DNA Testing For Bossie And Bessie
Submitted By Carole Soule
Angelina, a Miles Smith Farm Scottish Highlander cow, was
DNA tested to determine her sire.
Scottish Highlander cow, Angelina, with her calf, Riley, at Miles
Smith Farm. Determining the paternity of a calf can be done with a
DNA test.
When
calves are born at Miles Smith Farm in March and April, it's obvious
who their moms are. They'll be nursing, protecting and generally
fussing over them. But, as sometimes occurs among humans,
identifying the father can be harder.
Thank
goodness we live in the 21st century when DNA testing is cheap and
easy. Yes, DNA testing for cattle is “a thing.”
We
farmers like to micro-manage the sex lives of our cattle. To prevent
male calves from impregnating a cow, most of them are castrated.
These steers can then share a pasture with the cows without worry of
unplanned pregnancies.
Occasionally, a bull calf is distinctive. Maybe his sweet nature and
his exemplary physique make him a good prospect for breeding. In
that rare case, he won't be castrated and will be able to be a
father. But I'll try to sell or trade him because he'll have too
many relatives here, and inbreeding is not good for the quality of
the herd.
Usually, he's gone to another owner before his libido acts up. But
if not we'll pasture him with steers or other bulls... in a monastic
boys-only situation.
For
robust and healthy breeding, I import talent from another herd. Our
white Scottish Highlander bull was purchased from Purling Beck Farm
in East Washington, N.H. And while we live far from the Nation's
Capital, we named him Washington...an appropriate name for a bull
who lives on Whitehouse Road. Our two other bulls are Larry, who is
the lovemate for my Angus-cross cows, and a silver Highlander bull
named Smokey. Both Larry and Smokey are currently “on assignment” at
neighboring farms.
Breeding season on our farm is from mid-July to August 31. One bull
can service a herd of 20-25 cows. Add more cows, and another bull is
needed. To be sure that all my 30-plus cows become pregnant, I will
sometimes put two bulls in the pasture.
Whenever a calf is born, I count backward nine months and check my
records to figure out which bull was with the mother at conception.
If two bulls shared the pasture, it takes a DNA test to sort out the
paternity. We don't care about the parentage of steers, but for
heifers or potential bull studs, we need the $40 test.
The
test is simple and requires pulling a few hairs, root and all, from
the tail of the calf. We then tape the sample to a form, fold the
form, and send it to a lab in California. The American Highland
Cattle Association (ACHA) registry compares the lab results to its
database, and the father is identified.
If the
calf is a potential breeding bull, DNA tests are also required on
both parents. The AHCA wants to certify the parentage of all
breeding bulls to keep owners honest about lineage.
Once in
a while, we have an unplanned pregnancy. Last summer a young bull
snuck into a pasture with some heifers. He was only there a day or
so, but it doesn't take long to father a calf or two. I recorded the
dates of his intrusion, so later on, I can reconcile them with the
birth dates. If he might be the father, a DNA test is necessary.
DNA
testing is all the rage today and can be used to analyze human
ancestry. Results might determine if you are Irish or Italian or any
combination of nationalities. Human DNA testing can also indicate if
you are related to a famous person, like Grover Cleveland or even
Einstein. My Highlanders don't need a test to resolve if they are
Scottish, but I wonder if one of my heifers might be related to
Abraham Lincoln or maybe have distant Irish or Italian cousins?
Carole
Soule is co-owner of Miles Smith Farm. She can be reached at
[email protected].
Kid’s Money Workshop!
Josiah
Carpenter Library
10:30 am
Saturday, February 2, 2019
New
Hampshire author Kathy Stoughton will be at the library introducing
her book “Where Did All The Money Go?” There will be a mini
workshop, some crafts, and games with playing store! The book
is written for four to six year olds, but bring the whole family to
the workshop. The snow date is February 16, 2019. It can
be FUN and important to teach young kids about money. Come and
see how you can help young children build strong thinking skills and
acquire the building blocks to manage money.
SNHU Announces Fall 2018 President's List
It is
with great pleasure that Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU)
congratulates the following students on being named to the fall 2018
President's List.
Eligibility for the President's List requires that a student
accumulate an academic grade point average (GPA) of 3.7-4.0 and earn
12 credits for the semester.
Ryan
Burns of Epsom
Megan
Callicoat of Pittsfield
Chelsea
Carlson of Epsom
Patrick
Cavanaugh of Chichester
Emily
Cunningham of Northwood
Amelia
Duane of Barnstead
Sarah
Harkness of Chichester
Naomi
Harris of Epsom
Reese
Henderson of Gilmanton Iron Works
Julianna Hromis of Chichester
William
Ohrenberger of Northwood
John
Sanborn of Chichester
Samuel
Schreier of Chichester
Emma
Smith of Pittsfield
Olivia
Trindade of Gilmanton
Julia
Valotto of Chichester
Katelyn
Verville of Epsom
Jason
Wynne of Pittsfield
Letter To The Editor
They’re
Back!
Original owner of Jitters is back. So glad! We had a wonderful
breakfast on Sunday. Buffet was open. We chose off the menu. Eggs
Florentine, perfectly cooked. Omelette amazing.
Coffee
as remembered was sooo good. Staff very friendly and attentive. We
felt at home. We will be sure to frequent this wonderful relaxing
cafe in the future.
Don’t
miss out, Pittsfield people!
Bill &
Bridget Abbott
SNHU Announces Fall 2018 Dean's List
It is
with great pleasure that Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU)
congratulates the following students on being named to the fall 2018
Dean's List.
Eligibility for the Dean's List requires that a student accumulate
an academic grade point average (GPA) of 3.5-3.699 and earn 12
credits for the semester.
Zachary
Davidson of Chichester
MaKenna
Iller of Northwood
Lindsey
Massey of Epsom
Jelasa
Nelson of Northwood
Collin
Ramsdell of Epsom
Quinn
Steeves of Pittsfield
Letter To The Editor
Select
Board Meeting 1/8/19 Notes Continued
Due to
title issues related to the town owned property, now known as 33
Main St., the sale the BoS approved to James Gamble hasn’t taken
place.
The
board is concerned that progress has ground to a snail’s pace and we
must do something to get it moving forward again. Therefore,
the select board has decided to again solicit interest in rehabbing
this historic (by Pittsfield standards) and rather uniquely
architectured building in order to return it to its former
prominence and place on the tax roll.
Originally constructed as a single-family home it was converted to a
multi-family residence more recently. It has potential for
business/commercial uses with the possibility of residences on the
upper floors only, based on current zoning in the Commercial
District. If Article 2 on the March ballot passes this
building could once again be used as a single-family home (currently
not an allowed use) as well.
Any
party who would like to put forth a plan for the property, including
a purchase price offer and as detailed a use and rehab description
as possible, must submit same to the Select Board’s office at the
town hall by 5 PM February 12. As before, the planning board will
give their opinion on submissions and two public hearings will be
held before the select board makes a decision.
A bad
fire on Swett Rd. last week could have been much worse had the one
occupant not been aware of the flames. Fire/rescue, police,
and highway are working together like a well-oiled machine to assist
each other and minimize damage, however, people must take
responsibility for themselves as well by arming their home with
smoke alarms and a plan to get out. Pretty simple precautions to
save your life.
Carl
Anderson
Group Meditation And Live Drumming
Come
join us for a group meditation open to all levels of experience.
Kaitlin Warneke, Licensed Massage Therapist at the Sanctuary
Bodyworks and Sauna will be holding a space for deep meditation
January 25th, 6:30 pm.
The
benefits of meditation is for everyone, whether you are a looking to
hone your meditation skills, learn new tips for meditation, or
simply looking for a great space to relax and rejuvenate. Music will
be used for ambiance and live drumming will be used for this
meditation.
Feel
free to bring pillows and blankets. This event is held every month
on the fourth Friday at 6:30pm. Contact Kaitlin at (603) 233-2362 to
reserve, as space is limited. This event will be held on the middle
floor of the Locke building, inside Powerful You Yoga Studio at 175
Barnstead Rd, Pittsfield NH 03263 and is $10 if you book in advance,
$15 the day of the event.
Obituaries
Gail A. Eaton
Pittsfield – Gail A. Eaton, 73 of Pittsfield, passed away
on Wednesday, January 16, 2019.
Born on
May 13, 1945 in Manchester, she was the daughter of the late Horace
and Alice (Rivard) St. John.
Gail
was a wonderful woman who brought laughter and happiness to everyone
she met. She loved and cherished her family. Butterflies, lilacs,
fishing, bingo, and manicures were among the things she enjoyed
most.
She is
survived by her six children, Wanda, Ward, Michael, Alice, Shelly
and Perry, Sr. She was adored by each of her 12 grandchildren and 18
great grandchildren.
A
Celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, January 26, 2019
starting at 1:00pm at her residence, 1 Manchester Street,
Pittsfield, NH. The Still Oaks Funeral & Memorial Home in Epsom is
assisting the family with arrangements. To share a memory or offer a
condolence, please visit www.stilloaks.com
Arthur W. Colby
Arthur W. Colby, 92, left us on January 16, 2019 while a
resident of Havenwood Health Services in Concord, NH. He was born
July 23, 1926 in Concord, NH to Harold R. and Eleanor (Davis) Colby.
Arthur
was a devoted employee of the NH DOT- Traffic division for 40 years,
retiring as a stencil truck foreman in 1989.
After
retiring he conscientiously dedicated much of his time to the Town
of Loudon, installing road signs, mowing the 106 intersection,
caring for the Veterans War Memorial, which he researched and had
fifty-four names of Vietnam Veterans added to the memorial which
were not on there. For several years during the 60`s and 70`s
Arthur worked part-time for the Loudon Police Department. He was
devoted member for over fifty years of the Loudon Fire Department of
which was a big part of his life. In his younger years he went on
fire calls and countless fire training. As years passed, he took
great pride in painting the old fire station and other projects
inside the fire station. The biggest honor of his life was to have
his name on the new police/fire safety complex. The Arthur W. Colby
safety complex. He watched over the fire station every day and
was very proud of the members of the police and fire departments.
His example of community services to the Town of Loudon serves as an
inspiration to all of us in our daily lives.
Arthur
was named Loudon’s first Citizen of the year in 1993. A surprise and
honor to be chosen. He was also a fifty-year member of the
Corinthian Lodge No.82 F & AM of Pittsfield.
Arthur
is predeceased by his parents, brother, Harold R. Colby and nephew,
Robert Colby.
Members
of his family include his beloved wife, Lucille; son, David and his
wife, Kate; son, Dana and his wife, Kim; daughter, Pat Bigwood and
her husband, Bob and three grandchildren, Daniel Bigwood, Scott
Bigwood and Carly Colby.
The
Colby and Bigwood families would like to extend our heartfelt
appreciation for the loving care Arthur received while at Havenwood
Health Services. The first-floor staff and all supporting employees
helped Arthur during this difficult time. Their smiles and loving
care were a great comfort to his family every day. We will be
forever grateful to everyone who cared for Arthur.
Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, January 23, 2019 from 4 to
6 PM at Bennett Funeral Home, 209 N. Main St. Concord. A funeral
service will take place on Thursday, January 24, 2019 at 11am at the
Loudon Congregational Church, Church St, Loudon, NH.
In lieu
of flowers the Colby family would like donations sent to Loudon
Firefighters Association, 55 South Village Rd, Ste 5, Loudon, NH
03307.
Fond
memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at
https://www.BennettFuneral.com for the Colby family.
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