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John Cowgill, an Arla Foods Milk Partnership member is now saving 200 hours a year on trimming and treating cows feet and at least £2,000 on culling lame cows after signing up for one of the Milk Development Council's (MDC) £1,000 for 1,000 cows training schemes.
John is involved with one of the fifteen groups of Partnership members, who supported by Asda, have been attending the two-day training events, tapping into £1,000 worth of expert advice to understand issues such as cow fertility, mastitis and lameness in herds.
The MDC's well-established £1,000 for 1,000 cow grants have been offered to groups of Partnership members who have a combined herd size of 1,000 cows.
At a recent scheme in Wakefield, Gloucester based veterinarian, Roger Blowey, a leading expert on hoof disorders, explained the workings of cows' feet and how they react to the environment. Roger held practical sessions on farm including a three-hour foot trimming demonstration, highlighting many potential problems and how to treat each case. Different managerial practices and environmental conditions on farm and their effect on lameness were also discussed and analysed.
Alan Radbourne, partnership support manager for Arla Foods UK plc, has been responsible for setting up the groups and is delighted with the results: "We have received exceptionally positive results from the groups which have already undertaken the grant. It gives our members the opportunities to receive expert advice, which they couldn't afford any other way.
"Producers are reporting improved fertility, higher yields and large savings in time and money. The scheme has also brought about unforeseen benefits including groups creating their own networks, which they use as a forum to learn from each other and improve farming practices and animal welfare."
Brian Lindsay, head of the MDC's Farm Management Programme said: "The 1,000 cows concept has continued to grow in popularity with UK dairy farmers - so much so that many become involved in more than one project. Over 1,000 UK dairy farmers have now benefited from this opportunity to work closely with colleagues and specialists in implementing the latest MDC research that addresses common issues, and then evaluating the results for longer term potential.
"MDC is pleased to be working with Arla and Asda in bringing the latest technological advances to dairy farmers through the 1,000 cows scheme, so they can continually improve the efficiency of milk production on their farms," added Brian.
The Partnership is planning on setting up further schemes across the country with numbers continually growing as partnership members urge others to take part.
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