The American Guernsey Association held its 139th Annual Meeting on June 20th in Walnut Creek, Ohio in conjunction with the National Guernsey Convention. Over 400 people were in attendance over the four and a half day event hosted by the Ohio Guernsey Breeders Association.
The new AGA board. Seated L-R: Duane Schuler; Emily Hartmann and Alan Mann. Standing L-R: Chris Lang, David Trotter, E. Cline Brubaker, David Coon, Craig Church and Todd Moore. Photo Courtesy of AGA
Elected to the board of directors was Todd Moore of Texas as Director-At-Large and Craig Church of Iowa as Director of District V. Morey Miller of Connecticut and Donna Anderson of Minnesota were both presented plaques for their past service on the board of directors.
New officers were elected following the annual meeting. Following is the officer slate for 2015-2016: American Guernsey Association President – Dave Trotter, 1st Vice-President-Duane Schuler, 2nd Vice-President-David Coon; Purebred Publishing President – Emily Hartmann, 1st Vice-President-Alan Mann, 2nd Vice-President-Chris Lang.
The 2014 yearly report was given. Registrations showed an increase over 2013 with a total of 4,101. Transfers were down slightly at 1,204. Guernsey Marketing Service shows an increase in sales of animals offered at public auction at 368. Total semen sales netted $50,221. The financials showed a consolidated net income loss for the 2014 year of $3,718. Treasurer Lee Kohler explained that the figure included paying off all past due bills from 2013 and 2014 bills were all current. Total Income for the year was $1,295,960 with total expenses $1,299,678. The Guernsey Breeders’ Journal had an increase in pages for a total of 452 total pages. It has 993 print and online subscribers.
Highlights of the week included tours of Spring Walk Farm owned by the Wachtel family of Big Prairie; Pine Grove Guernseys owned by the Rueben Miller Family of Walnut Creek and the Lang’s Springhill Farm of Big Prairie during the week. Convention goers also had the opportunity to visit various area attractions as well.
Youth competed and seminars were held. It was a weeklong food fest highlighted by multiple Amish ‘family style’ meals. Seminars included getting cows bred, Young Guernsey Leader’s future and genomics were held.
The week ended on a high note with the National Guernsey Sale averaging $4,648 on 52 live lots. Topping the sale was a Spider summer yearling consigned by Dr. John Mozier of Louisburg, Kansas for $19,000. She was purchased by Donna Whalen of Millbrook, New York. The second high-seller at $14,500 was a choice of two full sisters sired by Showtime and out of a 92-point All-American dam. Consigned by Springhill Farm, Big Prairie, Ohio the 2014 All-American Fall Calf & 2014 World Dairy Expo Junior Champion was the choice of partnership buyers, Morey Miller, Dan Basse, Mike & Linda Hellenbrand and Peter Vail of Granby, Connecticut. The sale was co-managed by the Ohio Guernsey Breeders and Guernsey Marketing Service of Columbus, Ohio.
The American Guernsey Association is based in Columbus, Ohio and is dedicated to the advancement and promotion of Guernsey dairy cows and products.