Major changes on the way for dairy farmers

Major changes on the way for dairy farmers

This is a result of the major changes to the old Department of Agriculture and Fisheries that were announced this week and which entail the division of its responsibilities between the Economic Development Department and the Environment and Public Services Department.

The old AI block across the road from the back of the Howard Davis Farm, which was leased, is being returned to its owner, renovations to the building are currently in progress and the necessary fixtures and fittings are now in the ownership of the Royal Jersey Agricultural and Horticultural Society.No collection of semen has been conducted since the end of May, although an AI service remains the responsibility of the Agriculture Department until its final demise at the end of the year.There is no doubt that the future for semen collection, an AI service and the level of milk recording in the Island is connected both to the changes at the former Department of Agriculture and to the reaction of the membership to the proposals presented by geneticist Dr Maurice Bichard in his recent report on the future sustainability of the Island herd.Dr Bichard returns for a question-and-answer session on 25 September, following which members will vote on the question of whether they are in favour of the import of frozen bull semen from top-quality pedigree herds abroad.

A decision in favour of this, which if endorsed in a States debate would lead to a revocation of 240-year-old laws protecting the closed status of the Island herd, could have a substantial impact on the shape of the Island dairy industry in the future.It could be that a ‘do-it-yourself AI service’ (DIY-AI) could become the norm, if certain dairy farmers were to train their own staff in the future, although this would make AI considerably more expensive for farmers who had no capacity for DIY-AI themselves.Another service which has been provided by the Department of Agriculture is milk recording.

This might be taken over by the society, acting as a local agent for one or other of two primary UK service providers, National Milk Records or CIS, run by the UK Holstein Society.’There is no doubt that running milk records out of the RJAHS would be the most logical way forward if the aim is to cut out duplication and to minimise costs,’ he said.David Hambrook, the manager of Jersey Island Genetics, the genetics trading arm of the RJAHS, said that a report to be released shortly by the society would suggest ways forward for both Milk Recording and AI services, but he added: ‘There is a real risk that without adequate ongoing support, essential management services will implode, irrespective of who provides them, and not necessarily just in their current format.’

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