Award-winner Gordon preaches grass gospel
Award-winner Gordon preaches grass gospel
MILK producers should be aiming to produce 8000 litres/cow from 6kg of concentrates, with one man producing 750,000 litres in a simple system.
That was the message for the future, given by Northern Ireland researcher Fred Gordon accepting this years Princess Royal Award last week. Currently one group of cows at Hillsborough is achieving 7700 litres from 900kg of concentrate, grass and grass silage, he added.
The award is organised by the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers for outstanding contribution to the dairy industry.
Announcing the winner, judge Tim Heywood of Grosvenor Farms said Prof Gordon had risen in the ranks at the Agricultural Research Institute of Northern Ireland, Hillsborough, over the past 30 years to become its director. He is best known for his research into low cost milk production, grazed grass and grass silage, and his ability to communicate these results to producers.
Prof Gordon said research was about bringing people together, getting them to focus on the right ideas and delivering the results. But dairy farmers needed to be involved in that research.
"We have made tremendous strides in efficiency over the past 30 years." Milk yield/cow has increased by 40% and forage output by 50% from owned forage hectares.
"That progress has been made by growing more quality grass on the farm and processing it through better cows."
Prof Gordon urged all UK producers to recognise the contribution grass can make whatever the yield of cows and to have confidence in it. "Grass can work hard in high output/cow situations."