A Cornish dairy business, based near Truro, has been named the winner of the 2025 NMR RABDF Gold Cup. Paul Broad of T N Morrow and Partners, Treveale Farm, Ladock, was presented with this top industry award at Dairy-Tech, Stoneleigh, today, February 4, 2026.
This family-run dairy farm of Paul Broad and his wife, Wendy (née Morrow), together with Wendy’s brother, Irwin Morrow, and Paul and Wendy’s sons, David and Philip, carry out all roles on the farm, from milking cows and rearing calves to planting and harvesting forages.
The family has made considerable investments in the past decade for the next generation, with a new dairy unit in 2018 and a new youngstock unit in 2023.
The pedigree Maymor Holstein herd has doubled in cow numbers in the past 14 years, to the current 471 milking cows and 461 youngstock followers, on the 280-hectare unit.
Average annual milk yield is 12,362kg, at 4.26% fat and 3.44% protein, with 33% of the milk produced from home grown forage.
Milk quality is closely monitored, with the latest results showing a somatic cell count of 112,000/ml and a Bactoscan of 10. The herd is BVD-free and its Johne’s average test value (ATV) of 2.5, from routine milk screening, indicates exceptionally low infection rates.
Breeding high genetic merit animals with type traits that favour longevity and rearing fit, healthy heifers are major contributors to their business efficiency. They also focus on improving soil health, reducing fertiliser use, while improving forage quality and milk from forage, and using fewer antibiotics to future-proof the business.
A second highly prestigious award, The Chris May Memorial Award, made to the Gold Cup qualifying herd with the highest lifetime daily yield (LDY), was awarded to Messrs Harvey from Drum Farm in Dumfries.
Their Killywhan Holstein herd of 278 cows and 140 followers is run by John and brother Stuart. The herd achieved an average lifetime daily yield of 23kg/cow/day.
Average production is 14,800kg/cow at 4.13% butterfat and 3.5% protein. A total of 18 cows in the herd have produced over 100 tonnes of milk in their lifetime so far.
Longevity is important in this herd and 30% of the herd – 80 cows – are in their 5th or greater lactation and 11 animals are 8th or 9th lactation cows, with the average number of lactations being 3.41.
While the breeding policy is important, getting nutrition right so that cows can reach their potential is more important in achieving all-round efficiency.
Three more awards were presented to herds with the highest combined fat and protein (CFP) within their breeds.
The NMR Silver Salver, for the herd with the highest CFP, was won by R Torrance and Son from Stapleford Abbotts, near Romford, Essex
The Torrance’s Curtismill pedigree Holstein herd of 730 cows with 560 followers achieved a top CFP of 1,076kg for the year ending September 2024.
Milk sold averages 14,892kg per cow at 4% butterfat and 3.33% protein. They achieve these high levels of performance and constituent milk values through good breeding plans and attention to detail in herd management
The Lilyhill Cup, presented to the Jersey herd with the highest CFP was won by the Hunter family from Shotts, Lanarkshire.
Their Clydevalley Jersey herd, comprising 200 cows and 200 followers, is run by Robert and Lorraine Hunter in partnership with their son Mark.
The herd’s CFP for the year ending September 2024 was 846kg, placing them top of the breed among qualifying herds, and the current average production is 8,023kg of milk at 6.27% butterfat and 4.09% protein on twice a day milking. Milk is sold to Graham’s.
Key to achieving high butterfat in this herd is feeding high dry matter silage, which is cut and baled in-house, giving them full control of its production.
Winner of the Chairman's Cup, for the herd of a breed other than Holstein or Jersey, with the highest CFP was awarded to the Cowhill Trust Muirside, Dumfries, run by Stuart Neish.
This herd of 210 cows is a blend of Ayrshire and Red and White Holstein. They achieved a CFP of 763kg in the year ending September 2024. Average milk yield is 11,000kg at 4.2% fat and 3.6% protein
Milk is sold to cheese manufacturer Lactalis, so high protein milk is targeted.
A strong reliance is placed on home grown forages on this farm, with about 90% of the diet home grown. Cows are housed for about six months of the year and graze through the summer with a buffer ration fed to supplement the diet.
Finalists in the 2025 NMR RABDF Gold Cup:
· Ruth and Stephen Ashley, PJ & PE Ashley & Son, Condover, Shropshire
· Paul Broad, T N Morrow & Partners, Treveale Farm, Ladock, Truro, Cornwall
· Ben Foote, J H Foote Farming, Church Lane Farm, Brown Candover, Alresford, Hampshire
· Michael Madders and Rosie Chandler, M Madders Farming Ltd, Church Farm, Coppenhall, Staffordshire
· William Mayor, Yeo Valley Farms, Yeo Valley, Blagdon, Bristol
About NMR -
NMR is the leading agri-tech supplier of management information to the UK dairy supply chain. Through a team of self-employed milk recorders, it collects and tests milk samples for approximately 50% of the UK’s 1.8 million cows. In addition, its laboratories provide payment testing and disease testing services for Britain’s milk processors.
NMR has a joint-venture laboratory in the Republic of Ireland providing similar services to farmers and processors across the whole of Ireland. Another division of the Group is a livestock traceability business, Nordic Star, which services the UK dairy and beef sectors. NMR is part of the AB Agri Limited group of companies.
About RABDF -
RABDF is the sole UK charity dedicated to the needs of dairy farmers. Established in 1876, it is the only dairy organisation to hold a Royal Patronage. RABDF is the organiser of the Dairy-Tech event.