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The Bakewell Reproductive Center is named for Robert Bakewell, the English breeder of the 1700s who created new breeds of farm animals by collaborating with neighboring farmers in order to have a large pool of animals from which to select desired traits.
The Bakewell Center is collaborating in the same way with producers across the U.S. to create well-rounded, functionally and reproductively efficient animals that are exceptionally well suited to thrive in grass-based systems. These animals are preferable to those selected for a single trait to the detriment of other critically important traits.
The Bakewell Center has located and purchased semen from outstanding bulls representing six cattle breeds. We have imported heifers as well as semen from the Rotokawa herd of Devons in New Zealand.
We are achieving our goals, listed at left, by providing farmers with access to the appropriate genetics, providing information about grass-farming and the benefits to the environment and to human health, and by doing research and market development.
SALES
The Bakewell Reproductive Center sells semen, embryos and live animals from a variety of breeds proven to perform on grass.
SEMEN
The Bakewell Center has carefully selected the bulls featured in our online store. They represent the cream of the crop in grass-based bovine genetics from around the world. Each bull is a moderate framed, deep-bodied, thick muscled individual backed by multiple generations of performance in forage-based ranching and farming operations.
These bulls conform to Bakewell Reproductive Center's strict specifications, as determined by a combination of linear measurements and live animal ultrasound. If you want to participate in a high quality, grass-finished beef market, these are the genetics that will accomplish your goals and objectives. These genetics can provide you with the combination of good mothering, early maturity, and carcass quality that all producers need for a profitable operation.
EMBRYOS
The Bakewell Center has produced embryos from the best donor cows we can find. Sired by our best Bakewell bulls, these embryos are available for sale. Bakewell owns the donor cows from that flush and has located other excellent donor cows and is currently harvesting embryos and selling them in private sales. Call 413-657-7709 or 501-454-3252 to inquire about price and availability. We currently have a waiting list for these superior embryos.
BREEDING STOCK
Bakewell principals Ridge Shinn and Gearld Fry periodically find grass-based cattle available for sale or lease. Let us know of your interest and we may be able to connect you to cattle of the breed you are looking for.
EDUCATION
FIELD DAYS
Bakewell conducts Field Days as a way to show producers how they can switch to grass-farming. Check our calendar listings periodically for information on our events, and please call 413-477-6500 to discuss organizing a field day in your area. To view the kind of event we can arrange for you, visit this section to see the Field Days schedule held in September 2003.
CONSULTING
Ridge Shinn and Gearld Fry consult on cattle, grass-based genetics, live animal evaluation, marketing, and many other topics in the field of grass-based production. Call or email us to inquire about on-farm visits.
PRESENTATIONS
We are featured speakers at numerous conferences throughout the year in this country and overseas.
LIVE ANIMAL EVALUATION
The core of Bakewell's work in evaluating animals for optimal performance on grass is live animals evaluation-linear measurement and ultrasound. We teach producers how to use these tools, and their application for managing grass-based systems.
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