Illinois Championship Show
Friday, July 17th
Bloomington, IL
Judge – Michael Heath, Westminster, MD
177 head

Spring Heifer Calf (15)
1. (B&O) St-Yle-SA Mai Tai-Red-ET (Scientific Debonair-Red-ETS), Stephanie Aves, Poplar Grove, IL
2. St-Yle-SA Jasper Alexia-ET (Wilcoxview Jasper-ET), Stephanie Aves, Poplar Grove, IL
3. Ms Katys Jasper Kassidy-ET (Wilcoxview Jasper-ET), Price, Carpio & Meyer, Manteno, IL
4. KHW Regiment Apple 3-Red-ETN (Carrousel Regiment-ET), Apple Red LLC, Lanark, IL
5. Ms Katys Jasper Kaydence-ET (Wilcoxview Jasper-ET), Meyer & Price, Manteno, IL

Winter Heifer Calf (16)
1. Crackholm Dundee Lavish-ET (Regancrest Dundee-ET), Caitlin & Blake Meyer, Manteno, IL
2. Mibelson Laramie Copernie-ET (Wedgwood Laramie-ET), Carson, Garrett & Brooke Kasbergen, Mansfield, IL
3. Maheufils Touchdown Macy-ET (Rosedale Touchdown-Red), Austin Rademacher, Penfield, IL
4. (B&O) Holbric Dundee Lysol-ET (Regancrest Dundee-ET), Morgan Olbrich, Harvard, IL
5. Regancrest-CP S Desire-ET (Picston Shottle-ET), Connor Erbsen, Lanark, IL

Fall Heifer Calf (15)
1. Maheufils Jasper Roxy-ET (Wilcoxview Jasper-ET), Austin Rademacher, Penfield, IL
2. Ms Kalies Salvador Kayla (Despointes Salvadore-ET), Price & Meyer, Manteno, IL
3. (B&O) Erbacres Aspen Dream-ET (EK-Oseeana Aspen-ET), Connor Erbsen, Lanark, IL
4. Mil-R-Mor Laramie Sahara (Wedgwood Laramie-ET), Lorilee Schultz, Orangeville, IL
5. Ms Applesauce-ET (Regancrest Dundee-ET), Erbsen & Deaver, Lanark, IL

Summer Yearling (7)
1. Ernest-Anthony Radiant-Red (Fradon Rediner-Red-ET), Carson, Garrett & Brooke Kasbergen, Mansfield, IL
2. Ms Kalies Advent Kalina (KHW Kite Advent-Red-ET), Meyer & Price, Manteno, IL
3. Walk-Era Pronto Monty (Windy-Knoll-View Pronto-ET), Stephanie Aves, Poplar Grove, IL
4. Ms Karies Zenith Karmon (Ocean-View Zenith-TW-ET), Meyer & Price, Manteno, IL
5. (B&O) Erbacres Spirte Camry (Cedarwal Spirte), Kevin Erbsen, Lanark, IL

Spring Yearling (7)
1. Rightstar Allegro Bloyce-ET (Shoremar BKB Allegro), Carson, Garrett & Brooke Kasbergen, Mansfield, IL
2. (B&O) B-J-Grove Dale Rosalee (B-J-Grove Roy Dale), Kasey Clanton, Mulberry Grove, IL
3. Ms Goldwyn Gretchen (Braedale Goldwyn), Caitlin Meyer, Manteno, IL
4. Erbacres Aspen Lace (EK-Oseeana Aspen-ET) Carla Erbsen Mickey, Lanark, IL
5. Woodbridge Absolute Hope (EK-Oseeana Absolute-ET), Brennan Woker, Greenville, IL

Winter Yearling (10)
1. (B&O) Holbric Roy Artist (Roylane Jordan-ET), Morgan Olbrich, Harvard, IL
2. Pierstein Goldwyn Mission (Braedale Goldwyn), John Erbsen, Lanark, IL
3. Huel-Haven Outside Natally (Comestar Outside-ET), Lucas Clanton, Mulberry Grove, IL
4. Ms Katys Roy Katrina (Roylane Jordan-ET), Meyer & Price, Manteno, IL
5. Savage-Leigh Fortune Ella (To-Mar D-Fortune-ET), Jason Swanson, Capron, IL

Fall Yearling (6)
1. Maheufils Goldwyn Melinda-ET (Braedale Goldwyn), Austin Rademacher, Penfield, IL
2. Holbric Mil-R-Mor Abyann-ET (Regancrest Dundee-ET), Val Greco & Ron Mikulice, Orangeville, IL
3. (B&O) B-J-Grove Leheros Monkey (Comestar Lheros-ET), Clanton & Kollman, Mulberry Grove, IL
4. Ernest-Anthony Contessa (Braedale Goldwyn) David Ludwig, Fithian, IL
5. Rock-I Holly Ozzy Halo (Mooseheart Ozzy-ET), Rock-I Farm, Orangeville, IL

Junior Champion
Maheufils Jasper Roxy-ET, 1st Fall Calf, Austin Rademacher, Penfield, IL

Reserve Junior Champion
Maheufils Goldwyn Melinda-ET, 1st Fall Yearling, Austin Rademacher, Penfield, IL

HM Junior Champion
Crackholm Dundee Lavish-ET, 1st Winter Calf, Caitlin & Blake Meyer, Manteno, IL

Bred & Owned Junior Champion
B-J-Grove Dale Rosalee, Spring Yearling, Kasey Clanton, Mulberry Grove, IL

Bred & Owned Reserve Junior Champion
Erbacres Aspen Dream-ET (EK-Oseeana Aspen-ET), Connor Erbsen, Lanark, IL

Junior Best Three (3)
1. Holbric Holsteins, Harvard, IL
2. B-J-Grove Holsteins, Mulberry Grove, IL
3. Erbacres Holsteins, Lanark, IL

Dry 3 & 4-Year-Old (2)
1. (B&O) Irwindale Gibson Melinda (Silky Gibson-ET), Todd Irwin, Beason, IL
2. Wilstar SS Kryptonite-ET (Pursuit September Storm-ET), Steven & Julia Mitchell, Winnebago, IL

Dry 5-Year-Old & Older (2)
1. (B&O) Erbacres Encore Leigh (Marcrest Encore), Carla Erbsen Mickey, Lanark, IL
2. Golfing Talent Amaze-ET (Ladino Park Talent-Imp-ET), Matt Engel, Hampshire, IL

2-Year-Old Futurity (16)
1. Lindale Aspen Maybelle (EK-Oseeana Aspen-ET), Lindale Holsteins, Hampshire, IL
2. Team Durham Morgan-ET (Regancrest Elton Durham-ET), Team Holsteins, Hampshire, IL
3. Erbacres Cons Lisa-Red (Erbacrest Rubens Constant), Carla Erbsen Mickey, Lanark, IL
4. Vital-I Advantage Laura-ET (Luck-E Advantage-ET), Joe Vitale, Dixon, IL
5. AHM Lady Purdue-ET (KHW Kite Advent-Red-ET), AHM & Ron Mickulice, Orangeville, IL

Junior 2-Year-Old (9)
1. (B&O, BU) Team Durham Morgan-ET (Regancrest Elton Durham-ET), Team Holsteins, Hampshire, IL
2. Savage-Leigh Alexee-ET (Regancrest Dundee-ET), Stephanie Aves, Poplar Grove, IL
3. Sherona-Hill-JH Faith-ET (Regancrest Elton Durham-ET), Team Holsteins, Hampshire, IL
4. Vital-I Advantage Laura-ET (Luck-E Advantage-ET), Joe Vitale, Dixon, IL
5. Swanee-Lee Lehrjet Darcy (Holbrick Linjet Lehrjet-ET), Emily Irwin, Belvidere, IL

Senior 2-Year-Olds (15)
1. (BU) Mohrfield Supra Precious (Blondin Supra-ETS), Tyler Carter, Greenville, IL
2. (B&O) Lindale Aspen Maybelle (EK-Oseeana Aspen-ET), Lindale Holsteins, Hampshire, IL
3. Luck-E Dundee Maude (Regancrest Dundee-ET), Matt Engel, Hampshire, IL
4. Erbacres Cons Lisa-Red (Erbacrest Rubens Constant), Carla Erbsen Mickey, Lanark, IL

Junior 3-Year-Olds (8)
1. (B&O, BU) Lindale Rudy Electra (Nunesdale Durham Rudy-ET), Lindale Holsteins, Hampshire, IL
2. Courtlane Dundee Clara (Regancrest Dundee-ET), Olbrich & Lomen, Harvard, IL
3. Bluff-Ridge Gibson Dream (Silky Gibson-ET), Sarah Butler, Arrowsmith, IL
4. B-J-Grove Mailing Mermaid (Poly-Kow Mailing-ET), Lucas Clanton, Mulberry Grove, IL
5. Luck-E Damion Tiki (Erbacres Damion), Matt Engel, Hampshire, IL

Senior 3-Year-Olds (12)
1. (B&O, BU) Lindale Kite Diana (Markwell Kite-ET), Lindale Holsteins, Hampshire, IL
2. K-Lane Givenchy Kalie (Brigeen Givenchy-ET), Bruce Clanton, Mulberry Grove, IL
3. Drumdale Memory Bosley (Karona Bosley), Gunderson & Swanson, Shannon, IL
4. Wesemann Best Velocity (Hidden-View Best),Allison Telgmann, Strasburg, IL
5. Holbric Dundee Specialty (Regancrest Dundee-ET), Katelyn Olbrich, Harvard, IL

Intermediate Champion
Lindale Kite Diana, 1st Senior 3-Year-Old, Lindale Holsteins, Hampshire, IL

Reserve Intermediate Champion
K-Lane Givenchy Kalie, 2nd Senior 3-Year-Old, Bruce Clanton, Mulberry Grove, IL

HM Intermediate Champion
Mohrfield Supra Precious, 1st Senior 2-Year-Old, Tyler Carter, Greenville, IL

4-Year-Olds (16)
1. (BU) Gardner Durham Kierdra (Regancrest Elton Durham-ET), Lindale Holsteins, Hampshire, IL
2. (B&O) Luck-E-JK Dundee Trista-ET (Regancrest Dundee-ET), Engel & Kietzman, Hampshire, IL
3. Les-Mar-Acres Astron Gorjus, (Oseeana Astronomical-ET), Paige Lyford, Roscoe, IL
4. Frozenes SS Clover-ET (Pursuit September Storm-ET), Jerry & Sharon Smith, Davis, IL
5. B-J-Grove Champion Hoover (Calbrett-I H H Champion-ET), Clanton, Devore & Kollman, Mulberry Grove, IL

5-Year-Old Futurity (5)
1. Budjon-JK Derry Epiphany (Regancrest Emory Derry-ET), Rob Gunderson, Shannon, IL
2. Bluff-Ridge Durham Bambi (Regancrest Elton Durham-ET), Jackie Butler, Arrowsmith, IL
3. R-Homestead Champion Lisel (Calbrett-I H H Champion-ET), David Ruppert, Nokomis, IL
4. Schaufine Adolph Blast (Tri-Day Adolph), Amy Schaufelberger, Greenville, IL
5. B-J-Grove Allegro Corlene (Shoremar BKB Allegro), Lucas Clanton, Mulberry Grove, IL

5-Year-Olds (10)
1. (Prod) Budjon-JK Derry Epiphany (Regancrest Emory Derry-ET), Rob Gunderson, Shannon, IL
2. (B&O) Luck-E-JK Linjet Twizzle-ET (Sunnylodge Linjet), Engel & Kietzman, Hampshire, IL
3. Gardner Durham Keyandra (Regancrest Elton Durham-ET), Lindale Holsteins, Hampshire, IL
4. (BU) Lindale Hi Metro Naida-ET (Sikkema-Star-W Hi Metro-ET), Lindale Holsteins, Hampshire, IL
5. Gardner Durham Medusa (Regancrest Eltond Durham-ET), Lindale Holsteins, Hampshire, IL

Aged Cows (3)
1. (B&O) Lindale Eland Frisky (Four-Of-A-Kind Eland-ET), Lindale Holsteins, Hampshire, IL
2. (BU) Irwindale Leduc Molly-ET (Lystel Leduc-ET), Team Holsteins, Hampshire, IL
3. Lindale Brent Evette (Lindale Encore Brent-ET), Lindale Holsteins, Hampshire, IL

125,000 Lb Cows (3)
1. (B&O, BU) Luck-E Charles Trixie-ET (Boulet Charles-ET), Matt Engel, Hampshire, IL
2. Hedge-Row Blitz Dana-ET (Fustead Emory Blitz-ET), Brian & Mark Olbrich, Harvard, IL
3. Free-State Encore Fancy Gay (Marcrest Encore), Sarah Sheehan, Orangeville, IL

Senior Champion
Gardner Durham Kierdra, 1st 4-Year-Old, Lindale Holsteins, Hampshire, IL

Reserve Senior Champion
Lindale Eland Frisky, 1st Aged Cow, Lindale Holsteins, Hampshire, IL

HM Senior Champion
Irwindale Leduc Molly-ET, 2nd Aged Cow, Team Holsteins, Hampshire, IL

Best Three Females (1)
1. Lindale Holsteins, Hampshire, IL

Dam & Daughter (1)
1. Team Holsteins, Hampshire, IL

Produce of Dam (2)
1. Engel & Kietzman, Hampshire, IL
2. Lindale Holsteins, Hampshire, IL

Best Uddered Cow of Show
Irwindale Leduc Molly, Team Holsteins, Hampshire, IL

Champion Bred & Owned
Lindale Eland Frisky, 1st Aged Cow, Lindale Holsteins, Hampshire, IL

Grand Champion
Gardner Durham Kierdra, 1st 4-Year-Old, Lindale Holsteins, Hampshire, IL

Reserve Grand Champion
Lindale Eland Frisky, 1st Aged Cow, Lindale Holsteins, Hampshire, IL

Premier Breeder
Lindale Holsteins, Hampshire, IL

Premier Exhibitor
Lindale Holsteins & Team Holsteins, Hampshire, IL

The Central WI Summer Event was held Thursday evening, July 16th at Twin-B Dairy in Marathon, WI. In spite of the dismal milk prices, the benefit of marketing Registered Holstein genetics was plainly evident as the sale averaged $5,782 on 75 lots.

Topping the sale at $24,000 was Lot #2 – Wabash-Way Shottle Elly-ET – a 9/08 Shottle daughter out of Crockett-Acres Elita-ET (VG-87) GTPI +2162. Shottle Elly is a full sister to the #1 CTPI cow in the breed on the 4/09 proof run – Wabash-Way Emilyann-ET (VG-88). Another full sister is the #2 GLPI cow in Canada. Consigned by Wabash-Way Holsteins of New Weston, OH, Elly was purchased by Troy Yoder and Sam Nisly of Montezuma, GA.

Two lots tied for second high of the sale at $20,000. A first choice female by Sanchez due in January from four female pregnancies out of Ralma Goldwyn Carmel-ET (VG-89) brought that amount from Oakfield Corners Dairy of Oakfield, New York. Carmel carries a GTPI of +2164 and has had bulls contracted from all matings. She is a 5th generation VG or EX from the Ralma Juror Faith family and was consigned by Rugg-Doc Holsteins of Stevens Point, WI.

The other lot at $20,000 was a first choice Goldwyn female from three heifers due in November out of Regancrest Brasilia-ET (VG-88). Brasilisa is the #8 CTPI cow of the breed and has seven sisters in the top 17 on the PTAT list – all out of the type machine Regancrest-PR Barbie-ET (EX-92). Consigned by Butz-Hill Holsteins and Jeff Butler and purchased by Brian Craswell of Hunter River, PEI, Canada.

Bringing $18,000 from Bert DeBruyn was a first choice Million female of six pregnancies due in December and January from Calbrett Shottle Laura-ET (VG-88). With a CTPI of +2029, Laura is a Shottle daughter of the “Million Dollar” Lylehaven Lila Z (EX-91-CAn). Laura has two full sisters high on the LPI and Conformation lists in Canada. The choice was consigned by Chartroise Holsteins and Velthuis Farms, Ltd of Rockford, OH.

Others selling over $10,000:

- $16,000 – First choice Million or Jeeves female from pregnancies due this fall from Nova-TMJ Golden Edie-ETS (VG-86) – CTPI +2178
Consignor: Nova Registered Holsteins, New Richmond, WI
Buyer: Kevin Jorgensen, Waupun, WI

- $13,000 -First choice Shottle from three June & July ’09 heifers out of Regancrest G Bedazzle-ET (VG-87) – CTPI +2097 +4.44T – a Goldwyn out of EX-92 Regancrest-PR Barbie.
Consignor: R-E-W Farm, Lebanon, CT
Buyer: Ron & Jim Hackmann, Manitowoc, WI

- $11,200 – First choice Jeeves from four June ’09 heifers out of Rabur Shottle Paddington-ET, a contracted Shottle daughter from Rabur Laudan Padarus-ET (VG-87) that is +6.1PL; third dam Rabur Outside Pandora (3E-91).
Consignor: R. Paul Buhr, Jr., Viroqua, WI
Buyer: Jim Sipiorski, Lansing, MI

- $10,200 – First choice of four 7/09 Mac, two 7/09 Shottles or six 9/09 Shaquilles out of Tri-Day Ashlyn-ET (2E-96), the legendary All-American who is now the dam of 22 EX & 24 VG offspring
Consignor: Kingsmill Farm II, Durham, NC
Buyer: Rob & Debbie Moede

- $10,200 – First choice Planet female from seven pregnancies due this winter from Deervue-Acres Raven-ET (VG-86) – CTPI +2073 +745NM +5.9PL – backed by six VG & EX dams.
Consignor: Jim & Kim Henschel, Elkhart Lake, WI
Buyer: Nate Janssen, Wauconda, IL

Top seller at the Central WI Summer Event Sale!
L to R: Ray LeBlanc, sale staff; Scott Pralle, sale chairman; Tom Morris, auctioneer; Les Terpstra, sale staff; Christy Oemichen holding Wabash-Way Shottle Elly-ET.

The sale was sponsored and managed by the Central Wisconsin Holstein Breeders.

By Joanna Calimer

The Washington County Holstein Association held their annual field day on July 4, 2009 at the Washington County Agricultural Education Center located near Hagerstown, Maryland. Judge for the event was Malorie Rhoderick.

Winning Premier Breeder and Premier Exhibitor was DeBaugh Farms of Boonsboro, Maryland. Exhibited by Scott DeBaugh, DeBaugh Zenith Mirage-ET, a senior two year old, won 4-H/FFA Grand Champion and Open Class Reserve Grand Champion as well as 4-H/FFA Best Bred and Owned of the Show. Scott DeBaugh also showed the 4-H/FFA Reserve Grand Champion, DeBaugh Zenith Melanie.

Open Class Grand Champion was Spots Pride Pronto Galaxy, a four year old exhibited by Emily Yeiser. Galaxy also won Open Class Best Bred and Owned.

Winners for the Showmanship classes were: Junior: (1) Sydney Davis, (2) Gene Wiles; Intermediate: (1) Carol DeBaugh,(2) Erin Corbett, (3) Carly Shaw; Senior: (1) Kaitlyn Corbett (2) Scott DeBaugh, (3)Tracey Forsythe; Overall Winner: Kaitlyn Corbett.

Class results were as follows, with 4-H noted in parentheses, ( ):
Spring Heifer Calf: 1. DeBaugh Maritime Carly, DeBaugh Farms; 2. (1) DeBaugh Mesquite-ET, Erin Canfield; 3. (2) DeBaugh Zenith Barbiedoll, Carol DeBaugh; (3) Lonely Willow Inde Wynetta, Sydney Davis.
Winter Heifer Calf: 1. Coldsprings Talent 3270-ET, Bonnie Weddle & John Shank; 2. Lonely Willow Lou LillyB-TW, Samuel Winters, Jr.; 3. (1) Windsor Manor SMR Radar-Red, Cory DeBaugh; (2) Lonely Willow Lou Sonia, Sydney Davis; (3) MD-Maple Lawn Aspen 2673, Kaitlyn Corbett.
Fall Heifer Calf: 1. Pintail-Point S Rockette-ET, DeBaugh Farms; 2. (1) MD-Heavensent Boy Kiss-Red, Tessa Wiles; 3. (2) Savage-Acres Damion Winner, Erin Corbett; (3) Linden-Hall Moscow Blaze, Tracey Forsythe.
Summer Yearling Heifer: 1.(1) Pheasant Echos Blade Gloria, KaitlynCorbett; 2. DeBaugh Zenith Pepper, DeBaugh Farms.
Spring Yearling: 1.(1) MD-Heavensent Redliner Cottoncandy-Red; 2. Lonely-Willow Le-O Caroline, Staci Snyder.
Winter Yearling: 1.(1) DeBaugh Decker Kassie, Cory DeBaugh; 2.(2) DeBaugh Decker Clacker, Erin Canfield; 3.(3) MD-Heavensent Emily-Red-TW, Gene Wiles.
Fall Yearling: 1. Lonely Willow Shottle SA-ET, Greg Winters; 2.(1) MS MD-Brookside Gins Goober, Carly Shaw; 3.(2) Two-Top Roy Alto, Erin Corbett.
4-H/FFA Junior Champion: Pheasant Echos Blade Gloria, Kaitlyn Corbett.
4-H/FFA Reserve Junior Champion: DeBaugh Zenith Mesquite-ET, Erin Canfield
Open Class Junior Champion: Coldsprings Talent 3270-ET, Bonnie Weddle & John Shank.
Open Class Reserve Junior Champion: Lonely Willow Lou LillyB-TW, Samuel Winters, Jr.
Jr. Best Three Females: 1. Lonely Willow, Winters; 2. DeBaugh Farms.
Jr. 2 Yr. Old Cow: 1. DeBaugh Encino Manhattan-ET, Ryan Shank
Sr. 2 Yr. Old Cow: 1.(1) DeBaugh Zenith Mirage-ET, Scott DeBaugh; 2.(2) Brownside Roy Bianca, Carol DeBaugh; 3.(3) MD-Heavensent Lakeffect-Red, Macayla Wiles.
Jr. 3 Yr. Old Cow: 1.(1) Debaugh Zenith Melanie, Scott DeBaugh; 2. Palmyra Man Gem, Ryan Shank; 3. Lonely Willow Deann Betsy, Greg Winters.
Sr. 3 Yr. Old Cow: 1.(1) Two-Top Advantage Anokia, Tracey Forsythe, 2. DeBaugh Blitz Mickay-ET, DeBaugh Farms.
Four Yr. Old Cow: 1. Spots-Pride Pronto Galaxy, Emily Yeiser; 2. Valentia Durham Yojewel, David Grove; 3. (1) DeBaugh Exspecial Covergirl, Carol DeBaugh.
Five Yr. Old Cow: 1. DeBaugh Eland Hilde, DeBaugh Farms; 2. Leggetts SS Chasity, Kaitlyn Corbett.
Aged Cow, 6 Yrs. Old and over: 1. Lonely Willow Durham Sacha, Greg Winters.
Best 3 Females Any Age: DeBaugh Farms.
Dam and Daughter: 1. Lonely Willow, Winters, 2. DeBaugh Farms.
Produce of Dam: 1. DeBaugh Farms

Showmanship: Winners for the Showmanship classes were (l to rt) Kaitlyn Corbett, Senior and Overall Winner; Carol DeBaugh, Intermediate Winner; and Sydney Davis, Junior Winner. The judge is Malorie Rhoderick.

Premier Breeder & Exhibitor: DeBaugh Farms won Premier Breeder and Premier Exhibitor. (l to rt) Jere, Bev, Tammy and Matt DeBaugh, Erin Canfield, Carol, Scott, Cory, Ted, and Olivia DeBaugh, and judge, Malorie Rhoderick.

4-H/FFA Champions: (l to rt) 4-H/FFA Junior Champion Kaitlyn Corbett with Pheasant Echos Blade Gloria; 4-H/FFA Reserve Junior Champion Erin Canfield with DeBaugh Zenith Mesquite-ET; 4-H/FFA Grand Champion Scott DeBaugh with DeBaugh Zenith Mirage-ET and 4-H/FFA Reserve Grand Champion Debaugh Zenith Melanie with Cory DeBaugh at halter for Scott DeBaugh and judge Malorie Rhoderick.

Open Class Champions: (l to rt) Open Class Junior Champion Coldsprings Talent 3270-ET, owned by Bonnie Weddle & John Shank and exhibited by Jamie Derr; Open Class Reserve Junior Champion Lonely Willow Lou LillyB-TW, owned Samuel Winters, Jr. and exhibited by Greg Winters; Open Class Grand Champion Emily Yeiser with Spots Pride Pronto Galaxy; Open Class Reserve Grand Champion Scott DeBaugh with DeBaugh Zenith Mirage-ET and judge Malorie Rhoderick.

We have done this to ourselves. No other industry would let this happen to themselves. The oversupply we have created has led to a milk price that virtually no farmer can even come close to breaking even on. As our pride and yearn to be independent drives us, we choose to not band together and control our surplus. The oil industry, computer technology and many others have chosen to work together to make their supply equal their demand. Competitors choose to work together so that supply equals demand so that they can all get a fair and reasonable and PROFITABLE price for the product that they make. We have not done this.

Demand will never again be the same. Two of the most populous countries – China and India – are increasing their domestic milk production by close to 10% per year. Let alone the fact that many other countries are doing the same, becoming self-sufficient in their dairy production so they can cut out the costs of importing it. This leaves us with fewer places to put our milk and thus an oversupply is created. We cannot blame the co-ops for not giving us a better price for our milk. They have no incentive, reason, or need to give us a better price when the demand that they have for our milk is far less then the supply that we give to them. They are simply weeding out the men from the boys, but the men are absorbing the boys and the dairy industry is becoming consolidated.

What about creating some sort of supply management program? The country would be divided into 6 regions and each region would have 2 representatives representing the dairy farms from that region. The representatives would meet and form supply management actions. Dairy farmers would sign legally binding documents vowing to carry out any actions required by these ideas with the incentive that they would be guaranteed that it would be of their best interest long term. For example, the entire country of dairies could cull 5-10% of their herd. Cull 5-10% of their bred heifers. It would be a continuous control management system. This, in turn, would create jobs as well. Surveillance and disciplinarian personnel, more representatives, etc… And milk co-ops would never support such a thing because it would not allow them to control the milk price. We would.

We slit our own throats in this industry. Because we are so independent and competitive, we search and use every advantage we can go after to advance ourselves. Long-term, these actions will have detrimental effects to our livelihoods. Sexed semen is a great example of this. By 2010, there will be 300,000 more heifers on the market. This is, and already has made the cost of replacements right next to beef price. BST as well has kept more milk on the market for years. These tools are great advancements in technology and management, but should be used on a limiting basis there again based on what supply is needed for our demand. Where demand for milk and milk products is shrinking, so shouldn’t our supply. We are all together in this industry and need to learn to work together as well.

How have we allowed ourselves to get to such a point in our industry? We allow the people that buy our milk to control what they pay us for it. We allow them to pay us what they want for OUR product. We sell our product wholesale yet buy our supplies retail. This is backwards and it is high time that we create our own solution rather than allowing the government to come up with a temporary solution with just enough carrot in front of our face to keep us settled. However, if we create this ourselves, where is the money going to come from? I don’t know.

Discouraged,

Young Dairy Farmer in VT

The videos of the final rounds of the National Jr. & Sr. Dairy Bowl contests are now available – click the links below to check out the action!

National Jr. Dairy Bowl Contest final round
http://www.moo-tube.net/play.php?vid=316

National Sr. Dairy Bowl Contest finals – Contestant Introductions & Round 1
http://www.moo-tube.net/play.php?vid=318

National Sr. Dairy Bowl Contest finals – Round 2
http://www.moo-tube.net/play.php?vid=319

The National Guernsey Convention concluded its 133rd Annual Meeting on Monday, July 12th in Dallas, TX.

Some highlights of the Annual Meeting included a lively Golden Guernsey meeting and the announcement that several breeders are planning to start producing dairy products using the Golden Guernsey trademark, which has been successful for a couple of producers already in the last few years. In the show committee meeting they added a Milking Fall Yearling class and also announced the 2009 National Show judges they are:
NGS-Sacramento – Norm Magnussen
NGS-Harrisburg – Roger Turner
NGS-Madison – Fowler Branstetter
NGS-Louisville – Dave Trotter

On the Genomics front, USDA has told the AGA that they are waiting on a new chip for the Guernsey breed that should be out within the year, hopefully. Financially AGA was in the black for 2008, but 2009 has been tough and income at this point is below budget.

The National Guernsey Sale was a huge success, especially considering the current economic climate. The sale officially averaged $5,003 on 30 female lots. A syndicate bull was also sold by Springhill to the Lone Star Syndicate and Golden State Breeders for $8,300. Below are some photos from the outstanding event on Sunday, July 11th!

People came down to take one last look at the animals before the sale. The sale cattle were kept on the lower level of the parking garage across from the hotel and attached to the Eisemann Center where the sale was held.

Guernsey Cows Take Center Stage! Lot 2 – Moziers Lux Anne of Lavon Farms on stage. She would sell for $59,000 to Springville Farm, Todd & Deanna Moore, of Emory, TX. It is the highest price for a Guernsey in recent history at least.

A view of the unique setting for the sale. Usually the Eisemann Center is home to plays, musicals and concerts but on this day it was live animals, on stage!

Moziers Lux Anne of Lavon Farms sells for $59,000! Pictured in front of the fountains and Eisemann Center are (l-r): Blaine Crosser, ringman; Jim Trotter, ringman; Murray Reissner, pedigrees; Brian Schnebly, Guernsey Marketing Service (GMS); Seth Johnson, GMS; Sarah Wyle, leadsperson; Todd, Madison, Deanna and Mason Moore and Robert Perry of Springville Farm; Joe Don Poque and his assisant Tanner, auctioneers (in the cowboy hats); and Mike Weimer, ringman.

The 2nd high selling female was a pick of flush out of Cedar Fringed Altann, EX-95, which brought $8700. Pictured l-r: Blaine Crosser, ringman; Seth Johnson, representing buyer; Hannah Iverson, ’08 National Guernsey Princess; Brian Schnebly, GMS; Tanner, assisant auctioneer; Berneta Gable, Snider Homestead, consignor; Joe Don Poque, auctioneer; Jim Trotter, ringman; Murray Reissner, pedigrees; and Mike Weimer, ringman.

Saturday, July 11th was reserved for some East Texas farm tours:

The first stop for the bus I was on was to Eybers Dairy, home of Rainbow Guernseys. This is a mixed herd of Holsteins and Guernseys.

Next we toured the Southwest Dairy Museum and had a delicious BBQ lunch there.

One of the highlights of the museum for Guernsey breeders was the Guernsey Wall of Fame. This is a duplicate to the Wall of Fame in the national office of the American Guernsey Association in Reynoldsburg, Ohio.

The last stop was to Springville Farm in Emory, TX, which is the new farm of Todd and Deanna Moore. They hope to be milking in the new facilities by fall. This is a view of the milking parlor, which is the main building on the 1100 acre farm currently.

The double-20 parlor is almost complete.

The back of the structure is the holding pen. The cattle will live on pasture with access to a cooling pond. There will also be headlock ups for management practices and feeding. Currently on the farm are the bred heifers and far-off dry cows.

A group of mostly heifers find some shade from the summer heat. Todd Moore of Springville Farms says that Guernseys handle the heat the best. They also have Jerseys and a few Milking Shorthorns. In the middle of the group above is Campbells Regal Swish, a two-time Unanimous All-American that is currently dry.

Todd Moore introduces his hard-working farm crew.

Saturday night we had a “Dinner with Dairymen” event, which invited members of the Dallas/Ft. Worth area Slow Foods organization to come and eat a locally grown dinner with Guernsey breeders, so they could learn more about dairy farming and the Guernsey breed. Producers in turn learned the Slow Foods (Google it) philosophy and how some consumers think and feel about the food they eat.

After the dinner the crowd was entertained my “Magic Mike” who needed some crowd participation to complete his magic tricks!

Sunday night was reserved for the Youth Banquet, where the Guernsey youth received awards for a variety of categories including Production, Junior Progressive Breeder, Folding Display, Prepared Public Speaking, Extemporaneous Public Speaking, Dairy Bowl, Photo Contest and several different scholarships. Then the 2009 National Guernsey Princess was announced as Melanie Balinas of WI and the 2009 National Guernsey Queen, Sarah Weimer of PA, was crowned. The biggest award of the night was saved for last, the announcement of the National Outstanding Guernsey Youth. This year the top honor went to Ashley Sears of MA. The runner-up was Karen Anderson of MN.

The host for the 2010 Convention then had the opportunity to entice everyone to come to their state next year. Pennsylvania took full advantage of this and performed a great skit, followed by a couple of musical numbers!

Fortune Teller Beth Clark looked in her crystal ball to see a visit to Amish country in the future of Jim Trotter. The 2010 Convention is in Lancaster, PA, June 17-21, 2010. Jim was then joined on stage by members of the Guernsey Village People for their own take on Macho Man.

To the cap the evening was the Youth Auction which raises money for the Guernsey Youth Fund. Over $7300 was raised this year by the selling of Guernsey memorabilia and collectibles, including this beautiful quilt.

Click on the link below to view the Holstein Association USA, Inc. Herds of Excellence Award recipients, Forty-Year Member honorees, and Memorial List as printed in the 2009 National Holstein Convention Program.

http://www.allbreedsblog.com/Herdofexcellence/herds-of-excellence-09-r.pdf

DAIRYMEN FROM ACROSS THE NATION UNITE FOR THE NATION’S STRUGGLING DAIRY FARMERS

HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA. Dairy Farmers across this nation are not just suffering, but in a crisis. Their years of building equity by providing this country with a safe and stable supply of milk has disappeared at an astonishing rate over the last year that mirrors the worst of Wall Street’s losses. The instability on the nation’s dairy farms threatens the nation’s supply of fresh milk unless immediate action is taken.

No longer constrained by farm size and regional differences, a group of select dairymen from across the country met in emergency session on July 8th and 9th in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to review the current dairy economy and seek immediate and long-term solutions to the low mailbox milk prices.

The meeting was organized by a new producer forum called Dairy 360, and hosted by Lanco-Pennland Quality Milk Producers Cooperative, of Hagerstown Maryland, and Chosen Acres Consulting, a dairy consulting firm, of Ohio. Dairymen in attendance maintained herds of 37 to 15,000 cows, and were from 14 states such as Pennsylvania, Tennessee, New Mexico, California, and Virginia. Others in attendance were representatives of dairy cooperatives and cattle marketing firms, as well as other agribusinesses. Present for part of the hearing was Dennis Wolff, Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture, who expressed great trouble at “hearing from kids at county fairs this year with tears in their eyes about their parent’s farm going bankrupt.”

During the two-day blitz session, the dairymen heard dairy market information specialist John Bunting, of New York, who presented a very concise, but troubling, review of the facts of imported Milk Protein Concentrates, using government generated data. Bunting gave a fact-filled presentation with graphs of data about the thinly traded CME block cheese market, a substantial factor in the pricing of milk, that is easily manipulated and is a factor in the suppressed farm milk prices. Bunting has repeatedly called for “stronger enforcement of current regulations affecting imports and price discovery should result in immediate relief from these historical low milk prices.” For additional information, view John’s blog at www.johnbuntingsjournal.blogspot.com.

Doug Maddox, California dairyman and Past President of the Holstein Association of America, presented the proposed Dairy Price Stabilization Program (DPSP) gaining support from across the nation. DPSP is a supply management program that seeks to stabilize nationwide milk production, although differs in aspects from the Canadian quota system. Visit the Holstein Association’s website at www.holsteinusa.com for more information of the program. Across all regional differences and political philosophies, the group unanimously endorsed the program in its current form as the best solution on the table to help stability milk prices.
Discussion also was heard on the proposal of Jeff Weisel of Chosen Acres Consulting to reduce the amount of high somatic cell count milk. Kurt Williams, General Manager of Lanco-Pennland, advised the group that Lanco-Pennland is taking unprecedented action to reduce cell counts through enforcement of existing standards by encouraging farmers to produce higher quality milk through a combination of market incentives and penalties.

United by a common destiny and desire to provide the US with a quality milk supply, Dairy 360 expects to hold future forums, and members have already started taking action to promote programs such as DPSP and educate their neighbors and industry leaders of the challenges of imported MPCs and the problems with the CME that directly affects farm milk prices through the federal milk pricing mechanism. For more information, email info@dairy360.org.

HOLSTEIN ASSOCIATION USA, INC.
2009 STATE OF THE ASSOCIATION SPEECH
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA
John M. Meyer
June 23, 2009

Mr. President, members, and guests, it is my pleasure to present you with the state of the Association address. Thank you for taking the time to attend this meeting, and convention.

Let me take this opportunity to congratulate the California Holstein Association for arranging such a fantastic convention! Please join me with your show of appreciation to our California friends.

While 2008 was a year that will be remembered for its worldwide economic turbulence, Holstein Association member activity was strong.

Registrations, the core of the Association’s business, totaled over 348,000, which is one of the highest totals in the history of the Association. Registration activity was 10 percent higher compared to 2007, and 20 percent higher than it was five years ago.

The Holstein COMPLETE Program, now in its sixth year, continues to expand. The number of animals enrolled in COMPLETE increased by 15 percent, and the number of herds enrolled increased by 8 percent in 2008 compared to 2007.

Holstein Association Classifiers were busy, as they scored over 235,000 cows in over 5,600 herds which represents a 9 percent increase in the number of animals classified and a 10 percent increase in the number of herds. The Sire Evaluation for Type (SET) Program grew as well, with Classifiers evaluating five percent more cows in four percent more herds compared to 2007.

In 2008, we also saw solid increases in the number of animals and herds enrolled in TriStar, and the number of Official Holstein Pedigrees issued. Conversely, we saw decreases in the number of Holsteins transferred, total active adult memberships, and new adult and new junior memberships.

I cannot thank the Board of Directors enough for the commitment, counsel, and wisdom they have imparted for the betterment of the Holstein Association. Special thanks are due to President Doug Maddox for all he has done to enhance the credibility and help bring greater exposure to everything we do. Doug’s big-picture thinking and can-do attitude have helped to better the Association strategically and make the organization more diverse than ever before.

Those of you who know Doug well are aware that he had some of his own challenges to deal with in 2008. Through it all, Doug never missed a beat, and remained the eternal optimist. I can tell you, from what I know about Doug, he has never had a bad day. Again, Doug, thank you for everything.

You, the members of this Association, are to be commended for the endurance, perseverance, and resilience you have maintained through the volatile producer milk price roller coaster ride. In the last four years, we have seen the U.S. All-Milk price average fluctuate between $20.50 and $11.50. Each of you in this room knows how much your last milk check was, but I would guess no matter where you are from, it did not cover your cost of production.

The current system of pricing milk in the United States is directly affecting the economic well-being of Holstein Association USA members all across the country. We know there are some who choose to bury their head in the sand about the reality of this problem and hope that this too shall pass. I am concerned if something is not done soon, we will continue with the harsh weeding out of dairy farms of all sizes across the United States like this country has never witnessed.

Many of you probably know of Gary Genske, a CPA and dairy producer who writes a national dairy perspective column. Recently he wrote this in response to current dairy prices:

“If this situation does not change soon, it is my opinion that at least one third of all dairy farmers in the country will go out of business and eventually be absorbed by the strongest two thirds of dairy farmers. It is my opinion that if this system continues, in a couple of decades, only a few hundred dairy farmers will be left in the entire country.”

My prediction is that those few hundred dairies or less will have no more than two or three organizations to sell their milk to. It looks as though there are some milk producers and milk processors who appear to be willing to engage in a game of ‘last dairyman and last processor standing’.

Later today you will hear more about the Holstein Association’s Dairy Price Stabilization Program. As we emerge from the convention this week, I urge all of you to be proactive at the national, state, and local government levels, as well as within the organization you sell your milk, to do everything you can to support the Holstein Association’s program to stabilize milk prices. We are all in this together and you can be assured that the Holstein Association will do everything possible to help you and your families receive more equitable and predictable pricing for the milk you produce.

Thank you very much.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT – 2009
Presented to the Annual Meeting
By Doug Maddox

What a difference a year makes. Last year at this time, we had $20/cwt milk price, high feed, fuel, and fertilizer prices, but generally, life was good. However, last fall the whole world went into an economic crisis, taking milk prices and many commodity prices with it, including our reserve fund. Our investments in our reserve fund and Foundation took a hit due to the crash in the stock market. However, we are fortunate to still have an adequate reserve fund balance. As the market adjusts, hopefully we will regain some of our losses. As the industry’s economic crisis hits our Association’s businesses and receivables, John Meyer and staff are working hard to cut costs and maintain maximum efficiency. Obviously, this is a tough year for everyone in the dairy business.

The Genetic Advancement Committee has had an exciting year, as genomics has become a commercial reality. Almost all of the bulls in A.I. are now genomic tested. Holstein breeders who sell bulls to A.I. are just now feeling the impact of a new generation of genetics. Hopefully, all of you had an opportunity to attend the panel discussion this morning. No one knows the full impact that genomics may have, but as we get more accurate information, obviously it will have a huge impact. In any other year, genomics would probably be the focus of our annual meeting. But, with these low milk prices, we’ve had other priorities.

The International Department continues to be key in the Holstein Association’s role in Holstein genetics around the world. Our Association sent a delegation to the World Holstein Conference in Ireland in October and this spring to the Holstein Conference of the Americas in Bogota, Colombia. Genomics is also a big topic of international concern as we coordinate the introduction of genomics into pedigrees. A coordinated effort by the world’s various herd book organizations is in progress. We continue to get requests from various countries and herd books for assistance in information technology. Ours truly is a global industry, and the world seems to get smaller every day.

When we were in Washington D.C. last February, it was interesting to attend the House Ag Committee hearings on animal identification. The House members of the committee were particularly blunt in their assessment of the need for traceability and mandatory identification. It looks like we finally have a chance at a national mandatory program. Both consumers and international markets demand it. With the FAIR database, when national identification does become a reality, the Holstein Association should be in a good position to provide that service. While much of our attention is on milk prices and genomics, we need to remember that identification is still our core business.

One of the areas I am most proud of is the increased commitment by the board of directors to our Junior programs, Holstein Foundation and especially, the Young Dairy Leaders Institute (YDLI). The future of our industry depends on strong leadership, and our goal is to help develop the very best and brightest leaders for our industry. So as we move forward, I hope you will join us as we continue to grow YDLI. Even more than ever, our industry is in need of leadership.

However, what’s on everyone’s mind in the dairy industry is our economic crisis! In addition to June being “Dairy Month”, June is also NBA playoff time. As I watched the NBA playoffs one thing was clear – the teams with the best teamwork are winning. For us dairymen, another thing is very clear. Our industry is in an economic crisis. Today, the dairy industry is reeling with possibly the lowest milk prices in history and with cost of production still at an extremely high level, many dairymen are losing $3 to $4 per cow per day. If the economic outlook does not change soon, a significant number of dairy farmers could go out of business. I know that generally these eventually are absorbed by larger, stronger dairy farmers. This attrition of dairy farm philosophy is historically how our industry has operated. Some will argue that this process is how capitalism works. However, the end result is the “last man standing” concept and “the strongest will survive”. Capitalism or not, the “last man standing” concept is not the American Way and is not in our members’ best interest. Those of you that adhere to the rules of the Ten Commandments need to remember that the 11th commandment for dairy farmers should be “Do not covet thy neighbors cows!”

We need an effective marketing plan and a program that affects real production and marketing change. Last January, the Legislative Affairs Committee recommended to the board of directors that, in an effort to stabilize the peaks and valleys of milk prices, Holstein Association USA, Inc. initiate a plan toward a national supply management program for milk in the U.S. As many of you know, we have developed the Dairy Price Stabilization Program. This program would establish a national production base for each dairy farmer. It will give the industry a program to control the supply of milk needed for the market. In essence, it is designed to control the surplus of one to three percent over production that sends our prices in a spiral downward. Hopefully, the Dairy Price Stabilization Program will accomplish this change. This is going to take industry-wide support and teamwork. This industry crisis makes our Association mission statement, “Provide leadership, information, and services to help members and dairy producers worldwide be successful,” even more relevant and appropriate at this time. I urge you to go to our website and sign on, and urge all who are interested to do the same.

How do we solve our problems? Let’s start with the same philosophy as a winning basketball team, teamwork! As dairy farmers, we can only cut expenses so much before we start to have a long-term effect on our herds. It’s time to rethink how we market our product. Economics 101 states that the basic law of economics is supply and demand. When supply exceeds demand, prices decline. When demand exceeds supply, prices increase. I’ll say it again – the dairy farmers in the U.S. need to “produce for the market” instead of trying to “market all we produce.” Until we realize that fact, we will be plagued with low and unstable milk price swings. It is in this vein that your Holstein Association USA board of directors has developed the Dairy Price Stabilization Program. While the basics of this program are simple, it changes the concept of how we produce for the market. If these low prices continue for much longer, our industry will be devastated to the point that it may never be the same. If our industry is to continue as we know it today, and if our family lifestyles are to continue as we know them, we need to work together. It is not just one milk marketing cooperative or one state association, but all dairymen coast to coast, north to south, and east to west. It’s going to take a huge effort and real teamwork if we are to win this battle. Using a sports analogy, if we are to be successful, we need a home run, a basket, a touchdown, and a goal all at once. That will require real “Teamwork!” What does teamwork mean? Since we have been here in Sacramento a lot of people have asked, “How can I help?” First, let me tell you that we need everyone who has an interest in our industry to help. Dairy farmers, bankers, feed companies, equipment companies, A.I., in fact everyone needs to step up to the plate. No one is going to do this for us. If we do not make it happen, it won’t happen! Let me give you some ideas of how to help.

1. Sign up your support on our website at www.holsteinusa.com/association/dairyprice.html
2. Get other dairymen to sign up.
3. Get your coops and allied industry to sign up.
4. Log in and comment on the Holstein World website.
5. Organize efforts with local and state dairy organizations to support the DPSP.
6. Call, write, and put pressure on your congressman. “This will take congressional action.”

When I ran for president in Tennessee two years ago, I said our industry is changing rapidly. Our industry needs leadership. I asked then and I ask now, “If not us, who?” “If the time is not now, then when?” I’m asking, I urge, and I plead, please help! You will get more information in the Dairy Price Stabilization Program on the report from the Legislative Affairs Committee and from Dr. Bob Cropp’s presentation this afternoon.

The last four years (two as Vice President and two as President) have flown by. I am more impressed than ever with the strength and dedication of the members of the Holstein Association. In addition, I can’t say enough about the excellent quality of our Association’s staff and John Meyer’s leadership. It is second to none. Lastly, I want to thank my fellow board members. Vice President Larry Tande, and all members of the board of directors are true professionals. They are the reason that your Association has been so successful and enjoys the immense respect of our national dairy industry.

Thank you for your trust and support you have given me. It has truly been a privilege to serve on your behalf.

Now we have work to do. Let’s roll up our sleeves, and let’s get the job done! The dairy world is depending on us!