The Rosewood herd can be found at Cornworthy, Totnes Devon.  It was established by Rita’s parents and is now run by Rita and Mark Dunn.

The herd of around 80 cows shares the farm with a small number of Welsh mares kept primarily now as Brood mares, but  which have been successfully shown in the past.

Penbryn Sonny Boys Gloria

Changes to the feeding regime two years ago, with the purchase of a TMR mixer wagon has seen yields rise by 60 kgs of Fat & Protein in the 2002/2003 milk recording year, gaining the runners up spot for the EGCS Special prize. The TMR ration is supplemented by Out of Parlour Concentrate Feeders, allowing cows to be fed individually. This environment is leading to some tremendous yields with Penbryn Sonny Boys Gloria Ex 90 giving 9086 kgs @ 5.32% F and 3.86% P.

Purchased as a yearling at the Penbryn dispersal Gloria has the highest GMI (360) for a cow sired by a British bull (Kelsmor Mays Sonny Boy) and is a Planned mating Dam.

Sharcott Winnie 2nd

Rita and Mark are always prepared to add outstanding cows to the herd and these include Sharcott Winnie 2^nd Ex 93, she is by J P Royal Oak as are the 2 young cows purchased at the Luckley sale recently.

Rosewood Jill VG 89

It would be wrong to suggest that this is just a collection of purchased cows and Rosewood Jill VG 89 also by Sonny Boy is also a planned mating dam. The young cattle on the farm are particularly well reared and contain some exciting prospects -- none more so than Rosewood Winnie by Storm, who looks tremendous.

Rita and Mark also rear and finish Beef cross calves mainly Belgian Blue but also Limousin and Devon and these add an additional source of income.  There are plans in hand to replace the 30 year old Tandem parlour but only when the milk price improves!

It is a pleasure to visit Cornworthy, which is tucked away in the south-east of Devon, and the Rosewood Herd is perhaps one of the best kept secrets in the Guernsey breed.