Holstein World’s Frank Putman stopped by Dale and Colleen Hindman’s Highland H Farm on his way to the PA Holstein Convention taking place this weekend. Check out some of his photos from the visit!

Dale and Colleen Hindman

The rear udder of an EX-91 Furor 5-year-old

One of many huge-framed cows at Highland-H, sired by Rubens.

One Christy’s show cows – a Silas daughter.

Cow comfort is key at Highland-H, they have water beds bedded heavily with straw. Pictured here another Silas daughter.

Sara Hodgins sent us these photos from the Hodglynn Farms Open House & Tag Sale going on this week in Kincardine, Ontario!

Russel Bennet, Barclay Phoenix and Bert Stewart

Kingsway Jasper Ashanti – A Winter Yearling from a VG-88 Maternal Sister to Terrason Allie

Corey Rae, Kevin Doebriner and Kim Rietveld

Shottle x Gen-I-Beq Goldwyn Saby All NY-Sr.2yr

Dappledale HH Red Aylssa (Redliner x KHW Regiment Ariel full sis. to Apple)

Summer Yrlg.  – Kingsway Miami Heat

A Jr Yrlg. for ‘10 – Dreamcrest Goldwyn Frangelico (From Fran Family) Nominated All-Canadain 2009

Quality-Ridge Storm Haze – Full Sister to Stormi Hazel

Adam Hodgins and Bert Stewart

The Hodglynn Holsteins display

Holstein World’s Frank Putman traveled up to Quebec last week to visit Ferme Blondin. Below are photos of some of the outstanding animals he found in this great herd, which is having a sale on May 29th.

Safari Kelly Goldwyn (VG-89) -  Grand Champion QC International Show 2009

22-month-old Toystory from Brasilia X Barbie – 10 days fresh!

Dessauges Chapter Gina (VG-88) – A 4-year-old for 2010

Two Sanchez daughters of Calbrett Goldwyn Lyndsey (VG-87 @ 2y.) from Lila Z

Blondin Talent Salena (VG-87 @2y) from the Supra family

Blondin Bolton Diva (VG 2 yrs) from the All-Canadian nominee Pierstein Leadoff Debora (EX 2E)

Windcroft Terrason Iva (VG-88)- 3rd Jr 3 at QC International Show, 2nd at Kemptville Show. Due in July 2010

A group of 1st calf heifers at the farm, sired by Affirmed-Bolton-Starfire

Group of 1st calf heifers by Bambam-Dundee-Toystory

More views of the herd:

Sherry Siemers Peterman was recently in New York for farm visits to many prominent Holstein breeders and in a selection mode for the Siemers Spring Showcase Sale that will be held at the Great Northern Sale complex (noted for creature comfort) on March 26, 2010. All entries from guest consignors will be personally selected by Siemers for this event and the animals will represent the passion for breeding great individuals by guest consignors and the top individuals that will represent Siemers Holsteins. Frank Putman joined Sherry for the trip and they have some exciting scenes to share:

COYNE FARMS

Sherry is joined by Greg Coyne. In the background is Greg’s “backup disc” for his computer program. Hot coffee, and a view of a member of the Milkworth Manfred Yadda family before she headed into the parlor were welcomed. She is another Shottle daughter that we will hear and see more of in the future.

OLD ACRES FARM
The Smithgall family balance the operation of a large free stall herd, the field work that entails and showing and promoting a select group of animals on the local, state, national and international level.

One of these well grown and correct heifers with great pedigrees could be Newton bound in March!

“Living the Good Live.” Fresh off their All-American & All-Canadian nominations are from left: Lylehaven Fortune Latte-ET and Old-Acres Durham Sherry-ET. Both heifers have dams or maternal sisters that have All-American nominations or titles. Todd and Cooper Galton (Roll-N-View) trust the care and preparation of show heifers to the Smithgalls. A call to Todd took Sherry to one of his farms to view ET youngsters.

Sherry with the personable and polite Chris Smithgall in front of the show heifer facility.

The theme in Western New York is one of a generation of dairymen that were very involved with the registered cow in their youth. They then turned their attention to moving the farm operation into “today” and now their sons and daughters are refocusing part of the attention to showing, developing and merchandising elite genetics. Most of all this is a great opportunity for parents to have quality time with the next generation. Another prime example is:

RANSOM RAIL FARM

Mike Dueppenguisser and Sherry at the well maintained and neat farm shop. In the background is the charts to monitor and plan the machinery maintenance.

One of the heifers that will likely “be out” in 2010. In a adjacent pen is Welcome Mac Peyton-ET out of Welcome Goldwyn Penya (VG-89, 2y EX-MS). She represents the diversification of show animals and those sought out by AI units.

Sherry and Peter Dueppenguisser, who was tour guide in the absence of sons Jacob and Jared on a school day.

OAKFIELD CORNERS DAIRY

“The distaff side” Alicia Lamb Of Oakfield Corners Dairy shows Sherry Sanchez daughters out of Valleyville Lheros Jenn. Alicia and Jonathan have stayed ahead of the curve with embryos from Leader Melanie, James Rose and Storm Kendra as well as Jenn.

LISMORE DAIRY

Lismore Farm’s Andy Merry with Sherry. Some animals viewed here were Cranberry Mdws Adrenalin-ET, her Roy daughter (showing much promise like the well known Roy Autumn that is bred much the same way) and Markwell SS Ruby-Red-ET. Ruby is a granddaughter of the the well known B-Star Raven cow. Both Adrenalin and Ruby need to see the classifier and photographer.

MURANDA HOLSTEINS
Muranda Holsteins in Waterloo, NY gave a tour of the dairy and the cheese facility. The dominant family here traces to Beachlawn Blwood L Lily (2E-93) that breeds on with the high number bulls with no sacrifice of high scores.

One of 2 Talent daughters that occupy the pens as you enter the barn next to “Mama” Larel. Great young, stylish cows and more proof of the reproducing power of Larel.

The reigning queen at Muranda is Muranda BWM Larel-ET (EX-95). From left: Long time “right hand man” Paul Thorn, Blaine Murray, Sherry, Larel and Tom

The latest project at Muranda is cheese. Blaine, Sherry and Tom are surrounded by Colby, British raw milk cheddar and garlic cheddar

MCGARR FARMS

Pedigrees in hand, Dan McGarr shares that information and a view of some fine young stock at McGarr Farms before viewing the key cows that Dan is working with.

In this pen was REW Bewitched with a GPTAT +5.25, who is owned with Greg Coyne and is a Shottle out of a VG-87 Goldwyn daughter of the EX-92 Barbie. Also sharing the pen were two granddaughters of Muranda BWM Larel (EX-95). Their dam is Muranda Shottle Lila-ET (VG-87, 2y), a young cow with many contracts.

CO-VALE HOLSTEINS

Yes, she is that massive. Aaron Eaton, the man in charge of the Co-Vale show program shows Co-Vale Roy Jackie to Sherry. After a fine show career, Jackie has produced All-American daughters. In two other barns Aaron presented ring ready stock that is the norm of the day at Co-Vale to create that national competitive edge.

JOLEANNA HOLSTEINS
Missed were photos at Joleanna, where the cows and heifers were in fine form. Though a sale is planed at Joleanna for March 2010, a good one will head to Wisconsin for Sherry’s Sale. Dave and Cathy Johnson were busy adding Christmas touches to the outdoors with the help of their grandson Braeden at the time of our visit.

OVALTOP HOLSTEINS
On to Ovaltop where we found many big framed cows and well grown, stylish heifers. The cattle are only matched by the well kept facilities and the genuine hospitality. A full pedigreed Fall Calf by Durham will represent this breeding establishment in the sale.

CLEAR-ECHO & KINGS RANSOM
In the Saratoga area, stops at Clear-Echo revealed just how well Clear-Echo 822 Ramo1200 wears her EX-92 score to add to her GTPI of +2109 and how the young cows just keep getting better to the eye. Kings Ransom has their flushing program on track by keeping the cows that are working in their flush program in an area with a number of unpopulated stalls.

LIDDLEHOLM HOLSTEINS

Adam Liddle and Sherry in front of a fine Talent daughter. One end of Adam’s milking barn is filled with the young cows and this is a fine example of that saying. A sight to see when you head into the barn for morning milking.

WELCOME STOCK FARM

Bill Peck of Welcome Stock Farm slowed down for a photo with Sherry. Bill Jr. took the time to point out cows like Welcome Goldwyn Penya (VG-89,2y) as he directed hoof trimmers, herd health with Pandora King, as well as other activities on the farm and made it all look easy.

Holstein World’s Frank Putman visited Suntor Holsteins in Ormstown, QC recently and the following are a couple pictures of one of the featured animals on their brand new website! Check out these shots of Suntor Lightning Jelica (VG-88) and visit their new website to see even more that Suntor has to offer!

Suntor Lightning Jelica (VG-88)

Holstein World’s Frank Putman took a trip to the Rapid Bay Open House on Saturday and has some exciting photos to share. A short program took place at Rapid Bay where there was about 230 people present to look over the high quality show-winning Jersey herd.

Scenes from the day:

A line of stylish Jerseys in the Rapid Bay barn

Huronia Connection Nora (EX-94)
1st 4-year-old RAWF 2009

Rapid Bay Ressurection Fata
1st Jr. 2-year-old RAWF 2009

Some of the sires that Rapid Bay currently has semen available from. These bulls are housed at Rapid bay and transported to EBI to be drawn.

Cranbrook Amedeo Dutches (3E-94)
Nominated All-Canadian in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 & 2008

Rapid Bay Amedeo Florida (VG-89)
Res. Intermediate Champion RAWF 2008

Rapid Bay Whistlers Rumour (5E-95)
HM Grand Champion RAWF
Grand Champion World Conference Show 2005
Nominated All-Canadian 6X

Rapid Bay owner Steve Borland addresses the crowd

The “Supreme One” and her Royal Banners
Vandenberg Amedeo Gorgeous (2E-97)
Grand & Supreme Champion RAWF 2007 & 2009!

Steve infront of his Supreme Champion Gorgeous

While attending the Rocklan Dispersal a couple weeks ago, Holstein World staffer Frank Putman made a farm visit to Russ Trombley’s herd in Chateaugay, NY.

Good cows, down the line – The cow in the foreground is a VG-89 Emory

A GP-83, 2y Lartist out of a VG dam. Russ moved to his present location with a small group of cows when he sold his farm and herd through private treaty. He now has grown to nearly 100 head in the past five years.

Last month Holstein World’s Frank Putman visited some farms in Pennsylvania and Virginia.

Sweet Pease Holsteins of Susquehanna, PA, is a great stop for Holstein enthusiasts that like tall, good uddered cows with plenty of strength. A number of Terrason daughters stood out in the milking string. Lloyd and Denise are shown with Sweet Pease Dundee Bently that never stopped growing after her Fall Calf wins in Harrisburg and NY Spring International. Hopes run high for her in 2010. In the background is the recently remolded barn to house show prospects. Out with the horses and in with the heifers!

Ricecrest Farm is an extremely well kept farm. The habits transcend from farmstead to the livestock. Ricecrest Luke Lauren is “living the good life” with other contemporaries. Some of these ladies are here to live out their “golden years”, but they are also a monument to the longevity and massiveness of Ricecrest cattle…

One of an impressive group of Shottle daughters. As fate would have it, the use of Shottle resulted in a number of daughters (many VG) while using Goldwyn left very few daughters. One great practice that could be listed under the old saying, “an ounce of prevention is worth a lb of cure”, is moving cows to individual pens when noticed in heat. Tall, wide, flat boned cows reside here.

Virginia Holstein breeders will be hosting the National Holstein Convention in 2011 and a young couple that have great enthusiasm and a plan are La Vaun & Jim Janney. Long term goals are to established a renowned herd from which to breed outstanding cows. Cows known by short names -Alicia, Ashlyn, Lana Rae, Toby, Deliha and Miss Special have granddaughters here by Stormatic, Dundee and other top bulls. A home bred family that focused attention on the Janney’s is Janney Talent Scarlett-Red (VG-88) and Janney Distrigene Cinnamon-Red (EX) that have gained R&W All-American nominations.

Lee Heizer of Heiz-Acres has bred both Holsteins and Swiss that have had success at a major level, in the show rings. Hiez-Acres Outside Vermont, the 2007 Res. All-American Jr-3-Yr-Old is much sought after for offspring and embryos. Lee has had the good fortune to have others successfully campaign his prefix, such as the Topps of Ohio.

The Callendar’s in front of a barn of relaxed cows that had just been milked out. Teresa is a committee person for Virginia’s National Convention. Walk-Up Holsteins has had great success using Durham with 18 VG or EX daughters bred here and presently have a good base of his daughters to breed the next generation to keep the herd moving in the right direction. Presently, they have been calving out daughters of M Leader, Pronto and Elmo.

This attractive sign greets travelers in front of Steve and Kathy Rhodes farm. The focus here is red (right down to the roses). Steve works with Paul Yoder of Cherry-Kreek Farm in ownership of some animals. Surprisingly he can be to Paul’s in about 2 hours by traveling through the mountains. Kathy has huge responsibilities for the Fresh Air program that locates city children to a country host for a time in the summer months. A group of heifers slated for export sported white flag tags as they awaited their “taxi” ride out of the US.

Images from the Jersey Breeders Banquet and an evening at Sycamore Hill.

The AJCA-NAJ Award for Meritorious Service honoree was Dr. Ronald Pearson of Blacksburg, VA. Dr. Pearson, a professor at Virginia Tech, helped create the JPI index.

The Distinguished Service Award went to Robert & Helene Dreisbach of Mercer, PA.

The Master Breeder Award went to Ed Fisher & the Ahlem Farms partnership of Hilmar, CA. Since joining forces nearly 1,000 Ahlem Farms bred Jerseys have scored EX!

Friday night the Convention group traveled to Marcellus, NY and the Sycamore Hill Gardens. Sycamore Hill of course was also know for its world-class Jersey herd before dispersing a few years ago.

The beautiful gardens cover more than 30 acres and include a beautiful pond (Lake George) and fountain area, complete with stepping stones and huge Koi!

Another area of the gardens, this is the vegetable garden.

The first North American Jersey Cheese contest was held at the convention this year. The competing cheeses were available for tasting while at Sycamore Hill. They gave awards in 18 different classes. The overall winner was Ascutney Mountain from Cobb Hill Cheese in Vermont. This cheese came from the Farmstead hard cheese class.

Of course, when you’re in the Finger Lakes, eating cheese, you need to have some wine to go along with it! A handful of local wineries were on hand giving samples.

Following dinner and the cheese awards presentation there was a wonderful fireworks display!

AllBreed Access’ Lynnette Wright and Katy Johnson attended the National Jersey Convention last week held here in Syracuse, NY, last week. Thursday’s events included a tour of Silver Spring Farm in southern Syracuse, home of the Luchsingers.

Upon touring the Luchsingers farm there is no doubt that they love their Jerseys cows, and the farm colors are yellow and green.

They milk over 100 cows in a tie-stall barn

Quality runs deep at Silver Spring Farm! They have won the Premier Breeder banner at the NY State Fair 50 times! And 39 of those were consecutive.

Visitors look over the heifers that are raised in a freestall barn.

Calves are raised in hutches and then grouped together in this well-venilated barn.

The show heifers for the upcoming season.

The Luchsinger Family: Charlie & his wife, Ali, Chuck, Sue, Jenny & her husband Josh Gordon.

A large crowd was on hand for the tour and picnic.

Following the picnic there was an auction of some Jersey memorabilia with the proceeds going to the research fund. Pictured here was one of the chains and locks that went around the horns of the first Jerseys to be imported to the US from the Isle of Jersey. It is essentially the first form of identification for the Jersey breed.