Kiprono Sego has sent a picture of a Guernsey heifer that was recently made Interbreed Champion at the Nairobi International Fair. “Eliza” is owned, bred and exhibited by ADC Lanet Feedlot, the Government Agency that took over the running of many farms after Independence and have continued to run them …
At a recent meeting of the Breed Development Committee it was agreed that a table of “possible” bull mothers should be published.
This is not an “inclusive” list and if you have cows that you think are of equal merit then please let Jon White or myself know.
Whilst we will probably only require two or three young bulls a year for semen collection, other sons of these cows will all play a part in the Guernsey breeds future as every year more than 30% of heifer calves registered are by natural service.
42 of the 45 females have been Classified and average 84.74 points but 26 of these are scored as heifers and we would expect the average score to rise as they mature and are scored again.
One of the most welcome developments recently has been the decision of Helen and Daffyd Cox from Laugharne in West Wales to purchase a Guernsey to add to their very successful Glanmor Jersey herd. At this weeks Welsh Dairy Show in what were very competitive Jersey classes they achieved a clean sweep of the Championship placings.
At the recent Dairy Event, 2010, a young lady approached the EGCS stand with the good news that she had persuaded her father to purchase 20 Guernseys to add to the herd that she was now milking on a regular basis around her college studies. The young lady is Amy Jasper …
One of the most memorable visits in Canada on the recent tour was to Don Haven Guernseys where the Guernseys are part of a mainly Holstein herd but also share the barn with some Ayrshires. There were about 15 Guernseys to see, and all bar one are descended from the original cow and Don Haven Deemand Vespa was the unanimous choice of the “international” judges.
This years All Britains All Breeds Calf Show at Stoneleigh Park found 10 young handlers competing on Saturday in the Showmanship Classes in the Coloured breed classes with more than 20 competitors in most of the age groups.
2010 saw the 30th Dairy Show at Shepton Mallett have an International flavour as the Show Society had asked judges from Overseas to judge all six Dairy breeds and it was interesting to watch the Danish Jersey judge place his classes in reverse order, with the contenders for the top of the line having room and time to properly present their animals.
10 Guernsey exhibitors had 31 cows and heifers forward and 8 Calves had competed in the calf classes the night before and White Ladies Marius Graceful 8 made a particular impression standing a close second behind the Jersey calf that was made the Coloured Breed Champion.
Dena and Andrew Waters dispersed their Holstein and Guernsey herds at Beeston Market, Tarporley Cheshire on the 4th October 2010 and the Guernseys found a much better trade given the age profile of the different breeds. 18 of the 44 Holsteins made more than 1000 gns with a top price of 1420 gns for Lot 34.