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X LVETS NEWS
WINTER 2015 ISSUE
LIVESTOCK MATTERS
4
XLVets farm client wins
‘Tesco
Dairy Farmer of the Year’ award
Tesco has a pool of over 600 dedicated farmers supplying milk and these form the Tesco Sustainable Dairy Group (TSDG).
TSDG farmers need to self-assess on a number of outcome measures in addition to Red Tractor farm assurance. Performance
is checked annually by an external auditor. The Standards, along with target and intervention levels are reviewed annually by the
TSDG Committee, which includes myself. The TSDG Dairy Farmer of the Year is judged by a Committee review of performance
against Standards and then I visited the shortlisted farms to judge the TSDG Farmer of the Year. I was delighted to see that all
three shortlisted farms for 2015 were with XLVets practices. The farmers recognised were all achieving very high Index scores
(indicating achieving Standards expected across most measures), in particular high levels of cleanliness, body condition and
mobility, with scores completed accurately and on time. They are all recognised as leaders in the dairy sector, also receiving
recognition from other organisations.
Highly commended were the Waters family,
near Newport in Gwent. Stephen, Bev, Chris
and Andrew Waters run a family farm of 116
cows, each producing 8,200 litres of milk
per cow. Their vet is David Preece from
Tyndale Vets. All the family contribute in
different areas, with great attention to detail
and this can be seen in the excellent
appearance of the herd, with all cows
meeting standards for cleanliness and body
condition. They were the best herd for the
welfare section in the Index, with 98%
longevity, low mobility score and no leg
lesions. They have used the TSDG Johne’s
testing requirement to adopt an active
management plan, and made great progress
towards eradicating this infection. They said
the TSDG index ‘gives us the information we
need’ and use this with their advisers to make
the right decisions for their herd.
Highly commended is Neil Baker, from
Crewkerne. His vet is Jon Reader from
Synergy Farm Health. As RABDF Gold Cup
winner, and featured in a previous issue of
Livestock Matters, Neil Baker needs little
introduction. His herd has expanded to
1,800 cows each producing 11,700 litres,
where he drives the highest standards for
health. His Index scores were the highest for
milk quality and for cow health. Neil achieves
low disease rates through clearly identified
written protocols, usually in Polish and
English, and an active management plan.
This has allowed him to reduce antibiotics
used for both dry cow and mastitis, and this
will enhance his Index score further. He also
hosts around 800 visitors on his farm for
Open Farm Sunday.
The winner of this year’s TSDG Farmer of the
Year is Adrian Smith, from Middlewich in
Cheshire. His vet is Mark Proctor, from
Willows Veterinary Group. Adrian and Alison
keep 210 cows, plus followers, each
producing 8,500 litres of milk. The farm has
received numerous awards, including the
2015 Cream Awards Milk from Forage
Award, and Brook House Farm was judged
the Cheshire Farm of the year 2015. The
farm demonstrates the very highest standards
of health and welfare, which is apparent from
the low stocking rate and the attention to
detail. Adrian and Alison achieve the very
highest Index scores for calf health, as a
result of active monitoring and management
of calving resulting in low stillbirth rates.
Their colostrum and rearing approach was
excellent, resulting in negligible calf losses.
The outcome is seen in excellent cow health
and longevity. They are active in promoting
the dairy sector, hosting public visits by
schools, scouts and the Women’s Institute.
Adrian makes great effort to enhance the farm
appearance for visitors. He recruits local
people, providing them with training, and in
return has great loyalty from his staff. Overall
Adrian Smith is fully deserving of his TSDG
Farmer of the Year Award due to not only his
high standards but also his active promotion
of dairy farming.
by
Paddy Gordon, Shepton Veterinary Group
Steve and Chris Waters
Neil Baker
Adrian Smith