National All Breeds Show 2010

The long established National Holstein show at Stoneleigh, for the first time included the other UK dairy breeds and was in my view a success as the other Coloured breeds embraced the opportunity and produced some very attractive competitive classes with cattle from all regions including Cornwall, Kent, Pembrokeshire and Fife with several herds in particular from Wales making a welcome reappearance after TB restrictions.

There were 7 Guernseys forward from 4 exhibitors with President-Elect Elsie Fallows and her family producing the Junior Champion with Eavesford Onwards Molly, what a pleasure it is to have the enthusiasm of Elsie within our ranks and it is to hoped that 2011 will mark a turnaround in Guernsey fortunes.

Two milk heifers provided quality and Blacknor Tania with a superb udder had the advantage over Hilcol Coriander.

Colin and Hilary Evans have finally escaped after a two year shutdown for TB and are a welcome addition to the competitive ranks.

There were three senior cows forward and Luckley Sylvia 15 who has twice been Bath and West Champion and is now 10 years old was given the placing ahead of St Senara Adrienne from Hilcol who had been the top priced cow at the St Senara sale in July 09 with Eavesford Glacier Molly in third place.

The Junior Cow and Champion was Bickfield Rainbow 51 who had been purchased by Chettle Guernsey Cream at the Bickfield draft sale in April 08 and who was Heifer Champion at the Bath and West in 2009.

She was purchased privately by a partnership of the Colin Evans and the Sales family but has remained at Chettle in the interim. Having calved her second in the autumn she will still improve as she matures and will be the one to beat in the coming season.

What I enjoy at these events is the chance to meet with the HUK classifiers who are always keen to talk about the outstanding Guernseys that they have seen on farm, the challenge of course is to get them off farm and into the show ring, which is what the other breeds achieve on a regular basis.