GUERNSEY FARMERS GATHER IN SPA CITY
Guernsey Convention continues throughout week
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. » David Coon’s farm gets a premium price for milk because he believes its quality is a cut above.
The co-owner of Coons Brothers Dairy, in Dutchess County, is among the 300 people registered at this week’s National Guernsey Convention, based at the Saratoga Hilton Hotel.
On Tuesday, a busload of people went to Ripley Farms in Central New York, which recently purchased a bottling plant strictly for Guernsey milk processing and sales.
“One of the things we’re working on now with our new CEO, Douglas Granitz, is consumer recognition of the quality of Guernsey milk and creating a market for farms to sell their milk as Guernsey milk,” Coon said.
At present, most Guernsey milk is combined with milk from other cows, such as Holsteins, simply because the overall Guernsey population is so small. Most farmers prefer Holsteins because they produce more, and are stronger and more durable.
But Guernsey milk is famous for its rich flavor, which comes from a high butterfat and protein content. It’s also high in beta carotene -- a source of Vitamin A -- and A2, a protein that’s touted for its health benefits.
Coon Brothers is one of about 10 farms in the Poughkeepsie-based Hudson Valley Fresh cooperative, which sells much of its milk in metropolitan New York.
“At a time when fluid milk sales are decreasing, we continually grow our fluid milk sales,” Coon said. “All the farms are focused on quality milk and components in the milk, so it’s better tasting for the consumer.”
He is the American Guernsey Association’s Region 1 director, covering an area from Maine to Maryland. There are more than two dozen farms with Guernseys in New York state, from Chateaugay near Plattsburgh to Westfield, southwest of Buffalo. Locally, the closest are Monument View and Pleasant Knob farms in Greenwich, Toolite Farm in Granville, and Welcome Stock Guernseys in Hartford, whose owners -- the Foote family -organized this week’s convention.
“There’s Guernseys all over the country,” Coon said. “We move the convention to different places so breeders, when they get together, can see cattle from different parts of the country and see places like Saratoga, a beautiful place to visit.”
Also Tuesday, another group took a Lake George cruise boat ride, while kids visited Great Escape in Queensbury. These are among the many fun activities convention-goers can take advantage of.
On Wednesday, the national association holds its annual awards dinner when the country’s top Guernsey breeder will be recognized. During the week, a new Guernsey princess will be crowned and youths will take part in speaking contests and a Quiz Bowl competition.
Coon said his favorite aspect of the convention is networking with other Guernsey breeders from throughout the U.S.
“Having discussions about the bulls they’re using and the technology they’re using,” he said. “All dairy farmers are competing with all dairy farmers, but we work together. We have to as an industry. We’re like family.”
Convention activities are for registrants only, but the public is welcome to a national convention sale of Guernsey cattle from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Saratoga County Fairgrounds in Ballston Spa.
“Anybody that wants to come buy a cow can come buy a cow,” Coon said.