THOMAS FAMILY Parlour patter with the...
This edition of The Journal sees a new writer for Parlour Patter, that of Cheryl Thomas of Gelligatrog, Kidwelly, Carmarthenshire. Cheryl runs 160 cows under the Gatrog prefi x with husband Elwyn and daughter Anwen
As I write my first
article, my mind wonders back 18 years ago when I was fortunate
enough to be asked to write ‘A member’s diary’ for the Holstein Friesian Journal and was referred to as ‘young and enthusiastic.’ I’m not as young, but I’m still as enthusiastic, however the industry has changed so much in that time and as food producers, we are faced with different challenges day after day, but just get on with it and make the best out of the situation. I usually don’t attend the Welsh National Eisteddfod, but as it was on my doorstep this year and Anwen was taking part I decided to go. I was very proud to be present at the YFC concert held at this event, which showcased a full stage of young, talented Carmarthenshire YFC members who entertained the whole pavilion through singing, dancing, acting and comedians, well done all. August time means strawberries and cream and we had plenty of these at the bi-annual Strawberry Tea held at the local Church, Llangynderyn. More than £1000 was raised, which goes to help keep the church open. I was cleaning strawberries in my sleep for a week after this! The fi ne weather in August meant we had a good crop of third cut silage and although this process only lasts about two days in total, it is such a relief to get it done. We have great contractors who aim to please every time. Elwyn did miss sheeting the clamp this time although he had a good reason - Pembrokeshire Show. And what a show we had! We took the championship with Gatrog Sarge Lavender, a second calver; reserve champion with the third calved Gatrog Ross Irene and completing the clean sweep was Cramar Sid Fran, a May calved heifer, who we own jointly with Roger and Dianne Steeple. Both Lavender and Irene won the interbreed pairs and joined up with Weeton Golden A Oralie to take interbreed group
Get to know Cheryl.....
Favourite fi lm:- Mamma Mia, but that might change after I see the Fifty Shades Of Grey fi lm in Feb 2015! Most inspirational person: My father. Favourite meal: Got to be breakfast (after getting up at 4.30 every morning!) What do you do on a Saturday and Sunday? Routine work on the farm, Morrisons food shop and when possible, a bit of socialising!
What’s your biggest achievement? Winning the 2013/14 Welsh Woman Farmer of the Year is joint top with raising more than £31,600 for the Breast Care unit at Llanelli Hospital. Fantasy fi ve for dinner: Tina Turner, Gary Barlow, George Clooney, Mrs Brown (Mrs Brown’s Boys) and Prince Harry.
132 THE JOURNAL OCTOBER 2014
of three. Anwen also did well with her Jerseys winning the h eifer in milk class with Fourcrosses Reserecuction Dream and second with Bluegrass Reagans Royal Sahara in the second calver class. I must give thanks to Phil, Jane and Isla Arrell for their help. Also thanks to Roger and Dianne who followed up with the ‘muck bucket’! An extra pair of hands during that hour of judging makes the world of difference!
Meinir Jones, one of the presenters of the Welsh farming programme Ffermio, was a great help to me during our work with the Country Calender Girls
2014.Therefore, when she asked me to be President of a fund raising evening I could only accept. This event was held at the end of August on her parent’s farm, the day after her wedding -as if they didn’t have enough to do with all the wedding plans.
The night was a huge success with more than £7000 raised for the Breast Care Unit at Prince Philip Hospital, Llanelli. I was so glad to get my speech done without any major hick-ups. Sadly, I’m going to fi nish my piece for this edition on a low note with the news of yet another milk price cut. If I win the lottery, I would build a super milk processing plant in South Wales so that milk doesn’t have to travel hundreds of miles, process it locally and keep the local economy thriving. Oh yes and some of the lottery money would go to keep the bank manager happy!
Cheryl
Herd Size: 160; Average milk yield: 10,200 litres 3.88%bf and 3.22%p; Farm size: 192 acres; New technology: Elwyn and Cheryl; What looks good in the calf pens: Gatrog Mincio Culture, Gatrog Sammy Steffi and Gatrog Sammy Fame; What is in the fl ask: Iota, Impression, Mincio, Pirate, Brady, Golddust and the British Friesian Blackisle Benloyal; Flagship families: Oralie, Beauty, Torch, Desire, Irene, Jingles, Lav- ender; Favourite cow: Weeton Golden A Oralie; Bulls in AI: Gatrog Breezer and Gatrog Steffi c; Other enterprises: British Friesians and Anwen has two pediigree milking Jerseys
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