Dairy housing DVD
Cubicle specialists, Wilson Agriculture, have launched a free DVD which gives an overview of what to look for when installing or upgrading cubicle housing.
It offers advice on how to improve cow comfort and housing conditions to help maximise production and covers all aspects of housing and cubicle installation.
There's also advice on post mounted cubicles; floor mounted bolt down cubicles; and rail mounted cubicles and the DVD highlights the results of time-lapse video research comparing different sorts of cubicles.
The DVD is available free by visiting Wilson Agriculture's website at www.wilsonagri.co.uk or by telephoning 02870 868430.
Livestock News | 12 March, 2008
BROTHERS Michael and Rowland George have achieved the unusual distinction of both being made Associates of the Royal Agricultural Societies at the same time.
They have been recognised for their work in improving and maximising the potential of the black-and-white dairy cow, in particular their highly-bred pedigree Brynhyfryd Holsteins.
They farm 1,000 acres at Sealyham Farm, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire and the herd has been developed into two units of 300 cows each.
The cows are among the highest classified in the breed, being visited by producers and agricultural students from across the UK.
The brothers have also encouraged and trained many YFC teams for stockjudging competitions and have passed to others their knowledge and skills of cattle showmanship.
They are both on Holstein UK’s panel of judges.
| Wilson Agriculture Expands In Coleraine |
| Wilson Agriculture (Wilson Agri), a Coleraine based manufacturer of dairy cow comfort products have announced a new £275,000 expansion plan. The expansion, which will increase export sales was announced today by Andrew Wilson, the company’s Managing Director and is being supported by Invest NI. The investment is expected to provide four new jobs by the end of next year and will see the company develop its first range of equine comfort products for a market opportunity it has identified. Mr Wilson, outlining the expansion plan, said: ”We manufacture and supply a range of branded products, including special stalls, mats and pillows, that help farmers to increase milk production by improving comfort and safety for dairy cows. Dairy farmers everywhere are now facing intense pressure on margins and are recognising increasingly that yields rise significantly when their animals are housed in conditions that enable them to lie down safely and prevent potentially very costly conditions such as lameness and mastitis.” Established in 1999, Wilson Agri is a family run business with its headquarters and manufacturing operations in Coleraine and an office in Bristol. Its main products are established brands such as Pasture Mats, Poly Pillow and stall cubicles. It exports over 60 per cent of its cow comfort products to customers in Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland. Mr Wilson added: “As a result, demand for the cow pillows and mats that we have developed for farmers over many years is growing steadily. This investment includes substantial expenditure on marketing, assisted by Invest NI that will enable us to take advantage of new business opportunities, particularly in Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland. "The investment will also enable us to diversify our portfolio by introducing a new product, Stable Comfort, aimed at the vast equestrian marketplace that builds on our experience in, and knowledge of, the dairy sector. "There are over two million horses in Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland, each requiring six mats.” The company currently employs six people. |
SOURCE: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/6956875.stm| |
Frazzled bovines down on the farm can now look forward to taking to their 'cow beds' at the end of a stressful day in the fields.
Wilson Agriculture in Coleraine has been given a government grant to support its production of Pasture Mats and Poly Pillows to ease the lives of cows forced to lie on uncomfortable concrete floors.
The £45 mattresses are said to help the contented cows produce more milk.
Wilson's is also developing stable comfort mattresses for horses and a £21,000 grant from Invest Northern Ireland will be used on research which may ultimately improve the quality of life for farm animals.
The company's Evelyn Wilson said cow mattresses gained favour in northern latitudes, where cattle spend so much time in barns.
It imported mattresses from Canada for 12 years, but has started to make its own.
"If you lie in a comfortable bed all night you'll be in good form all day. It's the same for cows," said Ms Wilson.
"They are like beanbags covered with closely knitted army blankets," she said. "The insides are made of rubber crumbs from old car tyres.
"Cows spend more time inside than they used to. These mattresses stop cows injuring themselves when they go down on their knees. Animals are not stupid. They love them."
However, animal welfare charity Compassion in World Farming cautioned against keeping cattle indoors permanently and not going out to pasture.
"Living indoors too much can increase lameness," said a spokesman.
British Holstein takes prize in Spain Livestock News | 9 October, 2007
A BRITISH-BRED Holstein has won a major prize at a Spanish agricultural show, one of the biggest events in Europe for black and white dairy cows.
The junior champion at the event in Astutias, northern Spain, was Drointon Journalist Sara from Andrew McKellar’s Drointon herd in Staffordshire.
Having won the calf championship at 2007 National Holstein Show, she was purchased by Quim Serabbassa and Casa Regalao at Carlisle earlier this year. In the same sale Drointon sold another calf, which stood second in the summer yearling class at Astutias, to the same partnership.
Grand champion at the show went to Gualdi Lee Sedia, a Comestar Lee daughter from Italy. Reserve went to DB Claire – a Regancrest Emory Derry daughter – from France. Both the champion and reserve were owned by Casa Regalao.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/country/article/0,,2151308,00.html
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