ABOVE RIGHT Three of the UK’s team of four at the All-European Show came from Riverdane. L-R: Riverdane Gold Angel VG89 (max score), Riverdane Talented Ashlyn EX93 (max score), Wyndford Goldwyn Melody 11 VG87-2yr, Riverdane Woelkchen 8 EX93 (max score).
LEFT Riverdane Woelkchen 8 EX93(2E) (Cento x Lee) won her class at the All-European Show in 2013. She is owned in partnership with I-Cow and Ponderosa Holsteins.
North America, the pair became frustrated when none of the UK’s AI stations were interested in marketing their resulting bull calves, but the studs in their country of origin were. Wanting to do something about it they formed a joint venture, Kingstreet Sires, with Genervations in the US to market bulls in North America and the UK. Run by Sam Wake, Kingstreet only sell bulls that Mark and Bill would want to use themselves and an essential criteria of any bull that enters the portfolio is that they are backed by a strong cow family.
The Farm
Attention to detail and cow comfort in all areas is vital on the farm and clean water, feed and comfortable bedding are fundamental to maintaining high yields.
Run as one group, cows are fed a TMR diet to yield in the parlour. A robot feed pusher helps maximise intakes and Mark says that he wouldn’t farm without it. Sand cubicles enhance cow comfort for the main milking herd, while a group of show potentials, up to a maximum of 10, are loose-housed on straw. The show cow group receives exactly the same ration as the main herd, with the only added benefit of ad-lib hay. As I am toured round the farm by Herd Manager Ross Murray we stop in front of the elite group and Ross explains: “We only have the herd’s best fresh cows that we want to work with in this group
THE JOURNAL AUGUST 2014 15
and when they become too stale they go back in the cubicles. Nothing is in this group because it’s not fit for cubicles; its current members will rotate. Our aim is to get the main herd as good as the cows in this group.”
The future So what’s next for these risk-taking entrepreneurs that are not afraid to act and make their dreams come true? Mark says: “We are very lucky to be surrounded by a great team of people who have allowed us to take on new challenges and turn them into a success. At the moment we are developing the IVF side of the business and are achieving fantastic results.” Due to join the Holstein UK board in September, Mark says he wants to create a sustainable outlook for the future of our industry by ensuring that we have a strong youth support structure that can give young people the same opportunities that he had.
What can I say – the Nutsfords are cow-lovers through and through who are thankful to be surrounded by a strong support network that allows them to take on new challenges. A great business run by determined people – I’m sure there is much more to come from this great herd. Watch this space.
Photo Mattia (below) & Monica (opp left) by Jane Steel
Photo Woelkchen & team of four by Cowsmo
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