THE States’ decision to scrap the ban on the importation of bull semen has been welcomed as an endorsement of the future of the industry.
The chief executive of the Royal Jersey Agricultural and Horticultural Society, James Godfrey, and chairman Stephen Le Feuvre, listened to the debate from the public gallery inside the States Chamber.Mr Godfray said that he was heartened by the importance that States Members attached to the Jersey cow during nearly two days of debate.
‘The decision will provide an injection of morale for the dairy industry. Those farmers who watched the debate were visibly lifted at the end,’ he said. Mr Le Feuvre (pictured), added: ‘We were delighted to get a vote of two to one and the decision is an endorsement for the future of the industry.’ He said as a result of the vote - by 34 to 15 - the importation of bull semen would begin in about a month.
Supporters of the move - which has split the dairy industry - say that it will add renewed genetic diversity to Island cows and increase milk yield, but opponents say that it will destroy the purity of the Island cow nurtured for over 200 years and allow the Jersey to be crossed with other breeds for beef production.
Article posted on 19th July, 2008 - 9.59am
3 Article Comments
When i was at agricultural college in warwickshire in 1976. they had some Jersey /charolais cross. At the time Charolais was seen as the answer to all cattle problems. This cross I was told was the only one that produced a decent beef animal cross on a Channel island breed. When I pointed out that the Jersey was a DAIRY breed and had been such for centuries , so why would you won’t to get beef from it? The conversation changed tack rapiadily. The Jersey is known as the most economic dairy cow in the world. I’m praying that if imports do come, that the emphasis is that it is a DAIRY breed. Also what happens to the Closed herd Health stataus?
I am someone who is not an Island resident but who is very much besotted with Jersey and its history and present status and its iconic role as home of the Jersey breed. My perspective is quite different from the first four commenters.
This wise move by the states of Jersey is going to help save something that is very precious to the growing ranks of Jersey cattle owners around the world: The precious opportunity to see Jersey cows in their working clothes in their island home!
For weeks and maybe months now many of us were very concerned that highly-motovated, forward-looking Jersey producers on the Island were going to pack it up if there years of hard work to gain the simple but profound privilege of the right to decide which bulls from the international population of Jersey bulls failed with a negative vote in your states of Jersey. We are all breathing a great sigh of relief that 34 of your governement house members were forward-looking enough to cast a positive YES vote for the future rather than a negative NO vote! One e-mail received this morning from a passionate Jersey supporter in South Africa stated: “This will save the Island herd for our children to visit one day.”
Gentle comment-makers please stop to consider that this YES vote is a big postive for the Jersey cow in her Island home! Many in the international Jersey ocmmunity have greeted this great, good news with joy and enthusiasm.
Please consider the right and desires and aspirations of those Island dairy producers
who have invested great amounts of time and money and energy travleling to other countries for in-depth study of the Jersey cow in other venues. They have been like people with their noses pressed against the glass of the department store window wanting to enter the store and make a purchase. Now they can do so and will do so with wisdom and good business sense and purpose and focus!
Jersey will gain a revitalized dairy industry with true hope for the future! Many in the International Jersey community were rejoicing Friday afternoon that Jersey had lodged an affirmative postive yes vote to join the international Jersey community fully! This is truly exciting stuff! Now the deep and powerful cow families willbe mated with leading international sires-the prediction is that great tihngs will follow!
Please also note that the current Island population is small by comparison so no country is licking there lips about the chance to sell a few hundred units of semen into Jersey.
So often we take the negative approach about things that happen in life even when it is patently obvious that it is a positive development!
I certainly concur with the gent from South Africa in his relief that next time we return to the Jersey we love so much we’ll be able to see Jersey cows in their working clothes rather than in museum! The Motherland of our breed will once again be home to a vibrant community of Jersey cattlle breeders who are very keen about their optiosn and FREEDOM to decide which great bulls they use from virtually anywhere in the world! What could be better than that!??
Friday, July 18, 2008 was such a great day of renewal for the Island cow in her spectacular Island home!
Put away the despair and cloak yourself in a robe of joy-new light is shining and the halcyon days of the Jersey cow in her motherland are coming again! Many people who truly love the Jersey cow and Jersey are cheering loudly and with terrific enthusiasm! Welcome home Island Jersey to your rightful place as founding mother of one of the owrld’s great dairy breeds! Get ready to soar once again!
So many of us are thrilled!
The word is out … and the Jersey world is celebrating the news that at long last, the Island of Jersey, the home of the breed, will be able to share in the great success of Jerseys worldwide. Emails have been flowing in to congratulate us on this decision and to welcome us back to the global family of Jerseys. This decision provides a new life for Jersey cattle breeding in the Island and an opportunity for decictaed breeders to have one thing that all should have … a choice!