Winner – Grosvenor Farms

“Our ‘whole farm approach’ has been the focus and has driven our strategy for the last 10 years. It is now providing

32,000,000 litres of milk as well as grains, in a proven financially and sustainable way, said Dairy & Infrastructure Manager

David Craven. Grosvenor Farms are the first business to have won the Cream Awards Cup twice – having been awarded back in 2016.

In the time since, judges noted Grosvenor had maintained a clear and confident vision of the future, backed and supported by an impressive investment plan, maintaining the high standards they had set. “Moving ahead, it will be science and technology as well as genetic gain

that will provide further advancements in our goal to be carbon zero by 2030. We are delighted that the judges have recognised Grosvenor Farms for the second time at the Cream Awards,“ concluded David

Lead Sponsor – Lely Atlantic

Winner – Stocken Farm, Charlotte West

Highly Commended

PJ & PE Ashley & Son, Meadow Bank Farm

Ruth & Stephen Ashley

Highly Commended

Messrs Munday & Munday, Sandford Gate Milk Co.

Jack, David, Debbie & Danielle Munday

Excellent submission, milking 400 cows and calving all year round, judges were impressed with Charlotte and her team, taking the opportunity to travel to New Zealand and the USA and bringing back what she had learned and could be implemented on farm. Not afraid to say where the issues are – leading a calf team that constantly look for ways to improve processes and subsequent health & welfare benefits evident.

Sponsored by Volac International

Winner – EA Lovatt & Son, Mark Lovatt, Sutton Lodge Farm

Highly Commended

D&S Gethin, Tom Gethin

The stand-out winner said the category judge.  Exceptional feed efficiency at 1.57 L/kg DM, massive forage intakes and yield from forage achieved. 

Cow comfort and health are paramount with good fertility and very low lameness incidence.  “An easy winner for the category.”

Meticulous forage management from field to cow is helping Mark achieve exceptional milk yields.

Sponsored by – KW Feeds

 

 

Winner – Brynhyfryd Herd, Charles George

Highly Commended

R&W Gidlow, Springwood Farm, Paul, George, Joanne & Alex

Judges said “To walk on the George farm was an absolute privilege. The investment in the calf units and farm are outstanding as well as investment in the community.” Charles’ focused on milk yields, health and fertility – seeing yields increase from 10,500 to 13,500 litres. Demonstrating sound plans for the future, judges felt Charles had a clear focus for making further improvements in the future.

Sponsored by Trouw Nutrition and Willsbro Holsteins

 

Winner – Grosvenor Farms

Highly Commended

Beechwood Farms Ltd, Andrew Rees

Commended

JF Temple & Son, Copys Green Farm, Stephen & Catherine Temple

Grosvenor Farms has a policy of enhancing the natural environment, balancing economically viable farming with environmental and social responsibility. “We take very seriously our role as custodians of the countryside as well as food producers,” said spokesman David Craven.

“There is no coincidence that having a profitable farming system also corresponds with us reducing our carbon foot-print and reverting land back to areas of biodiversity, that were resource hungry and financially unsustainable.” Judges agreed that the company were an exemplary business leading the way with investment in science and technologies toward a more sustainable future.

Sponsored by Mole Valley Farmers

Winner – EA Lovatt & Son, Mark Lovatt, Sutton Lodge Farm

Highly Commended

Stocken Farm, Charlotte West

Commended

PJ Charles, Mount Pleasant Farm, Peter & Emma Charles

“An excellent example of adoption of technology combined with attention to detail”, said judges, “that really does delivers results.  Healthy cows producing 44kg per day and 5,329 litres from forage is testament to high health status, again demonstrated by a pregnancy rate of 27%.” Milk production is averaging 13,000 litres, milking 180 cows through 3 Lely A5 Robots.

Sponsored by Wynnstay

Winner – RH & SM Mason, Merrivale Farm Ben & Lucy Mason

A stunning performance from 175 pedigree Holsteins this organic dairy farm achieves an average milk yield of 10,000 litres using 3 A4 Lely robots.

Managing the grazing system efficiently and getting more milk from forage was paramount to the Masons.  They are now achieving the result with 4,300 litres from forage and looking to the future to make further changes to improve feed efficiency and heifer performance.

Sponsored by HJ Lea Oakes

Winner – Rea & Son, Woodfields Farm, Jim & Sheila Hitchon, Sarah Davies

Highly Commended

M&C Davies, New House Farm, Mark & Caroline Davies

Commended

PJ & PE Ashley, Meadow Bank Farm, Ruth & Stephen Ashley

Annual average milk yields of 12,866 from 170 pedigree Holsteins, the Hitchon’s demonstrated high production levels with good constituents; productive grassland management and excellent feed efficiency, whilst focussed on cow health and managing biodiversity on the farm, said judges.

Sponsored by Arla Foods

Winner – Charlotte West, Stocken Farm

Highly Commended

Patrick Morris-Eyton, Morris-Eyton & Son, Beckside

Commended

Charles George, Brynhyfryd Herd

Charlotte’s submission showed a mind that was considering every aspect of both her role and others in the team at Stocken Farm, and re-evaluating what she saw on the farm, how things worked and how things could be improved, including herself and the way she was perceived. Effective communications within the team driving an understanding at all levels of where good calf protocols end up in business terms.

Sponsored by Kite Consulting

Winner – Tom Warboys BVetMed PGDipVCP MRCVS

Synergy Farm Health

Highly Commended

Charlie Mays MRCVS

LLM Farm Vets

Tom’s vision is that he can help farmers to understand and improve their sustainability and be an advocate for dairy farming in the wider community. Showing a real concern for client welfare, he has often spent time with clients facing difficult situations such as TB breakdowns and aimed to provide options that enable clients to feel in control. His customers speak very highly of him and his record of influencing change on farm is testament to his knowledge, empathy, and communication skills, said his Manager. 

Sponsored by Virbac

Winner – Ian Potter

A lifetime in dairy

Earlier this year, the UK dairy industry unexpectedly and very sadly lost one of its most passionate advocates. Ian Potter was a huge contributor to the sector and as a milk quota broker, columnist, commentator and, as a farmer himself, put the interests of dairy farmers first, fighting relentlessly on their behalf for over three decades. Passionate about our sector, he earned huge respect from his peers.

Sponsored by the National Farmers Union

A summary of all the entries is included in this September edition.