Illinois: Snow Caravan Herd Tours !
Even if it was cold and snowy (which it definitely was) there was no way I was going to miss seeing the herds on the tour last Thursday: Lindale Holsteins, Luck-E Holsteins, and Lenkaitis Holsteins! I was a little unfamiliar with the territory, but, not to worry! A fun group of Holstein breeders from the southern part of the state had rented a fifteen passenger bus,and they invited me to tag along, so off we went on the snow caravan!
First~a word about what all three of these herds had in common-they are multi-generational and have enthusiastic family members just getting their own Holstein careers really rolling. As a result, just like the industry, they””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””re never standing still! New barns, new practices, and new ways of thinking only insure the future sucess of these great breeding establishments and add to the superb foundations they have already built!
Lindale Holsteins-Dale, Linda, Jeff and Julie Drendel are the principals in this operation along with the Team Holsteins partnership of Jeff Drendel, Kevin Kriegel, and Tyson Pace. As you go through this barn, there is one good cow right after another, but commanding your attention always is the massive and beautiful Supreme Champion of the Illinois State Fair, Lindale Mac Dynasty (EX-94) It”””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””’’s hard to take your eyes off her, but if you do, you””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””ll find plenty to capture your fascination including the always lovely EX-93 Irwindale Leduc Molly, Reserve Grand Champion of the Mid-East Fall National and Winner of the 5-Year-Old Futurity at the Illinois State Show. Two EX-93 Durhams also grace the powerhouse herd at this time, along with an EX-92 Eland, EX 91 Brent, and and EX-91 Forbidden. Another really nice milking Forbidden had recently arrived in the herd also and was making the adjustment nicely. Younger members of the cow herd that are rising in prominence are sired by Durham, Ito, Hi Metro and Dante.
Next, it was on to the Luck-E Holsteins herd. Dennis, Beth, Matt and Joe Engel are the owners. The statistics on this herd are the stuff legends are made of-64 EX cows call the herd home at this time. In the heifer pens, 121 Head are from EX dams that average 93 points. Emphasis in the herd is to stay cutting edge with the deepest pedigrees, fancy show type heifers and cows, and the latest in genetic elite trends such as extreme components and Red and Red Factor animals. Some cow families that are in prominence at this time are: 1) Klassy (3E-94,EX-97-MS) which has produced the popular Excalibur sire Advantage and Kalotta, the Reserve Intermediate Champion, 2006 Mid-East Spring Show, along with many other high profile family members 2)the Bobbis-whose most recently high profiled members include Blackice Blizzard (EX-95,EX-95-MS), along with Bizar Talent (VG-88, VG-88-MS) who was 1st place and BU, IL State Show ””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””07, and Talent Blizzard (VG-86,EX-MS) 3)the Ashleys, which produced the Arizona cow w/56,280M 2872F 1855P, and from which the popular bull mother Blitz Australia (VG-87, VG-87-MS) gets her foundation for greatness. 4)Trust Bardholm Trust Lee (EX-93) heads up this family, which includes family members Linjet Tizzle(EX-91), Linjet Twizzle (VG-89-2Y0 Trinity Charles (EX-94) and EX daughters of Lee and Leduc, as well. These and many others (you can lull yourself into thinking 50,000M records and EX-93+ cows are the norm here) are also the source for an aggressive flushing program at Luck-E. You can see much, much more on this herd at www.holsteinworld.com/Luck-E
The Lenkaitis family, Al Jr, Andy, Albert and Mary Etta, daughter Liz Dorn, and Vicky and Ryan Stohlquist are involved with the Lenkaitis Holsteins herd. Joe Mills is the manager. Herd size is 46 cows and 26 heifers with more animals housed at Stohl-Len Holsteins, (Vicky and Ryan) Major families represented in the small quality herd include Elgin-Vue Regal Arlene (2E-90) (a VG-88 Glen-Drummond Dragon) Pine-Shelter Lucina Fargo (3E-95-DOM) (a VG-85 C-J Button Mickey w/ 1000F) and the 2E-92 Arsenio Jasmine w/1434F. Other important members of the herd are sired by Talent, Red Marker, Cousteau, Charles, Kite, Jordan (from the Enhancer Scarletts) Bacculum, Advent and Shottle. The Lenkaitis herd has been noted for their Red and Red Factor Specialty genetics, and will continue this tradition, from the looks of things!
Every farm had refreshments and a welcoming place for visitors to warm up before heading back to the historic Stratford Inn in Sycamore. It was a real treat for all involved!