The 28th Annual Holiday ET Extravaganza Sale has begun here at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel in Durham, NC, and the big news on all the news stations is the SNOW! Travel is ‘not advised’ and many flights have been canceled as this area of the country is not familiar and equipped with all the machinery us Northerners are so familiar with during the winter months. Having said that, there is a great group of Holstein friends who are enjoying the great accomodations of the Shertaon Imperial and the hospitality of the Burton & Associates Sales Team.

Early this afternoon Steve Berland, GenElite, moderated a very informative discussion on Genomics. Curt Van Tassel of USDA-BARC presented information on the subject, of which we will be providing a more in-depth review of next week. The rest of the discussion was then opened up to the panel to answer a variety of questions that were e-mailed in and some from the audience. In addition to Van Tassel, panel members included Jeff Ziegler (Select Sires), Jason Myers (Windsor-Manor) & Julien Chabot (Semex). Video clips of the session will be posted online next week at HolsteinWorld.com and Moo-Tube.

The first lot to sell was Lot 10, 1st Choice of 4 Females from the mating of Shottle to Larcrest Oside Champagne-TW (VG-88 EX-MS). Yup, these would be full sisters to the exciting Larcrest Cosmopolitan. The choice just sold for $36,000.

The rest of the sale’s lots were sold in numerical order. Final result – $7,740 Average on 48 lots with a gross of $371,550!

For more detailed pedigree information, click here to check out the online catalog.

Lot 1 – 1st Ch. Super (3 female pregs due 6/10) x Regancrest Gold Bretta (VG-88 DOM CTPI +2038), $12,000

Lot 2 – 1st Ch. Freddie (12 transfers due 8/10 & 9/10) x Gold-N-Oaks S Marbella-ET (VG-89 DOM GTPI +2363), $29,000

Lot 3 – 7 # 1 Embryos Atlantic x Carters-Corner Shot Melody (VG-87 CTPI +2244), $950/embryo

Lot 4 – 1st Ch. Dorcy (11 pregs due 8/10) x Vision-Gen Oman Fantasa (VG-87 CTPI +2128), $29,000

Lot 5 – Million Female (Due 4/10) x Calbrett Goldwyn Lyndsey (VG-87), $9,100

Lot 6 – 1st Ch. Jasper (3 10/09 females) x B&R Stormatic Trish-ET (EX-94 96-MS), $6,300

Lot 7 – 1st Ch. Super (7 pregs due 7/10) or Atwood (4 pregs due 6/10) x Windsor-Manor Shottle Za (VG-86 +2069 GTPI), $7,500

Lot 8 – 1st Ch. Michael (3 12/09 females) x UFM-Dubs Eowyn-ET (VG-87 GTPI +2085), $10,000

Lot 9 – 1st Ch. Goldwyn (14 transfers implanted 12/21/09) x RF Outside Breeze (EX-94), $10,200

Lot 11 – 1st Ch. Jasper (3 9/09 females) x La-Foster Astro Adona-ET (EX-90), $5,700

Lot 12 – 1st Ch. Goldwyn (3 9/09 females) x MD-Maple-Lawn Taz-ET (2E-91), $10,000

Lot 13 – 1st Ch. Man-O-Man (4 pregs due 8/10 & 6 transfers due 9/10) x Clear-Echo 822 Laud (EX-90 DOM), $11,500

Lot 14 – 1st Ch. Freddie (10 transfers due 9/10) x Miss Shttle Maggie-Sue-ET, $5,000

Lot 15 – 1st Ch. Super (3 pregs & 2 transfers) x Savage-Leigh Dundee Lou-ET (EX-90), $5,100

Lot 16 – Toystory female (due 6/1/10) x Crockett-Acres Elita-ET (VG-87 O-Man), $8,000

Lot 17 – 1st Ch. Freddie (5 pregs due 9/10) x Hendel-Vatland SH Tish (VG-86 GTPI +2185), $5,000

Lot 18 – 1st Ch. Shottle (5 pregs due 3/10) or Atwood (3 pregs due 5/10) x Astrahoe Lee Raleigh Robust (EX-92), $7,000

Lot 19 – 1st Ch. Freddie (7 transfers due 9/09) x Wabash-Way Arleigh-ET (VG-88 GTPI +2109), $7,000

Lot 20 – Erinwood Jasper Denise-ET (9/3/08) – Jasper x Regancrest Starbk Denyse-ET (2E-95 GMD DOM), $4,000

Lot 21 – 1st Ch. Reality (3), Apple (1), Redliner (5) or Lou (4) x JK-RG Advent Arlene-Red-ET (VG-85), $4,000

Lot 22 – 2nd Ch. Super (2) or Aftershock (8) x Vandyk-K Gold Phoenix (EX-91 93-MS), $5,200

Lot 23 – MS Eragon-ET (+1977 GTPI) – Boliver x MS Electress-ET (VG-88 DOM), $4,400

Lot 24 -1st Ch. Domain x Peach-State Bltn Roxanne-ET, $5,700

Lot 25 – 1st Ch. Durham (7 transfers due 9/10) x Castleholm Laramie Race-ET (Potential 17th Generation EX), $7,000

Lot 26 – 1st Ch. Goldwyn (3 12/09 females) x Gloryland Lakota Rae (VG-88), $9,100

Lot 27 – 1st Ch. Destry (2 females due 4/10) or Atwood (1 preg due 4/10) x Mer-Gold Advent MS Meg-Red (VG-88), $

Lot 28 – 1st Ch. Atwood (9 transfers implanted 12/09) x Glen-Toctin Mac Lilly-ET, $3,000

Lot 29 – 2nd Ch. Alexander (4 females due 3/10) x Savage-Leigh Zenith Liz-ET, $4,800

Lot 30 – 2nd Ch. Domain (5 pregs), Freddie (8 pregs) or Next Flush x Sandy-Valley Sho Sonador-ET (VG-88 GTPI +2200), $6,500

Lot 31 – 1st Ch. Man-O-Man (3 females due 3/10) x MS Ellyn-ET (VG-87 CTPI +2159), $4,500

Lot 32 – 1st Ch. Goldlazer (3 from 12/09 transfers and 17 to be implanted 3/10) x La-Fos DB Dundee Velvet (EX-91), $3,000

Lot 33 – 1st Ch. Sanchez (3 due 1/10), Dundee (1 due 3/10), Shottle (4 due 4/10), Goldwyn (5 due 4/10), Sanchez (12 due 5/10) or Atwood (3 due 5/10) x Ernest-Anthony Topaz-ET (EX-93), $7,000

Lot 34 -1st Ch. Sanchez (1 due 2/10 & 6 due 4/10) x Kingsmill Roy Topsy (VG-89), $3,900

Lot 35 – MS Wragges Bolton Astrid (12/4/07) – Due 2/10 to sexed Boliver semen, $4,000

Lot 36 – 1st Ch. Man-O-Man (3 due 2/10) or Freddie (4 due 5/10) x Goldcrest Shottle Candy-ET (GP-83 GTPI +2116), $4,100

Lot 37 – 1st Ch. Jet-Red (5 pregs due 3/10 and 2 due 7/10) x Red-Vision Dis Della-Red (EX-91), $4,800

Lot 38 – 1st Ch. Jet-Red (3 pregs due 7/10) or Dusk (6 due 6/10) x Red-Vision Addella (EX-91), $4,100

Lot 39 – 1st Ch. Atwood (4 pregs due 9/10) x CKO Shottle Alexa (GTPI +2252), $4,200

Lot 40 – 1st Ch. Laurin (8 pregs due 9/10) x EK-Oseeana Ashlyns Allure (EX-91), $4,700

Lot 41 – 1st Ch. Goldwyn (2 9/09 females) x Bayless Durham Lass (2E-94), $4,300

Lot 42 – 1st Ch. Shottle (8 female pregs due 3/09) x Stepido DW Beauty (2E-95), $5,400

Lot 43 -1st Ch. Lion King (19 pregs due 3/10) x DeBoer Sep St Snow Doll-ET (VG-86), $3,800

Lot 44 – 1st Ch. Alexander (6 due 8/10) or Dusk (4 due 6/10) x Kamps-Hollow Gold Access-ET (Maternal sister to Altitude), $5,600

Lot 45 – KM-EW Durham Marge-ET (9/6/09) – Durham x Elm-Lawn-G Cousteau Maggie (EX-90), $4,700

Lot 46 – 1st Ch. Reality-Red (4 pregs due 3/10) x Whitaker Advent Rachel *RC (VG-87), $3,000

Lot 47 – 1st Ch. Shaquille (1 born 10/09 & 3 born 11/09) x Scientific Sweetie Rae-ET (2E-92), $5,000

Lot 49 – 1st Ch. Super (2 due 6/10) x Regancrest-BH TS Dalla-ET (VG-86 GTPI +2094), $12,600

Scenes from the sale!

North Carolina is a hotbed of Holstein activity this weekend as Kingsmill Farm II hosted their Kingsmill Genetic Extravaganza Sale today and the Holiday ET Extravaganza is on tap for tomorrow. Sale attendees looking for sunny, warmer weather in the south were greeted by sun today but felt dropping temperatures as a major winter storm is forecasted for tomorrow.

Arriving at Kingsmill Farm II for the first of the weekend’s two sales, it is always nice to see such a well-kept facilty in the beautiful tree-filled landscape of Durham, NC. Many may wonder why Kingsmill decided to have such a large sale at this time. Partners Mr. David Falk & Mr. Mitch Hockett always had it in their plans to have a sale of this size sometime last fall, but made the decision to wait until milk prices began to rebound a bit to market the herd’s genetics.

An extensive flush program has provided the farm with numerous female offspring from several well-known cow families in the breed and that’s what was featured here today. Great cattle with great pedigrees – no extra “fluff”. At the end of the day, 194 full lots averaged $3,212. Below are prices and pictures from some of the high sellers today, along with other lot information and faces that were in the crowd. For more detailed pedigree information on the lots that sold, click here to access the online catalog.

*FYI* Remaining on the farm after the sale will be 60 milk cows, 30 dry/flush cows and 200 heifers. At their second farm location, 175 cows are milking and there are 900 heifers.

HIGH SELLER: Lot 44A – 1st Choice Shottle x Ashlyn, $15,500
Buyer: Gene Iager, MD

2ND HIGH SELLER: Lot 41A – 1st Choice Lightning x Ashlyn, $15,000
Buyer: Gene Iager, MD
*2nd Choice Lightning sold for $5,800 to Brian Hill, VT

Lot 218 – Savage-Leigh Golden Liz-ET, $11,000
EX-90 @ 3-09 Goldwyn daughter of Savage-Leigh Leduc Liza-ET (EX-90 GMD), next dam is Savage-Leigh Bellwood Linda (2E-92 GMD DOM)

Lot 33 – Kingsmill Ashlyns Ashton-ET, $10,800
3/17/08 Stormatic daughter of Ashlyn
Buyer: Cowtown Holsteins, VT

Lot 42 – 1st Choice Durham x Ashlyn, $10,000
*2nd Choice Durham sold for $8,200 and 3rd Choice sold for $6,500

Lot 199 – BVK Durham Duchess-ET (EX-90), $10,000
Fresh 7/8/09, Duchess sold open and ready to breed. She is a Durham daughter of Ms Kingstead Chief Adeen-ET (2E-94 DOM).

Lot 45 – EK-Oseeana Ashlyns Allure (EX-91), $9,500
Durham daughter of Ashlyn, Allure sold open and ready to flush.

Lot 43A – 1st Choice Mac x Ashlyn, $9,200
Buyer: Cowtown Holsteins, VT

Lot 210 – KM&EW Cutie Rae-Red-ET, $5,000
Fresh 12/25/09, Sept Storm daughter of Sweetie Rae (2E-92)

Lot 2 – Sco-Lo Shottle Jemini-ET (VG-88 @ 3-09), $3,000
Gr’dam is Sco-Lo Integrity Juliet (EX-92)

Lot 3 – Ocean-View Durham Jean-ET *TV (EX-90), $3,300

Lot 18 – Lylehaven Durham Luna-ET (VG-86), $3,000
Due 8/3/10 to Alexander, full blood sister to Lila Z

Lot 51 – Kingsmill Advent Ashlynn-ET *RC (VG-86 @ 2-11), $5,300
Due 6/6/10 to Reality-Red

Lot 74 – Kingsmill Roy Arial-ET (EX-91), $3,800
Due 7/17/10 to Jerland Denison-ET

Lot 98 – Del-Hollow Stormin Trudy-ET (EX-93), $3,300
Open and ready to flush

Lot 213 – MS Goldwyn Bria-ET (VG-86 @ 2-03), $6,000

Holstein World’s Sarah Schmidt is in North Carolina for the Kingsmill Genetic Extravaganza and reports the following sale results. Check back later today for scenes from the sale as well as final sale results!

Lot 199- $10,000
216- $4400
218- $11,000
18- $3000
125- $2900
219- $3400
216- $4400
201- $2750
202- $3000
108- $4150
217- $4200
44- $15,500
33- $10,800
40- $5900
42- $10,000
43A- $9200
41A- $15,000

Holstein World’s Megan Herberg continues her coverage of SwissExpo 2010 with Red & White Show results.

Red and White Show
Judge: Brian Carscadden

Judge Carscadden analyzes the Grand Champion line up.

Grand Champion, VIOLETTA (BACCALA x ADAM-Red) Marc-Henri
Guillaume

Paul Petrieffer with Hon. Mention Grand Champion, Grands-Bois Rustler OTTAWA (RUSTLER-Red x BACCALA) GS Alliance

Reserve Grand Champion KALINKA (SAM-Red x RADO-Red) Roger Frossard

The crowd storms the ring after the naming of the Champions

Hon. Mention Grand Champion winning her class.

The Grand Champion Lineup.

Class 4 1. ROSY (Khw Kite ADVENT-Red x Pursuit SEPTEMBER Storm) à
Menoud & Fils
2. Scientific Advent ROXANA (KHW Kite ADVENT x STORM) à Haller
Johann,(Austria)
3. Ruegruet MYSTIC (Luck-E ADVANTAGE x SEPTEMBER ) Rüttimann Patrick et André

Advent from the well known Scientific Jubilant Rae family. A rare
find considering Advent is not used in Europe.

Class 5 1. Plattery Glacier OXANA (GLACIER-Red x STBVQ RUBENS) à
Menoud Christian
2. Ruegruet Mr Burns MORENA (Dudoc MR BURNS x MATEO) à Rüttimann André & Patrick

Class 8 1. Lorraine Rustler DANA (Sir Ridgedal RUSTLER-Red x COEUR)
à Menoud Daniel,
2. KEIRA (West-Port MARINE red x STBVQ RUBENS) à Uldry Nicolas
3. Bel Kite ORANGE (Markwell KITE x Al.Par. Stadel ELAYO Red) à GS
Alliance

Junior Champion Champion: Plattery OXANA (GLACIER-Red x STBVQ
RUBENS) à Menoud Christian
Réserve: Dessauges NAGANO (RAMPAGE-Red x ENCOUNTER) à Charrière Claude
Hon. Mention: Siegsoleil Glacier BIJOU ( GLACIER-Red x PICKEL) à Spycher Mathurin

All photos by Sandra Ruetimann

One of Holstein World’s traveling reporters found herself in the beautiful country of Switzerland just a few weeks ago. Megan Herberg brings us the sites and news from the 2010 SwissExpo.

January 15th and 16th proved to be exciting days for European Holstein and Brown Swiss breeders as they gathered in Lausanne, Switzerland for the 2010 SwissExpo. The SwissExpo is the prime opportunity for breeders to showcase their breeding programs and one of the most sought-after dairy events in Europe. Taking place each January in the French speaking part of Switzerland, cattle travel from Germany, France, Italy, Austria and of course Switzerland.

Well known American fitter, Pat Conroy, has traveled the world and been to hundreds of shows in many corners of the globe. He has worked at the SwissExpo for the last six years and credits it as one of the best Holstein shows in the world.

Judges Callum McKiven of Quebec and Brian Carscadden of Ontario sorted through large classes of high quality Brown Swiss, Holsteins and Red & White’s respectively. Anyone looking for a travel destination filled with beautiful scenery, tremendous cows and warm hospitality should book their tickets to Switzerland for this world-class dairy affair.

Watch the April issue of Holstein World for more details on registered
Holsteins in Switzerland.

1st place in Class 16 and Hon. Mention Grand Champion – Hellender Champion Calanda (Calbrett I H H Champion x Ked Juror), Anton Ender

1st place in Class 13 and Res. Best Udder

1st place in class 15 Nic’Holstein Idaho (Roy x Intensifier), Jacques and
James Nicolet

Reserve Grand Champion Cow – Cher-Betty (Goldwyn x Juraky) M. & E. Junker, and Quim Serbassa

The crowd storming the ring following the naming of the Champions!

The Championship Drive, the cow on the far left is named Grand
Champion – Elsina (Maral Juror Bond x Indianhead Red-Marker daughter), Andre Rebetez

Great from any angle Class 13 winner Walland Damion Mira led
by Paul Petriffer.

1st place in the youngest cow class: Crasy Kite (Markwell Kite x
Regancrest Emory Derry), GS Alliance

Reserve Jr. Champion Piller Roy Dania

Jr. Champ

Pat Conroy leading Crackholm Dundee Irissa-ET (Dundee x Skychief
Italia x Astre Inkasu) 2nd in class to the Reserve Jr. Champion Ruegruet
Holsteins.

Pronto x Integrity Robin

Ruegruet Mr Sam Elisa (Mr. Sam x Champion x Leader Ezra x Prelude
Evelyn x Tony Beauty) 1st place class 2, Ruegruet Holsteins

1st-3rd June Calves. 1st Perrestar Lheros Voltage, Ni Uldry
2nd Ruegruet Mr. Sam Sharon (Mr. Sam x Dundee) Ruegruet Holsteins
3rd Ruegruet Jasper Esperanza (Jasper sister to the Mr. Sam winner in class 2) Ruegruet Holsteins

Display from GS Alliance and Ruegruet Holsteins

All photos by Sandra Ruetimann

Attendees of the Ladies’ Luncheon at the NY Holstein Convention in Utica, NY on Friday had the pleasure of listening to a presentation on the brand new Keeley’s Cheese Company. Keeley McGarr grew up on McGarr Farms in King Ferry, NY along with her parents Dan and Connie, sister Meghan and brother Pat. McGarr Farms is a well-known name in the Holstein business and Keeley has recently decided to begin a new venture on the home farm by producing and marketing her “Farmstead Cheese from the Fingerlakes.”

In preparation for the cheese making process, McGarr Farms began grazing their Jersey and Holstein herd while Keeley traveled to Ireland to learn the cheese making craft. The first type of cheese she decided to produce is called “Washed Rind” cheese, which she liked for its distinct flavor and because it was the most interesting cheese she discovered on her travels. Keeley began making cheese about 4 months ago at SUNY Morrisville and then began aging it in the basement of her grandparents’ old farmhouse at McGarr Farms. She and her family are in the process of renovating the basement in this house to accommodate her cheese making and sales. Keeley’s first day of cheese sales was at the King Ferry Winery in December, and she is extremely excited for what the future of her business has in store.

Keeley answers the various questions the ladies had on her new business.

Everyone at the luncheon had the opportunity to taste some of Keeley’s delicious washed rind cheese!

This is Keeley’s first cheese label for her washed ride cheese, named from the common term, “Pondhopper,” that she encountered during her travels in Ireland.

Keeley and her mom Connie after Keeley’s presentation

The New York All-Breeds Convention came to a close on Saturday morning, January 16th, and as adult members were checking out, over 300 New York Holstein juniors were checking in for their convention that winds up this morning. Chaired by Jason and Holly Pullis, the adult convention ran smoothly and included a very successful ET Sale, a trip to nearby Turning Stone Casino, a popular ladies luncheon, well attended meetings and one of the best main banquets in history, with a very funny David Rama handling emcee duties and a large crowd who gave a standing ovation more than once to honor their peers. Following are scenes from the three day event!

A familiar crowd! Tom and Nancy Murray, Don Hosking, Dave Reynolds and Boot Hosking enjoy the sale. Tom purchased the high seller of the night at $17,000, a first choice Super from UFM-Dubs Shari-ET (VG-87 DOM), a Shottle daughter with a GTPI in August of +2331 and a 2-year-old record of 2-00 3 365 31,440 4.5 1424 3.5 1089. The sale averaged $6378.

Gearing up for their Joleanna Sale in May are three of Delaware County’s best – Luke, Derek and Holstein World’s own Katy Johnson!

They look a little different this time! Jen Sherwood joins the newlyweds – Luke & Theresa Pullis – in the same ballroom where the couple just had their wedding reception in early January!

Morrisville State College provided some of their homemade ice cream for the dairy bar.

Scholarship winners for this year include Kristin Davenport, Katie Donnan, Casey Gillis, Katie Hanehan and Reid Lundy.

Keeley’s Cheese Company at McGarr Farms, “Farmstead Cheese from the Fingerlakes” was the focus of the Ladies Luncheon during convention. Keeley McGarr learned how to make this delicious cheese in Ireland and made her first cheese at Morrisville in August/September of 2009. Her first day of sales was at the King Ferry Winery in December.

Dr. Tom Mercuro was the featured speaker during Friday’s afternoon business meeting. Mercuro, head of Recipient Solutions in Maryland, talked to the group about the differences in embryo transfer work versus in vitro fertilization.

Ken Beneke of Millerton, NY, was the recipient of the Outstanding Young Breeder Award.

Ed and Barb Tyler of Ty-Hill Holsteins received a standing ovation for winning the Retired Master Breeder Award.

The crowd was on its feet again, this time to honor Merry & Dave Rama for earning the “Friend of New York Holstein” award. Dave’s tireless efforts in bringing producers and government officials closer together to solve the milk price issue were greatly appreciated.

It’s Vanna! Holstein classifier Dick Wright holds up one of the auction items sold to support the Scholarship Fund.

Winning the Active Master Breeder Award was Brad Cates of Co-Vale Holsteins. Brad and his wife Sarah are seated and joined by Brad’s parents Ray & Georgia, and long-time friend and award presenter Charlie McEvoy.

A very active Holstein USA Regional Meeting was held Saturday morning. Some interesting numbers presented – Genomic testing from 11/08 through 11/09 was up 58% and Holstein Complete up 6% during same time period. Also – much discussion surrounded the newly released National Judges List.

Marion Seifert announced the 3rd Annual Show Calf Summit on April 2-3, open to juniors in the Northeast, and hosted again by Cowtown Holsteins in Derby Line, VT.

Tom Kugler of Fly-Higher Holsteins, announced his decision to run for National Holstein Director for Region 1.

Hats off to the Jersey world and their achievements in 2009! They achieved a record number of registrations AND announced yesterday that new records for production were also established.

I am a regular recipient of press releases from the association and most often times we post them to AllBreedAccess.com, but this time thought a bit more exposure was due to the little brown cow! Congratulations Jersey breeders!

The official Jersey lactation average increased to 18,498 lbs. milk, 859 lbs. fat, and 666 lbs. protein. On a Cheddar cheese equivalent basis, average yield is 2,248 pounds. All are new category records.

A record 87,911 lactations were processed by the AJCA. This was a gain of 9,687 records (12.4%) over the previous year, and also represents a 22% increase in records processed since 2007.

The lactation average is calculated on a standardized 305-day, twice daily, mature equivalent (m.e.) basis.

The American Jersey Cattle Association, organized in 1868, compiles and maintains animal identification and performance data on Jersey cattle and provides services that support genetic improvement and greater profitability through increasing the value of and demand for Registered Jersey™ cattle and genetics, and Jersey milk and milk products. For more information on USJersey program and services, call 614/863-3636 or visit the web site at www.USJersey.com

November ’09 Million calf from the Lou and Toystory cow family headlines March 16 Benefit Auction

Fond du Lac, Wis.—January 2010—The story of this year’s Professional Dairy Producers Foundation Benefit Auction is one of family and legacy.

A November ‘09 Million calf from the heart of the Lou and Toystory cow family will headline the March 16 auction, and proceeds will help build a legacy of learning for the dairy industry.

The Breunig Family of Mystic Valley Dairy LLC has donated Jenny-Lou Million 2719 out of its herd of outstanding Holsteins. Her Marsh dam, GP-83 @ 2Y and due to be rescored in February, is among the elite in the breed with a CTPI of 1734. The Brett grandam, VG-86 GMD DOM, has over 47,150M @ 2-11. The third dam is the well-known Patron Toyane, VG-89 GMD DOM, the dam of Toystory and Lou.

“As I thought about which calf to donate, I knew it had to be one from our Toyane family. It’s the cow family that our family is most known for,” says Mitch Breunig.

The Breunig family’s dairy business is built around a passion for excellent cows, and that passion has helped Mystic Valley earn a BAA rating of 105.2. That ranks 7^th in the U.S. for herds over 300 cows.

Mystic Valley Dairy expanded from a traditional 100-cow Wisconsin farm setup in 1998 to 400 cows and stands at 430 cows today. Their rolling herd average is just shy of 30,000. But their real niche has been developing quality genetics. The farm has been able to sell an average of 60 animals a year to fellow dairy producers.

“It’s a constant goal to develop the depth and quality of our herd and provide quality animals to others,” Mitch says.

Mitch is quick to attribute business success to those around him–his wife Jacquie and seven “very valuable” employees, including his brother Marty. The calf donation pays tribute to Mitch’s late father, Louis, who started the family farm in 1961 and nurtured Mitch’s passion for excellent cattle. Mitch and his mother, Jeannette, own the farm in partnership today.

From a young age, involvement in 4-H, FFA, the Wisconsin Holstein Association and, in more recent years, Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin (PDPW), has helped fuel Mitch’s passion for quality cattle and build their dairy business.

Though he’s a young producer himself, Mitch is in the habit of giving back to the industry that has taught him so much. He has coached 4-H dairy judging teams for the past ten years. In 2001, a team he coached won the national championship.

He’s proud that his daughter Allison, 11, is now showing cattle in 4-H, and notes that Lauren, 5, eagerly awaits showing her first calf at this summer’s Lodi Agricultural Fair.

Proud of his young protégés, Mitch is simply happy to contribute.

“It’s great to see the kids we coach end up back in the dairy industry,” he says. “I like to think that maybe I helped them a little.”

Jenny-Lou Million 2719 may be little right now, but the successful sale of this calf at the Foundation auction will indeed help others in the dairy industry.

“The educational programs that the Professional Dairy Producers Foundation is able to fund are phenomenal and need to be supported,” Mitch says. “Education has been very rewarding for me and my family. Let’s pass it on.”

The Professional Dairy Producers Foundation was established in 2002 by Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin as a vehicle to raise funds and award grants for educational programs within dairy communities. The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) entity. For more information on programs funded and ways to donate, visit www.dairyfoundation.org.

Thanks to Terry Perotti Lam for sending us these pictures from the recent VA Holstein Convention held in Richmond, VA! A full report on the convention is available on the news page today.

Richard and Martha Harris receiving Meritorious Service Award

The All-VA and Jr. All-VA award winners

The group went on the Richmond Tacky Light Tour!