History...
Saxown Jerseys were established in 1986 with the purchase of 2 cows at the dispersal of the Norwoodpark herd, which Richard's late father Mick managed. The families of "Lily" and "Cash" proved good stock right through to today. Initially these cattle were housed elsewhere until Richard started to work for John and Sue Heath of the Ravenfield herd.
We had a taste for success back then, first at the European Dairy Farming Event with Saxown Flashbuster Lily 5, Jersey Champion and Reserve Interbreed. Then in 1995 with Saxown Bruno's Cash 6 who was Champion Jersey at both Newark & Notts County Show and Lincoln Show.
In 1997 we gained the tenancy of a county council small holding in Bedale, North Yorks. Our herd numbers had grown to 12 animals so we set about purchasing further cattle from far and wide, of all descriptions, to arrive at 50 cows on the 54 acres that we farmed. During our 2 plus years there we started to gain success in the show ring again, namely with Saxown Aims Cash EX90 pictured above. She was champion Jersey at Gargrave show in 1997,98, Great Yorkshire Show 1998 and at Southwell in 2000. A third generation VG or EX cow she has left her legacy mainly through her son Saxown Centurions Cassanova.
During our time at Bedale the Cashs' were our main family but gradually a few other better cows were purchased and these families were developed when we next moved, this time to Osberton an estate in Nottinghamshire where Richard farmed in partnership with the land owner GMT Foljambe.
Here was an already old established herd with a few outstanding individuals so it was a great experience working with highly productive jerseys as well as improving the Saxown herd. We showed members of both herds. Our biggest success during this time was with a new star Saxown CBs Blossom EX90 who was reserve champion at Newark and Nottinghamshire show and then first prize Heifer in milk and Junior Champion at the Royal Show in 2003, she was from a family from the Gwenby herd strong on a New Zealand background.At this stage our three children were starting to enjoy showing so it was with great pleasure and excitement watching them choosing, training and showing their calves at local and then national level at the All Breeds Britain Calf Show where we have enjoyed some successes.
In 2005 we took the huge and difficult decision to look elsewhere and leave Osberton.
Richards father, always a great influence on all our lives along with the many people he taught and worked with, sadly passed away after a short illness. It was perhaps the wakeup call we needed after treading water for a year or two both as a family and in business.
Haugh Field Farm was our destination, a farm that had not been milked on for twenty plus years and so needed quite a bit doing to it, but with the help of our fantastic new landlord, friends and family we were up and running in no time.
The cattle numbers we had built up meant that only a few more had to be purchased namely a batch of cows from Fourcrosses, five from the Wellhead dispersal, 5 from Brackenhurst dispersal and to up cow numbers to 90 we acquired some wonderful cows from the Rise Herd.
After living at Haugh Field for five years, we moved again to the next village Hellifield in spring 2010. The cows moved to Switchers Farm and the youngstock came to live on the farm where we were living.
Towards the end of 2011, we decided to downsize our herd of 100+ jerseys so to mark our 25th year of Saxown Jerseys, 30 cows and up to 15 youngstock were sold at Beeston - with thanks to everyone who helped out on that day.
We had a taste for success back then, first at the European Dairy Farming Event with Saxown Flashbuster Lily 5, Jersey Champion and Reserve Interbreed. Then in 1995 with Saxown Bruno's Cash 6 who was Champion Jersey at both Newark & Notts County Show and Lincoln Show.
In 1997 we gained the tenancy of a county council small holding in Bedale, North Yorks. Our herd numbers had grown to 12 animals so we set about purchasing further cattle from far and wide, of all descriptions, to arrive at 50 cows on the 54 acres that we farmed. During our 2 plus years there we started to gain success in the show ring again, namely with Saxown Aims Cash EX90 pictured above. She was champion Jersey at Gargrave show in 1997,98, Great Yorkshire Show 1998 and at Southwell in 2000. A third generation VG or EX cow she has left her legacy mainly through her son Saxown Centurions Cassanova.
During our time at Bedale the Cashs' were our main family but gradually a few other better cows were purchased and these families were developed when we next moved, this time to Osberton an estate in Nottinghamshire where Richard farmed in partnership with the land owner GMT Foljambe.
Here was an already old established herd with a few outstanding individuals so it was a great experience working with highly productive jerseys as well as improving the Saxown herd. We showed members of both herds. Our biggest success during this time was with a new star Saxown CBs Blossom EX90 who was reserve champion at Newark and Nottinghamshire show and then first prize Heifer in milk and Junior Champion at the Royal Show in 2003, she was from a family from the Gwenby herd strong on a New Zealand background.At this stage our three children were starting to enjoy showing so it was with great pleasure and excitement watching them choosing, training and showing their calves at local and then national level at the All Breeds Britain Calf Show where we have enjoyed some successes.
In 2005 we took the huge and difficult decision to look elsewhere and leave Osberton.
Richards father, always a great influence on all our lives along with the many people he taught and worked with, sadly passed away after a short illness. It was perhaps the wakeup call we needed after treading water for a year or two both as a family and in business.
Haugh Field Farm was our destination, a farm that had not been milked on for twenty plus years and so needed quite a bit doing to it, but with the help of our fantastic new landlord, friends and family we were up and running in no time.
The cattle numbers we had built up meant that only a few more had to be purchased namely a batch of cows from Fourcrosses, five from the Wellhead dispersal, 5 from Brackenhurst dispersal and to up cow numbers to 90 we acquired some wonderful cows from the Rise Herd.
After living at Haugh Field for five years, we moved again to the next village Hellifield in spring 2010. The cows moved to Switchers Farm and the youngstock came to live on the farm where we were living.
Towards the end of 2011, we decided to downsize our herd of 100+ jerseys so to mark our 25th year of Saxown Jerseys, 30 cows and up to 15 youngstock were sold at Beeston - with thanks to everyone who helped out on that day.