CowboyVIP.com Ranching News http://news.prvip.com/index.php Mon, 08 Feb 2010 20:53:31 +0000 1440 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=6974 Kelly Joins Holstein Association USA as Manager of Classification Services

Brattleboro, Vt. (May 15, 2009)...Holstein Association USA is pleased to welcome Kristie Kelly, Winchester, N.H., as Manager of Classification Services. In this capacity, Kelly will be responsible for scheduling of herds for type evaluation, staff scheduling, and ensuring that high-quality customer service is provided to members.

"We are excited that Kristie will be joining the Holstein Association," said Dan Meihak, Executive Director of Herd Advancement Services. "Her dairy farming background and experience make her a natural for the position."

Kelly has most recently worked on her family's dairy, Kelly-View Farm, and for University of Vermont Extension as the Youth Development Professional and Outreach Coordinator. She received her degree from Lyndon State College in 1993.

In her spare time, Kristie enjoys volunteering her time as a 4-H leader.

"I am very excited for the opportunity to work with Holstein Association USA," said Kelly. "I look forward to serving the members and being an asset to the Holstein team."


Holstein Association USA, Inc., www.holsteinusa.com, provides products and services to dairy producers to enhance genetics and improve profitability–ranging from registry processing to identification programs to consulting services.

The Association, headquartered in Brattleboro, Vt., maintains the records for Registered HolsteinsSM and represents more than 30,000 members throughout the United States. The Association is also leading the initiative for national animal identification through the National FAIR program.]]> Sun, 31 May 2009 19:15:56 +0000 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=6974 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=6975 Minnesota Cow Named Holstein Association USA's 2008 Star of the Breed

Brattleboro, Vt. (May 13, 2009)...Stuewes FB Giddy-ET is the 2008 recipient of the Star of the Breed award presented by Holstein Association USA. This award recognizes the complete Holstein cow - an animal that excels in both the show ring and milking parlor. She is the second cow to be honored with this distinction.

Giddy is owned by Andrew Stuewe, with his wife Jodene, and daughter Ava, of Flower-Brook Registered Holsteins in Hamburg, Minn. She was bred by David Stuewe, Andrew's father.

Sired by Boulet Charles-ET, Giddy was born on June 14, 2003. She is classified EX-94, and has a record of 3-03 365 42,270 5.6%F 2369 3.3%P 1407. Her dam is Stuewes Milan Gabrielle EX-93 2E. Gabrielle is having a lasting impact on the Flower-Brook herd, with 32 descendants on the farm. Her best record is 8-06 365 33,970 4.0%F 1363 3.4%P 1151. Behind Gabrielle are three more Very Good dams, making Giddy a fifth-generation VG or EX.

Of Giddy's twelve maternal sisters that are classified, three are scored Excellent, including a full sister at EX-92. Six of her sisters are classified Very Good.

In 2008, Giddy was the second place five-year old at the Midwest Spring National Holstein Show, and fourth place five-year old at the Midwest Fall National Holstein Show.

To be eligible for the Star of the Breed award, a cow must place in the top five in her class at a National Holstein Show, be in a herd enrolled in the TriStar program, and have an official classification score. Once the eligible cows are determined, the following calculation is used to decide the recipient: Combined ME Fat and Protein + Age Adjusted Classification Score x (Breed Average ME CFP/Breed Average Age Adjusted Score).

Flower-Brook Registered Holsteins is enrolled in Holstein COMPLETE, and currently milking 70 Registered Holstein cows with a Rolling Herd Average of 26,300 pounds of milk.


Holstein Association USA, Inc., www.holsteinusa.com, provides products and services to dairy producers to enhance genetics and improve profitability–ranging from registry processing to identification programs to consulting services.

The Association, headquartered in Brattleboro, Vt., maintains the records for Registered HolsteinsSM and represents more than 30,000 members throughout the United States. The Association is also leading the initiative for national animal identification through the National FAIR program.]]> Sun, 31 May 2009 19:15:15 +0000 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=6975 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=6976 Ridge-Place Holsteins - Holstein Association USA 2009 Herds of Excellence

Brattleboro, Vt. (May 13, 2009)...Holstein Association USA is proud to recognize the recipients of the 2009 Herd of Excellence recognition. An elite group of eleven members from around the United States have met the strict criteria to qualify for this prestigious award.

The herd standards for the award include: Must be 25 percent above breed average Mature Equivalent (ME) for milk, fat, and protein; must have classified within the last year and have an actual average classification score of 83 points or higher; must have at least 70 percent of the herd homebred; and must be enrolled in the Association's TriStar program.

Six of this year's honorees have accomplished this impressive feat for the second consecutive year. 2008 was the first year the award was presented. Read on for profiles of these outstanding member herds.

Clint and Heidi Zank
Ridge-Place Holsteins, Neillsville, Wis.
Ridge-Place Holsteins, owned by Clint and Heidi Zank, is a 40 cow herd milked twice a day, with ME production averages of 32,851 pounds of milk, 1,155 pounds of fat, and 968 pounds of protein. The herd is 97.78 percent homebred with an average classification score of 85.41 points.

Clint has been in the dairy business his whole life, growing up on a dairy, and has farmed on his own for 10 years. The herd is enrolled in Holstein COMPLETE and has received the Progressive Breeders Registry award for five years. When making breeding decisions, Zank looks for bulls that rank high on the TPI list, and tries to select sires that are at least 3.5 for type, with 80 percent reliability or higher. He enjoys studying pedigrees and using bulls from strong cow families.

Descendants of one purchase Clint made have turned into very profitable members of the herd. C Mia Tab Sybil was a cow he purchased in Canada as an 82 point two-year old. She went on to eventually score EX-91 4E, produced over 300,000 pounds of milk, was recognized as a Gold Medal Dam, and lived to be 15 years old. She has an Excellent daughter who produced 300,000 pounds of milk, and two other daughters scored Excellent that have lifetime records totaling over 200,000.

Taking care of details and spending time with the cows is something that Zank feels has helped them achieve top performance from their animals. He noted that consistently checking for heats and getting cows bred has been important in maintaining high production levels.

Clint is responsible for the majority of the labor on the farm. His wife, Heidi, works in the medical field, and they have a son, Brayden, who is five. Zank's father still assists with the farm's crops.


Holstein Association USA, Inc., www.holsteinusa.com, provides products and services to dairy producers to enhance genetics and improve profitability–ranging from registry processing to identification programs to consulting services.

The Association, headquartered in Brattleboro, Vt., maintains the records for Registered HolsteinsSM and represents more than 30,000 members throughout the United States. The Association is also leading the initiative for national animal identification through the National FAIR program.]]> Sun, 31 May 2009 19:06:36 +0000 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=6976 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=6977 Maplelane-Manor Farm - Holstein Association USA 2009 Herds of Excellence

Brattleboro, Vt. (May 13, 2009)...Holstein Association USA is proud to recognize the recipients of the 2009 Herd of Excellence recognition. An elite group of eleven members from around the United States have met the strict criteria to qualify for this prestigious award.

The herd standards for the award include: Must be 25 percent above breed average Mature Equivalent (ME) for milk, fat, and protein; must have classified within the last year and have an actual average classification score of 83 points or higher; must have at least 70 percent of the herd homebred; and must be enrolled in the Association's TriStar program.

Six of this year's honorees have accomplished this impressive feat for the second consecutive year. 2008 was the first year the award was presented. Read on for profiles of these outstanding member herds.

Benjamin and Carolyn Turner
Maplelane-Manor Farm, Apulia Station, N.Y.
Ben and Carolyn Turner have a 93.44 percent homebred herd of 120 cows, the largest herd of this year's honorees, with ME production averages of 32,558 pounds of milk, 1,278 pounds of fat, and 1,053 pounds of protein. Their average classification score is 83.16.

Ben is a full-time veterinarian, and Carolyn helps on the farm daily. They have two key employees - John Young, Carolyn's son, who manages the farm's field and crop work, and also milks, and Jay Liddington, who has been with them over 15 years and works mainly with the animals. The cows are milked twice a day in their tie-stall barn.

"We try to breed the 'total package'," said Carolyn. "If you've got the right feed and make sure that the cows are comfortable, the milk comes." Ben, Carolyn, and Jay work together to decide what bulls will be used in the herd, and cows are mated individually to complement strengths and correct weaknesses. A fine example of their breeding program is Maplelane-Manor Emerson Ed, who is scored VG-88, is a Gold Medal Dam, and has set several New York milk records. She has made 258,070 pounds of milk in 1,878 days, and is still producing. They work hard to maintain a steady routine for their animals, and feel it's important in getting the best results from the cows.

Maplelane-Manor is a true team effort. Carolyn says, "We couldn't do it if every person didn't work together. We try to make it a place where people enjoying working - we really love what we do. Registered Holsteins got us excited about dairying when we were younger, and it's still exciting today!"


Holstein Association USA, Inc., www.holsteinusa.com, provides products and services to dairy producers to enhance genetics and improve profitability–ranging from registry processing to identification programs to consulting services.

The Association, headquartered in Brattleboro, Vt., maintains the records for Registered HolsteinsSM and represents more than 30,000 members throughout the United States. The Association is also leading the initiative for national animal identification through the National FAIR program.]]> Sun, 31 May 2009 19:04:44 +0000 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=6977 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=6978 Ideal Holsteins - Holstein Association USA 2009 Herds of Excellence

Brattleboro, Vt. (May 13, 2009)...Holstein Association USA is proud to recognize the recipients of the 2009 Herd of Excellence recognition. An elite group of eleven members from around the United States have met the strict criteria to qualify for this prestigious award.

The herd standards for the award include: Must be 25 percent above breed average Mature Equivalent (ME) for milk, fat, and protein; must have classified within the last year and have an actual average classification score of 83 points or higher; must have at least 70 percent of the herd homebred; and must be enrolled in the Association's TriStar program.

Six of this year's honorees have accomplished this impressive feat for the second consecutive year. 2008 was the first year the award was presented. Read on for profiles of these outstanding member herds.

Jake and Sallianne Tanis
Ideal Holsteins, Centre Hall, Pa.
At Ideal Holsteins, the Tanis family is currently milking 100 Registered Holsteins with ME Production Averages of 33,725 pounds of milk, 1,247 pounds of fat, and 1,004 pounds of protein. The herd is 100 percent homebred, has an average classification score of 83.37, and is milked twice a day in their tie-stall barn.

Jake grew up on a Guernsey farm in New Jersey, and has been at his current location in central Pennsylvania for 21 years. He says that he began breeding Registered Holsteins because he had always been intrigued by them, and impressed by the strength that they possessed. Ideal Holsteins has been recognized with the Progressive Breeders Registry award for 13 years, and this is the second year they have qualified as a Herd of Excellence. They use EASY and Tag ID with custom tags to register the calves on their farm.

Tanis appreciates strong cattle that have wide front ends, with plenty of dairyness and substance of bone. When selecting sires for the herd, he likes to use bulls from good cow families that rank high in type and components. Jake says that he has some exciting young cows in his barn currently sired by Stanhope Sovereign, a bull that fits his breeding philosophy well.

"My family has always tried to breed the best animals that we could, and having registered animals, being able to trace their genetics, allows us to do that," said Tanis.

Jake is quick to credit his wife and children for the success that they have attained with their farm. All of his children helped growing up, and his son, Adam, works there full-time now.


Holstein Association USA, Inc., www.holsteinusa.com, provides products and services to dairy producers to enhance genetics and improve profitability–ranging from registry processing to identification programs to consulting services.

The Association, headquartered in Brattleboro, Vt., maintains the records for Registered HolsteinsSM and represents more than 30,000 members throughout the United States. The Association is also leading the initiative for national animal identification through the National FAIR program.]]> Sun, 31 May 2009 19:02:49 +0000 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=6978 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=6979 Morningview Holsteins - Holstein Association USA 2009 Herds of Excellence

Brattleboro, Vt. (May 13, 2009)...Holstein Association USA is proud to recognize the recipients of the 2009 Herd of Excellence recognition. An elite group of eleven members from around the United States have met the strict criteria to qualify for this prestigious award.

The herd standards for the award include: Must be 25 percent above breed average Mature Equivalent (ME) for milk, fat, and protein; must have classified within the last year and have an actual average classification score of 83 points or higher; must have at least 70 percent of the herd homebred; and must be enrolled in the Association's TriStar program.

Six of this year's honorees have accomplished this impressive feat for the second consecutive year. 2008 was the first year the award was presented. Read on for profiles of these outstanding member herds.

Paul, Tom, and Tim Schmitt
Morningview Holsteins, Durango, Iowa
Morningview Holsteins is an 88-cow operation that is 83.8 percent homebred. The herd has an average classification score of 84.8, and ME production averages of 32,046 pounds of milk, 1,202 pounds of fat, and 948 pounds of protein. Morningview was also recognized as a Herd of Excellence last year, and has been named a Progressive Breeders Registry herd for 12 years. The Schmitts have been a Progressive Genetics Herd for 14 years and had the highest average CTPI in the country in 2008, at 1669.

The herd has been on COMPLETE since the program started, and use EASY and Tag ID with custom tags to register their calves. Tom says that it's easy to see the value of Registered Holsteins, especially in today's economic climate. "When the milk check can't cover the bills, it's nice to have Registered cattle to market to cover expenses and make a living," he says. "We enjoy being able to stay small in numbers and still provide income for three families."

The Schmitts focus on breeding the 'complete' cow. Tom says that they breed for cows with great udders and feet and legs, to create cattle that will be highly marketable. One of their more well-known cows is Morningview Converse Judy EX-93 GMD DOM. At 4-05 she produced 38,100 4.1%F 1565 3.1%P 1197. She has 64 Registered offspring, with the majority that are classified scored Very Good or Excellent. The Schmitt family is busy preparing for their 'Tribute to Converse Judy' sale, which will be held June 5th at the farm.

"Like any business, you have to do the little things to be successful," said Tom. "That will make or break things. On top of that, keep informed as to what is going on in the industry. Things are always changing, especially in the world of marketing. It's not always being the first to try new ideas, but the key is knowing when something's good and getting on it. Never stop learning."


Holstein Association USA, Inc., www.holsteinusa.com, provides products and services to dairy producers to enhance genetics and improve profitability–ranging from registry processing to identification programs to consulting services.

The Association, headquartered in Brattleboro, Vt., maintains the records for Registered HolsteinsSM and represents more than 30,000 members throughout the United States. The Association is also leading the initiative for national animal identification through the National FAIR program.]]> Sun, 31 May 2009 18:58:50 +0000 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=6979 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=6980 B-Long Holsteins - Holstein Association USA 2009 Herds of Excellence

Brattleboro, Vt. (May 13, 2009)...Holstein Association USA is proud to recognize the recipients of the 2009 Herd of Excellence recognition. An elite group of eleven members from around the United States have met the strict criteria to qualify for this prestigious award.

The herd standards for the award include: Must be 25 percent above breed average Mature Equivalent (ME) for milk, fat, and protein; must have classified within the last year and have an actual average classification score of 83 points or higher; must have at least 70 percent of the herd homebred; and must be enrolled in the Association's TriStar program.

Six of this year's honorees have accomplished this impressive feat for the second consecutive year. 2008 was the first year the award was presented. Read on for profiles of these outstanding member herds.

Bruce and Brenda Long
B-Long Holsteins, New London, Wis.
Bruce and Brenda Long own and operate B-Long Holsteins with their sons, Bryant-19, and twins Bret and Brandon-17. Currently milking 55 cows twice a day, the herd's ME production averages are 35,190 pounds of milk, 1,219 pounds of fat, and 1,025 pounds of protein, with an average classification score of 83.66. The herd is 96.23 percent homebred.

B-Long Holsteins was also recognized as a Herd of Excellence last year, and has been named a Progressive Genetics Herd for 13 years. Bruce and Brenda received the Distinguished Young Holstein Breeders Award in 2007.

The herd is fed a TMR consisting mainly of corn silage, baled hay, cottonseed and soybean meal. Long likes large cows with plenty of strength, depth, and width throughout. This emphasis on frame comes through in his mating decisions, where he also tries to use bulls that are positive for components. Bruce feels that type is important because it increases the value and marketability of their cattle. They have had the opportunity to export embryos overseas and market bulls to studs over the years.

Long feels the key to the success of their herd is consistency. "It takes several things coming together - you have to keep your cows comfortable, have a solid breeding program, and feed them right," said Bruce. The Longs enjoy working together as a family and exhibiting their cattle at shows. They take pride in their homebred animals, and have not purchased any replacements in several years.


Holstein Association USA, Inc., www.holsteinusa.com, provides products and services to dairy producers to enhance genetics and improve profitability–ranging from registry processing to identification programs to consulting services.

The Association, headquartered in Brattleboro, Vt., maintains the records for Registered HolsteinsSM and represents more than 30,000 members throughout the United States. The Association is also leading the initiative for national animal identification through the National FAIR program.]]> Sun, 31 May 2009 18:57:51 +0000 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=6980 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=6981 Spotlite-J Holsteins - Holstein Association USA 2009 Herds of Excellence

Brattleboro, Vt. (May 13, 2009)...Holstein Association USA is proud to recognize the recipients of the 2009 Herd of Excellence recognition. An elite group of eleven members from around the United States have met the strict criteria to qualify for this prestigious award.

The herd standards for the award include: Must be 25 percent above breed average Mature Equivalent (ME) for milk, fat, and protein; must have classified within the last year and have an actual average classification score of 83 points or higher; must have at least 70 percent of the herd homebred; and must be enrolled in the Association's TriStar program.

Six of this year's honorees have accomplished this impressive feat for the second consecutive year. 2008 was the first year the award was presented. Read on for profiles of these outstanding member herds.

Jan Jurbala
Spotlite-J Holsteins, Orangeville, Pa.
Jan Jurbala started Spotlite-J Holsteins in 1977, and is now milking 46 cows twice daily. The herd has ME production averages of 32,220 pounds of milk, 1,173 pounds of fat, and 995 pounds of protein, is 79.63 percent homebred and has an average classification score of 83.2 points.

The cows are fed a ration of high moisture corn, soybean meal, corn silage, and hay. A robotic feeder loops around the barn nine times per day. A computerized system allows Jan to make adjustment to individual animal's rations as needed. Her herd is somewhat unique in the fact that she has always used mostly young sires in her breeding program, choosing sons of the top sires. She selects primarily for type, and correctively mates cows individually.

One cow that is having an impact on her herd is Spotlite-J RHero Sherry, EX-94 2E. She is the great-granddaughter of a cow that Jan purchased in a dispersal years ago. Sherry has received numerous accolades in the show ring and has some promising young daughters in the herd.

Friend Sandi Hock assists with milking, raises the calves and heifers for the farm, and owns some cattle with Jurbala. Jan's daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren all live at the farm and enjoy being involved.

When asked about her 'secret to success', Jurbala replied "It really helps to pay attention to the details. I also enjoy talking to people who're successful to see what they're doing right. You can never know too much!"


Holstein Association USA, Inc., www.holsteinusa.com, provides products and services to dairy producers to enhance genetics and improve profitability–ranging from registry processing to identification programs to consulting services.

The Association, headquartered in Brattleboro, Vt., maintains the records for Registered HolsteinsSM and represents more than 30,000 members throughout the United States. The Association is also leading the initiative for national animal identification through the National FAIR program.]]> Sun, 31 May 2009 18:51:14 +0000 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=6981 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=6982 Jafral Holsteins - Holstein Association USA 2009 Herds of Excellence

Brattleboro, Vt. (May 13, 2009)...Holstein Association USA is proud to recognize the recipients of the 2009 Herd of Excellence recognition. An elite group of eleven members from around the United States have met the strict criteria to qualify for this prestigious award.

The herd standards for the award include: Must be 25 percent above breed average Mature Equivalent (ME) for milk, fat, and protein; must have classified within the last year and have an actual average classification score of 83 points or higher; must have at least 70 percent of the herd homebred; and must be enrolled in the Association's TriStar program.

Six of this year's honorees have accomplished this impressive feat for the second consecutive year. 2008 was the first year the award was presented. Read on for profiles of these outstanding member herds.

Allen Johnson
Jafral Holsteins, Hamptonville, N.C.

Jafral Holsteins is a 40-cow herd owned and operated by Allen Johnson. Their average classification score is 84.04, with ME production averages of 34,354 pounds of milk, 1,301 pounds of fat, and 1,009 pounds of protein on twice daily milking. The herd is 100 percent homebred, with most of the cows tracing back to two cow families, Rilara Mars Las Ravena EX-91 2E GMD and Bonnyside Bova Brenda EX-90 2E GMD.

This is the second year that Jafral has been honored as a Herd of Excellence. They have also received the Progressive Breeders Registry award for 11 years, and the Progressive Genetics Herd award for 14 years, with a 2008 average CTPI of 1578. The herd has been on Holstein COMPLETE for three years.

Johnson became involved in the Registered business in 1974. His family had a dairy with mostly grade cattle, and decided to invest in Registered animals because of their added value. The next seven years were spent building up their herd to 100 percent Registered, and it has been that way ever since.

Johnson likes tall cattle with wide front ends, deep bodies, and width through their rumps. "What we've experienced is if you breed the width into them, you get everything else along with it," said Allen. The cattle are housed in freestalls, with the goal of cow comfort top of mind. "We especially try to keep the cows cool during the summer, and always feed them the best feed that we can. Cow comfort is very important."

Working alongside Allen is his nephew, Kevin Huie. The two are responsible for all of the day-to-day labor on the farm.


Holstein Association USA, Inc., www.holsteinusa.com, provides products and services to dairy producers to enhance genetics and improve profitability–ranging from registry processing to identification programs to consulting services.

The Association, headquartered in Brattleboro, Vt., maintains the records for Registered HolsteinsSM and represents more than 30,000 members throughout the United States. The Association is also leading the initiative for national animal identification through the National FAIR program.]]> Sun, 31 May 2009 18:50:09 +0000 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=6982 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=6961 Penn-Dell Farms - Holstein Association USA 2009 Herds of Excellence

Brattleboro, Vt. (May 13, 2009)...Holstein Association USA is proud to recognize the recipients of the 2009 Herd of Excellence recognition. An elite group of eleven members from around the United States have met the strict criteria to qualify for this prestigious award.

The herd standards for the award include: Must be 25 percent above breed average Mature Equivalent (ME) for milk, fat, and protein; must have classified within the last year and have an actual average classification score of 83 points or higher; must have at least 70 percent of the herd homebred; and must be enrolled in the Association's TriStar program.

Six of this year's honorees have accomplished this impressive feat for the second consecutive year. 2008 was the first year the award was presented. Read on for profiles of these outstanding member herds.

Jay and James Houser, Barbara Kerstetter, and Karen Aumen
Penn-Dell Farms, Spring Mills, Pa.
Jay Houser has been operating Penn-Dell Farms since 1963. The herd is 96.05 percent homebred, with an average classification score of 85.07 points, and ME production averages of 32,518 pounds of milk, 1,359 pounds of fat, and 972 pounds of protein.

The herd is enrolled in Holstein COMPLETE and uses Tag ID to register their calves. When Jay was growing up, their herd was the first in Mifflin County, Pa. to classify, and they have scored almost every time they've had the opportunity since then. Penn-Dell has received the Progressive Breeders Registry award for 37 years and have been a Progressive Genetics Herd for 18 years.

Houser has always liked to breed his cattle for milk production. He and his son make mating decisions together, and they try to mate each cow to improve upon her weaknesses. Jay commented that Round-Oak Rag Apple Elevation has had more impact on their herd than any bull they have ever used.

"The greatest asset in my mind to owning Registered Holsteins is that we have been able to subsidize our milk income by selling offspring of our cattle, both male and female," said Houser. "I don't like the idea that you have to live on just milk, and it's very hard to supplement your income without the Registered cattle."

Jay is very proud to have all five of his children involved in the dairy industry. His son James and daughter Karen Aumen take care of milking their 70 cows twice a day. Daughters Barbara Kerstetter and Sandra Haagen help Jay with the bookkeeping and finances for the farm. Another daughter, Mary Ellen Storm, lives in Wisconsin on a dairy farm. Jay's grandchildren are taking an interest and enjoy being involved with the dairy as well.


Holstein Association USA, Inc., www.holsteinusa.com, provides products and services to dairy producers to enhance genetics and improve profitability–ranging from registry processing to identification programs to consulting services.

The Association, headquartered in Brattleboro, Vt., maintains the records for Registered HolsteinsSM and represents more than 30,000 members throughout the United States. The Association is also leading the initiative for national animal identification through the National FAIR program.]]> Sun, 31 May 2009 18:48:11 +0000 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=6961 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=6962 Jeffrey-Way Holsteins - Holstein Association USA 2009 Herds of Excellence

Brattleboro, Vt. (May 13, 2009)...Holstein Association USA is proud to recognize the recipients of the 2009 Herd of Excellence recognition. An elite group of eleven members from around the United States have met the strict criteria to qualify for this prestigious award.

The herd standards for the award include: Must be 25 percent above breed average Mature Equivalent (ME) for milk, fat, and protein; must have classified within the last year and have an actual average classification score of 83 points or higher; must have at least 70 percent of the herd homebred; and must be enrolled in the Association's TriStar program.

Six of this year's honorees have accomplished this impressive feat for the second consecutive year. 2008 was the first year the award was presented. Read on for profiles of these outstanding member herds.

Jeffrey and Kate Hendrickson
Jeffrey-Way Holsteins, Belleville, Wis.
Jeff and Kate Hendrickson have a 75-cow herd, of which 97.44 percent are homebred. Their average classification score is 85.26, and ME production averages are 31,506 pounds of milk, 1,173 pounds of fat, and 953 pounds of protein.

Jeff has been working with Registered Holsteins for almost 30 years, having grown up on a dairy farm. He worked as a herdsman for a few years, and purchased a cow when that herd dispersed, which was the beginning of his own herd.

When making mating decisions, Hendrickson generally tries to use higher TPISM bulls and popular sires, with an emphasis on type and udder composites. Over 90% of the herd belongs to their "T" family. Jeffrey-Way Mascot Tina-ET 3E-91 GMD DOM is the cow that put their farm "on the map." Hendrickson says that she helped pay for their farm through the sale of her progeny. Twenty-one of her 24 classified daughters are scored Very Good or Excellent. Many high producing cows, show winners, and bulls have come from this family for Jeffrey-Way.

Hendrickson sees several positives to being involved with Registered Holsteins. "We enjoy working with good cattle. The Registered Holsteins have a lot of added value and give us the opportunity to sell extra cows as breeding stock, bulls into A.I., and market embryos," Jeff said.

All of the Hendrickson's five children are involved on the farm in some aspect. Brandon, 32, works for the county and assists with field work when he can, Kelsi, 22, works as an assistant editor for Agri-View newspaper and helps in her free time, and Trent, 21, is in college and comes home on the weekends and during the summer to work. Breinne, 17, and Brooks, 15, both help with chores on a daily basis.


Holstein Association USA, Inc., www.holsteinusa.com, provides products and services to dairy producers to enhance genetics and improve profitability–ranging from registry processing to identification programs to consulting services.

The Association, headquartered in Brattleboro, Vt., maintains the records for Registered HolsteinsSM and represents more than 30,000 members throughout the United States. The Association is also leading the initiative for national animal identification through the National FAIR program.]]> Sun, 31 May 2009 18:45:22 +0000 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=6962 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=6963 Hilrose Holsteins - Holstein Association USA 2009 Herds of Excellence

Brattleboro, Vt. (May 13, 2009)...Holstein Association USA is proud to recognize the recipients of the 2009 Herd of Excellence recognition. An elite group of eleven members from around the United States have met the strict criteria to qualify for this prestigious award.

The herd standards for the award include: Must be 25 percent above breed average Mature Equivalent (ME) for milk, fat, and protein; must have classified within the last year and have an actual average classification score of 83 points or higher; must have at least 70 percent of the herd homebred; and must be enrolled in the Association's TriStar program.

Six of this year's honorees have accomplished this impressive feat for the second consecutive year. 2008 was the first year the award was presented. Read on for profiles of these outstanding member herds.

Joseph Brantmeier
Hilrose Holsteins, Sherwood, Wis.
Hilrose Holsteins is a family farm, managed by Joe Brantmeier, and sons Andy and Jeff. They have received the Progressive Breeders Registry award for 19 years, and been named a Progressive Genetics Herd twice. The herd is 83.5 percent homebred, with an average classification score of 85.5 and ME production averages of 32,827 pounds of milk, 1,265 pounds of fat, and 957 pounds of protein. They also received the Herd of Excellence award in 2008.

The Brantmeiers are currently milking 110 cows twice a day in their tie-stall barn. The herd has been on COMPLETE since the program began, because they like having all of the programs bundled together, and enjoy using the included pedigrees when selling groups of cattle. They also register their calves with Tag ID and EASY, and classify regularly.

Joe and his two sons have equal input when deciding what bulls will be used in their breeding program. They strive to use the best bulls that are available, and place a strong emphasis on overall type. Brantmeiers value the extra income generated by merchandising their genetics. They regularly consign to several sales, have recently exported embryos, sold bulls into A.I., and have built up a private market for their animals with repeat buyers. They have had several animals produce high lifetime milk records, and feel that it all goes back to providing the animals with good, solid care.

"We love working with cattle. I feel really good that all three of my kids are very involved in the industry - somewhere along the line we made it an enjoyable livelihood," said Brantmeier. Joe's wife, Chris, is a long time school teacher, and daughter Sarah works for Pfizer.


Holstein Association USA, Inc., www.holsteinusa.com, provides products and services to dairy producers to enhance genetics and improve profitability–ranging from registry processing to identification programs to consulting services.

The Association, headquartered in Brattleboro, Vt., maintains the records for Registered HolsteinsSM and represents more than 30,000 members throughout the United States. The Association is also leading the initiative for national animal identification through the National FAIR program.]]> Sun, 31 May 2009 18:36:23 +0000 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=6963 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=6964 Star-Summit Holsteins - Holstein Association USA 2009

Brattleboro, Vt. (May 13, 2009)...Holstein Association USA is proud to recognize the recipients of the 2009 Herd of Excellence recognition. An elite group of eleven members from around the United States have met the strict criteria to qualify for this prestigious award.

The herd standards for the award include: Must be 25 percent above breed average Mature Equivalent (ME) for milk, fat, and protein; must have classified within the last year and have an actual average classification score of 83 points or higher; must have at least 70 percent of the herd homebred; and must be enrolled in the Association's TriStar program.

Six of this year's honorees have accomplished this impressive feat for the second consecutive year. 2008 was the first year the award was presented. Read on for profiles of these outstanding member herds.

Tim Baker
Star-Summit Holsteins, Byron Center, Mich.
Tim Baker took over managing his 75-cow operation from his parents, Henry and Ruth, in 1997. Today, the herd is 92.21 percent homebred, with ME production averages of 32,010 pounds of milk, 1,170 pounds of fat, and 1,005 pounds of protein, and has an average classification score of 87.76 points. This is the second year that Star-Summit Holsteins has been honored as a Herd of Excellence, and they have been named a Progressive Breeders Registry herd for 26 years.

The cows are housed in sand-bedded freestalls and milked twice a day in a tie-stall barn. The herd has been on Holstein COMPLETE for a year and a half. Baker says that he strives for a balance of type and production in his breeding program. He doesn't like to single out any one trait as being most important, but does make sure that the bulls used in the herd are strong in feet and legs.

Cow families are very important to Baker, and he believes that developing strong cow families has definitely paid off in his herd over the years. A cow that Tim purchased when he was a junior in high school has been the foundation of one of his best cow families. She scored EX-91 5E and produced over 265,000 pounds of lifetime milk. Tim has marketed a great deal of cattle and embryos from his herd, which he feels has made a big difference in his bottom line.

Tim and his wife, Jennifer, have three children, Gerrit-10, Jack-8, and Elise-4.


Holstein Association USA, Inc., www.holsteinusa.com, provides products and services to dairy producers to enhance genetics and improve profitability–ranging from registry processing to identification programs to consulting services.

The Association, headquartered in Brattleboro, Vt., maintains the records for Registered HolsteinsSM and represents more than 30,000 members throughout the United States. The Association is also leading the initiative for national animal identification through the National FAIR program.]]> Sun, 31 May 2009 18:34:42 +0000 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=6964 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=6965 Holstein Association USA Names Distinguished Junior Member Semifinalists

Brattleboro, Vt. (April 13, 2009)...Twelve semifinalists have been named in Holstein Association USA's Distinguished Junior Member (DJM) competition. Established in 1922, this is the highest honor that can be given to a Holstein Junior member. The contest is open to any Junior member of the Association, ages 17 to 21.

The 2009 Distinguished Junior Member semifinalists are: Jessica Achen, Sauk Centre, Minn.; Robyn Bechtel, Martinsburg, Pa.; Danielle Brown, Dodgeville, Wis.; Kayla Demmer, Peosta, Iowa; Katie Donnan, Galway, N.Y.; Ty Hildebrandt, Hustisford, Wis.; Emily Lyons, Rockford, Ill.; Matt Mitchell, LaFollette, Tenn.; Kristin Natzke, Fond du Lac, Wis.; Curtis Rhoderick, Mt. Airy, Md.; Jenna Smith, Martinsburg, Pa.; and Parker Welch, Chestertown, Md.

"Though Rocky Top Holsteins is by definition a small operation, it is serving a huge role in determining my career path," said Matt Mitchell in his Junior Project Story. "I am hopeful that combining my 'real world' education gained through operating my own dairy business with the academic insights gained through a college degree should uniquely position me to be a positive contributor in any phase of the dairy industry."

In her Junior Story, Danielle Brown stated, "My plans for the future are and will always be rooted in the dairy industry. Whatever I am doing, I know I will be working hard to improve and maintain the lifestyle of farming and the industry."

These twelve semifinalists will interview at the National Junior Holstein Convention, June 27-30 in Sacramento, Calif. From the group, six finalists will be chosen, and will receive annual renewed memberships to Holstein Association USA.

Contestants are judged on an entry book highlighting their Junior Holstein project work and involvement with activities, both in the Holstein and dairy industries, and their schools and communities.

"Holstein Junior members are among the most passionate and driven youth in the industry," said Kelli Dunklee, Holstein Association USA Youth Program Specialist. "This impressive group of DJM semifinalists is no exception to that. Their high level of participation in Junior programs, knowledge of the dairy industry and sincere interest in agriculture make them extremely deserving recipients of this honor.

For more information about this, or other Junior Holstein programs, contact Kelli Dunklee at 800.952.5200, ext. 4124 or visit www.holsteinusa.com/juniors.


Holstein Association USA, Inc., www.holsteinusa.com, provides products and services to dairy producers to enhance genetics and improve profitability–ranging from registry processing to identification programs to consulting services.

The Association, headquartered in Brattleboro, Vt., maintains the records for Registered HolsteinsSM and represents more than 30,000 members throughout the United States. The Association is also leading the initiative for national animal identification through the National FAIR program.]]> Sun, 31 May 2009 18:29:15 +0000 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=6965 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=6966 Outstanding Young Junior Holstein Members Recognized

Brattleboro, Vt. (April 13, 2009)...Holstein Association USA is pleased to recognized eight finalists in the annual Young Distinguished Young Member (YDJM) contest. Similar to the Distinguished Junior Member competition, the YDJM award is designed to recognize youth ages 9 to 16 for excelling in their Junior Holstein project work.

The 2009 Young Distinguished Junior Member finalists are: Rachel Achen, Sauk Centre, Minn.; Rocco Cunningham, Penngrove, Calif.; Carissa Doody, Union Bridge, Md.; Tatum Gillis, Schuylerville, N.Y.; Isaac Haagen, Howard, Pa.; Nicole Holdridge, Bloomville, N.Y.; Hayley Potts, Purcellville, Va.; and Derek Wasson, Centre Hall, Pa.

"My Holstein project is my life; add schoolwork, wrestling and FFA, and it gives me a full schedule," said Rocco Cunngingham in his Junior Project Story. "Working with cows is my first love, but a very close second is working with other Junior Holstein members."

In her project story, Carissa Doody stated, "I love being a member of such an outstanding organization that is so helpful in keeping young people interested in agriculture and the Holstein industry."

These eight junior members will be recognized at the National Junior Holstein Convention, June 27-30 in Sacramento, Calif. YDJM contestants are judged on an entry book, highlighting their Junior Holstein project work and involvement with activities, both in the Holstein and dairy industries, and their schools and communities.

"These exceptional, dedicated youth members display tremendous leadership skills and involvement working with Registered Holsteins," said Kelli Dunklee, Holstein Association USA Youth Program Specialist. "The high caliber and talent that these young people possess gets me excited about the future of the dairy industry."

For more information about this, or other Junior Holstein programs, contact Kelli Dunklee at 800.952.5200, ext. 4124 or visit www.holsteinusa.com/juniors.


Holstein Association USA, Inc., www.holsteinusa.com, provides products and services to dairy producers to enhance genetics and improve profitability–ranging from registry processing to identification programs to consulting services.

The Association, headquartered in Brattleboro, Vt., maintains the records for Registered HolsteinsSM and represents more than 30,000 members throughout the United States. The Association is also leading the initiative for national animal identification through the National FAIR program.]]> Sun, 31 May 2009 18:28:06 +0000 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=6966 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=6967 Holstein Association USA Board Holds Spring Meeting

Brattleboro, Vt. (April 13, 2009)...The board of directors of Holstein Association USA met for its spring meeting March 26-27 in Brattleboro, Vt. President Doug Maddox presided.

Staff and Committee Reports and Updates
Staff members provided updates on the 2009 Management-by-Objective Business Plan. The board heard reports from the Audit, International, and Nominating committees, and a summary was given on the 2009 Regional Member Meetings that were held across the country this winter.

Extensive discussion took place on the development of a dairy price stabilization program for milk in the United States. Dr. Robert Cropp, Professor Emeritus from the University of Wisconsin-Madison department of Agricultural and Applied Economics was in attendance to provide insight to the board on the current dairy economic environment, what the future may hold and possible solutions that would be applicable in today's industry. The Association will lead an effort toward a dairy price stabilization program for milk in the United States in a effort to stabilize the peaks and valleys of milk prices.

The board of directors approved a proposal that was brought forth by the Canadian Dairy Network (CDN) to reach an agreement between Holstein Association USA and CDN for the confidential exchange of genetic evaluations and pedigree information, necessary to calculate genomic evaluations, one week prior to their official release within the country. The data could then be blended into each country's genetic evaluations, with simultaneous public release on the official release day.

Also approved was a recommended addition to the Choice of Recovery section of the Cattle Merchandising and Advertising Policy. The policy now states that sellers will not be required to genomic test animals from which the selection is being made, or their dam, prior to the selection, unless the genomic testing was specified in the terms of the sale.

A proposal was made to change the genetic code for polled animals from *PC to *PO, based on a recommendation by the World Holstein Friesian Federation to standardize codes across countries. This was adopted, and the change will be seen on all materials following the release of the April 2009 genetic evaluations.

Upcoming Meetings
The next board of directors meeting will be held June 26-27, in Sacramento, Calif. Their fall meeting will be in Chicago, Ill., November 19-20.


Holstein Association USA, Inc., www.holsteinusa.com, provides products and services to dairy producers to enhance genetics and improve profitability–ranging from registry processing to identification programs to consulting services.

The Association, headquartered in Brattleboro, Vt., maintains the records for Registered HolsteinsSM and represents more than 30,000 members throughout the United States. The Association is also leading the initiative for national animal identification through the National FAIR program.]]> Sun, 31 May 2009 18:27:00 +0000 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=6967 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=6968 Natzke Named Overall Collinsworth Winner

Brattleboro, Vt. (March 18, 2009)...Kristin Natzke, Fond du Lac, Wis., has been named the 2008 Overall Judi Collinsworth Outstanding Junior Exhibitor Memorial Award Winner by Holstein Association USA. She is the fifth Junior Holstein member to receive this prestigious honor. As the overall winner, Natzke will receive a $500 scholarship.

"I've had many memorable moments in the show ring throughout my Junior Holstein career, but one that highlights them all would definitely be when I received the Judi Collinsworth Outstanding Junior Holstein Exhibitor at World Dairy Expo this past year," said Natzke. "Being named the Overall Collinsworth Award winner made it even more special. This was something I always dreamed of accomplishing, and achieving this goal was a huge honor and makes me proud to have such a passion for registered Holsteins."

Natzke received the Judi Collinsworth Award at the International Junior Holstein Show in Madison, Wis. She is a junior at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. No stranger to the show ring, she has been proudly parading her Registered HolsteinsSM for 15 years. Her accomplishments are many, but highlights include breeding two generations of Crestbrooke Junior All-Americans, exhibiting the Champion Bred & Owned cow at two national shows in the same year and winning back-to-back titles in the Junior and Intermediate divisions of the World Dairy Expo Showmanship contest. Upon graduating with a degree in Dairy Science and Life Science Communications, Natzke plans to pursue a career in public relations and communications within the dairy industry.

Each year, the Collinsworth Award is presented in honor of former Holstein Executive Director of Member and Industry Services, Judi Collinsworth, to a Junior exhibitor at National Junior Holstein Shows. It rewards youth for their hard work and involvement with their cattle and dairy activities. Winners are selected on sportsmanship, herdsmanship and level of participation in Holstein activities.

Other winners at 2008 National Junior Holstein Shows were Katy Koester, Comanche, Texas, Southern Spring National Show; Stephanie Trenshaw, Goshen, Ind., Grand National Junior Show; and Parker Welch, Chestertown, Md., Premier National Junior Show. All winners receive $250 and are invited to apply for the Overall Collinsworth Award.

Applications for the Judi Collinsworth Award are available online, or at each of the four 2009 National Junior Holstein Shows.

For more information on Holstein Association youth activities, contact Kelli Dunklee at 800.952.5200, ext. 4124.

Holstein Association USA, Inc., www.holsteinusa.com, provides products and services to dairy producers to enhance genetics and improve profitability–ranging from registry processing to identification programs to consulting services.

The Association, headquartered in Brattleboro, Vt., maintains the records for Registered HolsteinsSM and represents more than 30,000 members throughout the United States. The Association is also leading the initiative for national animal identification through the National FAIR program.]]> Sun, 31 May 2009 18:25:40 +0000 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=6968 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=6969 New Essay Contest Announced for Junior Holstein Members

Brattleboro, Vt. (March 18, 2009)...A new online contest is available for Junior members of Holstein Association USA. The Junior Essay Contest was developed to provide Junior Holstein members a chance to develop their writing skills and participate in a contest outside of those held at the National Junior Holstein Convention. Entries are due March 31, 2009, and may be submitted online or through the mail.

"With the launching of the new Junior Holstein Web site, we wanted to give youth another way to interact with the Association and be involved," said Lindsey Worden, Holstein Association USA Communications Manager. "The contest is meant to be a fun way for Juniors to express their passion for Registered HolsteinsSM and the dairy industry."

Entrants must be Junior members of Holstein Association USA. The contest has three age divisions: Junior, ages 9 to 13; Intermediate, ages 14 to 17; and Senior, ages 18 to 21. Each division has a separate topic and page limit, so be sure to see the complete rules and entry information. There is no limit to the number of entries from each state - any Junior Holstein member may submit an essay.

Essays will be judged on content, originality, clarity and quality of writing, accuracy, organization, and grammar. The winning entries will be announced on April 15, 2009 and published on the Junior Web site.


Holstein Association USA, Inc., www.holsteinusa.com, provides products and services to dairy producers to enhance genetics and improve profitability–ranging from registry processing to identification programs to consulting services.

The Association, headquartered in Brattleboro, Vt., maintains the records for Registered HolsteinsSM and represents more than 30,000 members throughout the United States. The Association is also leading the initiative for national animal identification through the National FAIR program.]]> Sun, 31 May 2009 18:24:26 +0000 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=6969 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=6970 Application Deadline Approaching for Holstein Association USA Awards

Brattleboro, Vt. (March 17, 2009)...Holstein Association USA offers awards recognizing notable members, breeders, and friends of the Association. Applications for the Distinguished Young Holstein Breeder, Elite Breeder, and Distinguished Leadership Award are due to the national office by March 31, 2009.

The Distinguished Young Holstein Breeder Award recognizes significant accomplishments of young Registered HolsteinSM breeders, ages 21-40. Applicants can nominate themselves or be nominated, and may apply as individuals, a couple, or business partners. The winning applicant will receive travel and lodging expenses for two to the National Holstein Convention, complimentary tickets to the Convention banquet, a $2,000 cash award, and a plaque.

The Elite Breeder Award honors a living Holstein Association USA member, family, partnership, or corporation who has bred outstanding animals and thereby made a notable contribution to the advancement of U.S. Registered Holsteins. The applicant must have been a member of Holstein Association USA for at least five years. Applications will be considered for three years.

The Distinguished Leadership Award is given to an individual who has provided outstanding and unselfish leadership that has contributed to the improvement of the Holstein Association and/or dairy industry. This is a unique award, as the recipient does not necessarily have to be a member of Holstein Association USA. Applications for this award will also be considered for three years.

Additionally, a scholarship is available to students interested in agriculture who plan to pursue their Master's Degree in Business Administration. The Robert H. Rumler MBA Scholarship awards $3,000 to a qualified individual pursuing their MBA at an accredited university. Applications for this scholarship are due to the Holstein office by April 15, 2009.

For more information on any of these awards, or to obtain an application, visit the individual awards page, or contact the national office at 800.952.5200.
http://www.holsteinusa.com/awards/individuals.html

Holstein Association USA, Inc., www.holsteinusa.com, provides products and services to dairy producers to enhance genetics and improve profitability–ranging from registry processing to identification programs to consulting services.

The Association, headquartered in Brattleboro, Vt., maintains the records for Registered HolsteinsSM and represents more than 30,000 members throughout the United States. The Association is also leading the initiative for national animal identification through the National FAIR program.]]> Sun, 31 May 2009 18:23:43 +0000 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=6970 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=6971 Member Participation Shows Strong Interest In Holstein Association USA Programs

Brattleboro, Vt. (February 4, 2009)...During his State of the Association address at this year's Regional Member Meetings, Holstein Association USA CEO John M. Meyer reports a strong year for Holstein Association USA, marked by exceptional growth in the number of animals registered, as well as member participation in programs.

"From a member activity standpoint, 2008 will be remembered as a banner year for Holstein Association USA," said Meyer. "Registrations, the bread and butter of any pedigreed livestock association, totaled 348,033, which is one of the highest totals in the history of the Association. It is interesting to note that the 2008 registration total is 20 percent higher than what it was five years ago, and 10 percent higher compared to 2007."

Participation in Holstein COMPLETE increased last year, with 15 percent more animals and eight percent more herds enrolled in the program. COMPLETE is a package program that allows producers to conveniently bundle together several services, including annual membership, registrations, pedigrees, classification, and TriStarSM production records.

Meyer continued, "Classification activity continued to accelerate last year. In 2008, classifiers scored 235,606 animals in 5,681 herds, which is a 10 percent increase in herds and a nine percent increase in the number of animals classified." The Sire Evaluation for Type (SET) program showed positive growth as well, with classifiers evaluating five percent more animals in four percent more herds than in 2007.

The number of herds and animals enrolled in the TriStar Premier program also increased in 2008, with five percent more herds and 11 percent more animals enrolling.

Meyer finished his address by thanking members for their participation and support of Holstein Association USA. "We are pleased that the Holstein Association has been able to expand their market share."


Holstein Association USA, Inc., www.holsteinusa.com, provides products and services to dairy producers to enhance genetics and improve profitability–ranging from registry processing to identification programs to consulting services.

The Association, headquartered in Brattleboro, Vt., maintains the records for Registered HolsteinsSM and represents more than 30,000 members throughout the United States. The Association is also leading the initiative for national animal identification through the National FAIR program.]]> Sun, 31 May 2009 18:21:51 +0000 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=6971