02 A1].pdf · 04 Ayrshire 2013 messAge President Mary Creek World Ayrshire Federation Greetings to all of our Ayrshire friends! I trust you are having a great new year

02Ayrshire 2013 A

03Ayrshire 2013

Compiled by Olené van Vuuren

Opinions expressed in the Journal, are not necessarily the view of the Ayrshire Breeders' Society. The Society does not accept any of the claims made in advertisements.

AAyrshireAyrshireMessage from the President, World Ayrshire Federation 2History of the World Ayrshire Federation 3World Ayrshire Federation member listing - 2012/2013 4President Voorwoord/Preface 6Raad/Council 2013 7Ayrshire World Conference 8Letters of appreciation 12Ayrshire National Championships 14History of the Gold Cup 18Annual General Meeting 22Production Awards 24Logix milk, genetic evaluations for the Ayrshire breed 27Heidelberg Show 31Mega-week 34Sandringham Dairy Experience 37Australia’s Ayrshire Dairy Showcase 39A beautiful summer has gone by . . . 40All Asmo embryo donars are genomic tested 47Ayrshire New Zealand 49Ayrshire Cattle Society of Great Britain hosts World Youth Tour 52Some of the UK cows that shaped USA Ayrshires 55Ayrshire US genomic evaluations 58Ayrshires and TLC . . . 60

Grace Valley IFCWWS 5Raigmore 17Taurus 19Dairypack 21Jawilco 25Homsek 28Meesuid 33Melkhout 36Rhodes Food Group 38Terrace Bank (TAG) 41Ayrshire Canada 43Ferme Margot 45De la Plaine 46Viking genetics 48Premier Cattle Co 51Taurus-service inc 59US Ayrshire 61Palmyra Farm 63Semex IBCAyrGenetics OBCA

dv

er

ti

se

rs

co

nt

en

ts

04Ayrshire 2013

messAge

PresidentMary Creek

World Ayrshire Federation

Greetings to all of our Ayrshire friends! I trust you are having a great new year. I would like to take one more opportunity to send a huge thank you to all of the persons involved with organizing and hosting an unforgettable WAF Conference last year in South Africa. You will find a few more photos and accounts of the event in this issue. I would also like to briefly share with you early plans for the next conference to be held in late September and October 2016 in the United States. As done previously, the conference will offer different packages for attendees to choose from so they can customize their travel to meet their personal schedules. The tours will begin on the US east coast taking in a regional national show, prominent herds and a variety of tourist attractions that will include the Amish areas of Pennsylvania, Washington DC and a rodeo. The second leg of the experience will center around World Dairy Expo one of the showcase events of the dairy industry in the US. This portion will also include the WAF board and general meetings. Packed with busy days of touring herds, attending seminars and the WAF sale, attendees will need to get plenty of rest before taking on this part of the schedule. The final segment will have a few more

herd visits with some agricultural industry tours but the focus will be on more of the vast and great scenery found in the US. Pencil this in on your long range planner. It will be a bright star for your memory books.

I have been fortunate to have already visited Australia and New Zealand this year and I have found an Ayrshire climate that is positive and progressive. It seems to me that Ayrshires are gaining respect, importance and influence in all corners of the dairy industry. It is an incredibly interesting and exciting time for Ayrshire breeders. We have some great opportunities ahead

of us to let others know about how profitable, efficient and durable our cows are. Share your enthusiasm and let others know how well your Ayrshires perform. Don’t keep them a secret. I have a quote from

WD Hoard, the founder of the great Hoard’s Dairyman

magazine, on my desk wall that I look at often. I will paraphrase

it slightly but the intent is significant for all of us. Hoard says “The Ayrshire cow is one of the greatest of dairy breeds, but men who are breeding her seem to be really afraid the “people” will find it out”. So I challenge each of you to share your cow and see just where we can take her!

05Ayrshire 2013

6th 1988 USA 7th 1992 Sweden

HistoryWorld AyrsHire

of the

FederationThe World Ayrshire Federation was inaugurated in Canada in November 1969 where the first World Conference

was hosted.

4th 1980 New Zealand 5th 1984 Kenya

3rd 1976 Great Britain2nd 1972 Finland

06Ayrshire 2013

06Ayrshire 2013

12th 2012 South Africa

9th 2000 United Kingdom

11th 2008 Finland

8th 1996 Canada

10th 2004 New Zealand

Ayrshire CanadaLora Bender [email protected]

ASS. Of Criadores Ayrshire de ColombiaFelipe Calderon [email protected]

Ayshire Breeders Ass. of USABecky Payne [email protected]

Ayrshire Breeders Society of South AfricaOlene Van Vuuren [email protected]

Ayrshire Cattle Society of KenyaDr. Muchemi Kariuki [email protected]

Ayrshire Cattle Society UKJohn Cochrane [email protected]

Finnish Animal Breeding Association (FABA) Tiina [email protected]

Finnish Ayrshire Breeders (Finlande)Vilma Pohjola [email protected]

New Zealand Ayrshire AssociationPam Goodin [email protected]

Swedish Red AssociationLina Ragnarsson [email protected]

AustraliaGreg Edmunds [email protected]

World AyrsHire FederAtion member listing - 2012 / 2013

07Ayrshire 2013

08Ayrshire 2013

PresidentvoorWoord/PreFAce

AyrsHire soutH AFricA

Robert BlomOngelooflik om te dink ‘n jaar gelede was ons almal

opgewonde en reg vir die wêreldkongres en nou is dit

ook al verby. Suid-Afrika en sy mense het hul weereens

bewys as ‘n land wat groot geleenthede skitterend

kan aanbied. Dink maar net hier aan die verskeie

wêreldbekertoernooie wat suksesvol aangebied is en die

Aryrshire kongres was geen uitsondering nie!

Baie dankie vir almal wat deel was van hierdie wonderlike

geleentheid. Ek dink die Ayrshire Genootskap van SA en

sy mense het ‘n ongelooflike wêreldkongres aangebied

wat moeilik geëwenaar sal word. Baie van ons

buitelandse gaste het met ‘n “wow”- gevoel teruggekeer

huistoe. Woorde soos die beste, die lekkerste, jammer

dit was so gou verby, het orals in gesprekke opgeduik.

Die Ayrshire Genootskap van SA kan hulself op die

skouers klop met hierdie prestasie. Ons moet nou

hierdie positiewe energie gebruik en daarop voortbou.

Plaaslik gaan dit maar moeilik in die suiwelbedryf. Al

hoe meer boere staak hul melkerye agv hoë insetkoste

en die lae melkprys. Ons in die Ayrshire familie begin

dit ook voel. Ons verloor ook meer lede wat bedank

en die registrasie van hul kuddes kanselleer. Met die

positiewe gesindheid van Olene en JD probeer ons egter

om die lede nog steeds te motiveer om vas te byt. Dit sal

weer beter gaan met die suiwelbedryf en ons wonderlike

Ayrshire koei sal ons deur hierdie moeilike tyd dra.

Glo in die Ayrshire ras en met God se groot genade sal

julle ‘n geseënde tyd vol vreugde en voorspoed op julle

plase hê.

It’s hard to believe that a year ago all of us were excited

and ready for the World Congress - and now it’s in the

past. South Africa and its people again proved that as a

country we can present great events brilliantly. Just think

of the all the different world cup tournaments that were

successfully offered – and the Ayrshire Congress was no

exception!

A warm thanks to all who were part of this wonderful

event. I believe the Ayrshire Society of SA and its

people presented an amazing World Congress that will

be hard to equal. Many of our foreign guests returned

home with a “wow” feeling. Words such as the best, the

most enjoyable, pity it was over so soon, emerged in

conversations everywhere. The Ayrshire Society of SA

can pat itself on the back with this achievement. We

must now use this positive energy and continue to build

on it.

Locally the dairy industry is facing hard times. Ever more

farmers are ending their dairies because of high input

costs and the low price of milk. As an Ayrshire family we

are also starting to feel the effects. We are losing greater

numbers of members who are cancelling the registration

of their herds. With the positive attitude of Olené and

JD we keep trying to motivate members to hang on.

The dairy industry will improve again and our wonderful

Ayrshire cows will help us survive these trying times.

Believe in the Ayrshire breed, and with God’s great

grace, you will have a blessed time of joy and prosperity

on your farms.

09Ayrshire 2013

New appointment

JD, with the nickname, Riempies, was born on 16 August 1992 in Bothaville. He is the elder of the two sons of Kobus and Hantie Marais from Leeudoringstad.

After JD matriculated from the Volkskool High School in Potchefstroom, he worked abroad for a year to gain experience with Ayrshire cattle.

He deals with the audits and visits all the farmers, while also arranging shows, exhibitions, farmers’ days and judges’ courses. He furthermore inspects studbook animals and manages the classification of Ayrshire cattle.

JD Marais was appointed on 1 April 2012 as Technical Adviser of the Ayrshire Cattle Breeders’ Society.

rAAdcouncil

2013

BS VolschenkPO BOX 163, SIMONDIUM, 7670 [T]: 021 870 4311 • [C]: 083 460 3379[E]:[email protected]

AA MullerPO BOX 45, HERBERTSDALE, 6505[C]: 083 391 5371 • [T]: 044 651 1635[E]: [email protected]

DR de KockPO BOX 137, BOSHOF, 8340[C]: 072 593 0367 • [T]: 053232 /3030[E]: [email protected]

WM FinlaysonUnit 20032 Bel Aire WinelandsEstate Somerset West, 7130 [C]: 082 772 6623[E]: [email protected]

KD LangPO BOX 802, HOWICK, 3290[C]: 082 556 8090 • [T]: 033 330 4757[E]: [email protected]

PRESIDENTRR BlomPO BOX 156, BREDASDORP, 7280[C]: 082 4999 921[T]: 028- 425 2232 [E]: blommie@whalemail,co.za

VICE-PRESIDENTE H ElsPO BOX 488, HEILBRON, 9650[C]: 083 287 8042[E]: [email protected]

EX -OFFICIOMR PF DelportPO BOX 112, SCHWEIZER RENEKE, 2780

MR PFR BosmanPO BOX 13968, NOORDSTAD, 9302

Office ManagerOlene Van VuurenP O Box 3360, BLOEMFONTEIN, 9300[T]: 051 444 1219 • [F]: 051 444 0961[C]: 082 671 3290 • [E]: [email protected] [W]: www.studbook.co.za/Society/ayrshire

Technical Adviser JD Marais[C]: 076 638 [email protected]

AyrsHireWorld conFerence Walter Finlayson

2012April 2012 provided a wonderful Jamboree for the worldwide Ayrshire family. On Sunday the 22nd April , having settled our show string at the Bloemfontein Show grounds, Riaan Reynders drove us four council members to meet many old friends gathered at the Sun City Hotel complex, where Kevin and Edmund were already making everyone feel at home. We all met in the gardens of the hotel: a truly magnificent setting of manicured lawns and swimming pools against the backdrop of the African bush - complete with entertaining troops of Vervet monkeys in the trees. It was in this convivial setting that we could reconnect with familiar faces, such as the Boswalls, Henry Hofer and Gordon Glentworth amongst others, as well as having the pleasure and making the acquaintance of many new faces. An excellent dinner on the patio was accompanied by welcoming speeches and introductions. Some of us older members retired early but there were many “high rollers” who spent the night availing themselves of the Casino and the 24 hour entertainment. The next morning dawned just as one would expect in Africa, bright and sunny, and we all enjoyed a superb breakfast, whilst watching the first golfers tee off on Sun City’s world famous golf course. Our group then set off back to Bloemfontein, leaving the

other guests to go on a game drive through the wilds of the beautiful Pilansberg Game Reserve.

On Tuesday the 24th, the guests traveled to Bloemfontein, where they were treated to the best sale of elite Ayrshire females ever seen in South Africa. A total of eighteen animals sold for an average of R 22,250, with the top price achieved, an excellent R 50,000! On Wednesday the 25th, the National Championships commenced with the heifer classes, showing around 60 animals. Kevin Lang showed the Champion Heifer - ‘Grace Valley Ideo Stars H20’ (21 - 24 month old class). The Reserve went to Edmund Els and Maans Kotze - ‘Kleynrivier Emily’ a Palmyra Tri -Star Reality’ daughter. The following day saw the cows in the ring and we were treated to some truly outstanding examples of the breed. The young cow, ‘Raigmore Jemima 127th’ - a Bonnie Brae Ambush daughter – took our Australian judges’ fancy and went on to win the udder champion, young cow and ultimately the Grand Championship awards. The Reserve Champion, ‘RFF 06101’ a Labrie Wilton daughter - was shown by Barti Volschenk. A big thanks you to our judge, David Mayo, for all his hard work and the clear, concise reasoning he gave for his decisions.

011Ayrshire 2013

AyrsHireWorld conFerence

world over the city and the ocean around the Cape Peninsula. We then left by coach on a 90 minute trip for the town of Hermanus situated on Walker Bay and famed for its breeding whales which congregate in numbers during the latter half of the year. Unfortunately we were out of season but it is an event that is well worth seeing. Lunch was eaten at the Old Harbor – the quaint stone harbor from whence the fisherman would set out in their rowboats in times gone by. After lunch we dropped in on Maans Kotze’s farm in Kleynrivier and saw top cows, including the National Champion.

That afternoon we traveled 100km onward to the picture-postcard fishing village of Arniston and were soon comfortably ensconced in the charming Arniston Hotel. An excellent evening was spent in the company of Carolyn Martin from Creation Wines in Hermanus, who conducted a food and wine ‘paring’ event. On Saturday the 5th May we visited the Melkhout herd of Robert Blom and then on to the high producing cows of Jan Wessels. The day ended with a drive to Cape Agulhas and a champagne toast to the southern most tip of the African continent. Sunday morning saw us once again aboard our coach for a five hour journey to Herbertsdale where we had lunch at our president, Alex Muller’s farm, and saw his well-managed pasture-fed cows.

At this juncture we bade farewell to about a third of our delegates, who left for home, whilst the rest left the Cape and traveled via Johannesburg to Kasane in Botswana. We transferred to the Chobe Safari Lodge and at last felt the sense being in the true, wild Africa. The next two days were spent in this idyll, viewing animals on game drives and by boat on the Chobe River. We were treated to a wealth of wildlife- with elephant, antelope, buffalo, lion, hippo, Nile crocodile, and a fortunate few who were lucky enough to see a leopard kill! On Wednesday we all departed for the legendary Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and booked into the magnificent old colonial Victoria Falls Hotel, with its commanding views of the river gorge and the bridge to Zambia. Some of the brave members of our party were bold enough to bungee jump from a point high above the mighty Zambezi River. And so, with these acts of derring-do, we came to the end of a wonderful three weeks during which old friendships were renewed and new friendships forged, many miles traveled, ideas shared and our common passion for Ayrshires indulged. Thus ended a wonderful World Conference. Our thanks go to all those who made it possible, especially to Kevin, Shannon, Craig, Edmund, Alec and last but not least, Olene. Till next time.

The Championship culminated in a dinner and prize giving and it gave me a great deal of pleasure to be one of three breeders, including Piet Delport and Kevin Lang, who have had the good fortune to each win the Warwick Gold Cup four times. The next morning we took leave of our guests and returned to the Cape, whilst they traveled on to KwaZulu -Natal to spend the weekend in the grandeur of the Drakensberg Mountains and visiting the herds at Farview and Grace Valley, near the picturesque town of Howick.

On Monday the 30th April our visitors arrived in Cape Town in the teeth of an early winter storm. This did nothing to dampen spirits and a most enjoyable afternoon was spent tasting and drinking at the Sandringham Cheese Festival. Many made a point of visiting the Ayrshire stall organized by Barti and Rhodes Food Group. A long day was topped off by an excellent dinner at the Vineyard Hotel whilst being entertained by the laid back Jazz vocals of Monique Hellenberg and her trio. By Tuesday morning the storm had blown itself out and the day dawned bright, perfect weather to visit the Rhodes Foods herd in Groot Drakenstein, one of the Cape’s biggest, and indeed one of the country’s top herds.

The party then split into three and lunched respectively at restaurants on three local wine estates ‘The Goat Shed’ on Fairview, ‘Cottage Fromage’ on Vrede En Lust and at Glencarlou. The afternoon was spent tasting wine at Delaire De Graf, Tokara and Thelema. These world class wine estates are situated in the craggy mountains of the Banghoek region, high above the town of Stellenbosch. Everyone was most complimentary.

On Wednesday the conference proper started at the Vineyard Hotel with lectures by the general manager of Woolworths (who are responsible for the marketing of the Ayrshire brand in South Africa) and covered issues from marketing, to the future of the Ayrshire society, to global warming. After a break for tea, we heard a lecture about genomics and the development of the breed in the future. The rest of the afternoon was taken up with a boat trip to Robben Island, the notorious prison in Table Bay, where Nelson Mandela and many other political prisoners were incarcerated for many years.

The second day of the conference began with a report from a number of delegates, detailing how the Ayrshire breed was progressing in their respective countries. This session culminated in a panel discussion led by Henry Hofer, Norman Boswall, George Templeton and our Finish delegate, Sepo. Friday morning was an early start, with a cable car trip to the top of Table Mountain. The weather played its part and it was a glorious, calm morning, providing one of the most scenic views in the

013Ayrshire 2013

014Ayrshire 2013

Alex CummingLetters

This magazine is not large enough to hold all of what we saw and learned from our amazing adventure in April and May of this year attending the Ayrshire World Conference in South Africa. This article will attempt to provide you with some insight into the history, the current situation and the potential future of the South African Ayrshire.

The first Ayrshires were imported to RSA (Republic of South Africa) in 1890 from Scotland . Many more importations followed and subsequently the Ayrshire Cattle Breeders of South Africa was founded in 1916. Because of her adaptability to many conditions (South Africa has some 23 different ecological regions, vastly varied in climate), her popularity increased through the years. But the most important event that advanced the popularity of the Ayrshire breed in RSA was the branding of Ayrshire milk and other dairy products by the up-market South African “Woolworths” chain (initiated by the Malleson Bros). This has allowed them to go against the trends seen in many other countries as they have doubled their registered Ayrshire females since 1980 to over 20,000, along with 10,000 grade.

Currently, we see many expanding prosperous businesses, taking advantage of being a rather young country with few regulations from environment, animal rights and labour to stifle business growth. With 30% unemployment and no minimum wage, there is an abundance of affordable labour. For example, Homsek Dairy is currently milking 1000, just built a state of the art UHT milk processing plant on the farm and are planning an expansion to 2000 milking cows and a rotary parlor within the next year. The photo shows the remarkably simple barn for the current herd. The cows are on a sand pack with cement alleys for the drive through feeding.

The RSA Ayrshire breeders currently have some good shows where they can show off their breeding and share a remarkable camaraderie that will take them far. Currently they do not have their own young sire program, possibly because of not enough breeders using production testing and classification (the cores of testing schemes). They import approximately 50,000 doses of semen annually mostly from North America. For example, we saw many daughters of Reality and Burdette in the yearling heifer groups on the various farms.

There are great opportunities for AI centers and individual breeders marketing private bulls to set up test herds. Marketing should be sensitive to some historical resistance to the use of outside genetics to improve the breed (fueled by their unique market for Ayrshire milk).

There has been some softening on this issue of late as they can now use >75% bulls but must register their offspring in the Appendix registry. The board can now approve >75% bulls as sires of sons which would get full registration. For example we saw Dreamer calves born there, a popular conformation bull from Semex that has 2 crosses of SRB in his pedigree. With the large herds and absolutely no preferential treatment given to individuals, very accurate data can be derived from pitting young sire daughters against each other. Add to this the tool of genomics and there could be some very interesting results coming out of RSA for the rest of the world to benefit from in the future.

Cette Revue n’est pas assez grande pour contenir tout ce que nous avons vu et appris de notre incroyable aventure en avril et mai dernier lors de la Conférence mondiale Ayrshire en Afrique du Sud. Cet article tentera de vous fournir quelques aperçus de l’historique, la situation actuelle et le potentiel d’avenir de la Ayrshire en Afrique du Sud.

La première Ayrshire fut importée en RSA (République de l’Afrique du sud) en 1890 de l’Écosse. Plusieurs importations suivirent et subséquemment les « Éleveurs de bétail Ayrshire de l’Afrique du Sud » fut fondé en 1916. À cause de son adaptabilité à différentes conditions (l’Afrique du Sud a quelques 23 différentes régions écologiques, qui varient grandement en climat), sa popularité a grandi avec le temps. Mais, le plus important événement qui a fait avancer la popularité de la race Ayrshire dans la RSA fut le marquage du lait Ayrshire et autres produits laitiers par la chaîne de marché Sud Africain « Woolworth » (initié par le Malleson Bros). Ceci leur a permis d’aller contre la tendance établie dans plusieurs autres pays alors qu’ils doublaient leurs femelles Ayrshire enregistrées depuis 1980 à plus de 20,000, avec 10,000 non enregistrées.

Présentement, nous voyons plusieurs entreprises prospères en expansion, tirant avantage d’être un plutôt petit pays avec peu de règlements environnementaux, association de défense des droits des animaux et travaux pour entraver la croissance des affaires. Avec 30% de sans emploi, et aucun salaire minimum, il y a une abondance de main d’œuvre abordable. Par exemple, Homsek Dairy qui en trait présentement 1000, vient tout juste de construire une salle de traite à la fine pointe de

Ayrsh i re Canada

O F A P P R E C I A T I O N

La Ayrshire en Afrique du Sud en 2012

015Ayrshire 2013

taureaux privés et organiser des troupeaux de testage. La commercialisation devrait être sensible à certaines résistances historiques à l’usage de génétique externe pour améliorer leur race (alimentée par leur unique marché de lait Ayrshire). Cette règle a été modifiée dernièrement et des taureaux à plus de 75% peuvent être enregistrés dans l’Appendice. Le Conseil d’administration peut approuver des taureaux ayant plus de 75% comme taureau de race pure et être utilisé comme père de taureau. Par exemple, on a vu des filles de Dreamer, un taureau de Semex populaire pour la conformation qui a 2 croisements de SRB dans sa généalogie. Avec de grands troupeaux, ne donnant aucune considération spéciale à des vaches individuelles, des données très exactes peuvent être prises pour comparer les filles de jeunes taureaux. Ajouté à ces données celles de la génomique, on pourrait voir des résultats très intéressants provenant de l’Afrique du sud et dont le reste du monde pourrait bénéficier.

la technologie sur la ferme et planifie une expansion à 2000 vaches en lait et un salon rotatif dans la prochaine année. La photo démontre la grange remarquablement simple pour le troupeau actuel. Les vaches sont sur le sable paqueté avec des allées de ciment pour le trajet qui les amènent à leur nourriture.

Les éleveurs de la RSA Ayrshire ont présentement quelques bonnes expositions où ils peuvent présenter leur élevage et partager une bonne camaraderie qui les mènera loin. Présentement, ils n’ont pas leur propre programme de jeunes taureaux, possiblement parce qu’ils n’ont pas assez d’éleveurs utilisant leur testage de production et de classification (la version de base des systèmes de testage). Ils importent environ 50,000 doses de semence annuellement surtout de l’Amérique du Nord. Par exemple, on a vu plusieurs filles de Reality et Burdette dans les groupes de taures d’un an sur différentes fermes.

Il y a de grandes opportunités pour les centres IA et les éleveurs individuels de commercialiser leurs

016Ayrshire 2013

AyrsHirenAtionAl cHAmPionsHiPs

25 & 26 April 2012

Class 1: Heifer 6 – 9 Months1 Kleynrivier Emily JS1185 - Owner Maans Kotze /

Edmund Els – Sire – Palmyra Tri-Star Reality 2 RFF Lady Jean 74 WDA 110163 - Owner Rhodes

Food Group – Sire - Palmyra Tri-Star Burdette 3 Grace Valley Glen Garry Faith 2 KL 11103 - Owner

Edmund Els - Brady Dabner - Sire – Duo Star Normandin

4 Raigmore Lana 260 HE1188 - Owner Raigmore Trust – Sire – Plum Bottoms Trident’s Lot

5 Homsek Rosemary 4 A110253 - Owner Anton Homsek Family Trust - Sire – Palmyra Tri-Star Burdette

Class 2: Heifer 9 – 12 Months1 Grace Valley Burdettes Data KL 1149 - Owner KD

Lang Sire – Palmyra Tri-Star Burdette2 Ruma Bambie DK 1102 - Owner Danie de Kock –

Sire Palmyra Tri-Star Reality3 Kleynrivier Real Lana JS1145 - Owner Maans Kotze

/ Edmund Els -Sire - Palmyra Tri-Star Reality4 The Ridge Reality Jemina EHE 1111 - Owner Edmund

Els – Sire - Palmyra Tri-Star Reality5 Halcycon Rill R 328 VT 113108 - Owner Dr. GVS

Turner Sire - Palmyra Tri-Star BurdetteClass 3: Heifer 12 – 15 Months1 RFF Dawn 33rd WDA 110021 - Owner Edmund Els

/ Blom Brothers - Sire - Duo Star Normandin 2 RFF Juanita 12th WDA 11007 - Owner Edmund Els

/ Blom Brothers -Sire - Palmyra Tri-Star Reality3 Gouritz Prodigy’s Floreta PIT 1108 - Owner Gouritz

Ayrshires – Sire Greenlane Prodigy 4 RFF Stately 95 WDA 11054 - Owner Rhodes Food

Group Pty Ltd - Sire - Duo Star Nomandin 5 Melkhout Tryst 1 RH1107 - Owner Blom Brothers -

Sire - Changue Tryst Class 4: Heifer 15 – 18 Months1 RFF Penelope 23 WDA 10220 - Owner Rhodes

Food Group Pty Ltd - Sire - Palmyra Tri-Star Reality2 Grace Valley Burdettes Flatter KL 10164 - Owner

KD Lang - Sire - Palmyra Tri-Star Burdette3 RFF Annabella 68th WDA 10214 - Owner Rhodes

Food Group Pty Ltd - Sire - Adrossan EV Kate’s Trident

4 Kleynrivier Beauty JS1095 - Owner Maans Kotze/ Edmund Els – Sire - Palmyra Tri-Star Reality

5 Raigmore Silk 5 HE10102 - Owner Raigmore Trust –

JUDGE: Dav id Mayo

Sire - Palmyra Tri-Star RealityClass 5: Heifer 18 – 21 Months1 RFF Penny 5th WDA 10156 - Owner AF Cordier

Sire - Palmyra Tri-Star Reality2 Grace Valley Burdette’ s Pixie KL 10118 - Owner KD

Lang - Sire - Palmyra Tri-Star Burdette3 RFF Stylish 64th WDA 100135 - Owner Rhodes

Food Group Pty Ltd Sire – Margo Calimero4 RFF Sonnett 28th WDA 100139 - Owner Franz

Homsek Sire – Duo Star Normandin5 Meesuid JW 10050 JW 10050 - Owner JJ Wessels

Sire – Melkhout My Model 7Class 6: Heifer 21 – 24 Months1 Grace Valley Ideo Stars H20 KL 1073 - Owner KD

Lang – Sire - Ayr – Phoe- Ideo Star2 Meesuid JW 10031 JW 10031 - Owner JJ Wessels

Sire – Beau Lac Nemo3 Reynshire Fatsoen 1 JEM 1052 - Owner Reynshire

Stud – Sire – Palmyra Tri-Star Burdette4 Jawilco Suanet JAC 1005 - Owner Jawilco Trust -

Sire - Ayr- Phoe Ideo Star5 Raigmore Lana 253 HE 1041 - Owner Maans Kotze/

Edmund Els - Sire - Melkhout JordnerClass 7: Sire Progeny - 2 Heifers Under 24 months, one sire1 Rhodes Food Group Pty Ltd 2 KD Lang3 Edmund Els / Maans Kotze4 Raigmore Trust5 Reynshire StudClass 8: 3 Heifer, bred by exhibitor under 24 months1 KD Lang2 Rhodes Food Group Pty Ltd3 Edmund Els / Maans Kotze4 Raigmore Trust5 JJ WesselsCHAMPION HEIFER: Grace valley Ideo Stars H 20 RESERVE CHAMPION HEIFER: Kleynrivier Emily Honorable mention: RFF Penelope 23rd Class 9 : Heifer 2 – 2 ½ Years1 Milkyway Pandora R 45 MWA 10710 – Owner

Reynshire Stud – Sire – Kildare Jupiter ET2 Meesuid JW 10017 - JW 10017 - Owner JJ Wessels

Sire- Des Chamois Poker 3 Milkyway Bonnie Lassie R 74- MWA 09721 - Owner

Reynshire Stud - Sire Milkyway Roger

017Ayrshire 2013

018Ayrshire 2013

4 Ruma Poker’s Tulpie 9- DK 1003 - Owner Danie De Kock - Sire - Des Chamois Poker

5 Melkhout Garth 2 RH1004 - Owner Blom Brothers – Sire - Hidden Valley Garth

Class 10 : Cow in milk, 2 ½ Years and younger1 Kleynrivier JS 1027 JS1027 - Owner Maans Kotze /

Edmund Els - Sire - Galney Epic Galant Ramius2 RFF Portabella 46th WDA 09251 - Owner Rhodes

Food Group Pty Ltd – Sire – Des Prairies Potter3 Raigmore Lana 252 HE 1037 - Owner Raigmore

Trust – Sire – Melkhout Jordner4 Melkhout Jordy 26 RH. 0955 - Owner Blom Brothers

– Sire Melkhout Jordner 5 Meesuid JW 090079 JW 090079- Owner JJ Wessels

– Sire – Ayr- Phoe Ideo StarClass 11: Cow, in milk, 2½ - 3 Years1 Raigmore Jemina 127th - HE0946 - Owner Raigmore

Trust- Sire -Bonnie Brae Ambush2 Raigmore Fairylight 22nd - HE 0945 - Owner

Raigmore Trust - Sire - Melkhout Jordner3 Melkhout Lotters 1 - RH0930 - Owner - Blom

Brothers- Melkhout Lotter4 Raigmore Lana 240 HE09072 - Owner Raigmore

Trust - Sire - Ayr-Phoe Ideo Star5 Raigmore Silk 4 HE0968 Owner Maans Kotze

/ Edmund Els - Sire - Galney EPC Galant Ripken Raven

Class 12 : Cow, dry and in calf , 4 Years and youngerNo entriesClass 13: Cow, in milk, 3 - 4 Years1 Homsek Blommetjie 5 - A08163 - Owner Anton

Homsek Trust - Sire Lagace Modem2 RFF Doreen 116th - WDA 08130 - Rhodes Food

Group Pty Ltd - Sire - Plum Bottoms Trident’s Lot3 Melkhout Burdette 1 - RH0814 - Owner - Blom

Brothers - Sire - Palmyra Tri-Star Burdette 4 Gouritz BT’S Seppie PIT 0815 – Owner Gouritz

Ayrshires - Sire - Rosehill Black Thorn5 Grace Valley Ravens Rosy - KL 0854 - Owner KD

Lang - Sire Galney Ripken RavenClass 14: UDDER CHAMPION UNDER 4 YEARSRaigmore Jemina 127th - Owner - Raigmore Trust YOUNG COW CHAMPION : Raigmore Jemina 127 RESERVE YOUNG COW : Kleynrivier JS1027 Honourable mention: Homsek Blommetjie 5 Class 15: Cow, in milk, 4 - 5 Years1 Grace Valley Burdettes Wilma 5th - KL 07116 - Owner

Edmund Els/ Blom Brothers - Sire Palmyra Tri-Star Burdette

2 Grace Valley Avengers Misty - KL07160 - Owner KD Lang - Sire - Kellcrest Avenger

3 BVT 28 BVT 28 - Owner Barti Volschenk - Sire - Yellowbriar Journalist

4 Grace Valley Burdette Show Bee - KL 07146 - Owner KD Lang - - Sire - Palmyra Tri-Star Burdette

5 Gouritz Margo - PIT 0736 - Owner Gouritz Ayrshires - Sire - Hunnington Admiral

Class 16: Cow, dry and in calf, 4 - 6 Years and older1 Raigmore Japonica 65 - HE 0305 - Owner Raigmore

Trust - Sire - Margot Lorenzo

Class 17: Cow, in milk, 5 - 6 Years1 RFF 06101 - WDA 06101 - Owner Rhodes Food

Group Pty Ltd - Sire - Labrie Wilton ET2 Gouritz Makou PIT 0709 - Owner Gouritz Ayrshires -

Sire - Rosehill Black Thorn3 RFF 07001 WDA 07001 - Owner Rhodes Food

Group Pty Ltd - Sire - Shady Wallnut Conn4 Kleynrivier JS 0663 JS 0663 - Owner Maans Kotze

/ Edmund Els - Sire – Margot Calimero 5 Sheeba Lita 3 HAN 07002 - Owner Belle Vashes

Trust - Sire – Margot LorenzoClass 18: Cow,in milk, 6 - 8 Years1 Gouritz Spice - PIT 0608 - Owner Gouritz Ayrshires

- Sire - Bonnie Brae Heligo2 Kleynrivier JS0512 JS 0512 - Owner Maans Kotze /

Edmund Els - Sire - Plum Bottoms Trident’s Lot 3 Raigmore Fairylight 20th HE0436 - Owner Raigmore

Trust - Sire - Kellcrest Harmony4 Melkhout Producer 26 RH0518 - Owner Blom

Brothers - Sire - Woodland View Pardner5 Raigmore Doreen 28 HE0529 - Owner Raigmore

Trust - Sire – Visserdale Sky ChiefClass 19 : Cow, in milk, 8 Year and older1 Grace Valley Providence KL0309 Owner KD Lang –

Sire – Margot Lorenzo Class 20: Cow, any age, which has produced 50 000 kg MilkNo entriesClass 21: Udder Champion older than 4 Years1 Grace Valley Avengers MistySENIOR CHAMPION COW: RFF 06101 RESERVE SENIOR CHAMPION: GOURITZ SPICE Honourable mention: Grace Valley Burdettes Wilma 5thNATIONAL UDDER CHAMPION:RAIGMORE JEMINA 127TH GRAND CHAMPION: RAIGMORE JEMINA 127TH RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION: RFF 06101 GROUP CLASSESClass 22 : GROUP OF 2 AYRSHIRES, ANY AGE, SAME HERD1 Rhodes Food Group Pty Ltd2 Gouritz Ayrshires3 Edmund Els / Robert Blom4 KD Lang5 Raigmore TrustClass 23: Group of 5 Ayrshire cows, bred by exhibitor 1 Rhodes Food Group Pty Ltd2 K D Lang3 Raigmore TrustClass 24: Group of 3 Heifers/cows under 3 years1 Raigmore Trust2 JJ WesselsClass 25: Sire Progeny : 2 Ayrshire cow, same sire1 Edmund Els / Robert Blom 2 Gouritz Ayrshires3 Rhodes Food Group Pty Ltd

019Ayrshire 2013

020Ayrshire 2013

Historygold cuP

of the

The cup was presented to the Ayrshire Society by the Union Castle Steamship Company in 1920 for the National Championships that the Society presented every three years. At that stage most Ayrshire breeders were immigrants from Scotland and the majority of them were industrialists like Alex Drysdale and Montague Simpson. They apparently used ships to transport the goods they manufactured. One of them had to wrestle the trophy from the company! It is noticeable that every winner of the cup had a Scottish surname. At the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939, the trophy was in the possession of Alex Drysdale who was the last winner of the trophy when the war brought everything to a standstill. No show was held again until 1947.

In the meantime, Mr Alex Drysdale had died and his daughter possessed the cup. She apparently believed

that it was a floating trophy and returned the cup to the Ayrshire Society in 1977. She was graciously thanked in a letter on behalf of the Society.

It is interesting that the first non-English name that appears on the cup is Piet Delport. It is a rarity that it was dominated by the Ayrshire breed for almost 100 years by Scottish descendants.

Our thanks to Piet Delport for this precious information on the Gold Cup. This cup is regarded as a treasure and handled as such. Because of its value, the cup is no longer handed to the exhibitor of the Championship winner to put on display in his study or stalls. A tray with the emblem of the Gold Cup is presented to the winner to take home.

A historical photo from the Ayrshire archives of the Cup that conveys a total of 24 years of show achievements. Mr Walter Finlayson (centre) of the Raigmore Trust, Somerset West, holding the Ayrshire Breeders’ Society’s Gold Cup for the 2012 Grand Champion Cow, achieved this honour for the fourth time. He now joins the trio who have reached this achievement along with Messrs Kevin Lang (left) of Howick and on the right Piet Delport of Migdol, a previous chairperson of the Ayrshire Council. The Society presents its National Championship Show every three years.Photo: Johan Norval

021Ayrshire 2013

022Ayrshire 2013

nAtionAl Awards

023Ayrshire 2013

024Ayrshire 2013

The Ayrshire Annual General Meeting on 13 September in the Overberg during the Mega Show in Bredasdorp attracted wide interest among breeders and visitors from as far a field as Natal, Gauteng and the Free State supporting the meeting and show. We would like to thank everyone who made the effort of attending the activities in Bredasdorp. During the reception, breeders who have been and still are stud breeders of the Society were recognised.

Wilma Swanepoel of the Kloutjies Herd, Bothaville

35 Years of Uninterrupted Membership of the Society

Joined the Society: 1976

Steve Marais of Huguenot Farms, Addo37 Years of Uninterrupted Membership of the SocietyJoined the Society: 1974

MC Loock of Deugas Herd, UniondaleMC Loock was also recognised for 35 years of uninterrupted serviceJoined the Society: 1976

Mr Bert Bosman of Landkrag Boerdery, Boshof 33 years’ membershipJoined the Society: 1977

CHARTER PRESENTED TO MR EDMUND ELS

Mr Els receives the charter from Ms Van Vuuren for services rendered as the Breed Director from 1 May 2005 to 31 May 2012. Mr Edmund Els was honoured for his role in terms of the following aspects in the industry -

* Qualified Senior Breed Judge* Qualified Classifier of Ayrshire Cattle* Tour leader during the World Congress presented in South Africa in

2012 * Member of Council from 15 August 2000 up to his appointment as

Breed Director* Presenting various Junior and Senior judges’ courses * As Senior Examiner at judging courses* As ambassador for the Ayrshire breed at various world shows,

exhibitions and committee meetings* Representative at the Ayrshire World Federation* As judge at the Southern Championships held in Louisville,

Kentucky, in November 2012 – the first person not coming from the USA or Canada

With great thanks to our Sponsor who made this event possible

AnnuAlgenerAl meeting

2012

025Ayrshire 2013

ProductionAWArds 2011-2012

NAME OF ANIMAL KG M KG BF % BF KG Prot. % PROT DAYS

1 MEESUID JW 1018 Owner - JJ WESSELS 16309 600 3.68 511 3.13 305

2 MEESUID JW 06051 Owner - JJ WESSELS 13880 453 3.26 429 3.09 305

3 MEESUID JW 04031 JJ WESSELS 13709 471 3.44 471 3,44 305

4 MILKYWAY PATRICIA 12 Owner GISANTO BOERDRY BK 12064 544 4,51 401 3,32 305

5 MEESUID 06021 Owner -JJ WESSELS 11798 436 3,7 401 3,4 305

6 MEESUID JW 0549 Owner -JJ WESSELS 11625 435 3,74 403 3,47 305



9 MEESIUD JW 06050 Owner - JJ WESSELS 11443 378 3,3 382 3,34 305


TOP 10 ANIMALS 2 X MILKINGS

Certificates for the following achievements were presented during the proceedings

026Ayrshire 2013

027Ayrshire 2013


1 RFF 0434 Owner - RHODES FOOD GROUP PTY LTD 14877 531 3,57 425 2,68 305



4 RAIGMORE LANA 198 Owner: RAIGMORE TRUST 13503 432 3,2 410 3,04 305


6 RFF 606 Owner -RHODES FOOD GROUP PTY LTD 13266 489 3,69 418 3,15 305

7 KLEYNRIVIER JS 0499 Owner - MAANS KOTZE 12955 468 3,61 429 3,31 305

8 RFF 06 008 Owner - RHODES FOOD GROUP PTY LTD 12872 489 3,8 421 3,27 305

9 KLEYNRIVIER J S0187 Owner - MAANS KOTZE 12658 424 3,35 397 3,14 305



1 MR JJ WESSELS 7865 298 3,83 270 3,45 305

2 MR DR DE KOCK 7493 280 3,73 238 3,2 305

3 MR KD LANG 7361 293 4 241 3,27 305

4 REYNSHIRE AYRSHIRES 7348 303 4,13 242 3,31 305

5 GISANTO BOERDERY BK 7278 330 4,56 243 3,35 305

6 RP CAMPHER 7232 282 3,93 235 3,27 305

7 JAWILCO AYRSHIRES 7128 306 4,32 234 3,29 305

8 PW SWANEPOEL 7060 304 4,31 227 3,21 305

9 JF DE BEER 6438 265 4,14 213 3,32 305

10 GOURITZ AYRSHIRES 6302 263 4,14 219 3,45 305


1 RHODES FOOD GROUP PTY LTD 8708 328 3,79 282 3,25 305

2 HA KOTZE 8476 309 3,68 283 3,35 305

3 DJ GREYLING 7693 329 4,3 264 3,43 305

4 DR GVS TURNER 7242 302 4,21 242 3,36 305

5 ANTON HOMSEK FAMILY TRUST 6520 251 3,88 215 3,31 305

TOP 10 ANIMALS 3 X MILKINGS

HIGHEST HERD AVERAGE 19 animals and more 2 X MILKINGS

HIGHEST HERD AVERAGE 19 animals and more 3 X MILKINGS

029Ayrshire 2013

geneticevAluAtionsf o r t h e A y r s h i r e b r e e d

Breeding values have recently been released for the SA Ayrshire breed from the brand-new Logixmilk Genetic Evaluation System of SA Stud Book. This entailed development of methodology according to international standards and guidelines. The main aim of the development was to stay in line with the latest scientific evolutions, needs from the industry and also to increase stability and accuracy of the estimated breeding values. The following genetic evaluations were developed for the SA Ayrshire breed:

Production Genetic Evaluation:

A comprehensive multi trait test-day model for production traits, where different lactations are treated as different traits, were developed using test-day records of the first 3 parities. Treating different lactations as different traits ensure that breeding values based on first lactation records only, are predicted more accurately and will stay more stable as test-day data from later lactations are added in subsequent genetic evaluations. Test-day records of cows are included only from the third test onwards to ensure that breeding values of a cow based on data for the first time, are predicted more accurately and will stay more stable over time as new test-day records are added in subsequent evaluations. Furthermore, milk, butterfat (kg) and protein (kg) are also included in the same evaluation in order to utilize the genetic correlations among these traits (which is

quite high) as a source of information for more accurate prediction of breeding values. This will benefit cows that, for example, only have a milk measurement and no information on butterfat or protein content.

In Figure 1-2 the genetic trends for the production traits of the Ayrshire breed are indicated. The SA Ayrshire breed made remarkable genetic progress in production traits. Milk production per lactation increased genetically with 44.3kg per year since 1983, Butterfat production with 1.7kg per year and Protein production with 1.4kg per year.

Figure 1: Genetic trend for Milk production of the SA Ayrshire breed.

LogixMilk,

Drs BE Moster t , RR van der Westhu izen, HE Theron, J van der Westhu izen & Y SteynSA Studbook, PO Box 270, B loemfonte in , 9300

030Ayrshire 2013

031Ayrshire 2013

Breeding values for Butterfat and Protein Percentages are calculated according to Interbull recommendations as a post-BLUP (after estimation of breeding values) procedure, utilizing the breeding values of the production traits and averages of the base cows. In Figure 3 the genetic trends for Butterfat and Protein Percentages of the SA Ayrshire breed are indicated. It can be seen that Butterfat Percentage is declining steadily at a rate of 0.003% per year. Ayrshire breeders, however, managed to turn the decline in Protein Percentage around, with even a slight increase since 1998. This illustrates the value of adapting breeding objectives to fit market demands.

Fertility Genetic Evaluation:

The Fertility Genetic Evaluation was developed to be based on the first three calving intervals of the cows, including 305-day first lactation yield as a correlated trait. The inclusion of milk yield is done to improve the accuracy of prediction of Calving Interval breeding values, and especially benefits the prediction of breeding values of young cows that only calved once.

The genetic trend for Calving Interval (Figure 5) indicates that calving interval increased genetically by 0.81 days per year. This is cumbersome, as genetic change is permanent. The fertility of the breed therefore deteriorated significantly since 1980.

Functional Herd Life Genetic Evaluation:

The breeding value that has been developed for the SA Ayrshire breed for longevity is adjusted for production and is therefore a genetic prediction of involuntary culling of a bull’s daughters. The genetic evaluation for Functional Herd Life is based on survival over 5 periods (survival up to 120 days in milk first lactation, survival up to 240 days in milk first lactation, survival up to 2nd lactation, survival up to 3rd lactation and survival up to

Somatic Cell Score Genetic Evaluation:

Genetic Evaluation procedures for Somatic Cell Count include test-day records of the 1st three parities in a multi trait test-day model for estimation of Somatic Cell Score (transformed to the log scale) breeding values. It is interesting to know that Somatic Cell Score breeding values were introduced for the first time in South Africa in 2004. The genetic trend for Somatic Cell Score of the SA Ayrshire breed (Figure 4) shows that since selection against high Somatic Cell Scores were implemented, the SA Ayrshire breed is starting to become more genetically resistant against mastitis.

Figure 2: Genetic trends for Butterfat and Protein production of the SA Ayrshire breed.

Figure 4: Genetic trend for Somatic Cell Score of the SA Ayrshire breed.

Figure 5: Genetic trend for Calving Interval of the SA Ayrshire breed.

Figure 3: Genetic trends for Butterfat and Protein Percentages of the SA Ayrshire breed.

032Ayrshire 2013

4th lactation). Breeding values for Functional Herd Life are expressed as Relative breeding values, with average 100 and standard deviation 5.

Figure 6 shows the genetic trend for Functional Herd life of the SA Ayrshire breed. Functional Herd Life increased up to 1990, but showed a decrease since then until around 2001. Following that, Functional Herd Life of the SA Ayrshire breed is increasing steadily.

Persistency Genetic Evaluation:

The genetic Persistency Index for milk production, developed for the SA Ayrshire breed, is based on the differences in production on days 60 and 280 of the first three lactations. These records are included as correlated traits in a multi trait model, where the different lactations are treated as different traits. The Persistency Index is calculated separately for each parity and is then combined into one index using weighting factors that is in accordance to the amount of information available from each lactation.

Rand Value Indices

Economic indices have been developed for all the Ayrshire breeders that participate in LogixMilk,. It is a result of an extensive simulation process taking all possible factors contributing towards dairy herd productivity into account. Not only are biological aspects (such as production parameters, reproduction and herd life) considered, but also management costs (time and direct costs) related to treatment and prevention of conditions negatively affecting production efficiency. It is based on current economic tendencies with regards to milk pricing, feed prices, veterinary costs related to treatment, labour costs and management costs in South African production systems and the local economic environment.

Indices are an easy way to select animals on breeding values, as it is a combination of breeding values and

economic values. These indices are expressed in Rand and indicate how much more or less an animal is worth relative to the animals of the base year (2000), where the indices of the base year=0. These Rand value indices are calculated for Production, Udder Health (Somatic Cell Score), Fertility (Calving Interval) and Functional Herd Life. They are then combined into a single index, the Logix Merit Index (LMI), with the following economic weights:

LMI = 0.30 * Milk(Kg) + 11.35 * BF(Kg) + 41.50 * Prot(Kg) + 742.47 * Herd Life – 11.80 * Somatics – 26.43 * Calving Interval

The proportional contributions of the different traits to the LMI are indicated in the following figure:

It therefore enables the breeder to easily identify the top cows and of course also those in the herd breeding non (or less) profitable offspring.

Inbreeding

A new algorithm (Aguilar & Mistzal, 2008, University of Georgia) has been implemented for the calculation of inbreeding. This algorithm allocates an average inbreeding level (according to the specific generation involved) to unknown parents to give more reliable estimates of inbreeding in comparison to conventional methods that assume unknown parents to be unrelated.

In Figure 8 the average inbreeding per year of birth of the SA Ayrshire breed is indicated. Inbreeding is increasing at a rate of 0.14% per year since 1980. However, since 2006 inbreeding shows a much higher rate of 0.24% per year. The FAO recommends that inbreeding should be less than 0.2 – 0.3% per year, to avoid inbreeding depression. Ayrshire breeders should therefore actively guard against inbreeding and should use breeding programs to select bulls that are least related to their cows. The rate of inbreeding in the Ayrshire breed urgently needs to be slowed down.

Figure 6: Genetic trend for Functional Herd Life for the SA Ayrshire breed.

033Ayrshire 2013

Bottom line:

The new methodology developed for breeding value estimation of the SA Ayrshire breed, results in more accurate, reliable and stable breeding value predictions than ever before. In assessing the new breeding values, it should be noted that some marked changes occurred, compared to previous predictions. This is mainly due to the application of the more advanced models, new genetic parameters and the inclusion of more traits in the multiple trait analyses, where all the genetic correlations among these traits are utilized.

Figure 8: Average inbreeding per year of birth of the SA Ayrshire breed.

sHoWHeidelberg

7 February 2013

Class 1: Heifer 6 - 9 Months1 Raigmore Japonica 95 HE1275 Owner Raigmore

Trust Sire - Blackaddar BB Kellogg2 Melkhout Raven 54 RH1217 Owner Blom Brothers

Sire - Melkhout Raven3 Melkhout Raven 53 RH1216 Owner Blom Brothers

Sire - Melkhout RavenClass 2: Heifer 9 - 12 Months1 Melkhout Raven 46 RH1206 Owner Blom Brothers

Sire - Melkhout RavenClass 3: Heifer 12 - 15 Months1 Raigmore Lana 270 HE1205 Owner Raigmore Trust

Sire - Kleynrivier JS0710Class 4: Heifer 15 - 18 Months1 Melkhout Norman 2 RH1148 Owner Blom Brothers

Sire - Melkhout Norman 2 RFF Xmas Girl WDA11214 Owner Rhodes Food

Group Pty Ltd Sire - Des Chamois Poker3 Raigmore Lana 266 HE1119 Owner Raigmore Trust

Sire - Plum Bottoms Trident’s LotClass 5: Heifer 18 - 21 Months1 Raigmore Lana 260 HE1188 Owner Raigmore Trust

Sire – Plum Bottoms Trident’s Lot2 Kleynriver Emily JS 11085 Owner E H Els / M Kotze

Sire – Palmyra Tri-Star Reality

JUDGE: Theuns Bruwer

3 Melkhout Nemo 2 RH1134 Owner Blom Brothers Sire - Beau Lac Nemo

Class 6: Heifer 21 - 24 Months1 Raigmore Japonica 90 HE1134 Owner Raigmore

Trust Sire – Palmyra Tri-Star Reality CHAMPION HEIFERMELKHOUT NORMAN 2 - Blom BrothersRESERVE CHAMPION HEIFER RAIGMORE LANA 270 - Raigmore TrustClass 7: COW, IN MILK 2 – 2½ YEARSNo entryClass 8: COW, IN MILK, 2½ - 3 YEARS1 Melkhout Jordy 38 RH1012 Owner Blom Brothers

Sire – Melkhout Jordner2 RFF Stella 55th WDA 1012 Owner Rhodes Food

Group Pty Ltd - Sire - Des Chamois PokerClass 9: COW, IN MILK, 3 – 4 YEARS1 RFF Brown Beauty 39 Owner Rhodes Food Group

Pty Ltd - Sire - Plum Bottoms Trident’s Lots2 RFF Lana 235 HE0933 Owner Raigmore Trust - Sire

- Melkhout Jordner3 Melkhout Daisy Dell 9 RH0905 Owner Blom Brothers

- Sire - Melkhout JordnerYOUNG UDDER CHAMPION RFF BROWN BEAUTY 39 Rhodes Food Group Pty Ltd

034Ayrshire 2013

Melkhout Norman 2 RH1148

RFF Brown Beauty 39

Raigmore Lana 270 HE1205

RFF Katy 50th WDA 0814

SENIOR CHAMPION UDDER RFF KATY 50TH - RHODES FOOD GROUP PTY LTDRESERVE SENIOR CHAMPION UDDER MELKHOUT PRODUCER 24 - BLOM BROTHERSSENIOR CHAMPION COW RFF KATY 50TH - RHODES FOOD GROUP PTY LTDRESERVE SENIOR CHAMPION COW RFF LASSIE 31ST - E ELS / M KOTZE GRAND CHAMPION UDDER RFF BROWN BEAUTY 39 - RHODES FOOD GROUP PTY LTDRESERVE GRAND CHAMPION UDDER RFF CATHY 50TH - RHODES FOOD GROUP PTY LTDGRAND CHAMPIONRFF BROWN BEAUTY 39RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION RFF KATY 50TH

RESERVE YOUNG UDDER CHAMPION MELKHOUT JORDY 38 - BLOM BROTHERSYOUNG COW CHAMPIONRFF BROWN BEAUTY 39 - RHODES FOOD GROUP PTY LTD RESERVE YOUNG COW CHAMPION MELKHOUT JORDY 38 - BLOM BROTHERSClass 10: COW, IN MILK, 4 - 5 YEARS1 RFF Katy 50th WDA 0814 Owner Rhodes Food Group

Pty Ltd Sire - Shady Wallnut Conn2 RFF Lassie 31st WDA 0815 Owner Rhodes Food

Group Pty Ltd Sire - Blackaddar Karamilk Class 11: COW, IN MILK, 5 - 6 YEARSNo entryClass 12: COW, IN MILK 6 YEARS AND OLDER1 Melkhout Producer 24 RH0518 Owner Blom Brothers

Sire – Woodland View Pardner Class 13: COW, WHICH HAS PRODUCED 50 000 KG MILK AND MORENo entry

035Ayrshire 2013

036Ayrshire 2013

CHAMPION HEIFERGOURITZ PRODIGY’S FLORETA

RESERVE CHAMPION HEIFERKLEYNRIVIER EMILY

HONOURABLE MENTIONRFF PENELOPE 23rd

CLASS 7: COW, 2 - 2 ½ YEARS1 RFF Waterlilly 57th WDA 10092 Owner Rhodes

Food Group Pty Ltd Sire - Margo Calimero 2 Melkhout Jordy 52 RH1032 Owner Blom Brothers -

Sire - Melkhout Jordner 3 Melkhout Garth 3 RH0117 Owner Blom Brothers –

Sire - Hidden Valley Garth

CLASS 8: COW, 2 ½ - 3 YEARSNo entries

CLASS 9: COW, 3 - 4 YEARS1 Kleynrivier JS08100 Owner Maans Kotze/ EH Els

Sire - Lagace Modem ET 2 Raigmore Daisy Dell 9 HE 0910 Owner Blom Brothers

- Sire – Melkhout Jordner 3 Melkhout Remus 2 RH 0910 Owner Blom Brothers

Sire – Ruma Remus YOUNG COW CHAMPIONRFF WATERLILLY 57TH

RESERVE YOUNG COWKLEYNRIVIER JS 08 100

CLASS 10: COW 4 - 5 YEARS, IN MILK1 RFF Lilac 43rd WDA 08 088 Owner Rhodes Food

Group Pty Ltd Sire - Shady Walnut Conn 2 Kleynrivier JS 07130 JS07 130 Owner Maans

Kotze/ EH Els - Sire - Faucher Loto3 Melkhout Burdette 1 RH 0814 Owner Blom Brothers

- Sire – Palmyra Tri-Star Burdette

sHoWmegA Week

14 September 2012

JUDGE: Kev in Lang - ASSISTANT JUDGE: Rob S la ter

CLASS 1: HEIFER 6 – 9 MONTHS1 Gouritz Kinetics’s Raspie PIT1201, Owner Gouritz

Ayrshires, Sire - Grace Valley Tradition’s Kinetic 2 Kleynrivier Andrea J’S 11165 Owner Maans Kotze /

EH Els - Sire – Grace Valley Tradition’s Kinetic 3 Melkhout Norman 4 RH1167 Owner Blom Brothers

– Sire - Melkhout Norman

CLASS 2: HEIFER 9 - 12 MONTHS1 Kleynrivier Bianca JD 11118 Owner Maans Kotze/

EH Els - Sire- Maple Dell Drew2 RFF Lady Jean 77 WDA 11209 Owner Rhodes Food

Group Pty Ltd - Sire - Palmyra Jerry Bendig3 Melkhout Raven 30 RH 1154 Owner Blom Brothers

Sire - Melkhout Raven

CLASS 3: HEIFER 12 - 15 MONTHS1 Kleynrivier Emily JS1185 Owner Maans Kotze/ EH

Els - Sire - Palmyra Tri- Star Reality2 Melkhout Nemo 2 RH1134 – Owner Blom Brothers -

Sire -Beau Lac Nemo3 RFF Peggy 70 WDA 11173 Owner Rhodes Food

Group Pty Ltd - Sire -Ardmore Crown Napier CLASS 4: HEIFER 15 - 18 MONTHS 1 Gouritz Prodigy’s Floreta PIT 11008 Owner - Gouritz

Ayrshires - Sire - Green Lane Prodigy 2 Kleynrivier Real Lana JS 1145 Owner Maans Kotze /

EH Els - Sire Palmyra Tri- Star Reality

CLASS 5: HEIFER 18 - 21 MONTHS1 RFF Penelope 23rd WDA 10220 Owner Rhodes Food

Group Pty Ltd - Sire - Palmyra Tri – Star Reality2 RFF Juanita 12th WDA 11007 – Owner Rhodes Food

Group Pty Ltd - Sire - Palmyra Tri-Star Realtiy3 RFF Dawn 33 WDA 11021 – Owner Rhodes Food

Group Pty Ltd -Sire – Duo Star Normandin

CLASS 6: HEIFER 21 – 24 MONTHS1 Kleynrivier Beauty JS 1095 Owner Maans Kotze/ EH

Els - Sire Palmyra Tri- Star Reality2 Melkhout Jordy 61 RH 1042 Owner Blom Brothers -

Sire – Melkhout Jordner

14 September 2012037

Ayrshire 2013

CLASS 14: SIRE PROGENY OF 2 AYRSHIRE FEMALE ANIMALS – PROGENY OF ONE SIRE 1 EH ELS AND MAANS KOTZE

CLASS 15: GROUP OF 2 AYRSHIRE HEIFERS, ANY AGE, BRED BY EXHIBITOR1 EH ELS & MAANS KOTZE 2 RHODES FOOD GROUP PTY LTD3 GOURITZ AYRSHIRES

CLASS 16: GROUP OF 2 AYRSHIRE COWS, BRED BY EXHIBITOR1 RHODES FOOD GROUP PTY LTD2 BLOM BROTHERS

CLASS 17: BEST UDDER – WINNER OF EACH CLASSRFF LILAC 43RD RHODES FOOD GROUP PTY LTD

Class 11: COW, 5 - 6 YEARS AND OLDER, IN MILKNo entries

Class 12: COW, 6 YEARS AND OLDER1 Raigmore Lana 213 HE 0612 Owner Blom Brothers

Sire – Melkhout Bob

Class 13: COW, ANY AGE WHICH HAS PRODUCED 30 000 KG MILKNo entries

SENIOR CHAMPION RFF LILAC 43RD

RESERVE SENIOR CHAMPIONKLEYNRIVIER JS07 130

GRAND CHAMPIONRFF LILAC 43RD

RESERVE GRAND CHAMPIONKLEYNRIVIER JS07 130

SENIOR CHAMPION RFF LILAC 43RD

038Ayrshire 2013

039Ayrshire 2013

sAndringHAmdAiry eXPerience

2 & 3 November 2012

JUDGE: Herman Duvenhage

Class: 1 Junior Cow, under 2 ½ Years1 RFF Stella 55th WDA 10120 Owner Rhodes Food

Group Pty Ltd - Sire – Des Chamois Poker2 Raigmore Lana 254 HE 1042 Owner Raigmore Trust

Sire – Palmyra Raven Billick3 RFF Waterlilly 57 WDA Owner Rhodes Food Group

Pty Ltd - Sire – Margot Calimero

Class 2: Cow, 2½ and under 3 Years1 RFF Soet Abba 5th WDA 10075 Owner Rhodes

Food Group Pty Ltd - Sire – Margot Calimero2 RFF Tulip 38th WDA Owner Rhodes Food Group

Pty Ltd - Sire - Margot Calimero3 Raigmore Lana 247 HE Owner Raigmore Trust -

Sire – Margot Calimero

Class 3: Cow 3 Years and under 3 ½ 1 RFF Brown Beauty 39 WDA 09188 Owner Rhodes

Food Group Pty Ltd - Sire – Plum Bottoms Trident’s Lot

Class 4: Cow, 3 ½ Years and under 4 Years1 RFF Betsy 40th WDA 09073 Owner Rhodes Food

Group Pty Ltd Sire – Hidden Valley Garth 2 Raigmore Lana 235 HE0933 Owner Raigmore Trust

– Sire – Melkhout Jordner

JUNIOR UDDER CHAMPION - RFF BROWN BEAUTY 39thRESEVE JUNIOR CHAMPION - RFF BETSY 4OTHCHAMPION JUNIOR COW - RFF BROWN BEAUTY 39th

Class 5: Heifer 8 months under 12 months1 RFF Stylish 5th WDA 11246 Owner Rhodes Food

Group Pty Ltd - Sire – Palmyra Tri star Reality 2 RFF Portobello 112, WDA11250 Rhodes Food

Group Pty Ltd - Sire – Palmyra Tri star Burdette

Class 6: Heifer 12 Months and under 161 Kleynrivier Emily JS 1185 JS1185 Owners -Maans

Kotze/ Edmund Els – Sire Palmyra Tri Star Reality2 Raigmore Lana 260 HE11 108 Owner- Raigmore

Trust Sire – Plum Bottoms Trident’s Lot3 RFF Xmas Girl 43 WDA 11214 Owner – Rhodes

Food Group Pty Ltd – Sire- Des Chamois Poker

Class 7: Heifer 16 Months and under 20 Months1 RFF Balito 33rd WDA 11058 Owner Rhodes Food

Group Pty Ltd - Sire – Des Prairies Potter2 RFF Beryl 17th WDA 11092 Owner Rhodes Food

Group Pty Ltd Sire – Des Chamois Poker

Class 8: Heifer 20 Months under 24 Months1 Raigmore Doreen 32 HE 11032 Owner Raigmore

Trust Sire - Blackaddar BB Kellogg2 RFF Portobello 76th WDA 10197 Owner Rhodes

Food Group Pty Ltd - Sire – Des Prairies Potter3 RFF Penelope 23rd WDA 10220 Owner Rhodes

Food Group Pty Ltd - Sire – Palmyra Tri star Reality

CHAMPION HEIFER - KLEYNRIVER EMILY JS 1185RESERVE CHAMPION HEIFER - RFF BALITO 33RD

Class 9: COW 4 Years and under 5 Years1 Kleynrivier JS 07130 Owner Maans Kotze/ Edmund

Els – Sire - Faucher Loto2 Grace Valley KL 822 KL 822 Owner KD Lang –

Appendix A 3 RFF Lilac 43rd WDA 08088 Owner Rhodes Food

Group Pty Ltd - Sire – Shady Walnut Conn

Class: 10: Senior Cow, 5 – 6 Years1 RFF 07130 WDA 07130 Owner Rhodes Food

Group Pty Ltd Sire – Woodland View Pardner Class 11: Senior Cow, 6 Years and older1 RFF 030599 WDA 030599 Owner Rhodes Food

Group Pty Ltd Sire – Plum Bottoms Trident’s Lot

SENIOR UDDER CHAMPION - KLEYNRIVIER JS 07130RESERVE SENIOR CHAMPION -GRACE VALLEY KL 822SENIOR CHAMPION COW - KLEYNRIVIER JS 07130

INTERBREED HEIFER - Jersey INTERBREED JUNIOR CHAMPION - Jersey INTERBREED SENIOR CHAMPION COW - HolsteinCAPE DAIRY QUEEN - Jersey

GRACE VALLEY KL 822

040Ayrshire 2013

041Ayrshire 2013AyrsHire AustrAliA

A beAutiFul summer

A greAt FAllhas gone by…

is still to come! It was an eventful spring we had that began with the magic of the World Ayrshire Conference that was held in South Africa this year. Having been there myself, I can assure you that it was an immense success. After three beautiful weeks of vacation, admiring breathtaking landscapes, and meeting people we will never forget, reality set in, back to work.

Throughout the summer, eleven exhibitions across Quebec and Ontario took place and were tremendous for Ayrshire breeders, and four are still to come. The Ayrshire Show at the Charlottetown Old Home Week crowned

none other than Forever Schoon Perfecta ET, now EX 95. For Expo Quebec, the Quebec provincial show, it was the winner of the Senior 3 year old class, Demers Sum Total Cacahuette, TB 86, who left with the honors. For Ontario’s Navan Fair,

Sunnymead Dilligent’s Norah EX received the Mature Class award before being crowned Grand Champion.

President Henri Hofer hosted the Ayrshire Ontario provincial picnic at his farm this year. The activity took place over a week with a youth section where young Ayrshire enthusiasts from other countries such as New Zealand, the USA, Finland, and Canada had the chance to visit Ontario farms with different management styles and installations. Friday and Saturday were dedicated to family fun at the farm of our host family, a day full of sunshine where many breeders came to socialize and

have a good time. Thank you so much to the Hofer family, as well as the event organizing committee, for their time, effort,and dedication.

A few weeks later, it was Ayrshire Quebec’s turn to organize a picnic with a new formula added to the day. In fact, a sale of 35 very good cows in milk and 5 Elite calves was organized for that day. In the fall, demand for cows in milk is always very good; therefore it turned out to be a very good idea. Games for the little ones, as well as entertainment in

the evening, were part of the activities. A lot of embryos was also auctioned-off. Four embryos from Lombard Dale Wilton Icing, Ex 96 2E by Nexus Dreamer. Icing was the Grand Champion at the International Dairy Showcase last April and had been Honorable Mention at the World Dairy Expo of Madison in 2011. She also held

the titles of Reserve All-Canadian, Reserve All-American and

AyrsHire cAnAdA042Ayrshire 2013

043Ayrshire 2013

044Ayrshire 2013

All-Quebec in 2011. This event, organized at Ferme Du Murier, was a nice initiative from the Quebec Ayrshire Society.

Fall will be no less active than the previous months for the Ayrshire Breeders’ Association of Canada. On November 9th, a new page of history will be turned as a new class will be presented at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto. Calves born between June 1st and August 31 of the current year will now be shown. It’s the first time that such a class will be presented at the Royal, in all breeds. This decision was taken by Ayrshire Canada’s Marketing Committee in order to increase the number of animals presented at this show and also to help create a market for these young animals. A special prize will be awarded to the first winner of the Summer Calf Class in history. Mr. Brian Carscaddan will have the pleasure of being the judge for the day. We wish to invite you to join us during that week. Yves Charpentier, National Fieldman, is always present to assist foreign visitors and farm visits can be organized during that week. Do not hesitate to come around for this 90th edition of the Toronto Royal and share the passion for the most

beautiful Ayrshires in North America. The results will also be posted on line during the show, directly on the Ayrshire Canada Website. A good way not to miss anything!

Canadian breeders sold many embryos this year, notably in South Africa, Australia, Finland, Sweden, Colombia and Brazil. We are particularly proud to see such a demand for our genetics and wish

our buyers great success with their purchases.

Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions, whatever they may be, we will be pleased to help with your requests.

Hoping to see you all soon. Have a great end of this wonderful summer and an unforgettable fall.

Sincerely,

Jenny Henchoz, Ayrshire Canada

045Ayrshire 2013

046Ayrshire 2013

048Ayrshire 2013

embryo donors Are genomic tested

All ASMO

ASMO is the first red dairy breeds nucleus herd in the world and has been producing Ayrshire embryos in Finland since 1997. September 2012 ASMO merged with VikingGenetics.

ASMO nucleus herd is a central part of Viking Genetics (VG) breeding program and the main purpose is to produce high genetic merit AI bulls and high quality embryos to our farmers. All the embryo donors are selected based on their genomic value. Animals from good dams and interesting sires are selected for genomic testing. After the genomic results the best heifers from each sire group is selected. This way we will ensure different pedigrees and maintain genomic variation in the population. Flushing bulls used are current bull sires in VG.

The main focus in ASMO is on heifer flushings to improve the genetic gain. Top heifers are flushed two to three times

at the age of 12-16 months. Each year 70-80 heifers are selected for embryo production and these heifers are daughters from good ASMO dams or bought from private farms. Private farm has a right to buy embryos from their own animal. After flushings heifers are inseminated and they start their own careers as milking cows. Best cows with good breeding value, conformation, udder health and character can be chosen to become an ASMO dam and to be flushed again. Annually 10-15 ASMO dams are selected to produce embryos for sale. These embryos are also sold all over the world.

There have been more than 2 000 ASMO flushings, more than 14 000 transferable embryos and many good bulls produced from ASMO. ASMO nucleus herd is and will be an important part of breeding program for Ayrshire and other red dairy breeds. Also first Holstein heifers entered to ASMO in 2012.

ASMO Eedi Lahteenmaen Ihka

049Ayrshire 2013

AyrsHireneW ZeAlAnd

Waikato Royal Show – October 2012

Judged by Ivan Fredrickson of Stratford, Supreme Ayrshire Champion was named as Kiteroa Bonny Georgina, E8-9. Georgina is an nine year old cow owned by Kiteroa Ayrshires (Wally and Zane Kite and families) of Ohaupo. Sired by Kiteroa Bonny Blueidol ET, in the 2011/12 season Georgina produced 7612 litres milk, 319 kg fat, 277 kg protein (596 kg milksolids) in 272 days. Georgina also placed first in the Best Udder class. This was Georgina’s third win in a row at the Waikato Show, having won the North Island Ayrshire Championship there in the 2010/11 season and the Royal Championship in the 2011/12 season.

Reserve Champion Ayrshire Cow went to Brookview Lot Laguna, E9-9, owned by Steiner Partnership, Tokoroa. Nine year old Laguna sired by Plum Bottom Tridents Lot was NZ Dairy Event Champion in 2009 and Reserve in 2010, and also won the North Island Championship in 2010 and 2011. In the 2011/12 production season Laguna produced 8860 litres milk, 461 kg fat, 337 kg protein (798 kg milksolids) in 283 days, ranking her at number 7 of the top fat cows in the breed for the season.

Intermediate Ayrshire Champion was named as the two year old heifer Shardville SL Penny S3A, A8-8, owned by the Baxter Family of Tirau. Penny is sired by Shardville Silver Legacy. Reserve Intermediate Champion was named as three year old Brookview Po Ladies Lot, B8-7, owned by Steiner Partnership, Tokoroa, sired by Des Chamois Poker.

Junior Ayrshire Champion went to Graeme & Robyn McKenzie, Rotorua, with Broadlea CN Starbright, the winning Senior Yearling Heifer, sired by Ardmore Crown Napier. In Reserve was the Baxter Family of Tirau, with the winning Junior Yearling Heifer, Stenvale Lots Lass, sired by Plum Bottom Tridents Lot.

In the age group classes, the four year old class was won by Steiner Partnership, Tokoroa, with Courtleigh Lots Elsa, B7-8, sired by Plum Bottom Tridents Lot. Brookview Lens Cassatta, V7-8, (s. Brookview Challenger), also owned by Steiner Partnership, Tokoroa, prevailed in the 5 & 6 year class. Junior Heifer Calf went to the Leech Family of Tirau with Aotearoa EP Ellie (s. Ravenhill Enterprise), and Senior Heifer Calf to Kiteroa Bonny Goldberg, owned by Wally & Zane Kite and sired by Carmelglen Edberg.

New Zealand Dairy Event – Feilding, January 2013

Sadly affected by major flooding just prior to the show,

Queensland Judge Kevin Smith was replaced by World Ayrshire Federation President Mary Creek of Maryland, USA.

Champion Ayrshire Cow was awarded to Premier Danehill Frost, E8-9, owned by Derek & Catherine Hayward of Premier Cattle Co Ltd, Cambridge. Frost is a seven year old cow sired by Arran Tri Danehill. In the 2011/12 season Frost produced 6225 litres milk, 213 kg fat, 264 kg protein (477 kg milksolids) in 305 days.

Reserve Champion Ayrshire Cow was named as Courtleigh Lots Elsa, B7-8. A four year old cow, Elsa is owned by the Steiner Partnership of Tokoroa and is sired by Plum Bottom Tridents Lot. In the 2011/12 season Elsa produced 8123 litres milk, 374 kg fat, 310 kg protein (684 kg milksolids) in 286 days. She had previously won the four year old class at the Waikato Royal Show in October.

Intermediate Champion also went to Premier Cattle Co Ltd of Cambridge with the three year old Premier Pardna A Emanuel, V8-8, sired by Woodland View Pardner ET. Reserve went to the Steiner Partnership with three year old Brookview Po Ladies Lot, B7-8, sired by Des Chamois Poker. Ladies Lot was also Intermediate Champion in 2012 and Reserve Intermediate Cow at the Waikato Royal Show 2012.

Junior Champion went to the Senior Yearling Heifer Larkspur CN Jojo, owned by Ron Baker and sired by Ardmore Crown Napier. Reserve Junior Champion was the Junior Heifer Calf Premier Dream Burleigh, sired by

Kiteroa Bonny Georgina, E8-9Royal Champion 2012/13Reserve North Island Champion 2012/13

Brookview Lot Laguna, E9-9North Island Champion 2012/13Reserve Champion Royal 2012/13

051Ayrshire 2013

Nexus Dreamer and led by new owner Letitia Horn, who had purchased her from vendors Premier Cattle Co Ltd, Cambridge, the previous evening.

Vince & Sheridan Steiner of Steiner Partnership, Tokoroa were the recipient of the Premier Exhibitor for the most points in the Ayrshire section for the fifth year running.

In other breed classes, the two year old class was won by Brookview Lots Sarsha (s. Plum Bottom Tridents Lot), owned by Steiner Partnership, Tokoroa. The 5 & 6 year old class was won by Arran Danehill Choux, E8-8, owned by Arran Trust, Featherston and sired by Arran Tri Danehill. Senior Heifer Calf went to Te Awhata B Cosmic (s. Palmyra Tri-Star Burdette) owned by Barry & Deidre Tippett, Opunake and Junior Yearling Heifer to

Bowenlea Riggins Girl (s. Palmyra Poker Riggins), owned by Michael & Kim Fredrickson, Stratford.

North Island Championships – Morrinsville, March 2013

Judge Donald Green of Leeston named as the North Island Ayrshire Champion Cow Brookview Lot Laguna, E9-9, owned by the Steiner Partnership of Tokoroa. Nine year old Laguna, sired by Plum Bottom Tridents Lot, also won the Best Udder class and went on to win All Breeds Champion Cow. In the 2011/12 production season Laguna produced 8860 litres milk, 461 kg fat, 337 kg protein (798 kg milksolids) in 283 days, ranking her at number 7 of the top fat cows in the breed for the season. Laguna was NZ Dairy Event Champion in 2009 and Reserve in 2010, won the North Island Championship in 2010 and 2011 and was Reserve Champion at the Waikato Royal Show in both 2011 and 2012.

Brookview Lot Laguna is the second cow in breed history to win three North Island Championship titles. She follows in the footsteps of Lenoch Candy Girl owned by W & G King, who won the title at Rotorua in 1982/83, Whangarei in 1984/85 and Pukekohe in 1985/86.

Reserve North Island Champion once again went to the Royal Champion Cow Kiteroa Bonny Georgina, E8-9, owned by Kiteroa Ayrshires, Ohaupo. Sired by Kiteroa Bonny Blueidol ET, in the 2011/12 season Georgina produced 7612 litres milk, 319 kg fat, 277 kg protein (596 kg milksolids) in 272 days. Georgina also won the North Island Ayrshire Championship at Hamilton in the 2010/11 season and the Royal Championship at Hamilton in 2011 and 2012.

Junior Champion was awarded to Stenvale Lots Lass, the winning Junior Yearling Heifer, owned by the Baxter Family of Tirau. Lass is sired by Plum Bottom Tridents Lot. Reserve went to the winning Senior Heifer Calf, Kiteroa Eryn, owned by Kiteroa Ayrshires, Ohaupo and sired by Goldwyn Napiers Kane ET.

Other age group winners were NZ Dairy Event Champion Premier Danehill Frost, E8-9, owned by Premier Cattle Co Ltd in the 6 & 7 years class. In the 4 & 5 year old class NZDE Reserve Champion Courtleigh Lots Elsa, B7-8, owned by Steiner Partnership of Tokoroa was named as winner. The three year old winning cow was Shardville Popstar S2A, V8-8, sired by Plum Bottom Tridents Lot and owned by the Baxter Family of Tirau. Winning two year old was Carmelglen TLT Nevada, A8-8, owned by Carmel Glen Ltd, Waiuku. Winning Senior Yearling Heifer was Kiteroa Kia Orana sired by Kiteroa Cream Prince ET, and winning Junior Heifer Calf was Kiteroa Bonny Starway sired by Highway Tourist, both owned by Kiteroa Ayrshires, Ohaupo.

South Island Championships – Ellesmere, October 2012

Held at Ellesmere on 13 October 2012 and judged by Warren Ferguson of Otorohanga, the South Island Champion cow was named as the four year old cow Glenmore River Star, V7-8, owned by the Green Family of Glenmore Farm, Leeston. Sired by Ardrossan EV Kates Trident in the 2011/12 season Star produced 5498 litres milk, 201 kg fat, 198 kg protein (399 kg milksolids) in 287 days.

Reserve Champion was Glenmore GG Emerald, E8-8, also owned by the Green Family of Glenmore Farm, Leeston. Sired by Glenmore Governor ET, six year old Emerald produced 5004 litres milk, 252 kg fat, 196 kg protein (448 kg milksolids) in 283 days in the 2011/12 season. Emerald was also South Island Champion in the 2010/11 season.

Junior Champion went to the yearling heifer Glenmore Ristorn Sophie owned by Sarah Greig of Leeston, and Reserve Junior Champion to Merv Livingstone of CNRAYR Ltd, Riverton with his yearling heifer Inglecorner Mint Clara.

Premier Danehill Frost, E8-9NZ Dairy Event Champion 2012/13

Glenmore River Star, V7-8South Island Champion 2012/13

052Ayrshire 2013

053Ayrshire 2013

AyrsHire cAttle society oF greAt britAin hosts World Youth Tour

Every year the UK holds an Ayrshire Young Breeders Weekend which brings together the youth members of the society from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, the four nations that make up the United Kingdom. The weekend consists of competitions including Judging, Fitting, Showmanship and Bull mating, with the results going towards the Hugh Stevenson Trophy for the young member of the year, and of course the social side is equally important, as it is an opportunity for young breeders to mix with fellow young breeders from around the UK.

In November 2012, the decision was made to invite one youth member from each World Federation to take part in our youth weekend in April 2013, with a four day tour through the UK visiting Ayrshire breeder’s farms en route as part of the package. An invitation was sent to Canada, USA, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Finland and Sweden informing them of the trip and that once in the UK, our Society would cover all costs associated with accommodation, food and travel. We were delighted when all seven countries replied that they would be sending a representative of their country along to join us.

All seven of our overseas guests arrived at London Heathrow Airport during April 1st and 2nd where they were met by me and accommodated in an airport hotel allowing them to get to know each other.

An introduction to our guests

Greg Evans (USA)

Greg has been working with registered Ayrshires for 24 years at his family farm, Sunny -Acres, where he is currently employed. They have bred owned or developed over 175 All-American and Junior All-American nominations. He spent two summers going show to show with many breeders working on their show crews doing everything from being a night man, feeding, leading, and fitting. This experience led him into his side career of marketing Ayrshires and their genetics. He has worked as a procurement agent for two national Ayrshire sales, Maryland in 2011 and the upcoming Ohio Ayrshire convention.

Ben Hentschke (Australia)

Ben Hentschke is 22 years old from Glencoe in Southern Australia. His involvements with the Ayrshire breed began through his parents Enterprise Ayrshire stud, and from this he has been able to begin his own stud Ben-E-Geez Ayrshires. Ben really has a passion for the show scene in

particular, and gets great enjoyment out of clipping and preparing animals for the show ring, and he is fortunate enough to have been able to clip at the 4 main Royals and at the International Dairy Week.

Terri-Lynn Waterston (Canada)

Terri-Lynn Waterston, is from Penobsquis, New Brunswick Canada. She is 25 years old and been around Ayrshires her whole life. Terri-Lynn is currently working full time alongside her dad on the family run Ayrshire farm. She will be the 4th generation to farm under the Prefix Braefield. They were very honoured to receive the Master Breeder title in 2011.In 2009 she graduated from Nova Scotia Agricultural College with a Diploma in Dairy Enterprise Management. Terri-Lynn has been showing cows since she was 4 years old and has had much success in the show ring.

Eveliina Kumpula (Finland)

Eveliina Kumpula has worked with Ayrshires from day one! Eveliina is currently a student of Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences in school and in the future she plans to have her own herd of Ayrshire cattle. She has visited cattle farms in Canada, and has competed in Belgium at the European young breeder’s school.

Eveliina previously worked for Alta in Finland and has visited many farms in her country.

Hayden Donald (New Zealand)

Hayden Donald is 22 years old and the sixth generation dairy farmer on the family farm. He farms alongside his father Selwyn and milks 380 cows. The farm is located in Featherston which is a one hour drive from New Zealand’s capital city Wellington. Hayden’s stud prefix is ARRAN and they milk Ayrshires, Jerseys and Holstein Friesians and breeding and showing cows is a real focus for them.

Winning the New Zealand young judge in the Ayrshire and All Breeds at the New Zealand Royal when he was 16 years old was a real highlight.

JD Marais (South Africa)

JD Marais is from South Africa is 21years old and works for the Ayrshire Cattle Breeders Association of South Africa as a Technical Adviser which in his own words is a job where he can live out one of his dreams... Working with Ayrshires! He grew up on a farm where his parents are still farming crops, sheep and milking Ayrshires cows!

By Duncan Hunter

AyrsHire uk054Ayrshire 2013

055Ayrshire 2013

shown great hospitality from our hosts with Jennifer providing a lovely lunch for us all, before we departed.

Next stop was to visit the Heydale herd belonging to Peter & Elaine

Berresford and family. Although we were running away behind schedule, we still received a warm welcome. The Heydale herd grazes fields at over 330 metres above sea level, one of the highest in the UK. We saw many great individual cows including members of their fantastic Winsome and Bronara families, but what really impressed us all was the quality of the young stock at this farm. We all came away agreeing that a great future lies ahead for the Heydale herd. After saying our goodbyes, we set off on a three hour trip north to Cumbria where our next two herds to be visited the following day were situated.

When we arrived, three hours later, we were greeted at our hotel by the hosts of the herd visit the following day. Any excuse for a beer!! I think this was the latest night of the week and a very, very “sociable” one at that.

Next visit was to the Troutbeck herd belonging to the Mattinson family. We were all in awe of the fantastic facilities at this farm. It was kept in immaculate order and considering they milk over 200 cows, we felt this to be a tribute to their top class management. Again the cows looked in good condition, obviously milking well and included many very good individuals including the Champion cow at the recent Dairy Expo Lunch was awaiting us when we arrived at Plaskett Lands Ayrshires, the home of the Armstrong family. What a treat for us all to see the amazing longevity within this small herd. A barn bull which was used a number of years ago named Round Bush Edward, has twelve daughters still in the herd, all having had between eight and eleven calves, all have classified Excellent with two being EX95 and two at EX94.while all still have their udders well above the hocks!! Outstanding!

Following this we headed east to the Marleycote herd and the Baynes family. There is a brand new unit with a robotic milking system and the most amazing barn creating the utmost luxury for cow comfort with so much space and light for the herd. If the facilities were top class so was the herd with cows with udders that will

Marie Gustafsson (Sweden)

Marie Gustafsson is 22 years old and lives in a small village called Fröåkra near Lyrestad in Sweden. She grew up on a farm with Red SRB cows and her relatives have owned their farm for four generations. In the summer Marie enjoys taking part in Showmanship classes and exhibits at Shows with the cows from their family farm. Marie currently works on a large farm with 1200 cows and is responsible for the Breeding and Insemination of the herd. Around 600 of them are SRB cows. In her free time she enjoys trotting horses that she is training and hopes to win many of races!

After the last arrival, we departed London on the drive north to our first visit in Leicestershire, to the Sandyford herd belonging to Blaise and Deborah Tomlinson. On arrival, Blaise had put out six outstanding heifers for our delegates to judge for a bit of fun, and this was a great insight for what we were about to see on entering his barns. Then we viewed the dry cow pen, where we came across big, open framed cows, of which several were carrying their eighth calf! The next barn contained the Sandyford lactating cows, again big cows with a lot of strength and carrying awesome udders full of milk. We then viewed Sandyford Clover EX97, the highest classified cow of the breed and many times Interbreed Champion at major shows, who was looking exceptional and carrying her eighth calf! A tour around the Sandyford young stock was also very pleasing to the eye and much amusement was had, as Ben “the Aussie” decided to mount a miniature pony! Enough said! We spent a fantastic evening with the Tomlinson family, including a lovely meal, before retiring to our hotel for the night.

The next morning we headed north to Derbyshire for the first of two farm visits. The first was to the Bigginvale herd belonging to Robert and Jennifer Adams who are regular World Conference delegates. All of our overseas guests were amazed with the beautiful old farm buildings showing the character unique to that area. The cows at Bigginvale were in fine form and what really stood out in this herd was their uniformity, great udders and fantastic locomotion from perfect feet and legs. Again we were

056Ayrshire 2013

International Competitors

Overall winner - Ben Hentschke (Australia)

Reserve - Terri Lynn Waterston (Canada)

Hon. Mention- Hayden Donald (New Zealand)

Judging

1st -Ben Hentschke (Australia). -2nd - Hayden Donald (New Zealand)

Bull Mating

1st - Ben Hentschke (Australia).- 2nd - JD Marais (South Africa)

Fitting

1st Ben Hentschke (Australia). -2nd Terri Lynn Waterston (Canada)

Showmanship

1st -Eveliina Kumpula (Finland).- 2nd Terri Lynn Waterston (Canada.)

UK Members

Judging

1st Aled Walters (South Wales)- 2nd Rebecca Reed(South Wales) - 3rd Georgia Davies (West Midlands)

Teams 1st South Wales- 2nd South Wales -3rd West Midlands

Bull Mating

1st Robert McConnell (Northern Ireland)-2nd Stuart Williams (South Wales) -3rd James Mattinson (Cumbria)

Clipping

1st John Mclean (Northern Ireland)-2nd Stuart Williams (South Wales) -3rd Sam Wadsworth (Northern Ireland)

Showmanship

Mature

1st Stuart Williams (South Wales) -2nd Robert McConnell (Northern Ireland) -3rd James Mattinson (Cumbria)

Senior

1st Andrew Rimmer (Lancashire) -2nd Caroline McConnell (Northern Ireland) 3rd -Shaun Rennie (Scotland)

Intermediate

1st Matthew Mclean Northern Ireland 2nd John Mclean Northern Ireland 3rd Beth Mellish South East

Junior

1st Evie Tomlinson West Midlands 2nd Laura Partington Lancashire 3rd Meggan Stratton South West

I would like to say to each and every association around the world a big thank you for sending along a youth member from your country. Each and every one represented your country so well. All seven guests were an absolute pleasure for me to get to know and the comments that I have had from our breeders have been nothing but admiration for each and every one. The Ayrshire breed around the world is in safe hands for the future in having these seven young, enthusiastic and talented individuals.

Duncan Hunter

Assistant Breed secretary

last forever amongst whom is the great show cow, Fawn EX 94. Before departing we were also were treated to a look around their “on farm” processing facilities which were just as impressive.

Soon it was time for the final leg of the trip to Kinross near Edinburgh, Scotland, where we would meet up with the youth members of our own society. After checking in to the hotel we went down to dinner and then followed an evening of games and entertainment. JD won the coveted title for the most marshmallows in his mouth and yet being still able to talk! Big mouth!

It was an early start on Saturday morning, too early for some, and we all boarded the coach and headed off to Swaites Farm, Lanark for the first competition of the weekend which was the Stock Judging. The Adamson family put out two high quality rings of six cows for the delegates to place and give reasons. Following this was an opportunity to look around their herd and facilities.

It was then back onto the bus for the next visit to Badenheath Ayrshires, situated at Cumbernauld, north of Glasgow, the home of the Rankin family where all were treated to a delicious lunch and a tour around their herd of big bodied cows. Many of the young stock were by a son of the EX 97 Clover which we had seen earlier in the week and they looked very impressive.

Last visit of the day was hosted by the Millar family, Newlands, Uddingston, in the shadow of Glasgow, home of the Caldervale herd of Ayrshires. Delegates were able to view again more great cows and young stock and then took part in a Bull Mating competition. Two cows were put forward to the members along with a list of six Ayrshire sires. Members had to select a sire and explain the reasons for doing so! Always interesting and often causes debate! We also inspected some ET yearlings and a young sire about to go on test

That evening a fantastic dinner was had by all along with a couple of short speeches before getting onto the dance floor for the Ceilidh! Another late night was inevitable as we discussed and debated until the “early hours”

On Sunday morning we all headed to the famous Cuthill Towers Ayrshire herd situated in a scenic situation near Milnathort, where we were met by our hosts the Lawrie family. Twenty one competitors competed in our Clipping and Presentation Competition starting with a rough clip and then washing of calves, with the youngest competitor being only 9 years old! Whilst the calves were drying again members were fortunate to view this great herd of cows and enjoy yet another scrumptious lunch.

After the final clip to the toplines of the calves, it was time for a quick change so they could take part in the last competition, which was Showmanship. Five classes were put in front of the judge of the day, Brian Weatherup from near bye Crossgates, who did a fantastic job not only judging but helping and advising the less experienced youngsters. After the prize giving members made their way home and our overseas guests enjoyed a final night’s rest before departing for home or their onward journeys.

Results

uk coWs tHAt sHAPed usA AyrsHires

Some of the

Although the Ayrshire Herd Book in the USA was in existence ten years before it’s counterpart in the UK, it was not until the early years of the 1900’s that the popularity of the Ayrshire in the USA really took off aided by the interest of some of the top industrialists of the time, among whom was Percival Roberts Jr., Penshurst Farm, Narberth, Pennsylvania. a man of strong personality with a great business mind. He was quick to realise the potential of the Ayrshire breed and the health giving qualities of their small globule, high component milk He was also a keen student of pedigrees and the benefits of fixing a type in your herd by line breeding.

The Penhurst herd was founded in 1905 and additions were added in 1906 with the purchase of numerous imported cows from a consignment sent over from Scotland by the major exporter of the time, Adam Montgomerie, Lessnesock, Ochiltree, Ayrshire.

Among them was the cow, White Beauty 2nd, from the Mauchline based, Auchenbrain herd of the Wallace family, and the most influential in Scotland at the time, and Garclaugh Bloomer from the herd of Andrew Baird, based near Ochiltree also in Ayrshire. Both cows became firm favourites producing breed leading milk yields in the USA. In 1910 while on businessman’s holiday to Scotland, with the intention of adding some more members of the White Beauty family to his herd, on the advice of Adam Montgomerie, he visited the Garclaugh herd to view a cow that Mr.Montgomerie rated very highly, her name, May Mischief. This cow had created a lot of interest locally and from other importers but purchase had been deferred when the price was mentioned. Mr Roberts was very impressed by her great dairy frame and her high production and not to be denied, he managed to purchase albeit at a high price.

The Scottish Farmer newspaper in its September 1910 edition commented on Mischief thus: The four year old May Mischief is a particularly stylish well finished young cow, showing all the truest points of the Ayrshire breed.

Their next port of call was Auchenbrain with the intention of buying a White Beauty or two. Robert Wallace was in no hurry to sell them however, as animals from this family were in big demand and had already supplied cattle for Canada, the USA and Finland and no amount of money would persuade the Wallace’s’ to part with them.

On further inspection of the herd, Mr Roberts was impressed by members of the Brown Kate family and

in particular Brown Kate 4, a fantastic cow for her time, but she had brown legs or red as it was termed in the USA and a mainly brown body. At the time, white was all the rage in both Canada and the USA but Mr Roberts realised that she was something special and just the

Dam of Penshurst Man O’War

World record holder Garclaugh May Mischief at 16 years She would go on to live till she was 19years

old and have 13 calves while producing over 150,000 lbs of milk in her lifetime

Auchenbrain Brown Kate 4th, dam of the great sire

Kates Champion of Penshurst

By John Cochrane

057Ayrshire 2013

phenomenal producers averaging over a 100 gallons more than their dams.

Although Mr Roberts had been unsuccessful in purchasing any of the Beauty family on his 1910 trip to Scotland, he continued to import top families from the homeland, when ever they were available. Over the next four years he brought over, three members of the Auchenbrain Beauty family, made up of Favourite Beauty 8, Favourite Beauty 11and Favourite Beauty 21. On the same ship as Beauty 21 came another cow that would have a big influence on the herd, Lessnessock Nancy 3, a total outcross being by Drumsuie Sir Robert. All of these great cows were bred to Man O’War to produce the next generation of herd sires. Another cow that became a very successful bull dam was McAlister’s Betty, imported in her dam in 1909. Along with breeding outstanding daughters, her son by Auchenbrain Annuity, McAlister Betty’s Son can be found in the pedigrees of many of the top USA cows.

Penshurst Champion Princess

A Man O’War daughter from a double Beauty dam

It wasn’t long till word spread about this great sire that was Man O’War, with everyone wanting to add his genes to their herd. Penshurst had really cornered the market, as not only had they a great sire but they also had many members of the great families that produced him in their herd and with sons available. By the early 1930’s, Penshurst sires were heading many of the great herds of the breed. The Normandy herd, then in its infancy, sprung to national prominence with the progeny of Penshurst American Flag, a Man O’War from a daughter of Lessnessock Nancy 3. They were described by other breeders of the time as a herd of remarkable evenness of type, while udders and quality are outstanding. He was used on a collection of cows as the herd was only founded in 1928. Milk figures were even more remarkable with his daughter /dam comparison showing an improvement of over 2000lbs over their dams, based on over 50 daughters.

Another great herd that owes much to Man O’War is the famous Neshaminy herd of George Tyler situated in the heart of Pennsylvania, the early home of the breed in the USA. Managed by the younger brother of Doctor Deubler, their herd sire, Penshurst Bellevue, had proved to be an outstanding sire. His dam was Penshurst

kind of cow he wanted in his herd if he was to full fill his dreams.

Both cows settled in well in their new home, and it was not long before they were hitting the headlines with their ability to give large volumes of milk. Brown Kate, with her first record overseas broke the world record producing 23,022 American pounds of milk. Not to be outdone, May Mischief smashed the world record for milk by producing 25329 pounds in a lactation, but her components were low at 3.59% butter fat unlike Brown Kate whose fat was nearly one percent higher

Mr Roberts and his farm superintendent, Doctor Deubler, had noticed that most of the other herds they had viewed had used outcross sires, often out of high yielding show cows which had produced very mixed results. They decided that if they were to be successful, they had to line breed from not only the best looking but also the highest yielding cows that were available and they already owned them. Show ring type for one generation was not on their agenda, but utility blended with longevity certainly was.

The herd sire at that time was a son of old White Beauty 2 and sired by a son of Garclaugh Bloomer and they decided to mate him to Brown Kate 4 with a view to breeding the next sire. They named the resultant bull calf, Kates Champion of Penshurst, a very apt name as it turned out.

They used him and his paternal brothers, right across the herd with the result that the Penshurst mould was created. Realising that they had an outstanding sire on their hands, the partnership was faced with the problem every successful breeder encounters, where now. Old Mischief had been working away quietly, still out yielding everything else in the herd but what about the low butterfat at 3.59%. She had already produced eight calves and not for the first time was due to Kates Champion of Penhurst to whom she had never had any male progeny. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Penshurst Man O’War

On the first of May 1920, the hoped for bull calf was born and they called him Man O’War. The first World War had just ended and it seemed appropriate. Nothing was too good for him and they kept him on milk for six months. He grew into a tremendous bull weighing just under a tonne when mature. Because of the slight worry about low butterfat they used him very sparingly at the start and it was soon evident that when it came to type, he was leaving the right kind. By coincidence, his first daughters came into milk just as whole herd testing was being introduced in the USA. Against all the odds, he had inherited his sire’s good components and his mother’s high production and because of his close breeding he also had the ability to breed consistent type too. From then until his premature death at nine years old, they used him heavily, often on his paternal sisters.

Like the good businessmen that they were, Mr Roberts and Doctor Deubler liked to study figures, and it was soon found that, although Man O’War daughters out of his paternal sisters were not much above their dams for production, which is just what you would expect with in-breeding, his daughters out of outcross cows were

058Ayrshire 2013

059Ayrshire 2013

new blood was added in 1929 by the importation of the two sisters, Syke Blossom, by Auchenbrain Celebrity and her maternal sister, Syke Mistress. The formers son, Penshurst Syke, bred well but more was needed as attempts to line breed to Man O’War had not been very successful, so it was back to the UK for outside blood, not only females but more crucially males to mate with the Man O’War females.

The autumn of 1935, saw the arrival of new blood, consisting of three Bargower heifers, Heather Honey 21,Cherry Fine 15 and Whitehill Cherry along with three from the Gibson’s Cowgrove herd in Brown Kate 4 and 7 and Lilias 5 and of course, a Favourite Beauty from Auchenbrain which were to be mated to homebred sires. Accompanying them was the bull, Bargower Jubilee, a son of the London Dairy Show Supreme Champion, Bargower Eva and by Golden Anchor, who would be used across the herd. The same scenario was repeated at many of the top herds. The Sycamore herd under the direction of one of the most talented Scotsman in the USA, Cuthbert Nairn, was looking for a bull to follow the great Penshurst Advancer, while the Normandy herd imported Lyonston Challenge to use on the daughters of Penshurst American Flag plus eleven females from the best families in Scotland.

Penshurst Advancer daughters at Sycamore

A bigger shock was to follow however, with the sudden death shortly after of Doctor Deubler, whose genius had built the Penshust herd into the greatest ever. The herd’s dispersal the following year although not expected, was not really a surprise, as without the captain, there was no one there to steer the ship.

In spite of predictions of doom for the breed with the dispersal, the opposite was the case, with many new great families being built across the USA from animals purchased that day. Even today, it would be very difficult to find one animal in the USA herd book that did not have Penshurst somewhere in the background.

What a testimony for great cow families

Belle, a daughter of Auchenbrain Favourite Beauty 21st therefore bringing in an other cross of the Beauty family.

To give you some idea of his influence, by 1935, six years after his death, he had 153 registered sons, who between them had produced 1190 grandsons and 4130 granddaughters.

If his sons had a great influence on the breed, so also had his daughters, with 183 being registered in the USA and Canada. You must remember that these were all by natural service as this was pre AI days.

Such was the hype about the bull that whenever a female was sold there was high demand for them. In 1926, Penshurst Bertha, his first daughter ever to be sold, made $1250 with other individual daughters and sons selling up to $2500 an enormous sum in those days. Many were purchased to breed herd sires so spreading his influence still further.

Although never expected to be a sire of show cattle, many of his progeny featured in the show ring especially in the mature and breeders herd classes where their consistency of type proved hard to get past.

The success of Penshurst blood lines with in the breed, proved to be a double edged sword however, a phenomenon mirrored fifty years later in the UK by the dominance of Bargower and Pant/Brocklehill blood lines, as outside blood became very restricted. More

Penshurst Emerald after 125,000lbs lifetime

The 10 year old Syke Blossom (imp) - dam of Penshurst Syke, herd sire at Penshurst

29 different genetic traits within an animal’s summary through the use of genomics. This includes five yield traits (Milk, Fat, Percent Fat, Protein, Percent Protein), seven fitness traits (Productive Life, Somatic Cell Score, Daughter Pregnancy Rate, Sire Calving Ease, Daughter Calving Ease, Sire Stillbirths, Daughter Stillbirths), 16 conformation traits (PTAT and 15 linear type traits), and Net Merit Dollars. Since all these traits vary in heritability, we’ll always see a variation in the reliability of each of these figures. Genomics will affect each trait’s reliability differently, and in actuality the biggest winners will be the fitness traits as their accuracies will see the largest increases.

Why do genomic evaluations of young animals differ from the traditional parent averages? As most know, traditional evaluations of young animals are an average of the parents’ evaluation. Parent performances can have little to no data or contain biased data. This leads to unreliable parent averages for the progeny. Genotyping an animal’s DNA reveals which genes were truly passed on to the progeny. The differences from parent average to genomic evaluation come from knowing the genetic composition of the animal being evaluated and comparing it to a reference population of animals with similar genetic composition. The result is a more accurate genetic prediction.

Does this mean that parent averages of the past have no value? Parent averages are still critical to developing a genomic evaluation. Nearly one half of a genomic evaluation for a young Ayrshire is still the former parent average. This 35-40% reliability evaluation will now simply have the addition of the animal’s DNA makeup added to it, to achieve a genomic evaluation that grows in reliability depending on the trait being analyzed. For most production traits the genetic evaluation will receive a boost in accuracy with the addition of genomic data resulting in a reliability of 43-46%.

Will genomics eliminate the need for young sire testing programs? No. Select Sires’ Program for Genetic Advancement™ (PGA™) is still vital in fully and properly evaluating each sire marketed under the Select Sires brand. It will still take our industry-leading sampling program to bring you breed-leading, proven graduates at 75-85 percent reliability which you’ve become accustomed to. In a nutshell, the more data that can be added to an animal’s summary, the more accurate or reliable the summary will be!

AyrsHire u.s. genomic evAluAtions

Beginning with the April 2013 genetic evaluations, U.S. Ayrshire animals that have been genotyped will have their genomic information used in their official evaluation. Most notably affected, will be the evaluations of genotyped Ayrshire young sires which will gain in reliability over parent average. There are approximately 1,100 genotyped Ayrshires in the North American database including 646 bulls with traditional evaluations. This compares to 19,793 Holsteins, 2,794 Jerseys and 5,356 Brown Swiss proven sires that are in the reference population for the genomic predictions in these respective breeds. Therefore, the reliability of the genomic evaluations for Ayrshires is lower, but gains 6-9 reliability over the traditional evaluations.

Why is genomic evaluations so publicized today? Scientific advancements in DNA sequencing technology have allowed USDA to create a more accurate genetic evaluation for animals much earlier in their lifespan. This scientific breakthrough may literally be the most impactful event in the dairy industry since the introduction of frozen semen.

What is a genomic evaluation? An animal’s genetic evaluation is composed of the animal’s pedigree, the performance of that animal, the performance of the progeny of that animal, and now the DNA makeup of that animal all contribute to its genomic evaluation. Each of these components is weighted differently within the official evaluation depending on the amount of available information. To put it simply, genomics adds the actual DNA makeup of an animal to the animal’s genetic evaluation based on performance levels of other animals with similar DNA makeup. The combined genetic evaluation is referred to as a genomic evaluation.

Does genomic data apply to all breeds? Genomic data now applies to Holsteins, Jerseys, Brown Swiss and Ayrshire breeds. It took genotyping nearly 4,500 proven Holstein sires to increase the reliability of young genomic tested Holsteins 25-30%. The Jersey breed began genomic evaluations using approximately 1,200 proven sires in their genotype data base to achieve a 10-20% reliability boost. Brown Swiss gained 7-9% reliability using 740 genotyped proven sires. Since Ayrshire’s reference population amounts to only 646 proven bulls, the young animal reliability will increase a lesser 6-8%.

Are all traits measured by USDA and breed associations affected by genomics? USDA will adjust

By Adam Oswal t , Se lect S i res , Inc.Ayrsh i re S i re Ana lyst

060Ayrshire 2013

By Adam Oswal t , Se lect S i res , Inc.Ayrsh i re S i re Ana lyst

061Ayrshire 2013

062Ayrshire 2013

(Adenine, Thymine, Guanine, and Cytosine). Cattle have 30 different chromosome pairs containing roughly 3 billion of these DNA base pairs. Since it is much too costly to identify the sequence of all 3 billion of these base pairs, a subset of these bases in the form of SNPs are measured. Illumina Inc., in partnership with USDA has developed a microchip to test for 50,000 of these SNPs in an effort to condense these 3 billion base pairs into an affordable genotyping tool.

11 How has genomics affect sire acquisition at Select Sires? Genomics has dramatically affected sire acquisition at Select Sires. All bulls, with the exception of Guernsey and Milking Shorthorn breeds are genomic tested prior to on-farm pickup. However, genomics will not heavily influence which Ayrshire bulls come to Select Sires. As for Holstein, Jersey and Brown Swiss breeds, the genomic prediction determines their genetic potential and whether they should enter AI. Genomics also finds potential sire fathers and even sometime determines the bull’s monetary value. Female genomic testing will also add to the success in choosing quality bull mothers, particularly at a much earlier age than in the past.

12 Will all Select Sires Ayrshire bulls be genomic tested? Yes. All proven lineup Ayrshires and young Ayrshire sires will be genomic tested.

What are the methods used for genotyping? Genomic testing can be done using whole blood, hair samples, nasal swabs and currently only one type of tissue sample. A clean sample is taken from the animal in question, the sample is properly identified with an official identification number and the sample is forwarded to the proper provider for genotyping. The animal’s DNA makeup is determined by using advanced biological assays called BeadChips. The chips were developed by top agricultural researchers with up to 800,000 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that have been validated throughout the agricultural industry. Today, the most common for Ayrshires and Brown Swiss are the Illumina Bovine 50K and GHD 77K. Lower density chips that are more economical have become very beneficial to Holstein and Jersey breeders. These chips are a great way to screen large numbers of young animals, but since less SNPs are read the genotype is less powerful resulting in lower evaluation reliabilities. The more SNPs read, the more we know about the animal’s genotype.

So, what exactly is a SNP? A Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) is a single base difference that marks a difference in DNA from one animal to another. Research advancements have made SNP technology affordable for commercial use allowing the dairy industry to develop genomic tools. Chromosomes contain two strands of DNA that contain sequences of four different base pairs

AyrsHires And tlc . . .imPActing one liFe At A time

Did you ever think you’d see the day when a camp full of adolescent girls and Ayrshires would add up to the experience of a lifetime? It has for Audrey Gay Rodgers of Belleville, Pennsylvania.

In an era where we’re bombarded with coined phrases like ‘think outside of the box’, ‘niche markets’, ‘make a difference’, and ‘do what you love, love what you do’; many of us have given up on the idea of living our dream. When you meet Gay Rodgers, you just know she’s found her calling. She is an insightful, energetic woman who loves life.

By Becky Payne

The U.S. Ayrshire Breeders Association is promoting the use of Ayrshires in niche markets and

breeders who are using their Ayrshires in unique business opportunities. The following article features

a breeder with a small Ayrshire herd making a positive impact in her community.

Gay credits reading the book, Do What You Love, The Money Will Follow, as a moment of truth for her. When she pondered over the things she loves in life, she came up with Ayrshire cows, summer camp and traveling.

From this inspiration, Gay decided to turn her farm and passion into a camp for girls. Each summer, she offers three, two-week sessions for girls aged 8-14, with a maximum of 30 campers per session. After age 14, girls can extend their experience at Hameau Farm by becoming a counselor-in-training, or a full-fledged counselor after they turn 21. Gay has found

063Ayrshire 2013

promoting the camp quotes, “Staring down the wet nostrils of a half-ton cow without the benefit of a fence could put fear in the heart of many a novice farm hand, whether eight or thirty-eight. But what’s to fear?” The girls are encouraged to get out of their comfort zones while at camp. They openly discuss a multitude of topics, and often agriculture and animals are in the mix. Gay says her camp days are filled with lots of singing, chit chat and giggles. She loves every minute!

Ayrshires are vital to the camp’s success . . .

Several years ago, Gay decided to build her Ayrshire herd and make it the focus of her camp culture. With her father’s input, she bought animals sired by proven bulls such as Trident, Soldier, Paragon, Shipley, Lennon, Wilton, Captain, Modem, Poker and Raven. Gay is currently milking close to 20 Ayrshires, with the majority of them just completing their first lactations. Her intention is to keep 20 milking cows and work towards marketing genetics and Ayrshire products.

After her father’s herd dispersed, she maintained the Plum-Bottom prefix. John continues his involvement in the breed by helping with the mating and grazing needs of the herd, as well as other philosophical input. In addition, Gay employs

Kyle Kulp full-time.

The herd is managed on an extensive rotational grazing system from mid-March through early winter when snow covers the ground. While the Rodgers’ rely on getting their primary source of protein from grazing, they do utilize a 12 percent energy grain mix under the guidance of an independent nutritional consultant. Each cow receives approximately one pound grain mix per every six to eight pounds of milk production, depending on the stage of lactation. The herd currently runs about a 4.1% fat test and 3.3% protein test. They are breeding to bulls like Burdette, Diego, Democrat and Dazzle while focusing on improving components, feet and legs, and udder traits.

Grass is integrated into the heifers’ diets very early. Baby calves are fed whole milk for four to six weeks. They are put on a calf starter within one week and offered dry grass hay. Calves are put on grass as soon as they are weaned.

Outstanding cow families have sported the Plum-Bottom prefix in the past, and the some of these same breeding philosophies will serve Gay well into the future. Many animals bred by the Rodgers family have impacted the Ayrshire breed on a national level and bulls have entered A.I.

Jason Mowry of Roaring Springs, Penn., purchased two Plum-Bottom cows that have became successful brood cows in his herd. Plum Bottom Soldier Persiphene, EX-94 3E, made over 176,000M lifetime. Her high lactation

that a 4:1 ratio of campers to counselors works best. The counselors-in-training work for one session each summer, while the counselors attend all three sessions plus a week of training.

Gay loves to travel and seek out different cultural experiences. One monumental excursion resulted in the name for her farm. While on a trip to France, Gay visited the Hameau de la Reine, a farm built for Marie Antoinette

in 1783. The French translation of Hameau is “a cluster of buildings in a rural setting”. The fond memories and spirit of community she felt from that visit has yielded her very own Hameau Farm.

Hameau Farm is preparing for its 18th season of camp, having opened in 1996. The campers’ livestock experience includes working with Ayrshire calves and heifers, pigs, goats and sheep. Each session has a theme, and there are six different chore groups that rotate so that each girl participates in a multitude of ventures on the farm.

A typical camp day includes morning and evening chores, farm activities, cabin clean-up, group meetings, free time, and shared meals. Other activities include arts and crafts, canoeing, roller skating, bowling, attending Amish markets, hiking in Penn’s Cave, swimming, cook-outs and more. Each session ends in a grand finale farm show where the girls exhibit animals for their family and friends.

This working farm consists of 110 acres while a neighboring farm produces all of the hay. The goats are borrowed from a friend for the duration of the camp sessions. The sheep trace back to the Jacob breed in the United Kingdom. Gay’s interest in the Ayrshire breed started as a girl with her father, John Rodgers’ Plum-Bottom Ayrshire herd.

Gay’s first priority is the kids and teaching them life skills in their day-to-day experiences on the farm. A brochure

064Ayrshire 2013

065Ayrshire 2013

066Ayrshire 2013

Rachel Huang, 19, said she always wanted to travel to a different country. She participated as a camper for three years; and then in her fourth year, was able to travel with the group to Scotland where she

has great memories of visiting an Ayrshire herd, castles and more. Since then, she stayed on as a counselor while working towards her degree in architecture. Her favorite part of the camp is working with the animals.

Amye Gulezian, 16, has grown up with the program. She originally learned of Hameau Farm at a camp fair five years ago. She started out as a camper, moved up to a counselor-in-training, and then asked if she could work in the barn. She likes the cows and milking, feeding, and watering, and earned the title of ‘barn apprentice’ for her efforts. Amye lives just 15 minutes from Washington D.C., and her parents both work for the Smithsonian Museum. From her experience on the farm, she now has an interest in pursuing agriculture as a career.

Amelia Schaeffer, 15, has spent four years as a camper and one as a counselor-in-training. She likes the community of the camp.

“We teach girls that milk cows are docile creatures, that a little bit of muck on their faces and clothes means nothing compared to the good feeling from helping animals, and that work can be just as rewarding and satisfying as playtime,” says Gay in promotion of the camp.

Gay Rodgers truly is changing lives at Hameau Farm - one girl, one Ayrshire and one summer at a time.

was 7-03 365D 33,000M, and she was named HM All-American 4-Year-Old in 2003. Plum-

Bottom Trident’s Paris, EX-95 4E, made over 156,000M lifetime and was Unanimous All-American Aged Cow in 2005. Her high lactation was 11-11 365D 24,780M 4.1% 1015F.

Gay participates fully in U.S. Ayrshire Assocation programs, such as REWARDS and classification. The farm’s most recent classification yielded two new Excellent Paragon and Shipley daughters. Income from the dairy currently comprises 25 percent of the farm’s income. The goal is to increase this to 40 percent. Every year Gay tries to add to the enterprise. This past year she built a certified kitchen for the camp. She is considering making cheese and getting a license to sell raw milk in the future.

Life is about teachable moments . . .

The girls who participate in the camp are very special to Gay, and she makes a great effort to give them the experience of a lifetime. Every three years, she takes a group to Scotland. The girls all know of this possibility, and many look forward to this opportunity as they grow up.

067Ayrshire 2013

068Ayrshire 2013

Documents

02 A1].pdf · 04 Ayrshire 2013 messAge President Mary Creek World Ayrshire Federation Greetings to all of our Ayrshire friends! I trust you are having a great new year