This is Castel Etamine, entirely homebred at Castel Holsteins. Her sire is Castel Bad-RC (from Swissgenetics) and her dam is Castel Christie (<Gold Chip). Etamine was photographed here at four years of age, but is now six years old, good for a score of EX-90 and the beautiful Stantons Chief daughter: Castel Holiday VG-85. This family traces back to World Champion Castel James Jolie EX-95.
Many will still remember her. The tremendous quality of the Swiss cow Castel James Jolie, who was able to win the National Swiss show, the prestigious Swiss Expo, and the European Show 2011. And in this way, she captured the very first World Champion title for Switzerland. In addition, Jolie EX-95 was not the first Castel cow to garner international attention; earlier it was her herdmate Castel James Fleur who accumulated grand show titles while also attaining the exceptional score of EX-95. In addition, Fleur was also able to perform as a bull dam: her son Castel Itter (<Igniter) produced about 2,000 daughters. Right: two elite champions from one farm, managed by Michel Castella, with just 30 cows. It is an exceptional performance, especially with the knowledge that the herd would later be able to provide the bulls Swissbec Power-Red (from a cooperative agreement with Swissbec) and Castel Bad-RC.
Jan Bierma, Han Hopman
But… times have changed. Quite significantly. Preparing for shows demands a lot more attention than in the past. At the same time, the market for show cows has weakened significantly. And also the sourcing of bulls by private breeders to AI companies has become much more difficult. At Castel Holsteins in the Swiss village of Sommentier, Florian Castella is very aware of this. It is now Florian, the son of the brother (René) of breeder Michel Castella, who manages the farm, together with his wife Megane. Florian has expanded the size of the (outstanding) milking herd from 30 to about 45 milking cows, and right now is especially focusing on production, functional conformation, and longevity. ‘An understandable choice,’ according to Uncle Michel, who still lives close by and frequently stops by his nephew’s farm. ‘Overall, breeding has really changed, and I think it’s important that Florian chooses his own path.’ What’s nice with this is that Florian can further build with the splendid genetics that are so bountiful in the Castel herd. When we ask him about his herd favourite, he immediately mentions the name of the nearly nine-year-old Swissbec Spring Brasilia VG-88, an AltaSpring out of a Canadian Doorman daughter. ‘Brasilia is truly a very functional, fit, and persistent cow who precisely represents our breeding goal,’ says Florian enthusiastically. And although Brasilia has now produced about 70,000 kg/154,000 lb with 4.17% 3.54%, Florian ambitiously states: ‘We will certainly try to have her reach 100,000 kg/220,000 lb.’ In addition: Brasilia not only performs well, she also breeds well! So far, her best daughter is Castel Escale EX-90, a daughter of the “homebred” bull Castel Bad. Out of this Escale, Florian has the four-year-old Letsgo daughter Gentiane VG-85 in production, and also out of Gentiane there is already a milking daughter: the young cow Castel Ingenue, not yet classified, a daughter of Westcoast Resolute (<Discjockey). In other words: four milking generations in one barn!
‘This farm provided the world’s first Swiss World Champion: Castel James Jolie.’
Indeed, Brasilia – originating from the Swissbec cooperative – turned out to be a valuable addition to the Castel herd, but in the meantime also the original families continue to perform well. An example of this is Castel Etamine, depicted here, who is also a daughter of the bull Bad (<Bankroll <Let It Snow). Etamine is an EX-90 daughter of Gold Chip daughter Christie EX-91, who via an EX-90 McCutchen and a Sid traces back to… World Champion Jolie! You realize: Florian is truly surrounded by outstanding breeding material, and thus focuses on an optimal combination of production and longevity. Even so, he knows that his hands are somewhat tied: in connection with the production of Gruyère cheese, no silage can be fed, so the ration consists of hay, concentrates, and minerals. Nevertheless, Florian attains a nice average of 9,500 kg/20,900 lb 4.20% 3.45%. Yes, the strategy at Castel Holsteins has changed, but working with outstanding genetics towards the desired breeding goal is still fully intact.
Michel Castella, with his nephew Florian Castella and wife Megane and their young daughter Emma. (Son Tobias is not pictured.)
