18 September 2008

2 minute read

Europe

Mr Campbell won the award, which recognises improvements in fertility management for dairy farmers at the Dairy Event in Stoneleigh Warwickshire this week.

"Effective fertility management is a vital component of profitable dairy farming with a clear relationship between calving rates and margins, " said John Cook, UK Technical Services Director with Genus ABS.

"THis award is designed to reward those farmers, who have achieved significant improvements in performance through a proactive partnership with their breeding technician."

Reproductive Management Systems (RMS) is a comprehensive heat detection and fertility management service for large dairy herds.

Mr Campbell runs a herd of 420 cows. Fresh calvers and high yielders are housed all year round, while late lactation and pregnant cows graze during the summer. The herd averages 8,500 litres.

Tim Downes from Shropshire was named the Milkminder Manger of the year.

The award, sponsored by Promar, marks improvements in technical performance and the development and delivery of a business plan.

Mr Downes, who has a herd of 169 cows and a beef enterprise has an organic farm and sees milk yields of on average 6,117 litres per cow from concentrates and 4,200 litres from forage.

Anthony Gothard from Somerset received the Dairy Farmer of teh Future award at the Dairy Event.

The award, sponsored by Pfizer Animal Health, recognises the role played by young people in shaping the future of the industry.

Mr Gothard runs a herd of 350 cows averaging 9.950 litres with a margin over purchased feed of £1,754 per cow.

TheCattleSite News Desk