COLUMBUS, OH – E. Gordon and Arlene Conant of Pineville Farm, Randolph Center, VT were recognized with the 2020 Distinguished Service Award by the Ayrshire Breeders’ Association. Recognized for their dedication and work breeding cattle and promoting the Ayrshire breed, the Conants have been involved with the breed for the past 60 years.

The couple has served as integral members of the Vermont Ayrshire Club, the New England Ayrshire Club, and the Ayrshire Breeders’ Association. Gordon was the President and a trustee for both the Vermont Ayrshire Club and the New England Ayrshire Club. He has served on numerous planning committees for national Ayrshire events held in Vermont. Gordon was Lin Huntington’s right-hand man for many New England Sales. Gordon was elected to the Ayrshire Breeders’ Association Board of Directors in 1999, and served two consecutive terms. He also worked on the Ayrshire Sire Committee for Eastern A.I from 1971-1996 and was a voting delegate when it transitioned to Genex.

Arlene served as the secretary-treasurer of the Vermont State Ayrshire Club for 20 years. Her successor Tina Spaulding says, “Arlene was always quietly handing out numbers and taking payments at the sales, taking notes at meetings, attending conventions, planning conventions, and making quilts and raffling them. Many may have never noticed her as she was always in the background, unassuming, and without fanfare. Arlene provided a great foundation for the Vermont Ayrshire Club.”

The Pineville herd included 190 head in the late 1990s. Over time, the ownership and management of the herd transitioned to their sons, Dean and Lee. Today the Pineville herd is a smaller organic dairy owned by Dean Conant and his daughter Kristi. The farm has supported sales and are well-known for the quality cattle they have consigned. Pineville Farm Pardner Lexus was sold in the 2007 Grand National Sale as a heifer.  She was an outstanding purchase for Tom Gillette of Lyon Falls, NY as she classified EX-92. At 5-06 “Lexus” made a best lactation of 5-02 44,520M 4.1% 1840F 2.9% 1043P earning her the Ayrshire Trophy and Total Performance Award in 2012.

Anyone who has met Gordon and Arlene Conant at numerous activities across the country appreciate the countless hours they’ve given to the Ayrshire breed and treasure their friendship.