UK Guernsey Cattle

The question of which has been the best Guernsey bull has been the topic on the WGCF Tour bus today as we travelled from Frederickton to Moncton New Brunswick. The question was posed by Bernie Heissner who used to work for the AGA and now works for COBA/Select Sires. He and Blaine Crosser had made a list  score whilst at the conference, triggered by the "genomics" debate and wondering which of the most successful bulls had the "least" relationship and could therefore offer "outcross" genetics.

 I am delighted that there have been some "comments" made as a result of the article about the Guernsey World Conference and thank you to those who made them. This website is open to anyone interested in Guernseys and the more dialogue the better.

Mike Cox in his inimitable way has suggested that all maiden heifers should be mated to the best young bulls and quotes the Dutch method whereby all 2nd calvers are so treated. The Dutch dairy industry are much better organised than we are in the UK. The Government subsidize the data collection for all cattle species and both vets and inseminators are required by law to report all of their interventions to the database.

The Ontario part of the tour gave the chance to get back among Guernsey cows and it is a joy to be looking at cows in the company of some real Guernsey heroes from around the world. The judging competition started in British Columbia resumed but with the addition of a Canadian team Peter White and Canadian Guernsey Field Officer Rob Forster. Also the American Dream team of Seth Johnson and Brian Schnebly the two outstanding young men who are employed by AGA. After each visit I would total up the points from each of the 10 competitors and also of the teams and it became a keenly contested competition with the "wild colonial boys" from Australia taking an early lead and never being headed although the "dream team" did eventually win the final round.