happy new year: normande in 2010

pure Normande

This year make it your resolution to add *sustainability* to your operation. The Normande is engineered to be a hearty and reliable dairy cow that is adapted to any type of operation, be it grazing or conventional. But in addition to its extraordinary functional qualities, the Normande is one of the most impressive breeds of cattle when it comes to *added value : *the Normande cow milk is ideally suited for cheese making, its components are among the highest - 4.4 fat, 3.6 protein -, and calves and cull cows are known for their beef value.

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Normande x Holstein

high grain prices: no problem for normande users

Here’s something Normande breeders have long known: Normandes are incredible feed converters and need less grain than other specialized dairy breeds. In fact, most French herds require less than five lbs of grain per day. Because Normande genetics maintain a good body condition, there isn’t a “shut off “ of vital functions such as reproduction and overall health in the service of milk production. Instead, Normande cows’ physiology enables them to adapt well to lower inputs, making the breed all the more interesting during times of expensive grain. Anyone who is interested in efficient cows on grass should take a serious look at what Normande genetics have to offer.

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the tricolor breed

Rafiot

The Normande is a red and white cow with occasional sometimes widespread areas of brown hair. Typically, the brown hair has the look of tiger stripes, or brindles, interspersed with the red spots, and there is some degree of balance between the three different hues. However, one color often dominates, and there is a different name for the dominance of each color. The representative Normande is red and white (with brown brindles), like the one above, and this cow is said to be “blond,” (“blonde” in French).

Daughter of Joachim

When the white dominates, the cow is “quail,” (“caille” in French), as this daughter of Joachim illustrates so well.

Venus

When a cow is predominantly brown, she is said to be “brindled,” (“bringée” in French).

Nivea

When you can observe a multitude of brown spots on the skin, beneath the white hair, the cow is called “trouted,” (“truitée” in French), typified by the bull Nivea.

Redondo

Notice that some of the bulls in these pictures appear to be black. However, this is not actually the case. Most bulls tend to be quite brown (brindled), to the point of appearing black, but they are never really black. The Normande is a homozygous red breed. Redondo is a good example.

Calves do not display their brindles until a few weeks after birth, and altogether, Normande cattle tend to darken as they age.

Also, note that these color types are hereditary. and some families tend toward one dominant color. On the other hand, a dark brindled bull can easily breed “quail” daughters. You must simply be ready for a surprise at each birth.