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Neil milks just over 1,000 Holstein cows at
Rushywood Farm near Crewkerne. A third of
the milk is used to produce vintage cheddar
on the farm, and the rest is sold to Medina
Dairies. His herd is currently averaging
yields of 9,500 litres with the target to
have increased to 1,200 cows averaging
10,500 litres in 12 months' time.
Neil's vet Jon Reader of Synergy Animal
Health explains: ‘Neil has huge expectations
- he is currently milking just over 1,000 cows
and wants to bring mastitis and lameness
cases down to zero. With Neil's attention
to detail and a good building set up,
Rushywood Farm has an incredibly low
lameness and mastitis rate despite being
such a big herd. It all goes to show, that
well-run large dairy units can support
excellent production and animal health.’
Cows are mobility-scored fortnightly by one
of Synergy's para-professionals, and any
lame cows are examined within 48 hours.
Attention to detail improves
animal health and production
Gold Cup finalist:
Neil Baker
Neil Baker's attention to detail and determination to measure disease
problems and reduce them has been key to his successes. He not only
reached the finals of the Gold Cup this year, he was then declared
Dairy Farmer of the Year in the Farmers Weekly Awards.
Jon Reader
Synergy Farm Health
GO L D C U P F I NA L I S T
11
LIVESTOCK MATTERS
WORKING
TOGETHER
FOR A HEALTHIER FUTURE...
Neil Baker: Gold Cup finalist AND winner of
the Dairy Farmer of the Year in the Farmers
Weekly Awards