Gold Cup finalist 2005, Richard and David Butler

David and Richard Butler

Teamwork and consistent attention to detail has seen the Butler family's 185-cow herd enter the final round of the dairy industry's most prestigious award - the NMR/RABDF Gold Cup - for the second year running.

Father-and-son partnership Richard and David Butler, together with herd manager Matthew Lavis, run their commercial Holstein herd at East Wick Farm at Wootton Rivers, near Marlborough.

And their unit fits in well with the philosophy of the competition that spotlights farm management, environment policies and entrants future planning strategies, which could inspire other dairy farmers, as well as investigating the production, health and welfare status of the herd.

"I think part of our success can be contributed to the fact that we compliment each other. Dad's role is management, whereas my role is very much hands on, although I expect that I shall have to take some of the record keeping in the future as the amount of paper work continues to spiral," says David

The pair have close links with their milk buyer - Waitrose - who insists on high levels of animal welfare and environmental management. More than 1.6 million litres of milk were sold to the supermarket under its Select Farm Scheme through Dairy Crest.

David says their supply contract plays a key role in the success of the business. "It's a challenge to continually meet the high levels of milk quality and stockmanship required, but we think it's well worth the effort," he says.

"It's a whole-farm approach and we have to look at the farm environment, as well as the herd. We're a LEAF accredited farm now and we're looking at applying for the Entry Level Scheme."

The farm has also entered the Countryside Stewardship Scheme - it comprises an area of downland that offers full public access - and David says that they have also planted several new woods under the Farm Woodland Premium Scheme.

There has also been progress on the dairy unit during the past 12 months. The Butlers are in the middle of a three-part building project, which has required a modest amount of investment.

The herd's feed area is being roofed to provide a better environment for the cows and additional cubicle housing is being built to give the herd more room.

"We're increasing to 205 cow spaces so that we can increase cow numbers in the future. For now, Waitrose will like the fact that we have more cubicle spaces than cows as this has welfare gains," says David.

Slurry storage capacity has also been increased dramatically- vital considering that the unit is in a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone. The farm had to double its slurry storage capacity.

"We gave the competition our best shot last year and this year we felt there was some room for improvement. So as well as the investment in facilities, we've also spent some time and effort on increasing yields, as well as the physical and financial performance of the herd," adds David.

Genetics play a key role in this and herdsman Matthew has a free hand when it comes to the herd's breeding programme. "He selects bulls that will produce daughters with improved longevity and yields and good type traits that will help to prevent problems with lameness and fertility," explains David.

Matthew's efforts are paying off. The herd's average yield for 2004 stood at 9,402kg of milk, with 4.02% fat and 3.18% protein, and a somatic cell count of 122,000 cells/ml.

David is responsible for the feeding of the herd and he's introduced a preservative to the TMR ration to prevent it from heating up and 'spoiling. "It helps to keep the feed stable for longer and we've also give the ration a more complex structure by adding baled silage and hay."

He says that key to improving the ration has been to introduce changes gradually, over weeks rather than days. "And the end result is a more consistent ration and better intakes.

"We're been pleased with the way things have gone during the past 12 months and making it to the final six in this prestigious competition for a second time is the icing on the cake."