CIS wins Queen’s Award for Enterprise.

The Cattle Information Service (CIS) has been awarded the coveted Queen’s Award for Enterprise within the Innovation category. CIS has won the award for the continuous development of a web based service that allows dairy farmers easy access to all the vital information they need to manage their herds more efficiently and reduces the time they require inputting the growing amount of data now necessary in the livestock industry.

The web based service was introduced in 2002, when it consisted of a simple facility to view individual cow yields along with butterfat, protein and somatic cell count results straight from the laboratory. Continuous investment since then has seen it transformed to a vital management tool that does all the basic tasks, but also benchmarks performance against selected herds, monitors conception and fertility rates, gives early warning of feed imbalances and of disease. The program also predicts future herd production, which is of growing importance to milk buyers and for quota reasons. Most farmers now give access to the web information to their feed advisors and vets, which in turn enables them to monitor and adjust rations more efficiently as well as maintaining a healthy herd with high fertility.

The proof of the company’s success is that despite a severe reduction in dairy herds, CIS has increased its business by 35% in the last four years and now accounts for nearly 50% of all UK recorded herds and 72% of those now have registered to view their data directly from the web.

Typical of the many customers in the UK is Richard Twose who manages the 360 cow Maenhir pedigree Holstein herd at Login near Whitland. Richard comments “I find the web services on the CIS ‘Your Herd’ an essential part of the day to day management of my cows. The ability to pinpoint potential problems and meet legislative needs using the single entry – multiple use features ensures I can spend the maximum amount of time available with the cows instead of wading through paperwork.”

George Jamieson of the SAC, one of the country’s busiest dairy herd advisors, comments, “The information I can get from the CIS web is another vital tool in my box.  With the farmer’s permission I make use of the ketosis, acidosis, urea charts and matched to body condition scores I find these particularly helpful when making key adjustments to rations.  My aim is to have healthy cows and happy farmers.’’

CIS has previously won the prestigious AgriScot award for ‘New Product of the Year’ but the Queen’s Award recognises the general excellence of the company and what it has done to the benefit of the agricultural industry and customers in particular. Leading the company, which is owned by Holstein UK, is Sue Cope. “The success in my mind is due to total team effort combining practical dairy knowledge with IT expertise.  We have around 180 people working with the company and our number one priority is customer service and satisfaction and each and every one of them can take credit from the Queen’s Award. Although we are well ahead in our field, we will continue to invest in further developments that will benefit our customers.’’

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Note to Editors:

The Cattle Information Service Ltd. Is based at Scotsbridge House, Rickmansworth, Herts., WD3 3BB

Board of Directors – Ronald Barron (Chairman), David Hewitt, David Tomlinson. Nick Helyer and Jack Lawson

Photo opportunities can be arranged if required.

Press Contacts

England and Wales – Simon Gee 01923 695225

Scotland – Jack Lawson 07946 024015

Other Contacts

Sue Cope, National Operations Executive 07810 128645

David Hewitt Holstein UK Chief Executive 01923 695200

Suzanne Harding, Business Development Executive 01923 695217