Textbook late spring weather, impeccably prepared cattle, a great setting, talented and gracious hosts and an appreciative crowd all added up to an impressive sale average of $8,322, on 125 lots.

Known far and wide for exceptional show cattle, it was fitting that a young cow with a showring past and a great future would top the sale. Stonden Goldwyn Courage (VG-88, 2y) reached a final bid of $84,000 from Air-America LLC, Fleming Island, FL. (Earlier this spring, Air America had added a 1st Choice pick from NY Holstein’s Spring Sale. An Observer x Scientific Delux Rae-ETS (VG, 2y))

STONDEN GOLDWYN COURAGE (VG-88) $84,000

From left: Oliver Lalande, Simon Lalonde, Kim Cote, Joel Phoenix, Les Terpstra, Richard Villeneuve and Piere Boulet

B-A-M TOYSTORY BLISS (VG-86) $69,000 Toystory x Regancrest Brasilia-ET (VG-88 DOM x Regancrest-PR Barbie-ET (EX-92 DOM GMD 1*). Purchased by Morsan Farm Ltd. Ponoka, Alberta

MYSTIQUE SANCHEZ CORONA $37,500 A 12/12 Sanchez X Regancrest Cinderella (EX-92 DOM)(behind calf) x Regancrest-PR Barbie-ET (EX-92 GMD DOM 1*)

The 4th high of the event,at $37,000, was a 1st Choice Superstition X Regancrest S Celebrity (VG-88, 2y) x Cinderella x Barbie

The sale ends, with the last animal to leave the ring at $10,500. Blondin Affirmed Satine (VG-87, 2y) She’s the 4th generation VG or EX to Blondin Skycheif Supra (3E-93 17*) The 2009 “Cow of the Year”

Other scenes from the event:

At the desk, to clerk the sale are the talented and hard working ladies, France Lemieux from LA Revue and Kim Cote of Ferme Blondin.

Amber and Brian Craswell, who will be hosting the Island Heat Wave Summer Sale on 8/13 in PEI.

A welcome to the crowd. From left: Simon’s parent, Rene & Louis; Oliver, Kim and Simon (with Thomas and Anthony) and Nicolas.

Over 90 youth and chaperones attended the Penn State Dairy Cow Camp held alogt University Park from May 21-23. Penn State Dairy Science Club members and extension educators worked to provide excellent workshops, social events, and group activities. Junior workshops included calf nutrition, colostrum management, calf health, and rumen development. Senior workshops included reproductive biology, ultrasound technology, and calving management. Participants were assigned groups to develop a new soft ice cream flavor, creatively name and package it, and to film a 30-second commercial about their product. Guest speakers included Dr. Kevin Harvatine and Crystal Wasson, PA State Dairy Princess.

Campers checking colostrum quality

Dr. Bob VanSaun helps students learn how to deal with a difficult birth

Friday’s fun & games

Groups designing ice cream packages

Ice cream mixing

Dr. Mike O’Connor explains reproductive biology

Another successful Penn State Cow Camp comes to a close!

Our thanks to Dale Olver for the coverage and photos from this great event!

While in Kansas a few weeks ago I stopped at George Dairy Cattle in Baldwin City, KS, and once I found the farm (sometimes Google doesn’t know it all!) I had a great visit with Eugene and Laura George. Here are some images:

A beautiful farm sign greets you to the George Dairy Cattle farmstead.

Eugene & Laura George were great hosts. They got into the Registered Holstein business in the late 90′s for their kids, Casey & Brittnay.

On the right is Charverne Durham Arlene (EX-94 DOM) – the matriarch of the herd. She was nominated for Jr. All-American three times and has several daughters and granddaughters in the herd, with more on the way! In fact, the cows to the right are her daughter and Toystory granddaughter.

A Rosedale Touchdown December calf

They had several nice daughters of Roy, including this one.

The milking herd had to be retrieved from the pasture. As they came back up to the barnyard Eugene told me who was what. The cow on the left here is an EX-93 Durham daughter.

A nice young Talent out of an EX-93 Stormatic that they show.

Another Excellent Durham daughter.

As you are aware, I submitted information previously that was quite complex (see blog posting at www.allbreedsblog.com for April 17, 2010). I have since reviewed the studies supporting the genomics from the USDA article and postulate the following opinions from them.They are difficult to read and probably incomprehensible to most people. This is the best I could do given my reading.

First, the effect of the regression coefficient does not affect genomic bulls without daughters. The regression only affects genotyped daughters, or imputed genotyped daughters. You cannot genotype an animal that does not exist.

Second, the genomic regression coefficient does not affect non-genotyped daughters. The USDA acknowledges that only those bulls with live daughters who were genotyped were affected.
A bull, like Shottle or Goldwyn, would be affected more by the regression coefficient since they likely have the most genotyped daughters. Therefore, ask them how many genotyped daughters were used to affect each bull with daughters. This number is important.

Third, the genomic regression coefficient does not affect type but only production traits. This fact would adversely affect type bulls because bulls with good production traits would be able to compete better than bulls who have good type traits in their GTPI. Again, the conclusion is that bulls like Shottle and Goldwyn would be affected adversely the most but the corresponding regression coefficient would not affect Oman blood since this weakness in Oman is not given a regression coefficient. Therefore ask what the results would have been without the regression coefficient.

Fourth, if they are not willing to disclose this data, it appears that bulls like Shottle or Goldwyn might actually be 25 to 30% better than their GTPI based on the comparison between genotyped and nongenotyped cows at page 5-6 of their data. These two bulls might be as much as 600 GTPI points higher than Oman given the numbers assuming the above.

Fifth, why have they chosen not to release this genotyped number of daughters and the GTPI ratings without the regression coefficient. All they have to do is push a button and it will be here.

Gregory S. Walz

While I was in Kansas for the Ratliff Proof of Progress sale I also took a quick trip out to the farm to see the remaining animals left in the herd. Although they sold a majority of their milking herd, there are still some big names and familiar faces in Christy & Ron’s barn.

Of course, one of the most familiar faces was Ratliff Price Alicia (EX-93) the reigning two-time Jersey National Champion. Alicia, who is currently dry, looked great and could be ready for a run at three-in-a-row this fall!

We got to the farm right at milking time, so we followed the group up to the holding pen.

The cow on the right is Ratliff D Dean Allie, who was just Grand Champion at the Wisconsin Spring Jersey Spectacular show this spring. She is a perennial show-ring contender.

Some promising young cows that remain on the farm. On the left is a Governor daughter of Alicia, and on the right is a Mason Sr. 2-Year-Old. Mason is a homebred bull that has done well for the Ratliffs. He is a Juno out of Pleasant Nook Rene Myriah (EX-95). His full sister, Ratliff Juno Madison (EX-94) has been Reserve All-American twice as a 4 & 5-year-old.

The feeding lot for the milking herd – Christy commented that it “looked pretty empty!”

The whole sale crew after the successful Ratliff Proof of Progress Sale which averaged $3,680. For more on the sale head here.

For the second weekend in a row, a large crowd gathered in Waukon, IA to participate in a sale featuring some of the nation’s best cow families. While last weekend Holstein enthusiasts gathered at Regancrest, this time the sale took place west of town on Old Hwy 9 at the Kerndt farm. Partners Mark Kerndt and Mark Butz dispersed the cattle from their Premier Genetics partnership and at the end of the day, the sale averaged $2,578 on everything – 160 lots.

US and Iowa pride at Premier Genetics!

Mark Kerndt welcomes the crowd while partner Mark Butz and sale manager Scott Courtney (in the box) look on.

There were plenty of people in the tent, but many gathered outside to enjoy the sunny, breezy day.

High seller on the day at $13,700 was Lot 22 – Premier-S Ramp Tiffy-Red-ET (VG-88), a 3-year-old Rampage daughter of the herd matriarch, Ridle-Side Tina Lee-Red-ET (2E-91). Fresh April 24th, Tiffy was purchased by Todd Mason of Kingfisher, OK.

Kerndtway Pold Planet-ET – a 3/09 polled Planet daughter out of a VG Shottle dam brought $12,200 – good for 2nd high price of the day. Tracing back into the Henkeseen M Hillary family, Pold Planet was purchased by Edward Weaver of Eldorado Springs, MO.

Next high seller at $9,800 was Lot 86 – Regan-ALH Baxter Devina-ET – a Baxter 2-year-old fresh on April 16th. Her dam is the popular O-Man daughter, A-L-H Destiny-ET (VG-87) who has numerous sons in AI and her 2nd dam is Markwell Durham Daisy-ET (EX-92 GMD DOM), then four EX cows including Markwell Bstar E Raven herself. Devina was purchased by Nordic-Haven Holsteins, Decorah, IA.

The Shottle dam of the above mentioned Pold Planet heifer, Kerndtway Shottle Hemi (VG-85 VG-MS) is also a polled individual with a GTPI of +1689. She sold for $9,000 to Lance, Jonna & Blake Schutte and David & Janet Joachim of Monona, IA. Out of a GP Hickorymea Ottawa dam who was polled as well, the pedigree then stretches back with seven VG & EX dams from the Hillary family.

Other high sellers on the day include:
Lot 104- $8,000 – Ms Premier Durham Polly (VG-87) – Durham from the Paradise family.
Buyer: Indianhead Holsteins, Barron, WI

Lot 156 – $7,500 – Budjon-JK Stormatic Enya-ET – 3/08 Stormatic due in July to Aftershock out of 2E-95 Budjon-JK Durham Embrace; then 2E-96 Budjon-JK Encore Electra; then 3E-96 Krull Broker Elegance.
Buyer: Craig Shedd, Mansfield, PA

Lot 25 – $7,200 – Premier-S Radar-Red-ET – 9/08 Advent due in October to Destry out of a VG Rampage daughter of Ridle-Side Tina-Lee-Red (2E-91).
Buyer: Craig Shedd, Mansfield, PA

Lot 19 – $6,500 – Ridle-Side Tina-Lee-Red (2E-91) – the Bacculum daughter that was twice a unanimous All-American R&W heifer and twice Junior Champion at the Grand Internation Red & White Show. She was a foundation animal in the Premier Genetics herd.
Buyer: Matt Hamlett, Arlington, IA

Lot 56 – $6,200 – BVK September Allison-ET (VG-87 EX-MS) – a 3-year-old September Storm out of Ms Kingstead Chief Adeen (2E-94). Allison sold carrying a Goldwyn heifer due in December.
Buyer: Brady Nigh, Viroqua, WI

Lot 108 – $6,200 – Butz-Hill G Pricilla-ET – a 3/08 Goldwyn due in July to Aftershock out of Windy-Knoll-View RKB PR (2E-94); then back into the Pala cow family.
Buyer: Robert & Rita Weise, Jansen, NE

Lot 118 – $5,400 – Premier-G Sanchez Bisnis-ET – a 9/09 Sanchez with a +1801 GTPI out of Regancrest Mac Bikasa-ET (VG-86). Her 2nd dam is the legendary Regancrest-PR Barbie-Et (EX-92 GMD DOM), then four more EX dams.
Buyer: West-Star Holsteins, Chilliwack, BC

Lot 84 – $5,000 – Ms Mac Reality-ET – a 9/08 Mac due in October to Goldwyn out of Pfaffs Gibson Rally (2E-94), the HM All-American Senior 3-Year-Old in 2005, then six more EX dams including Roxy.
Buyer: Brian Craswell, Civic, PEI

The sale was managed by Scott & Amy Courtney of Courtney Sales LLC and a snap crew of sales staff and fitters moved the 160 head through the ring in about four hours. The day got progessively warmer and when the sale concluded in such a timely manner, many people stayed to visit and enjoy the pleasant afternoon.

They start ‘em early in Iowa! You’re never too young to get those phone bids!

The Premier Genetics Complete Dispersal takes place tomorrow at the farm in Waukon, IA. Over 150 head will go through the sale ring – the results of the partnership of Mark Butz and Mark Kerndt.

The World was there for the preview on Friday evening – let’s take a quick look!

If you’re looking for a big lineup of heifers with popular pedigrees, you’ve come to the right place!

Lot 31 – Premier-S Dbnar 1323-Red-ET – a 3/09 Debonair out of one of the herd’s foundation cows – Ridle-Side Tina Lee-Red-ET (2E-91), twice unanimous All-American R&W heifer. Twelve full or maternal sisters to 1323 sell in the sale.

Lot 13 – Premier-G Shottle Happy – 5/09 Shottle stemming from the Henkeseen Mark Marci (3E-94 GMD DOM) family. Happy is a potential 8th generation Very Good or Excellent and sells along with 16 family members.

Lot 131 – Butz-Hill Braxton Trixi – a 5/09 Braxton daughter from a VG-86 Dundee; VG-87 New-Vision RDH Tropicana; then 3E-96 Ernest-Anthony SD Tobi.

Lot 104 – Ms Premier Durham Polly (GP-83 @ 2-04) – 2-year-old Durham daughter out of Paradise-PV Pealar-ET (EX-90); 2nd dam the two-time Supreme Champion at World Dairy Expo – Vandyk-K Integrity Paradise (2E-96)

Another one from the Paradise family – Lot 107 – Premier-G Advent Proof *RC – a two-year-old Advent daughter whose 3rd dam is Paradise.

Closest to the camera is Lot 1 – Premier-G Bolton Humor-ET (VG-86) – CTPI +1818. Out of an EX-91 Morty dam from the Henkeseen Mark Marci family, Humor sells due in October to Super with a contract to Semex.

The next cow is Lot 46 – Premier-RCF Goldwyn Dizi-ET – a two-year-old Goldwyn out of Ernlo Daisy Jane-ET (EX-93); 2nd dam is Kerndtway Jolt Daisy (2E-94 GMD DOM), who made waves in the show ring a decade ago.

Lot 86 – Regan-ALH Baxter Devina-ET – a two-year-old Baxter out of the popular O-Man daughter, A-L-H Destiny-ET (VG-87 GMD DOM); 2nd dam is Markwell Durham Daisy-ET (EX-92 GMD DOM), then four EX cows including 3E-95 Markwell Bstar E Raven. Just fresh a month, Devina sells with her 4/10 Atwood heifer calf.

You can find the catalog online at http://www.holsteinworld.com/ – click on the sale banner ad or on the catalog link under the Featured Sales section.

The sale begins tomorrow morning at 10:30AM – check back tomorrow night for sale results and highlights!

As the excitement builds and convention nears, do not forget to sign up for all the exciting opportunities Minnesota is offering the Junior delegates. Minnesota Holstein enthusiasts have been busily preparing to offer everyone an unforgettable experience that will have you on your feet the entire time.

Saturday
Juniors hit the ground running with National Holstein Women’s Scholarship Organization and Distinguished Junior Member interviews, the Dairy Jeopardy contest, Junior Luncheon, Prepared Public Speaking contest and the first annual Dairy Knowledge Bowl exam. To wrap up the evening and show off your dancing skills, Juniors can hit up the Junior Mixer and Dance where a DJ will be present.

Sunday
Everyone can decide between the two tour options. One option includes a trip down the Mississippi River to Lake City, MN, touring Spa-Ska Farm and a stop at the National Eagle Center. Option two offers a chance to head out west to Flower-Brook Holsteins, Glenmark Genetics/Bonnie Mohr Studio, Floralawn Holsteins and Raylore Farm. Following the tours everyone is invited to gather at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum for Experience Minnesota Family Night which includes dinner and live music from Trouble Shooter.

Monday
Monday starts off bright and early with a face-off between Juniors in the Dairy Bowl Contest. In addition, starting at 9:00 a.m. shuttles will be available for Juniors to enjoy the excitement of the Valley Fair. At noon, the Junior Luncheon will be held and concluding the evening will be a Beach Bash themed Junior Dance to enjoy an evening with your Junior friends from across the nation.

Tuesday
Starting off Tuesday morning is the Dairy Bowl Finals and the National Junior Forum. As the morning progresses, shuttles will be available to take everyone to the Mall of America to enjoy some shopping at hundreds of stores. The accomplishments of Junior members will be recognized at the National Junior Awards luncheon, starting at 12:30 p.m. A Junior farewell is planned at the brand new TARGET FIELD to watch the Minnesota Twins take on Detroit.

Many more events are planned throughout the 2010 National Holstein Convention, please review the schedule at http://holsteinconvention2010.com/ and don’t forget completed registration forms must be postmarked by JUNE 1st! Hope to see you all June 26th!

Wisconsin’s 60 year tradition of the PDCA Judging School
submitted by Ray Kuehl

Saturday May 15, 2010, the Wisconsin Purebred Dairy Cattle Association held their Annual Dairy Cattle Judging Conference at Milksource Genetics, Kaukauna, WI. Jamie Endvick, Genetics Herd Manager, and his staff had the cattle and facilities ready for us to have a great learning experience. The weather cooperated at 71 degrees, sunshine all day and a good size group of judges that got involved in the classes. Thanks to Don Mielke who was kind enough to bring over a class of Jersey cows to work with!

With great interest everyone is looking and making their final decision on their score card.

Cattle are lined up for close inspection.

Peter Coyne getting ready to give reasons for placing the class. Mark Rueth is watching.

Mark Rueth, Conference Leader and Jamie Endvick, Milksource Genetics Herd Manager, pose for picture. The group of judges are smiling, so they must have agreed with Mark’s placing!

Chad Ryan and Todd Borgwardt giving Judge Mark a little humor over his last class. Of course Mark was right!

Orville Kemink, Sherry Siemers & Jordan Siemers taking a break between classes.

Judge Mark watching two fine young cows walk.

Mark taking a close look at a very close placing of two really good, young cows.

The show is over and everyone is smiling including Walter Owens, Mark Rueth, Mark Brown and Jamie Endvick.

Thanks to Milksource Genetics Owners, Staff and all who participated. It was a very successful day!
Wisconsin PDCA

The selection of Minnesota’s Princess Kay of the Milky Way Finalists each year has always been an exciting thing for MN’s dairy farmers and it has a special place in my heart as I will never forget the day I became a butterhead! This past weekend a group of 12 new butterheads were announced and one of those finalists happens to be one of our intern/field reporters, Megan Herberg. Congrats Megan!

ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – Twelve county dairy princesses from across the state have been named finalists for the 57th Princess Kay of the Milky Way. They are:

* Karen Anderson, 20, McLeod County, daughter of David and Donna Anderson of Lester Prairie;
* Michaela Bengtson, 18, Kandiyohi County, daughter of Jerome and Kristine Bengtson of Kandiyohi;
* Kristin Boyum, 19, West Otter Tail County, daughter of Al and Jean Boyum of Battle Lake;
* Joylynn Hadrich, 19, Stearns County, daughter of Dale and Corrine Hadrich of Avon;
* Megan Herberg, 21, Nicollet County, daughter of Steven and Kathy Herberg of St. Peter;
* Katherine Holdvogt, 18, Stearns County, daughter of Alvin and Bernie Holdvogt of Freeport;
* Labecca Johnson, 19, Houston County, daughter of Richard and Linda Johnson of LaCrescent;
* Kathleen Miron, 19, Washington County, daughter of Fran and Mary Ann Miron of Hugo;
* Brittany Moorse, 20, Lyon County, daughter of Greg and Becky Moorse of Minneota;
* Angela Sellner, 19, Brown County, daughter of David and MaDonna Sellner of Sleepy Eye;
* Ashley Swenson, 18, Nicollet County, daughter of Paul and Cindy Swenson of Nicollet; and
* Kelsie Trosen, 20, Wadena County, daughter of Allen and Karen Trosen of Verndale.

Front from left: Karen Anderson, Ashley Swenson, Kathleen Miron. Middle row from left: Brittany Moorse, Katherine Holdvogt, Joylynn Hadrich, Angela Sellner. Back, from left: Michaela Bengtson, Labecca Johnson, Kristin Boyum, Kelsie Trosen, Megan Herberg.

The contestants’ names were announced at the conclusion of a statewide workshop for about 90 young women who live or work on dairy farms and serve as county dairy princesses. Seventy-three of them completed judging for the finalist positions, going through a personal interview and a mock media interview, and presenting a prepared speech.

Being a Princess Kay finalist means the princess will have her likeness carved in butter during the Minnesota State Fair, and participate in the Princess Kay contest. Princess Kay is crowned at the State Fair Band Shell the night before the fair opens, and is the first of the 12 to be sculpted.

The dairy princess program is sponsored by Minnesota’s dairy farmers through Midwest Dairy Association’s Minnesota Division. The current Princess Kay is Elizabeth Olson of Hutchinson in McLeod County.

(Special Note – This is my sister! Doesn’t she look great in butter?!