Vieux Village Ayrshire continued their domination of Premier Breeder & Exhibitor at the Royal Winter Fair this year, winning their 12th consecutive set of banners!
The farm is located in Piopolis, QC, 2.5 hours south of Quebec City, and is owned by Florent, Vicky & Bianca Foley. The Foleys milk 50 cows with a classification breakdown of 33 EX, 26 VG & 2 GP, and they have been a Purina Elite Breeder since 1993. Vieux Village is also home to the only Ayrshire cow in the country to be scored 11E! Vieux Village BK Dipsie is EX-92 11E and is currently in her 14th lactation at 16 years old.
The Foleys have accomplished many goals in the show ring over the years, but their unparalleled 12th consecutive win of Premier Breeder & Exhibitor at this year’s Royal Winter Fair was certainly a highlight, in addition to also winning Grand Champion.
Cowsmo had a chance to catch up with the Foley sisters to hear more about this year’s wins and their Grand Champion cow, Vieux Village BK Jewel.
Tell us about Jewel’s pedigree
Vieux Village BK Jewel EX-92 is a Kellogg daughter out of Vieux Village C Jellybean EX-93 5E. Jellybean is a 3X Reserve All-Canadian and the next dams are scored EX-94 9E, EX-93 6E, EX 2E & VG-88. The whole family is very well known in the show ring and has good transmitting ability.
How many other shows as Jewel attended this year?
We don’t go to a lot of shows, this year we only attended the Royal with our show string.
What is Jewel’s personality like at home and at the shows?
Both at home and at the show, Jewel has a very strong temper! She is quick to let us know if she doesn’t like something that we are doing with her. At home she’s always the first one out to pasture, leading the rest of the cows. She’s very dominant.
How many times has your farm won Grand at the Royal?
We have won Grand Champion at the Royal three times including this year. We had Grand and Reserve Champion at the Royal in 2014 & 2015 with two homebred cows. Vieux Village C Diamond EX-95 4E was Grand both years and Vieux Village C Calie EX-95 4E was Reserve both years. Both are sired by Charleston. Diamond was also Grand Champion at World Dairy Expo in 2014.
You’ve had a pretty good run as Premier Breeder & Exhibitor at the Royal – comments?
We won our 12th consecutive title this year! It’s been pretty special and great to share it with our family. Hopefully we can win another one!