Shropshire herd climbs to National Milk Records top spot

An 84 cow Shropshire dairy herd has climbed the table in the 2012 NMR Annual Production Report to achieve the top spot in the herd production rankings.

Gerald Allsop’s Enchmarsh Holstein herd, from Church Stretton in Shropshire, has moved into the top spot from eighth place in 2011. His herd of 84 cows has an average production of 886kg of fat and protein, a milk yield of 11,731kg on twice-a-day milking and a calving interval of 421 days.

In second place and moving from seventh place in 2011 is Nick Cobb’s Chalclyffe herd from Dorchester, Dorset. Milked three times a day, his 741-cow herd has recorded an average production of 882kg of fat and protein and 12,794kg of milk with a calving interval of 384 days – the lowest interval in NMR’s top 1% of herds ranked on production.

Joint third is Andrew, Julie and Martin Bray from Helston in Cornwall. Moving up from 13th place in 2011, their 97 cows produced 880kg of fat and protein and 11,162kg of milk. And sharing third place is last year’s top herd, the Luther’s Foxminster pedigree Holstein herd from Poole in Dorset. Also with 880kg of fat and protein, this herd of 64 cows has an average milk yield of 12,283kg.

Other breed rankings

Among the other main dairy breeds Pearne Wyatt and Son, from Norfolk, has moved into first place in the Shorthorn production rankings with a fat and protein yield of 622kg and a milk yield of 8,589kg for their 126-cow herd.

Ayrshire breeder Tinker and Sons Park Head herd, based in Yorkshire, is in top place for the third year running. The 190 cows have increased production by 8kg of fat and protein to 690kg with 9,067kg of milk.

Little change was recorded in the Jersey breed this year with the Mahon’s 45-cow herd from Norfolk still in first place, having increased fat and protein production by 23kg to 759kg and yield by 226kg to 8,203kg. M and C Cox from Guernsey are top of the Guernsey breed rankings with 27 cows producing 778kg of fat and protein and 8,504kg of milk.

Cumbrian herd from Nerewater Farm are in top place in the Friesian rankings for the second year running. The 66 cows yielded 645kg of fat and protein and 8,643kg of milk.

Top Holstein genetic rankings

And leading the Holstein genetic merit rankings for the year ending September 2011 is T H Davis’ herd from Gloucestershire. This herd has a PLI of £101. In second place is the Ludwell’s herd from Devon with a PLI of £98.