April 29, 2019
Grade Herdbook

Productive and Flashy
 

Verbena was special to me from Day 1. She and her sister Rosemary were my first doelings out of Storm X Jupiter. Unfortunately, Rosemary died of listeriosis after her first freshening in 2021.

In February 2021, Verbena kidded with buck/doe twins but rejected the buckling the next day - I think is partially my fault for putting her in a pen with another first freshening pair that had a buckling that looked like hers - I think she got confused. On her second freshening, she kidded with quads and took all 4 though I later sold 2 as bottle kids. On her third freshening in 2024, she kidded with triplets, two does and one buck. As a dam, Verbena can get a little overwhelmed but still does a good-enough job that I can't fault her.

Verbena is friendly and quiet until there's something serious to be dramatic about - then she's incredibly loud. She will always let you know when it is time to eat! In her first V-show as a milker, she placed second under both judges behind a gorgeous doe that finished as a permanent v-show champion. I was so proud! 

Like Storm, she is wide and has a lot of capacity, though she is slightly finer-boned than Storm and doesn't keep condition as easily.

 

Her udder texture is soft and teats are a good length though, I'd more diameter to make it easier but I expect that will improve with time. Her foreudder in particular is a vast improvement over Storm's. I am hoping her daughters will have a more rear udder height. Overall, she easy to milk and is the most productive of my homebred does so far!

 

I so wish I had done a better job milk testing this first year - 2022 - I know Verbena could have easily earned a star for at least amount.
PLEASE SEE THE BLOG POST ON MILK TESTING FOR MORE INFORMATION

2025 - Verbena has earned her *P in both butterfat and volume! Super-proud of this little workhorse. She peaked at 7.6lb this lactation, the highest in the herd so far! Currently, she is also the highest volume and highest butterfat average here in the Holler.

Milk Test 2022 results:  2/3 tests sampled; DIM 139. 780 pounds of milk.
24 pounds butterfat; Highest BF 3.3%; Avg BF 3.1%
23 pounds of protein; Highest Pro 2.9%; Avg Pro 2.9%

Milk Test 2024 Results: 9 tests 330 DIM. 1541# milk.

70# butterfat. 49# protein.

305 Record: 1460#
65# butterfat; Highest BF: 6.1% Avg BF: 4.5%

46# protein: Highest Pro: 4.2%; Avg Pro: 4%

Verbena Qualified for the Top Ten for her 2024 lactation!

This was an eventual goal of mine but I am just thrilled that it happened just three years in. Not only did she qualify in two categories, but she only missed the Top Ten in butterfat % by a tenth! Incredibly proud of this girl! Measured at 23.5" at the shoulder, she was even the smallest girl there, which is a great nod to her efficiency.
#8 in Milk  Volume

#6 in Butterfat Weight

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