Vermont Meeting 2019

Business Meeting

Russell Gammon, former general manager for Jersey Canada, was the guest speaker. Well-known for his enthusiast and often humorous promotion of everything Jersey, Gammon spoke on the importance of advocating for agriculture. Social media gives dairy producers easy opportunity to engage with consumers, who are increasingly removed from agriculture and often interested in everyday occurrences on the farm.

Gammon also reminded Jersey breeders their cow is the tough-times cow, shining in challenging environments because of her feed and reproductive efficiencies, smaller stocking rates and longer herd life.

For his service, members presented Gammon with a basket of locally-made cheeses and a pair of Buff Brahma Bantams for one of his other livestock passions—fancy breed chickens.

Brenda Snow, area representative for the American Jersey Cattle Association (AJCA) and National All-Jersey Inc. (NAJ), talked about activities of the national Jersey organizations.
Snow encouraged breeders to consign to the Northeast Jersey Classic Sale, to be hosted again by Gerald and Diane Colvin at their farm, Dusty Creek Farm, in Wallingford, Vt., on April 27. With a slightly different format this year, the sale will offer a tie-up group of 25 show heifers born in 2018 and elite genomic heifers of all ages. Another 200 head of springers and heifers eight months and older will be offered in the volume portion of the sale.

She also invited Jersey breeders to attend the VJBA summer picnic at Billings Farm in Woodstock on July 20. Jersey breeders will be treated to the customary good food and a tour of the farm’s new calf facility.

VJBA President Jason Johnson, Northwood, N.H., reported on the Vermont Parish Jersey Show, which was moved to the Addison County Field Days in 2018. He noted that 110 head were shown in a very competitive show last year and encouraged breeders to participate in this year’s show, to be held on August 10.

Claire Stanley, East Fairfield, was elected to serve as secretary and her father, Paul, was elected as auditor. Jersey breeders re-elected to three-year terms as directors were Marcy Guilette, Derby, Rhonda Goodrich, West Danville, and Scott Richardson, Woodstock. Jersey breeders elected to their first terms were Matt Deome, Woodstock, and Cassie Tiffany, Enosburg Falls. The balance of the officer team will be elected at the next director’s meeting.

Awards

Jason Johnson was honored with the Harold Wright Distinguished Service Award. He has been president of the VJBA the past three years and is turning over the gavel this year. He has served as sale chair for the Northeast Jersey Classic and Breeders Sale as well.

The McReynolds family of Lucky Hill Farm, Danville, swept the production contests. Lucky Hill Dividend Beechnut won the Goodrich milk award with a 3-9 record of 25,892 lbs. milk, 1,170 lbs. fat and 881 lbs. protein. Lucky Hill David Jordana, Very Good-88%, earned the fat award with a 4-10 record of 21,598 lbs. milk, 1,194 lbs. fat and 881 lbs. protein. The herdmates tied as protein winners.

In the youth production contest, Andy McReynolds placed with Avi-Lanche Dazz Buttermilk 12564, Excellent-92%. The winner of the 2017 Pot O’Gold Production Contest made a 3-9 record with a value of $7,572.67 to win the state contest with her third lactaion. Actual production is 20,450 lbs. milk, 1,154 lbs. fat and 843 lbs. protein.