Digby Gribble

 Quality Milk Producers AGM 2009

The AGM of QMP was held on Wednesday evening at the Dairy Event in the JCS pavilion and they were able to report a substantial profit for the year, despite having spent increased amounts on market support and having had to make representations to DEFRA over the PDO application from Jersey Island Dairy for the exclusive use of the trade name “Jersey Butter”. DEFRA have yet to make a decision and it is hoped that the compromise suggestion that the key word “Island” should be inserted ie “Jersey Island Butter” will be accepted.

The Frome Agricultural & Cheese Show was held on 12th September and saw the return of competitive classes for Guernsey’s after a gap of several years with 5 exhibitors having 16 females forward and entries received from a sixth.

The third All Breeds Calf Show was held at Wadebridge on Tuesday 2nd September and featured strong classes of Ayrshires, Guernseys, Holsteins and Jerseys.

The Young Handlers were center stage before lunch and 16 were competing in three classes by age.

The Sales family took three Bickfield cows to Mid Somerset Show to compete in the Any Other Dairy Breed section with Ayrshires, Swiss and Shorthorns.

8 Guernseys were present at the Edenbridge Show from four exhibitors two of whom were competing for the first time and in addition 3 other calves had competed in the Calf classes on the Sunday.

Firstly I’d like to say what a nice friendly lot you fellow guernsey breeders are, very helpful and in quite a few instances very kind.

Having bred pedigree Dairy Shorthorns for 41 yrs I did dabble in Jerseys but have now got the bug for the pedigree Guernsey. I had a Stroxworthy cow some yrs ago, who was no oilpainting but a worker, with me till 16yrs then a house cow to a friend for a further 4 yrs.