A high yielding pedigree herd has increased milk output by almost 20% after a series of improvements at a Pembrokeshire farm.

John and Gaynor Harries' Holstein herd was averaging 7,000 litres, but existing feeding and winter housing systems were barriers to production gains.

Twice a day feeding in the parlour was putting a strain on the cows' digestive systems. "We weren't doing a good enough job of feeding. There was too much concentrate going in," admitted Mr Harries, who farms a 194-hectare unit near St Nicholas.

They switched to a Total Mixed Ration feeding system last autumn after investing in new winter cubicle housing with a central feed passage. Yields have increased to the current average of 8,300 litres. "The herd now gets a more balanced ration," said Mr Harries. A combination of improvements at Velindre Farm is credited for the increase in yields. The predominantly autumn calving herd has access to better feed throughout the day while improved accommodation for the modern Holstein cow has created more room and comfort. The new shed with stalls for 180 cows was a necessary investment, believed Mr Harries. "The dry cows were out-wintered because we didn't have enough buildings. With an average annual rainfall of 48 inches, some of the winters were diabolical."

Feed inputs outside the parlour average 4kgs/cow - silage blended with sugar beet pulp, wheat distillers and soya.

Yields determine the feed ration in the parlour - a 32-point rotary internal milker installed in December 2000. A transponder fitted to each cow stores a computerised record of individual feed levels. Cows are fed a total mixed ration and those yielding over 25 litres are fed concentrates in the parlour. Stage of lactation is also taken into account. This all leads to an overall average concentrate input of 1.4 tonnes per cow.

The quality of grazed grass and forage is also important to yields. Fields are divided into one hectare grazing blocks with temporary fences. At turnout in April, the herd has access to a fresh block at each grazing. As the season progresses a controlled set stocking system is introduced with the herd grazing three hectare blocks.

The pasture ground is a combination of late heading grasses and clovers. Reseeding this season has been at a rate of 30 kilos/hectare - four varieties of perennial ryegrasses, each at 7 kilos/hectare, and 1.2 kilos/hectare of white clover.

Fertiliser is applied in February with a 26/13/0 product at 250kgs/ha, followed by monthly applications of 75kgs/ha of nitrogen to the dairy pasture land.

The Harrieses regard good quality silage as a key to maintaining yields in the winter. Their 2002 first cut crop - a 1,400 tonne clamp of grass silage cut and harvested in the first week of May - won the Federation of Welsh Grassland Societies silage competition this year.

The winning clamp produced an analysis of 27.8% dry matter, D value 75%, ME 12.1%, protein 16.1% and PH 4.0%.

An additive had been used for the first time after problems were experienced the previous year.

"It was a good quality silage but it wasn't stable in the pit, the PH dropped as the winter progressed," said Mr Harries. They used Triplesile supplied by Bibby's and this created the stability they were lacking.

Careful breeding has also contributed to improved milk yields. The pedigree 'Strumble' herd has been bred for good maneuverability and a capacity to take in high levels of feed. Numbers have increased by a third to 300 since the new parlour was built.

PICTURED: Farmer of the month, dairy farmer John Harries, of St Nicholas, who has increased milk output of his herd by almost 20%.