Well-bred & well-mannered

Honey Hill Devons are bred for conformation, personality and trueness to type.

Our Devons are trained from birth to be easily managed.

We sell registered breeding stock, gentled bull calves for draft, and friendly heifers and cows.

All cattle are intelligent, but American Milking Devons are superstars. We keep the herd small to facilitate lots of handling and human contact, and to get everyone off to the best possible start. Predictable daily routines and activities--such as entering the barn in proper sequence, standing at the correct place at the shared manger, receiving inspection and grooming--all train politeness. Halter work cements the commands of gee, haw, come up, back, and whoa. In the spring, the herd takes a short trailer ride to the summer pasture; another trailer ride returns the herd in the fall.

Living with Honey Hill's resident oxen develops confidence, and a calm response to new or less common events. The Devons pay close attention to their trusted guides: The hoof trimmer's tilt table really isn't such a big deal. When the wind comes up, it's time to leave the timber pasture and tuck under the roof of the run-in shed. The clang of a dump truck tailgate, or the blast of a muzzle loader--not to worry. There's nothing exciting about a tractor.

Minimum requirements for everyone in the herd include zero flight distance, quiet acceptance of the halter, respect for the goad stick, and an absolute taboo against using horns to communicate with humans. It's really gratifying when the cattle know--and come to--their own names.

Honey Hill Devons respect electric and wire fencing. Access to pasture is available year round, but the herd stays in the barn or barnyard at night. A ringing bell says "come home." Our Devons return at a run.

When not on grass, the cattle eat leafy hay, with supplemental grain for fast-growing youngsters to keep them comfortable during the coldest days. (Yes, these animals are pampered.) Loose minerals are available free choice.

The mature cattle in our herd are vaccinated for rabies and tetanus, and have tested negative for Johne’s disease.

Our calves receive daily handling and training, starting at birth and throughout the six+ months before weaning and release to new owners. All this human contact, combined with round-the-clock access to mamas, results in trust, confidence and an affectionate nature.

Is a Honey Hill Heritage Devon right for you?

The easy answer: If you love American Milking Devons, you can’t do better than ours. But it’s not that simple. We strive to ensure that our cattle will thrive after they come to live with you.

We’ve invested hundreds of hours in each animal’s physical and mental health. We can tell you which calf needs an especially quiet touch, and whether she has a best friend. Some can do well as singles, and others have to remain in pairs. Just as we have trained our Devons to respect human rules, we respect the rules of the herd.

The process begins with a conversation. We encourage interested people to visit the farm and meet the cattle. Buyers reserve calves with a deposit in the spring, for release after weaning, typically in October. You’ll never see a hay belly among our youngsters! Calves tape at 550 to 600 pounds when they leave for their new homes. Prices start at $2000 per animal.