Our final installment from the Minnesota Juniors comes as they are preparing to greet convention attendees in just a few days. Past President Molly Neil sends us her greetings and provides some travel tips. See you soon!

Hey Juniors -

Convention is only days away!! Have you started packing yet? I would suggest something cool. According to the weather forecast, the temperature is supposed to be in the mid 80′s. There are some chances of rain for Saturday and Sunday morning, so bring along those umbrellas to the farm tours. You may get a little wet.

The weather looks gorgeous for the remainder of the convention! Make sure to pack that sunscreen and bug spray, you’ll need it to fight off our state bird – the mosquito! Between the Amazing Race on Sunday, Valleyfair on Monday and the beautiful outdoor Twins stadium on Tuesday, you’ll need your sun glasses and lots of energy.

Lastly, don’t forget to pack some great fashions for our dances. We will be having a Beach Bash and Wild West hoedown. So grab your grass skirt, cowboy hat and of course your dancing shoes, because with so many great new friends, you won’t want to miss out. There are so many activities for you to be a part of that there will never be a dull moment.

Packing list:
- Sunscreen
- Umbrella
- Bug repellant
- Sunglasses
- Beach bash clothes
- Wild West clothes
- Comfortable shoes
- Cool clothes

Are you hooked? We are!

See you soon!

Molly

Following a night of severe weather in Minnesota with winds over 70 mph and downpours of rain resulting in flash flooding in the area, the sun was out and shining on the 2010 Minnesota Holstein State Show in Rochester today.

Judge for today’s show was Jeff Donohoe of Lakefield Farm in Petersfield, Manitoba, Canada. A total of 197 bulls, heifers and cows competed in this year’s show. More pictures will be posted later today!

Grand, Senior Champion & Best Udder of Show – Jenny-Lou Hi-Metro 1782, 1st 5-year-old, Joe & Reid Stransky
Reserve Grand & Reserve Senior Champion – Benner Talent Jaeden, 2nd 5-year-old, Holmacres Holstein Farm

Best Bred & Owned – Lida-Acres Cousteau April, 1st Aged Cow, Greg Johnson

Intermediate Champion – Sapa-Ska Goldwyn Reisling-ET, 1st Sr. 2-year-old, Sapa Ska Farms Inc.
Reserve Intermediate Champion – Stuewes Dundee Gabrina, 2nd Sr. 2-year-old, Andy Stuewe

From Spring Calves to Fall Yearlings, there were 101 shown in the heifer show.

Junior Champion – Ms StransJenD Lin Brazil-ET, 1st Fall Calf, Joe & Reid Stransky and Roger & Jeni Dingbaum
Reserve Junior Champion – Stranshome Gold Absolute-ET, 1st Summer Yearling, Joe & Reid Stransky

Grand Champion Bull – Rice-River Lheros General (Comestar Lheros-ET), Orbit Farms and Mike & Jill Eichler
Reserve Champion Bull – Eichler Coors-Red (Rosedale Accolade-Red-ET), Mike & Jill Eichler

Spring Heifer Calf (11)
1. Keli Aspen Fantasy (EK-Oseeana Aspen-ET), Ken & Lisa Bohn
2. Xcaret Affirmed Ayla (BKB Affirmed-ET), Tim Hoese
3. Do-N-Joy Dundee Liza-ET (Regancrest Dundee-ET), Tony Kohls

Winter Heifer Calf (18)
1. Scha-TJ Advent Peppermint (KHW Kite Advent-Red-ET), Brooke Pollema & Quentin Scott
2. Rainyridge Sanchez Rome (Gen-Mark Stormatic Sanchez), John & Rachael Holmgren
3. Strans-Jen-D Adv Raquel-Red (KHW Kite Advent-Red-ET), Reid Stransky & Jeni Dingbaum

Fall Heifer Calf (23)
1. MsStransJenD Lin Brazil-ET (Sunnylodge Linjet), Joe & Reid Stransky and Roger & Jeni Dingbaum
2. Xcaret Atlas Macy (MD-Delight Durham Atlas-ET), Pat & Kate Heeren
3. Flower-Brook Gwyn Gentry-ET (Braedale Goldwyn), Andy Stuewe

Summer Yearling Heifer (17)
1. Stranshome Gold Absolute-ET (Braedale Goldwyn-ET), Joe & Reid Stransky
2. Jerland Advent Amazing (KHW Kite Advent-Red-ET), Joseph, Zach, Jerome & Darian Stransky
3. Flower-Brook Fortune Loni (To-Mar D Fortune-ET), Andy Stuewe

Junior Yearling Heifer (14)
1. Macland Gold Juliet (Braedale Goldwyn-ET), Annie & Emma Culbertson
2. Maple-Slope Spirt Lassie-ET (Cedarwal Spirte), Andy Stuewe & Randy Kath
3. Ms Flowerbrook Hannah-ET (Wilcoxview Jasper-ET), Jeff & Tony Kohls and Andy Stuewe

Winter Yearling Heifer (14)
1. Kingsmill Jasper Audio-ET (Wilcoxview Jasper-ET), Joseph, Zach, Jerome & Darian Stransky
2. Jergiese Jasper Charo (Wilcoxview Jasper-ET), Anna & Emma Culbertson
3. Pop-Frez Distrigene Renae (Carrousel Distrigene-Red), Poplar Bend Farm, Inc. and Roger & David Friese

Fall Yearling Heifer (9)
1. Lady White Lightning (Paradise-RV Preakness-ET), Anna & Emma Culbertson
2. Winterview Advent Lynae (KHW Kite Advent-Red-ET), Jacob Schaefer & Quentin Scott
3. Greenlea Ad Helen-ET (KHW Kite Advent-Red-ET), Steve, Deb, Danielle & Patrick Heuer

Junior Best Three Females (4)
1. Flower-Brook Holsteins, Andy & Jodene Stuewe
2. Olmar Farms
3. Xcaret Holsteins, Tim Hoese
4. Raylore Farm & Orbit Farms

Unfresh 2-year-old (8)
1. Blondin Jasper Black Beauty-ET (Wilcoxview Jasper-ET), Tony Kohls & Billy Hoen
2. Flower-Brook Aspen Gina-ET (EK-Oseeana Aspen-ET), Andy Stuewe
3. Lichty-Acres Madison-Red (Roesbett Lakeside-Red-ET), Lyndon Lichty

Dry 3 & 4-yearold (5)
1. Dreamcreek Linjet Fashion (Sunnylodge Linjet), Chad Bohn & Stacy Lichty
2 & BO. Holmacres Goodluck Marge (Braedale Goodluck-ET), Holmacres Holstein Farm
3. Triple-A Stormatic Tonya (Comestar Stormatic-ET), Brennen Albrecht

Dry Aged Cow (2)
1 & Prod. Terrawood Storm Starlet (Pursuit September Storm-ET), Holmacres Holstein Farm
2 & BO. Triple-A Cousteau Dana (Silky Cousteau-ET), Brennen Albrecht

Golden Gopher Futurity XXXIV (13)
1. Sapa-Ska Gldwyn Riesling-ET (Braedale Goldwyn-ET), Sapa Ska Farm, Inc.
2. Stuewes Dundee Gabrina-ET (Regancrest Dundee), Andy Stuewe
3. Macland Clever Stacie (Hidden-Home Damion Clever), Scott Culbertson

Junior 2-year-old (9)
1, BU & BO. Macland Clever Stacie (Hidden-Home Damion Clever), Scott Culbertson
2. Sonnek Damion Delilah (Erbacres Damion), Kyle & Eric Sonnek
3. Shir-Man Damion Kandy (Erbacres Damion), Haely & Kayla Leiding

Senior 2-year-old (14)
1, BU & BO. Sapa-Ska Gldwyn Reisling-ET (Braedale Goldwyn-ET), Sapa Ska Farm Inc.
2. Stuewes Dundee Gabrina-ET (Regancrest Dundee-ET), Andy Stuewe
3. Lida-Acres Cousteau Anna-ET (Silky Cousteau-ET), Dana & Maria Johnson

Junior 3-year-old (8)
1 & BU. Cowtown Dundee Olive-ET (Regancrest Dundee-ET), Rick Pagel and Dobbins Farms
2. Black-Lion Ter Commotion-ET (Innwood Terrason), Joe & Reid Stransky
3 & BO. Stuewes Advent Gia (KHW Kite Advent-Red), Andy Stuewe

Senior 3-year-old (14)
1. Budjon-Jergens Strmy Sky-ET (Comestar Stormatic-ET), Robert Jergens & Jaren Howe
2, BU, BO & Prod. Stuewes Blitz Delight (Fustead Emory Blitz), Andy Stuewe
3. Demmers Lucifer Deluxe (Lylehaven Lucifer), Lisa Demmer

4-year-old (11)
1 & BO. Tri-Spring Pro Trissy-ET (Windy-Knoll-View Rubens Pro), Alton, Erik & Beth Pagel
2, BU & Prod. Savage-Leigh Dundee Lou-ET (Regancrest Dundee-ET), Tony Kohls
3. Matvale Miss Camilla (Regancrest Mr Drhm Sam-ET), Lyndon Lichty

5-year-old (8)
1. Jenny-Lou Hi Metro 1782 (Sikkema-Star-W Hi Metro-ET), Joe & Reid Stransky
2. Benner Talent Jaeden (Ladino Park Talent IMP-ET), Holmacres Holstein Farm
3 & BO. Macland Sept Storm Button (Pursuit September Storm-ET), Scott Culbertson, William & James McFarland

Aged Cow (5)
1, BU, BO & Prod. Lida-Acres Cousteau April (Silky Cousteau-ET), Greg Johnson
2. Quality-Ridge Rubens Sandy (STBVQ Rubens-ET), Joe & Reid Stransky
3. Bevendale Aspen Party Girl (EK-Oseeana Aspen-ET), Dale Schmidt

125,000-Lb. Cow (5)
1, BU, BO & Prod. Stuewes FB Giddy-ET (Boulet Charles-ET), David & Andy Stuewe
2. Macland Durham RU Stacie (Regancrest Elton Durham-ET), Scott Culbertson
3. Ziggy-View Durham Clover (Regancrest Elton Durham-ET), Jessica Mahoney

Best Three Females (4)
1. Flower-Brook Holsteins
2. Macland Holsteins
3. Demmer Farms

Produce of Dam (2)
1. Flower-Brook Holsteins – Stuewes Milan Gabrielle
2. Lida-Acres Holsteins – Lida-Acres Juror Anne

Daughter & Dam (6)
1. Ziggy-View Holsteins – Ziggy-View Durham Clover
2. Stranshome – Quality-Ridge Ruben Sandy
3. Olmar Farms – Olmar Derry Berry

Premier Breeder – Macland Holsteins, Culbertson & McFarland

Premier Exhibitor – Flower-Brook Holsteins, Andy & Jodene Stuewe

In one week Minnesota Juniors will be welcoming juniors from across the country for the 2010 National Junior Holstein Convention. But today their focus was on Judge Frank Regan as he judged the 2010 MN Junior Holstein State Show. Here are the champion results from the day and the top five placings in each class – look for pictures to come later!

2010 Minnesota Junior Holstein Show
Rochester, MN
Judge: Frank Regan
Total Shown: 98

Grand Champion & Best Udder – Johnan Roy Bambi, 1st 4-year-old, Jeremy Schafer
Reserve Grand Champion – Shir-Man Roy Monica, 1st 3-year-old, Kayla Leiding

Junior Champion – Jergiese Jasper Charo, 1st Winter Yearling, Annie & Emma Culbertson
Reserve Junior Champion – Terra-McCree Lrn Classic-ET, 1st Fall Calf, Meghan Connelly

Champion Senior Showman – Jenny Trapp
Res. Champion Senior Showman – Elizabeth Olson

Champion Junior Showman – Meghan Connelly
Res. Champion Junior Showman – Kayla Leiding

Spring Heifer Calf (7)
1. Olmar Megaman Blitzie (Mr Million Megaman), Olmar Farms – Josh Nelson
2. Shir-Man Sanchez Kit Kat (Gen-Mark Stmamtic Sanchez), Haely & Kayla Leiding
3. Macland Laurin Zena (Den-K Marshall LL Laurin), Annie & Emma Culbertson
4. Stranshome Advent Danell-ET (KHW Kite Advent-Red), Joe & Reid Stransky
5. Sto-Lane Gold Revlon-ET (Braedale Goldwyn), Cally Strobel

Winter Heifer Calf (12)
1. Desthaven Redliner Reena (Fradon Redliner-Red-ET ), Danielle & Patrick Heuer
2. Macland Durham Black Button (Regancrest Elton Durham-ET), Annie & Emma Culbertson
3. Scha-TJ Advent Peppermint (KHW Kite Advent-Red-ET), Brooke Pollema & Quentin Scott
4. Blondin Jasper Swing (Wilcoxview Jasper-ET), Megan & Molly Herberg
5. Ralma-RH Million Bells-ET (England-Ammon Million-ET), Ralma & Ringhill

Fall Heifer Calf (13)
1. Terra-McCree Lrn Classic-ET ( Den-K Marshall LL Laurin), Meghan K. Connelly
2. Lida-Acres Damion Allie ( Erbacres Damion), Dana & Maria D. Johnson
3. Olmar Colby Rose (Solid-Gold Colby-ET), Olmar Farms
4. Stro-Lane Gold Revy-ET (Braedale Goldwyn), Cally Strobel
5. Ralma Gold Crush-ET (Braedale Goldwyn), Ralma Holsteins

Summer Yearling Heifer (9)
1. Ralma Goldwyn Fancy-ET (Braedale Goldwyn), Ralma Holsteins
2. Jerland Advent Amazing (KHW Kite Advent-Red-ET), Joseph, Zach, Jerome & Darian Stransky
3. Terra-McCree Lrn Chilli-ET (Den-K Marshall LL Laurin), Meghan Connelly
4. Raylore-Orbit Jspr Ikea-ET (Wilcoxview Jasper-ET), Conrad Kvamme & Luke & Elizabeth Olson
5. Olmar Marconi Lace (Freurehaven Marconi-ET), Olmar Farms

Spring Yearling Heifer (8)
1. Macland Gold Juliet (Braedale Goldwyn), Annie & Emma Culbertson
2. Duckett-B Advent Cadbury-ET (KHW Kite Advent-Red-ET), Cally Strobel
3. Terra-McCree PS Charity-ET (Picston Shottle-ET), Meghan Connelly
4. Ravenbrook Jasper Sabrina (Wilcoxview Jasper-ET), Alisha Vanderwal
5. Wegnerlann Shasta (Windy-Knoll-View Proof-ET), Bernice Vanderwal

Winter Yearling Heifer (8)
1. Jergiese Jasper Charo (Wilcoxview Jasper-ET), Annie & Emma Culbertson
2. Scha-Kett P-Time Casey-ET (Windy-Knoll-View Primetime), Jacob Schaefer & Quentin Scott
3. Ralma Goldwyn Garnet-ET (Braedale Goldwyn), Michael Schmitt
4. Raylore-Orbit Shtl Ila-ET (Picston Shottle-ET), Conrad Kvamme & Luke & Elizabeth Olson
5. Pop-Frez Distrigene Renae (Carrousel Distrigene-Red-ET), Poplar Bend Farm, Inc. & Roger & David Friese

Fall Yearling Heifer (6)
1. Greenlea Ad Helen-ET (KHW Kite Advent-Red-ET), Danielle & Patrick Heuer
2. Winterview Advent Lynae ( KHW Kite Advent-Red-ET), Jacob Schaefer & Quentin Scott
3. Benner Jasper Rosette (Wilcoxview Jasper-ET), Bernice Vanderwal
4. Budjon Demolish Aquene (Budjon-Nitzy Demolish-ET), Douglas Petzel
5. Harmill Damion Bee (Erbacres Damion), Amy-Jo Vanderwal

Unfresh 2-year-old (3)
1. Desthaven Atlas Petra (MD-Delight Durham Atlas-ET), Danielle & Patrick Heuer
2. Minkota Roy Elaine (Roylane Jordan-ET), Sean & Linda Groos
3. Triple-A Lheros Cutie (Comestar Lheros-ET), Brennen Albrecht

Dry 3 & 4-year-old (3)
1. Schruppdale Gibson Mary (Silky Gibson-ET), Sean & Linda Groos
2. Triple-A Stormatic Tonya (Comestar Stormatic-ET), Brennen Albrecht
3. Triple-A Gibson Monanna (Silky Gibson-ET), Brennen Albrecht

Dry Aged Cow (1)
1. Triple-A Cousteau Dana (Silky Cousteau-ET), Brennen Albrecht

Jr. 2-year-old (6)
1. Shir-Man Damion Kandy (Erbacres Damion) Haely & Kayla Leiding
2. Olmar Mac Salatina (Regancrest-HHF Mac-ET), Roger G. Marti
3. Crescentmead Kit Bailey-ET (Markwell Kite-ET), Aaron L. Thompson
4. Rodash-View Lheros Starlite (Comestar Lheros-ET), Roger C. & David Friese
5. Newalta 1602 (Ridge-Star Justy-ET), NewAlta Dairy LLC

Sr. 2-year-old (7)
1. Miss Rachael Ray-ET (Regancrest Dundee-ET), Annie & Emma Culbertson
2. Scha-Way-SF Rmpg Luv-Red-ET (Rosedale-L Rampage-Red-ET), Jacob Schaefer & Quentin Scott
3. TJ-Pollema Rdlnr Shania-Red (Fradon Redliner-Red-ET), Brooke, Blake & Bryce Pollema
4. Regan-Olmar Advent Sarah-ET (KHW Kite Advent-Red-ET), Isaac Nelson
5. Ed-Nick Roy Kaylen 358 (Roylane Jordan-ET ), Becca Blodgett

3-year-old (6)
1. Shir-Man Roy Monica (Roylane Jordan-ET), Todd & Stacy Leiding
2. Sonnek Aspen Buffy (EK-Oseeana Aspen-ET), Eric Sonnek & Sarah Beck
3. Minkota Damion Martina (Erbacres Damion), Sean & Linda Groos
4. Olmar Freelance Belleah (Braedale Freelance-ET), Jill D. & Brian L. Nelson
5. SDDotte Tal Blackbery-ET (Ladino Park Talent-Imp-ET), Square Deal Dairy

4-year-old (4)
1. Johnan Roy Bambi (Roylane Jordan-ET), Jeremy Schafer
2. Holmacres Modest Clara (Regancrest-LH Modest-ET), Mary Franz
3. Roughway Brookey Champion (Calbrett-IHH Champion-ET), Nicholas, Katherine & Clara Thompson
4. Ralma Goldwyn Clarinet-ET (Braedale Goldwyn), Alfred & Mark Schmitt

5-year-old (3)
1. Ralma Sept Storm Crystal-ET (Pursuit September Storm-ET), Ralma Holsteins
2. Macland Sept Storm Button (Pursuit September Storm-ET), Scott Culbertson & William & James McFarland
3. Poly-Kow Durham Caramel-ET (Regancrest Elton Durham-ET), Meghan Connelly

Aged Cow (2)
1. Windyspirit Tredway Rosi-TW (Sandy-Valley Tredway-ET), Renee & Ron Hornberg
2. Napolean Lheros Merry (Comestar Lheros-ET), Jaden Albrecht

As if the folks from Minnesota weren’t busy enough getting ready for next week’s start of the National Holstein Convention, they are also having their annual state show this week. Jeni Dingbaum sent along some scenes from the barn as exhibitors get ready for the State Junior Show that starts today at 9:30, followed by the Open Show that will be held tomorrow beginning at 8:00am. Stay tuned to the AllBreeds Blog as World staffer Sarah Schmidt brings us coverage of the event! For more information about Minnesota Holsteins, visit www.mnholstein.com.

This week’s blog post from Minnesota was put together by the current state historian, Jacob Achen. Get to know the board members of the MN Junior Holstein Association before you arrive at the end of the month! They are looking forward to meeting you!!

Name: Jacob Achen, Historian
Hometown: Sauk Centre, MN
Year in School: Sophomore, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Favorite Jr. Holstein Activity and Why: My favorite Jr. Holstein Activity is the Quiz Bowl Competition. It is a fun and competitive event. I like to learn and know all I can about dairy cows and this event helps me do that.

Favorite Holstein Cow: Scientific Debutante Rae-ET RC Ex-92 EEEEE

Background of Life and Home Farm: Born and raised in a barn, pretty much sums it up. My parents have the extreme passion for working with dairy cattle. I really began helping with milking and barn chores by third grade. I joined 4-H and FFA where we have social and educational activities. Even though I also enjoy working the day to day chores of dairy farming, I have had the chance to be involved in other aspects of the dairy industry. My life and activities have revolved around learning about dairy cattle, judging dairy cattle, exhibiting dairy cattle, and participating in dairy cattle breed organizations. I have had the opportunity to travel out of state for dairy cattle breed conventions. These types of activities have strengthened my leadership abilities, public relation skills, and above all have given me a work ethic to achieve my goals.

Name: Megan Udermann, President
Hometown: Sartell, MN
Year in School: Junior, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Favorite Jr. Holstein Activity and Why: My favorite activity is attending National Holstein convention each year. These conventions are so much fun, and you get to meet so many great people.

Favorite Holstein Cow: My favorite Holstein cow would have to be our
family farm’s pet, Skuddy.

Background of Life and Home Farm: I grew up on MeadowBrook Dairy, Inc. in Sartell, Minnesota. We milk 82 Holstein and Brown Swiss cows and farm over 2,000 acres of cropland. I am currently serving as President of the Minnesota Junior Holstein Association and loving every minute of it.

Name: Ashley Swenson, Vice-President
Hometown: Nicollet, MN
Year in School: Sophomore, University of Minnesota – Twin Cities

Favorite Jr. Holstein Activity and Why: My favorite Jr. Holstein activity would have to be MN State All-Breeds Convention. It is great to see so many young dairy enthusiasts all in one room! Plus, who doesn’t like to dance?

Favorite Holstein Cow: Forest-Lawn Princess

Background of Life and Home Farm: I grew up on a Registered Holstein dairy farm where we milk 200 cows two times per day. My parents, brother, and I are the fifth and sixth consecutive generations to live and work on our family farm. During the summer months I love milking the cows and working with my fair cattle. During the school year, I am busy studying animal science courses in pursuit of becoming a large animal veterinarian. This summer I look forward to the National Holstein Convention here in MN and the great MN State Fair!

Name: Emily Achen, Secretary
Hometown: Sauk Centre
Year in School: Junior, University of Minnesota – Twin Cities

Favorite Jr. Holstein Activity and Why: I love making new friends and sharing my enthusiasm for the dairy industry. State and national conventions are easily my favorite Jr. Holstein activity.

Favorite Holstein Cow: My 4-H project, Cookie.

Backround of Life and Home Farm: I am a Junior at the University of Minnesota majoring in Animal Science with a minor in Leadership. My family milks 70 head of Brown Swiss, Holsteins, and Milking Shorthorns.

Name: Brittany Albrecht, Treasurer
Hometown: Stewart, MN
Year in School: Sophomore at the U of M

Favorite Jr. Holstein Activity and Why: MJHA Convention because it’s a fun way to get together with friends who are as passionate about the dairy industry as I am.

Favorite Holstein Cow: Vonburg Maroon Nina

Background of Life and Home Farm: I grew up on 60 cow Registered Holstein farm called Triple-A Holsteins with my parents, Paul and Amy and two younger brothers Jaden and Brennen. Other than MJHA I am involved in FFA, 4-H, SDSU Dairy Club, and Church. I enjoy meeting new people and organizing fun events for people to enjoy.

Name: Jacob Sjostrom, Reporter
Hometown: Lafayette, Minnesota
Year in School: Senior in High School

Favorite Jr. Holstein Activity and Why: Convention. It’s always fun to re-connect with your old Holstein friends, plus convention overall is just always a fun place to be.

Favorite Holstein Cow: Ocean-View Dundee Zandra-ET

Background of Life and Home Farm: I am going to be a senior at Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop High School this September, with plans to further my education in the ag industry. I live at home with my parents, Steve and Deb; there we milk 100 registered and grade Holsteins. I also have a sister, Megan, who is a junior at U of M, Carlson. Along with a brother, Lucas, who graduated from the U of M in 2009, got married and moved to Vermont to work for Holstein Association, USA. I enjoy sports in high school, football, basketball, golf and I really like to show cows and work on the farm in the summer.

Name: Jon Schmitt, All-Breeds Liaison
Hometown: Royalton, MN
Year in School: Senior in High School

Favorite Jr. Holstein Activity and Why: Quiz Bowl!! It is a blast to go head to head with all of my friends just to see who knows the most about cows.

Favorite Holstein Cow: Ralma Juror Faith-ET

Background of Life and Home Farm: I live on a 100 cow registered Holstein farm. We have about 400 acres of tillable land that makes enough feed for the cows and a little bit extra for grain. I have been showing cows since I was 3 years old and I have been a junior for 4 years. I am lucky because on our farm I get to meet people from all over the world that come to look at our cows. It is really interesting to learn how cows are taken care of abroad.

Name: Elizabeth Olson, Director
Hometown: Hutchinson, Minn.
Year in School: Junior, University of Minnesota – Twin Cities

Favorite Jr. Holstein Activity and Why: Anything involving National Convention! This year will mark my 18th National Holstein Convention and with each year I love it more and more. Getting the chance to visit with friends across the county that love Holsteins as much I do is certainly the highlight of my year. Those unique friendships and experiences have made my life more fulfilling and I can’t wait for Minnesota’s convention to offer even more!

Favorite Holstein Cow: Raylore Election Emma Lee (homebred) and Regancrest-PR Barbie-ET (off farm)

Background of Life and Home Farm: This year marks the 101st anniversary for Raylore Farm being run by the Olson Family. We have had registered Holsteins for 80 years and are constantly working towards developing strong cow families, while working with other strong bloodlines from across the country. My favorite part of being in this industry really is all about visiting with others. Whether it is visiting with a fellow breeder/friend at a national convention or talking with a fellow consumer about dairy – if it involves dairy visiting, count me in!

Name: Al Barka, Director
Hometown: Litchfield, MN
Year in School: Junior in High School

Favorite Jr. Holstein Activity and Why: State convention, because I get to see all my friends and get to have fun in the different contests.

Favorite Holstein Cow: Thrulane James Rose

Background of Life and Home Farm: We do not milk cows, but my family owns Barka Milk Hauling and we farm 400 acres of land. I own 17 milk cows that are milked at my cousin’s 260 cow dairy farm where I help with various chores around the farm.

Name: Mitchell Rosenfeld, Director
Hometown: Arlington, MN
Year in School: Junior, University of Minnesota – Twin Cities

Favorite Jr. Holstein Activity and Why: I love the Minnesota Junior Holstein Convention because I get to see and be around other people who have the same interest in the Holstein cow that I do.

Favorite Holstein Cow: RF Outside Breeze

Background of Life and Home Farm: We milked 100 cows up until September when my dad and sold out. I have a mom, dad, step mom, a brother and a sister. During the summer months, I like to show and work at dairy cattle shows. I have helped at local, state and the national level. It has been a great experience for me and plan to stay involved. In high school, I was involved in our local FFA chapter and 4-H club.

This is another installment in our pre-National Convention MN Juniors blog. Current MJHA President, Megan Udderman, runs through the planned dance schedule to help you be ready for a convention full of dancing!

Hey everyone!

As you know the 2010 National Holstein Convention is just around the corner! This year at convention there will be THREE dances.

Saturday night of convention starts off with a bang. The Wild West themed dance will be fun for everyone. Juniors can expect to dance the night away after enjoying some pizza and group mixers.

The excitement keeps on going into Sunday as that night we will enjoy one of Minnesota’s premier Live bands, Trouble Shooter, at the MN Landscape Arboretum. Trouble Shooter is known for great classic rock, country, and rock n’ roll performances!

Check out Trouble Shooter’s website: http://www.troubleshooterband.com/

Finally, Monday night of convention will not be a disappointment. The Beach Bash themed dance will be a great time for Juniors to dance the night away after enjoying some delicious ice cream.

*SPECIAL NOTE* You are invited and encouraged to dress up in the appropriate attire for both the Saturday (Wild West) and Monday (Beach Bash) dances.

There will be scenic photo areas at the Wild West and Beach Bash dances where new and old friends can take pictures together.

Looking forward to seeing many of you at convention and definitely the dances! Get ready to have some fun!!

Megan Udermann

We welcome another post from the Minnesota Juniors as we get ready and excited for the upcoming National Holstein Convention! This one comes to us from Heidi Scapanski, past MJHA board member and current MN Holstein Administrative Assistant.

It is exciting to have individuals or cows whose names and families are known all across the United States originate in your home state. Minnesota Holstein is proud of some it’s famous Holsteins and wants to share a few of them with you as you make your way to Minnesota and the 2010 National Holstein Convention. Throughout the tours and the sale you will see descendants of many of these great cows. Here are just a few of the famous cows who call Minnesota “home”!

Larcrest Juror Chanel, EX-93-3E GMD DOM
Chanel is owned by Larcrest Holsteins. Chanel has over 125,000 lbs lifetime and at 14 years old is flushing better than ever. Her daughters have definitely left a positive mark in the business with many appearing on the top CTPI and GTPI lists for the breed. Highlights include the former #1 CTPI of the breed (Cosmo), #2 GTPI of the breed (Crimson), 4 of the top ten Alexanders of the breed, and the list continues. This family was featured in the May issue of Holstein World. You can learn more by visiting their website, www.holsteinworld.com/larcrest.

Pine-Shelter Lucina Fargo, EX-95-3E DOM
49.5% of the current Pine-Shelter milking herd traces back to the Lucy Family! Lucy has numerous accomplishments to her name including four Junior All-American awards and two All-American Produce nominations. Lucy has a remarkable 635 registered female offspring! Her 46 scored daughters have an average score of 86.78 points.

Pine-Shelter Cheyenne, EX-95-3E
Lucy’s most famous granddaughter is Pine-Shelter Cheyenne, EX-95-3E DOM. Sired by Lucy’s Lindy son, many know Cheyenne for receiving Grand Champion honors at the International Holstein Show in 2003 at the World Dairy Expo. Lucy will always hold a special place in the hearts of Pine-Shelter Farms and Minnesota Holstein as in 2010 she was voted the Minnesota Brood Cow of the Year in the first annual Minnesota Holstein Brood Cow competition.

Pine-Shelter will debut a brand new website this month just before convention. Look for it to come online soon at www.pineshelterfarm.com!

Schillview Mtoto Gift-ET, EX-91-2E
Schillview Holsteins is well known for exhausting the use of the possible names that begin with the letter ‘G’. Offspring from the famous G family at Schillview Holsteins can be found all over Minnesota and the United States. Gift is one of the exceptional individuals that come from the Glory’s, the foundation of the Schillview herd and the ‘G’ Family. Currently descendants of the family are showing high genomic numbers.

Ralma Juror Faith, EX-91 GMD DOM
Faith has been the cornerstone of Ralma’s breeding program for over 32 years. 95% of the herd traces back to the family. Faith is widely known for transmitting to her great daughters. She was nominated for Global Cow of the Year in 2007 and 2008. She has 23 daughters scored VG or EX.

One of Faith’s current hot daughters is Ralma Christmas Fudge-ET, VG-88 GMD DOM. Fudge has daughters by seven different sires all which look exceptional. Fudge has sons at ABS and CRV-Netherlands. Her daughters include 3 Excellents, 8 Very Good at 2 years and 2 others classified Very Good.

Forest-Lawn Princess, EX-90-2E GMD DOM
Princess is at the foundation of Forest-Lawn. She is the 5th Highest Cow in the Nation for Lifetime production for cows born after January 2000. She has six daughters over 30,000 pounds of milk as two-year-olds and two over 36,000 pounds of milk. Princess has three sons and two grandsons in A.I. Forest-Lawn Holsteins is also the oldest continuous Registered herd on the herd books in the United States. This year they are celebrating their 125th Anniversary. To learn more about Princess and Forest-Lawn, check out their site: www.forest-lawnholsteins.com

Hendel Durham Mitzi 1390, EX-90 GMD DOM
Mitzi is owned by Hendel Farms, Matt & Pam Hendel Family & Karl Hendel. Mitzi is known for her global impact with extreme genomics, super production traits, high health traits and phenomenal type. Mitzi’s highlight daughters include Hendel Shottle Mica 2144-ET, VG-88, Mica’s Bolton daughter is in the tope 10 GTPI females. Hendel Shottle Miami-ET, VG-88 DOM, a hot daughter on the farm, with a potential offering on the national convention sale.

Stuewes FB Giddy, EX-94-2E
Giddy is owned by Andy & Jodene Stuewe, Flower-Brook Holsteins of Hamburg, MN. In 2008 Giddy was recognized as the Holstein USA Star of the Breed. The Star of the Breed award recognizes the complete Holstein cow- an animal that excels in both the show ring and the milking parlor.

Giddy is the complete Holstein cow as she performs well in the ring and in the barn. She was the 2nd 5-Year-Old at the Midwest Spring National Show, the All Minnesota 5-Year-Old and Reserve Senior Champion of the Minnesota State Show in 2008. Her best record is 3-03 2x 365 42,266 5.6 2369 3.1 1327.

Minnesota Holstein is proud of the many wonderful cows that call Minnesota home, some are famous across the United States and others are famous in their own herds. No matter what kind of cow you like to look at we are sure you will see her while visiting Minnesota. We hope to see soon at the National Convention!

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!

In an effort to help you learn more about the great state of Minnesota, MJHA President Megan Udermann has compiled some fun bits of info that will have you quite prepared when you visit for the National Convention in June. Enjoy!

Minnesotan baseball commentator Halsey Hal was the first to say ‘Holy Cow’ during a baseball broadcast.

The new home of the Minnesota Twins, Target Field, has a facade that was built with more than 100,000 square feet of limestone from southwest Minnesota. For 2010, the team sold a team record 24,000 season tickets. The old record was more than 11,000 in 2009. They are on track to sell out the 2010 season, and could sell close to 3.2 million tickets.

The Mall of America in Bloomington is the size of 78 football fields — 9.5 million square feet!

Minnesota Inventions: Masking and Scotch tape, Stapler, Wheaties cereal, Bisquick, the bundt pan, Aveda beauty products, and Green Giant vegetables.

The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is the largest urban sculpture garden in the country.

Minnesota has 90,000 miles of shoreline, more than California, Florida and Hawaii combined.

Minnesota has one recreational boat per every six people, more than any other state.

Minneapolis’ famed skyway system connecting 52 blocks (nearly five miles) of downtown makes it possible to live, eat, work and shop without going outside.

Rochester is home of the world famous Mayo Clinic. The clinic is a major teaching and working facility. It is known world wide for its doctor’s expertise and the newest methods of treatments.

For many years, the world’s largest twine ball has sat in Darwin. It weighs 17,400 pounds, is twelve feet in diameter, and was the creation of Francis A. Johnson.

The average temperature ranges from 0F – 74F, with extremes reaching -20F and the lower 100F. In June, the average low temp is ___ and high temp is ___. Very comfortable!

Minnesota’s growing season varies depending on where you are in the state: 100 days in the north to 150 days in the south.

Minnesota farmers reduce soil erosion by practicing conservation tillage, terracing, contour farming and planting trees as windbreaks.

1.32 million acres of farmland is devoted to conservation and wetland reserve programs.

Corn and soybeans are the state’s top producing crops. Nationally, Minnesota ranks third in soybean and fourth in corn production.

Minnesota has 19 ethanol plants and three biodiesel plants. Total projected ethanol production for 2008 was nearly 1 billion gallons. The state currently has a 10% mandate for ethanol blend and 5% for biodiesel. The state hopes to boost those blends in the next few years.

Minnesota has 81,000 farms totaling nearly 27 million acres of the state’s 54 million acres.

The Agriculture and Food Industry is the 2nd largest employer in Minnesota.

Mississippi River: Starts in Minnesota. 680 miles of its 2,552 total miles flow through Minnesota. The Mississippi transports 66% of all grain exported from the United States.

For more fun facts on the state of Minnesota and its agriculture, visit the following websites: http://www.agclassroom.org and http://www.50states.com/facts/minn.htm

Join us in Minnesota in June to experience all that is great about our state. We know you’ll get hooked!

Respectfully Submitted,

Megan Udermann
President, MN Junior Holstein Association

This is the 2nd in a special series highlighting the junior members of MN as they get ready to host juniors from across the country at this year’s National Junior Holstein Convention. Enjoy the report and pics from their recent state convention!

The 2010 Minnesota State All-Breeds Convention held on March 19 – 21 at the Holiday Inn in Owatonna was a huge success! Juniors filtered in throughout Friday evening and began finding friends from years past, as well as meeting the new comers. After our pizza party and “…you know you’re a Minnesotan MJHA member if…” skit and the classic mixers, we put on our dancing shoes and learned how to line dance.

Saturday morning started bright, and not quite as early as morning chores, by heading to Stranshome and Tande dairy farms. The Stransky family welcomed us to their farm by allowing us to tour their show barn. Reid shared his insight behind his family’s drive in the show ring and the management that goes into maintaining their high quality. Following Reid, Princess Kay of the Milky Way, our very own Elizabeth Olsen, encouraged us to stand up for dairy farming and our livelihood. We were sent off with homemade cookies and milk, compliments of Daria! On the Tande farm, we were met by Larry and John Steinhoff, Holstein Association USA Classifier. John gave us the 4-1-1 on linear evaluation and how classification scores are determined. It’s not everyday that we have such an opportunity to speak with the President of the National Holstein Association and see a barn full of outstanding type as well as high production animals.

That afternoon, the long anticipated dairy quiz bowl, dairy jeopardy, and speaking competitions began. Between the five junior teams and five senior teams, there was some stiff competition. Congratulations to all teams and individuals who competed!

Winning Jr. Dairy Bowl Team

Winning Sr. Dairy Bowl Team

The Juniors also had the opportunity to have their caricature drawn by John Busacker, who also provided the design for our convention t-shirts. Thanks John!

And believe it or not, us farm kids (and adults) can really clean up! With ties in check and all the glitz and glam, the awards banquet was dashing as ever. MJHA alum, Krista Sheehan, was our Master of Ceremonies. With attentive ears, the juniors listened as Larry Tande, our keynote speaker, touched on some hot topics in the dairy industry.

Retiring President Molly Neil presents Ev Stransky with the Friend of MJHA Award.

What better way to finish the night, than with a dance? Juniors of all ages busted out their best dance moves with friends. It’s still in debate who won the Battle of the Sexes competition!

Convention is never complete without Sunday morning’s pudding punishment; a few individuals got desert first! As Juniors we are also thankful for the leadership we have been blessed with. We were reminded of that as retiring President, Molly Neil gave her retiring address.

Although we hate to say goodbye, Sunday’s Sundaes were the last chance for juniors to exchange contact information and goodbye hugs. We thank God everyday for the lifelong friends we have made and look forward to another year as hardworking and passionate dairy enthusiasts. Thank you everyone for a great convention and stay posted for details on National Convention and next year’s state convention!

Respectfully Yours,

Ashley Swenson
Minnesota Junior Holstein Association, Vice President