While at the MN All Breeds Convention, I was able to visit with two key people to the MN Holstein Association. Click on the play buttons below to hear my conversations with President Spencer Hackett and Executive Secretary Jennifer Dingbaum. You can visit the MN Holstein Association website by clicking here.

*The MN Spring Special Sale is coming up on Sat., April 5th! Look for the catalog now on their website.

MN Holstein President - Spencer Hackett

MN Holstein Exec. Secretary - Jennifer Dingbaum

The Kansas Spring Sale held on Thursday, March 20th averaged $5227.82 on 91 lots. The Jersey portion of the sale averaged $3415 on 11 lots. The sale was managed by Massey Sales Service and sponsored by the Kansas Holstein Association. Please see the blog from March 20th for high sellers and photos!

Kansas Spring Show - Cow Classes

Intermediate Champion Open Show

L-R: Reserve Intermediate Champion - Oneeda James Laura, 1st Senior 3, Rottinghaus Holsteins

Intermediate Champion - Greenlea Redman Cara-ET, 1st Senior 2, Rock-Home Holsteins - Now Owned By Richard Green, DE

Judge Kelly Barbee

Intermediate Champion Junior Show

L-R: Judge Kelly Barbee

Intermediate Champion - Miss-Long-Green Alarm-ET, 1st Senior 2, Casey George

Reserve Intermediate Champion - Lin-Crest Rubens Miss Mooie, 2nd Senior 2, Taylor Leach

Grand Champion Open Show

L-R: Judge Kelly Barbee

Grand Champion - Chapman’s Dairy Durham, 1st Aged Cow, Andy Klassen

Reserve Grand Champion - Greenlea Redman Cara-ET, 1st Senior 2, Rock-Home Holsteins, Now Owned By Richard Green, DE

Grand Champion Junior Show

L-R: Reserve Grand Champion - Charverne Durham Arlene, 1st 100,000 Lbs. Cow, Casey George

Grand Champion - Champman’s Dairy Durham, 1st Aged Cow, Andy Klassen

Judge Kelly Barbee

Jersey Show

L-R: Reserve Grand Champion- Ratliff Payday Ruby, 1st 4-Year-Old, Ratliff Jerseys

Grand Champion - Ratliff Juno Madison, 1st 5-Year-Old, Ratliff Jerseys

Judge Kelly Barbee

High Seller in the Kansas State Sale - Lot #14

Greenlea Redman Cara-ET born Sept 2005, fresh Jan 2008. Cara is a Redman x Yurdsen Kite Caramac-Red (EX-92) All-American R&W Jr. 2 - 2004, Reserve All-American Jr. 2 - 2004, All-American R&W 4-Year-Old - 2006, Nom All-American R&W 5-Year-Old - 2007. Cara was consigned by Kevin Winter & Robert Yeoman, KS & OK and purchased by Richard Green, DE for $110,000. Contender was Kingsmill, NC.

2nd High Seller was Lot #7, Whitaker Stormy Rae-ET - 2nd Winter Calf at the 2007 International Holstein Show and HHM All-American Winter Calf. Stormy Rae is a Stormatic x VG-88 Aspen that goes back to the Roxy’s. Stormy Rae was consigned by Starmark Farm, OH and purchased by Kisst Dairy for $30,000.

High Selling Jersey was Lot #103 - First Choice Comerica x Avonlea D Jude Karmel (EX94) from 3 heifer calves born in December 2007. Karmel is known as an outstanding brood cow with daughters scored EX95, EX93, VG88, VG87, and is the dam of a couple show winning heifers as well. The choice was consigned by Ron and Christy Ratliff, KS and purchased by Randy Ebert, WI for $8400.

HOLSTEINS

Junior Champions of the Junior Show

L-R: HM Junior Champ - 1st Spring Yearling, Taylor Leach and Casey George, KS

Reserve Junior Champ - Poor-Riches Tribute Amber, 1st Winter Yearling, Colton Buessing, KS

Junior Champ - Lin-Crest Dundee Beauty-ET, 1st Fall Calf, Taylor Leach, KS

Judge Kelly Barbee, NC

Junior Champions of the Open Show

L-R: Reserve Junior Champ - Will-Wen-Brook Alleg Taffy, 1st Fall Calf, Carol & Kalli Keen, KS

Junior Champ - Tramilda Dundee Radiance, 1st Winter Yearling, Kalli Keen & Peyton Yeoman, KS & OK

Judge Kelly Barbee, NC

JERSEYS

Junior Champion of the Junior Show

L-R - HM Junior Champ - Hillacres Starluck, 1st Winter Calf, Brandon Klassen, KS

Reserve Junior Champ - Ratliff King Snickers, 1st Fall Calf, Amanda Nelson, KS

Junior Champ - Ratliff Devine Miracle, 1st Spring Yearling, Amanda Nelson, KS

Judge Kelly Barbee, NC

Junior Champion of the Open Show

L-R: HM Junior Champ - Ratliff King Snickers, 1st Fall Calf, Amanda Nelson, KS

Reserve Junior Champ - Ratliff Devine Miracle, 2nd Spring Yearling, Amanda Nelson, KS

Junior Champ - Ratliff Renn Kiwi-ET, 1st Spring Yearling, Ron & Christy Ratliff, KS

Judge Kelly Barbee, NC

Check back for more information on the sale as well as photos and results from the cow classes!

The Savage family of Savage-Leigh Farm, MD has once again out-done themselves! The family held a Tag Sale at the farm March 14-15 during the busy sale festivities that took place at the fairgrounds in Frederick. The outstanding line-up had something to offer for everyone! The animals were beautifully presented while the Savage hospitality was at its best! Sale manager, Chip Savage reports that the Tag Sale was a great success! A Complete report will follow on www.holsteinworld.com!

The line-up!

Little helpers! The entire Savage Family was onhand to greet and show off the cattle.

Auctioneer Lynn Lee, Ringman Ron Ratliff and Pedigree Reader Herby Lutz converse before the sale.

A large crowd gathered to view the line-up and watch the sale on Friday, March 14th in Frederick, MD.

The sale featured some of the best Jerseys from both sides of the border! All consignments were hand selected by Mike Heath of Spring Valley Farm, Westminster, MD.

L-R: Terri Packard representing Arethusa, Herby Lutz, Lynn Lee and Mike Heath, sale manager.

Top seller for the day was Lot A, a First Choice of 4 ultrasound females due in March 2008 by Hollylane R Response out of Huronia Centurion Veronica 20J (EX95)! The Choice sold for $24,000 to Johnathan Lamb, NY. Arethusa Farm, CT was the consignor.

Back Row: Herby Lutz, Lynn Lee, Mike Heath

Front Row: Kevin Ehrhardt, buyer, Ashley Mayer, leadsperson, consignors Pete & Michelle Stern.

High Selling live animal was Lot #78, Maple Ridge Remake Presence. a 12/05 Remake that was fresh in December backed with 7 generations VG or EX! Ehrhardt Farms, MD were the buyers while Pete and Michelle Stern, Ontario consigned the individual who struck off for $14,000.

For more Spring Valley 7th Edition Sale results check out www.allbreedaccess.com!

Day Four of YDLI – Wrapping Up
By Lindsey Worden, Holstein Association USA

The dust has settled and the smoke has cleared…Phase I of Class 6 of Young Dairy Leaders Institute is now complete! Saturday provided a busy day of workshops preparing attendees for their Phase II projects and wrapping up with a final banquet.

Jolene Brown being the morning with her session, titled “Pilot Your Leadership Journey”, where she talked about taking charge of their actions and guiding their own path. Also discussed were questions that all leaders should be able to answer, generation differences and strengths that can affect team situations, and making sure that your actions and behaviors reflect your dedication.

Next was the highly anticipated Key Industry Issues Panel discussion. Sitting on the panel was Richard Cotta, CEO of California Dairies (a milk cooperative), Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Dennis Wolff, and Liz Doornink, a Wisconsin dairy producer and co-chair of American Farmers for the Advancement and Conservation of Technology (AFACT). Panelists gave brief presentations concerning their businesses, interests, and motivations, then gave class members the opportunity to ask questions, which covered a wide variety of topics. Popular subjects related to milk labeling and rBST usage, relating to consumers, milk marketing tactics, and how dairy producers can adapt to the ever-changing demands of consumers while still running a profitable operation.

After lunch, people were challenged to step outside of their comfort zone and explore differing opinions. Everyone matched up with their learning partners and ventured out around Albuquerque to the airport and University of New Mexico campus to do some “man on the street” style consumer interviews. They were given a set of questions to ask, relating to factors that affect consumers purchasing decisions and their feelings on hormones, antibiotics, and animal welfare. Although some were a little nervous at first, the exercise turned out to be fun, and a great learning experience for all. Some even got to test out their “key messages” answering interviewees’ questions and providing a positive image of the dairy industry.

Michele Payn-Knoper lead the final session of the day, preparing everyone for their Phase II work, which will take place over the next year. YDLIers are given a set of “assignments” to accomplish during this phase, reinforcing the ideas learned during Phase I. The tasks include an outreach project of their choice, as well as encouraging interaction with their community, local media, and consumers. Class members brainstormed ideas and discussed them with YDLI Advisory Committee members. It will be exciting to see what this very talented group is able to accomplish!
After four intense days of training, everyone was ready to relax and enjoy a final evening with their classmates at the Fiesta Finale banquet. During dinner, everyone was entertained by a six-person, authentic mariachi band. Some class members even joined in the fun, singing and dancing with the group! Jolene Brown gave a memorable keynote on “letting go of the rope”, and soaring to new heights in the dairy industry. Everyone enjoyed their last evening in Albuquerque before getting up early and heading home.

The class will come together again in Albuquerque February 25-28, 2009 for Phase III, which focuses more on group leadership skills and advanced media training. All-in-all, Phase I was a resounding success. Thanks for reading this week! For more information on YDLI, visit www.holsteinfoundation.org or contact Jodi Hoynoski – jhoynoski@holstein.com or 800.952.5200, ext. 4261.

Panelist Liz Doornink answers a question

Groups work together to build bridges in a closing activity

Annie McCullough and Allison Specht enjoy the final evening

Class member Elias Torres Barrera sings along with the mariachi band!

Holstein Foundation Trustee and banquet sponsor WestfaliaSurge representative Rob Kolb poses for a quick picture with the band.

Enjoy these additional scenes from the meetings and sale during the 2008 California Holstein Convention, held the last weekend in January in Sacramento! Photographs courtesy of Carolina Evangelo.

Sale time!

Winners of the A.J. Quist Junior Breeder Award are Jon & Tami Tollenaar.

There”””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””’’s nothing quite like a dairy bowl victory!

Frankie J. Coderniz, retiring from the Board, gets a useful and beautiful gift of appreciation.

The Van Exel family did a phenomenal job getting things ready for sale day and took every precautionary measure to protect from the ongoing rains. The family was also recognized the night before at the convention banquet, as Hank & Carolyn were awarded the coveted Senior Breeder award.

It”””’’s a boy! Proud parents Amy & Chad Ryan of Fond du Lac, WI, welcomed their first child, Dylan Joseph, into the world on Sunday at 6:30am. Chad is a partner in Ryan-Vue Holsteins, while Amy is employed at ABS Global. Congratulations!

Accelerated Genetics staff Kari Stanek, Communications & Public Relations Coordinator, and Amber Elliott, Advertising and Public Relations Intern, finish off the ””””””””blog”””””””” from the 2008 Young Producer Winter Get-Away - ””””””””Winter Safari at the Kalahari””””””””.

Another successful Accelerated Genetics Young Producer event comes to an end. The final day began with a delicious breakfast buffet followed by an exciting Wild Animal scavenger hunt, with members able to explore all of the facilities at the Kalahari Resort.

Then Dana Zurbuchen, a motivational speaker, talked with the group about “How to Master the Work/Life Balance.” Dana encouraged the group to keep family time a priority and how to balance family with work.

Finally, both adult and youth learned about “Confined Space Farm Safety” with Cheryl Skjolaas. The final session was an interactive program where families were able to discuss their farms and how to stay safe in confined spaces.

Before the conference concluded, a drawing for a ””””””””free”””””””” stay at the Kalahari Resort was done and the winner was Hannah Iverson of Plum City, Wis.

Everyone in attendance enjoyed all the weekend had to offer, especially the INDOOR water park. A special thank-you to the Young Producer Committee, without their help and commitment this get-away and other Young Producer events would not be possible.

The next Accelerated Genetics Young Producer event is the Leadership Conference titled ””””””””Cultivating Leaders”””””””” featuring speakers Jolene Brown, Donna Moenning and Tom Jadin. This conference will be held March 29-30, 2008 at the Wintergreen Resort and Convention Center in Wisconsin Dells, Wis.

Again if you live in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and Illinois and are interested in attending future Young Producer events check out the Accelerated Genetics website www.accelgen.com or call Kari Stanek 800.451.9275 ext. 222 or kstanek@accelgen.com.

The Grady family of Oregon, Wis. found the ””””””””elephant”””””””” during the wild scavenger hunt.

Dana Zurbuchen gets some input to her Mastering the Work/Life Balance session from this young man.

Cheryl Skjolaas demonstrates how easily a person can get sucked into a gravity box filled with corn during the farm safety session.

Mike Korth of New London, Wis. shares his new farm safety rule for at home.

Katie Martin, Portage, Wis. and Chris Davis, Wisconsin Dells, Wis. brainstorm different things that could happen in the combined space of a silo during the safety session.

Winners of the Safari Hat Decorating contest in ages 6-8 (l to r) 3rd Holly Oberreich - Plymouth, Wis., 2nd Phebe Christen - Monroe, Wis. 1st - Libby Pankratz of Auburndale, Wis.

Taking home the most coveted prize of the weekend a stay a the Kalahari Resort is Hannah Iverson (center), she with her brother Nate and mother Nancy.She said she will using her gift card during this summer”””””””’’s National Holstein Convention to be held in Wisconsin at the Kalahari Resort June 23-26, 2008!

Also, Accelerated Genetics, as a convention sponsor and Wisconsin-based agricultural business, wants to welcome Holstein enthusiasts to Wisconsin this summer for the 2008 National Holstein Convention to be held June 23-26 at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin.

Written by Amber Elliott, 2008 Advertising & Public Relations Intern:

After a fun-filled Safari afternoon, it was time for dinner of roast beef, ham, and all the fixings. An exciting night of magic and comedy was ahead. Jerry Fraiser, a well known magician provided suspense and excitement. Adults and children alike enjoyed card tricks, escape acts and even a floating attendee.

Next the best dressed awards were announced with the top 5 receiving prizes. The awards went to families and individuals that fulfilled the safari theme to the fullest. 5th place - Elle Walker and Ben Tibor of Minnesota City, Minn. 4th place - Doug & Jane Popp of Royalton, Minn., 3rd place - Jim & Barb Davis of Tomah, Wis., 2nd place - Tom & Katie Grady of Oregon, Wis., and the Best Dressed Safari Family was Ryan and Tonya Wayerski and their children Mackayla, Riley, Landyn and Taryn of Pittsville, Wis.

Finally, it was time to relax by watching movies, playing games or going to America”””””””’’s Largest Water park. Participants were able to choose from floating down?the lazy river, flying down one of the many water slides, or splashing in the wave pool.

As the first day of the Accelerated Genetics Winter Get-Away ended, producers still had much to look forward to with more opportunities to explore the Kalahari and the Young Producer Program.

3414 - Ellie Larson…sporting her bathing suit in the wonderfully warm indoor waterpark!

3427 - These to ”””””””’’safari”””””””” kids are enthralled with the comic magician.

3434 - Kelly Oberreich and Mike Lewien get their 5 minutes of fame helping Jerry Fraiser with a magic trick.

3471 - This ””””””””lil hunter spots the some big game!

3499 - The finale of the magic act was floating this young girl on stage and everyone was in ahhh!