Eighth calver wins lifetime milk award with a yield of 133t

An eighth lactation cow from the Dorchester herd is this year’s winner of the Genus ABS Long Life Cow Competition, having amassed a lifetime yield of almost 133t.

Born in July 2004, Chalclyffe Iron Arlene, classified Ex94 from the herd of JF Cobb and Sons, has produced over 8t of fat and protein.

The winner, announced at the UK Dairy Day yesterday (17 September), calved for the first time as a two-year-old and has only lost one month during her eight lactations, with a calving interval of 372 days.

The Cobb family milk 900 cows in Newburgh and the herd averages 12,000 litres a cow a year.

Commenting on Arlene Mr Cobb said: “She is an outstanding cow who consistently outperforms her herd mates.

See also: Farmers Weekly Awards 2014: Dairy finalists revealed

“Alongside her excellent fertility, she has achieved low cell counts throughout her time in the herd.”

Chalclyffe Iron Arlene was selected as the national winner from four regional finalists. This year’s entrants averaged 10.5 lactations each and producing on average 107,312 litres of milk.

The other finalists were:

• Northern Regional Winner: The Jersey Cow Greyleys Talent, a 13th lactation cow who has produced 65,243kg at 6.27% fat and 4.12% protein in her lifetime, from JL Shaw and Son from Elvington, York.
• The West Regional Winner: The Dairy Shorthorn cow, Amber Lovely Lily EX90 28 has produced 104,358kg and is in her 14th lactation, from J Hole and Sons from Ashover, Derbyshire.
• Northern Ireland Regional winner: Ballydrum Celsius Betty EX91, a 14th lactation cow with a lifetime yield of 131,935kg owned by Mr R Woolsey from Toomebridge, Co Antrim.