Feizor herd open to visitors

The Booth family offer an open invitation to everyone to visit their Feizor herd of Holsteins on Thursday 1st August. The herd, winner of Holstein UK’s Premier Pedigree Herd award in 2012, is situated at Old Hall, Feizor, near Austwick in North Yorkshire (postcode LA2 8DF).

The Booth family rebuilt their herd following FMD in 2001 with impressive results. Using the show ring as a means to promote the herd, they have enjoyed many individual successes, culminating in winning Holstein UK’s national herds competition last autumn.

The 760 acre farm is situated between 450 and 100 feet above seas level and the 120 strong milking herd averages 11,900 litres at 3.85% fat and 3% protein on twice-a-day milking. The farm also runs 1800 breeding sheep. There are many great cow families represented in the Feizor herd, the most notable being the Meggie, Melody, Sabrina, Dellia and Flo lines.

The Booth’s aim is to maintain high production with a low cell count and David Booth Junior stresses the importance the family place on the four F’s – fresh food, fresh water, fresh bedding and fresh air. “How can you expect a cow to produce a high yield if you don’t provide her with all she needs”, he says. Great emphasis is also placed on consistency and uniformity, with milkings at 12 hourly intervals and a regular ration consisting of high quality forage every day.

To find out more about the Booth family’s management, feeding and breeding policies, make sure you visit the herd on 1st August.