element of Tesco supplies.
Having always been a pedigree herd Matt’s aim is to improve the herd through judicious use of genetics to develop a high type herd in order to increase longevity and maximise the lifetime yield of cows. To this end new families have been purchased while restocking from TB breakdowns, including one of Matt’s favourites the Bee family which started in the herd from the purchase of Peevee Leader Bee, a Comestar Leader daughter out of the Foxhole Panatella daughter Peevee Bee. “This family is really starting to develop for us now and is proving to be exactly what we want in the herd. Leader Bee herself is still in the herd at 11 years old and has just classified EX90, her daughters are showing great promise and if they can last as well as their mother I’ll be really pleased.” Average lifespan at Cilwrgi is 3.6 lactations, with the calving interval currently sitting at 420 days, an issue Matt is working hard to correct and improve on, with calving to first service currently sitting at 86 days and average yields of 8809kg at 4.18%bf and 3.37%p.
“Heat detection has historically been a bit troublesome as while we have a good number of staff around the farm most of the time, due to their limited training spotting cows in heat isn’t always on their minds. This has contributed to the longer than desired calving interval, but the introduction of Heat Time should help correct that in the coming months and years and get back below 400.”
And, with longevity and type firmly at the top of Matt’s wish list when it comes to breeding he prefers to use proven bulls rather than genomic sires. “I can see a place for genomics, but for me at the moment I’d sooner stick to proven sires which I know have been thoroughly tested. That allows me to pick on the basis of proven performance and to use corrective matings to
ABOVE LEFT Cilwrgi Bolton Lady, an EX90 third calver that stood Holstein champion at Chepstow Show 2013 as a heifer.
ABOVE RIGHT Herdsman Matt Lawrence runs the Cilwrgi herd as well as managing offenders working on the farm.
BELOW LEFT Second calver Cilwrgi Mickey Rosalind VG88.
BELOW RIGHT Cilwrgi Design Elie VG85, a second calver.
best effect.”
Current sires in use include Bradnick, Goldchip, Mogul and Graffiti for the cows, with sexed Sahara Baloo being used on the heifers at the moment. “This is the one genomic bull we are using, but he’s been selected for his back pedigree too and will hopefully leave high type cows. “Historically we’ve done well with Shottle, Design, Gambler and Metallic and have daughters of Atwood, Mincio and Mascalese looking well in the youngstock at
34 THE JOURNAL AUGUST 2015
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