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DAIRY farmers in the South West should benefit from an agreement made between World Wide Sires UK and Milk Link. The plan is to promote the benefits of breeding cattle with the naturally occurring Kappa Caesin BB gene to farmers in the region.

Milk from animals with this special attribute are said to produce a higher yield of cheese, bringing significant benefits to dairy farmers and milk processors alike.

The gene is relatively rare within the Holstein breed, but thanks to the partnership between the two companies, Milk Link's 600 members in Devon and Cornwall can now buy semen from three carefully chosen Kappa Caesin BB bulls.

Experts claim all three sires transmit good all-round type to their daughters, as well as being recognised calving-ease sires.

"Milk Link manufactures a wide range of dairy products and is the UK's largest producer of cheese, so this is a logical development for the business," said Kathryn Clemens agricultural manager with Milk Link.

"Scientific studies have demonstrated that milk from cows carrying the Kappa Caesin BB gene produces eight per cent more of Cheddar-type cheese than milk from cows without this genetic advantage. Incorporating the Kappa Caesin BB gene within a herd breeding programme will, therefore, be of long-term benefit to dairy farmers who supply milk for cheese-making."

Ian Dennis, World Wide Sires UK's area manager in the South West said: "We are delighted to have this opportunity to work in partnership with Milk Link to provide exclusive genetics to farmers in this region, helping them to optimise returns from their direct supply contracts."

The three Kappa Caesin BB gene bulls in the exclusive Milk Link package are: Hidden-View Augustine, a bull that breeds averaged-sized cows with high levels of milk production.

Net-A-Way Orion Scoop, a sire offering an impressive +44kgs of combined fat and protein, coupled with increases in milk component percentages.

Vital-I-Durham Lewis is a high-milk component sire that offers an outstanding linear profile for conformation, based upon a highly reliable 299-daughter proof.

Milk Link members in Devon and Cornwall can obtain semen at special rates.

2:24pm Tuesday 8th April 2008

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