Archive for the 'Herd Visit' Category

A Visit to Airosa Dairy in California

Tuesday, February 12th, 2013

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We had a great afternoon visting Airosa Dairy in Pixley, CA . Among the highlights were a massive, deep-bodied Roy daughter (EX-91); a VG-87 Shottle (AIR-OSA-MLE PS MYSTIC-ET) that is the dam of AIR-OSA-MLE MALONE-RED-ET (the highest Red Bull for PTAT at 3.93); great cows by Champion, FBI, Roy and Shottle; and heifers by Stanton, Goldchip and Goldwyn.

In the office were old drag racing pictures of Joey’s father, Joseph. A former drag racing star, Joseph was a winner across the country and even at Indy!

Also on display in the office are pictures that cover the 101-year history of the farm. When the current farm was being built they uncovered the fossil remains of a mammoth. One tusk was donated to the university and the other one is on display in the office.

 

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For more information on Airosa Dairy, visit their website at http://airosa.cattleclub.com/.

Stan-Mar-Dale/Express Progress Continues

Thursday, December 20th, 2012

We’ve been following the Stan-Mar-Dale/Express crew through their rebuilding process since they lost their barn in a fire last July. Cindy Howman recently sent in these updated photos.

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When the crane arrived to place the trusses for the main structure it all came together pretty quickly. The structure was completed in 5 working days.

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The Amish crew worked from dawn to dusk piecing together the new structure. They began with the roof structure over the lot area that joins into the holding pen and the silage feeding area. That entire span collapsed during the fire.

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The interior prior to concrete, freestalls and boxstalls.

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The far right side of the barn is the dry cow area which is open to the pasture from the overhead door. The other overhead door leads to the shavings storage area and also opens to the freestalls and boxstalls.

“It is a wonderful feeling to look out and see the barn and normalcy returning. We are blessed to have that opportunity! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone in the dairy industry family!”

A Visit to Golden-Rose Genetics

Tuesday, November 20th, 2012

Golden-Rose Genetics is a new venture for Rusty Herr and Family of Oxford, PA. Under the direction of herdsman, Jonathan Pinkerton, they recently started milking in newly renovated facility previously knows as Dunn-Wood Holsteins, Alvin Stoltzfus, owner. This location is just a few miles from the home farm and houses the elite herd of Holstein cattle under the Golden-Rose prefix as well as some boarding animals.

The Herr’s have invested in some of the premier families of the breed and are extensively flushing and doing IVF work. Chassity’s first EX daughter, a 16th generation EX, members of the Carmel family, a Red Advent from the Tobi’s are few features that all call Golden-Rose home.

Be sure to check out their recently updated website by clicking here http://www.holsteinworld.com/goldenrose/

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The recently renovated barn

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Two Special Atwood daughters
Left: Lime-Valley Francis (VG-85), she is from Brandt-View Shottle Fern (VG-86) and has numerous materal brothers in A.I
Right: Golden-Rose Atwood Ritzi (VG-87), she is from Oakfield Pronto Ritzi (EX-92) and is a potential 17th gen EX!

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Courtlane-UR Chassity EX-92 (max score)- Chassity’s first EX daughter and the dam of Cameron.

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Shema Goldwyn Catherine VG-88 EX-MS (Goldwyn x VG-88 Ralma Christmas Fudge)

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Goldie Sanchez Chardonay-ET- 3rd place Jr. 2yr old Eastern Fall National. Her dam is VG-89 R-Z Baxter Caramel.

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Line up of the older cows.

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Miss Shottle Sidney VG-85 (Shottle x Gen-I-Beq Goldwyn Secret)

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A view of the home farm a few miles away

New Barn Progress at Stan-Mar-Dale/Express

Thursday, November 15th, 2012

This past July our friends at Stan-Mar-Dale/Express Holsteins in Urbana, OH suffered a terrible loss of their barn to a fire. Cindy Howman gives us a glimpse into life after the fire, and how they’re rebuilding to continue milking and breeding fine registered Holsteins.

Stan-Mar-Dale/Express ended its successful journey to the North American International Livestock Expo to begin another journey to recovery. The construction of the new freestall and dry cow facility has started. The semi’s arrived with the trusses and foundation components for the building early in the morning and the unloading commenced. The cows were wondering what all the commotion was about as they watched through the make-shift corral that has been on place since the July 24th fire. I think the girls are as excited as we are to see the new barn going up!

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The able bodied crew from Wooster Builders is making swift progress on the structure. The new facility is being constructed on the same footprint as the old barn. The new barn will have 3 boxstalls for calving, shavings storage, a treatment area for sick cows and an open pack area for dry cows. There will be 40 freestalls with curtains for ventilation.

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After the fire, a 100 ft hoop style barn was erected to serve as temporary housing until we could formulate a permanent solution. The hoop barn will be utilized for hay and straw storage after construction is completed on the new barn. We will keep you updated on the progress!

Stay tuned to the AllBreeds Blog as we follow the construction process of this new facility!

Farm Visits in Ontario, Canada

Monday, November 12th, 2012

The HolsteinWorld team made some farm visits prior to covering the shows and sale at The Royal Winter Fair. Four Ontario herds were gracious enough to take time out of their busy schedules to show us their farms and cows.

 

One first stop was at Mapel Wood Holsteins, Jerseyville, ON. Len Vis was recovering from a busy start to the week. Not only had he had numerous visitors already that week but he was also involved in the Genetics By Design Sale which was held on Tuesday, November 6th. The sale was quite a success and more can be see at http://www.allbreedsblog.com/2012/11/06/genetics-by-design-sale-preview/ and http://www.allbreedsblog.com/2012/11/06/genetics-by-design-sale-is-underway/. Following are some highlights from the Mapel Wood herd. You can also visit their website at www.holsteinworld.com/mapelwood/index.php.

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A VG Man-O-Man out of Misty Springs Shottle Satin (VG)

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VG-85 Aftershock x VG Baxter x VG Goldwyn x EX-96 Krull Broker Elegance.

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VG-87 Shottle out of the Gypsy Grand family.

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VG-88 Talent out of the Roxy’s

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Happy heifers in the heifer barn.

Our next stop was right around the corner at Summitholm Holsteins, Lynden, ON. We met with David Loewith where he gave us an overview of the farm and we had a thought provoking discussion about the dairy business in Canada. The Summitholm herd is definitely run as a business and it was interesting to listen to David.

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Two people milk in this double 12 parlor where 360 cows are milked 3 times a day. The Loewith’s breed for high production and at the last DHI test cows were averaging 93 lbs per day.

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Calves are housed in hutches and fed 3 times a day for the first month, then twice a day for 2 weeks and then once day for two weeks. Free choice chopped straw is also offered. They see a 1.8-2 lb average daily gain in the calves.

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All harvesting is custom hired. The Loewith’s have 800 acres and grow all forages for the herd. Concentrates are purchased. David stated more than once how much he dislikes machinery!

After lunch we headed to Fradon Holsteins, Branchton, ON. Here, Frank and Don Donkers and their sons milk an outstanding herd of Holsteins in a beautiful barn with stone walls. We saw many members of the Fradon Rudolph Jodie family. For more on the Fradon herd go to www.fradonholsteins.com.

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Fradon SS Jordan EX-94 graces a boxstall. Jordan is the second 94 point cow from the Jodie family.

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Excellent September Storm x EX Lee x EX-94 Chief Adeen.

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One of six Destry daughters that we saw in the Fradon herd.

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We caught up with the NY Holstein tour group at Fradon.

 

Our final stop of the day was a Bosdale Farms, Cambridge, ON. Four brothers and their families are involved in the farm. In addition to the cows, they also have a hog operation of 350 sows farrow to finish. Visit the Bosdale Farms website at www.holsteinworld.com/bosdale/

 

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The long, tree-lined driveway leads you to….

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…..the barns.

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Cows are housed in a four row tie stall barn with 150 stalls andfed a TMR. Two people use 8 machines with automatic take offs each to milk the cows and it takes an hour and forty minutes each milking! Ceiling fans are used to cool the cows.

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Ed Bos and his sons talk to the group about their operation. The breeding program at Bosdale focuses on high type and deep cow families. The highlight of Royal week for the Bos family was finalizing the sale of 22 embryos to Finland. The buyers were impressed with the longevity in the herd.

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Welcome!

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Claquato-RH Escape (VG-89, 2yrs) is a potential 10th generation Dundee from the Skagvale Country Ellie Gay (EX-95) family.

Jerseys score well at Avonlea!

Friday, August 10th, 2012

Avonlea and partners classified August 9th in Brighton, Ontario and report some stellar results!! There were 10 new VG 1st calf heifers, 2 new Excellent cows, and one new 95-point cow!

Some highlights of the day include:
EXCELLENT COWS:
Peninsula Barbaro’s Drama (Barbaro x Jade) – EX-95; recently named Res. Grand Champion at the 2012 Ontario Summer Show
Tierneys Socrates Dawn (Socrates x Furor) – raised to EX-93
Avonlea Kookie’s Kiska (Avonlea All Kaught Up x Kookie) – EX-91
Milo First Prize Suzie (maternal sister to Vindication Season) – Raised to EX-92

Milo Centurion Sally
Milo Centurion Sally (maternal sister to Vindication Season) – EX-90

VERY GOOD 2-Year-Olds (1st calf):

Voigtscrest Attitude #4
Voigtscrest Attitude (Minister x Kaptain) – VG-88 – Purchased in Norse Star Summer Hummer

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Avonlea Connected to Kracker (Connection x Kookie) – VG-87

Avonlea Kookie Dough (Action x Kookie) – VG-87
Avonlea Jackknife Misty (Jackknife x Thunder) – VG-87
Milo V R Summer (Verbatim sister to Vindication Season – Milking Yearling – 2 weeks fresh!!) – VG-87

Avonlea CF Gorgeous Giggle
Avonlea CF Gorgeous Giggle (Iatola x Giggle) – VG-86

Avonlea KellyAnn of Arcadia (Comerica x Sultan) – VG-86
Avonlea Iatola Kira (Iatola x Rain Kora) – VG-86
Avonlea Jackknife Krimson (Jackknife dau. – Milking Yearling – 2 weeks fresh!!) – VG-85
Avonlea Action KoolAid (Action x First Prize) – VG-85

Other Highlights:

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Avonlea Kookies M Keepsake (Minister x Kookie) – 2nd calf Sr. 2-year-old – VG-89 (max score)

Avonlea JK KoolKat & Peninsula Barbaro's Drama
Avonlea JK Kool Kat (Jackknife x First Prize) – Jr. 3-year-old – VG-89 (max score) — now owned by Avon Road Jersey Farm and Peninsula Barbaro’s Drama (now EX-95)

Avonlea Socrates River (Socrates x Renaissance) – 2nd calf Sr. 3-year-old – VG-89 (max. score)

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From left, Kracker, Drama, Keepsake & River

Avonlea Cows - August 08, 2012
26 animals scored – Average score: 87.8
Herd totals to date: 17 EX, 42 VG, 5 GP, None lower

Ireland’s Emerald Expo 2012 Results!

Wednesday, July 11th, 2012

Emerald Expo 2012
All Ireland dairy event!
By Charles Gallagher

The Emerald Expo is now one of the great landmark shows on the annual agricultural calendar organized by the Irish Holstein Friesian Association in association with Alltech Ireland.

The Emerald Expo renews the historical connection between the show ring and the educational role for farmers . This two day national event featured a wide range of activities of interest to all milk producers and the wider farming family!

The addition of a careers pavillon, dairy to beef village, dairy conference -capturing the potential for dairy expansion and farm visits encompassed all aspects of efficient dairy farming practices in breeding, management and future markets for those wishing to expand their dairy enterprise.

Emerald Expo 2012, now in its second year, took place on Fri/Sat July 6th/7th at the Cillin Hill Mart complex in Kilkenny. This leading dairy event and Livestock show includes an all-breeds dairy show that has over 20 cattle classes, six championships and a significant prize fund of €25,000.

This All Breeds Dairy show was a resounding success with the very best cows in the country competing for the top honours. The Irish Pure Friesian club, Jersey and Shorthorn socieites all participated in respective classes.

The highly respected International judge Donald Dubois who hails from Quebec, Canada who has judged numerous shows across Canada, USA and Europe notably the Royal Winter Fair Canada 2010 and Holstein show UK 2012 was the judge for this prestigious show and his final selection and comments in each class were such that no one could quibble. He never changed his initial placings. Once his mind was made up he pulled the cows in order.

The serious business of the Saturday got under way with Dry Cow championship for a cow having had two or more calves. This award went to the Hurley family with Clonpaddin GWY Fanta EX90 sired by Braedale Goldwyn. Kevin Behan claimed Reserve with Ballyboy Gibson Carmen 6.EX94. This was followed by the heifer in milk class with the Intermediate champion going again to the Hurley family from Clonpaddin Co Wicklow with Clonpaddin GKS Fame VG88.This heifer by the North American bull Gen-Mark Stmatic Sanchez is out of the Linjet Fame and is classified VG 89.

Reserve Champion was won by Dermot McCarthy, Co Limerick with Ballincurra Stormatic Lette and Honourable Mention by Paul Flanagan, Termonfeckin, Co Louth with Tubbertoby Alexander Ashley.
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This was followed by the IHFA Irish Pure Friesian Championship. It was great to see the Pure Friesian Club show their cows again at the Emerald Expo and the audience were rewarded with a teriffic display of suberb Friesians. The Champion was won by the O Keeffe family,Churchclara, Kilkenny with Blackisle Laura 68 a six year old cow in milk by Blackisle Glenalbyn.

Reserve went to Michael Spillane’s Mountain Glenalbyn Rosie and Honourable Mention to O’Keeffe’s Churchclara Blackie Circus. All three class winners were by the Pure Friesian Sire Blackisle Glenalbyn.
A clean sweep at Emerald Expo by the Croagh Herd.

All Classes were hotly contested and in the ring for the final line out for the Holstein Friesian Championship were the first and second placed winners in the three, four, five year old, senior, cow in milk classes and the Production class. Baldonnel Goldwyn Sharon and Lisselan Cashmere Ruby, Croagh Susie Mist 46 and Croagh Susie Mist 47, Ridgefield Dundee Portea and Evergrange SJ Bliss 7, Galwaybay Dundee Lavish and Croagh G. Susie Mist 3, Croagh Integrity Lady and Lumville Danoise 2.

The judge commenting on his final line out for supreme champion said “This is the finest line up I have seen in any show over my many years judging and these cows would compete anywhere in the world.” He commented further on their quality udders, correct legs and feet and dairy strength, the type of cows that are desirable in any production system.

To tremendous applause he tapped out Ridgefield Dundee Portea EX93 for champion followed by Croagh Susie Mist 46 EX 90 in reserve place both cows from the Croagh stable of Patrick & Derek Frawley, Ratkeale Co Limerick. Honourable mention went to Baldonnel Goldwyn Sharon VG88 owned & exhibited by Cyril Dowling, Baldonnel, Co. Dublin. The best udder of the show also went to the champion cow Ridgefield Dundee Portea EX93.
Show Champion

120707-23 Ridgefield Dundee Portea
RIDGEFIELD DUNDEE PORTEA (EX-93)

The IHFA Exhibitor bred champion was won by P.& D. Frawley’s Croagh Susie Mist 46 EX90 along with Premier Breeder and Premier exhibitor of the show.

The general comment around the ring was that this was by far the best show of cattle seen in Ireland in recent times!

Proceedings in the ring kicked off on Friday afternoon with the calf classes. Champion and Reserve calves from each individual calf class competed for The Rispoval IBR Junior Championship. Beechrow Atwood Twain was tapped out as Champion for the Booth family who also claimed Reserve with Beechrow Allstar. Mervyn and Philip Jones took Honorable Mention with Hallow Boss Twain. This was a tremendous achievement for the Booth family who also had the Exhibitor Champion with Beechrow Atwood Twain.

Young handler classes competing in the International showmanship challenge added further excitement to the show on Friday evening. YMA had two handling classes H1 and H2, sponsored by Volac. Judge Dubois in his reasons, praised the large number of entries and commented on the calibre of handlers in both classes. Paul Murphy, Banteer, Cork was Champion Handler in class HI -YMA members aged 16 years and under. Rachel McNamara, Newtownshandrum, Co Cork took Reserve and Doireann Mulhall, Danville, Co Kilkenny was Honorable Mention. Champion Handler in H2 (17 years and older) was Padraic Murphy, Kilmanagh, Kilkenny, Marie Doran from Donadea, Naas took Reserve and Edwin Gaynor, Mullagh, Cavan was Honorable Mention. The Emerald Expo International Showmanship Champion was won by Paul Murphy, Banteer with Andrea Uhrig from Germany in Reserve. Honorable Mention went to Padraic Murphy, Kilmanagh, Kilkenny.

Congratulations to Michael Manley of Monasterosis, Edenderry, Co. Offaly who had both the Shorthorn Champion with Monasterosis Jennie Deans 8th and Honouralbe Mention with Monasterosis Waterloo Rose 4th. Reserve Champion Shorthorn was Glenn Carter’s Ransboro Cressida 23rd from Roscrea, Co. Tipperary.

In the Jersey Championship Michael Booth from Portlaoise came to the fore with Rapid Bay-UK Jades Rumour as Champion and Potterswalls Jamaican Pansy as Reserve Champion. Cal Hennessy, Ballydonagh Dungourney, Co Cork had Honourable Mention with Potterswalls June Fanfare.

Dairy to beef village
The Dairy to beef village featured live cattle demonstrations suitable for various market outlets and rearing systems required to attain efficiencies and potential of the animals. This was an interactive forum chaired by Justin McCarthy IFJ featuring representatives from Teagasc and the Meat industry. We are thankful to Dunbia and Slaney Foods who were the sponsors of this event.

This was very informative in pinpointing the key market outlet requirements and suitable breed crosses. It is back to the traditional breeds with calving ease, medium carcass weights of 260 to 380 Kgs and steer and heifer beef. There are good bonuses to be picked up with Hereford prime and Angus. Bull Beef operations will remain an enterprise for the specialist operator. Dairy farmers need to get involved in the Quality Assurance scheme to maximize sale value of the male offspring and cull cows.

International dairy conference -Capturing the Potential for Dairy Expansion
There was a lot of interest in the international dairy conference which was attended by c.150 delegates -40 of them from Eastern Europe. (Estonia, Hungary etc). There was an excellent panel of speakers with good feedback from participants and audience.

The general message from the market place is that expansion in Ireland as envisaged by Food Harvest 20/20will not have a major impact on global markets. The world population is predicted to expand to 8.9bn by the year 2050. European growth in the 27member states post 2015 is predicted to net out at approx. 3bn Kilos. Growth in demand is strong at around 2% p.a. despite the present dip. There will be volatility in the markets generally and dairy farmers would be wise to have a portion of their milk supply in a guaranteed price scheme to cover volatility.
Ireland is the eight lowest in terms of total cost of production world wide and we need to maintain that cost advantage along with our green image and sustainable production systems.

Farm Tours
The farm tours were well attended despite the inclement weather.
I wish to thank the O’Keeffe family,Churchclara, Kilkenny and the Barry family ,Mullinahone Co Tipperary for hosting the tours.

Elite Pedigree sale
The Event also featured a sale of pedigree young stock bred from International cow families. Highest Seller on Friday evening was 5,000 Euros paid for Richard Whelan’s May 2012 Lumville Ashley. Sired by Glenn-Ann Palermo & out of Northlake Farms Addishottle 87 (EX92). The dam is projected at 14,444kg 5.17%BF 3.62%PR 3rd lactation and is bred from Canyon-Breeze Allen’s cow family. Overall 5 head sold to average 3,144 Euro. Auctioneers; TAAFFE AUCTIONS 041-9881288.

New Zealand’s Best Holsteins named in “On-Farm” Competition

Tuesday, July 10th, 2012

New Zealand’s best Holstein Friesians named
By Dianna Malcolm

New Zealand’s biggest dairy judging competition has celebrated record entries for the second successive year. First mobilised by Semex nine years ago this year’s Semex-Holstein Friesian New Zealand On-Farm Competition included 732 animals from 105 farms throughout the country.

One of its biggest drawcards for busy farmers has always been that the animals are judged (without preparation) on their conformation on-farm. It sets it apart from the show ring and has made the competition accessible for busy producers. Because of the sheer numbers and logistics involved, entries were first assessed by regional judges.

The first two finishers in every class were then re-appraised over eight days by the national judge who was Canadian breeder, Brent Walker (from the famous Walkerbrae herd in Guelph, Ontario). It was the first time a Canadian judge had presided.

Officials used Skype at the well-attended finals awards evening at the New Zealand Holstein Friesian Association’s annual conference in Hamilton recently to include judge Walker’s comments, who had returned to Canada. It was Brent’s first visit to New Zealand and he was impressed by the cows, the people, the scenery and the hospitality. In particular, he said the three and five-year-olds finalists were exceptional.

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Holstein Friesian New Zealand’s General Manager Cherilyn Watson (from left) with Palmerston North finalists Ian and Denise Gates. They are joined (at right) by Semex’s Ryan Lett.

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Holstein Friesian New Zealand’s General Manager Cherilyn Watson (from left) joins Tony and Serena Jenkins (Morrinsville, Waikato) who won Reserve Champion in the two-year-old class. Semex’s Ryan Lett is at right.

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Shneil Singh and his father, Balraj Singh, (Waikato), are joined by Semex’s Bob Hammond after winning Reserve Champion five-year-old.

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Semex’s Bob Hammond (left) is joined by Holstein Friesian New Zealand’s General Manager Cherilyn Watson, Tim Barclay and Semex’s David Mayo. Tim’s winning four-year-old was the first New Zealand On-Farm title for the Te Awamutu dairyman.

The biggest region was the Hawkes Bay/Manawatu/Wairarapa region which featured 140 entries (up 44 head) from 24 farms. The Waikato and Canterbury/West Coast were the next strongest in numbers with 130 cows from 21 and 15 herds respectively.

The surge of Champions coming out of South Canterbury and Southland continues, as four of the Champions call the bottom half of the country home in a competition that was split into six age classes, ranging from the two-year-olds through to a mature and veteran class.

Semex bulls sired 57% of the 12 Champions and/or Reserve Champions – proving the ongoing impact of North American genetics in New Zealand’s most successful herds. Many of the Champions are in-calf to Semex sire, Crackholm Fever.

If the Most Successful Breeder had been announced it would have been undoubtedly been awarded to Dean and Jo Geddes, of the Tahora Farms stable near Christchurch. Tahora was the prefix on six of the 36 finalists (17%) – including two Reserve Champions. The Most Successful Exhibitor would have fallen to another well-known name, the Deloraine herd of Alister, Bridget and James Sherriff, who farm at Temuka, in South Canterbury. Deloraine has been crowned New Zealand’s highest-earning dairy herd for three successive years in the last four seasons. This year they owned three of the four cows carrying Deloraine’s prefix in the finals, placing in New Zealand’s top-five for age in the On-Farm Competition. In all, they entered six animals with 50% winning Champion or Reserve Champion. Both Tahora and Deloraine come from the strong Canterbury/West Coast region.

Up and comer from Timaru
An up and coming back-to-back Champion was 28-year-old South Canterbury breeder Philippa Trounce. Philippa is the herd manager for Hayden and Jesse Dorman, who will be milking 600 cows in the spring. They are based 11km from Rakaia in Canterbury. Her three-year-old entry, Fairview Dolman Jazz-ET, is housed at her parent’s [Lindsay and Alison Trounce] 400-cow Timaru dairy, Fairview Holsteins.

“There’s a little bit of pressure on Mum and Dad,” Alison joked. In 276 days (continuing) this season Jazz has produced 9657 litres, 3.7% 359kg fat, 3.5% 335kg protein (694kg Milk Solids). She peaked at 53 litres per day. Jazz is well-known to the registered industry, having competed in both the North and South Island. The 2011 South Island Grand Champion was also 1st three-year-old and Reserve Intermediate Champion at the 2011 New Zealand Dairy Event at Feilding, in addition to Intermediate Champion at the 2011 Canterbury A&P Show. In 2012 she returned to Feilding, winning Champion Holstein and Senior Champion of All Breeds.
Backed by an EX Ricecrest Monday dam and a VG86 Comestar Leader, Jazz is carrying a Crackholm Fever pregnancy. She will calve one month earlier than last season at the start of August and the family is hoping for another big year from their popular young cow.

Judge Walker said the second calvers in the three-year-old class came down to udders. “This was a really strong class from one end to the other,” he said. “There are some really good cows that don’t make the top six, because it was a class that featured extraordinary udders and only small things that made the difference. My Champion is just an exceptional dairy cow. She is deep-ribbed, wide-rumped, wide chested, and has good feet and legs. To me she has an awesome udder. A great cow in the paddock and probably a great cow in the show ring too – but I didn’t get the opportunity to see her there.”

First time winners from Te Awamutu
This year also included two first-time Champions. Tim and Jo Barclay, of Te Awamutu, in the Waikato, won the four-year-old class with Okawa Tony Serenity EX. Serenity is sired by Tahora Talent Tony (who has sired 30 of the couple’s 200 milking herd). She was out of a VG88 dam Tim sold when Serenity was an in-calf heifer because the buyer made Tim an offer he said he “couldn’t refuse.”

Tim said Serenity is a great cow to work with. “She’s a great eater, a fast milker, she’s just such an easy cow on a day-to-day basis,” he said. Tim said they had two heifers from her, one sired by Crackholm Fever, the other by Sanchez. The couple also placed fourth with a young cow, which was stale on this lactation, Tahora Talent Theresa VG88.
Judge Walker said it was a tough class, with several cows in the hunt for the top award. “This beautiful uddered, hard-topped, good ribbed cow comes placed over another beautiful-uddered young cow using her depth of fore and rear rib, her strength of pastern and depth of heel,” he said.
“What awesome udders on this pair of cows.”

First-time winner from the Waikato
The other newbie Champion was the partnership of Doug and Lorraine Courtman and Brittany Bell, of Otoronganga. The Waikato trio won the Mature Class with Carse-O-Fern Free Jess EX. Bred by Doug and Lorraine over several generations, the couple allowed Brittany in on the partnership, because she wanted to show Jess. They are gearing for another show year, with Jess due in two weeks to Gillette Windbrook.

Jess, who is sired by Braedale Freelance, placed third in the On-Farm Competition last year. The six-year-old has now calved five times. With her last completed lactation at 10,863 litres, 3.0% 324kg fat and 2.9% 311kg protein in 278 days in their 144-cow seasonal herd, the Courtmans already loved her.

“With her placing last year, we knew she’d potentially be up there,” Doug said. “But I’ve never imagined my herd up there with the Tahora [Dean and Jo Geddes] and Deloraine [Alister and Bridget Sherriff] herds of the country. That made it a pretty special night.

“They started announcing it from sixth up to first and when they only had first left, I thought I’d either over estimated how good she was and got a bit keen, or she was going to win.

“She’s probably from the best type family we have on the farm.”

Three of four generations are EX, broken only by the premature death of her 85-point granddam. Jess won Supreme Dairy Cow at the Auckland Easter Show two years ago and she was Reserve Holstein Friesian this year, shown by Brittany.

“While I’m quite proud of her show record, if it wasn’t for Brittany we would never have shown her,” Doug said. “That’s why we like the On-Farm Competition, because you just have to give them a bit of a wash and bag them up a bit and away you go. And it’s developed into our major competition really. We’re very appreciative of Semex organising it and of Brent [Walker] for giving his time.”

Judge Walker said Jess was the epitome of a dairy cow. “She is wide chested and has a great rib with capacity and openness,” he said. “For a mature cow her slope from hips to pins and thurl placement is outstanding. The rear udder is high and wide, the fore udder is tight to the body wall and she has correct size and shape of teat. She is lean-thighed, clean hocked and she moves extremely well.”

South Canterbury industry heavyweights tear up national competition
The Sherriff family shone in the two-year-old class winning Champion. They also claimed Reserve Champion in both the four-year-old and the veteran classes. In all, they entered six animals – with 50% winning Champion or Reserve at national level. Their two-year-old Champion, Deloraine Sam Marga VG86, has to pull her weight in a competitive herd of 300 cows. She is out of a Silky Gibson dam and then backed by an EX Warden granddam. Bred by a homebred Braedale Goldwyn son and in-calf to Crackholm Fever, her completed first lactation is: 8142 litres, 3.8% 309kg Fat, 3.5% 284kg Protein in 295 days.

Alister Sherriff confirmed she is entered for the Oaks type and production class at Canterbury A&P Show in November.

Judge Walker said: “The first cow is hard-topped, deep-ribbed and good uddered with good mobility. She placed over second because I preferred the set to her leg. She is longer of her foreudder, especially on the left side, and she has more correct front teat placement.”

Their four-year-old Reserve Champion, Deloraine Talent Vila VG87, is the daughter of the Reserve Champion Veteran cow, Deloraine James Valmai EX2. The Shoremar James daughter was second in the 2010 Aged Cow class at the Canterbury A&P Show. Her best and most recently completed record was 11,456 litres, 405kg Fat, 380Kg Protein.

Five-year-old from Southland ‘wows’ judge
The five-year-old glamour class got Judge Walker’s attention.
“Wow! That’s all I wanted to say for this class,” Brent said. “What a class of from the first contender I saw at 8.30am on Monday through to 4pm the following Monday when I saw the last five-year-old finalist.”
The Champion, Karatane Adam Patsy VG88, owned by Stewart, Mary and Nathan Chilton, could not have been closer to the bottom of the South Island. The Chilton partnership milks 50 cows in Wyndham, Southland. The fourth place-getter also came out of the Chilton operation. Tronocco Golwyn June-ET EX beat her herd mate in the regional judging, but under fresh eyes, Judge Walker used his prerogative to switch the pair, making the homebred Talent daughter from a Skychief dam Champion.

“The first three cows in this class aren’t the biggest, but what great dairy cows they are,” he said. “The first cow is just a well-balanced dairy cow. She has width of chest, spring of rib, a great udder and exceptional mobility in a very strong class.”

“It was exciting to have an international judge on our farm – our third international visitor,” Nathan said. “I’ve seen him judge in Canada, so I knew him and it was nice to chat and compare what he thought about the cows. It was very enjoyable and the results night made a few people pretty happy in our house.”

While both cows have been shown, Nathan said June is the production and show cow while Patsy is a milk cow that has competed more locally, winning Supreme Dairy Cow at the 2012 Gore Show. Patsy has produced 11,862 litres, 4.4% 517kg fat, 3.1% 371kg protein in 276 days. She is short-bred to Comestar Lavanguard.

June has calved every year, producing 1108kg Milk Solids last season. She won the New Zealand three-year-old On-Farm competition two years ago, after finishing Reserve Champion as a two-year-old. She was fourth as a four-year-old and fourth this year.

Veteran Champion former Mature Champion
Clover-Lane Lee August, owned by David and Maree Ormsby (Karatane Dairies) at Gore has had a long and distinguished presence in the On-Farm format – winning two Champions and a Reserve Champion at national level in the last five years.

She was the 2008 Reserve Champion On-Farm Mature Cow and in 2010 she beat her full sister to win Champion Mature Cow. She returned this year to win the Veteran class.

The Comestar Lee daughter’s achievements are perhaps more notable because of her personal challenges. She has had two successive sets of mixed-sex twins with David and Maree’s vet recently confirming that August is again carrying twins – this time sired by Pine Tree Sid.

August is a sixth generation EX from the famous D-R-A August family in the USA. She is currently milking in a 450-cow herd. She has completed six lactations for her owners and her last completed lactation (after aborting twins almost three months early) was: 7902 litres, 4.7% 369kg F, 3.8% 301kg Protein (2.33kg MS/day) and 670kgsMS in 288days.

“August has really been a dream, no-fuss cow to work with, who has the bonus of a world renowned family behind her,” David Ormsby said.

Judge Walker said the class was a tribute to the longevity New Zealand dairy farmers could achieve with their cattle.

“The first place cow in the class wasn’t the bloomiest cow in the class; and she hadn’t had the easiest lactation BUT what a lovely, quality cow in udder texture, cleanness of hock and with an open, deep rib,” he said.

“She had the advantage over the cow in second (Deloraine James Valmal), because she was deeper in her fore and rear rib, stronger through her loin, and I preferred the height and width of her rear udder attachment.

“However, the Reserve Champion is very youthful. It’s her strength of fore udder attachment and nicer shape of teat that took her over the cow in third.”

Maughlin Storm TWO YEARS IN-MILK
” 1st – Deloraine Sam Marga VG86 (AM, BV & JJ Sherriff, Temuka, South Canterbury)
” 2nd – Membury Gold Freskia-ET (Tony & Serena Jenkins, Morrinsville, Waikato)
” 3rd – Ultimate Gold Crystal-ET VG85 (Brian & Serena Hammond and Trevor & Rosalie Zanders, Thames, Waikato)
” 4th – Tahora Dundee Legalette VG87 (Tahora Farms, Tai Tapu, Canterbury)
” 5th – Karatane Talent Donor GP82 (Dennis & Donna Holland, Kaiwera Dairy Ltd, Gore, Southland)
” 6th – Velvaleen Talen Peren-ET GP83 Brandon Gates, Palmerston North).

Comestar Leader THREE YEARS IN-MILK
” 1st – Fairview Dolman Jazz-ET VG88 (Philippa Trounce, Timaru, South Canterbury)
” 2nd – Tahora Goldwyn Tammy-ET VG86 (Velvaleen Farm Ltd, Palmerston North)
” 3rd – Klassic Damion Penelope VG89 (Deanna Ormsby, Wyndham, Southland)
” 4th – Tahora Talent Theresa VG88 (Tim and Jo Barclay, Te Awamutu)
” 5th – Cresslands Talent Bev VG85 (Graham & Nicky Stewart, Rangiora, Canterbury)
” 6th – Bushview Royal Atlas (Ian McCormack, Stratford, Taranaki)

Townson Lindy FOUR YEARS IN-MILK
” 1st – Okawa Tony Serenity EX (Tim and Jo Barclay, Te Awamutu, Waikato)
” 2nd – Deloraine Talent Vila VG87 (Alister, Bridget and James Sherriff, Temuka)
” 3rd – Brookview Dun Dee Ba VG86 (Vince & Sheridan Steiner, Tokoroa, Waikato)
” 4th – Tahora Final Cut Leggy-ET VG88 (Tahora Farms, Tai Tapu, Canterbury)
” 5th – Crossroads Wman Bizzy VG88 (Alex & Narda Harvey Family Trust, Dargaville, Northland)
” 6th – Muritai Monday Lindie EX (Dwayne Taylor, Waitara, Taranaki)

Hanoverhill Raider FIVE YEARS IN-MILK
” 1st – Karatane Adam Patsy VG88 (Stewart, Mary & Nathan Chilton, Wyndham, Southland)
” 2nd – Quinedale Monday Wazi EX (Balraj & Hardeep Singh, Taupiri, Waikato)
” 3rd – Fantastic Lartist Like S2F EX (S Muller & P Schnuriger, Rotorua, Bay of Plenty)
” 4th – Tronocco Golwyn June-ET EX(Stewart, Mary & Nathan Chilton, Wyndham, Southland)
” 5th – Tahora B Goldwyn Tori-ET EX (Tahora Farms, Tai Tapu, Canterbury)
” 6th – Pelorus Allen Cleary-ET EX (Kerry & Carol Robbins, Rai Valley, Nelson-Marlborough)

Conant Acres Broker MATURE IN-MILK
” 1st – Carse-O-Fern Free Jess EX (Doug & Lorraine Courtman & Brittany Bell, Otoronganga, Waikato)
” 2nd – Tahora Approval Lark EX (Tahora Farms, Tai Tapu, Canterbury)
” 3rd – Parkville Storm Pat S3F EX (Paul and Dianna Capes, Eketahuna, Manawatu-Wanganui)
” 4th – Kauri Glen Gibson Duchess EX (Kauri Glen Ltd, Wahoroa, Waikato)
” 5th – Deloraine Allen Ellon (Fairleigh Dairy Farm Ltd, Gore, Southland)
” 6th – Aldersyde Cousteau Brit EX (Stewart, Mary & Nathan Chilton, Wyndham, Southland)

Comestar Laurie Sheik VETERAN IN-MILK
” 1st – Clover-Lane Lee August EX2 (Karatane Dairies Ltd, Wyndham, Southland)
” 2nd – Deloraine James Valmal EX2 (AM, BV & JJ Sherriff, Temuka, South Canterbury)
” 3rd – Karatane Juror Anna EX2 (Karatane Dairies Ltd, Wyndham, Southland)
” 4th – Fantastic Lavina S0F EX3 (Vaughan & Kirsty Clarke, Fantastic Farms Ltd, Rotorua, Bay of Plenty)
” 5th – Pateke Stormatic (Jo Braggs Valley Partnership, Blenheim, Nelson-Marlborough)
” 6th – Westell Cutter Socks EX (David and Wendy Harker, Te Awamutu, Waikato)

A Visit to Wendon Holsteins, Innisfail, AB

Thursday, July 5th, 2012

During our time in Alberta for the RockyMountain High Sale, we ventured north to visit Don, Wendy & Logan Chalack at their Wendon Holsteins Farm.

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Clearvalley Gold Rewind VG-85, 2nd Jr. 3-year-old at National Convention Show 2012

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Wendon Dundee Wish VG-86 x Wendon Leduc Winnie

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Wendon Rampage Delta-Red VG-88

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An Excellent Goldwyn

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Dundee Serena VG-87, as you can see- the amount of cage on these cows is off the charts!

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Left: Roy Gab EX, Right: Wendon Gibson Prudence EX- 12 years old with eight calves!

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L to R: Dundee Divinia EX x EX Trump, Lheros Joel EX x EX Jolt, Roy Vanna EX x EX Jolt

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Goldwyn Steph x VG Leduc

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Along with the beautiful barn and cows, the landscaping followed suit!

Learn more about Wendon Holsteins by visiting their website- www.wendonholsteins.com

A visit to Lindale & Team Holsteins

Thursday, April 26th, 2012

Lindale and Team Holsteins is located only 50 miles west of Chicago near Hampshire, IL. Owned and operated by Dale & Linda Drendel, their son Jeff and full time employee and partner in Team Holsteins, Kevin Kriegel, the farm collectively milks 140 registered Holsteins. While most of the herd is housed in free stalls, the fancier cows fill up the tie stall barn.

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Kagwick Durham Suzy VG-85 x Kagwick Emerson Shirley 2E-90

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Team Durham Morgan EX-92, Res. Int. Champion Mid-East Fall National 2010

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Lindale Goldwyn Milan VG-87, Res. All-IL Sr. 2-year-old 2011 x Irwindale Leduc Molly 2E-94

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Swanee-Acres SD Jolly-Red, Jr. 3 year old Debonair

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Shottle Image GTPI +2023 Dam: Kagwick Durham Ivy 2E-94

 

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For more information on Lindale and Team Holsteins, visit their website at http://www.lindaleholsteins.com/ or http://www.teamholsteins.com/

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