New York All Breeds Convention
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.
