Despite this year’s challenges, some outstanding transition performance was recorded at this year’s TMS Awards ceremony, broadcast virtually this week. Farms from all four nations were amongst the winners, with the Best Overall Performance award going to Court Farm in Gloucestershire.
The nine award categories cover fresh and dry cow management, the performance of large and small herds and measure health and productivity parameters. Judging was based on the past year’s TMS data with an independent panel helping to select the winners.
Dr Andrew Pine, Ruminant Director at Premier Nutrition, commented “This year’s exceptional circumstances have put a tremendous strain on our industry and, more than ever, we were delighted that we could recognise our hard working TMS farms.
“It’s so rewarding to see these farms getting to grips with the data and introducing small changes that make enormous differences on their farm, and that’s what it’s all about. Once again, we’ve seen huge improvements in health and cow comfort and a real downward trend on metabolic disease incidence in our top 20%.”
The winners were:
BEST OVERALL TMS PERFORMANCE 2020 &
BEST TMS PERFORMANCE AWARD – HERDS MORE THAN 250 COWS
Court Farm: Richard & Sarah Carter, 256 cows, based in Gloucestershire.
Feed advisor: Ken March, Perfekt Cow Nutrition Ltd
BEST TMS DRY COW MANAGEMENT AWARD &
BEST TMS PERFORMANCE – HERDS PRODUCING >10,000KG/COW
Union Farm: Joe Kidner, 220 cows, based in Wiltshire.
Feed advisor: Mike Hobden, TB Agri Ltd
BEST TMS FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE AWARD
Oak Farm: Philip Brocklehurst, 105 cows, based in Cheshire.
Feed advisor: Andrew Waterhouse, HJ Lea Oakes
TMS FORMULA 24 AWARD
Derryduff: Wesley Semple, 680 cows, based in Co. Londonderry.
Feed advisor: David Mawhinney, Key Nutrition
BEST TMS FRESH COW MANAGEMENT AWARD
Dykelands Farm: Paul Bolland, 163 cows, based in North Yorkshire.
Feed advisor: Stephen Caldwell, SC Nutrition (UK)
BEST TMS PERFORMANCE AWARD – HERDS UP TO 250 COWS
Colfin Farm: Andrew McWilliam, 222 cows, based in Wigtownshire.
Feed advisor: Holly Dyer, Tarff Valley Feeds
BEST TMS UDDER & FOOT HEALTH MANAGEMENT AWARD
Kirkinriola: Martin King, 57 cows, based in Co. Antrim.
Feed advisor: Christopher Cahill, Lakeland Dairies
BEST TMS NEWCOMER AWARD
Blaengelli Farm: Catherine Howells, 151 cows, based in Carmarthenshire.
Feed advisor: Ken March, Perfekt Cow Nutrition Ltd
TMS is an on-farm monitoring service provided by Premier Nutrition, recording and evaluating key parameters impacting on cow health and performance during the transition period. The TMS report provides practical insight into what is happening and guidance on future management of dry and fresh transition cows.
