The Rural Voice, 1989-04, Page 16Keeping it in the Family
Jerseys, those "little brown cows," are gaining in stature, both literally and figuratively. Not
only are they bigger physically than they used to be, but they've been attracting the
admiration of more dairymen. Jim and Tammy Sparling (right), a couple of young farmers,
and their friend John Brand (left), who's building up a purebred herd of his own, reflect that
renewed interest — as well as the traditional commitment of all dairymen.
A
s heirs of a Jersey herd that's been "in
the family" for 50 years, it's appropriate
that Jim and Tammy Sparling stress
longevity as a breeding standard.
"Some herds don't concentrate on longevity as
much as they should — those going after super -
high production," Jim says. "But unless they're a
real good type they just don't last. For longevity
you've got to have good sound udders. And that's
what we breed for, really."
He adds that he'd ship a poor type before a low
producer. An average producer in the herd for five
or six years, he reasons, makes more money than a
high producer in the herd for one year. "I believe
in cow families."
Jim and Tammy, age 26 and 25 respectively,
are planning for longevity in the Jersey business as
well. They operate a 30 -cow Jersey herd on 100
acres near Varna in Huron County. Recent
achievements include selling a young sire to the
National Sire Proving Program at the United
Breeders AI unit last year — Jaspar J R's Rambo
— and a cow sold last summer who placed fifth at
the All-American show in Louisville — Elmline
Gemni Emma.
They were also among the top ten producers in
Huron County recognized by the Ontario Dairy
Herd Improvement Corporation in 1987 and 1986
— 1988 awards have yet to be announced. Their
most recent rolling herd average puts milk BCA at
168 (5,314 kg), fat at 153 (261 kg), and protein at
172 (206 kg). Average test is 5 per cent.
The Sparlings' herd has been on ROP or DHI
for 25 to 30 years. Jim and Tammy took the herd
over in 1987 from Jim's mother and stepfather,
Alec and Mary Ostrom, buying their own farm a
few miles south of the home place. In turn, the
Ostrom's had inherited the herd in 1967 from Tom
Rathwell, Alec Ostrom's uncle. At 75 years of
age, Tom Rathwell still looks after Jim's heifers;
14 THE RURAL VOICE