Dairy Shorthorns breed of choice for Derbyshire farming family

The Amber herd is one of the oldest Dairy Shorthorn herds in the country but the cows are proving their worth across a wide range of modern farming systems. Chloe Palmer reports

Farmers Guardian
clock • 8 min read
L to R: Herdsmen Josh Neville and Mick Taylor with Julie and James Hole.
Image:

L to R: Herdsmen Josh Neville and Mick Taylor with Julie and James Hole.

Dairy Shorthorns have been the breed of choice for the Hole family for almost eight decades. James Hole's grandfather established the herd a couple of miles from the family's current home, Eddlestow Hall...

To continue reading...

Already a member? Login for full access.

Login

New to Farmers Guardian? Register for 1 free article per week or become a member for unlimited access to essential farming news and insights.

article-img-580x358
Register for free Join Now

 

More on Dairy

Why you should rethink your dairy heifer inventory to boost financial return on-farm
Dairy

Why you should rethink your dairy heifer inventory to boost financial return on-farm

A combination of genomic testing and applying strict targets for the use of sexed semen to control the number of heifers reared and entering the herd can increase the return on investment in heifer rearing

Dairy Farmer
clock 29 July 2026 • 5 min read
How one Cornish dairy farm is keeping sight of its heritage
Dairy

How one Cornish dairy farm is keeping sight of its heritage

From the dairy herd to the ice-cream production, every part of the Parker family's business has evolved to meet changing markets and rising expectations

Danusia Osiowy
clock 29 July 2026 • 8 min read
What your dairy herd's fertility data can tell you
Dairy

What your dairy herd's fertility data can tell you

Dairy cow fertility is described as a ‘spider's web of interconnect risk factors' by veterinary consultant Dr Vicki Shepherd, so what factors need addressing to achieve good performance?

Wendy Short
clock 27 July 2026 • 6 min read