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44


SOUTHERN WINNER: DORSET HERD, IAN & DAWN DIMOND


he Dorset prefix was first registered in 1955 by Ian Dimond’s father, Ian now farms 430 acres with his wife Dawn and daughter Georgie. Registering cattle took a break when Ian’s father took on more land until Ian graded the herd up in 1978. Their aim is to be as efficient as possible and breed cows they are proud of. The Dimonds are restricted for expansion by the mainline railway from Waterloo to Exeter and a road on the southern edge of town.


T Number of cows: 170


Milk yield: 10,810kg at 4.36% bf and 3.07% p


Number of staff: Five, we are a mixed farm with arable and sheep as well.


Breeding goals: To breed correct balanced cows with well attached udders, good feet and legs – they have to be able to walk well - our cows have a long walk to grazing in the summer. We like fore end strength and a cow must be correct in the rump.


What do you feel makes a good cow family? Trouble free cows. Longevity, which generally comes with high fertility and correct type; not necessarily over the top in production, but obviously they have to earn their keep.


Best cow currently on the farm: It would have to be Dorset Ross Bride EX94-2E, a stylish fourth calver, she carries seven generations of VG or EX dams, going back to Dorset Prelude Bride EX93-8E LP130 the daughter of CricheI Stardom Bride 8 EX91-2E 6* who was purchased from the Crichel Herd in 1995. We must also mention our oldest cow Dorset Rosa Queen EX94-6E 6* LP150.


She has already produced two 100 tonne daughters and has just calved down with her 12th calf and is going strong. She has won the cup for the highest yielding cow in the south west for the last four years.


Sire which has worked best in the herd: Comestar Outside and his sons.


Sire selection criteria: We always look for deep pedigrees and bear in mind the strengths and weaknesses of the cow family it’s being used on. Wide chest, but easy calving and low pins are a must. High type, particularly with regard to legs and feet, mammary and body. We never worry about milk because the bull wouldn’t be in the brochure if he didn’t have enough milk.


Current AI sires: Larcrest Contrast, Woodmarsh Asterix, Bertaiola Mincio, R-E-W Seaver, Toc Farm Duplex Glauco


Achievements: Master Breeder Award 2011, overall winner of the South West Holstein Club herd competition 2014 and 2015, winner of the best large herd in Dorset 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2015 (Holstein South West Herd Competition), 20 homebred 100 tonne cows bred to date, 16 homebred star brood


cows bred to date without the use of ET.


What was your last purchase in genetics? Our last purchase was Lilylane Shottle Fawn 5th as a yearling, she has now been classified VG85 as a two year old and is backed by six generations of Excellent dams.


Numbers of times the herd has been a regional winner: One


Herd classification: 51 Excellent, 66 VG


What do you feel in your herd’s appearance helps their performance? The fact that they are correct and uniform; our cows are deep bodied with good locomotion. Also good temperament, most of our cows are quiet, which makes working with them easy and a pleasure. I’ve always strived to keep the herd looking as a herd and not a collection of cows.


What is the most recent investment you have made in the farm? Recently we have installed rubber mats throughout the milking parlour. This has helped speed up the milking process and cows stand more comfortably during milking.


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