Royal Farms assist Jersey dairy industry with re-stocking programme
In 2022 the Royal Jersey Agricultural & Horticultural Society (RJA&HS) and the Jersey Milk Marketing Board (JMMB) arranged to make a presentation to Queen Elizabeth the Second of seven heifers to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee and acknowledge Her Majesty’s long reign.
A group of maiden heifers which represent a cross section of breeding from the leading herds in Jersey were selected and remained in Jersey to be bred with the view to creating a lasting legacy within the Windsor herd of a breeding line that traces back into the heritage of the Jersey Herd Book and the origins of the Jersey breed.
Following the accession to the throne of His Majesty The King, arrangements were in hand for the shipping of the animals to Windsor, when, in December last year, one of the leading herds in the Island suffered the tragic loss of the majority of their milking herd. The loss of milk supply, in an Island which does not allow for the importation of live animals, can only be replaced by retaining milking stock and in-calf heifers. The challenge this presented to the JMMB, as the Island’s milk co-operative, was met by the members who pledged animals to help the affected herd re-stock as quickly as possible.
His Majesty, aware of the loss of cattle and the efforts of the members of the co-operative, graciously gifted the seven in-calf heifers to assist with the re-stocking programme in support of the dairy farming community.
The heifers were presented to the Lieutenant Governor of Jersey, His Excellency Vice Admiral Jerry Kyd who, on behalf of His Majesty, gifted them to the Le Boutillier family of Woodlands Farm to help them re-stock their farm. The progeny of these animals will be recorded within the Jersey Herd Book with the affix ‘Platinum’ to their pedigree name to mark the deep links between the Sovereign and the Jersey breed in the Island.
Photo credit: Ollie Jones Photography
Key to photograph, left to right:
Vicky Huelin – Freedom Farms
Phil Le Maistre – Master Farms
Paul Houze – Lodge Farm
Rob Perchard – President, RJA&HS
Tom Perchard – La Ferme
Charlie Le Boutillier – Woodlands Farm
His Excellency Vice Admiral Jerry Kyd – Lieutenant Governor of Jersey
Phil Le Maistre – Chairman, Jersey Milk Marketing Board
Andrew Le Gallais – Cowley Farm
Jim Carter – Trinity Manor Farm
John Le Feuvre – Les Augerez Farm