15/10/07
Cattle breeding company Alta and dairy management company NMR
have announced the winners of their new production and efficiency
awards.
Sion Roberts (L) receives rosebowl for first place from Jonathan Davies, NMR (R) and George Collins, Alta
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These awards use NMR’s Lifetime Daily Yield (LDY) data
to identify herds and cows that are achieving their milk production
potential efficiently across a number of lactations. LDY divides
total milk by cow age, in days, and will therefore be higher
in herds where good production is combined with good fertility
and longevity.
The competition identified the top 5% of herds nationally for
LDY. Each herd was evaluated using InterHerd and cows were ranked
against a herd average of 100% for milk, fat and protein production.
With the biggest deviation from the 100% herd average at 184%,
Sion Roberts’ Holstein cow number 69 took the prize for
the most efficient milk producer. From Cerrigeinwen on Anglesey,
this cow is also well above her 240-cow herd mates for protein
production and ranks second in the national protein awards.
In second place for efficient milk production is the Druid Lodge
Partnership’s cow Druid Delta Peach. Based at Stonehenge,
Wiltshire, Peach is one of 668 Holsteins in a mixed herd with
199 Ayrshires. This cow is also the highest ranking protein producer
in her herd – 169% above the herd average – putting
her in first place nationally.
In third place for efficient milk production is Northampton Fairly
11 from the Moulton College herd in Northamptonshire.
In the efficient fat production rankings, Gavin Weaver’s
cow Perrinpit Marconi Dot comes out top and is 195% above the
herd average. From Cricklade, Wiltshire, this cow is one of 152
Holsteins in the herd managed by herdswoman Anne Baker.
Another cow from Sion Roberts’ herd, number 157, is second
in the efficient fat production rankings and in third place is
Einion Owen’s cow number 173 from Llanfaethlu, Holyhead.
Third in the protein rankings is Chris May’s cow Hazelden
Integrity Beauty from Wiltshire.
“This competition has identified herds with a high average
LDY then highlighted cows that are the best milk, fat and protein
producers within these herds,” says Alta’s Craig
Watson. “Producers can use this information in making breeding
decisions, selecting the most suitable cows for milk, fat or
protein depending on their milk contract.”
A second Alta/NMR award was made to the top cow for LDY. This
went to Moet Sunny Flirt from the Moet herd, based at Reaseheath,
in Cheshire. With eight lactations under her belt, Sunny Flirt
has produced 163,106kg of milk and has a LDY of 33.4kg a day.
Just behind the winner is Copperhurst Rock Seagull from Wilfred
Greenwood’s herd, based in Pilsworth, Lancashire. Seagull
has achieved a LDY of 33.1kg a day in three completed lactations.
In third place is Jim and Grace Thornley’s Granchester
Prelude Heather 38 from Kirkham, Lancashire, with a LDY of 33kg
per day.
“Many producers are breeding and managing cows for efficiency
and longevity,” says NMR’s Jonathan Davies. “LDY
is one of the best tools for highlighting herds and cows already
achieving good results.
“And if a standard milk price is used, a financial value
can be put on her daily or lifetime production. This gives the
competition a very practical and financial meaning.
Cows that are not producing milk efficiently are unlikely to
be profitable. Today’s herds need consistent cows that
can maintain this efficiency across a number of lactations and
this will be reflected in their LDY,” he adds.
TOP 5% LDY HERDS – Section winners
Efficient milk production |
|
Owner |
cow name |
1st T D & N ROBERTS |
69 |
2nd DRUIDS LODGE PARTNERSHIP |
DRUIDS DELTA PEACH |
3rd MOULTON COLLEGE |
NORTHAMPTON FAIRY 11 |
|
|
Efficient fat production |
|
Owner |
Cow name |
1st GAVIN WEAVER |
PERRINPIT MARCONI DOT |
2nd T D & N ROBERTS |
157 |
3rd MR E R OWEN |
173 |
|
|
Efficient protein production |
|
Owner |
Cow name |
1st DRUIDS LODGE PARTNERSHIP |
DRUIDS DELTA PEACH |
2nd T D & N ROBERTS |
69 |
3rd C D MAY |
HAZELDEN INTEGRITY BEAUTY |
Top LDY Cows nationally
|
Cow
|
LDY (kg/day)
|
Owner
|
1st
|
Moet Sunny Flirt
|
33.4
|
Moet Nucleus Herd, Reaseheath, Cheshire
|
2nd
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Copperhurst Rock Seagull
|
33.1
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Wilf Greenwood, Pilsworth, Lancs
|
3rd
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Grantchester Prelude Heather
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33.0
|
Jim Thornley, Kirkham, Lancs
|
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