AN expanding agricultural college has bought a second Salers bull for use on its dairy herd – and possibly for students to show.

Askham Bryan College, York, bought its first bull from Rigel Pedigree (Messrs Pye), of Yarm, two years ago.

Mike Patch, college farm manager, wanted to reduce calving problems and used the Saler on their dairy heifers and to sweep the cow herd.

The switch proved a great success with 100 per cent unassisted calvings to the Salers bull to date.

Andrew Reilly, herd manager, was also impressed by the quiet temperament and ease of handling of the bull.

Following the significant expansion of the college dairy herd last year, a second Salers bull has now been purchased from Rigel Pedigree, who have been breeding Salers for more than 20 years. Rigel Parry is a two year-old son of Sagitaire, the noted imported sire who has bred numerous champions since arriving from France ten years ago. Mr Reilly said the first bull has had such a quiet temperament, that Rigel Parry is likely to be used for stock handling training for the students, and perhaps to even take him to local shows, hence the selection of a bull with show potential.

Terence Pye, from Rigel Pedigree, said the Salers bull contributes a short gestation (280 days) and a slender calf conformation, which means that assistance at calving is extremely rare.

The avoidance of hard calvings means that calves are up and sucking very quickly, and cows readily return to service. Retained placentas are also a rarity.

Taken together, it means less work for the farmer, lower calf mortality and extended working lives for the cows.