WORLD JERSEY CATTLE BUREAU

2006 VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT FOR AFRICA

 by Poena van Niekerk (South Africa)

News from South Africa
Last year (2005) was one of the best years ever for the Jersey in South Africa. We reached the 90,000 mark for registered cattle and new registrations for 2005 were over 18,000.

During the National Jersey week held in Bloemfontein, members were thrilled with the positive financial statement and the growth in the breed. During this event Jersey SA hosted the third National Jersey Youth Show. This was attended by 36 exhibitors from 6 teams. The overall winner was Jenna Masterson (her father is the President of the Holstein Society). For the Northern Championships there were two judges, Dr Johan Jooste and, from Canada, we were privileged to have Gary Bowers. The competition was very strong and the final placing for the Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion cows was a very difficult decision. The judges went for youth and the Young Cow Champion, Essie Combat’s “Linda of Coen Steenkamp of Bothaville” was crowned Grand Champion. Her sire is a “Centurion” son out of a superb “Lester” cow from the well-known Croc Valley herd. The Reserve Grand Champion was “Choice-P Delta of Springbourne Jerseys”.

The judges for the March 2007 National Championships were announced and will be as follows:

Heifers:                  Danie Giliomee & Coen Steenkamp

Jersey Jug:            Pierre Human & Gary Bowers

Cows:                     Dr Johan Jooste & Gary Bowers

Poena van Niekerk
Vice-President for Africa, World Jersey Cattle Bureau                                                                                                  May 2006