AgriScot 2011: Ralstons crowned Scottish Dairy Farm of the Year
The Ralston Family, from
This is the first time the award, which is sponsored by World Wide Sires, has been awarded to an Ayrshire herd.
The family have been farming in Campbeltown since 1908, and father Willie, wife Catherine and sons Andrew and Murray are all involved in the business milking 200 Ayrshires, selling to First Milk for Mull of Kintyre Cheese. They average at 7,900 litres.
Willie Ralston said of the win: “We have a large number of seven, eight and nine calvers and our fertility has been consistent with a calving index of 392.”
Judge Sue Cope, executive director of the Cattle Information Service, said: “Not only do the Ralstons have a great herd of cows with fantastic management right from the new born calf to the mature herd but they have constantly planned and improved buildings for cow comfort and made new and wise use of the older buildings.
“They have also well thought out management plans in operation and for the future, continued detailed attention to sire selection, the use of sexed semen but never forgetting the key stockmanship skills. I am sure every retail milk buyer would love to have this herd as a supplier.”