Presented at this year’s UK Dairy Day was the Holstein UK Premier Pedigree Herd title awarded to Andrew Birkle’s Whinchat herd near Loughborough, Leicestershire.

The 220 head Whinchat herd consists of 104 EX and 102 VG, averaging 10,700kg, 3.88% butterfat and 3.2% protein, with the most prominent cow families including: Farrah; Savoire Fare; Molli; Pamela; Sara; Inka Ideal; and Beaujolais.

Based at Dungehill Farm in Wymeswold, Leicestershire, Andrew and his family focus on breeding practical, hard-working Holstein dairy cattle, that perform well in a commercial, meticulously managed environment, with the main breeding emphasis being on type.

His herd of Holsteins are free stall housed in winter, being fed grass, maize and wholecrop silage. The 200 acre farm has both in parlour and out of parlour feeders, with the herd grazed 12 hours per day in summer and housed at night. The milk produced from the herd is sold to Freshways, the UK’s largest independent processing dairy.

Andrew has a wealth of knowledge and experience in the key aspects of breeding traditional Holstein cattle and over the last 35 years has specialised in the breeding of pedigree Holstein cows and bulls, along with the production of high genetic Holstein embryos.

In both 2013 and 2014 Andrew took the Reserve Champion title for the Premier Pedigree Herd Competition. In addition to this, cows bred by Andrew have previously won the Great Yorkshire Show and received Honourable Mention at The National Holstein Show.

Holstein UK President David Tomlinson presenting
Andrew Birkle with the 2016 Premier Pedigree Herd title 
 
Congratulations also go to the 2016 regional finalists on achieving this prestigious accolade.

Scotland – D Brewster (Boclair Herd)
Northern – J Burrow & Sone (Stardale)
Western – R H Clare (Hawksmoor)
Welsh – R D H & M Bowen (Lan)
Southern – D J Smith (Oakroyal)
Northern Ireland – Malcolm McLean (Relough)

For further information on Holstein UK competitions and members please contact Naomi Lewis, Holstein UK Marketing Manager – naomilewis@holstein-uk.org