Rivermead Jerseys

FAMILY AND / OR BUSINESS NAME
The Davis Family.

HERD PREFIX
Rivermead.

WE MILK…
220 Cows, 120 Youngstock.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU HAD PEDIGREE JERSEYS?
We started with Jerseys in 2003 when we purchased the Pixeygreen Herd from Norfolk.

LOCATION
Tiverton, Devon.

SUPPLIES / PRODUCES
We have our own Milk Company ‘Davis & Parsons’ and there is currently 10 Jersey herds supplying us with Milk. Our milk is Sold to two main companies, a Specialist Indian Food processor in London and a Paneer Cheesemaker in Leicester. We also supply some smaller companies making Icecream and other Specialist products.

WHAT WAS YOUR REASON FOR CHOOSING TO MILK PEDIGREE JERSEY CATTLE?
We purchased the original herd in 2003 and at the time when Jerseys were low in value and the intention was that we were going to improve the herd and sell them again! This idea soon disappeared when we realised just how good the Jersey cow was. Mark had always liked Jerseys and had a pet Jersey when he was 4 years old. 

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE JERSEY BREED AND IN PARTICULAR YOUR HERD?
Breeding Jerseys is very interesting and there are different routes you can go down in terms of breeding. I would say we are trying to breed our herd with a mix of type and production. Our cows are a decent size but not too big, deep bodied with good legs and feet. Udders are very important for us; we like them well attached with good teat placement. We also try to keep the breed Character within our cows which is important we don’t lose. Our cows are very friendly and the thing we love about Jerseys is they have the most incredible temperament and are so friendly.