Our Visit to the Islands of Jersey and Guernsey (including dairies)

[@raywhitehead730]

A simple thanks for sharing!

[@vnthomas16]

You’re welcome!

[@Keng9317]

Your this trip it's very knowledge about Jersey so much and I like Jersey caw too 😄😃

[@vnthomas16]

Jerseys are the best! Thanks for watching!

[@reeritz1280]

TY for sharing the pictures of ur trip with us! I ❤ Guernsey cows, especially calves...they are so sweet natured & their big, fawn like eyes that move me. In Pennsylvania, where I grew up...it was mostly b&w Holstein cows...those calves are so cute & huggable, too!

[@vnthomas16]

You’re welcome! Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@richwhitaker1506]

Very nice video. You had a great adventure. Looking forward to watching progress on your barn. Thanks for sharing your experiences.

[@vnthomas16]

rich whitaker It was a great adventure! We are looking forward to getting back to the barn, but unfortunately it’ll be a few weeks. Stay tuned!

[@kevinshales1380]

Hi there, I'm glad you liked our little island of Jersey and our super cows 👍

[@vnthomas16]

Kevin Shales we had a wonderful time! Thank you!

[@bluemarlin4069]

We are happy to see a beautiful couple enjoying life on a different type a vacation... good choice...

[@vnthomas16]

Marinaldo Bomjardim thanks! Agrotourism I believe it’s called. Thanks for watching!

[@TC-by3qc]

Thanks for sharing your trip. They look like great places. Glad you both were able to experience the Islands. Memories :)

[@vnthomas16]

T C You’re welcome! We did have an amazing time there! Thanks for watching!

[@Grenson_Brogue]

An American farmer visited his Jersey farming uncle . " How big's your farm Uncle ? " The old boy rubs his chin , "Oh about 10 acres ". The American looked aghast . "Uncle , I can get in my car at sunrise . Drive around my spread , and I won't get home before nightfall ! " . The Jerseyman nodded wearily "Ah my boy , I have a car like that " . Glad you had a nice time .

[@vnthomas16]

Robert Le Vesconte 😂

[@stevemccoy8138]

Hi, Now I know where those two breeds of cow's came from. Very Interesting video. Thanks.🐂

[@vnthomas16]

steve mccoy Thank you for watching!

[@oneproudnana3315]

When I was in a book club, we read a novel called The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. It described the German occupation and how the people had to be soooo creative to survive. This was a great video and it reminded me of the book.

[@vnthomas16]

Never read the book, but we have heard of it. And, saw the movie... Haha!

[@sissydewoody8717]

Hey guys.... totally enjoyed sharing your trip. Waiting for barn-build videos. Also for the soon-to-be calves.

[@vnthomas16]

Sissy Dewoody we’re waiting to build more barn! Haha! It’ll be a few weeks before we’re back at it, but stay tuned! We plan to preg check our girls soon too! Thanks for watching!

[@leoyork2037]

I’ve known of people visiting the islands including England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland to search their heritage. But to search the roots of the Jersey Cow is amazing commitment. Hope you had a cool trip!

[@vnthomas16]

leo york In all fairness, We have been to England and Wales to visit my ancestral home! Haha! The trip to Jersey and Guernsey was pretty amazing though. Thanks for watching!

[@fionajane56]

What an excellent adventure❤️❤️❤️

[@vnthomas16]

Fiona C it was indeed quite excellent! Thanks for watching!

[@randyrejer4219]

Thank you for sharing.

[@vnthomas16]

Randy Rejer you’re welcome!

[@Steve-ps6qw]

You know...for the longest time I always thought the Jersey cow was the Swiss cow. I don't know why but I recall seeing Swiss cows as a kid living in Germany and figured they were all the same...until I started my virtual dive into homesteading and hobby farming a year ago. Thanks for the videos and cant wait to get out there! Oh, Stacy, we are actually in the process of selling our land in N. Idaho as we want something even smaller and more developed (at least one that doesn't require a well over 560' deep). We really love the Kootenai River valley, hope we can find something there...if not, we might look into eastern Washington and could be your neighbor!!! Does that scare you, lol?

[@vnthomas16]

Steve the Kootenai is indeed a beautiful area. Best of luck in your search!

[@bailly1897]

Not sure how I ended up here but hello from Jersey!

[@vnthomas16]

Bailly 1 we’re not sure either, but we’re glad you did! Thanks for watching!

[@ahomeinpisgahontheroad4481]

❤❤❤❤

[@KeithFinkFamilyFarm]

Very neat to see this, thanks. Interesting that the "pure race" nazis wished to pollute the Isle of Jersey with Normande cattle, Ha! We milked Guernseys on our farm until we made the switch to Jerseys in the mid-1980s. Every farm in our area milked Guernseys "back in the day." All of the milk went to Golden Guernsey Dairy in Waukesha to be bottled and sold under that name. Keith-

[@jonathankipps9061]

@Steve Slade The Guernsey "frailty" was a significant reason for the decline in the breed. They had been bred so extensively for type, that the "will-to-live" had been bred out of them. I"m told that significant progress has been made in increasing the vigor of the breed in recent years. Guernseys still suffer the same problem as the other less common breeds like Swiss, Ayrshire, and Milking shorthorn; in that the selection of available genetics is limited. In contrast, Holstein and Jersey have reached a critical mass only envied by the others.

[@vnthomas16]

Keith Fink we didn’t mention this, but you can imagine our surprise when we were on Jersey and saw black cows! Evidently, since 2009 they have allowed Aberdeen Angus on the island strictly for beef production. At least when we visited however, you could buy Jersey beef in the stores. I know it’s not popular here, but we found it tasty.

[@vnthomas16]

Jonathan Kipps back around 2009 we visited the Hoards farm, and “fragile” was the word the herdsman used to describe the Guernsey... I’d hope they have been working to improve the breed as I do find Guernseys fascinating. We have one Dairy in our county with a pretty substantial Guernsey herd, but I don’t know them. I have a friend who milks Guernseys here on the coast of WA. I should ask him about his thoughts on the state of the breed.

[@KeithFinkFamilyFarm]

Steve, we went with the Jerseys over the Guernsey because of the frailty mentioned. At the time, the Guernsey breed was falling away as more and more small farms quit. Genetics did not seem like a top priority for the stud services and there were few AI choices. Re the latter, the same could have been said for Jerseys, too, but it was clear that they were an up-and-coming breed as we slowly switched to component pricing. They were the logical choice for just about every reason: feed efficiency, components, longevity, PERSONALITY, size, etc. And now, A-2/A-2 is also coming into play. We also have a few Ayrshires left in our herd, and they are very similar to the lackluster Guernseys.......weeding themselves out. Keith-

[@KeithFinkFamilyFarm]

Well now, very surprised that they don't take Jersey beef seriously. Jersey beef is VERY good. Perhaps a bit lean for marbled steaks, but extremely heart-healthy for that reason. And excellent taste! We try to direct-market as many of our Jersey cull cows as possible, as hamburger. Makes them almost four times more valuable to us, and there is quite a demand from return customers. Keith-

[@Steve-ps6qw]

lol, that is funny...they revolted because of the cows...but in reality, that was smart. I am familiar with the Channel Islands but did some additional research when I saw some French street names. I was surprised to read some still speak the old Norman language (French)! Back in 2012 me and my wife took a trip to Europe and our first stop was in Amsterdam, but only for a layover as we headed to Munich and the Alps (my grandfather's (Opa's) stomping ground). So you were stationed in Portland at the time? I find it nice that you can be in one relatively close proximity in the USCG. I tell ppl now that are interested in the uniformed services to go Coastie....you actually do your jobs all the time. So you have has this dairy idea for some time now. That is great, I wish I had that much foresight and focus....I wouldn't be sitting here living vicariously through you guys!

[@vnthomas16]

Steve English is by far the predominant language on Jersey. Due to its proximity to France is why there is that French influence. They also have their native language of Jerriais which is indeed a variety of Norman. We were stationed in Astoria at the time, so PDX was the closest major airport.

[@Boingfish1]

Thank you!

[@vnthomas16]

You’re welcome!

[@cozycowfarm]

Fun video!

[@vnthomas16]

Cozy Cow Family Farm Thanks! It was a once in a lifetime amazing trip!

[@leslieholman3121]

The Guernsey breed has so sadly disappeared from Nova Scotia . My father and Grandfather had registered Guernseys . Still some Jerseys here. Sounds like a very very interesting trip. I've always wanted to take that trip. However due to personal health issues I can't travel that far .So thank you SOOOO VERY MUCH , for sharing this video thank you thank you thank you

[@vnthomas16]

leslie holman You’re welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed the video! Is there much of a dairy industry in the Maritimes?

[@leslieholman3121]

@@vnthomas16 The dairy industry in the Maritimes is disappearing fairly quickly over the past 20 years. Just in my home country close to 90 percent of the dairy farms have disappeared in the past 20 years. Supply management doesn't save the family farm, it just makes the banks more money. The milk quota costs approximately $ 30,000 per cow . Plus the regular costs of buying a farm . So how many cow's do you milk ? And do you sell your milk directly to the customer or to a dairy processing plant ?

[@vnthomas16]

leslie holman we currently have 4 Jersey heifers. I’m in the Coast Guard now, but will wrap that up in about 3 months. We’re currently building a small dairy barn (chronicled on our other videos) and intend to start milking in the spring and processing and marketing the milk ourselves!

[@leslieholman3121]

@@vnthomas16 see that's the advantage of no supply management. At least in the USA you can process and sell directly to the consumer. Now I don't know how well this is working, but at least it's an option. In Canada it's illegal to sell milk to anyone other than a processing plant. We are only allowed to sell vegetables, beef , lamb and we can also sell chicken up to 200 . Now I know that the USA also has problems with their agricultural system as your government wants only huge farms but at least with out supply management you can give it a try. Wishing you the best of luck with your farm and hope all goes well. PS I am a red seal carpenter with a family background of over 150 years of carpentry so if you need any advice on your barn construction don't be afraid to ask. I will be glad to help. Wishing you the best of luck.

[@vnthomas16]

leslie holman there must be some exemptions, as there is a small dairy north of 49 about an hour from us that processes their own milk. In fact, they just opened a bring-your-own-bottle milk vending machine. They claim it’s only one of three in Canada. I would imagine that the rules probably vary somewhat by province. As far as framing, hopefully we’re past the worst part! We have a hay hood (widow’s peak) that has lots of compound angles, which I don’t have much experience with. Somehow, I managed to struggle through it and come up with something that looks halfway respectable! Thanks for watching!

[@wayneriddle124]

I have a question im hoping you can help me with. I have a 2 year old cow with her first calve .how are what do i need to do to get her to gain weight

[@vnthomas16]

There can be lots going on with your cow. Too many variables to offer advice. If you are giving it enough feed, and of the right type, you may want to check with other mentors in your area or a vet to make sure nothing else is going on. Good luck!

[@abbeys9092]

Illinois Ag tshirt! ILL!

[@vnthomas16]

Great dairy program!

[@sreebaschandra100]

I love♥️Jersey cows,please my prizes quickly send!Thanks,🐂🐄🐂🐄🐂🐄🐂🐄🐂🐄🐂🐄🐂🐄🐂🐄🐂🐄🐂🐄🐂🐄🐂🐄

[@timothypaulduquemun8400]

Biased when you show more of Jersey cows when guernsey cows are the best no comparison full stop

[@vnthomas16]

I would have to agree with you in 1960, but unfortunately, with the ways that breeders have attempted to “modernize” the breed, they have created a cow that doesn’t live up to it’s legacy. I’ve always liked Jerseys with white markings, and have some myself. Interestingly, when I was in the Channel Islands I was told that any Jersey with white markings means it has some Guernsey blood. Thanks for watching!