Michael Eavis from Glastonbury, Somerset is the winner of this year’s NMR/RABDF Gold Cup. This 230ha unit, that carries the 385-cow Holstein Friesian herd, is managed on a day-to-day basis by husband and wife team John and Pam Taylor with help from a team of four dairy staff. Regular meetings with Michael are used to monitor progress, set targets and develop new ideas.
Professor David E Beever
31st March 1944 – 16th June 2014
David Beever was a courageous scientist of unique abilities, who made a huge contribution to the world of agriculture.
David was born on a small South Yorkshire farm and went on to gain a primary degree and PhD at Newcastle University.
In 1969 his long and successful career in ruminant nutrition began at the Grassland Research Institute in Hurley, becoming head of ruminant nutrition.
In 1992 he became Professor of Animal Science and Head of CEDAR at the University of Reading.
In 2007 he was recognised by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), for contributing to the awarding of the Nobel Prize for 2007 to the IPCC.
In 2009, David was very proud to be awarded the RABDF Princess Royal Award for his outstanding services to the dairy industry.
In 2004 after leaving Reading, he joined Keenan as Chief Scientific Advisor. Gerard Keenan says “David first challenged and argued. Later, supported by other leading scientists, David was to develop the connection between rumen function, better feed conversion efficiency, improved farm margins, and reduced environmental impact.”
David worked worldwide for Keenan including China, India and the USA. His huge personality and passion for the dairy industry made him unforgettable, and he commanded great respect and admiration wherever he travelled, as he spoke the unvarnished truth. He really loved the underdog, and his interests were in the farmers that would listen and respond, who would appreciate what he could do for them. Often these farms were small or medium, but he just wanted to help.
At David’s funeral personal tributes were paid from colleagues in research from the USA, the UK and Ireland. Jim Drackley, Professor of Animal Science at Illinois said “I first became familiar with his name and research in the 1980’s. He was one of those names I looked at in awe as a young aspiring scientist. His research was classic and has assumed renewed relevance today in light of issues of climate change and sustainable agriculture.”
The RABDF Prince Philip Award was presented to Genus ABS for research and development in the field of dairy farming and the most practical, relevant and best technical exhibit at the Livestock Event 2014.
The company was awarded for its Valiant Foam-Active wipes, a unique foaming pre-wipe, designed to provide a convenient one-step preparation routine, delivering a superior standard of cleaning. The product contains a specially formulated blend of active ingredients resulting in a highly effective foaming anti-bacterial disinfectant. The broad spectrum anti-bacterial action is claimed to remain intact even when contaminated with 10% organic matter.
A Certificate of Merit was awarded to XL Vets and its exhibit featuring ‘make your farm your fortress’, a campaign designed to put biosecurity at the top of farmers to do lists.
Genus ABS’s Paul Nunn, Andy King and Dave Hodgson receive the award from RABDF president, Prof David Leaver
RABDF president, Prof David Leaver presents the award to XL Vet’s Joanne Sharp and Stuart Gough, Calweton Veterinary Group
Stall bookings for cattle reached record levels at the Livestock Event, at The NEC, Birmingham on Wednesday 2 and 3 Thursday July. Over 200 stalls were allocated for the National Dairy Show, together with over 145 pedigree beef cattle.
“Last year visitors requested more livestock, consequently the event featured more space for dairy cows, more beef with three national shows for performance recorded cattle and for the first time, sheep,” comments RABDF chief executive, Nick Everington
“The National Dairy Show featuring six different breeds went from strength to strength. Over 200 stalls were booked, both last year and 2012 when the National All Breeds Show was held,”
“The new Aberdeen Angus National Junior Championship and National British Blue Shows had a line-up of 43 entries and 29 respectively, while the National Charolais Show attracted 73 entries. In addition the event featured sheep for the first time with the inaugural National Lleyn Competition.
“Exhibitors discovered that The NEC is one of the best equipped venues in the UK with its temperature controlled environment and first rate handling facilities, stall booking fees were refunded for all cows exhibited, and they were paraded to a well-established visitor audience of over 17,000. Furthermore this year, the main ring took centre stage in the Genetics Zone.
“We also saw growing interest from overseas breeders taking advantage of The NEC’s location next to Birmingham International Airport. For example, we welcomed the Ayrshire Cattle Society’s World Executive Meeting with delegates travelling from as far afield as Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Kenya, Scandinavia, Canada and the USA.”
Sandyford Clover 10, a 12 year old Ayrshire in her eighth lactation reigned supreme at the Livestock Event, held at The NEC, Birmingham last week. After collecting supreme breed honours at the National Dairy Show, she went on to lead the field in the interbreed line up, however the victory came after stiff competition from the Holstein champion, Neatishall Decker Rosina.
Supreme interbreed champion, Sandyford Clover 10 with Blaise Tomlinson, his family and show team
Supreme interbreed champion, Sandyford Clover 10 with Blaise Tomlinson, his family and show team
Both Clover and Rosina were awarded an identical number of points from the panel of six breed judges, after which it took several minutes of adjudication from the respective breed judges, Selwyn Donald, New Zealand and Hugh Neilson, Strathaven before the Ayrshire was declared the winner. “It was a very very close decision,” said Mr Donald. “The Ayrshire has power and capacity and the Holstein a fantastic udder as well as overall quality. The colour of the cows doesn’t matter, it’s the quality that counts. Unanimously, we’ve decided to go for this tremendous cow – the Ayrshire.”
Clover added to yet another success in her illustrious showring career which has included interbreed champion at The Royal, Royal Welsh and Great Yorkshire, as well as five times breed champion at the Livestock Show. “We’re thrilled to bits,” said her breeder and exhibitor, Blaise Tomlinson. “We brought her out of retirement four years ago and she collected this same interbreed award two years ago, so entering her for this show at this stage of her career was a big, big gamble. As to her future, well, never say never; you never know, you may see her again.”
A KC Roses Chatter Red daughter and out of a homebred dam from the Tomlinson’s 160 cow Ayrshire herd which runs alongside 160 Holsteins based at Charley Crossroads, Leicester, Clover 10 is classified a maximum Ex 97. A September calver, so far she has completed 12,000kgs in 305 days, and 105,000kgs in her lifetime.
Standing below her was Neatishall Decker Rosina from fellow Leicestershire breeders, Nick and Louise Sercombe, Knaptoft. A third calver by Far O La Debbi-Jo Decker, she is currently yielding 50kg daily. Rosina who was secured as an in milk heifer, was fresh from her success at the Lincolnshire where she took the reserve breed title.
INTERBREED MILK HEIFER CHAMPION: AYRSHIRE - 16 – Hunnington Fragy 16 – C & L Window
INTERBREED RESERVE MILK HEIFER CHAMPION: HOLSTEIN - 169 – Peachy Ava Tyrol – Peachy Holsteins
EXHIBITOR BRED CHAMPION MILK HEIFER: AYRSHIRE 16 – Hunnington Fragy 16 – C & L Window
EXHIBITOR BRED RESERVE CHAMPION MILK HEIFER: HOLSTEIN - 169 – Peachy Ava Tyrol – Peachy Holsteins
EXHIBITOR BRED CHAMPION: AYRSHIRE – 59 - Sandyford Clover 10 – E T Tomlinson
EXHIBITOR BRED RESERVE CHAMPION: JERSEY 144 – Bluegrass Excitations Cyclamen – Mr and Mrs B A Daw
SUPREME INTERBREED CHAMPION: - AYRSHIRE - 59 – Sandyford Clover 10 – E T Tomlinson
RESERVE INTERBREED CHAMPION: - HOLSTEIN - Neatishall Decker Rosina – NJ and LC Sercombe
INTERBREED GROUP OF FOUR CHAMPION: AYRSHIRE
INTERBREED GROUP OF FOUR RESERVE CHAMPION: HOLSTEIN
Aberdeen Angus National Junior Show champion, Shadwell Evora
Judge: Russell Taylor, Carse of Gowrie
Supreme and female champion: Shadwell Evora, Shadwell Estate
Reserve and male champion: Aynho Pilgrim, I H McLaren
National British Blue Show champion, Solway View Inferno
Supreme and male champion: Solway View Inferno, Kevin Watret
Reserve and female champion: Rhymil Heidi, Rhys Millichap
Reserve male, Tanat Impact, Wyn Jones
Reserve female, Solway View Hotspot, Kevin Watret
National British Charolais Show champion, Sportsmans Highnes
Judge: Archie MacGregor, Kilsyth
Supreme and female champion: Sportsmans Highness, Boden and Davies
Reserve and reserve female: Balbithan Hersieys, Mr and Mrs A White
Supreme male: Gretnahouse Indian, A Houston
Reserve male: Marne Impeccable, R Tremayne
Dewi Ellis 1st prize pen of five shearling ewes
Class 1 - A Pen of Five Registered Shearling Ewes
1st Dewi Ellis, Betws y Coed Flock 547 (North Wales Club)
2nd Christine Lewis, Powys Flock 1159 (North Wales Club
3rd JA & R Geldard & Sons, Kendal Flock 621 (Scottish & Borders Club
4th Linda Jenkinson, Cumbria Flock 1219 (Scottish & Borders Club)
Class 2 - A Registered Lleyn Ewe with Crossbred Lambs
1st Bryn Roberts, Pwllheli Flock 12 (North Wales Club) Texel
2nd H & M Dugdale, Settle Flock 1228 (Scottish & Borders Club)Texel
3rd Dewi Ellis, Betws y Coed Flock 547 (North Wales Club) Dutch Texel
4th Mike Miller, Dorset Flock 1141 (Southern Clubs) Charollais
Champion Club - North Wales Breeders Club
Reserve Champion Club - Scottish & Borders Club
