Jersey experts come to Show

There will be more brown eyed, long-lashed and pretty Jersey cows than ever before as the belles of the breed compete for top accolades in front of the cream of the cattle world.

 

But this is far more than a beauty pageant; for the World Jersey Cattle Bureau is staging a UK Pre-Conference Show to showcase the very best British cattle in front of international delegates ahead of the conference on Jersey.

 

Edward Morgan, chairman of the UK Jersey Cattle Society, said: “Jerseys are renowned for the quality of their milk, nowhere better than in Devon with its cream teas and ice-cream, and they are recognised by the wider public as particularly attractive animals.”

 

Well-known for the quality and natural goodness of their milk, Jersey cows originate from the Channel Islands, though their ancestry is thought to stretch back to cattle from Normandy and Brittany in France.

 

Rich in colour, flavour and protein, milk from Jersey cows is high in butterfat which makes it ideal for producing dairy products like cheese, butter and ice cream. It's also full of nutritional minerals and trace elements.

 

Show Secretary Ollie Allen said: “We are very much looking for to welcoming so many Jersey cattle breeders and their livestock to our Show. I’m sure these gentle animals will be a great hit with our visitors as well as be of particular interest to local farmers and dairy processors.”

 

Jerseys are the second most popular specialist dairy breed world-wide and thrive under extremes of temperature - they can grow thick coats in very cold climates, whilst suffering less from heat stress in hotter regions than other dairy breeds. 

 

Edward Morgan added: “They are the most efficient breed at converting feed into milk, and are exceptionally healthy and adaptable cattle, thriving in conditions as diverse as New Zealand to South Africa to Denmark. The breed is growing rapidly in the USA as well as the UK, and farmers in Eastern Europe are actively seeking to purchase Jerseys.”

 

The World Jersey Cattle Bureau is an international organisation composed of national Jersey associations, individuals and organisations working co-operatively to improve the profitability of the Jersey cow and to ensure members receive a return on investment.

 

Since its formation in 1951, the World Jersey Cattle Bureau has worked to bring together Jersey cattle breeders around the world. Meetings are held in a different region each year, and a World Conference is held every three years.

 

The Devon County Show is a celebration of rural living in Devon – from magnificent livestock to fabulous food and drink, beautiful flowers and gardens - and is a spectacular showcase of country living. There is also non-stop entertainment, including thrills and spills with motorcycle stunt riders amongst others.

 

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