Hatsuko

Hatsuko is one of the named foundation dams from Chris Walker's Westholme importation, the largest single infusion of Japanese female genetics ever to leave Japan. Westholme brought 25 black females from ET Japan Company in Hokkaido in 1997 and a further 59 in 1998 (about 84 total), together with three founding bulls: Hirashige-Tayasu (Kedaka), Itomoritaka (Fujiyoshi) and Kitateruyasu Doi (Tajiri). Uniquely, the consignment emphasised Kedaka and Fujiyoshi strains for milk and size rather than pure Tajima. Hatsuko is documented among the dams that bred on in Australia, and the herd she helped found is now the backbone of the Australian Agricultural Company's Westholme brand. Her individual pedigree is not published in the accessible sources.