Scottish Dairy Farm of the Year

 

The Ralston Family Are Judged Top Dairy Farm at AgriScot 2011!

The Ralston family trading as Thomas Ralston and Sons, East Drumlemble, Campbeltown have taken the title of AgriScot Scottish Dairy Farm of the Year which is sponsored by World Wide Sires.

 

Father Willie with wife Catherine and sons Andrew and Murray are all involved in the family business milking 200 Ayrshires.

 

The award highlights excellence in dairy farming and is based on many criteria including calving age, calving index, yield, somatic cell count and disease control to the percentage of the herd in their fifth and over lactation. It also encompasses having a great herd of happy well managed cows.

 

Judge Sue Cope, executive director of the Cattle Information Service said that deciding the overall title from the top four finalists was a most difficult task as each one excelled in all the criteria.

 

 “However, not only do the Ralstons have a great herd of cows with fantastic management right from the new born calf to the mature herd but they have constantly planned and improved buildings for cow comfort and made new and wise use of the older buildings.

 

“They have also well thought out management plans in operation for the future and continued detailed attention to sire selection, the use of sexed semen but never forgetting the key stockmanship skills.

 

“I am sure every retail milk buyer would love to have this herd as a supplier.”

 

This is the first time an Ayrshire herd has achieved the number one position in this prestigious award.