Gordie Jones AHDB Meeting

[stablegirl]

Last night i attended a AHDB meeting with Gordie Jones at Penrith, it was brilliant over 110 people there he spoke for 2.5 hours solid and i never saw a single person asleep. He was genuinely extremely good.

The evening was over subscribed, not everyone who wanted to go could get a place.

There was quite a lot of vets, sales people and nutritionists there, my question is, is that right, the meeting is paid for from levy money by dairy farmers. The other people there will help with AHDBs aim of knowledge transfer, but without exception will charge us for their advice? So effectively we pay twice?

I am not a typical AHDB basher i think they do some good stuff with our levy money, you just have to go hunt the info out, and last night was brilliant.

 

[foxbox]

I'd say it's up to the regional manager to control the numbers of non levy payers there; ideal if the number of farmers is below the maximum but if the event is over-subscribed then levy payers have to take priority. The value of having them there can be quite high though; if your vet or nutritionist is there and can see first hand what you want to achieve or it helps open their mind to a different approach it can have much wider benefits in the long run. It can also challenge the host more (I've had this at some of my meetings..) and stimulate wider debates on the day. I've been to several events where farmers only make up 50% of the attendees though and that is bloody annoying.

 

[bar718]

Regardless of what your thoughts are of the vets etc I was also at the meeting and found him one of the most inspiring speakers I have heard in a long time and well worth the effort of going to the meeting.

 

[kfpben]

As a non (dairy) levy payer but someone who relief milks on a couple of herds and would like to start dairying on the home farm in the future should I not be able to go to AHDB events?

Seems a funny way of improving the industry if your relief staff/foot trimmer/local sales reps aren’t allowed to attend?

 

[Sid]

As a non (dairy) levy payer but someone who relief milks on a couple of herds and would like to start dairying on the home farm in the future should I not be able to go to AHDB events?

Seems a funny way of improving the industry if your relief staff/foot trimmer/local sales reps aren’t allowed to attend?

No reason one of your levy paying farmers couldn't invite you along.

If someone else is going to make a financial gain why shouldn't they pay?

 

[Bald Rick]

Never heard of Gordie Jones and what was so inspirational? (asking as a levy payer)

 

[Bald Rick]

Never heard of Gordie Jones and what was so inspirational? (asking as a levy payer)

Ok answered my own question

https://dairy.ahdb.org.uk/news/news...-a-higher-level-dr-gordie-jones/#.Wlc3v6NLGUk

Looks like a man out of "Deliverance" ... no wonder everyone was on the edge of their seats

 

[Bipper]

Saw yesterday that Paul Flanagan has joined AHDB in Scotland. Not sure how that will go down with FM producers. Not the most popular man around.

 

[peclova]

"For five years, Gordie managed the 3,500-cow herd on a 72-point rotary with 300+ calvings per month. Gordie has over 25 years’ experience in veterinary dairy practice and nutrition consulting, as well as designing and managing the Fair Oaks Dairy, Indiana of 65,000 cows".

It's a shame AHDB can't find someone involved with milking a few more cows than this.

 

[Grassman247]

AHDB bringing the future of the factory farms to the UK

Just what the general population want to see!

Maybe next time they can get someone over who’s got a proven track record in being profitable whatever the milk price.

Now where can I get my levy refunded.

 

[Clay52]

I’ve listened to a lot of his talks online. He is great, has a massive amount of dairy knowledge.

 

[westwards]

I went to the talk at Larkhall Scotland, it was well attended about 80-100 but about 25% were not dairy farmers !! He was a good and interesting speaker and kept the audience on their toes
But I was looking to learn a little bit more detail, was good on cow comfort but not many of us can bed on sand in the west of Scotland !!

 

[Durry cows]

Was in Cheshire today, I went. Very interesting guy I have seen his video on YouTube and it was nigh on exactly the same presentation he does over and over by the looks of it. Not complaining though as he is a very knowledgeable person. Most interesting point (there is always something!!) was rumensin/monensin ie kexxtone bolus in uk will prevent clinical signs of johnes! Well worth a try to anyone struggling with it as it stops the shedding too he says. Some things aren’t as transferable ie running a high culling rate like some do in the us imo

 

[Crusty]

Went to the meeting at Chester this afternoon, I thought he was excellent. Have watched alot of his videos on YouTube and the presentation today was very similar. I'd say reps/vets should only be there if its not been fully supported by farmers. But on the flip side if UK cubicle manufacturers were there and copied his cubicle design I honestly think it would rapidly improve cow welfare across the country as they'd have a better understanding of what the cow needs. Good to catch up with durry cows too!

 

[DairyGrazing]

AHDB bringing the future of the factory farms to the UK

Just what the general population want to see!

Maybe next time they can get someone over who’s got a proven track record in being profitable whatever the milk price.

Now where can I get my levy refunded.

Troll level 100!

 

[Clay52]

AHDB bringing the future of the factory farms to the UK

Just what the general population want to see!

Maybe next time they can get someone over who’s got a proven track record in being profitable whatever the milk price.

Now where can I get my levy refunded.

Have you heard him talk. His information is relevant to dairy cows in general, not just “factory farms” what ever that even means. The term factory farms is usually only used by city hippies that have never stepped foot on a farm and don’t know any better.

Even with cows grazing everyday Gordie Jones is still one of the most useful people I have listened to.

 

[DairyGrazing]

Have you heard him talk. His information is relevant to dairy cows in general, not just “factory farms” what ever that even means. The term factory farms is usually only used by city hippies that have never stepped foot on a farm and don’t know any better.

Even with cows grazing everyday Gordie Jones is still one of the most useful people I have listened to.

@Grassman247, he also has a 800 cow organic grazing herd his dairy.......

 

[cliffy71]

We went to the meeting yesterday too, me, herdsman, feeder and scraper driver. I also put my vet and nutritionist onto the meeting at least they might get something across to the constantly moaning majority who never attend meetings! We've just stopped for a brew but are ripping the yorkshire boarding off one side of the cubicles this morning.....no point listening at a meeting then doing nothing!

 

[lazy farmer]

AHDB bringing the future of the factory farms to the UK

Just what the general population want to see!

Maybe next time they can get someone over who’s got a proven track record in being profitable whatever the milk price.

Now where can I get my levy refunded.

i think 4 AHDB reps were at the positive farmers which can be no bad thing.
i think the move to split their advisors up into block calving reps and AYR reps can only lead to better more focused meeting. There were speakers in Ireland that would down well in my section of the industry but not the rest for example.

 

[newholland]

Gordie is an excellent speaker and we enjoyed his talk very much today. This evening after milking, we spent some time watching our cows in their sand cubicles and realised we need to follow his ideas about sideways cows.....a lot of food for thought, so the meeting worked for us. Didn't agree with overstocking, but still a very good quality event and we took many positive ideas home with us. Getting pregnant at boarding school and ice fishing in the gym made folks smile!

Well done AHDB, Thank you.