ON WEDNESDAY, January 21, Genus invited all John Smith's customers, Friends and work colleagues to a retirement party at Trethorne to celebrate John's career that has spanned nearly four decades.

John and his wife Celia were presented with flowers, a very nice Tissot watch and a framed picture of John's colleagues.

Simon Hancock (manager) and David Bosley of Genus both spoke of John's career with the firm with many stories of life visiting farms over such a long period of time.

CHALLENGE

This was followed by the presentations which were made by Adrian George, a close friend and colleague (they both attended Bicton College of Agriculture together in 1963/64.).

After the food the bowling challenge started with all eight lanes full, the winner with a score of 142 was Vivian Orchard from Luckham Farm, Whitstone.

John started his career on December 6, 1970 when the average wage was £14 per week, Ted Heath became Prime Minister, the new car of the year was the Austin Maxi and the nominated Dairy and Beef Bulls were Dinworthy Treasure (Friesian) and Fostill Brigadier (Hereford).

After ten years, John was promoted to Senior Inseminator and ran the Genus AI service from the Holsworthy AI Centre. Over the last 38 years, John has inseminated over 250,000 cows which is an unbelievable achievement.

RELIABLE

Simon told the 'Post': "Many customers have said that John has been calling on their farms longer than any other representative in the agricultural community. He has always had a can do attitude, nothing was too much trouble and you could rely on him to carry out any task.

"Genus and all his customers would like to wish John and Celia all the best for the future, which promises to be busy with grandchildren, playing euchre and days out at Newton Abbot and Exeter race courses."