Howling-Oaks Normandes in Wisconsin:

Bill & Rhonda Treml-Knebel
8924 C.R. F, Arpin WI 54410
715-305-2843 | howlingoaks1@gmail.com

Knebels maintain a small herd of 5 milking Normandes, along with youngstock and bulls, from which they actively market genetics. They use the milk for their own purposes, give milk away for pet milk, and market beef from their animals. “Over 4,000 Normandes are in the U.S. with over 500 head registered with the [Sic] U.S.N.O.” which Treml-Knebel helped to found. The organization was established in 2014 to fill a need for internationally recognizable, accurately coded registrations for embryo and semen marketing, especially needed when marketing overseas. The dual-purpose Normande breed hails from the Normandy-Bretagne region of Northwest France, and they are noted for having excellent feet and legs and good health traits. Normande meat and milk are considered superior in their native country, Treml-Knebel said. “The best cuts of Normande beef come from cows that are 5-6 years old,” she said. Looking to expand their herd and marketing opportunities, the Knebels have twice traveled to France in pursuit of building their Normande herd. “A lot of people don’t register them here,” Treml-Knebel said. “Many don’t realize they can register them with USNO even if they are a percentage. But the breed is growing in popularity because they are so hardy and so versatile.”