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MPO press releases

7 September 2007

JOINT PRESS RELEASE BY THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH COUNCIL AND THE MILK PRODUCERS’ ORGANISATION

David and Alvera Crookes of the farm Copperleigh Holsteins near Standerton, won the Master Dairyman North regional competition presented by the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) and the Milk Producers’ Organisation (MPO).

The competition which honours successful dairy farmers, is a combination of two previous competitions, the ARC Master Dairyman Transvaal Competition and the MPO North Farmer of the Year Competition.

Successful milk farmers who participate in the ARC’s milk recording scheme, are judged on their ARC index points and are accordingly awarded bronze, silver or gold medals. A panel of judges visit the top ten candidates before the winners are selected.

Apart from winning the top prize, the Crookes’s also won the award for the herd with the lowest somatic cell count, while Limpopo Dairy’s Holsteins won the second prize in this category.

The Malleson brothers, Harry, Frederick and Ivan of Hazeldean Farm east of Pretoria, did very well in the competition. In the main category they came in second and their Ayrshire herd won the best BLUP (best linear unbiased prediction) breeding value herd prize. The Mallesons also won the prize for the best milking team as well as a special award for their 33-year involvement with the ARC’s milk recording scheme.

Johan van Niekerk and family of the farm Witkraal near Delareyville, won third prize in the Master Dairyman North regional competition.

For more information contact the competition coordinator, Reinder Groenveld of the ARC in Irene on 012 672 9079 or HYPERLINK "mailto:reinder@arc.agric.za" reinder@arc.agric.za

Photos of David and Alvera Crookes are available on request from Liza Burger at HYPERLINK "mailto:lizaburger@mpo.co.za" lizaburger@mpo.co.za

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