The first event since our last Newsletter was the Kirkby herd visit on August 18th in Leicestershire, where the entire Griffin family turned out in force to greet us. We inspected daughters of their Panama and Emperor bulls and also those of Oakbank Delboy. Don and Jackie have built their farming business entirely on the back of British Friesians, breeding pure, with an excellent bull beef unit to complete the picture. Our grateful thanks for their tremendous hospitality. (One more grandson and they will have their own 7s rugby team!). The next event on September 8th that we supported, was the HUK Centenary Ball held at Chester Racecourse, at which the Club took two tables. Patrick and Liz Davies kindly offered to host an impromptu herd visit during the afternoon to their Hollinscourt herd, for British Friesian breeders, and what a treat it was.
We know that members have been upset at the perceived claims that what is being celebrated this year is 100 years of Holsteins, and the way it has been portrayed as such in the press.
If a Breed Society is anything, it is surely to reflect accuracy of pedigree and whatever the original name of the Society, it was the British Friesian type of cow that the founding members had set their sights on. They had discounted the longer legged and narrower animals as unsuitable. They had discovered the better type of animal in Friesland, and the Society’s name soon became The British Friesian Cattle Society. Many photographic examples exist of these old cows, Tarvin (imp 1936) Geertje, recently featured in the Farmers Guardian, being an example. The British Friesian has vastly improved since those early years without any Holstein influence, and breeders must make certain that it continues to do so. DAIRY EVENT
Supporters were delighted to see a British Friesian sired cow appearing on the Genus stand after all these years! This 60% British Friesian stood alongside the Holsteins and was a good example of the width and strength that can be gained by the cross. No wonder sales of British Friesian semen and bulls continue to grow.
We were kept busy on the HUK stand meeting friends old and new, and we used the opportunity to discuss with Society officers how best to counter the move to cross breed Holsteins with coloured breeds, which are being promoted vociferously. We have the answer within the black and white population in the British Friesian. It is a question of conveying that to a wider audience. We have the facts and they need to be promoted. Show results
We were back in the show ring again with Willie Bell (ex Marshside) as our Judge. Heifer 1st CJ & GR Carnell : Langley Brandy Liz 3
2nd ES Burrough & Sons : Oakalby Frosty Di Verity 25
3rd CJ & GR Carnell : Langley Explorer Penny 2 Champion Langley Brandy Liz 3 Junior cow 1st ES Burrough & Sons : Oakalby Venue S Ruth 55
2nd CJ & GR Carnell : Langley Rechabite Marion
3rd ES Burrough & Sons : Oakalby Endeavour Sweetie 10 Senior cow 1st CJ & GR Carnell : Langley Rubin Mary 2
2nd ES Burrough & Sons : Oakalby Breadwinner S Ruth 34
3rd ES Burrough & Sons : Oakalby Lawyer Pixie 9
4th JWG Dalby & Sons : Ringswood Prin Charm 2
5th CJ & GR Carnell : Langley Excel Texus 4 Champion Langley Rubin Mary 2 Reserve Oakalby Venue S Ruth 55 Overall points ES Burroughs & Sons Honourable mention (udder) Oakalby Breadwinner S Ruth 34 CARLISLE BULL SALE
This traditional venue for the sale of British Friesian bulls produced useful prices for:-
Langley Boxer at 5,700 guineas and Winnoch Wallace at 3,999 guineas. SOUTH WEST DAIRY SHOW 7TH OCTOBER
This popular west country one day show is always well supported and gave us the opportunity to meet our members from Devon and Cornwall. The Centenary Brochure has proved most popular and we may need a re-print! The Committee met the previous day and enjoyed the company of the HUK President Ken Proctor and his wife Rebecca.
Dan Nattle invited us to visit Cornwall in June 2010 to view the organic Rosewarrick herd. CLUB VISIT TO IRELAND 2010
We are also hoping to arrange a visit to Co. Kilkenny to see the farm of Bryan Daniels. Bryan was voted Irish Young Farmer of the Year in 2007 and has a huge enthusiasm not only for grassland farming but for doing it with British Friesians. He toured the UK this summer and spoke to many discussion groups. He also flew over for the South West, having failed to make the Dairy Event. We are looking for a visit date in April. HANDLERS TRAINING (YOUNG AND NOT SO YOUNG) AUGUST 2010 CUMBRIA
Margaret Vale will be the contact for this event next summer. Calves etc will be supplied. CAN YOU HELP?
We have copies of the British Friesian Cattle Society histories at 50 and 75 years, but does anyone have the 25 year one, either for sale or for loan? We would be so grateful and would take great care of it.
Apologies to any member who didn’t receive the last Newsletter, lightning struck the Secretary’s house, leaving the computer out of action!
« back to headlines
|
