Digby Gribble

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.

The second day was given over to the herd visit at Briddlesford which has been the highest yielding herd within EGCS (English Guernsey Cattle Society) for the last few years, but by virtue of its position on the Island is relatively unknown amongst EGCS members. The herd has been milk recorded with NMR and has developed from the original 15 cows that were brought to the farm by Richard Griffin’s father. Paul Griffin who has the day to day management of the herd in his hands is the fourth generation of the Griffin family in the business and it was good to hear that his nephew, the fifth generation is now milking 3 mornings a week, but given his talent as a musician so ably demonstrated the previous evening he will have other options.

The EGCS AGM, English Guernsey Cattle Society, and Herd visits were held on the Isle of Wight on the 21st and 22nd of September.

21 members gathered at the Bluebells Coffee Shop at Briddlesford Farm as guests of the Griffin family before travelling to Queen Bower to the Isle of Wight Cheese Company established in 2006 by Richard Hodgson in Mike Reed’s farmyard.

The ARC-Addington Fund,one of the Farming Help charities and helps maintain the economic and social fabric of the farming community, held a Harvest Lunch at Stoneleigh on the 17th September to which Brian Adams, John Berry and myself were invited. We are involved with the selection, showing and rearing of Aber Showtime Dancer 5 aka Claudia. She has had four outings so far this year and is entered for the South West Dairy Show and the All Breeds All Britain Calf Show in October.

David Christophers who has been such an important part of the Future Golden Breeders training since it started in 2005, and who has been competing succesfully in the Guernsey show rings with his heifer Tredinney Buzzards Bracken 4, has been awarded a 14 day trip to America and Canada in …

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Matthew Jones from Kelsmor Dairy is able and willing to produce beautiful art work of any and all Guernsey subjects. If you would like any of your Guernsey treasured pictures printed for display or an extra special print to maybe take pride of place within a home, or you would …

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