The Jersey Cow and the Broadlands Herd

The Broadlands cattle herd featured Jersey Cows. Jersey Cows were initially bred on the British Channel Island of Jersey using stock from the French mainland. They were a favored in dairy herds because of their small size and high milk and butterfat output. They are also a hardy breed that is extremely adaptable to a wide range of geographical and climatic conditions. They range in size from 800 to 1200 pounds.  

Gates’ herd featured superior imported breeding stock and included a number of champion cows. Some of his cattle actually came from the farm on the Island of Jersey from which Broadlands took its name. Gates’ prize cows were exhibited both at local fairs and national exhibitions.  For a number of years, Hoagland used a specially constructed box car to send around twenty animals to State Fairs and live stock exhibitions up and down the eastern seaboard and throughout the Midwest. 

Hoagland Gates was dedicated to the implementation of modern scientific methods to dairy farming. He was one of the first breeders to implement the blood testing of cattle for Tuberculosis and Bangs Disease. Gates was a respected member of the Eastern Shore Cattle Club, President of Maryland Jersey Cattle Club and served as one of the directors of the American Jersey Cattle Club.