By Meyrick Brown

TWO outstanding dairy herds, managed quite differently, have emerged as joint winners of the 2016 National Milk Records Competition for Pembrokeshire.

Supplying the Muller Milk Group on a level production contract George, Ben and Nia Llewellin milk their 250 strong “Clarby” herd of Holstein Friesian cows through a 20/40 herringbone parlour at their 200 acre Lower House Farm, Clarbeston.

Making good use of an all grass system in spring and summer, calving is from July to November with an average milk yield from cows and heifers of 10,000kgs per lactation, presently at 3.2 per cent protein and 4.0 per cent butterfat. Around 80 replacement heifers are reared each year.

In almost complete contrast the other joint winners are Clive and Pam Davies’s “Garne” herd of 120 Brown Swiss milkers at Lampeter Velfrey supplying Dairy Partners at the company’s Newcastle Emlyn creamery.

Servicing the year round calving herd, which rely entirely on a total mixed ration and are housed all year, are two robotic milkers – installed four years ago – and producing a herd average of 9,500kgs at 3.52 protein and 4.2 per cent butterfat.

A breeder for more than 28 years Clive, who is currently president of Brown Swiss Cattle Society for the UK, says the animals are noted for their excellent temperament, sound health and manageability and seem to fully achieve their potential from robotic milking.

Class winners (Judges: Main herds – Paul Williams, Youngstock – Arwyn Wilson):

Highest number of points for inspection and production, small herd – C B & P S M Davies, Trefgarn Farm, Lampeter Velfrey, Narberth, large herd – N G & A L Llewellin, Lower House, Clarbeston.

Inspection only – G R Griffiths & Son, Penlan, New Moat, Clarbeston Road. (Holstein).

Production only – N G & A L Llewellin.

Non Holstein/ British Friesian herd with the highest number of points on inspection and production – C B & P S M Davies.

Robotic milked gaining most points on inspection – C B & P S M Davies.

Non-registered herd with the highest number of points on inspection and production – H G & E Jones, New House Farm, Lampeter Velfry, Narberth

Herd gaining the highest number of points in the total competition (excluding winners of previous classes) – E J C & M E Jones, Hackett Farm, Kilgetty.

Bull Progeny Group – G R Griffiths & Son (Eppynt Talent)

Dairy Stock Bull, over 12 months of age – D, H O & S E J George, Clover Hill, New Moat, Clarbeston Road. (Trigarn Destroyer).

Nominated cow gaining most points on inspection and production (above own 2015/2016 cow herd average) – D, H O & S E J George (Trigarn Damion Anna).

Cow Family Group with the highest number of points on inspection – D, H O & S E J George (Anna family).

Lowest cell count – N G & A L Llewellin.

Nominated heifer gaining most points on inspection and production (above own 2015/2016 heifer herd average) N G & A L Llewellin (Maesyafon Sid Love).

Best group of three cows gaining the highest number of points on inspection and production (taken from 2015/2016

Annual Summary) – G R Griffiths & Son (Carwyn EP Talent Red, Glen Celia and Penrikka Dictator Idaho).

Best high production cow on inspection only – G R Griffiths & Son (Carwyn Mario Red Brenda)

Cow having 3 or more lactations with the highest value of milk per day – N G & A L Llewellin (Clarby Future Toots).

Home Bred milking heifer gaining most points on inspection – N G & A L Llewellin (Clarby Amazing Pansy).

Family group on inspection – C P & P S M Davies (Garne Flash Wella, Jacob Wella & Esme Scipio Wella).

Best Organic herd on inspection only – H G & E Jones.

Herd with overall best udder conformation. Inspection only – G R Griffiths & Son.

YOUNG STOCK

Best in-calf heifer – G R Griffiths & Son.

Large herd of female young stock – N G & A L Llewellin.

Small herd of female young stock – C B & P S M Davies.

Calves under 6 months of age by the same bull – Tedion Farmers, Tedion, Lawrenny, Kilgetty.

OVERALL WINNERS

Herds with the highest number of points accumulated through all classes – N G & A L Llewellin and C B & P S M Davies (joint winners).