Two dairy farmers from Cornwall have won awards in recognition of their good management of their cows through the transition period. The awards were based on the results of monthly recordings of cow health and performance, taken using Premier Nutrition’s on-farm TMS service.

Andrew Bray of Tregevis Farm near Helston won the award for having the ‘Best Udder and Foot Health’ in his transition cows; nutritional advice for his herd is provided by Steve Chapman of SC Nutrition.

The award for having the most consistent performance of transition cows was won by Mark Rowe of Tresowes Farm, (also) near Helston, whose TMS scores had been at or above the national average every month over the past year. His nutritionist is Trevor Birchall of TBA.

Premier Nutrition’s ruminant director Andrew Pine explains: “The transition period is critical and sets the path for the rest of the cow’s life – her health, fertility and performance. Monitoring and managing transition is crucial not only for the cow herself, but for overall farm profitability, especially in such challenging times.

“The TMS – Transition Management System - gives farmers and their nutritionists a very accurate picture of how successfully cows are managed through the transition period and enables quick and decisive action to be taken to ensure health and performance stay on track.”

Premier Nutrition’s TMS Awards were presented at a dinner held the evening before the UK Dairy Day in Telford, hosted by Sky sports presenter Ed Chamberlin, with the awards presented by former England cricketer Phil Tufnell. The two celebrities provided an entertaining ‘question and answer’ session after the dinner.

Photocaptions

- Andrew Bray receives his TMS award for ‘Best Udder and Foot Health’ in his transition cows. (Left to right: Premier Nutrition’s Ian Mackinson, Award winner Andrew Bray, former England cricketer Phil Tufnell).

- The award for having the most consistent performance in transition cows was won by Mark Rowe. (Left to right: Premier Nutrition’s Kevin Jordan, Award winner Mark Rowe, former England cricketer Phil Tufnell.)