Congratulations to Adam Austin and Meggi Vanderwerken of Lincoln Hill Farm in White Creek, NY on the arrival of their new baby boy, Ashton Henry who was born on Sunday morning, January 22nd at 7lbs. 14oz. and 20 inches long.

Matt and Natalie Sneller of Conant Acres, Canton, Maine were especially blessed this Christmas with the arrival of their son, Gerrit Michael, who was born on Christmas Day at 5:15 am. He weighed 6 pounds, 15 ounces. The proud grandparents are Steve and Debbie Keene of Conant Acres and Darwin and Kathy Sneller of Starward Farms, Sebewaing, Michigan.

Online embryo auctions are becoming an ever-popular way for genetics to change hands. Today we sit down with the lady behind “Holstein Plaza”, Jennifer Dingbaum, to see how their online auction services work, and how breeders are reaping the benefits.

HW: How does the Holstein Plaza online embryo auction work?
Each monthly auction held at www.holsteinplaza.com features offerings direct from the elite herds of Holstein Plaza members. It is a traditional English auction, which starts low and allows bidders to place progressively higher bids. Registering is safe and easy to do on the auction site but you must register to bid and see the current bid prices. Each lot of embryos closes at a specific date and time, and the highest bidder then wins the lot. Like eBay, Holstein Plaza uses a “proxy bidding” system, which makes bidding convenient because you don’t have to keep coming back to re-bid every time someone places another higher bid. The auction site also uses a system called Popcorn Bidding/5-minute rule, which means that when the lot is about to close and everyone is waiting to make the last bid you will not lose out.

At the conclusion of the auction, buyers can rely on the experience of AMS Genetics International to get their embryos shipped quickly and carefully to their final destination. All export shipping is handled through this trusted industry leader using the most cost-effective transport solution.

HW: How does a breeder go about consigning to one of your auctions?
One of the many perks to becoming a Holstein Plaza member is being able to consign to the online embryo auctions. Members are contacted before each auction and asked to check their current inventory. There is no particular selection process and members are allowed to consign what they would like as long as a reserve bid is set. The auctions are organized to allow members to develop a domestic as well as international embryo market and turn their inventory and donor herd into an active part of their operation’s merchandising programs.

If you are interested in consigning to an auction or learning more about Holstein Plaza you can contact:
” Jennifer Dingbaum +1 320-250-2412 | jennifer.dingbaum@holsteinplaza.com
” Steve Mower +1 240-520-5906 | steve.mower@amsgenetics.com

HW: How often do the auctions take place?
The Holstein Plaza Online Embryo Auctions are held the first week of each month and feature offerings from the best North American cow families direct from the top quality herds of Holstein Plaza members.

HW: Geographically, where do most of the eggs get sold?
Majority of the embryos are currently being exported and therefore we strongly encourage members to consign eggs that are available for export. The domestic market is picking up and we look forward to continuing to work with buyers both internationally and within the states.

HW: What marketing tools do you use to promote the auctions?
We have a budget for each auction that includes both print and online advertising. We normally run banner ads for each sale on websites that target the markets for 8-10 different countries and have had good results utilizing HolsteinWorld.com for the U.S. market. Print advertising is a little more challenging and not quite as timely however is still important and used quite heavily. Direct email marketing is also used to highlight consignments and sent throughout the auction. Ultimately, a professional image and satisfactory results for our members is always our top priority.

HW: What types of eggs are creating the highest demand?
Like any live auction each bidder has unique interests and particular genetics that will work for his/her herd. It is important that Holstein Plaza Auctions always offers a variety of packages at a wide range of price points. Whether the embryos are from a chart-topping genomic family or a winner on the tanbark, one thing remains consistent and that is cow families and deep maternal lines. Auction users can expect a variation of packages from extreme production, show type, top genomics and outcross families when they visit www.holsteinplaza.com.

Jason & Donna Myers of Windsor Manor in New Windsor, MD, are proud new grandparents! Carson Garrett Brauth was born Nov. 18th and is the first child for Jason & Kristin (Myers) Brauth of New York. Carson will undoubtedly enjoy visits to the farm to visit his cousins Bryce, Kelsey & Lexi Zepp! Congratulations!

Congratulations to Derek & Erin Johnson of Joleanna Holsteins in Unadilla, NY on the arrival of their first little boy, Logan Thomas, who was born on October 16th weighing 8lbs. 8oz.

By Amy Savage, HolsteinWorld

While at World Dairy Expo, I had the opportunity to visit with this year’s International Person of the Year, Anne Perchand. Perchand ‘s family farm La Ferme Ltd (the Ansom Jersey herd) has been in the family for hundreds of years located on the tiny Island of Jersey. Her passion for the Jersey cow runs deep and began as a young child. I was very intrigued by her story of hiding some of their prized Jersey cattle from the Germans during their occupation of the Island during World War II.

Currently, the family milks 280 Jerseys with another 150 head of youngstock. They have been recognized as the largest herd on the Island and one of the leading production, type and genetic herds.

Known as a pioneer of the Jersey breed, Perchand was the only woman director on the Island of Jersey Milk Marketing Board. She also lobbied for 30 years to allow the importation of outside genetics to the Island. Three years ago her effects were successful as the first semen was imported after being a closed herdbook for over 200 years. This was a tremendous milestone as there are 3500 cattle and there was a need to expand the bloodlines to ensure continued profitability and success.

Only superior genetics are allowed to be imported and the origin must be traced back to the Island. The bulls whose semen was imported include: Iatola, Sultan, Remake, Implus, Action and Ringmaster. The first daughters of these bulls are now milking and already getting rave reviews. Perchand commented how they are taller, more dairy, give more milk and have more type with top five placings from the two-year old class at the Island’s show all being the result of imported semen. She feels that this will help them be able to merchandise outside of the island.

Perchand is also involved with her church as well as being an advocate for those with disabilities. She has had the opportunity to travel to over 30 different countries.

Youth comes to the fore in WWS competition

14 year-old Matthew Patton from Newtonnards, Northern Ireland, has been announced as the winner of the World Wide Sires (WWS) UK national stockjudging photo competition.

Running over the summer shows, over 1,000 entries were submitted and young Matthew impressively matched the order of expert judge Iwan Morgan, Erie Holsteins, placing them as follows:
1. Wormanby Damion Sandra 77 VG87 (Sire: Erbacres Damion)
2. Hawksmoor Decker Dora 47 VG87 (Sire: Far-O-La Debbi-Jo Decker)
3. Lordsplain Sam Brandy VG88 (Sire: Regancrest-Mr Drham Sam)
4. Ortongrange Design Flirt VG87 (Sie: Regancrest Design)
5. Tonbrook Perform Natalie VG85 (Sire: Windy-Knoll-View Perform)

Unable to make the grand prize of an international trip to Cremona, Italy for the International Dairy Cattle Show in October, Matthew, who comes from the renowned ‘Ards’ herd, has been awarded flights to the Royal Highland Show next year with three nights accommodation for two.
In addition to the judging competition, the breeder of the first placed animal also receives a prize and in this instance, Mr Hodgson, Wormanby Holsteins, Cumbria, has won two places on the WWS Italy trip to Cremona.

Places for the WWS Italian tour in October are still available, to book and for more information call FREEPHONE: 0800 1613371.
~provided by Isobel Whittaker, Cogent Breeding Ltd.

Judge Iwan Morgan giving reasons on his placings at the UK Dairy Event at the NEC.

Winner of the competition, Wormanby Damion Sandra 77 VG87.

First annual Cream of the Crop Dairy Challenge was a success
By Mark Lundy

The first annual Cream of the Crop Dairy Challenge was held at the Fort Atkinson High School and at Lundy Farms on September 17, 2011. Youth from across the state of Wisconsin came to test their dairy industry knowledge and teamwork skills. Teams of four worked together through six stations covering sire selection, commercial heifers, registered heifers, DHIA herd reports, dairy cattle disease identification, and a quiz on basic dairy industry knowledge. At the completion of the contest everyone was treated to Rocky Rococo pizza, which was sponsored by Badgerland Financial and Accelerated Genetics. Milk for the lunch was supplied by the Sassy Cow Creamery. Officials were Maureen and Gerrit DeBruin.

Winning the contest was the team of Carrie Urbanek, Casey Urbanek, Brooke Muenzenberger all of Cashton and Nicole Wright of Johnson Creek. Placing second in the contest was the team of Colin Uecker, Dawson Nickels, Ben Uecker, and Andy Sell all from Watertown. Placing third was the Laconia FFA team with members Matthew and Nathan O’Leary and Darren and Derrek Kamphuis.

The Cream of the Crop 4-H Club that hosted the event would like to thank Gerrit and Maureen DeBruin for officiating the contest and the numerous volunteers that kept the contest running smoothly. This contest would not have been possible without the tremendous support of ABS Global, Ag Source, Busy Barns Adventure Center, East Central Select Sires, the Fort Atkinson FFA Alumni, and Premier Insurance Solutions LLC who all generously supported the event.

The winning team of Carrie Urbanek, Casey Urbanek, and Brooke Muenzenberger all of Cashton and Nicole Wright of Johnson Creek.

The second place team from Watertown. Back Ben Uecker and Andy Sell. Front Colin Uecker and Dawson Nickels.

The Laconia FFA team finished third with members Matthew O’Leary, Darren Kamphuis, Nathan O’Leary and Derrek Kamphuis.

Saturday August 27th was a busy day for Holstein enthusiasts in Wisconsin! While the State Holstein Picnic was happening on Northern Wisconsin, International Protein Sires was celebrating their 20th Anniversary in the southern town of Reedsburg, WI. Hosted by IPS President, Ron Sersland, the afternoon was filled with good food, good fellowship and good laughs. HolsteinWorld was on the scene to capture this milestone in IPS history.

A fitting welcome for the event, an IPS semen tank marked the end of the Sersland’s driveway, which lead to a beautiful home and landscape!

A crowd filled with IPS distributors, both foreign and domestic, breeders of the IPS bulls, and other industry representatives!

Ron made an effort to thank each and every person who has, and still is, contributing to the success of IPS. Ron joked that similar to the moving company, “Two Men and a Truck,” IPS founders, Marlowe Nelson and Alvin Piper, were “Two Men and a Bull!” He praised these two men for their dedication to their passion. Still focused on “Breeding Cows, Not Numbers” IPS is also very committed to meeting the needs of their customers.

Ron Sersland, President of International Protein Sires, with co-founder Marlowe Nelson.

Distributors of IPS semen from the US, Canada and many countries abroad were honored. Here stands the group from Argentina, whom have been working with IPS for seven years. Ron’s business requires extensive travel, earning him 2 million miles from American-Airlines! Some of the countries IPS does business in are: Ecuador, Peru, Spain, Uraguay, Brazil, Mexico, Japan, Canada and most recently Saudi Arabia. Ron is fluent in both Spanish and Portuguese, and did the program in both Spanish and English.

Eric Taylor was honored for his 16 year career with International Protein Sires.

Part of the International distribution team!

Some of the domestic distribution team!

6HO699 REGANCREST MANDELIN-ET and 6HO999 G-TOCTIN-SM COLE-ET RC hold the record for most semen units sold at IPS. IPS had a great run in the August 2011 proofs, “While we had a limited number of new proven sire releases, our overall lineup improved significantly. In addition, we have added several new young sires with superior genomic information. These pacesetting genetics are finding great favor with the progressive minded dairy farmer,” shared Ron. The new hot-topic at IPS is the #7 Type bull of the Breed! Korona Gold Luster, 3.87T! Luster is backed by 3 EX Dams with over 40,500 lb. of milk! Another IPS favorite is Tycoon-Red, ranking #7 in the Breed for Productive Life and #4 for SCS. Needless to say, as we discussed the past of IPS, there is no doubt the future is exciting at International Protein Sires!

Due to the recent devastating flood in Schoharie County, New York, the Schoharie County Holstein Club has started a dairy relief fund to assist the local dairies.

Effected by the flood were the Todd VanAller Farm, the Prokop Family of Crossbrook Farm and the Lloyd Family of Maple Downs Farm. Along with damage either to roads leading to their farms, there is damage to some structures, loss of their current feed supply and the loss of this year’s crops. Maple Downs Farm lost over 40 head of cattle. The road leading to Crossbrook Farm was washed away and there is heavy structural damage to the VanAller Farm.

Anyone wishing to make a donation to the dairy relief fund, please make checks payable to Schoharie County Holstein Club and mailed to Lydia VanEvera 565Lawyersville Rd, Cobleskill NY 12043. Thank You for any help you can give.
Duane Tillapaugh, President Schoharie County Holstein Club