East Anglian Jersey Cattle Club
2007 Review
Where does one start? A very unusual year for weather, far
too hot and dry in April and then, continuous rain for May,
June and July, but a much better Autumn, thankfully most members
escaped flooding which caused so much havoc in other parts
of the country. Once again FMD has returned and I know everyone
takes all the necessary precautions, but it does disrupt ones
farming, eg: not being able to take the cows across a road,
not being able to get rid of bull calves, etc etc. Now we have
Blue Tongue and just lately Avian Flu, we just need Swine fever
and then will have had all the notifiable diseases!!
Our Committee and AGM meetings have once again been at Punchards
farm and we are truly grateful to Jonathon and Ann Tomkinson
for inviting us, both meetings went well, at our AGM the cups
were presented by Mrs Tomkinson.
Ruggles Brise Cup for the
highest yielding cow in 305 days. Joint 1st Elmdon Farms Ltd
Elmdon Sharpe Juiletta, and Mr and Mrs Mahon Upgate Lesters
Karen 890 kgs Fat and Protein.
Reserve Elmdon Farms Ltd Elmdon Poring Kiley 873kgs Fat and
Protein.
Eglington Cup for the highest
yielding herd in 305 days. Mr and Mrs Mahon 680kgs Fat and
Protein.
Reserve Mr and Mrs Tomkinson 655 kgs fat and Protein.
Postlethwaite Cup for the highest total %
Fat and Protein Mr and Mrs Tomkinson 9.64%
Reserve NW Moore and Sons 9.23%.
Jerseys were shown at the Suffolk Show in the Any other Breed.
Bolderston and Partners had the Champion Jersey, Tetfor Hall
Dani who then went on to win the Interbreed Champion and the
Interbreed Pairs. The Royal Norfolk Show have their own classification
and the Champion was from NW Moore and Sons with Depwade Happy
Whisper 6th they also had the Reserve Interbreed Champion and
the Interbreed Pairs. Due the FMD in August there were no cattle
classes at the Aylsham Show.
We had a very interesting visit to the well known Holstein
breeder James Alston at Garboldisham on Wednesday 6th June.
Last year he was one of the six finalists for the NMR Gold
Cup. He showed us round his farm and explained his system for
keeping 300 cows, he was interested in Biomass but the cost
of setting up a system was draconian. Afterwards we went to
the White Horse Pub for sandwiches.
Our Autumn visit, after a Committee meeting, was to Robert
and Jean Fuller’s Brickwall Farm, they sold their Chalkney
Herd of Jerseys 11 years ago and have very successfully diversified
into building barns into 4 self contained cottages, calf building
into a conference room and have a variety of business using
the converted buildings. We viewed the accountants office converted
from an old barn next to the lake, how they manage to do any
work I don’t know with such beautiful surroundings! We
saw their herd of British White cattle and others in the distance,
would have liked to have seen them nearer but we were observing
the procedures for Foot and Mouth precautions. We had a lovely
day and thank them for their hospitality.
Twenty four members and friends met at the Scole Inn for our
Dinner, we had a lovely social evening, good company and good
food! Raised £60 for our RABI raffle and thank everyone
for their generosity.
Happy Christmas, let us hope 2008 will be a better disease
free year, and milk prices still continue to rise.
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