Gold Cup finalist 2005, John Round

John Round

John Round has once again proved his outstanding ability to manage a large herd by winning his way into the final stage of the dairy industry's most prestigious award - the NMR/RABDF Gold Cup - for the second year running.

John manages his 270-strong herd, based at Elmore, near Gloucester, with help from full-time herdsmen Geoff Bates and Martin Kendall, and farm labourer Mark Reynolds. And the team has made considerable progress since last year - enough to take another well-earned place in the final six herds from all over Britain that are vying to win this year's coveted award.

The 135-hectare unit fits in well with the philosophy of the competition that spotlights farm management, environment policies and future planning strategies, as well as investigating the production, health and welfare status of the herd.

The homebred herd averaged 11,730kg of milk at 3.80% butterfat and 3.18% protein in 2004 - up by 1,000kg compared to 2003's figures and pushing total milk sales up towards the three-million-litre mark. Calving pattern is spread in order to provide the business's milk buyer Dairy Crest with a level supply, and the herd is fed a TMR inside all year round.

"Housing the herd all year round has happened gradually during the past few years," explains John. "Grazing is limited here without crossing roads or walking down long tracks, so it made sense to keep the cows inside."

The herd is split into two management groups - high and low yielders. And there's also a group of freshly calved cows, as well as the dry cow group, which is managed on the DCAB system.

"I like to keep things simple and I do all the rationing for the herd," says John. "I look at four things to ensure I'm on the right track with nutrition: the amount of milk in the tank, milk quality, cow condition and the herd's dung."

And to ensure that the whole business is on track for success, John looks at the bottom line. "I'm interested in profit and feeding, just like other factors such as genetics, play key roles in that."

With help from Kite Consulting, John also keeps a watchful eye on cost per litre and benchmarks his herd's performance against the top 25% in the UK.

"We can match the top 25%. It would nice to be up there with the top 10%. But cost per litre is not the 'be all and end all'. It's a good guide to ensure efficiency, but it's important not to get too hung up on any one parameter.

"I also look at MOPF and feed conversion efficiency - vital when running a high-input system. But it's profit that's the all important figure when measuring success."

The new single farm payment is not something that John will be relying on at the end of the financial year. "I shall be putting it to one side and farming without it.

"Our whole business ethos is about increasing our asset base. We need more land and buildings to continually grow the business and such investment requires us to make a profit without rely on subsidies of any form."

John adds that producers don't even know how much the payment will be yet and that it's guaranteed that payments will also be delayed. "Established businesses that are relying on the payments to keep them afloat could be in for a nasty surprise."

Despite his business-like approach, John says he prefers the hands on side to dairying, as opposed to 'man and money' management.

"I enjoy managing the cows and would always prefer to run a 300-cow herd as opposed to managing a team of men to run a 1,000-cow herd. So we're focusing on consolidating what we have at the moment, rather than expanding, and part of that is continuing to increase milk yields - through breeding and feeding.

Managing the herd's breeding programme is another of John's strengths. "I took responsibility for this aspect of the herd's management when I was just 12 so it's second nature to me now.

"I don't have time to show cows, so I breed cows for improved milk yield and type. I'm using a lot of US sires at the moment, as well as Shottle and Principal.

"Feet, legs and udders must all have positive scores and I'm not looking for large cows. I'm looking for longevity and I'm pleased with the herd's current replacement rate of 18%."

Although managing the herd has always formed a large part of John's life, he says that lifestyle is also becoming increasingly important to both him and his herdsmen. "During the next 10 years I'd like to see us all sharing the workload a little more. It's important that staff are paid well and don't work excessive hours.

"We're in the process of fine tuning a routine that's workable and keeps everyone happy. I don't want to increase herd size at the moment and disrupt that routine."

Gloucester Dairy Farmer Takes Top Industry Trophy