Golden glow at Picston

摘要

Top-notch genetics helped the Pickford's scoop this year's NMR/ RABDF Gold Cup, but they were by no means the only reason the family business took the dairy industry's most prestigious award.The competition takes account of a wide range of factors such as physical and management performance, environmental schemes and future plans for the dairy business. To qualify for the Gold Cup, the Picston herd's milk records had to meet rigorous criteria: more than 50 qualifying lactations - so a herd size of at least 50 cows, annual average cell count of 175,000 cells/ml or less, and a PIN of £20 or above. Figures for the 320 cow herd, based at Spot Grange, near Stone, Staffordshire, currently stand at 10,815 kg of milk at 4.12% fat and 3.28% protein with a cell count of 149,000/ml, following an eight year period of investment and expansion.