Newsletter April 2024

It is satisfying to see that Breed Code 20 registrations for both females and males have held up well in the year 2023. Within the latest list of male registrations, it has been both interesting and pleasing to see the variety of sires as members strive to ensure that outcrosses are available, not only for their own herds, but for others’.

Don’t forget that semen can be taken directly on-farm by vets working with UKSS if you wish to bank semen from your own selected bulls or even offer it for sale. Selected by the Club’s Genetics Committee, our two outcross bulls will soon be available, and further details will appear with the next Newsletter.

Being a numerically smaller breed, you will be aware that the Club have, especially recently, been consciously encouraging our members to be alert to inbreeding %. Whilst relatively low, we remain vigilant as we are keen to avoid the upward trend affecting mainstream black and whites. It is imperative that our breed’s bloodlines remain diverse, not only for our own breeders, but for the National Herd as we are the only possible outcross within the HUK herd book.

As CRV (Holland) have a National Gene Bank, including Friesian semen, and have recently established a new herd book to cover all the regions of Holland for the registration of all Dutch Friesian animals, they are well placed to supply some of those necessary outcrosses. It is to be hoped that they will adopt a Type Evaluation system similar to that which is operated by HUK for Breed Code 20s in the UK, and which was demonstrated to the Irish Pure Friesian Club with Meurig James, last Autumn. CRV are now marketing a Dutch Friesian bull in the UK and are selling sexed Friesian in New Zealand.

Brochure

Don’t forget the Club brochure! Please start thinking about getting together your Herd Advertisements and sending them in PDF form to david@temraa.plus.com as soon as you can. We hope that all members will try to encourage new advertisers as we are always grateful to the Trade for their support.

March 15th at 7pm : BFBC AGM, Carlisle

New member Will Williamson was elected to the Committee and Ewart Grant also, after a long period as Club Treasurer, for which we give our grateful thanks.

National British Friesian Show Results

March 15th - 16th: Borderway Exhibition Centre, Carlisle

Judge: John Cousar

Senior Championship

Champion: Lismulligan Empress 69 - B Lawson & Sons

Reserve: Whinnow Jingle Pauline 5 - I & GM Blamire

Honourable Mention: Irthingelt Balmoral Spirit 4 - Thomas Moscrop

Junior Championship

Champion: Lismulligan Honeyschaap 2 - B Lawson & Sons

Reserve: Whinnow Jake Pauline - I & GM Blamire

Honourable Mention: Lismulligan Empress 83 - B Lawson & Sons

Premier Sire of the Show: Lakemead Jingle

Premier Exhibitor Award: B Lawson & Sons

Premier Breeder Award: B Lawson & Sons

Best Udder of Show: Lismulligan Empress 69 - B Lawson & Sons

Calf Class

1st: Whinnow Jake Pauline - I & GM Blamire

2nd: Lismulligan Empress 83 - B Lawson & Sons

3rd: Crugside Jingle Laura 2 - Alun Rees

Maiden Heifer

1st : Lismulligan Pauline 31 - Seth & Lexi Pattinson

2nd: Adams Cherry 38 - Seth & Lexi Pattinson

3rd : Crugside Jingle Iona 8 - Alun Rees

In-Calf Heifer

1st: Lismulligan Honeyschaap 2 - B Lawson & Sons

2nd: Irthingelt Mission Minnie - Thomas Moscrop

2 Year-Old in Milk

1st: Whinnow Jingle Pauline 5 - I & GM Blamire

2nd: Lismulligan Priscilla 61 - B Lawson & Sons

3rd: Crugside Jingle Laura 2 - Alun Rees

3 & 4 Year-Old in Milk

1st: Lismulligan Empress 69 - B Lawson & Sons

2nd: Irthingelt Balmoral Spirit 4 - Thomas Moscrop

Senior Cow in Milk

1st: Adams Laura 6 - B Lawson & Sons

Iron Grandma Class

1st: Whinnow Solo Pauline - I & GM Blamire

2nd: Crugside Consul Garda - Alun Rees

David Bailey Cup for Oldest Cow Forward: Crugside Consul Garda - Alun Rees

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Reminder of the June 19th/20th Herd Visit

Please put these dates in your diaries with a reminder to telephone or email Patrick Davies on 01244 335057 or email themountfarm@btinternet.com for catering purposes. Please be advised that your accommodation options may be limited in the summer so, if planning to stay overnight, please book as early as you can. Don’t forget that Patrick also needs to know if you are attending the dinner for those staying overnight. All welcome! June 19th Bradash, Stewart Archer, Hall Farm, Yew Tree Lane, Bradley, Ashbourne, DE6 1PG.
June 20th (Morning only) Deangate, John Robotham, Deanery Farm, Rangemore, Burton-on Trent, DE13 9RG.

June Herd Visit Dinner

We are planning to hold a Dinner on the evening of the 19th June at the Royal Oak, Hanging Bridge, Mayfield, Ashbourne, DE6 2BN. Tel: 01335 300090 Email: info@royaloakashbourne.co.uk
Website: https://www.royaloakashbourne.co.uk near Ashbourne in Derbyshire.

Royal Three Counties Show 14th-16th June 2024

With last week’s announcement that the Burke Trophy will be presented at the Royal Three Counties Show having been moved from the Royal Norfolk, we have extended the entry close date to 30th April.

We have decided that in the ANY OTHER DAIRY BREED classes if we have enough entries of a particular breed, we will ask the judge to make up a pair to go forward to the Burke Trophy. Therefore, in theory we could have several breeds that currently do not have specific classes the opportunity to be represented in the prestigious award.

The Dairy Burke will be judged on the Saturday to enable the Dairy Exhibitors to leave after the Grand Parade should they wish. We would be delighted to welcome the British Friesian exhibitors to the show. We have extensive young stock classes, Young Dairy Handlers competition and numerous Interbreed Championships.

Should you require any further information please contact Alan Lyons <alan.lyons@three counties.co.uk

Premier Pedigree Herd Competition 2024

Rules

Herds must be 90% UK Bred (01,20 breed code) Last year’s national winner is not eligible to enter. Members will be automatically allocated to the Club where the herd resides UNLESS they notify the Club Secretary & Holstein UK. Each herd is only eligible to enter for ONE region.

Forms to be returned to Katie Marshall by Friday 5th July by post or email.

Post: Holstein UK, Scope house, Hortonwood 33, Telford, TF1 7EX

Email: katiemarshall@ukcows.com