Five herds from Avonbridge to Devon qualify for Gold Cup

Since its inception in 1920, the Gold Cup has been the most coveted award in the dairy industry and has been won by some of the most influential breeders. It combines elements of production, inspection and genetic management, with the trophy regarded as an award for all round excellence.

The competition, which is being judged on farm by RABDF’s council members Di Wastenage and Peter Alvis and 2019 Gold Cup winner Robert Sloan, Darnlaw, Auchenleck, will see the overall winner announced at Dairy-Tech, Wednesday February 1, 2023, on the NMR stand at 4pm.

We met the finalists to find out more about their businesses.

Gold Cup finalist – Alistair Logan – Holehouse

Technology and renewable energy, alongside maximum cow health and welfare are at the core of assisting the fifth-generation Logan family from Ayrshire, Scotland, to be one of the five finalists in the 2022 NMR/RABDF Gold Cup competition.

This family partnership consists of two generations, brothers Alex, Tom and Hugh, alongside Tom's sons Alistair and Stuart, who run a 280-cow pedigree Holstein herd.

In 2010, the farm, which also contains a 160-cow suckler herd and 1700 ewes, was at a crossroads. The decision was to either give up dairying or invest and carry on.

Thankfully, the Logans decided to stay in dairying and in 2014, the milking herd moved to a new unit on a greenfield site. In 2018, on a brown field site, they built new housing for dry cows, bulling/in-calf heifers and young calves. Further investments in housing for weaned calves through to bulling were made this year (2022).

Improved calf housing has led to a better environment and reduced the disease pressure, with a low rate of antibiotics used across the herd of 16.09 mg/pcu. Heifers are calving down at two years two months with a low mortality rate of 3% from birth to calving.

It's clear that this family operation is doing all it can to future-proof the farm. Whilst certain things are outside of their control, such as the local climate and inability to grow crops, they are compensating by improving efficiencies in other areas, explains Alistair.

"We are trying to make the most of the natural resources on the farm and provide another income to future-proof the farm. For example, the farm averages 75 inches of rain a year, so four years ago, we installed a 950kw hydro plant, which supplies all the electricity we need, plus enough to support about 600 homes, which is exported to the grid.

"We also have solar panels and a biomass boiler, which burns woodchip to heat the farmhouse and dairy. Next year (2023), we will also begin installing a 3 MW wind turbine. We are a net exporter of electricity," he adds.

The cows, which are housed inside all year round, are bedded on green bedding. "This completes the circle, as we are using renewable energy to provide renewable bedding, which is then recycled again," he adds.

Efficiencies also continue in the herd, with technology helping this well-run family business achieve some outstanding results.

All cows are fitted with Cow Manager ear tag sensors. This records rumination, eating, activity and cow temperature. Alistair claims it's one of the 'best bits of kit' on the farm.

"We've been using it for two years and it has knocked 20 days off the calving interval to 382 days and increased the pregnancy rate from 17% to 23%. This happened within six months of us using the ear tags," explains Alistair.

"We have virtually stopped looking for cows in heat as we trust Cow Manager. As well as helping target when to serve cows, it is invaluable at highlighting early health issues before cows become sick."

Alistair says this is especially useful post-calving when it can pick up cows 'under the weather'.

Any data collected is acted on straight away. They were one of the early adopters of the Delaval Body Condition Scoring cameras situated in the parlour exit lane. This helps highlight any health issues and allows cows' diets to be adjusted.

They have also started using an on-farm milk testing slide to target antibiotics where they are needed. After an incubation of 24 hours, they can tell whether the mastitis case is gram-positive or negative. If gram-positive bacteria are detected, antibiotics are given. Those with a gram-negative infection showing no signs of illness are treated with a herbal AHV bolus. They also use the boluses in high cell count cows showing no sign of infection.

"It can take a couple of months for cell counts to come down, but the boluses seem to work," says Alistair.

They also have an automatic footbath and use a Lely Discovery scraper to clean the passageways to aid foot health.

"Cow comfort and health are our priority," he adds.

Although the Logan's struggle to grow crops, they are in a good grass-growing area due to the amount of rainfall. Cows are fed a TMR of grass silage, blend, draff, fodder beet, straw and a high-quality compound provided in out-of-parlour feeders. In the last five years, they have reseeded all silage ground with hybrid Italian ryegrass and done extensive soil sampling to target nutrients and maximise yields.

Breeding focusses on a medium-sized robust, high-yielding Holstein, which has positive health traits, fertility and lifespan. Sexed semen is used on 75% of the herd, with the rest put in calf to beef. In addition, surplus dairy heifer replacements are sold, which provides an added income stream for the business.

Pointers

• Use of technology and data to maximise cow health and welfare

• Renewable energy helping future-proof the farm

• Various income streams

• Excellent fertility

FARM facts Holehouse

• 280 pedigree Holstein cows, with the majority Red and White, 160 suckler cows and followers and 1700 ewes

• Average yield: 10,500l at 4.10%BF and 3.40%P

• All-year-round calving herd, housed indoors

• Somatic cell count: 115,000 cells/ml

• Replacement rate: 32%

• Calving interval: 382 days

• Pregnancy rate: 23%

• Herd health: Mastitis rate 28%

• 1930ha, 175ha allocated to dairy

• Supplies Muller

Gold Cup finalists – the Orr Family, Kaemuir

A strict breeding and health policy are central to the top performance achieved in the 260-cow Holstein herd owned by the Orr family from Falkirk, central lowlands of Scotland.

This family-run unit, consisting of son Stuart, his parents George and Marion and brother Scott, is run as a tight ship.

Stuart says the attention to detail by all staff members is vital to maintaining performance and cow health.

"We employ one full-time staff member, Daniel Nisbet, who’s been with us a long while. Attention to detail is a must for all working on the farm. Everyone knows what they are doing and the correct procedures, whether it's youngstock or the milking herd."

They aim to breed a long-lived and well-balanced cow. The family uses genomic bulls and began genomically testing all newborn calves and heifers under one at the start of this year (2022). Using the Genus genetic programme, the correct bull is matched to each female, speeding up genetic improvements.

All heifers and top-performing cows are put in calf to sexed semen to minimise unwanted black and white bulls. Any not in calf to sexed semen are bred to beef, providing an additional income stream. They have even received a third prize in the McIntosh McDonald steak competition at the Royal Highland Show with one of their home-bred dairy cross beef animals.

Since 2011, they have reduced their calving interval from 417 days to 368 days and in heifers, the average age at first calving has been reduced by eight months to 22 months in the past 11 years, with 91% calving down and 95% making it to the second lactation.

Health is a high priority at Kaemuir Farm. They work closely with the Clyde Vet Group, which carry out monthly herd health visits discussing any challenges with cow and youngstock health. In addition, they use their vet to dis bud, castrate, vaccinate and weigh calves weekly.

Vaccinating calves for pneumonia at 10 days old has been central to reducing cases in youngstock. This has had a knock-on effect on antibiotic use, with non-critical antibiotic use halving in the past year. Their usage of non-critical antibiotics is now 12 mg/pcu and zero for critical antibiotics. Low heifer calf mortality at just 2% from birth to calving reflects their strict hygiene and health protocols.

Tackling mastitis has also been key to achieving a cut in antibiotic use. The team has moved away from paper wiping to freshly laundered cloths bathed in warm water and Kilco Virex disinfectant. This also helps stimulate milk let-down. A sanitiser is also applied to the bedding to help aid teat health. Stuart says these improvements have been critical to cutting mastitis rates and culls due to mastitis. Any cows with a cell count under 100,000 cells/ml at drying off receive a teat sealant only.

Annual average cases of mastitis are now well below the national average of 50% (AHDB) at just 8%.

Lameness is a key priority, too, with an automatic footbath used three times a week and regular foot trimming.

The herd is tested for Johne's, Leptospirosis and IBR and is vaccinated for the latter two annually, with milk screened quarterly for key diseases. The herd is also BVD -free.

The Orrs have a good relationship with their milk buyer, Muller, attending regular meetings and Tesco group meetings, where 75% of their milk goes.

Despite being an entirely housed herd, the Orr's have 160ha of land dedicated to growing food for the cows. They reseed around 20ha of grassland yearly, which is usually cropped with winter wheat before going back into grass.

Stuart says: "Using wheat as a break crop helps with weed control. It also doesn't require a lot of nutrients as there's often a lot of nutrients in the ground from that applied to the grass. Regular reseeding helps keep our grassland productive," he adds.

Cows are fed a TMR of grass silage, wholecrop, blend, barley and brewer's grains/draff. They yield just over 10,000l, with concentrate per litre at 0.37kg.

Soil testing helps them target the correct nutrients to the ground. They have also received a grant to invest in a dribble bar to improve the use of slurry and reduce emissions.

"We have been carbon footprinting for the last couple of years and hope things like the dribble bars and also fitting a heat exchanger to heat water faster will help lower our footprint," Stuart adds.

Pointers

• Strong focus on herd health

• Small family run business achieving big things

• Attention to detail in all aspects of business

• Individual cow breeding policy using genomic testing

FARM facts Kaemuir

• 260 cows, 850 head in total

• Average yield: 10,258l at 3.98%BF and 3.25%P

• All-year-round calving herd, housed indoors

• Somatic cell count 100,000 cells/ml

• Replacement rate: 27%

• Calving interval: 368 days

• Herd health: Mastitis rate 8%

• 200ha

Gold Cup finalist – Liz Birkett, Wiltshire

Wiltshire dairy farmer Liz Birkett – a former finalist in the 2019 competition – has again made it to the remaining five for the 2022 NMR RABDF Gold Cup award with her herd of 170 Holstein cows and followers having significantly improved all-round performance.

Forming part of a mixed farming business set in the Cranborne Chase area of outstanding natural beauty in south Wiltshire, the dairy system benefits from the arable enterprises.

Forage crops – grass and red clover two-year leys and maize – are integrated into the cropping rotation on the farm’s 365-hectare total.

“We give forage crops the same amount of attention as the arable crops,” says Liz, who, with her background as a ruminant nutritionist, understands the contribution, in terms of feed value and economics, of high quality silages. Having good quality forages are a cornerstone to efficient production.

“I’ve also become a soil enthusiast and grown to appreciate our responsibility in influencing its health, both physical and nutritionally. Soil health is fundamental in supporting sustainable farming from an environmental and profitability standpoint.

Starting in early May, grass is cut every five weeks to help achieve consistent high energy and digestibility values, and early maturing maize varieties are grown to enable harvesting in early October.

Carrying out regular silage analyses throughout the year so rations can be formulated and correctly balanced for this all year round housed herd is key, according to Liz. The aim is to produce as much milk from home grown forage as possible. The current level is 4000litres; about 34.5% of the milk.

The milking herd is fed a TMR, with an 18% protein cake fed to yield in the parlour.

While milk yields and quality have always been important drivers to this dairy business, longevity and low maintenance cows are the criteria that underlie the breeding plans.

All heifers are genomically tested and, using the comprehensive results and supporting advice, those animals that best meet the herd’s targets are bred to sexed semen.

“We want to breed cows that produce at least 50,000kg and last well,” says Liz. “We aim for high production from good all-round cows that show some staying power.”

Minimising inbreeding is important in their breeding plans, and they use out crosses to reduce the risks.

The herd has been closed since 2016 and strict biosecurity is adhered to. Any youngstock contact with neighbouring stock in summer is minimised. Calves are vaccinated for IBR and BVD, and all cows are routinely Johne’s screened via HerdWise. Less than 4% of cows have infection levels J4 and J5, which are not bred from.

Several improvements have contributed to reduced mastitis rates. Strict hygiene and parlour routines and a move to sand bedding in cubicles have seen infection levels halve in the past five years, to the current eight cases in 100 cows.

And reduced cases of mastitis have meant that antibiotics at drying off have been cut,with only 15% of cows getting any treatments.

“Improvements in herd performance, and particularly herd health, are largely down to our dairy team,” says Liz.

“We’ve made improvements in the buildings in the past few years, but it’s the commitment and close involvement of the team that has made it all work. Our staff are our biggest asset.”

Liz’s nephew Alex Rawle recently joined the business as assistant farm manager, working alongside the herdsman of seven years, Paul Aylan, and the calf rearer Carly Phillips. He will take on Liz’s responsibilities in 2023.

“We’ll keep striving to improve herd health and welfare and allow cows to express their full genetic potential,” adds Liz. “Moving to three times a day milking may be part of this. We’ll also improve feed use and reduce waste by adding a new silage clamp and in terms of energy bills, solar may well be on the cards.”

Pointers:

• High input, high output herd

• Great emphasis on the physical and nutritional health of the soil

• Cropping benefits from a mixed unit

• Transition plans to hand responsibilities to the next generation

• Improvements in herd health and welfare to facilitate improved production efficiency longer term.

FARM facts Rookhaye

• 170 cows and followers on 160ha of the 360ha mixed farm

• 11,270 litres of milk at 4.28%BF, 3.41%P on twice a day milking

• SCC – 140,000 cells/ml

• All-year-round calving herd, housed indoors

• Calving index 372 days

• Mastitis rate eight cases in 100 cows

• Replacement rate 24%

• Pregnancy rate 28%

• Milk buyer Muller – Sainsbury’s contract

Gold Cup finalists – Ford family, Somerset

The past two decades have seen the Ford family develop a high performance dairy business that has earned them a finalist place.

Chris and Helen moved to Peadon Farm, near Bridgewater, in 2001, where Chris took on the role of herdsman for the 400-cow dairy herd. Retirements led to the opportunity for the couple to become the first-generation tenant farmers on this 275 hectare unit in 2015.

Starting with 400 cows and no youngstock, they began establishing the Quantock pedigree Holstein herd that now comprises 600 cows and 680 youngstock housed 365 days and calving all year.

“We invested what we could in milking cows to generate a cash flow,” says Chris. “And for a few years, kept cows a bit longer than ideal to keep the tank full until we’d built up our youngstock numbers. We’re now bringing in a high proportion of heifers and we’re now getting closer to the ideal age profile for the herd.”

The herd has been closed since 2018, and last year they sold 237 surplus cows to other farmers.

Son Robert is now part of the farm’s team of 10 staff and is keen to be more involved, while daughter Charlotte, 16, is still studying.

All staff are given introductory training, focusing on health and safety, and encouraged to develop more skills and play to their strengths as they become more experienced. Reporting and record keeping are an important part of the farm’s management and to adhere to their Tesco Sustainable Dairy Group (TSDG) Muller contract.

Quarterly meetings with their vet and nutritionist are vital to keeping the herd on track and developing prevention protocols.

“This close working relationship and the diligence of our team has helped us to reduce our dry cow antibiotic use from 100% to 9%,” says Chris.

“And our team’s hard efforts in maintaining hygiene and bedding routines to help prevent mastitis in the lactation and the addition of a new transition shed with sand cubicles have all helped to improve udder health.”

Very aware of their responsibility for food safety, and for the well-being of the cow, herd health is given priority and they aim to be free of all disease. They test for BVD and IBR and screen for Johne’s using NMR’s HerdWise screening service with support on control measures from their vet. The herd has only 1% J4 or J5 cows.

Cows are selected for breeding carefully and sexed semen is used on the maiden heifers and the best cows, ranked on a combination of production, health and fertility. The remainder are bred to Angus sires.

“Our aim is to breed efficient, healthy, high yielding cows with good longevity that can produce 50,000 litres of milk over four lactations,” he adds, “And TB restrictions permitting, we aim to sell surplus stock.”

A highlight of this high yielding herd is production from forage, with 41% of milk produced from grass and maize silage. Some forages are grown by local farmers, as part of the overall cropping rotation and purchased as standing crops. Chris considers forage-growing like growing arable crops and involves an agronomist in soil nutrition. These forages are fed in a TMR alongside a blend at a feed rate of 0.27kg/litre.

Making more of resources on farm and further improvements to the cows’ environment to support productivity and sustainability are part of their plans. A green bedding separator will reduce bedding costs and improve cow comfort, and the possibility of harvesting methane from their dirty water store or a slurry digester to produce electricity could reduce energy costs.

And with more prolonged warmer temperatures, improvements to help reduce heat stress in summer and mitigate the dip in fertility are on the cards.

Pointers

• First-generation tenant farmers seven years into establishing high production pedigree Holstein herd

• Focus is on milk from forage, treating grass and maize as arable crops

• Low average age at first calving – five-year average is 21 months of age

• Planned approach to staff training and skills development

• Zero tolerance of disease to ensure food safety and support cow health and productivity

FARM facts Peadon

• 600 pedigree Holstein cows and followers on 275ha

• Average yield: 12,214litres at 3.84%BF and 3.28%P on 3x milking

• All-year-round calving herd, housed indoors

• Average age at first calving 20.9 months

• 34% pregnancy rate

• Mastitis rate – 10 cases per 100 cows

• Somatic cell count: 127,000 cells/ml

• Calving interval: 383 days

• Pregnancy rate: 34%

• Supplies Muller – TSDG contract

Gold Cup finalist – Oliver Reed

The show rosettes donning the office walls of the Reed family's farm at France Farm, Cullompton, Devon, are testament to breeding and astute management of the herd.

The 180-pedigree Holstein herd is run by father and son Andrew and Oliver and mum Wendy Reed, with Oliver's wife, Becca, recently joining the business.

Over the past 15 years, the family has built a strong reputation for producing quality breeding stock, with about 50 freshly calved cows/ heifers and in-calf animals sold a year.

They calve around 220 animals annually, split 140 dairy and 80 to beef, rearing and selling the beef as stores around 18-24 months. Dairy heifers calve down at 24 months.

Their herd profile has been raised following continued success in the show ring, with accolades in 2022 including reserve breed champion at the Royal Cornwall Show, inter-breed champion at Devon County and Honiton show and breed champion at the South West Dairy Event.

Their breeding focuses on producing strong Holstein cows which will last. Oliver says: "Type is very important to us, with a strong focus on chest width and body depth, which will help our cows convert feed to milk. We also look for an excellent mammary system and good legs and feet, which helps longevity." Their replacement rate stands at 16%.

Cows are milked by three A4 Lely robots, which were installed in 2016. The excellent performance results shining through reflect their sound breeding policy and management.

Cows yield 13,000l at 4%BF and 3.29%P, with a pregnancy rate of 21% and a conception rate of 34%.

Cows are also extremely healthy with low levels of mastitis, down at 4.5 cases per 100 cows, and antibiotic use reduced from 19mg per/cow in 2018 to just below 10mg per/cow.

Management has a large part to play in the herd's high health and low antibiotic use, particularly when it comes to the environment. For example, cubicle design, management of the sand bedding and ensuring the robots are clean help keep mastitis at bay. In addition, they check the robot's conductivity daily and analyse somatic cell count results monthly.

When it comes to lameness control, the environment is also essential. They regularly footbath and quarterly mobility score. Breeding for good feet and udder conformation is also given particular consideration.

The Reeds have also invested in sock fans for the calves and bigger fans for the cows, creating a better atmosphere. "This has reduced pneumonia in calves and heat stress in cows," explains Oliver.

Aside from the herd's management, this family business is also achieving exceptional results when it comes to growing their own forage. The all-year-round housed herd is fed a diet of homegrown maize and grass silages.

They grow up to 32 ha (80 acres) of maize and take three cuts of grass silage from between 40-60 ha (100-150 acres). Last year, in 2022, first cut yield was 3.26t/ha (8.1t/acre) of grass silage using only 50 units of nitrogen and slurry.

Producing an annual manure and fertiliser plan is key to achieving top performance from their grassland. By doing so, the Reeds have managed to more than halve their fertiliser usage from 45 to 20 tonnes per year.

Oliver explains: "We work closely with Janice Radford at Douglas Green Consulting and have done for the last 10-15 years. She works with us on all elements of the farm business and we wouldn’t be where we are without her.

“Each year we work with her to put together an annual manure and fertiliser plan to make the best use of nutrients in the manure and reduce our fertiliser bill.

“This has been very successful. We carry out routine soil sampling with our agronomist to ensure we can best use the nutrients in our manures.

“We have also just joined a Mid-Tier Scheme and established 30ha of legumes swards, wildflower mixes, and we also leave margins around water courses. The aim is to increase the silage's protein and help further reduce our fertiliser usage," adds Oliver.

Forage is so important to their operation that the Reeds produce an annual forage and diet plan. Silage is analysed regularly as they work through the clamp to ensure the diets can be balanced correctly, and stocks are checked to ensure they have plenty of forage available.

Pointers

• Strong breeding with a focus on healthy, robust and long-lived animals

• Attention to detail in all management aspects

• Making best use of home-grown forages

• Nutrient management planning helping halve fertiliser costs.

FARM facts France Farm

• 180 pedigree Holsteins, 120 pedigree Suffolk ewes with the aim to sell up to 40 rams year for breeding and 80 dairy x beef animals sold as stores at 18 months old a year

• Average yield: 13,000l at 4.00%BF and 3.29%P

• All-year-round calving herd, housed indoors

• Somatic cell count: 102,000 cells/ml

• Replacement rate: 16%

• Calving interval: 387 days

• Pregnancy rate: 21%

• Herd health: Mastitis rate 4.5%

• 142ha 80ha allocated to dairy

• Supplies Crediton Dairy