Milking herd proves to be a winner nine times over
ANGLESEY brothers Gareth and Sion Roberts are earning quite a reputation for the productivity of their black and white milkers.
In recent years, their Fferam y Llan herd, Cerrigceinwen, has been prominent in the annual Old Gwynedd Milk Recorded Herds competition.
But this year, they dominated the presentation evening at Caernarfon Golf Club, stepping up on no fewer than nine occasions to collect silverware.
Their haul included the Mars Jones Cup, awarded to the year’s leading inspected herd out of an entry of 13.
Their final points tally matched that of last year’s winner, Caernarfon milk producer Aled Jones, Hendy, who was this time relegated to second place.
As expected. Fferam y Llan’s Holsteins, ranked second by NNR for milk output per cow on Anglesey, scored well in the production competitions, fielding the most prolific cow.
But they also performed well in the inspections, collecting the youngstock, progeny and heifer titles.
Three other producers had good evenings, each winning three trophies for the 2016-17 production year.
RP Lloyd, Cefn Pentre, Llwyndyrus, were prolific amongst the smaller herds, walking away with two youngstock titles and winning the Production / Inspection competition for small herds.
Meanwhile, customary winners WJ & H Williams, Clwch Dernog Bach, Llanddeusant, carried the flag for mediumsize herds.
Aled Jones’ Hendy herd also collected three, including the 70-tonne and 100tonne cow titles, and the award for most productive heifer.
Best inspected cow was Madryn Monsoon from DT & MA Jones & Son, Bryn Rhydd, Edern.
Successfully defending the Silcock Perpetual Challenge Cup, awarded for PLI value, calving index and financial value of milk constituents, were EG & A Evans, Erw Fawr, Llanfachraeth. The herd is rated by NMR the most productive per cow on the island.
Novice winner, and lifting the Gwynedd Recorders Cup, was DG Parry, Bryn Cogail, Beaumaris. TD & N Roberts, Fferam y Llan, 1,180pts; AR & ER Jones, Hendy, 1,100pts; DT & MA Jones & Son, Bryn Rhydd, 1,050pts; WJ & H Williams, Clwch Dernog Bach, 1,040pts; R & G Williams, Cae Morfa, 1,020pts; DG Parry, Bryn Cogail, 1,000pts Pictures: Dewi Wyn, Pwllheli