UDDER-LY ELITE
National Guernsey sale features high-priced cows
BALLSTON SPA, N.Y. » Like Hollywood divas or supermodels, some of America’s best-looking cows strutted their stuff Saturday during a national Guernsey sale at Saratoga County Fairgrounds.
The event, featuring animals from the Midwest to upstate New York, capped off the week-long American Guernsey Association convention, which brought together more than 300 people from throughout the U.S.
Based at the Saratoga Hilton Hotel, the gathering included farm tours, youth contests, business meetings and fun social activities.
“People come to this convention for their summer vacation to see their Guernsey friends from all over the country,” said Seth Johnson of Tunbridge, Vt. “Animals in this sale are ages one month to six years. They come from all over the East Coast and as far west as Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota. The most elite animals in the breed are in this national convention sale. They’re the best pedigree, the best looking animals of the year. They’ve lived up to that description. They’re
selling really well today.”
A cow sold by Wisconsin-based Coulee Crest LLC commanded the top price — $8,700.
Close behind, a trio of investors paid $8,400 for one of seven heifer calves expected to be born this month to a prestigious Guernsey cow family in Orient, Ohio.
“This is a cow family that we’ve long admired,” said co-buyer Chris Lang, of Spring Hill Farm in Big Prairie, Ohio.
“Very little has been sold out of them maternally. We thought this was our best way to tap into a long line of excellence, and to give us a different avenue for our breeding program. We’ll just have to take some time, look at the calves and decide which one fits best for us. They are going to let us genomically test them, so we’ll also use that information to make our final choice. She’s a breeding investment from a genetics standpoint.”
A short-lived torrential downpour on the sales pavilion’s metal roof produced a deafening roar, making it difficult to hear the auctioneer’s description of each animal. But cows weren’t bothered at all by the distraction.
The Guernsey breed’s docile, easy-to-work with temperament is one of the traits owners like best about them.
Also, Guernsey milk is famous for its rich flavor, which comes from a high butterfat and protein content. In addition, it’s high in beta carotene — a source of Vitamin A — and A2, a protein that’s touted for its health benefits.
Sale Chairman Richard Whalen, of Dutchess County, said he was extremely pleased with how Saturday’s event turned out.
“We’ve had compliments from people all over the country about the exceptional quality of cattle here,” he said. “This is the capping off of a fabulous convention, an overwhelming success. That’s the feedback I’ve gotten. A lot of these people have never been to Saratoga before.
“Our hosts have been very helpful,” he said.
“The facilities are next to none.”
The convention was organized by the Foote family, owners of Welcome Stock Guernseys in Hartford, Washington County.