Autumn Opportunity Show
Oct. 22 – Orangeville, Ontario
Judge: Bloyce Thompson, PEI
Total shown: 185
Junior Champion: Whitaker Stormy-Rae (Stormatic), 1st Intermediate Yearling, Hardys Holsteins/John Kisst/Barclay Phoenix
Reserve Champion: Confield Anna Goldwyn, 1st Senior Yearling, Dupasquier Holsteins/Gene Iager
Intermediate Champion: Blue Ridge Leduc Lady, 1st Senior 3 Year Old, Glenvue Holsteins/Greg McLean/Bert & Nancy Loggan
Reserve Champion: Comestar Lausanka Jasper, 1st Junior 3 Year Old, Comestar Holsteins
Grand Champion: Wilsim Cousteau Greta, 1st Mature Cow, Patience Holsteins Ltd
Reserve Champion: Lylehaven Lila Z (Durham), 2nd Mature Cow, Comestar/Genervations/Cormdale/ADI Cattle Corp/Todd Whittier/Mark Falshaw
Premier Breeder and Exhibitor: Quality Holsteins
Premier Sire: Braedale Goldwyn

Grand Champion, Wilsim Cousteau Greta

Junior Champion, Whitaker Stormy-Rae

(Photos by Tara Malcolm)

Holstein World staffer Frank Putman traveled to Grottoes, VA, this weekend for the Legends of the Fall Sale hosted by David Tait of Gloryland Holsteins. The sale averaged $14,891.18 on 68 lots and achieved a gross of $1,012,600. For a report on the high sellers, click here.

Here are some candids from sale day!

New England Holstein Annual Convention & Sale
Coverage by Marion Seifert

New England breeders and friends gathered October 17-18 for their 87th annual meeting in the colorful hills of Litchfield County, Connecticut. Friday’s program consisted of farm tours to four very different locations. The tour started at Allyndale Farm in Canaan, home of Rick, Shannon and Justine Allyn. There, tour participants had the opportunity to see both the Madison winning milking fall yearling and spring calf. The Allyns are set up to house and prepare special show cattle. Next it was on to the Freund Farm. The Freund family has a very diverse enterprise which consists of a herd of 150 Holsteins and other enterprises. Matt and Ben Freund along with their families operate the dairy farm, a farm market and a cow pot manufacturing plant. The Freunds have a unique agreement with neighboring farmers to share work and protect the watershed of the Blackberry River which borders the farms in this valley. Matt’s wife, Theresa, operates the farm market where we enjoyed a delicious lunch. There she offers farm products, delicious homemade baked goods and other foods and education. A separate enterprise is the rapidly growing cow pot enterprise. The pots, made of the dried material from the methane digester, are used as starter pots for plants which then can be planted in the biodegradable pots which provide nutrients to the growing plants. Our next stop was at Arethusa Farm to view their extraordinary facilities with cattle to match. They had just completed a classification before we arrived with outstanding results that were reported earlier on www.holsteinworld.com. We not only toured the main farm with Terri Packard but visited their new heifer facilities. The last stop on the tour was at Thorncrest Farm. The Clint Thorn family is dedicated to breeding long living solid cow families, demonstrated by their Koral and Sioux families. Jethro Koral has 30 EX descendants including two at 94. Sioux (3E-92) is the dam of a winning summer yearling at Madison and Thorncrest Sapphire who was nominated All-American and All-Canadian. As a side note, Clint is a master cabinet maker who’s furniture can be seen at Arethusa’s hospitality and office complex. Friday evening’s activities included viewing the sales cattle, a social, junior activities and committee meetings.

Saturday morning was dedicated to conducting the business of the association and more junior activities. President Elizabeth Bullard presided pointing out that the membership has remained stable. The biggest news from the meeting was the passage of a resolution pertaining to the inability to get production records on cattle that are purchased from Canada. This has been an ongoing problem causing hardship to buyers as pedigrees do not reflect the complete information. The resolution directs the Board of Directors of Holstein USA, Inc. to solve this problem. If the Board of Directors does not take favorable action on the resolution at their November meeting, the New England delegates will have it placed on the agenda for the National Convention in 2009.

Elections of officers saw some new faces coming on board. Elizabeth Bullard, ME, will continue and complete her term as President, Chris Hannan, CT, continues as Vice-President, Melissa Greenbacker, CT, is the new Secretary, Arnold Nieminen, CT, continues as Treasurer and James Strout, ME, succeeds Dave Schillawski, who was not eligible for re-election, as Assistant Treasurer.

Junior contests results seated the Quiz Bowl teams for 2009. The junior team will be comprised of Heather Taft, Adam Pothier, Aryn Martin and Maddie Beaudry with Sarrah Simpson and Heath Page as alternates. The senior team includes Jasper Page, James Taft, Heather Hunt and Jared Birch with Cody Barrett as alternate. Aryn Martin will be the representative in the Junior Distinguished Junior contest.

The sale on Saturday afternoon resulted in a pleasing average over $3,000. High seller was Arethusa’s June daughter of Fradon Jet-Red-ET out of Melanie’s VG-88 September Storm daughter. She went to Frank Behling, WI. Second high was Schilldale’s first choice female by Shottle from the Goldwyn daughter of Durham Buttercup (2E-94). Buyer was Fredie Seeuwis, WI with David Sears, MA, contender.

Full sales results and pictures will be posted on www.holsteinworld.com shortly!

Lismore Royal Review
Saturday, October 25, 2008 ~ Arkport, NY
Katy Johnson, reporting

What began as a cold and rainy fall day turned out to be a sunny and beautiful success for the Merry family of Lismore Dairy. The Lismore Royal Revue, held at the Lismore Sale Facility in Arkport, NY had a sale top of $17,500 on Markwell-LB Goldwyn Dulci-ET, a March ’07 potential 6th generation Excellent Raven who was consigned by Lismore Dairy. The second high seller at $15,200 was a first choice Shottle due in late February or mid March from Stone-Rise Durham Lizzy. The pick was consigned by Kevin and Barb Ziemba and William Brown. While he was introducing the Merry family before the sale, Dave Rama stated that, “They have more energy and enthusiasm than you’ll find anywhere,” and there is no doubt that this was portrayed in the Lismore Royal Revue. Check back later for official sale average and partial buyer’s list!

The sale cattle were ready to go early for viewers, as Andy Merry speaks with Dave Marquis about some of the milking animals.

A delicious complimentary lunch was enjoyed by the large crowd before the sale.

The top seller at $17,500 was Lot 4, Markwell-LB Goldwyn Dulci-ET, consigned by Lismore Dairy. She is pictured here with some members of the Merry family and sale staff, from left: Horace Backus, Jason Pullis, Patsy Gifford, Tom Merry, Ed Merry, Bethany Kent, Andy Merry and Adam Liddle.

The Fall For Colors Sale II hosted by City Slickers Farm in Cross Plains, WI took place over the weekend. Friday night was a sale cattle preview and pre-sale Octoberfest meal. Below are some images from the weekend.

The City Slickers farmstead.

The Hellenbrands of City Slicker Farm buy embryos from some of the best families in a variety of breeds, use beef cattle as recipients, and then expertly raise the heifers and select bulls in these hutches.

Mike Hellenbrand shows Herbie Lutz and Jeff Ziegler of Select Sires the calves in hutches, many of whom will probably be in the next edition of the Fall for Colors sale series.

Bud Yoder and Jason Robinson, key members of the sale crew, put a top on one of the consignments

Some of the beef herd used as recipients.

Mike Hellenbrand speaks with Ken Main Friday afternoon.

A few of the younger Jersey heifers offered in the sale.

A view of the solid line-up of Guernsey June heifer calves.

Sale staff members, Stanley Chupp, Seth Johnson and Dale Chupp work out the Guernsey sale line-up as Bill Langel checks out the heifers.

A content group of Red & White consignments.

Lot 18 – Brothers Three HP Willow, the first place Spring Calf at World Dairy Expo this year in the stall. She was one of the high sellers of the day at $18,100.

Lot 77 – Mysha R-H Lady Devine-ET – The second World Dairy Expo class winner that sold in the sale. This Shorthorn won the Fall Heifer Class in Madison.

The high selling Guernsey was this VG-88 dry cow, due later this year. She is a high index, high producing Aaron daughter backed by three EX-91 point dams. She sold for $15,000 to Lauren and Cara Woloojosian of West Greenwich, Rhode Island.

Linda and Mike Hellenbrand welcome everyone to the sale.

Lot 120 in the ring flanked by entertaining ringman Ron Moser and Dale Chupp.

A unique lot sells - a completly new bloodline to the U.S. This ET calf was bred in Australia and born here in the US. The result is a whole new Milking Shorthorn bloodline for American breeders to develop upon!

World Dairy Expo is always a crazy week! Here are some more photos Holstein World staff took out in the barns that didn’t get up on the blog yet – enjoy!

The Central National Brown Swiss show concluded Thursday, October 2nd with the very popular championship parade. Wayne Sliker of St. Paris, Ohio, served as the official judge and was assisted by associate judge, Jeremy McDonald of Middletown, Virginia. They placed a total 298 head.

As always, the New Glarus Yodelers Club lead the parade in their traditional Swiss garb.

Fall Yearling in Milk
1. Cliff-Brook Zeus Huggy, Rottinghaus & Woods, Madison, WI

Junior Two-Year-Old Cow
1. Brothers Three Wisp, Katie Gibson/Brothers Three, Eminence, KY

Senior Two-Year Old Cow
1. Forest Lawn Whistler Molly, Rottinghaus & J Woods, Madison, WI

Junior Three-Year-Old Cow
1. Jo-Dee Prestige Kaluwa, Jodi Coppini, Jo-Dee Swiss, Tillamook, OR

Senior Three-Year-Old Cow
1. Ja Ka Hillary Hillbilly, Rob/Pat Donaldson, Abbotsford, BC, Canada

Four-Year-Old Cow
1. Dublin-Hills Treats, Peter Vail, Ken Main, Valatie, NY

Five-Year-Old Cow
1. Sunnyisle Colby Twilite-ET, John D. & Bonnie Ayars & Sons/Dr. Kenny Manion, Mechanicsburg, OH

Aged Cow, Six Years and Over
1. North Lanes Jetway Corina, Craig Dudte,Martin Yoder,Kurt Mairs, Wooster, OH

Component Merit Class
1. Old Mill E Snickerdoodle OCS, Allen Bassler Jr., Upperville, VA

The Junior Champion who was chosen the day before came back out as well, she is Moore-Stream KR Shelia, Rodney & Brianne Willson, Lee Center, NY.

Judge Sliker looks over his complete line-up.

The three cows pulled for Intermediate Champion:
It would go to the 1st & 2nd place Sr. 3-Year-Olds (right and middle): Ja Ka Hillary Hillbilly, Rob/Pat Donaldson, Abbotsford, BC, Canada and Reserve to Brothers Three Worthy Ocs-ET, Topp-View & Brothers Three, Botkins, OH. Also pulled for contention on the left is the 1st Jr. 3-Year-Old.

The four cows pulled out for Senior Champion, from left to right:
1st 4-Year-Old – Dublin-Hills Treats, Peter Vail, Ken Main, Valatie, NY
2nd 5-Year-Old -  Forest Lawn Anthem Busy, Peter Vail, Ken Main, Valatie, NY
1st 5-Year-Old – Sunnyisle Colby Twilite-ET, John D. & Bonnie Ayars & Sons/Dr. Kenny Manion, Mechanicsburg, OH
1st Component Merit – Old Mill E Snickerdoodle OCS, Allen Bassler Jr., Upperville, VA

In the end, “Snick” did it again and was named Senior Champion! Reserve Senior Champion went to Twilite – one of the few cows to ever beat Snickerdoodle for a championship at World Dairy Expo. (Back in 2006, Twilte was Intermediate & Grand Champion while Snickerdoodle was Senior & Reserve Grand Champion)

In the selection for Grand Champion judge Sliker went with his Senior Champion (right) for Grand Champion, his Intermediate Champion (left) for Reserve Grand Champion and the Reserve Senior Champion (middle) for Honorable Mention.

Associate judge Jeremy McDonald congratulates Snickerdoodle’s longtime leadsperson Deanna Bendig.

The World Classic was held on Friday night and achieved a superb average of $25,213 on 45 lots.

The top seller at $97,000 was Lot #1 – Comestar Lautalia Goldwyn – a 6/08 Goldwyn daughter out of Comestar Lautamie Titanic (VG-89-2YR-CAN). Lautamie was the Reserve All-Canadian Jr 2-Year-Old in 2006 and is the #2 LPI cow in Canada. Consigned by Comestar Holsteins, La Travesa Farm and Granja La Ponderosa, she sold to Daryld Gahm of Mt. Carroll, IL.

The latest edition of the Prime Time sale series was held last night at the Sherona Hill farm in Edgerton, WI and it was another rousing success. Prime Time V featured a beautiful lineup of cattle and plenty of hospitality for the large crowd that travelled south of Madison on Wednesday evening. When all was said and done, the sale unofficially averaged $10,800 on 72 head.

Some of the cows in the sale lineup.

Fancy group of heifers.

KHW Regiment Apple-Red had two daughters selling in the sale and she was on display in the barn beforehand. The EX-92 ‘Million Dollar Cow’ had plenty of interested visitors stop by her box stall.

All-American Apple was also paraded in the ring before her daughters sold.

The sale topper at $140,000 was Apple’s 3/08 *RC Stormatic heifer, Ms Apples Angelina-ET. Consigned by the Apple Red, LLC, she was purchased by the Angelina Partners of Durango, IA. Her full sister sold for $120,000 at the Global Glamour Sale earlier this year.

Ms Delicious Apple-Red-ET, the 4/08 red Talent daughter of Apple, was purchased by The Apple Group of Smithville, ON for $96,000 – good for second high.

Another sale headliner – Comestar Lauthias Baxter – a 1/08 Baxter daughter of Comestar Lautelma Igniter (VG-89-CAN), the #5 LPI cow in Canada sold was third high seller at $53,000. Consigned by Comestar & Herber, she was purchased by Frank & Diane Borba of Modesto, CA.

Fourth high at $30,000 was Miss Stormatic Mirabel-ET, a 5/07 Stormatic daughter of Arethusa Dundee Miracle-ET (VG-88). Mirabel’s 2nd dam is Hillcroft Leader Melanie (3E-96) – the 2004 All-American Aged Cow. She was purchased by Lyle Killins of Smithville, ON.

Top Sellers at the Prime Time V Sale were Lots 1, 2 and 3!

On Wednesday at World Dairy Expo, John and Adnnelies Seffrood of NorSwiss Dairy in Summit, SD were featured in a Virtual Farm Tour sponsored by Cover-All. Their 1200 milking cow facility features three compost pack barns where their dry cows, close-up cows and heifers, and fresh cows are housed. Beginning about 10 years ago, and with little farm experience, the Seffrood’s dairy has become one full of innovations and success. They firmly stand behind their decision to include the compost bedded pack Cover-Alls in their combination of facilities, and praise them for their increased cow comfort, decreased metabolic problems in the cows, and the increased natural light that they provide.

Visitors enjoy the virtual farm tour video of NorSwiss dairy where John and Adnnelies explain their operation and how it works on a day-to-day basis.

John and Addnelies openly answered questions from the crowd after the video was done showing, and the visitors were able to learn even more about their interesting operation.