‘
razing has always been part of the farming system for Jonathan Wilkinson’s herd and now with 325 milking cows it is still key to achieving a profitable business. “We aim to get as much milk from grass as possible and having always protected stature and strength over the years we now have a medium sized cow that is capable of achieving this,” explains Jonathan. To achieve this aim and ensure feed costs are kept under control the herd, which averages 9600kg at 4.1%bf and 3.35%p with a calving interval of 399 days and SCC of 98, is grazed from April to October. Long lasting cows are a fundamental part of the strategy for the Pendyffryn herd, with the oldest cow in the herd currently being an EX95 classified Sunny Boy daughter in her 12th
G
with the herd averaging five lactations apiece.
“Fertility is also essential in a grazing system and our 12 month rolling average for submission rate is 51% with a 37% conception rate and a 45% 100 day in-calf rate.”
But Jonathan says keeping ahead of grass early in the season can be a challenge even for his herd which has been bred to graze. “We are in a fertile valley where grass grows very quickly in
To keep grass right both high and low yielders are grazed day and night - high yielders are topped up with a buffer of maize, crimped wheat, ground straw, a 25% protein blend and grass silage
’ lactation,
spring and can almost get away from cows. However, with numbers increasing gradually and an aim to grow the herd to 400 cows in the next few years we will hopefully naturally get on top of this early growth. However, despite the performance and genetic merit of the herd, current milk prices aren’t allowing for the investment needed to expand,” he adds. “To keep grass right both high and low yielders are grazed day and night with high yielders topped up with buffer of maize, crimped wheat, ground straw, a 25% protein blend and grass silage. The high yielders are fed 20kg of buffer a head for an hour and a half after morning milking. Cows are also topped up to a maximum of 10kg with an 18% energy feed in
ABOVE RIGHT Grazing is restricted due to the road splitting the farm up.
OPPOSITE LEFT Jonathan Wilkinson aims for the herd to be as efficient as possible, he believes using grass while maintaining yields is key.
BELOW LEFT Pendyffryn Shottle Ethel EX94 is currently in her fifth lactation averaging 46kgs and is back in-calf to Zeber.
BELOW RIGHT Pendyffryn Blade Jasmine EX91 is a herd favourite, she has given 11,452kg in 215 days averaging 54kg.
9600KG HERD
AVERAGE
THE JOURNAL JUNE 2015 19
PHOTOGRAPHY BY RICHARD STANTON
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