15 am: Don't think there are any NI breeders / keepers on TAS, but I can check the list we get from SCBA after breakfast.
Title: Re: Are there any shetland cattle in NI
Post by: gavo on July 19, 2011, 08:30:12 am: There certainly are Shetland cattle and breeders over here a neighbour has some they'll be at ENK Show i believe.
Where abouts are you? Perhaps you could call in to the show?
Title: Re: Are there any shetland cattle in NI
Post by: PhillipWillie on July 19, 2011, 11:45:28 am: I am in Ballymoney, i think my cousins are going up to show goats so may go up a scoot.
Title: Re: Are there any shetland cattle in NI
Post by: gavo on July 19, 2011, 12:03:13 pm: If you do go they'll either be in the Rare Breeds display or the show ring on the Weds.
Title: Re: Are there any shetland cattle in NI
Post by: Rosemary on July 19, 2011, 04:54:30 pm: You won't regret getting them Ours are lovely. And hopefully pregnant ::)
Title: Re: Are there any shetland cattle in NI
Post by: PhillipWillie on July 19, 2011, 08:11:37 pm: Very nice, are use thinking about milking them as that is what i would be interested in doing. what is the milk quality like?
Title: Re: Are there any shetland cattle in NI
Post by: princesspiggy on July 19, 2011, 10:06:16 pm: couldnt u get them send over on ferry to n. ireland? i think it only cos us £30 for 2 calves from shetland to our farm (aberdeenshire) inclusive, i know ur a bit further but its worth considering.
Title: Re: Are there any shetland cattle in NI
Post by: melodrama on July 19, 2011, 10:43:39 pm: I've just agreed to buy a heifer and hope to get her in September - so excited ;D
Title: Re: Are there any shetland cattle in NI
Post by: princesspiggy on July 19, 2011, 11:05:58 pm: Quote from: melodrama on July 19, 2011, 10:43:39 pm
I've just agreed to buy a heifer and hope to get her in September - so excited ;D

well done you !!! where from?? :D :D :D :wave:
Title: Re: Are there any shetland cattle in NI
Post by: melodrama on July 20, 2011, 12:31:08 pm: Coming down from a lovely lady in Shetland. I can contacted the secretary of SCBA and he put me in touch with a guy in Sutherland who has been hugely helpful. Busy sorting out field and barn and can't wait x
Title: Re: Are there any shetland cattle in NI
Post by: princesspiggy on July 21, 2011, 06:28:54 pm: well done you, we adore ours, they are our 1st and such a delight, rem to post some piccies!
Title: Re: Are there any shetland cattle in NI
Post by: Rosemary on July 21, 2011, 09:35:30 pm: Quote from: melodrama on July 20, 2011, 12:31:08 pm
Coming down from a lovely lady in Shetland. I can contacted the secretary of SCBA and he put me in touch with a guy in Sutherland who has been hugely helpful. Busy sorting out field and barn and can't wait x

The "guy" is a woman who happens to be called Paddy :o Presumably all contact has been by email ;D ;D
Title: Re: Are there any shetland cattle in NI
Post by: Rosemary on July 21, 2011, 09:37:07 pm: Quote from: PhillipWillie on July 19, 2011, 08:11:37 pm
Very nice, are use thinking about milking them as that is what i would be interested in doing. what is the milk quality like?

Yes, we are hoping to milk them once a day and let them rear their calf as well. Ours are heifers, so no personal milk quality info but SCBA told me 5% BF and 20l per day at peak lactation.
Title: Re: Are there any shetland cattle in NI
Post by: melodrama on July 21, 2011, 10:11:03 pm: Ha ha , thank goodness you told me Rosemary, I've been looking over our emails to check I hadn't made any huge mistakes but we seem ok. I didn't think to check if Paddy was a she tho. :-[ Thanks for tonight, was lovely to meet you and your ladies x
Title: Re: Are there any shetland cattle in NI
Post by: princesspiggy on July 23, 2011, 10:40:18 pm: Quote from: melodrama on July 21, 2011, 10:11:03 pm
Paddy

shes an angel, she really helped us alot to find what we were looking for and made the whole "search and buy" so simple. the heifers literally turned up on our doorstep, and great quality they were too. we really appreciated her help.
have fun melodrama :love: :cow: :love: