Twenty nine people participated in a gathering of Milking Devon breeders on November 7, 2009 in Deansboro, NY. . There were people from NY, PA, CT, VT, NH, and ME. There were long-time breeders some new comers to the breed and some young folk who are prospective breeders. There were some people with 40-60 cows and some with just one or two. Four directors participated in the event: John Hall, president; Bill Blaiklock, secretary; Ray Clark, clerk; and Jeremy Michaud.

Doug Flack, Flack Family Farm, Enosburg Falls, Vermont

Doug Flack shared his experiences with raising Devons and discussed the advantages of a grass-based dairy farm. He talked about the important qualities of Devons and the importance of preserving and improving the breed. Doug showed pictures of his cows and commented on weak and strong points of them.

He explained how cattle are an integral part of his farming operations and the long period of time that it has taken for his farm to be profitable with its diversified focus. Fermented vegetables have produced most of the farm's income, he said, and made possible the keeping of Milking Devons. But the cattle have provided much of the fertility for vegetable production. With the help of numerous volunteers the farm produced seven tons of fermented cabbage, daikon, and carrots, this year. Doug shared some of his fermented vegetables with the gathering at lunch. Doug explained how he had worked to change the Vermont state laws controlling milk production so that the standard now is the quality of the product rather than merely the conditions under which it is produced.. The legal changes have facilitated the farm's sales of raw milk, and a growing customer base.

Listen to Doug Flack's talk

Read Troy Bishopp's response to Doug Flack's talk

Dan Singletary Highland Hollow Farm, Jefferson, New York

Dan Singletary shared information which he has gathered about milk genotyping, especially as it applies to Milking Devon Cattle. Genetic research, he reported, has identified genetic markers for protein, casein and fat levels in milk. The importance of this, he said, is that it allows breeders to select for the particular and important characteristics of Milking Devon milk. It also explains how selection in the past, before genetic technology, resulted in the kind of milk that Devons produce. People chose or kept the cows that provided milk that produced cheese and butter, which they prized over large amounts of fluid milk. Dan cautioned against too much specialization, saying that it was important to maintain the triple purpose nature of the breed. Dan reported the results of genetic testing which has been done on his herd and breeding decisions which he has made.

Listen to Dan Singletary's talk

Directors: John Hall and Ray Clark

John Hall reported on the meetings of the directors and the issues they are working on. He reported that the publication of a second herd book is imminent. John indicated that he was encouraged by the number of participants and said that the directors intend to continue planning regional meetings of breeders. He urged people to attend the annual meeting which he said will be held at Tunbridge, Vermont on the Saturday before Mother's Day. Ray Clark described the work being done by the directors to revise and develop a description of an ideal Milking Devon cow and bull. He said that they hoped to produce a model and photographs to help people less familiar with breed standards to understand and apply them. John and Ray asked people to allow for the fact that there will never actually be a perfect Milking Devon cow and that there will be differences between breeders in what they hold to be perfection.

On display

There were various displays in the meeting room. Participants had brought photographs, newspaper articles and literature about their farms. There was a collection of historical documents about Milking Devons. A computer with the software “Breedmate” was available to demonstrate how hereditary information can be processed and used to produce family trees for Milking Devon cattle. There were things for sale including fermented vegetables from Flack Family Farm and mugs and calendars from Gilley's Fence Post on CafePress. Copies of AMDCA literature were available for people to take: membership application form, semen order form and the descriptive brochure.

Listen to the recordings

Read Troy Bishopp's response to Doug Flack's talk

Visits

Following the talks participants visited Keyes Brook Farm to see Lawrence Gilley's cattle and discuss the ways in which he cares for them. They also visited Heamour Farm to see Shannon Nichol's cheese plant and discuss her cheese-making operations.