Double success for Tregibby family at Welsh Dairy Event (From Western Telegraph)

Double success for Tregibby family at Welsh Dairy Event

11:20am Friday 25th November 2011 in Pembrokeshire Farmer

A Jersey and a Holstein bred by the same family won the top accolades at this year’s Welsh Dairy Event.

The Wilson family’s Bluegrass Heritages Lovely Lady was crowned supreme inter-breed cow just weeks after she was awarded the same accolade at the national Dairy Event in Birmingham.

Their Holstein heifer, Wilbro Goldwyn Kitty, made it a double victory after being named supreme heifer champion at the premier Welsh dairy event in Carmarthen.

Bluegrass Heritages Lovely Lady, a third-calving Jersey, was bought two years ago and produced 8,000 litres in her last lactation at 6.4% butterfat and 4.1% protein.

She was champion Jersey and reserve inter-breed champion at the Royal Welsh Show and champion Jersey at the Pembrokeshire County Show.

Hefin Wilson, of Tregibby Farm, Cardigan, keeps 10 Jerseys as a hobby, milking them alongside 80 Holsteins.

Simon and Sian Davies, of Brynhyfryd Farm, Hermon, also triumphed at the Welsh Dairy Event. Their Holstein, Castellhyfryd Spirte Rosina, was the reserve supreme inter-breed cow.

The second-calver calved twin heifers in May and has produced 10,000kg in 165 days. She was inter-breed champion at the Royal Welsh and at the Pembrokeshire County Show.

Overall, the show had a buoyant entry of 230 animals but away from the show ring, a main topic for discussion was bovine TB.

Stephen James, deputy president of NFU Cymru, suggested that Wales’ bovine TB eradication policy had lost momentum because a decision was still awaited on whether or not a badger cull would go ahead.

Mr James, who runs a dairy farm near Narberth, said it was a ‘sad indictment’ on the Welsh Government’.

He urged the Environment Minister, John Griffiths, to deliver his decision quickly.

"We have lost momentum on this, a cull should have started in May 2010 and yet we are still awaiting a decision,’’ he said.

For 18 months farmers in Wales have been subject to stringent testing and movement restrictions that were introduced to coincide with a planned cull.

Mr James said farmers needed the support of the Welsh Government in their fight against TB.

"We need John Griffiths to give us a positive message that the Welsh Government is going to sort out TB once and for all.’’ Milk contracts were also cause for concern. NFU Cymru said it would not shy away from calling for government intervention on contracts.

President, Ed Bailey, wants processors to ‘grasp the nettle’ on a voluntary code of best contractual practice.

Buyers were also urged to act on milk prices. According to the NFU Cymru Milk Board Chairman, Maurice Jones, around 1.6 billion litres of milk produced in Wales is being sold at an average 4ppl below the cost of production.

"That’s £65 million per year that’s lost to the rural economy or roughly £34,000 per farm,’’ said Mr Jones.

Results:Championships:Inter-breed Supreme Champion Cow: A H Wilson and Son, Tregibby Farm, Cardigan, Bluegrass Heritages Lovely Lady (Jersey); Res: S P and S R Davies, Brynhyfryd Farm, Hermon, Castellhyfryd Spirte Rosina (Holstein).

Inter-breed Supreme Champion Heifer: A H Wilson & Son, Wilbro Goldwyn Kitty (Holstein); Res: Glanmor Jerseys, Parcgwyn, Llandawke, Laugharne, Glanmor Saber Phlox (Jersey).

Holstein: Supreme: S P and S R Davies, Castellhyfryd Spirte Rosina; Res: Pedran Holstein Ltd, Llanfyrnach, Weeton Oralie Talent.

Heifer: A H Wilson & Son, Wilbro Goldwyn Kitty; Res: E R and M E Jones and Sons, Kidwelly, Feithy Talent Laura.

Best udder: S P and S R Davies, Castellhyfryd Spirte Rosina.

Champion exhibitor-bred cow: S P and S R Davies, Castellhyfryd Spirte Rosina.

Dairy Shorthorn: Supreme: I L and E Harries, Marleycote Peggy 10; Res: S V B and E A Thomas, Llanfyrnach, Drisgol Diana 62 Heifer: S V B and E A Thomas, Drisgol Diana 62; Res: S V B and E A Thomas, Drisgol BellaDonna 203.

Jersey: Supreme: A H Wilson and Son, Bluegrass Heritages Lovely Lady; Res: Nicel Jerseys, Nantyci, Carmarthen, Longhills Crescent Dibble.

Heifer: Glanmor Jerseys, Glanmor Saber Phlox; Res: R and Ff Jones, Nantgaredig, Salfach Beyond Jasmine.

Guernsey: Supreme: R J Norman and C E Mills, Cadbury Hawk Pretty 86; Res: C J R and S M H Evans, Gwarwenallt, Bancyfelin, Bickfield Rainbow.Heifer: C J R and S M H Evans, Hilcol Delta Dot.

Ayrshire: Supreme: Philip Reed, Rhos Y Gadair Fawr, Blaenannerch, Cardigan, Haresfoot Simply Red Pamela; Res: P and S Williams, Home Farm, Leweston, Camrose, Willhome Gold Caroline.Heifer: Emyr Jones, Gilfach, Llangain, Gilfach Tryst Flo; Res: P and S Williams, Willhome Jubilant Ella.

Brown Swiss: Supreme: B. Miller, Bridgewater, Sedgemoor Picasso Trula; Res: B Miller, Sedgemoor La Zeus Jilly J.Heifer: B Miller, Sedgemoor La Zeus Jilly J; Res: A and C Davies, Quarry Luke Doll PI.

Calf classes: Champion Calf: C J R and S M H Evans, Hilcot Delta Gwawr; Res: Nev and Rhian Roberts, Dulais Shottle Spottie 2.

Champion young handler: Jessica Hall; Res: Fflur Davies.

Crops: Overall winter: T B Lloyd, Pentrecwrt; most points: Andrew Phillips, Windsor Farm, Lamphey.