The 2009 Canadian Milking Shorthorn Society Field Day and AGM was graciously hosted by Ivan and Diane Naylor and Family of Lady Grove Milking Shorthorns and Kleehaven Holsteins of Kleefeld, Manitoba on May 30th. Milking Shorthorn breeders from Manitoba, Alberta, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, and Minnesota were in attendance, as well as several dairy producers from the local area.
The Naylors have only been involved with the Milking Shorthorn breed since 2001, but have made great strides with the breed in just a few years. From the beginning, Ivan and Diane have selected top-pedigreed animals from some of the best herds in Canada and the United States, and then have been using the top AI sires as well as embryo transfer to grow their herd of homebred Milking Shorthorns. Milking Shorthorns now total about a third of their 100 head dairy herd after purchase of the Master Breeder Valley Crest herd from Ontario in 2007. One of the Valley Crest cows that has made waves for the Naylors is Valley Crest Alice 39 EX-92-2E, who placed in the top six at Madison in 2008 and has sold embryos to two different breeders in the United Kingdom in recent months. The Naylors also have a daughter of Canada's only 95 point Milking Shorthorn, Hauxwell Princess 6th EX-95-4E, as well as a daughter of top-notch American polled cow Rovin Derek Ali Accent-P EX-92. The heifer pens were bursting with a very exciting next generation of Shorthorns, as Diane says that the Shorthorns have no problem quickly increasing in number, due to their longevity and ease of management. They find the Shorthorns to fit in well with their successful Holstein herd and enjoy working with both breeds.
Part of the morning schedule were two judging classes, with Cliff Narfason of Narfa Holsteins acting as official judge for the day. The first class of Two Year Olds featured four very different kinds of heifers, with no one placing the class the same as Judge Narfason and with a variety of opinions on how the class should be placed. It was a great experience to get different opinions on conformation from both established Shorthorn breeders as well as breeders new to the breed. The Naylors also provided a class of Mature Cows which also yielded a variety of opinions, though perhaps not as diverse as the Two Year Old class.
The day continued with a noon BBQ lunch provided by the CMSS and the Naylors, and some time for socializing with new and old friends. After recognition of some of the many generous sponsors of the day, a fun auction was held, featuring the entertaining auctioneering services of Fred Barrett of Oceanbrae Farms.
Following the fun auction, Shorthorn breeders stayed for the Annual Meeting of the CMSS for 2009. President Fred Barrett thanked everyone for attending, and particularly thanked the Naylor family for hosting the event. Highlights of the meeting included approval of a new set of bylaws for the CMSS, reports from committees on 2008 activities, a report from the Secretary noting an increase in registrations, transfers, members, and animals on test in 2008, and the nomination and acceptance of two new Directors, Brenda Cupples of Alberta and Brian Laughlin of Ontario.
Special thanks again to all sponsors of the event, including major sponsor Semex Alliance, as well as to the Naylors for their fine hosting of the first CMSS Field Day and AGM in Western Canada....we hope to be back soon!
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