High genetic merit brings production benefits in low imput herd

摘要

Rachael Porter has been to SAC's Acrehead unit, near Dumfries, where trials are aimed at achieving 5,000 litres/cow from forage within the next two or three years. Maximising margin per litre is one aim of John Bax who manages the low-input, high genetic-merit herd at the Scottish Agricultural College's Acrehead Farm, near Dumfries. His objective is to reduce costs by feeding good quality grazed grass and silage and minimising purchased inputs: maximum milk from forage is his ultimate goal. The herdgives 4,500 litres from forage alone - more than double the national average of 2,200 litres - and John hopes to reach 5,000 litres within the next two or three years.