Feildman’s Report 2022

FIELDMAN’S REPORT 2022

CHANGING TIMES, RISING TIDES AND FORWARD MOTION

One aspect of life that we can be 100% sure of is that” The only constant is change”!

We are thrilled that fieldwork and extension efforts across Canada are supported and expanded by three talented Holstein Canada employees serving in different regions of Canada. Through our agreement with Holstein Canada Natasha McKillop has been enthusiastically assisting with Guernsey related-work in the Atlantic provinces. During the latter part of 2021 the highly capable and admired Morgan Sangster moved from her role in Western Field Services with Holstein Canada to a new employment opportunity within the dairy industry in BC. We thank Morgan for her interest and action in Western Canada in recent years. In Western Canada our agreement with Holstein gives CGS access to the services of Toby Kleinsasser in British Columbia and Alberta and Darren Isaac in Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

Both of these young men are full of energy and passion for the dairy industry. Our working relationship with Holstein in this regard is so valuable!! We continue to receive a modest, but steady, stream of requests re availability and information on Guernseys in Western Canada in particular. Exciting days are ahead!

Paying tribute To Jessie Weir and all that she contributed to the Guernsey Association over more than a decade is an essential part of this report. Jessie is the very soul of efficiency and works so hard to ensure all details are looked after and done correctly. She is also a total delight to work with based on her welcoming and genuinely interested approach to life, her patience, her wisdom and experience and her wonderful sense of humour. She truly cared about her role with CGS and about the members. I am so thankful for the years that we worked together as respective parts of your staff team! Jessie, thank you, it was a 100% joy to serve with you! You are a spectacular gift to the agricultural industry!

We’ve already had a great working relationship established with Janine Eygenraam at Holstein in her herd book/registry services role. Janine is so capable and knowledgeable in her role. She assists our work greatly! Now, we’ll be taking things to a whole new level with the CGA Board agreement with Holstein Canada re administrative services! In early days we’ve greatly enjoyed communication with both Linda Markle and Nicky Barnard. They are efficient and bring energy and enthusiasm to their roles just as Jessie always has! Cooperation with the industry with great partners is so beneficial to everyone!

FIELDMAN’S REPORT 2022

Demand for Guernsey milk translates into direct demand for Guernsey cattle! It is exciting to see the steady, consistent, growing demand for all manner of Guernsey genetics-we’ve recently been responding to queries about Guernsey milk cows for herds who already milk some golden cows, herds who want their first Guernsey heifers or cows, pursuit of a Guernsey or two for family cows, embryos-and in specific embryos made with sexed semen. The highly, highly successful Maplehurst sale and associated private sale of cattle from that storied herd proved that there is mega demand for Guernseys in Canada AND that our American Guernsey counterparts are keen on high end Guernsey genetics from Canada! It was amazing to see how many people expressed interest in the breed before the Maplehurst sale!

This demand springs from demand for Guernsey milk as the number of companies working with Guernsey milk grows. And demand for the products they create grows!

We welcome a new on-farm processing company in Promise Valley Farm and Creamery on Vancouver Island in British Columbia! Their milk processing plant gained necessary approvals in very recent months and now an on-farm store has been launched! Demand has been super! Their being 100% Guernsey herd is growing!

The great challenge and opportunity ahead of us is embodied in the new Goals for the Breed and Association approved by the Board in the latter half of 2021! Kudos on setting challenging but realistic goals! Goals stimulate everyone to focus! They will be our guiding light as we work to grow the breed! What a great reality to enjoy! We need more Guernseys! Lots more!

May the interest in Guernseys and our ability to collectively fill it, grow! Take home message: Please make “More Good Guernseys!”

Respectfully submitted, Russell Gammon