Photographer Randy Blodgett captured some more scenes from Expo grounds this week! Enjoy!

Bo-Joy Ensign Glee

Harvue Roy Frosty

From left: Deken Hanna Leduc; Geyserka Champion Roxy and Helmcrest Champion Tabby

On Wednesday at World Dairy Expo, John and Adnnelies Seffrood of NorSwiss Dairy in Summit, SD were featured in a Virtual Farm Tour sponsored by Cover-All. Their 1200 milking cow facility features three compost pack barns where their dry cows, close-up cows and heifers, and fresh cows are housed. Beginning about 10 years ago, and with little farm experience, the Seffrood’s dairy has become one full of innovations and success. They firmly stand behind their decision to include the compost bedded pack Cover-Alls in their combination of facilities, and praise them for their increased cow comfort, decreased metabolic problems in the cows, and the increased natural light that they provide.

Visitors enjoy the virtual farm tour video of NorSwiss dairy where John and Adnnelies explain their operation and how it works on a day-to-day basis.

John and Addnelies openly answered questions from the crowd after the video was done showing, and the visitors were able to learn even more about their interesting operation.

The Central National Ayrshire show took place yesterday. The judge for the day was Steve White of Indiana.

The top two 4-year-olds: 1. Right Angle T Harley (right), Ski-Pal Ayrshires & Mitchel McDermott, IA and 2. Right Angle T Nancy, Se-Ayr-A Ayrshires, Q. Scott and J. Scha, MN

The top two 5-year-olds and Aged Cows out for Senior Champion.

HM Senior Champion, the 5-year-old: Yellow Briar Jerrica

The Grand Champion line-up, from right to left:
Intermediate Champion: Blind Buck Vall Tri Redpepper, Roger & Jackie Greeno, NY
Reserve Intermediate Champion: Edgebrook Special K Alamode, Mike & Brenda Dilly & Andy Tow, IA
Senior Champion: Valevue BBK Minerva, Wayne & Donna Lexvold and Stillmore Cattle Company, MN
Reserve Senior Champion: Val D’estrie Special Lolly, Heather Morrell, PA

The Grand & Reserve Grand Champions – the Aged Cows, Valevue BBK Minerva (back)
and Val D’estrie Special Lolly (front)

Valevue BBK Minerva, the Grand Champion for now the third time of World Dairy Expo!

The Jr. show championship line-up

The Grand Champion of the Jr. show, as well as Intermediate Champion & HM Grand Champion of the open show – Blind Buck Vall Tri Redpepper

The record number of Jerseys being shown today has generated a very captive ringside audience!

The much anticipated Top of the World Jersey Sale lived up to its billing! Forty-four lots sold featuring cattle from the US and Canada including 15 head straight from the heart of the Heath and Partners showstring. A record crowd gathered for the evening event that was held on the grounds following the Jersey heifer show.

Topping the sale was Lot #11, Renaissance Key Goldie (EX93), a Five-Year-Old granddaughter of the one-and-only JIF Little Minnie (EX96) 2X Royal Champion. Goldie was Nominated All-American as a Senior Three-Year-Old in 2006. Kingsmill Farm and Ronnie Montgomery, Durham, NC purchased the lot for $21,000. Goldie was the consignment of Mike Heath, Triple-T Holsteins & Jerseys, Jeff Brown & Jeff Stephens, North Lewisburg, OH.

Second high seller was Lot #16, Senn-Sational Iatola Petrina, a flashy Fall Yearling In Milk consigned by Mike Heath, Kelly Barbee & Purple Fever Cattle Co., Westminster, MD. Petrina won the Fall Yearling in Milk class at the 2008 NY State Fair and was purchased by RJ Jerseys, ON Canada for $18,000.

Rounding out the top 3 sellers was Jurisdiction Jenny (VG89) consigned by Triple-T Holsteins & Jerseys, Mike Heath & Richman Farms, North Lewisburg, OH. Jenny, who won the Senior Two-Year-Old class and was named Reserve Intermediate Champion of the 2008 Ohio State Fair struck off for $14,000 to Beechwood Jerseys, WI.

An added lot, Partee At Budjon Luxury-ET earned the forth highest selling price. Luxury was the won the Spring Yearling class and was also named Reserve Junior Champion in the 2008 Central National Jersey Show. She was the consignment of Ken & Kathy Elliott and Budjon Farms, Lomira, WI. Buster Goff of New Mexico purchased the lot for $13,500.

The sale average $5609 on 44 lots including embryos. The sale was managed by Jersey Marketing Service.

Other top sellers

Kimbles Flora (EX91)- Junior Three-Year-Old

$12,000

C: Triple-T Holsteins & Jerseys, North Lewisburg, OH

B: Mordale Jerseys, ON

Lot #11 Renaissance Key Goldie (EX93) – High Seller

Goldie’s Primetime daughter – Lot #12

High Seller – Lot #11 Renaissance Key Goldie

2nd High Seller – Lot #16 Senn-Sational Iatola Petrina

3rd High Seller – Lot #5 Jurisdiction Jenny

4th High Seller – Added Lot – Partee At Budjon Luxury-ET

The Friday, Saturday and Sunday were busy days for World Dairy Expo exhibitors. Dairy enthusiasts from all over the US and Canada began moving into the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wisconsin. Cattle have filled the barns, displays have been constructed and everyone is ready for what looks to be a very large and an extremely competitive show. A new must see display on the grounds is that of Milk Source. The set-up is like no other!!! See you here!

Many of us are pulling out the suitcases and trying to figure out what clothes to pack and how many fans we wil need to throw in the trailer for Expo week. Madison weather is never very predictable and can range from sweltering hot (2007) to ice-on-the-wash rack cold…and it can all happen in the same week!!! Like most I have been watching the weather and trying to figure out what to take with me. I have finally decided my plan of attack…TAKE EVERYTHING!!!

Anyway, here is what www.weather.com has for the forcast. Happy packing!

Friday, Sep 26 SUNNY High 80, Low 56 20% Chance of Precip

Sat, Sep 27 PARTLY CLOUDY High 77, Low 52 20% Chance of Precip

Sun, Sep 28 PARTLY CLOUDY High 65, Low 47 20% Chance of Precip

Mon, Sep 29 FEW SHOWERS High 61, Low 46 30% Chance of Precip

Tue, Sep 30 PARTLY CLOUDY High 63, Low 43 20% Chance of Precip

Wed, Oct 1 SUNNY High 66, Low 46 20% Chance of Precip

Thu, Oct 2 PARTLY CLOUDY High 66, Low 46 20% Chance of Precip