Award winning Yorkshire dairy herd to host RABDF NMR Gold Cup Open Day
4 June 2010
All dairy farmers will have the opportunity to visit one of the UK’s leading herds at a summer open day jointly organised by the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers and National Milk Records
on Wednesday 30 June when Geoff Spence and his team open the gates at Lowfields Farm, Brompton, Northallerton, North Yorkshire.
Visitors will be able to learn more about the detailed management that is applied to the award winning Mireside Holstein herd of 370 pedigree cows, which last year averaged 10,250 litres at 4.0% butterfat and 3.2% protein, with a 388 day calving interval and 15% replacement rate.
“A strong team approach both on and off farm are critical to the herd’s success,” says Geoff. “Not only do I work closely with my herd manager, Mark Fawcett, but also our nutritionist, vet, adviser and breeding consultant to make sure that cow health and welfare are first class.”
RABDF chief executive, Nick Everington will introduce the line up of speakers; the farm’s consultant Paul Dennison, of Strutt and Parker will discuss its business management; vet, Mark Glover from Kebir House Veterinary Surgery will explain why local partnerships and protocols make for winning performance; KW Alternative Feeds’ Dr Michael Marsden will give an insight into how the herd uses nutrition to drive performance, while his colleague Steve Allen will discuss the Mireside journey; Altra Preg’s Drew Wilson will take a futuristic view on the herd and NMR’s Hannah Pearce will offer more information on how to use modern technology to manage mastitis. Finally RABDF chairman, David Cotton will chair a questions and answers session with Geoff Spence.
In addition to walking the unit, visitors will be able to meet the farm’s many suppliers who are supporting the open day along with KW, the event’s principal sponsor.
RABDF’s chief executive, Nick Everington comments: “The open day offers a tremendous opportunity for all producers, regardless of their herd size, to find out more about how this very practical dairy farming family and their integrated team are succeeding. They will also be able to learn how a finely tuned balance of genetics plus nutrition combined with sound business and technical management are an integral part of operating an efficient and profitable herd.”
All visitors must register with RABDF’s Caroline Hadley to receive directions and book a free lunch on 0845 4582711 or email carolinehadley@rabdf.co.uk
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