Carl Saucier of CIAQ sent us some ring shots of Blondin Lyster Beauty, Res. Grand Champion and Thrulane James Rose, Grand Champion, of last week’s Quebec Spring Show in Victoriaville. For more information on the show, including individual class placings, please visit the Holstein Quebec website at www.holsteinquebec.com.

Topping the Mid Atlantic Brown Swiss calf sale was an excellent September ‘08 calf with a full pedigree and show potential too.  Top Acres Garbro Brazen ET sold for $11,200 to Brook Clark, Cornish Flat, NH. Left to right: Brian Garrison, representing Top Acres & Garrison Brothers, OH.–consignors; Cindy Warner, Sale manager; Greg & Marcia Clark, NH.–buyers, and Nicole Hood at the halter. In the Sale Box is Wayne Sliker on the left reading pedigrees, and Denny Remsburg, auctioneer is on the right.

The second high seller of the Mid Atlantic Brown Swiss calf was Sun Made GB Agenda Paisley ET, a September ‘08 calf selling for $5000.  Left to right:  Dave Eigenbrode and Scott Hood, MD.– buyers; Ethan Hood at the halter; and Brian Garrison– representing Sunshine Genetics & Garrison Bros., WI. & OH., Consignors.  In the sale box is Wayne Sliker on the left, pedigrees, and Denny Remsburg– auctioneer on the right.

The third high selling animal was Cutting Edge S Amara ET for $4500, a beautiful September ‘08 Power Surge out of Timberline Denmark Angela.  Left to right:  Cindy Warner– sale manager and representing consignors, Ken Main and Peter Vail, NY.; Audreyona Beachley at the halter;, and Brian Garrison– representing the buyer, Wayne Schutt of Liverpool, NY.  In the sale box is Wayne Sliker on the left– pedigrees, and Denny Remsburg- auctioneer on the right.

Frank Putman visited three farms in the Montezuma, GA area while attending the Southern Invitational Sale in Perry, GA. Visit the pasture with Frank to catch a view of some of the fine cattle that Croakey Pond (Irvin Yoder) and Cottencrest Holsteins (JoeAllen Yoder) are working with. Here is Croakey Pond Petro Amber (EX-93) w/ over 38,000 pounds on a recent lactation.

One of the many fine progeny of Regancrest Lieutenant DD-ET (EX-92) is herd favorite Croakey-Pond Outside DD-ET (EX-93) She peaked over 130lbs. This lactation and and has over 30,000 on her best lactation to date. She had daughters and pregnancies by Jasper, transfers by Lauren, a Durham daughter and will be flushed again this lactation

Morningview SS Miracle-ET (VG-86 EX-MS) that traces back to 3E-95 Lead Mae as her 4th dam, sells in A Knight at Kingsmill. She’s as good in the pasture as in her formal photo in the May issue of the World.

Budjon JK Flance Elope-ET (EX-91) with over 33,000m and 1300 fat from the well know Broker Elegance line. She has been crossed to Lauren, Advent and Bolton. She has a VG Offroad daughter.

Tramilda Holsteins has had great success that keep coming with Troy Yoder’s partnership with his father-in-law, Sam Nisley. Two cows that have returned great dividends for the partnership is Silveridge Leduc Renee (EX-93) and Brandt-View Shottle Fern-ET (VG-86 EX-MS). Flush picks and live offspring from Renee (for example Tramilda Dundee Radiance) and embryos from Fern have added to the milk check. Here is a partnership with JoeAllen Yoder. Kingsmill Roy Roulette-ET was their choice at the `08 Legends of the Fall Sale. Her dam is Astrahoe LJ Rosa Rebel-ET (2E-91) Rebel is the 13th generation EX back to Audrey Posch.

A current sire that has been seeing a good deal of use in flushing programs is Golden-Oaks ST Alexander-ET. Here is a view of his 11 year-old dam. Neu-Way Patron Allie-ET (VG-88) is producing embryos for owner Leon Brenneman. Leon is herdsman on Marvin Yoder’s farm and she fits in with all the big framed cows on this farm.

Jr. 2-year-olds
1. Monanfran Advt Charlize-Red, Gil-Tex, Melvold & Virgil Kronberg
2. Ocean-View Merch Lisa, Ocean View Farms
3. Nelsons Roy Janine, Nelson Farms

Charlize was later named Res. Intermediate and Res. Grand Champion of the show!

Last Saturday’s California State Spring Show was held in Merced and officiated by Mark Rueth of Oxford, WI. For individual class winners and additional photos, be sure to check earlier postings on the blog. Here are some scenes from the young cow classes.

The Sr. 2-year-old class featuring the top three placings of:
1. Nabholz Dundee Sally-ET, Rocco Cunningham
2. Whitney Oaks Rudolph Lynn, Whitney Oaks
3. R-J Tex Goldwyn Marcelle, Robert Teixeira

Dundee Sally went on to be named Intermediate Champion of the Junior Show and helped Rocco win the Premier Exhibitor of the Junior Show.

The California Holstein Futurity #35 featured four great entries, placed from left to right:
1. Den-K Roy Lynn Breeze, Den-K Holsteins, Brannon & Jenna Areias
2. Quaresma Morty Fallon 4907, Quaresma Holsteins
3. Lorita SS Migli, Durrer Dairy
4. Stemple-View SStorm Jeni-ET, Amanda Moretti

Jr. 3-year-old class
1. Ocean-View Dundee Abby, Ocean View Farms
2. FDB Juror Bond Belle, Den-K Holsteins

Sr. 3-year-old class
1. Ocean-View Zenith Minny, Ocean View Farms
2. Gleneil Mr Samuelo Bo Doll, Whitney Oaks
3. Den-K Roy Lynn Breeze, Den-K Holsteins

It was Minny’s day as she was later named Intermediate and then Grand Champion! She also helped Ocean View win both the Premier Breeder and Premier Exhibitor banners.

Our latest California Junior blog series features another round of questions from readers for Tony Lopes. Stay tuned for even more California Junior news following the State Show in Merced last weekend!

Question: Tony, do you have chores to do on your home farm? What are they?
Answer: I do not have set chores, but I still help around the dairy. Some of the jobs I have are pushing in the feed, helping move heifers, washing the milk barn, “pushing” cows to and from the milk barn, helping the breeder, branding calves and being an extra set of eyes to watch for sick or injured cows.

Question: What has been your favorite National Convention to attend (so far) and why?
Answer: By far the best convention I have attended was the 2008 Convention in Wisconsin. The first reason is that I was a member of the first California team to ever win on the National level and that was very exciting. That isn’t the only reason though, because the hotel that we stayed at was home to America’s largest indoor waterpark! Then, to top it all off my family and I got to tour some of the best registered dairies in the United States. Those dairies included Regancrest, Budjon, Rosedale, Scientific and even the AI stud ABS. I had a great time in Wisconsin and that is why my convention was so great.

Question: Have you ever been to World Dairy Expo?
Answer: Though I have never been to the World Dairy Expo, it is one of places I would really enjoy visiting. I have flown to Wisconsin though, and the flight was about 3 to 4 hours long.

The Benedict Family welcoming the crowd to the Lake-Effect Sale -
Rachael, Daniel, Gayle, Becky & Jeff Benedict. In the box are Daniel Brandt, pedigrees and Dave Rama, sale manager.

Lake-Effect BRT Cuteness-ET $5,800
This VG Bret topped the sale, was fresh in November and carries 3 A.I. contracts. Left to right: Gayle & Jeff Benedict and Mike Bonoffski, leadsman. Cuteness was purchased by Keith Nettekoven, Menasha, WI.

Lake-Effect Goldwn Wondrous $5,100
VG-86 VG-MS Goldwyn completes 8 generations of VG or EX! Left to right: Gayle & Jeff Benedict, Mike Benedict, leadsman, Patsy Gifford, NY Holstein Association and Don Welk representing buyer John Mehling, Interlaken, NY. In the box Daniel Brandt, pedigrees and Dave Rama, sale manager.

Lake-Effect Durham Dania $5,100
EX EX-MS Durham due in October to Heather-Holme Velvet. Left to right: Gayle & Jeff Benedict, Ryan Ullom, leadsman, Patsy Gifford, NY Holstein Association and Don Welk representing buyers David & Dennis Hottenstein, New Albany, PA.

Barn scenes from before the sale!

Holstein World’s Carol Moyer was at the Lake-Effect Holstein & Jersey Milking Herd & Bred Heifer Dispersal held Saturday, April 25 in Pulaski, NY. A total of 94 head were sold by The Cattle Exchange, Delhi, NY. Top selling Holstein was Lake-Effect BRT Cuteness-ET – a VG-85 Peckenstein Form Bret daughter with 34,430 3.8% 1209 3.2% 1104 at 1-11. Next dam is a VG-85 Marathon with over 30,000m. Cuteness was purchased for $5800 by Keith Nettekoven, Menasha, WI. 76 Holstein lots averaged $2705. Jeff & Gayle Benedict also sold 17 Jersey averaging $1635. Top seller at $2450 was Lake Effect Vind Jewel, a March ‘09 Vindication daughter purchased by Todd & Heather Hyman, Adams, NY. Watch for Carol’s full report and pictures to be online Monday at www.holsteinworld.com

The immaculate farmstead of Indianhead Holsteins was the setting for the Double Impact sale held on Saturday, April 25th, 2009 in Barron, WI. Prices held strong for the elite group of Indianhead and Kingsmill cattle throughout the day and at the end, 91 live lots unofficially averaged $5482.

A crisp spring day in northern Wisconsin set the stage for the Double Impact Sale. Indianhead Holsteins is always a treat to visit with their wonderful herd and attractive farm.

Sale manager Ed Fellers welcomes the crowd and introduces Bob & Karyn Schauf of Indianhead Holsteins and Mitch Hockett and Heather Blackman representing Kingsmill Farm II.

It’s planting season in the Midwest, but a large crowd took time out to travel to Barron for the sale.

High seller on the day – Lot 1 – Astrahoe R Gibson Renee-ET at $30,500
At EX-93, she herself is a 13th Generation EX Gibson daughter of Pinehurst Royal Rosa-ET (2E-91). Renee sold open & ready to flush and was purchased by Ross Russell of Russell Springs, KY.

L to R: Dallas Burton, sale manager; Bob & Karyn Schauf, sellers; Mitch Hockett of Kingsmill Farm II, Ray LeBlanc representing buyer Ross Russell of Russell Springs, KY; Heather Blackman on the halter of Astrahoe R Gibson Renee. In the box are Mark Lee and Brian Craswell, auctioneers and Horace Backus, pedigree man.

2nd high seller – Lot 30 – Indianhead Tripoly-ET, $25,100

A VG-88 Goldwyn daughter of Indianhead Trilogy (EX-94) just fresh in March. Trilogy was the HM All-American 4-Year-Old in 2004 and behind her is a 3E-92 Milan and then C Alanvale Inspiration Tina (2E-95 GMD DOM) – 2x Res. All-American Aged Cow 1995 & 1996. Randy & Elaine Carns of Shullsburg, WI purchased Tripoly.

L to R: Bob & Karen Schauf, sellers; Randy & Elaine Carns, buyers; Dallas Burton, sale manager; Shunya Kotagi on the halter of Indianhead Tripoly. Mark Lee, Brian Craswell and Horace Backus of the sales staff in the box.

3rd high seller – Lot 24 – Indianhead Caramel-Red, $17,000

Caramel is an EX-90 Advent daughter of Indianhead Rubens Ruby-Red (EX-90) and is a 9th generation Excellent. Next dam is the EX-92 Indianhead Raquel, followed by Sellcrest No Rachel-Red (3E-94 GMD) 2x Res. Grand Champion World Dairy Expo R&W Show. She sold open and ready to flush to Siemers Holsteins of Newton, WI.

4th high – Lot 43 – Budjon-JK Star Extra-ET – $15,200

An EX Stardust daughter of Krull Broker Elegance (3E-96), Extra may have been the last own daughter of Krull Broker Elegance to pass through a sale ring. The sales staff brought in her lovely Jasper heifer (not in the sale) to show what kind of calves she can produce! A 6th generation Excellent, Extra was fresh in February and sold to a buyer in Sweden.

Top selling Kingmill Farm II consignment – Lot 114 – Kingsmill Ashlyns Avril-ET – $12,000

Kingsmill Farm II sent a wonderful group of heifers to the sale and the top seller was a 4/08 Stormatic daughter of the ever-popular Tri-Day Ashlyn-ET (2E-96 GMD DOM). Stylish Ashlyn daughters have been making headlines in the sale ring this spring and this heifer was no different as she sold to Tom Morris of Amery, WI.

4-Year-Olds (16)
1. Den-K Champion Astoria-ET (Calbrett-I HH Champion), Rocco Cunningham
2. McClelland Dundee Illana (Regancrest Dundee), Jason Mast
3. Dinomi Champion Kaylea (Calbrett-I HH Champion), Dinomi Holsteins

5-Year-Olds (5)
1. Zimm-Acres Durham Inez (Regancrest Elton Durham), Neil McIsaac & Son Dairy
2. Ocean-View Derry Zamara (Regancrest Derry), Ocean View Farms
3. McClelland Marker Babe-Red (Indianhead Red Marker), Gil-Tex & McClelland

125,ooo-lb. Cows (3)
1.  Dinomi Champion 5985 (Calbrett-I HH Champion), Deena Migliazzo
2.  Ocean-View Durham Doll (Regancrest Elton Durham), Ocean View Farms
3.  McClelland Rumble Else (McClelland Intgy Rumble), McClelland Dairy

Aged Cows (4)
1.  Vir-Clar Giesha 2465 (Regancrest Elton Durham), Den-K Holsteins
2.  Ocean View Roy Halo (Roylane Jordan), Ocean View Farms
3.  McClelland Storm Stella (Maughlin Storm), McClelland Dairy

Senior & Grand Champions of the Junior Show
Senior & Grand Champion: Den-K Champion Astoria, 1st 4-year-old, Rocco Cunningham (won the Courtney Borba Award)
Res. Senior & Res. Grand Champion:  McClelland Dundee Illana, 2nd 4-year-old, Jason Mast

Junior Show Premier Exhibitor: Rocco Cunningham
Junior Show Premier Breeder: Amanda Moretti

Senior Champions of the Open Show
Senior Champion:  Den-K Champion Astoria, 1st 4-year-old, Rocco Cunningham
Res. Senior Champion: McClelland Dundee Illana, 2nd 4-year-old, Jason Mast

I pulled out three cows that excel in the group we have out here.  I pulled out the pair of winning 4-year-olds – they’ve got such impressive frames and mammary systems. I also pulled out the 5-year-old who is a great cow with lots of style and a really nice shape to the udder. But I can’t get past this pair of 4-year-olds.  They look better the longer they’re out here.  They’re wide, deep, full….and when you get behind them, they’ve both got great rear udders and beautiful seams.

Grand & Intermediate Champion:  Ocean-View Zenith Minny, Ocean-View Farms
Res. Grand & Res. Intermediate Champion: Monanfran Advt Charlize-Red, Gil-Tex, Kronberg & Melvold

Judge’s reasons: California cows are extremely dairy and have extremely good udders.  And when I think of California cows, I think of our Intermediate Champion, so she’s going to be my Grand Champion today.  She looked good for her class and her udder looks even better now!  She’s got the height and width of rear udder and she’s just a true dairy cow.  For reserve, I’m going to go with my Res. Intermediate Champion.  It’s close, but I really like that pair – you can’t split those two black cows up – they have great futures ahead of them!

Herdsman Winner (large): Gil-Tex Holsteins

Senior Best 3 Females
1.  Ocean View
2.  McClelland

Dairy Herd
1.  Ocean View
2.  Whitney Oaks

Produce of Dam
1.  Amanda Moretti
Kawasaki Mule auction – proceeds donated to the CA Junior Association – $6,000 – Mark Rueth, Oxford, WI

Premier Exhibitor & Premier Breeder: Ocean View Farms

Be sure to check back tomorrow on the blog for additional pictures!