Scottish dairy herds were victorious in the first combined milk records competition which included entries from Cattle Information Service (CIS) recorded units.

This year, more than 250 ICAR approved herds competed in Scotland and Northern England Milk Records competition – based on production figures collated in 2021/22. Previously, the event comprised mostly National Milk Recorded herds.

The results which were announced at a dinner in Kendal saw Jersey breeders, Robert and Lorraine Hunter and son Mark, West Tarbrax, Shotts, top the league, winning the supreme overall, with their Clydevalley herd of 160 cows, which produced yields of 8210kg at a colossal 7.08%BF and 3.97%P. Somatic counts and calving interval were also impressive at 110, and 398, respectively.

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The family, who dispersed their Holstein herd six years ago to concentrate on their Jerseys, which are now almost completely home-bred, also won the award for the highest yielding coloured cow on BF and P. Taking this accolade was Clydevalley Rocket Flora 2, which boasted figures of 8.25%BF and 3.61%P.

Regular winners, the Harvey Family of Drum Farm, Beeswing, Dumfries, landed the award for the highest yielding Holstein herd. John Harvey, The Scottish Farmer’s Field Margins dairy columnist, his brother Stuart and their mother Margaret, of the Killywhan herd, topped the league with their three-times daily milking unit which boasts a herd average of 13,810kg, at 3.97%BF, and 3.19%P, with a calving index of 415 days.

The Harveys also won the award for the highest yielding individual cow with Killywhan 956 which produced 20,309kg.

LEADING awards

Black and whites

Highest placed cow on BF and P – Scotland – 1, Barr Farms’ Hawkland Drake Oleada (5.19%BF and 3.29%P score 1359 3x daily milking); 2, Messrs Harvey’s Killywhan Zebra Flora (4.69%BF, 3.21%P, score 1358 x3); 3, T and AW Wadsworth’s Big Balcraig 3908 (5.04%BF, 3.22%P score 1344 x2). North of England – 1 and champion cow on BF and P, MR Harrison’s Genista Maximus Sunflower (5.42%BF, 3.06%P 1364 x2); 2, SJ Brough’s Springfieldview Pesky Gypsy (4.27%BF, 3.14%P 1341 robot); 3, Whinnow Farming Company’s Whinnow SH Nadal Racer (5.33%BF, 3.73%P, 1288 x2).

Highest placed heifer on BF and P – Scotland – 1, Messrs Harvey’s Killywhan Applejax Flora (3.92%BF, 3.16%P, 1045 x3); 2, IG Campbell and Co’s Auchlane 85 (4.00%BF, 2.96%P, 1035 x3); 3, A Robertson’s Coopon Bigfork Ella (3.67%BF, 3.36%P, 1017 robot). North of England – 1 and champion heifer on BF and P, Dobcross Hall’s Holdane Applejax Josie (4.62%BF 3.43%P 1052, x2); 2, SJ Brough’s Carrock Evolve Dorothy (4.3%BF, 3.73%P, 1028, robot); 3, CW Bushby’s Hillside Mayday Kindle II (4.03%BF, 3.41%P, 1016 x2.

Highest yielding cow – Scotland – 1 and supreme highest yielding cow, Messrs Harvey’s Killywhan 956 (20,309kg x3); 2, Barr Farms’ Hawkland Fantasmic Cutie 5 (20,121kg x3); 3, IG Campell and Co’s Auchlane Henix Rene (18,902kg x3). North of England – 1, SJ Brough’s Carrock Oasis Kelly (19,753kg robot); 2, CW Bushby’s Hillside Star Kindle (18,422kg robot); 3, J Smithson’s Neweden Macarena Grace (18,316kg robot).

Highest yielding heifer – Scotland – 1 and supreme highest yielding heifer, B Weatherup and Partners’ Parkend Fitz Ariel (15,823kg, robot); 2, Messrs Harvey’s Killywhan Applejax Jetty (15,170kg, x3); 3, IG Campbell and Co’s Auchlane 85 (14,859kg x3). North of England – 1, MR Harrison’s Bervie All Star Fern 150 (15,384kg x2); 2, SJ Brough’s Carrock Polaris Midge (15,328kg robot); 3, J Smithson’s Neweden Neptune Lara (14,411kg robot).

Coloured breeds

Highest yielding cow BF and P – Scotland – 1 and overall highest yielding coloured cow BF and P – J and R Hunter’s Jersey, Clydevalley Rocket Flora 2 (8.25%BF, 3.61%P, 1561 x2); 2, A and WA McWilliam’s Ayrshire, Colfin Happy Joy (4.37%BF, 3.15%P, 1056 x2); 3, G McCormick and Co’s Montbeliarde, Stewarton 134 (4.36%BF, 3.37%P, 1023, robot). North of England – 1, J Jackson and Son’s Scandinavian Red Hooen 1758 (3.72%BF, 3.23%P, 1167, robot); 2, JS and IM Wilson’s Fleckvieh Black Coombe 56 (4.5%BF, 3.32%P, 992 x2); 3, DA Howie and Sons’ Ayrshire Morwick Fawn 16 (4.87%BF, 3.64%P 958, x3).

Highest yielding heifer BF and P – Scotland – 1 and overall highest yielding coloured heifer BF and P – Alderston Farming’s Jersey, Alderston Channing Rose (5.78%BF, 4.08%P 955 robot); 2, J and R Hunter’s Jersey, Clydevalley Barcelona Cornflower (7.35%BF, 3.9%P, 909 x2); 3, A and WA McWilliam’s Ayrshire, Colfin Ruby 33 (4.68%BF, 3.35%P, 883, x2). North of England – 1, SJ Brough’s Jersey, Caldevalley Chrome Evita (5.7%BF, 3.95%P, 904, robot); 2, J Tiplady’s Ayrshire, Bramery 2775 (4.22%BF, 3.48%P, 814 x2); 3, T Fisher and Co’s, Montbeliarde Geltside 355 (4.99%BF, 3.48%P, 799 x2).

Highest yielding cow – Scotland – 1, J and A Struthers’ red and white Ayrshire, Glenmuir Appleman Pansy 2 (15,344kg x2); 2, PD and J Newbould’s Montbeliarde, Small Rigg 113 (14,644kg, robot); 3, Mrs P Black’s Montbeliarde, Norriston 1255 (14,325kg, robot). North of England – 1 and highest yielding coloured cow overall, J Jackson and Son’s Scandinavian Red, Hooen 1758 (16,791kg, robot); 2, JS and IM Wilson’s Fleckvieh, Black Coombe 56 (12,590kg, x2); 3, J Peacock’s Scandinavian Red, Village 161 (12,590kg, robot).

Highest yielding heifer – Scotland – 1 and highest yielding coloured heifer overall, A and WA McWilliam’s Ayrshire, Colfin Jackpot Brown (11,179kg x2); 2, G McCornick and Co’s Montbeliarde, Stewarton 18 (11,027kg, robot); 3, PD and J Newbould’s Montbeliarde, Small Rigg 293 (10,786kg, robot). North of England – 1, JS and IM Wilson’s Montbeliarde Monk Foss 908 (10,780kg, x2); 2, J Tiplady’s Ayrshire, Bramery 2275 (10,582kg, x2); 3, J Jackson and Son’s Scandinavian Red, Parks 123 (10,452kg, robot).

All breeds

Oldest cow in production – 1, RW Dixon’s Hedley Toldo Mistletoe 16 (04/01/2001, 249 months); 2, D Struthers’ Auchmedden 348 (05/06/2006, 196 months); 3, JA McGarva’s Horseclose Aerial 6 (07/11/2006 191 months); 4, JI Brough’s Town Head 1435 (08/08/2007 181 months); 5, E and AE Harrison’s Ruby 26 (15/12/2007, 177months); 6, Messrs Harvey’s Killywhan Supersonic Myra 2 (12/12/2007, 177 months).

Lowest cell counts – 1, S and R Farming, 2 Northfield Farm Cottages (65 SCC); 2, JN Bowes, Low Brundrigg (69 SCC); 3, A and AM Burrow, Whin Yeats (70 SCC); 4, GJ Mutton and Sons, Billincoat Farm (72 SCC); 5, J Harrison, Wickerfield (74 SCC); 6, Cally Mains Farming, Cally Mains (75 SCC).

Most improved cell counts – 1, JH and JE Taylor, The Harras, (159 SCC to 86 SCC -45.91%); 2, SRUC Barony Campus, Barony College (203 SCC to 120 SCC -41%); 3, E and DE Horn, Slack House Farm (203 SCC to 130 SCC -35.96%); 4, W and H Brown, New Mill Farm (249 SCC to 186 SCC -25.3%); 5, EA Sherwen Ltd, Greenmore Side (341 SCC to 256 SCC -24.93%); 6, Crookdyke Ltd, Crookdyke (75 SCC to 58 SCC (-22.67%).

Best herd on PLI score – 1, W and H Brown, New Mill Farm (PLI£ 273); 2, A and WA McWilliam, Colfin Farm (PLI£ 265); 3, A Robertson, Coopon Carse Farm (PLI£ 256); 4, DW Graham, Mell Fell View (PLI£ 256); 5, Dobcross Hall Ltd, Dobcross Hall (PLI£ 255); 6, R and J McDonald, Kelloe Mains (PLI£ 252).

Predicted Genetic Improvement (NMR only herds) – 1, JH Hamilton and Son, West Brackenridge (Heifer PLI 79, Cow PLI -151, score 230); 2, AF Brown, Fortacres Farm (Heifer PLI 258, Cow 37, score 221); 3, DL Laird, Ore Mills Farm (Heifer PLI 249, Cow PLI 34, score 215); 4, JR and MB Cleasby and Son, Barton Church Farm (Heifer PLI 164, Cow PLI, -40, score 204); 5, M and M Sherwen, Tarn How (Heifer PLI 144, Cow PLI 57, score 201); 6, MS, DT and G Young, Crummock Bank (Heifer PLI 185, Cow PLI -6, score 191).

Best calving index – 1, R and R Hamilton, Coldwakening Farm (CI 340); 2, T and H Smith, Low Wardneuk Farm (CI 356); 3, SA Adams, Home Farm (CI 358); 4, JJ and MA Park and Sons, Low Sizergh (CI 360); 5, Crookdyke Ltd, Crookdyke (CI 367); 6= SH Purdie, High Craichmore (CI 368) and SRUC Barony Campus, Barony (CI 368).

Best herd daily lifetime yield twice milking – 1, A Colquhoun, Dendoldrum (18.8LTDY); 2, MR Harrison, Low House (17.8); 3, Dobcross Hall Ltd, Dobcross Hall (17.7); 4, Skirwith Hall Farms Ltd, Skirwith Hall (16.9); 5, WE and DM Hill and Son, Arlosh House (16.61); 6, Strickland Hill Farming, Strickland Hill (15.79).

Best herd daily lifetime yield three times and robot milking – 1, Barr Farms, Meldrum (3x 19.7); 2, Messrs Harvey, Drum Farm (3x 19.67); 3=, B Sloan, Darnlaw (robot 19.1) and IG Campbell and Co, Auchlane (3x 19.1); 4, SJ Brough, Buckabank Farm (robot 17.9); 5, J Smithson, Skelcies Hall (robot 17.1); 6, A Robertson, Coopon Carse (robot 16.76).

Highest Ayrshire herd production on BF and P kg – 1, I and J Gilmour, Humeston, (10,773kg, 4.26%BF, 3.02%P, 450CI, score 784); 2, A and AW McWilliam, Colfin Farm (9218kg, 4.36%BF, 3.22%P, 390CI, score 698); 3, D and C Sanderson, Thackthwaite Hall (7793kg, 4.46%BF, 3.49%P, 454CI, score 618).

Highest Jersey herd production on BF and P kg – 1, J and R Hunter, West Tarbrax (8210kg, 7.08%BF, 3.97%P, 398CI, score 907); 2, Alderston Farming, Alderston Mains (7883kg, 5.52%BF, 4.17%P, 419CI, score 765); 3, Kingsbeck Ltd, Kingsbeck (7568kg, 5.24%BF, 4.15%P, 409CI, score 710).

Highest Shorthorn herd production on BF and P kg – 1, S and R Farming, Northfield (7344kg, 3.64%BF, 3.25%P, 422CI, score 505); 2, Mrs S Armstrong, Moorriggs (6690kg, 4.12%BF, 3.38% P, 413 CI, score 502); 3, Messrs Hewson, Parton Farm (6598kg, 4.1%BF, 3.32%P, 419 CI, score 488).

Highest other coloured/mixed, cross-bred herd on BF and P kg – 1, J Jackson and Son, The Parks (11,044kg, 4.2%BF, 3.42%P, 423CI, score 841); 2, MR Harrison, Low House (10,663kg, 4.5%BF, 3.24%P, 423CI, score 833); 3, G McCornick and Co, Stewarton Farm (10,814kg, 4.08%BF, 3.28%P, 387CI, score 796).

Highest Friesian herd production on BF and P kg – 1, Nerewater Farm, Saltcoats (8649kg, 4.48%BF, 3.53%P, 409CI, score 692); 2, J Dunbar, Cromlet, (7644kg, 4.17%BF, 3.43%P, 412CI, score 581); 3, JN and FC Walker, Harrington Parks Farm (7215kg, 4.35%BF, 3.46%P, 414CI, score 562).

Highest organic herd production on BF and P kg – 1, JJ and MA Park and Son, Sizergh Farm (7198kg, 4.15%BF, 338%P, 360 CI, score 541); 2, C Addison, Greystone House (7503kg, 3.62%BF, 3.26%P, 400 CI, score 515); 3, JW and E Woofs and Son, Ghyll Farm (7348kg, 3.81%BF, 3.17%P, 401 CI, score 512).

Highest Holstein herd production x2 milking on BF and P kg – 1, Dobcross Hall Ltd, Dobcross Hall (10,856kg, 4.51%BF, 3.43%P, 375CI, score 862); 2, Messrs Hastwells, The Buildings (11,394kg, 4.26%BF, 3.12%P, 432CI, score 841); 3, T and A Wadsworth, Big Balcraig (11,012kg, 4.35%BF, 3.21%P, 390CI, score 832).

Highest Holstein herd production x3 or robot milking on BF and P kg – 1, Messrs Harvey, Drum Farm (13,810kg, 3.97%BF, 3.19%P, x3 415 CI, score 988); 2, B Sloan, Darnlaw (12,433kg, 4.0%BF, 3.16%P, robot, 421CI, score 890); 3, A Hodge, Westcoutts (12,146kg, 4.06%BF, 3.22%P, robot, 390CI, score 884).

Highest overall herd on BF, P, CI and SCC – J and R Hunter, West Tarbrax (8210kg, 7.08%BF, 3.97%P, 110SCC, 398CI, score 907).