With each passing year, the Cowtown Show Calf Summit seems to grow in program depth, participation and enthusiasm! This year, 146 juniors and 50 adults showed up at Cowtown Holsteins, in Derby Line, VT, on April 1-2. From noon Friday through noon Saturday, the group listened to presentations on Health Care (by Dr. Rob Lynch), Public Relations (by Bonnie Burr) and Understanding Pedigrees (by Bob Fitzsimmons & Tim Abbott). They also attending break-out sessions that included many stations offering hands-on experience. Laurie Winkelman and Steve Carson worked with kids on selection; Abe Light and Peter Hawks taught about clipping; Callum McKinven spoke on showring savvy; Dr. Steve Wolfgang presented information about hoof care; Luke & Janette Johnson led a nutrition discussion; Karen Knutsen & Katy Johnson had an interactive advertising workshop; and Richard Landry & Callum McKinven worked with kids on showmanship. As if that wasn’t enough, Friday night’s activities included a pizza party and fun night (swimming, volleyball, basketball…) at the IROC Center. The Summit reaches out to kids with all levels of experience in the dairy industry who live primarily in New England. After teaching the advertising workshop, I can honestly say it was very inspiring to see the creativity and enthusiasm they all had when asked to design their own ads. They were eager to learn and anxious to get home and put some of their new knowledge to the test, especially when it came to getting their show calves ready for the summer. Doug, Richard & Cy Nelson and the whole Cowtown crew, were gracious hosts and the sales facility really works well for handling a group of that size. Hats off to the organizers and planners of such a fabulous event – Martha and Marion Seifert, Tim Abbott and Bob Fitzsimmons. It’s a “paying it forward” concept that is really working! Enjoy some of the scenes from the April 1-2 event.

Dr. Rob Lynch – Health Care

Callum McKinven – Showring Savvy

Laurie Winkelman – Selection

Peter Hawks – Clipping

Abe Light – Clipping

Steve Carson – Selection

Two of the Summit organizers, the mother-daughter duo of Martha and Marion Seifert.

The other two organizers of the Summit, Tim Abbott and Bob Fitzsimmons, are shown here giving a talk to the adults about how to select a show calf for their children.

Bonnie Burr – Public Relations

With 146 kids and 50 adults in attendance, the Cowtown Show Calf Summit was another great success this year!

Design “teams” participated in the interactive workshop on advertising, presented by yours truly and Katy Johnson!

Luke Johnson – Nutrition

Richard Landry – Showmanship

For more information on activities held in New England and news from the members, be sure to click on www.nesholsteins.com.

*Special Guest Blog* This upcoming June, the Minnesota Holstein Association will be hosting Holstein enthusiasts from across the country for the 2010 National Holstein Convention. After many years of planning and hard work, we invite you to enjoy Minnesota’s natural beauty in both Holstein black and white and living color June 26-29. In the upcoming months, look to the All Breeds Blog for further information regarding the convention and the Host State, posted by the Minnesota Junior Holstein Association Board of Directors. First up is an invitation and convention schedule from current MJHA Reporter, Elizabeth Olson.

Greetings from Minnesota!

I am so excited to invite you all to Minnesota this June as our state association adult and junior members host the 2010 National Holstein Convention. This year marks the 125th Anniversary of our national association AND the 100th Anniversary of Minnesota Holstein. A perfect time for us to showcase the people and Holsteins of our state. Now that we are just a few months away, I’d like to share with you a detailed run down of this year’s convention schedule . . .

Saturday, June 27 – The Distinguished Junior Member and National Holstein Women’s Scholarship Organization interviews will be conducted, along with the Dairy Jeopardy contest, and Prepared Public Speaking contest. New this year, Public Speaking participants will be video tapped while presenting with the hopes of earning the top prize paired with posting your speech on the Holstein USA website. Dairy Bowl teams, as well as anyone interested in partaking in the 1st Annual Dairy Knowledge Quiz contest, will take their written exam while advisors attend the coaches’ meeting. Opening night of entertainment includes Minnesotan mixers, state gift exchange, banner contest and a DJ to dance the night away!

Sunday, June 28 (Host Day) – Convention goers have two tour options – either down the Mississippi river to the South or heading out West. Option A is traveling South to gorgeous Lake City, MN while touring Spa-Ska Farm , enjoying a leisurely ride down the Mississippi River, and stopping by the National Eagle Center.The West option features four Holstein farms including Flower-Brook Holsteins, Glenmark Genetics/Bonnie Mohr Studio, Floralawn Holsteins, and Raylore Farm (that’s my family’s farm!). After the tours, both juniors and adults will reconvene at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum for the Experience Minnesota Family Night for a delicious dinner and dancing to the Johnny Holm Band.

Monday, June 29th – Simultaneously during the Dairy Bowl contest, constant shuttles will be running from dusk till dawn for everyone interested in attending amusement and water park, Valleyfair. This destination boasts over 10 different extreme rollercoasters, over 30 specialty rides, and a one-year old water park. That evening, attendees will enjoy a top tier sale with a special Minnesota themed Fish Fry sale meal. Later on, Juniors will unwind at the Beach Bash Junior Dance.

Tuesday, June 29th – Starting bright and early, the Dairy Bowl Finals will commence followed by the National Junior Forum. Also, recognition to a variety of members will be announced at the Junior Luncheon. To cap off the fun filled week, juniors will have the chance to enjoy the Twin Cities at the brand new Target Field that host’s the Minnesota Twins major league baseball team!

Don’t forget that the dairy bar will be open daily, along with having daily shuttles to and from the Airport and Mall of America. Some 520 stores, 50 restaurants, underground aquarium, and theme park await you in America’s most popular shopping center.

Make plans now to ‘Get Hooked’ on Minnesota at the 2010 National Junior Holstein Convention in Bloomington, MN. Visit www.holsteinconvention2010.com for booking information, updates, registration and schedules.

Our junior members are anxiously awaiting our annual state convention which will be held this weekend, March 19 – 21, at the Holiday Inn in Owatonna, home to the Great Serengeti Indoor Water Park! Check back next week for a report and pictures from the convention as we continue to help you get to know us Minnesotans!

- Elizabeth

We received the following report and photos from Dakota Grayling, the current Illinois Junior Holstein Association Reporter, regarding their recent Spring Thing. Thanks for sharing, Dakota! And attention all other state junior associations – we’d love to include reports and photos from your activities, too! Send them to me – Sarah Schmidt – at sschmidt@dairybusiness.com. We always love hearing from juniors across the country having fun!

On Saturday and Sunday, Febuary 27th and 28th, the Illinios Junior Holstein Association held their annual “Spring Thing”. At the “Spring Thing”, members competed in the dairy quiz bowl, dairy jeopardy, public speaking / speech, and poster / display contests. The “Spring Thing” was held at the Hawthorne Suites in Champaign, Illinois and approximately 80 people attended.

Kyle Mitchell Outstanding Junior Memorial Award Recipient, Emily Lyons

Photo L-R: Aaron Mitchell, Emily Lyons, and IJHA Advisor Melissa Irwin

Dairy Quiz Bowl Contest: 5 senior teams & 11 junior teams

The winning senior team was from Boone-Winnebago counties.

Dairy Bowl Top Ten Individuals – Senior

Back Row L-R: Josh Huelsman, Chris Kollmann, Justin Crull, Aaron Mitchell, Phillip Shanks, and Matt Drendel
Front Row L-R: Angie Boesche , Elizabeth Myelle, Colleen Ziller, and Sarah Sheehan

Top 6 Senior Dairy Quiz Bowl Contestants to compete at the 2010 National Holstein Convention,
June 26-29, in Bloomington, MN

Back Row L-R: Josh Huelsman, Chris Kollmann, and Aaron Mitchell
Front Row L-R: Elizabeth Myelle, Colleen Ziller, and Sarah Sheehan

The winning junior team was a combined effort from Boone, Winnebago, Tri-County, McHenry, and Lake counties.

Dairy Bowl Top Ten Individuals – Junior

Back Row L-R: Crystal Rote, Todd Irwin, Ryan Sheehan, Daniel Obert, Anna Folgate, and Morgan Bollech
Front Row L-R: Emily Irwin, Kaitlyn Carlson, Kaylen Miller, and Jordan Oellerich

Illinois Junior Dairy Quiz Bowl Contestants to compete at the 2010 National Holstein Convention,
June 26-29, in Bloomington, MN

Back Row L-R: Ryan Sheehan, Morgan Bollech, and Daniel Obert
Front Row L-R: Emily Irwin, Kaitlyn Carlson, and Jordan Oellerich

Kyle Mitchell Top Junior Dairy Quiz Bowl Award Recipient, Morgan Bollech

Photo L-R: Gail Pollard, Morgan Bollech, and IJHA Advisor Melissa Irwin

Kyle Mitchell Top Senior Dairy Quiz Bowl Award Recipient, Emily Lyons

Photo L-R: Gail Pollard, Emily Lyons, and IJHA Advisor Melissa Irwin

Dairy Jeopardy Contest: 8 seniors, 11 intermediates & 28 juniors

Top 3 Senior Jeopardy Contestants
L-R: Second Place Josh Huelsman, Third Place Angie Boesche, and First Place Aaron Mitchell

Top 3 Intermediate Jeopardy Contestants
L-R: Third Place Tim Kindberg, Second Place Ryan Sheehan, and First Place Sarah Sheehan

Top 3 Junior Jeopardy Contestants
L-R: Second Place Emily Irwin, First Place Daniel Obert, and Third Place Jordan Oellerich

Public Speaking / Speech Contest: 2 intermediate & 2 juniors

Intermediate Speech Division
L-R: Second Place Morgan Bollech and First Place Sarah Sheehan

Junior Speech Division
L-R: Second Place Morgan Exner and First Place Kaitlyn Carlson

Morgan Bollech, Kaitlyn Carlson and Sarah Sheehan will represent Illinois at the National Public Speaking / Speech Contest at the National Holstein Convention this coming summer.

Poster / Display Contest: 1 intermediate & 11 junior entries

Junior Division
L-R: Kaylen Miller “Quality Counts!” and Brianna Sheehan “What Drink Do You Do?”
Not Pictured: Emily Sheehan “Dairy Moo-niversity”

Intermediate Division
Tim Kindberg “From Beginning To End: A Cow’s Digestive Tract”

Overall, the weekened agenda was very busy yet quite fun. As you can see…Saturday was spent mostly competing in all the contests. Saturday evening, there was a dinner banquet where the top ten dairy quiz bowl individuals in the junior and senior divisions were anounced. Those top ten then competed for the top six spots to represent Illinois in the National Dairy Quiz Bowl Contest. After the banquet, an “Ag Olympics” and a dance was held.

On Sunday morning after breakfast, the Illinois Junior Holstein Association held their business meeting. Congratulations to all those who competed and best of luck to those representing Illinois at the National Holstein Convention, June 26th-29th, in Bloomington, Minnesota!

Special thank yous to all who helped with all of our contests and especially our donors: ABS c/o Adam Watkins of Woodstock, IL; Midwest Dairy Association c/o Marla Behrends of Carlock, IL; R-Vision Holstens c/o Mark and Melissa Irwin of Belvidere, IL; and Stateline Vet Clinic of Clinton, WI.

This past year, members of the Junior Holstein Association had the opportunity to compete in an essay contest. The winners have been announced and we found the winning Junior entry to be a special message that should be shared with others!

Click here to read about Tony Lopes’ true super heroes – the American Dairy Farmer!

Congratulations to the winners from yesterday’s judging contests at the All-American Dairy Show in Harrisburg! We’ve received some results and will be updating this post with more as we receive them.

Collegiate Dairy Judging Contest

Team Rank
1. UW-River Falls (2109 points)
2. University of Minnesota (2097)
3. Penn State (2084)
4. Virginia Tech (2058)
5. Cal Poly (2050)
6. Ohio State
7. Cornell
8. UW-Madison
9. University of Georgia
10. Purdue
11. Michigan State
12. Delaware Valley
13. University of Maryland
14. University of Illinois
15. University of Kentucky

High Individual: Courtney Kiefer – University of Wisconsin, River Falls

4-H Dairy Judging Contest

Team Rank
1. Maryland 4-H
2. Kentucky 4-H
3. Minnesota 4-H
4. Ohio 4-H
5. Indiana 4-H

High Individual: Megan Udermann – Minnesota

New York State Fair 4-H Show
Aug. 29 – Syracuse, NY
Judge – Sean Johnson, PA
Total shown – 101
Junior Champion: Co-Vale Affirmed Prescilla (BKB Affirmed), 1st fall yearling, Jacob Dueppengiesser, Perry, NY
Res. Junior Champion: OCD Aspen Midnight Rain (EK-Oseeana Aspen), 1st fall calf, Jared Dueppengiesser, Perry, NY
HM Junior Champion: Lylehaven Fortune Lattie E (Tomar D Fortune), 1st spring calf, Cooper Galton, Nunda, NY
Grand Champion: Wales Allen Fame (Canyon Breeze Allen), 1st 4-year-old, Anthony Liddle, Argyle, NY
Res. Grand Champion: Maple Flat Roy Regina (Roylane Jordan), 1st Senior 3-year-old, Chelsie Ross, Lowville, NY
HM Grand Champion: Highborn Stor Nor Lily 1547 (Highland-H Stormin Norman), 1st Senior 2-year-old, Kyle Cacciola, Cobleskill, NY

Junior Champion lineup

Judge Sean Johnson congratulates the Junior Champions from the show: Jared Dueppengiesser holding Junior Champion Co-Vale Affirmed Prescilla for his brother Jacob; and Anthony Liddle holding the Reserve Junior Champion, owned by Jared, OCD Aspen Midnight.

Wales Allen Fame, 1st 4-year-old and Grand Champion, owned by Anthony Liddle.

Grand Champion Trophy Sponsor Shaun Merrill congratulates Grand Champion Anthony Liddle and Reserve Grand Champion, Chelsie Ross with Maple Flat Roy Regina. Judge Sean Johnson is at left.

Grand Champion lineup, from left: Highborn Stor Nor Lily 1547, 1st Sr. 2-year-old, HM Grand Champion (owned by Kyle Cacciola); Maple Flat Roy Regina, 1st Sr. 3-year-old, Res. Grand Champion (owned by Chelsie Ross), Wales Allen Fame, 1st 4-year-old, Grand Champion (owend by Anthony Liddle) and Samorah PP Aero, 1st 5-year-old (owned by Paige Morrill).

More scenes!

The 30th Anniversary of the EBI (Eastern Breeders Inc.) 4-H Showcase, held in Spencerville, ON, was by all accounts, “Remarkable”, states Paul Stewart, Supervisor of Genetic Programs and Communications and the EBI 4-H Showcase organizer. The three-day event, held July 3th-5th at the Spencerville Fairgrounds, saw close to 125 4-H aged dairy participants from across Eastern Ontario compete and put the 4-H motto “Learn to Do by Doing” to work. This year’s event was held in conjunction with Holstein Ontario’s 1st Annual Eastern Ontario Junior Show.

Conformation Champion
L to R: Paul Stewart, EBI; Tim Dietrich, Scotiabank (Bronze Sponsor); Michael Barnum, Northumberland, Hon. Men. Ch.; Kelsey Mode, Prescott, Res. Ch.; Ethan McMillan, Northumberland, Gr. Ch.; Nancy Beerwort, Judge; Jay Johnstone, Brian Follett, Megan Douglas, Ritchie Feed & Seed (Gold Sponsor)

Showmanship Champion
L to R: Paul Stewart, EBI; Devon and Ron Swank, Swank Construction (Silver Sponsor); Kristen Barnum, Northumberland, Hon. Men. Ch.; Emma McMillan, Northumberland, Res. Ch.; Kelsey Mode, Prescott, Gr. Ch.; Nancy Beerwort, Judge; Lynn Farrell and Fred Wright, TSC Stores, Kemptville (Bronze Sponsor)

Overall Champion
L to R: Kelsey Mode, Prescott, Overall Grand Champion; Ryan Corrigan, EBI

Reserve Overall Champion
L to R: Ryan Corrigan, EBI; Michael Barnum, Northumberland, Reserve Overall Grand Champion

2009 EBI-Ontario 30th Anniversary 4-H Showcase Results:

Dairy Showmanship:
Junior: 1st – Meg Dickson – Frontenac 2nd – Carley Willis – Carleton
Intermediate: 1st – Kristen Barnum- Northumberland 2nd – Resi Walt – Prince Edward
Senior: 1st – Kelsey Mode – Prescott 2nd – Emma McMillan – Northumberland
Champion Showperson: Kelsey Mode – Prescott
Reserve Champion Showperson: Emma McMillan – Nortumberland

Dairy Conformation:
Junior Calf: 1st – Jamie Willis – Dundas 2nd – Paige Henderson – Prescott Intermediate Calf: 1st – Kelsey Mode – Prescott 2nd – Courtney Henderson – Carleton
Senior Calf: 1st – Graham Walt – Prince Edward 2nd – Katie Petherick – Northumberland
Summer Yearling: 1st – Michael Barnum – Northumberland 2nd – Curtis Walt – Prince Edward
Junior Yearling: 1st – Ethan McMillan – Northumberland 2nd – Kelsey Dillabough – Grenville
Champion Calf: Ethan McMillan – Northumberland
Reserve Champion Calf: Kelsey Mode – Prescott

Dairy Quiz: 1st- Kaitlin Dickson – Frontenac 282/300

Reserve Overall Dairy Champion: Michael Barnum – Northumberland
Overall Dairy Champion: Kelsey Mode – Prescott

Jackpot Embryo Winners:
Ashley Connell, Grenville: Brilea Holsteins – Snow-N Destinys Bell-Le x Modest
Kelly Velthuis, Carleton: Ferme Prospere Inc., Serenity Hill Holsteins, Marbri Farms – Marbri Shottle Fiona x Atticus
Jamie Willis, Dundas: Glengarry Stock Farms Inc. – Glengarry Goldwyn Poppy x Shottle
Paige Ryan, Lanark: Royalty Holsteins & Jerseys – Loch-An Brae Rubens Roamer x Resurrect-Red
Emma McMillan, Northumberland: Sunnylodge Farms Inc. – Sunnylodge R M Trista Red x Glacier
Kaylia Doering, Renfrew: La Ferme Gillette – Gillette James Cabrelle x Jasper
Fabienne Kagi, Stormont: Cherry Crest Holsteins and Serenity Hill Holsteins – Glengarry Shottle Alexee x Denzel
Scott Brown, Lennox & Addington: Kingsway Starbuck Autumn x Skychief

Thanks to Greg and Gwen Andersen for supplying us with photos and information!

About 90 people attended the annual Idaho Holstein Youth Field Day at Seagull Bay Dairy on July 11th. The weather was comfortably mild and everyone had a great time. The event began with a clipping demonstration by Abe Light from ABS.

The youth then practiced what they learned

Ben Andersen helps his son Tyler

A judging contest followed the fitting demonstration, and here you can see the crowd evaluating the 3-year-old class.

These girls take their judging seriously! Rylee Leak, Gracie Andersen, Kaitlyn Hall, Hillary Andersen, Caroline and Carter Andersen.

Matching the judge’s placing, 50 pts. Catching the reaction on camera, priceless!

Garrick and Holly Hall and family make the Youth Field Day a family affair.

Alan Andersen leads a Red Advent from the Raven family to the judging area.

Judging contest winners for each division are as follows:
Youth:
Junior-1st Kyle Hall, 2nd Rylee Leak, 3rd Gracie Andersen
Intermediate-1st Hanah Roberts, 2nd Quinton Zilles, 3rd Mackenzie Aston
Senior-1st Stacie Day, 2nd Meridith Ball, 3rd Kelsey Daya

Adults: 1st Kent Aston, 2nd Clinton Aston, 3rd Ben Anderson and Steven Toone

Lunch time finally comes at 1:00

Idaho’s Dairy Ambassador Stacie Day leads some of the youth in a game that involves learning about dairy.

The final event of the day was a Junior only heifer auction. Holden Aston buys his first Registered Holstein from Mark Tatarka of Frontier Holsteins.

Quinton Zilles buys his first Registered Holstein from Eric Peterson of Petey-Lee Holsteins.

Coverage provided by Kirsten Areias
Sixty-three enthusiastic cow kids descended on Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo from July 9-11 for Cow Camp 2009. After settling into the dormitories, campers traveled to the Dairy Unit for educational sessions. Dr. Stan Henderson guided them through the Holstein USA website in the Computer Lab to track lineage on their favorite cows and learn how to use the inbreeding calculator available through the Holstein website. Dr. Berning gave a cheese-making demonstration while treating the kids to ice cream, and Rick Silacci, herdsman for the Cal Poly Dairy, showed campers untra-sound technology on live heifers at the Dairy Unit. Friday was the Dairy Judging Contest. Cow Campers judged six classses of Holsteins and Jerseys. After a day of judging and a fitting demonstration, the California kids boarded a bus for the beach! Cow Campers had fun in the sun at Avila Beach, complete with a Bon-fire, BBQ and smores! The final day of Cow Camp 2009 tested Cow Campers knowledge with a few rounds of Dairy Jeopardy, and then heated competition at Mustang Lanes where campers tested their bowling abilities! The California Junior Holstein Association would like to thank Dr. Stan Henderson and Cal Poly for making Cow Camp possible, and for the generous donations from American Ag Credit, California Holstein Association, Brown Swiss Breeders, the Holstein World and Ruann Dairy (via a fundraising effort with the CA Holstein Annual) to help make Cow Camp affordable to those that attended!

Keep following the All Breeds Blog for videos of the Dairy Bowl Finals. They should be posted early next week.

For those traveling back home from the National Holstein Convention in Sacramento, Holstein World and the All Breeds Blog wish you a safe journey home. Thanks for a great week!