Tuesday, July 8th was the day for the 2008 Minnesota Holstein Field Day. Hosted by the Greg & Dawn Johnson Family, MN Holstein members traveled to their farm near Pelican Rapids to check out their new facilities, see the 2007 Res. Jr. All-American Sr. 3-Year-Old and partake in some great (free) food and fellowship. Meeting me in Pelican Rapids was Megan Herberg, one of our Holstein World interns for the summer. Megan did a great job taking pictures and has put together some info to accompany them for you to enjoy!

The Johnson Family operates under the prefix of Lida-Acres.
Back Row (left to right): Greg, Alex, Adam & Dana
Middle Row: Dawn & Sarah (Adam’s wife)
Front Row: Greta & Maria

The Johnsons converted a turkey barn into this spacious tie-stall barn.

Large open box stalls fill up one side of the Lida-Acres barn and are inhabited by the stars of the Lida-Acres herd.

Lida-Acres Demand Sally is a 90 point Demand from Lida-Acres Cherry Blossom VG-88. Sally has an impressive lifetime record of 174,357 3.6% 6915 3.1% 5468.

Mohrfield Astre Angel EX-92 2E has been an influencial cow for the Johnsons. Angel is an Astre from C Glencomb Miss Angel EX-93 4E and has made over 122,000 lbs. of lifetime milk.

A cow that has brought a lot of attention to the Lida-Acres prefix is Lida-Acres Cousteau April EX-91 2E. She finished an impressive three year old lactation on 2 time a day milking with 30,949 3.9% 1231 3.0% 935. April is currently being flushed and will be bred back for the 2009 show season. In 2007 she was named the Res. Jr. All-American Sr. 3-Year-Old.

Lida-Acres Talent Ann GP-84 @ 2 yr. Sired by Talent from Mohrfield Astre Angel EX-92 2E.

Minnesota Holstein Association president Spencer Hackett presents Greg Johnson with a token of appreciation after Mr. Johnson shared a brief background about their farm. The Johnson’s have been farming near Pelican Rapids since 1888.

Sarah Schmidt of Holstein World shares with the Minnesota Holstein breeders how advertising can benefit their breeding programs. Schmidt shared a lot of inspiring and helpful information regarding advertising.

Holstein enthusiasts of all ages participated in the judging contest during field day.

Adam Johnson, the oldest of the Johnson children, explains the pedigree of this fall calf, which is a Erbacres Damion x Lida-Acres Cousteau April. This Damion was Lot 1 on the silent auction hosted by the Johnson family.

During the judging contest a fun inter-collegiate reasons contest broke out between Cole Rupprecht, who attends the University of North Dakota, and Elizabeth Olson and Megan Herberg, both students at the University of Minnesota. Cole and Elizabeth work out a set of reasons on the aged cow class.

Holstein World staffer Frank Putman recently traveled up to Canada for this new sale event!

The Ontario Summer Event Sale location was at Royalty Farm, John Beerwart, Joyceville, ON, Canada

Bonnie Cooper, Holstein Journal Editor tracks sale prices.

John Beerwart Jr. welcomes the sale goers.

Ontario Holstein’s Executive Manager Jason French makes opening remarks.

Julien Chabot and daughter confer with Martin Roberge and Simon Lalonde as the sale progresses.

If you’re going through eastern New York on the way to the July 28th Global Glamour Sale, you might want to check out the extremely good Eastern New York Holstein Show on Sunday, July 27th beginning at 9:00am. The judge for the day is Bill Kelly, the New England judge who will also be officiating this year’s Eastern Fall National. The show will be held in Rhinebeck, NY.

While on your way, also consider stopping by Nutmeg Acres in Warren, CT. Brian Whitlow and Luke Tanner graciously invite your visit to the farm, that’s only eight miles from Arethusa. Located on Rabbit Hill Road, you’ll find both Brown Swiss and Holsteins in the herd!

Sale staff member Lindsay Bowen takes a break to chat.

Part of the outstanding lineup!

Cy and Andrea before sale time. Cy, an aspiring young auctioneer, sold the first several lots in the sale before veteran Brian Craswell took over.

Jay and John Nutting, along with Brian Craswell.

“Fahma Boys” Pete Zacharias, Rob & Justin Veazie and Dana Hartford.

Long time friends Maurice Keene and Ralph Gushee!

Greg Hussey kept the heifer barn sale consignments looking flawless.

Auntie Vivian entertains her niece and nephew!

Valuable members of the Springhill team in Ohio are Danny & “T” Pszenitzki.

How could the view from the sale barn ever get old?

And looking back up the hill, it’s a beautiful and bright new future for the former Wauregan Farms…now a part of Brigeen.

Here’s the lineup for tomorrow’s sale!

It’s always great traveling to New England and this July 4th weekend was no exception. If you’ve never been to this part of the country, you are missing one of the most beautiful areas on earth. I left the World offices yesterday and traveled to Lylehaven last night. Not only did Sue Brown and I discuss the 2009 Lure of Lylehaven Sale, but we saw fireworks in the state’s capital of Montpelier. This morning, I traveled east and met up with my friend Chris Lang and two of his Springhill employees, brothers Danny and Tommy P. Enjoy the journey!

One of the most charming things about New England is the variety of General Stores you’ll find in lots of towns.

The weather was perfect on July 4th for kayaking and outdoor parties.

Conant Acres in Canton was our first stop. Duane and Betty Conant, and their daughter Debbie and son-in-law Steve operate the 300 acre farm. They just scored on a limited classification this week and highlighting the day were a number of exciting young cows. In fact, of the 16 first-score 2-year-olds who were classified, 12 were Very Good, 2 were too fresh to score and 2 were Good Plus.

Conant Acres Astro Raizel (EX-92) by Astronomical

Duane Conant, always a lively and fun host, shows Chris the cows.

A pair of Champion full sisters both scored EX-90.

A beautiful long-bodied Zenith 2-year-old scored GP-84.

Lamport Polly Durham (EX-92) who Duane purchased last summer when traveling to the New York Summer Picnic at Joleanna Holsteins.

Another beautiful look at the scenery out and about in western Maine.

And yet another shot of beautiful scenery – this scenery is inside though and is the 89 point Givenchy daughter who sells tomorrow as Lot 21. She’s definitely one of the barn stars as people come in and look to find her in the lineup!

The Briggs, Bullard and McCauley families have gone all out with decorations and hospitality!

Sisters and friends! Betsy (Briggs) Bullard and Kate (Briggs) Chapman. Betsy and her husband Bill are partners in Brigeen Farms, while Kate is the California Holstein Association Business Manager.

Sarah Zonneveld and Renee McCauley were running non-stop making sure every detail was taken care of.

After a visit to see the sale lineup, our traveling caravan drove 1/2 southeast to New Gloucester and Pineland Farms. We were graciously toured around by Seth Carpenter and his wife, as well as new hire Tim Putnam.

A beautiful, long, deep Morty.

An Outside daughter completing several generations of EX Trinas!

A nice young Champion.

The calf barn that was not only spotless, but well ventilated and easy to clean.

Who says it’s all about cows?! Seth “herds” Tango and Cha-Cha, two pigs used in the Pineland Petting Zoo educational display

Stay tuned for official classification news from these tremendous Maine herds early next week, and check back later this weekend for more sale information. The Brigeen Blast catalog can be found online at www.holsteinworld.com and starts promptly at 11:00am tomorrow morning. With a stellar lineup, it’s one sale you won’t want to miss!

The results are in – the Morsan Mountain High II Sale averaged $14,857 CAN on 115 lots!

With consignments, buyers and guests from around the world, today’s sale was truly a global event. And for today…and most likely into the fall show season…our industry will be talking about Colorado in Victoria, BC, Canada. That’s right, the high selling lot of the day at $170,000 was Lot 1 – Serli Colorado Lillie EX-94 5yr CAN and she will now make her home at Stanhope Wedgwood. A Derianne Colorado (Juror x VG-85 2yr Leadman) daughter from a VG-88 4* Fancy Paul, Colorado was the HM All-Canadian Sr. 3-year-old in ’06 and Nom. All-Canadian in ’07. She looks like she’s got her eye on more accomplishments yet this year!

2nd High Seller @ $95,000 was Lot 21 – 1st Choice R&W Mr Burns female from Gen-I-Beq Goldwyn Secret *RC VG-87 2yr with a 4/08 LPI of +3652. Next dam is a VG-87 Durham from Glen Drummond Splendor *RC VG-86 2yr, then Flower VG-88 17* and Shower EX 3*, followed by 4 more VG or EX dams with 14* between them all. The consignment of Rocky Mountain Holsteins & Crackholm Holsteins, David Dyment and Eric Solo will be the lucky selectors of this choice.

$84,000 was enough to secure the title of 3rd High Seller for Lot 34 – Starmark-I Gudule. The 12/1/07 Red Advent daughter of Rosedale-L SS Rose-Red-ET VG-87 2yr, Gudule was consigned by Denis Martineau & Fils and is now owned by Faberdale Dairies and Morsan Farms. A truly striking heifer, Gudule’s 2nd dam is the R&W sweetheart Lavender Ruby Redrose 2E-96 USA.

If you weren’t able to get in on the live auction today, check out the Morsan Online Embryo Sale by clicking here. Interest has been high but there are still some lots that will peak your interest and be in your price range. Remember, there is no reserve on these lots. Once the sale concludes at 2:00 pm Mountain Time, they will be sold! Bidding online at DairyAuctions.com is easy, safe and secure. We stand behind its effectiveness and encourage you all to check it out, register to bid and then get in on the best of Morsan within the next 14 hours!!

More pictures from the day…

Sale host Morris Thalen of Morsan Farms.

Erik Klugkist and Chris Parry, the sales management team at Morsan.

It takes a big crew to pull off a sale of this caliber! Hats off to crew leader Kevin McGriskin and his staff from around the world.

You can call him Cowboy Ray… Ray LeBlanc was the ringman on staff for the USA. After today’s sale he heads straight to the Brigeen Blast in Maine. I’d call that a busy week!

Lot 31 was Showline Red Robin, a Nominated All-Canadian 4-H Jr. Calf last year. She was consigned by Eramosa Farms & Hollywell Holsteins and sold for $25,100.

The “Littlest Leadsman” on the halter of one of the, if not the, best Astronomicals in Canada, Crasdale Astronomical Booboo VG-88 2yr CAN. She was All-Canadian as a Jr. 2-year-old in 2006 and will be fresh this fall to compete again. Her 12/07 Goldwyn and 1/08 Dundee calves were the last two lots to sell in the sale. There aren’t too many sales out there that will sell daughters of All-Canadian winners as the last lots in the sale. But that just goes to show how very deep the line-up was!

The very first picture I took on sale day…standing side by side are Lot 1 – Serli Colorado Lillie EX-94 and Irwindale Leduc Macy 2E-95 CAN. Selling from the 2x All-Canadian Macy was 1st Choice Jasper females due 12/08. Macy’s choice was the consignment of Rocky Mountain Holsteins & Continental Holsteins

And the second picture I took on sale day! What a welcome to be greeted by these four powerhouses of the business. On the left is Tomalynn Leduc Della EX-95 CAN, 3x All-Canadian and Res. Grand Champion of the Royal 2007. Her 1st Choice Pronto sold as Lot 2 for $21,000. The choice was consigned by Morsan Farms Ltd. & Huddlesford Holsteins. On the right is Crasdale Astronomical Booboo VG-88 2yr CAN. Her Dundee and Goldwyn daughters sold on the sale, as mentioned above.

The Stage is Set…and the National Brown Swiss Convention is underway in Lima, Ohio! Wednesday’s acivities included the checking in of the Palmer Hoffman Memorial Heifer Show animals as well as the Junior Olympics that were both held at the Allen County Fairgrounds. The show on Friday afternoon will feature 95 heifers exhibited by Brown Swiss youth from 13 different states! The show, headed up by Chris Lahmers is a tribute to long-time Brown Swiss enthusiast and supporter Palmer Hoffman.

The much anticipated sale line-up looks to live upto its billing as one of the best national sales in history! The sale managed by Wayne Sliker and his Modern Associates features some of the finest from Ohio and throughout the country! The sale will feature many show stopping heifers and cows from many outstanding pedigrees! Check out the sale line-up by visiting www.allbreedaccess.com. The sale is set to start at 11 am on Saturday, July 5th.

Today was tour day! The dreary weather did not keep convention goers from visiting one of Ohio’s finest herds – Topp-View, Botkins, Ohio. Mary Lou Topp and family rolled out the red carpet for visitors with a great lunch and warm hospitality at their beautifully kept farm. Mary Lou’s sons – Eric, Keith and Phillip, along with their families were all onhand to answer questions and give personal tours of the cattle and the facilities. The herd that consists of mostly Brown Swiss and Holsteins has numerous All-American nominees, Champions and high scoring individuals.

Check back early next week for more convention and sale news!

Brown Swiss youth gather at the Fairgrounds to take care of their entries in the Palmer Hoffman Memorial Heifer Show.

No strangers to the Brown Swiss scene…Ken Main and Peter Vail look through the sale line-up with Brian Garrison. Dale Bendig in the foreground working hard to keep things looking good.

A portion of the young milk cows in the sale line-up.

On the left – the Reserve Grand Champion from NY Spring Show – Siegerts Flip Twister who is selling in the sale!

The box stall barn at Topp-View was the place to be! All-Americans and Champions were on display for visitors.

Three buses and many car loads of visitors were treated to a great meal at Topp-View.

Topp-View is not only known for their great animals…The Topp Family is also known for the beautiful landscaping and well-kept farmstead! Mary Lou out did herself on the flowers this year (which is hard to do!)…everything was beautiful!

Last night the Morsan Mountain High II Sale event was kicked off in grand fashion with complimentary cocktails, wine and hors d’ oeuvres. I don’t know exactly what I was expecting when I arrived…but the night definitely exceeded my expectations! The cattle looked ready to walk in the ring, sale staff were easy to find in black collared button-down shirts and the atmosphere was filled with anticipations for today’s sale.

I first traveled to Alberta when I was 13-years-old with my dad and brother as we visited farms up and down the province. The cows and people left a lasting impression of quality and kindness then, and that has certainly not changed in the last decade! I have to send a couple special notes of thanks to the Lexi, Ella, Carol and Don Wright of the Cowsmopolitan and Marian Vanderwal of Cedarwal Farms in Abbotsford, B.C. for their help in transportation and babysitting…that’s right, Aubree is serving as my assistant this week.

The sale begins today at 11:00 am, followed by a banquet at the Capri-Centre hotel. Speaking of the hotel, it is quite nice and very accomodating. When arriving in our room we were greeted by a note of welcome from Morris Thalen of Morsan and a sweet little candy gift. A very welcome treat when you get in at 11:30 pm!

Here are some pictures to give you an idea of the facilities and cattle that will be a part of the sale today. To say that the Morsan crew went “all out” for this year’s sale doesnt begin to describe it. Everything is done to perfection and with the utmost professionalism. The pre-sale preview of 20 lots was reminiscent of World Dairy Expo…turned down lights, spotlight and music selected to highlight each lot as she walked around the ring. For example, Lot 53 Morsan For The Love of Fronten is the Fortune daughter of Quality Sept S Fronten, next dam is Frantisco…so she walked in to Queen’s “We Are the Champions”. This is just the tip of the iceberg for the quality this sale has. Needless to say, Im really excited to be here and see how the sale goes!

The Central New York Holstein Show is about to start at the Chenango County Fairgrounds in Norwich, running July 3, 4 and 5. Roger Turner from Guelph, Ontario, will officiate the show on Saturday, the 5th. Cattle were moving in yesterday and today, and show attendees will be treated to Karen Skarka’s famous exhibitor lunch both days, as well as the traditional fireworks display tomorrow night. New this year, exhibitors will find a brand new covered wash rack which is a major new addition to these great facilities.

Friday, July 4th, will kick off with a showmanship contest at 1PM. At 4PM, the Chenango County Holstein Club is holding it’s 8th Annual Semen Sale. Proceeds from this sale go to support the 4-H Dairy Program of Chenango County Cooperative Extension and to the Chenango Junior Holstein Club to support the various club activities, including Dairy Bowl and the NY State Junior Holstein Convention. This year’s semen lineup includes such names as ASPEN, MURPHY, PAGEWIRE and ALABAMA, as well as the Brown Swiss-ACCLAIM and the Jersey-GRIEVES.

Following the Semen Sale is a great Hospitality Hour sponsored by Frontier Communications.