Greetings to all New England Brown Swiss Breeders

 

Another year has passed very quickly. This has been another exceptionally difficult year for all Dairy Farmers with continued high costs, lower milk prices, and a very wet summer and fall.

On May 12, 2023, the New England Annual Meeting, Picnic and Fun Auction were held at the Young Men’s Club, Hadley, MA. This was a very successful and fun event for all attendees.  About 30 attended.  I would like to thank all who did, and Sean Gould and his staff for making this a really good day for New England Brown Swiss.   This year’s event is tentatively being planned for Sunday, 05/19/2024 at Hill Foods in Hudson, MA which Bruce Dearborn has very generously offered to host.  

Please remember dues are payable by January 31, 2024. Junior members Free, Individual $10.00, Family 25.00.  The deadline for National Lease Animals is June 1, 2024.

There were 13 Bell Ringer Entries from New England with 8 winners sent to the National level contest.  Adele Basini of Vermont and Abigail Wilber from Connecticut were 2 of the 5 National Finalists for the Brown Swiss Ambassador Award, with Adele being named the National Runner-Up.  Both also had very outstanding show seasons, with many high placings at National Shows. Abigail’s Junior bred and owned 3 YO was 3rd Open, 1st Junior and Reserve Intermediate Champion at WDE. Adele had Intermediate Champion at Southeast National.  Both had numerous high placings at several National Shows.

2023 was a year of historic and unparalleled success for New England Youth/Adult Breeders and Exhibiters at Local, State, and National shows. A dam and daughter bred by Oullette Family, Iroquois Acres, Bridport, VT, were Grand and Reserve Grand Champion at WDE. This marked the first time this has ever occurred in any breed at WDE. These incredible cows, owned by Brian Pacheco of California, then classified 97 and 95 in Canada.

Emily Fisher (NH Junior) won Open and Junior shows at WDE, and Junior Champion Open Eastern National with her bred and owned Carter Winter Calf.  Other class winners: (NH) Beth Dahl, Peter Hawkes, Nicolette Shelley, with Bred/Owned Summer Yearling; (VT) Shelburne Farms bred Winter Yearling; (ME) Steve Wagner 1st BU Yearling in Milk; (VT) Allan Brisson, Ken Main, and Kenny Jo Manion 1st 4 year old BU, 1st BU Aged Cow and 1st BU Component Merit Cow, both bred by Iroquois Acres; Iroquois Acres Best 3 Females.  

Congratulations to all who exhibited at every level and put in all their time and effort.  There are show reports for the National shows and other All-American qualifying shows in the Oct/Nov Brown Swiss Bulletin.

Hoping to see many of you at upcoming events in 2024.

Sincerely,

Michael Cronin, President