British Friesian Breeders Newsletter

FEBRUARY 2010

Congratulations

A great way to start our first newsletter of 2010 is to say well done to Vaughn Jenkins and family for not only winning the Pembrokeshire Large Herds Competition for Inspection and Production, but also for Production and furthermore for Cell Count. This must have been especially challenging considering the amount of rain that fell in that part of the world, as we found when the Club went to visit the Ember herd!

Base Change

2010 has seen the five yearly base change, when the base is reset to take into account the gains/losses for cows born in 2005, and their influence on production and type during the period. Because British Friesians were allocated their breed code in 2004, and there was no change in 2005, it is said that we should now have two changes. ( However, we were assured at the time that this had been allowed for.)

British Friesians have made the largest gain in production so the base will be adjusted down by 192. kgs. A couple of high production bulls appear to be responsible for this large gain.

 The bull rankings are generally little changed. If the figures were not adjusted at five yearly intervals, the numbers would continue to increase over time and look ridiculous.

The main thing to remember is that our breed continues to make progress. The gap between British Friesian and Holstein for fertility has further increased from 7.8 to 9 points in favour of Friesians. As we know, fertility is not just about yield and nutrition. The Friesians’ ability to maintain body condition is a key feature of the Breed.

There is no doubt that it is because of fertility that the British Friesian is being used as a cross. The increasing numbers registered with BCMS, approx 62,650 females and 67,000 males confirm this. These numbers, of course, do not include British Friesian cows put to beef bulls.

Although having increased by 200 in 2009, pedigree registrations for females are only 2,660. The CDI does not include numerous milk recorded non-pedigree British Friesians in their summary of Breed Averages because it cannot be verified that they are 87.5%. As can be seen from these figures, it is very difficult to ascertain the British Friesian milking population.

HUK

The Club is disappointed not to be able to field a team for the All Breeds Show due to unforeseen circumstances. The situation is very regrettable as the Show would be a great shop window for the Breed, which is estimated to be the second largest in the UK.

Trip to Ireland April 13/14/15 2010

As there will not be another Newsletter out in time before the trip, please make your interest known to the Secretary, David Armett 01530 223446, even if you are unable to say for certain that you can definitely come. We will put you on a mailing/e-mail list for all arrangements so please let us have your e-mail address if possible.

At the moment, flights to Dublin look helpful and very cheap, with most going early out and late back, similar to the arrangements when we went to Northern Ireland, with car or minibus hire at the airport.

History of British Friesian Cattle

We have now obtained a copy of the book produced by the Society in 1930 for its 21^st anniversary. It is recorded that the first AGM was held in February 1911. At a council meeting in May 1911, George Hobson took over as Secretary and a volume of the Herd book issued earlier in the year was called in and cancelled. At an Extraordinary General Meeting on June 16^th 1911, it was resolved to alter the name of the Society and to commence a new herd book.

 In this history every animal is referred to as a British Friesian, and the book has many photos of cows and bulls which are all absolutely true to the British Friesian type.

The influence of the importation from Friesland of the FRS registered cattle, with the further imports from South Africa, of “Frieslands” is well documented.

Written in a style which we would consider today as rather old fashioned, it also contains verses of Kipling’s poetry.

Many wise words, too, with the following from the President, F W Gilbert, at the AGM in 1930.

“ A Breed Society was in many respects a peculiar institution. It had to be progressive, but even so it should never become so engrossed with business considerations, especially with those concerning monetary values of animals, that it forgot or sidetracked its principle work, which was the improvement of the Breed it represented.”

and “ Fashions, with which were associated monetary values were, perhaps the greatest obstacles to the successful work of any breed society. If a breed society would act as any individual, it could recognise and decide that some particular fad and fancy was detrimental to the welfare and future of the breed, and should be discouraged. It was no easy matter for any breed society to decide upon and establish a sound policy, and then to observe it faithfully”.

National Herd Competition

Watch out for details of this competition in the April Newsletter. Judging is likely to take place during July/August and closing date for entries is June 30^th.

Club Brochure

It is time to think about your adverts for the 2010/2011Club Brochure. The Centenary edition last year was very well received with a wide distribution and advertising rates have again been held to encourage more advertisers, Anyone with an interesting article for publication is asked to send it to the Secretary. Advertising forms from the Secretary.

From the Press

Club member Rosemary Collingborn reminds us of the far off days when 3 week old Friesian bull calves made £200. Well, these times are upon us again, with reports of good British Friesians topping £200, and fortunately not for export this time.

Interesting to read about the Alsopdale and Fortland Holstein herds, both recently mentioned in the Press with articles stressing their longevity. Many members will remember them for their British Friesian breeding, with bulls from both herds in AI. Alsopdale Sunbeam 2 had over 19,000 daughters in his proof!

BTV in France-An Update

Despite a chaotic start, it seems that the vaccination campaign carried out by France has been effective. Only 73 premises have been affected by Bluetongue in 2009, which is a huge progress in comparison with 2008. In order to protect French exports of live animals, vaccination will remain compulsory next year ( 2010 ) for all cattle over 2.5 months and sheep over 3 months. It will be carried out by veterinary surgeons and it will be free for the stockbreeders until 30^th March 2010.

Secretary: David Armett; Tel & Fax: 01530 223446

Treasurer: Ewart Grant; Tel: 01980 620230