Cluster culture invigorates South West breeders

The South West Club has come up with the concept of small clusters of breeders meeting and discussing their experiences in a social environment as a novel way involving new breeders. To date there are active clusters in North Devon and Somerset.

Twenty one people, representing nine dairy businesses attended the first gathering of the North Devon Cluster.

Of the nine, three herds were organic, selling to Omsco, four supply the Milk Link farmers’ co-operative, and two supply farmhouse cheesemakers. More than half had never attended a South West Club event yet there was an instant buzz as new acquaintances were struck.

Most of the group were either relatively recent converts to Jerseys, or had been through a herd expansion phase. This meant buying-in cattle from a number of sources, which frequently seems to require a settling-in period while the animals adjust to the potential of cross-infection. The topic was of particular interest in an area where b TB remains a constant threat.

One herd, which calves cows in two tight blocks in the year, will explain its approach to overcoming the challenges at a future meeting. Block calving and herd expansion requires especial attention to fertility issues, the lessons from which can be successfully applied to all herds.

Organic production, too, stimulated plenty of interest. Even though payments were facing steep seasonality deductions, there was optimism that an improvement will be seen in autumn and all three herds were keen to maintain their organic status.