The New York Holstein Association is planning a three day trip to the Royal Winter Fair, November 9-11. They will be picking up members starting in Utica, NY and moving west along the thruway. Herd visits include stops at Bosside, Bridon, Browndale, Fradon, Dupasquier and Foundation Sires. The cost for the trip, which includes transportation and two nights stay at the first class Delta Chelsea Hotel, will be around $400. For more information, or to make a reservation, contact the NY Holstein Association state office at 607-273-7591.  Seats are still available!

Holstein World staffer Frank Putman will be joining the NY delegation on this trip.  Remember to check back with us in November for Frank”’’s take and photos from the trip!

Are there any other delegations planning a trip to the Royal this year - state associations, college groups, etc.?  We would love to hear all about your travels and share your stories in our blog.  Don””t forget to include pictures!

I recently had the opportunity to visit with Liz Matzke, Marketing Specialist for World Dairy Expo, about this year’’s event.  As you can imagine, the days for the WDE staff are quite hectic and busy leading up to what they hope is the best show yet!  Despite their busy schedules they were able to answer some questions for me as we all get ready for the 2006 show. 

Can you share some of the highlights we can expect at World Dairy Expo 2006?

This year marks the 40th anniversay of World Dairy Expo.  Since its humble beginnings in 1967, the show has developed into the “Central” meeting place of the industry.  Attendees can expect to see the latest and greatest the dairy industry has to offer in technology and animal genetics.  The Commercial Exhibits continue to grow and diversify, featuring over 1,500 booths from 23 countries.  As always, the dairy show will showcase some of the best cattle in the world with a backdrop of colored shavings and elaborate decor.  Educational seminars and virtual farm tours continue to be forums for new ideas and producer experiences.  All in all, there is something for every size operation and every age producer.

Are there any new additions this year?

There have been some grounds improvements this year, as well as technology improvements.  A new wash rack has been built for cattle exhibitors in the Big Tent.  There has also been additional lighting added around the barns for exhibitor and cattle safety.  International registration is now available online.  And again this year, up to the minute class results are available on our website during the show.

Can you provide some hints as to what this year’’s ringside decorations will look like?

The theme this year is “Dairy Central.”  The idea was derived from New York’’s Grand Central Station.  So, as you can imagine, an old-fashion locomotive and our own Grand Central Station, Dairy Central, will be a part of the showring decorations.  Be sure to stick around for the naming of America’’s Supreme Champion as we have a few surprises in store for the crowd.

What do registration numbers look like for this year?

Overall, this year’’s numbers for the show are slightly up.  Currently, there are just under 3,000 total animals entered in all eight shows.

How is the theme for next year’’s WDE selected?  Has the 2007 theme been selected yet?

Picking each year’’s theme usually starts in March or April of the year before.  Large lists of ideas and concepts are submitted to our General Manager, Tom McKittrick.  Over a period of several weeks, themes are discussed and voted upon by all staff members.  When one idea has been decided upon, it is given to a design company we have worked closely with over the last several years.  They in turn come up with four or five design concepts adn the staff votes again to narrow it down to one design.  From there, posters, postcards, letter head and the like are all developed to help promote the theme.  The 2007 theme has been picked and will be unveiled during the Supreme Ceremony.  All I can say is, next year’’s theme might be one of our more “entertaining” themes.

Last weekend I had the opportunity to visit the farms of Dave Chapman, Hawkeye Holsteins in Ruthven, IA, and Leroy Eggink, Great-Heritage Holsteins in Sibley, IA. Both visits greeted me with warm hospitality and good cows. A new compost barn on the Chapman farm and a box-stall addition to the Eggink barn showed that the cows of both are living in style.

The compost barn at Dave & Lisa Chapman’s was built last fall and the cows moved in last Thanksgiving. It is built to house the 50-cow herd. Since the cows moved in, Dave has seen an increase in milk production and reproductive success. Also, the herd’s Somatic Cell Count has decreased and is now in the low 100’s. Puffy hocks have also decreased considerably. All in all, the Chapmans are very pleased with the barn and happy with its success.

The Eggink Family of Great-Heritage Holsteins began construction of a box stall addition to their barn this past summer. On the day of my visit it was the first time any animals had been introduced to the new area. The box stall area is divided into three areas that will hold two cows each. Candidates for the new box stall area are those “special treatment” cows in the herd - fresh cows, flush cows or sick cows. Two large fans will keep the air moving and a new pipeline is being installed soon so that cows can be milked in the stall. The Egginks are looking forward to how the cows will respond to this new, deluxe area.
For a look at the cows in each of these herds, visit their websites today! www.holsteinworld.com/hawkeyeholsteins and www.holsteinworld.com/great-heritage

Although a late posting, the following was submitted by field reporter Tanya Miller of Maryland on this summer”’’s State Holstein Picnic.  We heard only rave reviews about the event and thought it worthy to be posted.  For photos from the day, please visit the website of picnic hosts, Paul Yoder and family of Cherry Kreek/Red Vision at www.holsteinworld.com/cherry-kreek/.

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Lots of western Maryland hospitality was shown as the Garrett County Holstein Club and Red Vision Genetics held the annual Maryland Holstein picnic. In the western-most corner of the state, Garrett County is home of scenic Deep Creek Lake and Cherry Kreek Farm, Paul and Naomi Yoder and their six children. Together with Naomi’s brother, Calvin Schrock, wife Irene and their six children, they makeup the Red-Vision Genetics prefix.