Besides hobnobbing with fellow breeders, visitors shared information and saw the appointment of a new president and vice president.

Breeders from four provinces and a number of PEI dairy farmers from other breeds were joined by six visitors from the U.S., including American Milking Shorthorn Society President Susan Lee and Graham Madeley, past president of the Shorthorn Society of the UK.

{socialbuttons}The day included guessing games, two judging classes, a noon meal with more than 80 people, an auction, presentation of production awards and two additional awards.  

The 2013 Cow of the Year Award went to Valley Crest Alice 39, owned by Ivan and Diane Naylor of Kleefeld, Manitoba. The award was voted on by members of the CMSS this spring, when four top Milking Shorthorn cows were nominated for their own performance and the performance of their progeny.

Alice 39 was bred by Harold and Scott Patterson of the Master Breeder Valley Crest herd and was purchased by the Naylor family when they purchased the Valley Crest herd several years ago. Sired by Valley Crest Monster, she is classified EX-93-4E.

Other cows nominated for the award were Prinsville Logic Starshine, owned by Prinsville Dairy Farms, Bloomfield, Ontario; Lynmark NS Clarica, owned by Lynmark Farms, Norwood, Ontario; and Northend Famous Player-P, owned by Brodie and Brenda Cupples, Thorsby.

The CMSS Distinguished Service Award was given to Mike Sullivan of Maple Inn Farms, Peterborough, Ontario.

At the 2013 AGM, CMSS President John Knox and Secretary-Treasurer Ryan Barrett reviewed 2012 programs, events and financials with assembled members.

2012 was the best year for registrations in many years, and a number of new breeders continue to be attracted to the breed, according to the group. The society continues to have healthy finances and ongoing growth in interest in domestic animal sales as well as international semen and embryo exports.  

Dave Prinzen of Prinsville Dairy Farms, Bloomfield, Ontario, was introduced as new CMSS president, replacing John Knox, who is finishing a three-year term. Don Richardson of Richford Farms, St. Marys, Ontario, was named vice president. Johnathan Eccles of Holstein, Ontario, was welcomed as a new director representing Ontario.

The weekend also featured a small tag sale offered by the Oceanbrae herd. Nine head sold for an average of $2,172. New breeders Greg and Amy Kelly of Lanark, Ontario, were the volume buyers of the sale, purchasing four head. Other lots sold to breeders in Ontario, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island.  PD

—From Canadian Milking Shorthorn Society news release

PHOTOS:
TOP: CMSS President John Knox presents Cow of the Year honours to Ivan Naylor of Lady Grove Milking Shorthorns, Kleefeld, Manitoba.

BOTTOM: Fred Barrett of Oceanbrae Farms welcomes visitors to the 2013 CMSS Field Day and AGM. Photos courtesy of CMSS.