Laois Offaly 150 cow winter and spring calving herd averaging 8,000kgs milk delivering 596kgs milk solids per cow to Glanbia co-op. Louise Young farms near Rathdowney in south county Laois. It is home to the Bawnogue herd of 150 pedigree registered Holstein Friesian cows with all heifer calves reared as replacement stock. The herd was graded up to pedigree in 2016 and last year took up classification for the first time. It is a 5-star dairy herd, attaining this accolade on paper when reading through the co-op performance report for last year;
Bawnogue Herd, Louise Young & Family, Bawnogue, Rathdowney, Co. Laois. • 596kgs milk solids delivered per cow (top 98% of suppliers) • 4.20% fat, 3.60% protein • S.C.C. 74 - Healthy cows and top quality milk production (top 98% of suppliers) • Top marks are also attained for litres delivered/cow/day. “I applied to join IHFA two years ago and graded up the herd soon after. I knew there was an added value within the herd made possible through using cow family historical records. Also, milk recording has always been recognised as an important management tool. “My father, Herbert, had
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a tradition of always using well-bred bulls. I continued with this approach and was also mindful that service and calving records were valuable herd data and should be recorded carefully. “When I review the pedigree registration certs there is an element of pride in seeing the herd’s unique quality being captured and recognised. “Following the grade up, herd classification became a possibility. Beginning last May, it was a very positive and informative experience. Cows that I knew to be of sound type, good longevity and hard working were rewarded as such. There are 5 Excellent (EX), 49 Very Good (VG) and
