Meeting the Challenge
14th World Guernsey Conference 3 – 6 July 2013
A Welcome from the President
It has been a great honour to be President of the Royal Guernsey Agricultural and Horticultural Society and also of the World Guernsey Cattle Federation.
There have been many changes in the agriculture industry, not only in Guernsey but World Wide since the Conference was last held here in 1992. The ever-growing world population demands increased food production and greater efficiency aided by science and technology. Many challenges loom ahead, one example being a readily available world supply of water.
I cannot think of a better time than the present to be involved in food production, despite the many difficulties that may lie ahead. Food security is, and will be, of a major concern to the increased masses of the population.
In the dairy industry the number of herds continues to fall in the UK and the Island. There are now 17 herds in the island compared to 220 in 1969/70. However milk yields keep climbing due to better genetics, whilst herd size continues to grow. We Guernsey Cattle Breeders are fortunate to be associated with such a wonderful breed that in many instances is unique. We all know of the outstanding qualities of our cattle: their temperament, the colour of the milk and its fat and protein content. These qualities can be harnessed to produce high quality dairy products and to create specialised markets that are unique to our breed. Island farmers are delighted to have the opportunity to entertain you while you are on the island and are proud to show you the quality of the cattle they have in their
herds. The Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Society has put together a very extensive itinerary that I am sure will suit everybody. The farm visits are naturally one of the many highlights and profiles of the herds are included in this brochure. Our Summer Show at Saumarez Park is the annual highlight of our society’s calendar so it is an especial pleasure to stage this event during your visit. We have included visits to the three other islands that make up the Bailiwick: Herm, Alderney, and Sark and trips around the island to illustrate the history of Guernsey. We all hope that you will enjoy the many aspects of the tour and take home memories that will last a lifetime. Ray Watts
Guernsey Tour Itinerary Sunday 30th June 2013
6.00pm Depart St Pierre Park hotel for a Vin d’Honneur, hosted by the Bailiff of Guernsey, and the President’s reception which will be held at Castle Cornet. 7.30pm Return to the hotel. Evening at leisure.
Monday 1st July 2013 (BL-) 7.00am – 9.30am Breakfast is served in the hotel. 9.30am Depart the hotel for a visit to Le Hechet Farm, hosted by Julian and Katherine Ogier. This farm has been in the same family for three generations. Julian and Katherine together with Katherine’s parents, Jim and Angela De Garis are delighted to welcome you to join them for lunch. 2.30pm Depart for a visit to The Little Chapel, possibly the world’s smallest chapel decorated with pieces of broken china, seashells and pebbles. Afterwards, return to the hotel, time to freshen up. 5.00pm Depart the hotel for a visit to La Viaer Marchi, an annual traditional Guernsey market held at Saumarez Park. This highlight of Guernsey’s summer events is organised by the National Trust of Guernsey and features Guernsey’s traditional crafts, culture, cuisine and entertainment. Food will be available at your own expense.
Tuesday 2nd July 2013 (B--) 7.00am – 9.30am Breakfast is served in the hotel. 9.00am Depart the hotel for the short ferry crossing to the island of Sark, to experience life at a different pace. The only form of transport on Sark is by horse and carriage, tractor or bicycle. The island boasts beautiful scenery, excellent culinary experiences and a chance to be transported back to a gentler way of life. Free time to explore the island, either take a carriage ride around this lovely island, walk around the village or you may like to visit La Seigneurie Gardens, some of the finest formal gardens in the Channel Islands. The house dates back to 1675 and has been the home of Sark’s Feudal Lords of the Manor since
1730. 3.30pm Return to the ferry for the 4.00pm crossing to Guernsey and the transfer back to the hotel. Evening at leisure.
Wednesday 3rd July 2013 (BLD) 7.00am – 9.30am Breakfast is served in the hotel. 9.30am Depart for a full day at the Royal Guernsey Agricultural and Horticultural Society’s Annual Cattle Show in the tranquil surroundings of Saumarez Park. An array of magnificent trophies donated to the Society by individuals and Guernsey Breed Societies from around the world will be on display. There will also be a chance for you to see the world famous Golden Guernsey goats. This breed was saved from extinction by Miss Miriam Milbourne who devoted her life to the preservation of the breed. Take time to visit the splendid Guernsey Folk Museum and recently restored Victorian Gardens which are situated in the grounds of Saumarez Park. 4.15pm Return to the hotel. 6.15pm Speakers Briefing La Petite Seigneurie 7.00pm Dinner in the hotel. 8.00pm Directors Meeting La Petite Seigneurie Thursday 4th July 2013 (BLD) 7.00am – 9.30am Breakfast is served in the hotel. 8.00am Directors Meeting La Petite Seigneurie CONFERENCE DELEGATES: 9.15am Official opening of the Conference by the Bailliff Richard Collas 9.30am Presidential Address by Ray Watts 9.45am Opening Address by the Conference Moderator, Dr. Brian Wickham 10.00am Morning Tea/ Coffee 10.30am Farming in Guernsey Dr. Andrew Casebow 12.00pm Lunch 1.30pm Country Reports 3.00pm Afternoon Tea/ Coffee
ISLAND GUERNSEYS PROFITABLE COMMERCIAL DAIRY COWS Guernsey farmers have a tradition of breeding commercial cows of strong functional type. Data Recording Guernsey cows 100% Pedigree Recorded 100% Milk Recorded 100% Health Recorded Island Guernseys have excellent health and are free from many of the major diseases of cattle. Health and breed purity is protected by a law that prohibits the importation of live cattle. A Sustainable Breeding Programme Selection for production traits alone can lead to serious functional and health problems. A sustainable breeding programme is characterised by: ! A continuous genetic improvement of productivity to keep the population commercially competitive. ! A broad definition of breeding objectives to take into account selection for all major economically important traits while maintaining fertility, health and long productive life. ! Management of inbreeding to ensure that no depression of important traits occurs. (Fikse & Philipsson) The Royal Guernsey Agricultural & Horticultural Society and The World Guernsey Cattle Federation have taken advice from the world’s leading geneticists to develop an unique programme for the Guernsey Breed.
The Guernsey Global Breeding Programme is a co-operative breed improvement programme that releases teams of young bulls of high genetic merit randomly across the whole population. These young bulls are mostly sired by Proven Bulls and are taken from the highest merit cows in the breed. ! Bull mothers are identified by Genetic Merit & Visual Inspection ! Cow owners are consulted ! Optimum matings are planned and indexed for Inbreeding and co-ancestry ! Bull mothers are contracted ! Young calves enter a special rearing unit ! Candidates are regularly reviewed ! Successful candidates are collected ! After progeny testing the most successful sires are returned to sire future generations of young bulls The programme has been extremely successful. At the last UK Genetic Base Change, the Guernsey had made more progress than any other breed, including the Holstein. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Royal Guernsey Agricultural & Horticultural Society Les Fauconnaires Farm Rue des Fauconnaires St Andrews Guernsey GY6 8UE Email: liz.naftel@gov.gg Tel:+44 1481 236771
3.30pm
Managing Your Herd for Profit, George Ramsbottom - Teagasc 5.00pm Conclusion by Moderator NON DELEGATES: 9.30am Depart the hotel for a morning visit to Candie Gardens & Museum, returning to the hotel for lunch 1.30pm Depart the hotel for an afternoon visit to Hauteville House, returning at 4.30pm ALL PARTICIPANTS: 7.00pm Dinner in the hotel.
Friday 5th July 2013
(BLD) 7.00am – 9.30am Breakfast is served in the hotel. 7.15am Directors Breakfast Meeting La Petite Seigneurie CONFERENCE DELEGATES: 9.00am WGCF Secretary’s Report 9.20am Opportunities for Feeding the World, John Giles – Promar International 10.30am Morning Tea/ Coffee 10.50am Guernsey Genetics, How are we doing and How do we compare? Dr. Marco Winters 12.00pm Buffet Lunch 1.30pm ‘Rising to The Challenge’ Guernsey Farmers describe how their businesses have thrived in a competitive environment 4.15pm Afternoon Tea/ Coffee 4.45pm Conclusion by Moderator NON DELEGATES: 9.00am Depart the hotel for a half day Heritage Tour, returning to the hotel for lunch Afternoon at leisure. ALL PARTICIPANTS: 7.00pm Dinner in the hotel
Saturday 6th July 2013
(BLD) 7.15am Optional Directors Breakfast Meeting 8.00am – 10.00am Breakfast is served in the hotel.
Le Bigard Herd
CONFERENCE DELEGATES: 9.15am WGCF Directors Report 9.45am ‘Can we meet the Challenge? ’How do we plan to keep our breed, our herds and our farms profitable and sustainable for the future? 11.15am Morning Tea/ Coffee 11.45am Conference Summary by Moderator. 12.15pm 15th World Guernsey Conference Presentation by Host Country 12.45pm Closing Address by incoming President 1.00pm Conference closes NON DELEGATES: Morning at leisure. ALL PARTICIPANTS: 1.15pm Buffet lunch in the hotel. 2.00pm Depart hotel for WWII Occupation Tour, returning at 5.00pm 7.00pm Conference Banquet in the hotel.
Sunday 7th July 2013 (BL-) 8.00am – 10.00am Breakfast is served in the hotel. 9.00am Depart hotel for Church of England service at St Saviours for 14 participants 11.00am Remaining participants depart the hotel ALL PARTICIPANTS: 11.15am Visit to Les Jaonnets Farm, hosted by Michael Bray who took over from Bon & Margaret Martel last year. 1.00pm Transfer to St Saviours Community Centre for lunch hosted by Bon & Margaret Martel 3.15pm Depart for a visit to Les Fauconnaires Farm, Guernsey’s only organic dairy, hosted by Jim & Liz Naftel. Afternoon tea provided by Jim & Liz Naftel. 5.45pm Return to the hotel. Evening at leisure. Monday 8th July 2013
(B-D)
7.00am – 9.30am Breakfast is served in the hotel.
8.45am Depart the hotel for a visit to the States of Guernsey Dairy. 11.30am Depart for the ferry port 12.15pm Ferry crossing to Herm, arriving 12.35pm Free afternoon for own lunch and to explore this beautiful island. OPTION: 2.30pm Guided tour of “Britain in Bloom” garden on Herm, at own cost 5.00pm Return to the ferry port 5.35pm Ferry crossing to Guernsey and transfer back to the hotel. 7.00pm The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society talk, a remarkable story of the Island of Guernsey during the German Occupation. Light 3 course supper included.
1.30pm Depart for a visit to La Petite Croute herd hosted by Robert & Claire Waters, afternoon tea included. 5.00pm Return to the hotel. Time to freshen up. 6.45pm Depart for an evening reception at Government House hosted by The Lieutenant-Governor of Guernsey, Sir Peter Walker. 8.00pm Return to the hotel. Evening at leisure.
Wednesday 10th July 2013
Saturday 13th July 2013
Tuesday 9th July 2013
(BL-) 7.00am – 9.30am Breakfast is served in the hotel. 9.45am Depart for a visit to Le Bigard herd hosted by Gerald & Janet Carey. The farm is perched on Guernsey’s south coast cliffs where it is hoped you will be able to enjoy the spectacular views during lunch hosted by Gerald & Janet. 2.00pm Depart for a visit to the Myrtles herd hosted by Carol Allett. Afternoon tea is hosted by Carol. 4.30pm Return to the hotel. Evening at leisure. (BL-) 7.00am – 9.30am Breakfast is served in the hotel. 9.00am Depart for a visit to Meadow Court Farm hosted by Ray & James Watt. This farm is the home of our President and is set in the picturesque parish of St Andrews, the only parish in Guernsey without a coastline. Lunch included.
La Petite Croute Herd
Thursday 11th July 2013
(BL-) 7.00am – 9.30am Breakfast is served in the hotel. Various departures for return flights for Alderney and a visit to Mike & Claire Cox, the only farmers on the Island. Evening at leisure.
Friday 12th July 2013
(BLD) 7.00am – 9.30am Breakfast is served in the hotel 9.00am Depart for a visit to Smithfield Farm hosted by Frank Le Cheminant. Frank’s farm is set in the smallest most southerly parish of Torteval. 11.30am Depart for a visit to St Catherine Farm hosted by Robin & Paz Jamouneau, lunch included. 2.15pm Return to the hotel, time to freshen up. 6.45pm Depart for Meadow Court Farm for supper and a barn dance hosted by our President Ray Watts. 10.45pm Return to the hotel. (B--) 8.00am – 10.00am Breakfast is served in the hotel. Own arrangements for the transfer to the airport for onward flights. FRENCH TOUR PARTICIPANTS: 9.30am Depart the hotel for the transfer to Guernsey Airport.
Introducing our Conference Speakers Dr Brian Wickham Conference Moderator
Until 4th October 2012 Brian Wickham was chief executive of the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation Society Limited (trading as ICBF) a position he had held since 1998. He led the development of ICBF from its inception. ICBF operates Ireland’s cattle breeding database, conducts genetic evaluations for all breeds (dairy and beef) and traits. It provides cattle breeding information services to a number of service providers (Milk Recording, Herd Books, Artificial Insemination Field Services & Bull Studs), to farmers and the wider community via its website (www.icbf.com). ICBF provide a large amount of data for research and participates with partners throughout the world in a wide range of cattle breeding research.
Brian gained his PhD from Cornell University under the direction of Prof CR Henderson in 1975. For the first twenty two years of his career Brian worked in New Zealand for LIC and its predecessors in a number of scientific, technical and managerial roles. He represented LIC internationally and chaired the Interbull Steering Committee for its first thirteen years of operation.
Under Brian’s leadership ICBF has established one of the world’s leading cattle breeding information systems. Initiatives include; establishing an integrated database for the Irish cattle breeding industry, the extensive use of carcass data collected from meat processing plants, electronic DIY milk recording, integration of dairy and beef performance recording, adoption of genomics in dairy cattle breeding and support for animal health initiatives.
Brian addressed the World Guernsey Conference held in New Zealand in 1995 and has maintained links with the WGCF Secretariat. We are privileged to welcome him to Guernsey in July to take up the task of being our Conference Moderator once again.
Dr. Andrew Casebow PhD, MSc, MA, B.Sc., CBiol, CEnv, NDA, MRAC
Dr Andrew Casebow has been States Agriculture and Environment Adviser in Guernsey for the past 25 years, following an earlier career in farm management and working as a management consultant in England. His childhood was spent among Guernsey cows on his parent’s dairy farm in Kent, but his life changed when he went away to agricultural college and university (Royal Agricultural College, Reading and Cambridge Universities). As well as being principally interested in dairy farming, breed development and animal welfare, Andrew has worked closely with Oxford University’s Environmental Change Institute on climate change. Within Guernsey he has been closely involved with the island’s waste strategy and the Energy Policy. He undertook a Churchill Travelling Fellowship in 1995 to research anaerobic digestion and energy production from farm waste and currently spends much of his time on the development of marine renewable energy generated from Channel Island waters. His book ‘Planet Guernsey: Towards a Sustainable Future’ was published and sold out in 2007. He is a Fellow of a number of societies, including the Royal Agricultural Societies of the UK, was awarded the ‘Queen’s Prize’ by the Royal Agricultural Society of England and was nominated as Guernsey ‘Ambassador of the Year’ in 2007. He is a Churchill
Fellow, a Freeman of the City of London and a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Farmers. Andrew was invited by the Hohhot Dairy Association to speak at their International Dairy Conference in Inner Mongolia, China in July 2012. This will be the third occasion that Andrew addresses the World Guernsey Conference, this time with a paper on “Farming in Guernsey”.
George Ramsbottom George has been working as an extension officer with Teagasc, the Irish States advisory and research service for almost 20 years and has spent a year working as a consulting officer in New Zealand during that time as well. For the past 14 years his job has involved working as a dairy specialist which involves training dairy advisory officers who work in the field, liaising with industry reps – principally co-operative personnel and bankers and more recently doing a bit of applied research. He has worked a lot with Brian Wickham’s team at ICBF over the past decade and we’re slowly turning around the dairy genetics scene here in Ireland. George holds a 1st hons B. Agr. Sc. in Agriculture; a 1st hons M. Agr. Sc. in Extension and an M. An, Sc. in reproductive physiology, all from UCD. His paper “Managing your Herd for Profit” will provide plenty of food for thought.
John Giles
John Giles is a Divisional Director of Promar International – the agri food value chain consulting subsidiary of Genus plc . Educated at University College Swansea in the early 1980s, he has been with the company for over 18 years. In this time, he has carried out farming & supply chain analyses, business planning, evaluation and feasibility assignments across a wide range of areas within the agri food sector. John Giles has also worked extensively throughout the UK and on assignments in some 60 other countries, including other Continental EU markets, Russia, the FSU and Eastern Europe, Brazil, China, India, New Zealand, Australia, the Middle East, Chile (he has visited Chile over 10 times in the last 5/6 years), the Caribbean, East and South Africa, Mexico, the US and Canada. This includes other work in the dairy, meat, fish, horticultural, cereals, soyabean, rice and processed foods and drink sectors. In the dairy sector, he has carried out assignments for the likes of US Dairy Export Council, South African Agricultural Marketing Council, the Estonian Investment Agency, PROCHILE, Agriculture & Agri Food Canada, the Japanese Agricultural & Livestock Corporation, New Zealand Trade & Enterprise, Nestle, Cadbury, Arla Foods, Dairy UK, DairyCo and the International Dairy Forum, as well as in house studies for our parent company Genus, in China, India, Turkey, Poland and Russia. John Giles has been appointed a Visiting Fellow at the School of Agriculture, Food and the Environment at Cranfield University, and is also Chairman of the Chartered Institute of Marketing’s Food, Drink and Agriculture Group. He is the Vice Chair of the Institute of Agricultural Management & a member of the National Council. He has recently been made an Associate of the Royal Agricultural Society of England and
Dr Marco Winters
Marco Winters was born on a Dutch dairy farm, and since studying Animal Breeding at Edinburgh University he has been working in the UK.
Over the years he has worked for the ADC, Holstein UK and Cogent Breeding. In his current role as Head of Genetics at DairyCo he is now responsible for the co-ordination and dissemination of genetic and genomic evaluations for bulls
also been elected as a Director of the Oxford Farming Conference – as from January 2012. He is also a member of the UK Agricultural Economics Society. His paper entitled “Opportunites for Feeding the World” kicks off the second day at the Conference.
and cows in the UK through DairyCo Breeding+, and participate in R&D which will further help to promote the profitable use of dairy genetics. Since 2008 Marco also is a board member for the International Committee for Animal Recording (ICAR).
Marco’s paper on Guernsey Genetics will provide an up to date evaluation of the breed versus our competitors.
ISLAND GUERNSEYS High Quality Milk for the discerning consumer A product of her Island home, the island of Guernsey, situated in the English Channel off the coast of France, the Guernsey has been developed over many centuries to become one of the world's leading specialist dairy breeds.
Look at the Advantages of the Guernsey Efficiency The Guernsey cow is an efficient converter of feed to milk products. The medium sized Guernsey requires less feed than the larger Holstein, yet converts that feed into more Protein and Butterfat per unit of body weight. Adaptability The Guernsey performs well in southern, northern, hot and cold climates. The Guernsey is an excellent grazer and is a cow that has been developed for pasture based milk production. She is the ideal cow for intensive grazing. Ease of Calving Research has shown that Guernseys have the lowest incidence of calving difficulty of any of the major dairy breeds. Guernseys also calve easily even when crossed with heavier beef breeds. The Popular Breed for Crossing Guernseys are very popular for crossbreeding purposes. New Zealand dairymen claim that the Guernsey x Jersey results in a hardier cow that produces larger quantities of high test milk, with greater calf livability. In tropical and sub-tropical climates the Guernsey x Zebu results in greatly increased milk yield. In USA reports show that Holsteins cows have been very successfully crossed with Guernsey bulls. Early Maturity and Fertility Guernseys mature earlier and come to profit sooner than many other dairy breeds. Guernseys can be bred to calve at around two years of age. Longevity Guernseys live and produce longer. Longevity is an added profit bonus.
Temperament The Guernsey is extremely docile. Dairy farmers all over the world confirm that her moderate temperament and disposition make the Guernsey the easiest breed to work with. High Components The Guernsey's ability to produce high percentages of protein and butterfat enhances her economic value to processors of manufactured dairy products like cheese, butter and ice cream. Butterfat% Protein% Guernsey 5.16% 3.51% Holstein 3.91% 3.18% UK NMR Annual Report 2011/2012 The Cheese Yield Breed 60% of Guernseys carry the Kappa Casein 'B' gene. A recent report from Australia showed that 15.36 kg of cheese was made from 100 litres of pure Guernsey milk, whereas 10 kg is all that would normally be expected from "standard" milk . Milk Quality Guernsey milk contains 12% more protein, 30% more cream, 33% more vitamin D, 25% more vitamin A and 15% more calcium than average milk. The rich, golden colour of Guernsey milk is due to a high content of Beta Carotene. Guernsey milk has an unique and attractive taste and mouthfeel. Beta Casein A2 96% of Guernsey cows carry the protein Beta Casein A2 in their milk. There is evidence that this protein MAY be better for the health and digestion of some people than the Protein Beta Casein A1 that is found in most other milks. There is a growing market for A2 Milk The Guernsey is the result of two centuries of continuous breed development and improvement. Today, for example, Island Guernseys are the leading MILK and PROTEIN producers of the British Channel Island populations (Jersey and Guernsey).
Le Hechet Farm
Guernsey Island Herd Visits Le Hechet Farm
The farmhouse and land was purchased by Harold de Garis in 1957. It was managed and run by Mr Harold de Garis and his son Jim. At that time sixteen cows were housed in two separate barns. The cows were tethered in the fields which was a very labour intensive way of farming. In 1977 Jim and Angela de Garis took over the farm from Jim’s father and building a new stable increased the herd to thirty-six milking cows plus followers. Jim and Angela have three daughters. Jim & Angela were pleased to hand over the farm to their second daughter Katherine and her husband Julian in 1996. Jim helps them working on the farm. After taking over the farm Julian and Katherine purchased twenty cows from Mr J Le M Martel. A new cubicle house, slurry store and milking parlour was built in the year 2000. They then purchased a
Le Bigard Herd was started by my grandfather James Frederic Carey in 1913.
After twelve years in Alberta Canada, he decided to sell his cattle ranch and come home.
In 1912 he returned and then booked to go back on the Titanic but fortune intervened, his father wished to see him before he departed so he cancelled his ticket.
Once in Guernsey he set up his farm at Le Merriennes, Forest in October 1913. He built his stables,
further twenty cows from Messrs W & J Luff which brought the herd total to eighty milking cows plus followers. The farm extends to just over 320 vergees, a small area of maize and fodder beet are grown each year but the herd is fed mainly on a grass/silage diet. The cows are housed in winter but when conditions permit they are run out onto fields as well as receiving their winter rations.
Breeding is based on the GGBP and all the cows are bred using AI. The heifers are normally bred using a GGBP bull which is hired or purchase as required. Seven years ago we added an ice cream business to the farm. Katherine and her sister Rachel run their business together, selling their products to shops, restaurants and hotels as well as at private and corporate functions. Julian & Katherine Ogier
dairy and purchased dairy cattle to produce butter and cream only and whey for the pigs.
of Duke’s daughters to ‘Tannery Hill Champion Claude’ resulting in ‘Remus of Le Bigard’. At one time I had thirty daughters milking from his genetics.
Le Bigard Herd founded 1913 He bred many bulls (as AI didn’t exist) including ‘Barkley Baronett’ and Hopes Lad of the Rouvet’. One daughter lived to seventeen years; we still have that lineage today. In 1968 we moved to Le Variouf, Forest. My father kept a bull called ‘Duke of the Bigard’ which was used extensively in England.
When my father retired I started to use imported semen, I bred one
Today there are seventeen herds in Guernsey, but when I was boy there were eight herds in the Forest Parish alone. I’m the only dairy farmer in the Parish now.
Janet and I look forward to welcoming you to our Farm.
Gerald Carey
ISLAND GUERNSEYS BRED FOR PRODUCTION, HEALTH & FERTILITY
Red Crystal 14 years of age in her 9th lactation, average 305D 6,686 5.32%F 3.59%P kgs
LATEST GUERNSEY ISLAND MILK RECORDS COWS
HEIFERS
WHOLE HERD (18 Herds)
Milk kg
%Fat
%Protein
Fat kg
Protein kg
F+P kg
6,153
5.11
3.53
315
217
532
Milk kg
%Fat
%Protein
Fat kg
Protein kg
F+P kg
5,736
5.16
3.48
296
200
496
Milk kg
%Fat
%Protein
Fat kg
Protein kg
F+P kg
6,036
5.13
3.52
309
212
522
LES JAONNETS CARAS CONQUEROR The first Island bull to have semen exported to USA. Currently the third Net Merit$ bull on The American Guernsey Association’s Active AI Sires list NM$ 400. Conqueror’s UK Predicted Transmitting Ability for Mammary System is 2.4 60 Island daughters averaged 81 points for Final Score. CONQUEROR IS A2A2
Les Jaonnets Farm
The story of Les Jaonnets began back in 1970, when we established the farm with just 12 cows, supplemented with growing potatoes and daffodils. By 1974, we had decided to concentrate solely on the dairy side of the business and invested in a cubicle building for 40 cows which soon had to be enlarged to cater for 90. It was the beginning of a path of continued modernization and reinvestment in the farm over many years, culminating in 2001 when we completed a major building project to erect a large covered feeding area with suitable cubicles, silage pits and a reinforced concrete slurry lagoon, in order to comply with new regulations concerning both animal welfare and pollution considerations. We have maintained the size of our herd to between 90 to 100 cows; rather than expanding capacity we chose to focus on improving the quality of our animals. After 40 years of careful breeding strategies we have established one of finest herds in the Island in terms of both conformation and milk yield. It has been extremely rewarding to see how our efforts and hard work have gradually borne fruit over the years. We have been fortunate enough to achieve unprecedented success in local shows, including winning the prestigious Queen’s
cups for Bulls and Cows on 21 occasions. Over the last decade we have been the top production and genetic merit herd in the British Isles, while in 2007 and 2008 we attained the distinction of being semi-finalists in the United Kingdom’s premier NMR/RABDF Gold Cup Competition. We are also very proud that semen from our bull ‘Cara’s Conqueror of Les Jaonnets’ was exported to the USA, a first for any European based Guernsey bred bull. On 1st April 2012 we welcomed Michael and Susan Bray into the business to take over the management of the farm. We are very pleased to be able to give such a worthy young couple the opportunity to fulfill their dream of farming locally and we wish them well as they continue on the journey we first set upon over forty years ago. Bon and Margaret Martel st The 1 of April 2012 marked a new dream for myself and Susie, having spent much of the last ten years building practical experience within the dairy industry. Being Guernsey born, I began working on Herm Island’s dairy herd during the school holidays and then furthered this with work experience at Meadow Court Farm. In 2000 I attended Seale-Hayne Agricultural College in Devon and obtained a
degree in Agriculture and Countryside Management. During this time I met my now wife, Susie during a year out on a mixed Duchy farm in Somerset. In 2004 we travelled to New Zealand where I took up the role as Assistant Farm Manager of a 400 cow New Zealand herd on a grass based system. This experience proved invaluable for myself as well as allowing Susie to become more involved in the dairy industry something that was very new to her having been brought up within the city culture of Edinburgh. After 18 months the difficult decision to return to the UK was made but on the way back I decided to propose to Susie with us marrying in 2010 on a rare sunny day in Scotland. Upon our return I have managed mainly grass based systems following up from my New Zealand experience. The decision to return to Guernsey was made in late 2010 with a desire to settle down and start our own farm. We are now committed and very honoured to be continuing the vast amount of work and soul that has been invested in the Les Jaonnets herd by Bon and Margaret and hope that we can follow in their footsteps and continue to develop the farm, the herd and the Guernsey breed. Mike and Susie Bray
THE ROYAL GUERNSEY AGRICULTURAL & HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
GUERNSEYS FROM
GUERNSEY ISLAND
PRODUCTION COMPONENTS HEALTH FERTILITY CALVING EASE LONGEVITY
! ! ! ! ! !
PROFITABILITY
ROBUST , HEALTHY COWS FROM GUERNSEY ISLAND
Meadow Court Farm
Meadow Court Farm was established in 1970 with the purchase of four in calf heifers from Westland Herd (owned by the late Mr George Dorey). The farm consisted of 15 vergees. Today Meadow Court has grown to 700 Vergees with approximately 265 head of cattle including a milking herd of 130 cows plus followers and also a small beef herd. During 1999 my son James joined the business bringing with him his herd (formally the Amarillo Herd purchased from Mr & Mrs M H Le Poidevin) of approximately 40 cows. At the present time James is responsible for running the herd,
whilst I run the small on farm butchery, which supplies local meat and dairy products to the public, hotels, restaurants and farmers markets. The amalgamation of the two herds coincided with the setting up of the Guernsey Global Breeding Programme, since then this programme has not only helped to improve the breeding of our herd, but has also pushed the Island herd forward. This scheme has been closely regulated and helped to identify any weakness in the local herd. These have been rectified to the benefit of the breed generally. Meadow Court has over the
years provided young sires for the scheme; these include Lorrys Zulu, Red Oak, William Webb and Eric. In recent years the farm has been fortunate to receive many accolades of which the most notable was the wining of the Business of the Year in 2007 after having won the small business category. This was so unexpected that it will be remembered for a long time. It was a great night of celebration. The Watts family are looking forward to welcoming the Conference delegates to the farm and hope that they will enjoy the beautiful scenery that surrounds it. Ray Watts
Having not come from farming stock, I had a fascination for farming from the age of about five. I pestered various farmers to allow me to help them until leaving school, when I got a job on a farm in Guernsey, followed by working as a cowman in Kent and then Agricultural College in Somerset. In July 1982 I bought a half share in La Petite Croute Farm, buying the remaining half about ten
years later. The farm had 28 cows, yielding less than 3000 L/year. We are now milking 130 cows with an average yield of 6700 L/cow. Growing main crop potatoes was added twenty years ago, currently we grow 45 acres which we wash, pre-pack and deliver to local supermarkets. The breeding policy has been to rear and select from AI bulls for yield and from proven cows for
longetivity. Currently we are expanding the herd to 150 cows and installing a new milking parlour.
La Petite Croute Herd
In the early years I made loads of mistakes, the benefit of 30 years experience is that I make the same mistakes but less often! We are really looking forward to welcoming you to our farm.
Robert and Claire Waters
The Myrtle Herd
The Myrtle Herd was established some years ago by Mr Sam Allett. When he started he had just a few cows and it was in the time when milking was done by hand. The milk was put into churns and these had to be taken to a roadside depot ready for collection by the lorry from the dairy.
When Sam died in 1995 the herd was gradually expanded and the present owner Mrs Carol Allett
Smithfield Farm
now has 55 milking cows, with a lactation average of 6412kgs, and 30 followers. At present there is no bull on the farm but a young bull, bred on the farm, is at the Artificial Insemination Centre. In a few months time it is hoped that the bull will return home.
We enjoy exhibiting at Shows. Among the cows several prize winning animals one of the best, Gold Dust,
the are and has
been classified as excellent. Just over 5 years ago a new cubicle house was built with an integral slurry cellar. A new 4 cow tandem parlour was also installed with all the attendant computer software. In the future I hope to extend the parlour and build a new shed for heifers. Visitors are always welcome. Carol Allett
Clare and I were awarded the tenancy of Kiln Farm in April 2000.
Coming from a 100 acre family farm in Cheshire England, milking Holsteins on a highly intensive system, our objective was to get local fresh milk back on the shop shelves after the previous remaining farmer on the Island had sadly passed away some 18 months earlier.
We landed on Alderney in July 2000 with all our worldly goods, 3 dogs and our three children Stuart 11, Hannah 8 and Craig 6.
By December one of the buildings had been converted to a processing dairy and the first milk was going out to the shops.
Alderney only has a small population of approx 2000 residents rising through the summer for a short holiday season
Kiln Farm Alderney
and to compensate for the small demand of daily liquid milk we have diversified to producing cream, butter, ice cream, crème fraiche, fruit yogurt, fat free bio yogurt, soured cream, clotted cream and buttermilk. Total milk sales a year are around 17,500 litres liquid milk and a further 50,000 litres going into the other products.
Stuart has now joined us on the farm after his agricultural education, Hannah works part time in the dairy/butchery and Craig is at Sixth Form College.
As a spin off of the dairy we have surplus bull calves which more by accident than design have built up a lucrative butchering business and we will shortly complete an on farm slaughterhouse with cutting plant, so the beef can walk in on the hoof
and leave in a packet without ever leaving its home.
As yields have increased cow numbers have come down and as a result we now buy in approx 40 Guernsey bull calves from Guernsey to satisfy demand.
The dry nature of Alderney’s sandy soils allows us to graze 365 days a year with grass being the major forage component of the cows diet and silage and concentrates being used to mix and match the seasonal growth. We have around 250 acres under a moderate degree of control and a further 50 acres rough costal grazing, with 28 milking cows, 25 followers, 140 head of beef and a rolling 30 dairy females contract reared for a fellow Guernsey farmer. Mike and Clare Cox
Les Fauconnaires Farm The farm lies in the heart of the island in the Parish of St Andrews.
Despite being situated within an urban context on the Island we have managed to preserve the balance to be able to be commercially viable and protect the wildlife.
The farm is a third generation farm and has been upgraded over the years.
In 2000 we decided to obtain Organic status with the Soil Association and are the sole provider of Organic Milk on the Island.
We are looking forward to welcoming you to Les Fauconnaires Farm. Jim & Liz Naftel
Smithfield Farm
I started farming in 1993 with 1 cow and 1 in calf heifer in rented premises. As the herd grew I changed premises and final purchased Smithfield Farm in 2009. We now milk 90 cows with 45 followers with an average lactation of 6134kgs.
We have our own bull on farm and a young bull currently in the AI centre. The farm size is 530 vergees. Approximately 50 vergee is cut for hay using orchid fields; these fields require special management as the orchids are a rare species to Guernsey. We grow winter feed crops of maize and fodder beet.
Three years ago we put a new cubicle house up with a slurry cellar underneath. We are in the process of putting a new 14/28 parlour, dairy and dry cow housing with calving boxes. We will be adding a hay barn in the next 2 years. We are looking forward to showing you around our farm. Frank and Caroline Le Cheminant
St Catherines Farm
St Catherines is one of the only farms farming in the north of the Island.
Combining both his Mother’s and Father’s herds in 1989, Robin has grown the herd to 55 milking cows today plus followers.
In the early nineties Robin put up new buildings and installed a 14 x 14 herring bone parlour, cow
numbers rose to 110, but when quotas were introduced in 2000 numbers were reduced.
Robin and Paz have two sons who help out on the farm.
As Chairman of the Herdbook Council, Robin is keen to marry the best of overseas with home genetics.
Robin also enjoys showing at our local Island Show, winning the Sir Philip Neame Perpetual Trophy for Large Herds in 2011.
Robin and Paz are looking forward to welcoming you for Lunch during your stay in Guernsey. Robin & Paz Jamouneau
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