JENNY CONTINUES TO SET STANDARDS
For the third successive year, an outstanding Wiltshire bred dairy cow was a runner –up in a national competition to find the country’s top Long Life Cow.
The Long Life Cow Award is organised by leading cattle breeding business Genus ABS. “While there are many competitions which seek out the ‘top’ cow, none of them focuses on lifetime contribution,” comments Genus ABS Sire Analyst Andrew Rutter who was a member of the judging panel.
“There are many attributes which mean a cow will last longer. She will suit the management system, she will get in calf regularly over several lactations, and she will be a high producer with good compositional and hygienic milk quality.”
Cimmaron Even Jenny EX91, owned by The Cimarron Partnership from Malmesbury, Wiltshire was the Central Regional winner. Born in March 1997, Jenny was the highest placed Brown Swiss cow in the competition and is in her thirteenth lactation. She has produced over 126 tonnes on milk in her lifetime.
She first calved in June 1999 and Her fourteenth calf is due shortly.
“Jenny is a wonderful cow,” comments Mike Edwards. “Over her lifetime she had averaged 22.4kg per day and produced over 10,000kg combined fat and protein. Her cell count has averaged 132 and she has never been treated for mastitis. In 2004 she was breed champion at the Dairy Event and was classified EX for the third time at 13 years old. There are three generations of her family milking in the herd today.”
Overall the competition attracted over 70 entries, averaging 10.7 lactations each and producing on average 102,131 litres of milk.
“The competition demonstrates that the modern dairy cow is capable of outstanding production while maintaining good levels of reproduction and withstanding disease threats,” continues Mr Rutter. “It also showcases the exceptional levels of stockmanship onUKdairy farms. A cow won’t last this long without top quality and skilled staff taking an active interest in her well-being.” Thursday, September 13, 2012
