News

The post-conference tour is coming to a close with a visit to Prince Edward Island today and has proved to be physically tiring as the roads of Quebec and the bus used by the tour company have not proven to be compatible. With just 15 on the tour a change from the coach used in the first week was expected, but the bone shaker chozen has left us exhausted at the end of some long days. The Australians and New Zealanders have remained on tour with 3 from England, two different couples from the US and Rob Forster from Canada.

The question of which has been the best Guernsey bull has been the topic on the WGCF Tour bus today as we travelled from Frederickton to Moncton New Brunswick. The question was posed by Bernie Heissner who used to work for the AGA and now works for COBA/Select Sires. He and Blaine Crosser had made a list  score whilst at the conference, triggered by the “genomics” debate and wondering which of the most successful bulls had the “least” relationship and could therefore offer “outcross” genetics.

 I am delighted that there have been some “comments” made as a result of the article about the Guernsey World Conference and thank you to those who made them. This website is open to anyone interested in Guernseys and the more dialogue the better.

Mike Cox in his inimitable way has suggested that all maiden heifers should be mated to the best young bulls and quotes the Dutch method whereby all 2nd calvers are so treated. The Dutch dairy industry are much better organised than we are in the UK. The Government subsidize the data collection for all cattle species and both vets and inseminators are required by law to report all of their interventions to the database.

The 13th Guernsey World Conference has just finished in Toronto and as at the last two that I attended the general feeling is of an opportunity missed, but there did seem to be more awareness of the challenges around to our breed.

The Royal Norfolk Show took place on the 30th June & 1st July 2010 at the Norfolk showground just off the A47. (Make a date for next years show being held on the 29th & 30th June 2011!)

The Championship for the third year running went to Jason & Katherine Salisbury from Suffolk Farmhouse Cheeses. This was won with Shanford Mr Luck Marigold.

Results are as follows:-

The Ontario part of the tour gave the chance to get back among Guernsey cows and it is a joy to be looking at cows in the company of some real Guernsey heroes from around the world. The judging competition started in British Columbia resumed but with the addition of a Canadian team Peter White and Canadian Guernsey Field Officer Rob Forster. Also the American Dream team of Seth Johnson and Brian Schnebly the two outstanding young men who are employed by AGA. After each visit I would total up the points from each of the 10 competitors and also of the teams and it became a keenly contested competition with the “wild colonial boys” from Australia taking an early lead and never being headed although the “dream team” did eventually win the final round.

The “Pre-tour” has now ended with the Americans in the party leaving at Calgary, but having arrived in Toronto, several couples who were in Australia in 2007 have joined the tour, as well as the Guernsey Island representatives.

Carol and I flew out to Vancouver to join the 2010 World Guernsey Conference Tour, which is in three stages the first tour starting from British Columbia crossing to Calgary. There are 21 tourists, 5 from Australia, 2 from New Zealand, 6 from the UK and 7 from the USA.

The Annual Sale at the US Guernsey Convention in Pennsylvania was held on Monday and achieved an average of over $4000 for 41 live lots. The catalogue and sale results are online within the US Guernsey website.

The top priced Lot was Lot 1 a choice of either a Lang Haven Decision Natural or a Edge Water Meadows Yogibear heifer from the 2008 Interbreed Champion at Madison, Indian Head American Pie Ex 94, and she sold for $15,000 (£10,000) and it was the LH D Natural calf that was chosen.