Press Release (19 August 2009)

AgriScot Unveils Dairy Herd Contest

Every Scottish dairy farmer using milk recordings is to be automatically entered into a new competition aimed at rewarding the unsung stars of the industry.

The AgriScot Scottish Dairy Herd of the Year competition contest was announced this week by AgriScot’s organisers, in partnership with the Scottish Dairy Cattle Association and with sponsorship from World Wide Sires.

Commenting on the launch, the SDCA’s Jack Lawson said: “This competition is not about high yields or show cows but is about good management, and everybody will be eligible regardless of breed or cross. Mixed herds and non registered herds will all have an equal chance.”

Drew Sloan, chairman of World Wide Sires, commented, “Throughout Scotland there are many fantastically managed dairy herds that do not show or reach the top 10s for yield, but are really profitable because they have excellent fertility, low cell counts and their cows live for a long time.

It is to highlight the standard that some of these herds set that the World Wide Sires team is delighted to sponsor the AgriScot Scottish Dairy Herd of the Year.”
Entry will be automatic, with the milk recording companies supplying the statistics for the best herds in fertility, somatic cell counts, long living cows, average PLI and general health. These will be given to the judge without herd identification and a short leet selected for actual far visits to decide the top three.

The final result will be announced at AgriScot itself, which is being held on Wednesday, November 18, this year. Judge for the fist year is to be NFUS dairy specialist, George Jamieson.