News

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.

I have been fortunate enough to spend the last two days on Guernsey Island in the company of two Guernsey enthusiasts who were making their first visit to the Island and also a “retired” breeder who still takes a great interest in the breed and who suggested the trip in search of Guernsey “treasure”.

Guernsey Cross Breeding

For the last ten years or so there has been a register of Cross Bred female offspring of Guernsey cattle maintained by the EGCS, the old rules for Grading Up stated that a non-pedigree animal needed to be of “Guernsey type” to be accepted by the Society, two generations of Guernsey sired progeny were then required before the third generation ( at least 87.5%)

The ALL BREEDS-ALL BRITAIN Calf and Showmanship Show 2009

This event provides a fitting climax to the years endeavours by young people who are either just starting their careers in the Show ring or having reached the “grand old age” of 25 are ending their involvement with the various breed society “youth” organisations.

The Holsteins were celebrating 25 years since the first calf show, whilst the other “coloured” breeds were first involved in 2001, whilst the Guernseys were first involved in 2006, having only started our FGB (Future Golden Breeders) in 2005.

The Dairy Show 2009

There have been some remarkable results over the years at the Dairy Show at Shepton Mallet but the 2009 Show will be one of the most memorable for the exhibitor and breeder of the Show Champion. I guess that all of us who take the trouble to prepare and exhibit cows at shows dream of winning the Championship, but it is not often that the Champion is a homebred daughter of the “house” cow.

Robert and Sue Bevin held their dispersal sale of the Watling Guernsey herd on the farm in the village of Willey, Rugby in Warwickshire. The cows sold well with 17 Lots making more than 800 with a top price of £1010 for Lot 33 Watling Oberons Lara bought by Mr and Mrs Tandy to join their Holstein herd.

There were four other “new” buyers also adding Guernseys to their Holstein herds as well as some of the established Guernsey Breeders.

The Dairy Event and Livestock Show 2009

The last DFE was held at Stoneleigh on Wednesday and Thursday at which I represented EGCS under the umbrella of the Centre for Dairy Information (CDI) on the Holstein UK stand. In 2006 when that opportunity was first available the Jersey, Swiss and Montbeliarde as well as the British Friesian Breeders Club all had space and we were able to display our Guernsey iinformation. This year however the other breed societies had taken their own trade stand space and I felt that I was the “invisible” man quite difficult you would think given my height and girth. I recieved not a single enquiry about Guernseys over the two days, although there were several EGCS members at the show who I was able to speak to.

 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.