SOUTHERN WINNER: Sherdon herd, Jerry Palmer Jerry farms in Mid-Devon with his wife Cynthia and sons Dale and Lance. The Sherdon herd was established in 1955 by Jerry’s parents Gerald and Margaret.
The focus in the herd is on breeding productive, trouble free cows that will last well. Although not showing himself, Jerry has taken a lot of pride in seeing Sherdon Shottle Kimo, who he owns a half share in, having great success in the show ring. Co-owned and shown by Pete Prior, Designer Holsteins, she has stood champion at Edenbridge and the South West Dairy Show. In recent years 11 bulls from the Sherdon herd have gone in to AI and each year 40 bulls are sold off farm to other dairy farmers.
Earlier this year the herd was awarded a Master Breeder and has had 20 cows achieve 100t in recent years.
Number of cows: 180 Milk yield: 11,241kg at 4.11%bf and 3.38%p Number of staff: Four family members Breeding goals: To breed cows that have a natural ability to give large quantities of milk with high components and the correct type to fit cubicles and a trouble free life. Families: Ivy, Kimo and Riskey Best cow currently on the farm: Sherdon Ramos Riskey, an EX92 fifth calver whose last bull calf by Levi sold to Genus. There are four generations of this family currently milking in the herd. Sire which has worked best in the herd: Shottle. He’s bred 24 EX daughters in the herd so far. Sire selection: Production is bred for through PLI with type selection to fit the system. Current AI Sires: 80% of sires used are genomic and include Mardi Gras, Goodwonde, Deman, Peski, Altina Norman and Bouw Rocky. Proven sires are Shottle, Sherdon Irresistable, Ballycairn Pello and Planet. Achievements: Winning Devon large herds 12 times in the past 13 years. Breeding Sherdon Irresistable who is marketed by Genus and was voted Holstein International’s number one outcross sire for 2013.
Number of times the herd has been a regional winner: This is the first time. Herd classification: 60 EX, 86 VG including 22 VG two year olds and everything else is GP.
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We thoroughly enjoyed seeing all of the finalists, each herd had the ‘wow’ factor
NORTHERN WINNER: Wormanbyherd, David Hodgson
The father and son team of Harry and David Hodgson at Wormanby focus on having a manageable number of good quality cows with pedigrees to match. Cows are housed on sand cubicles and the focus is on easy management,
with profitable cows and less hassle.
A second income is made by selling fresh heifers and young cows at the Border and Lakeland monthly sales. The Hodgson family have received a Master Breeder
Award for their Wormanby herd, were runner up in the RABDF Gold Cup in 2012 and were a finalist again in 2013.
Number of cows: 170 Milk yield: 11,144kg at 3.86%bf and 3.21%p Number of staff: Harry and David with one part-time worker and one relief milker. Breeding goals: To breed a uniform herd of balanced cows with deep pedigrees. Families: Gloriette, Lustre, Dellia, Mahala, Redrose and Rachel. Best cow currently on the farm: Wormanby Atwood Linda, a VG88 two year old. Sire which has worked best in the herd: Shottle. Sire selection: The aim is to select the best bull where possible for each cow. Current AI Sires: Contrast, Mincio, Atwood, Bookem, Doorman, Elude, Endure, Snowy and Mardi-Gras. Achievements: Master Breeder Herd, Runner-up RABDF Gold Cup 2012, 2013 Finalist RABDF Gold Cup and most recently having our cows placed second, third and fourth in their classes at UK Dairy Day. Number of times the herd has been a regional winner: Two Herd classification: 52 EX and 70 VG averaging 88 points.
THE JOURNAL DECEMBER 2014 23 ’
Judge Yasmin Bradbury
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