1st annual Red & White Dairy Cattle Show at the Big E
Sept. 11, 2008 – Springfield, MA
Judge – Bob Fitzsimmons, East Montpelier, VT

Junior Champion: Sildajak Tristan Misty (Karona Tristan), 1st summer yearling, Rick & Shannon Allyn, Michael Heath & Sildajak Holsteins, Canaan, CT
Res. Junior Champion: Sherona-Hill-I KKA Red Clover (KHW Kite Advent-Red), 1st spring calf, Sebastien Dion, Richard Green, Barclay Phoenix & Eric Salonen, Uxbridge, ON
HM Junior Champion: Lylehaven Adv Calico-Red (KHW Kite Advent-Red), 1st fall calf, Richard Hall, East Montpelier, VT

Intermediate Champion: Hard-Climb Advent Anne-Red (KHW Kite Advent-Red), 1st Jr. 2-year-old, John Jenkins, Newport, VT
Res. Intermediate Champion: Look-N-Good Bacculum P-Red (Dudoc Bacculum), William M Kelly III, Preston, CT

Senior & Grand Champion: Miss Del-Hollow Jose-Red-ET (Valleyriver Ruben Redman), 1st 4-year-old, Ernest Kueffner, Boonsboro, MD
Res. Senior & Res. Grand Champion: McCreary Run Bacul Miki-Red (Dudoc Bacculum), 1st aged cow, Cowtown Holsteins, Derby Line, VT

Junior Show

Junior Champion: Lylehaven Adv Calico-Red (KHW Kite Advent-Red), fall calf, Richard Hall, East Montpelier, VT
Res. Junior Champion: Premier-S Ramp Trixi-Red-ET (RosedaleL Rampage-Red), fall yearling, Elizabeth Andrews, West Greenwich, RI

Senior & Grand Champion: Champ-View A Tallie-Red-ET (KHW Kite Advent-Red), Sr. 2-year-old, Elizabeth Andrews
Res. Senior & Res. Grand Champion: Molhill Wynete 244-Red-ET (Pursuit September Storm), Sr. 3-year-old, Elizabeth Andrews

It’s my favorite time of the year – the fall show season! I got to head down to Harrisburg, PA for the Junior activities at the All-American Dairy show. I’ll have the show pictures up first thing tomorrow, but for now, here’s a recap of Sunday’s activities which included showmanship & the youth benefit auction.

The top 10 junior showmen are: (left to right) Grace Marchezak, Shannon Sears, Brooke George, Brianna Balmer, Taylor Pool, Dominique Jonas, Robin Shearer, Ricky Cramer, Jacob Kline and Micheala Bell.

Judge Max Thornburg congratulates the top 10 intermediate showmen.  They are: front row (left to right) Macy Mudd, Cody Sears, Kaitlyn Corbett, Jessica Currie, Lena Aiken, Jared Dueppengiesser, and Drew Romesburg.  Back row (left to right) Lucas Riley, Isaac Haagen, and Chad Horst.

The top 10 Seniors based on showmanship then compete in a fitting contest and the results are combined to choose the winner.

Ashlee Dietz competed for the first time in the Senior division. This Guernsey Girl from Ohio has won the Intermediate Division the last two years!

There was little doubt among the spectators that Matt Sears of NY had won the fitting portion of the contest – In the end he came out as the overall champion as well.

Front row l to r: Lindsey Royek, Pennsylvania Dairy Princess; Doug Wolffe, showmanship judge; Michael Heath, fitting judge; Matthew Sears; Emily Tudor; Ashlee Dietz; Lauren Osborn; Melissa Schuler; Stephanie Beeman; Pennsylvania Alternate Dairy Princess. Back row: Kylee Thomas; Sarah Key; Ashley Elise Sears; Kyle Nelson; Chris Raber.

A Wine & Cheese Social was held late Sunday afternoon in the wonderfully air-conditioned main lobby of the farm complex. Here you could sample wine & cheeses made in PA, including the wonderful assortment from Emerald Valley Farms! If you were at Global Glamour, you know how good it is!

That evening the Pennsylvania Dairy Royalty and family dished up ice cream floats before the benefit acution!

I had the chance last week to hop on 81 and head down to the Quality Farms Select Sale in Whitney Point, NY last week. Paul & Ari Ekstein of Quality Farms in Woodbridge, Ontario made the decision to bring their cattle down into the states to sell to make it easier & cheaper for US buyers to transport their purchases. The sale averaged $5,763 with cattle selling to seven states, Canada and Germany.

A strong line-up of calves and heifers were beautifully presented. Most came from numerous generations of EX or VG dams from the Master Breeder herd.

A good crowd was on hand to participate in the sale that included over 40 milking animals. Sale manager Dave Rama of the Cattle Exchange described the herd as “big framed, deep ribbed, wide cows we all want.”

A highlight of the line-up was the milking daughters of Quality Fabulous, an Outside son of the famous Quality Frantisco (2E-96 5*) the two-time Grand Champion of the Royal.

A pre-sale conversation between some great minds of the breed.

Lot 1 – the high seller of the day in the ring! This Bolton daughter of Frantisco brought $60,000. She was sold as a choice with two Goldwyn heifers due later this fall. I believe the buyer chose the Goldwyn.

Paul Ekstein kept a close watch on the sale from a corner of the ring – beforehand he commented “Good luck to everybody! I just want everyone to be happy.” From the “quality” that was on display, I think they will be!

The Quality-Ridge Milking Herd and Bred Heifer Dispersal was held on Saturday, September 13th at the farm in Coggon, IA. After a soggy night fit only for waterfowl, the day stayed mostly dry and a large crowd was on hand to appreciate the many years of Holstein breeding by the Henderson family.

The lovely farmstead is located in eastern Iowa in the midst of beautiful rolling farmland. Merle and Verla Henderson purchased the farm in 1966.

Most of the sale cows were on display in the milking barn. The herd carried a BAA of 109.7%

The sale was held in a pole barn across the road where the heifer lineup was also displayed.

The Henderson family – brothers Stan, Gene (Bambi), Rick, Larry, Verle and Steve along with their parents Verla and Merle.

High Seller – Quality-Ridge Lartist Minie (EX-92) brought $7700 from Alan Dykshorn of Ireton, IA. Minie was a member of the 2006 All-American Best Three Females. This group included no ‘ET’ individuals – something not seen in the AA Best Three for many, many years.

Rick Bovre, sale manager; Steve Henderson, seller; Danielle Funk on the halter of Minie; Chris Hill, auctioneer; Blake and Scott Courtney representing buyer Alan Dykshorn.

Second high seller – Quality-Ridge Stormi Major – was purchased for $7200 by Tower-Ridge Holsteins of Anamosa, IA & Paul Knier of Oshkosh, WI. Major has a 2E-93 Linjet dam, a 3E-93 Astre granddam and a 3E-92 Boutonniere 3rd dam. A 9/06 Stormatic, Major is due in late October to Damion.

Rick Bovre, sale manager; Justin Buck, buyer; Norman Nabholz, contender; Mike Buck, buyer; Danielle Funk on the halter of Major; Rick Henderson, seller.

Consigned by Ronald Finch of Kelley, IA, Carrousel Linjet Dee-ET tied for second-high seller and was the high seller among the ‘guest’ consignments in bringing $7200. A 10/06 Linjet from Regancrest Starbk Denyse (EX-92), Dee’s granddam is EX-95 Dellia. Dee’s maternal sister, Carrousel Goldw Divine-ET was the HM All-Canadian Winter Yearling in 2007. Due in December to Advent, Dee was purchased by Richard & Craig Harbaugh of Guttenberg, IA.

Ronald Finch, seller; Richard, Marcia & Brianna Harbaugh, buyers; Danielle Funk on the halter of Dee; Hank Van Exel, sales staff; Craig Harbaugh, buyer.

Iowa native Perry Phend showing the boys how its done!

Watch and learn from the fitting crew master!

The sales staff and fitting crew did a marvelous job dealing with the aftermath of a full night of rain. The sale was managed by Norm Nabholz of Nabholz Farm and Rick & Paula Bovre of the Great Northern. All involved took the soggy conditions in stride and the cattle were presented very professionally. At the end of the day, the sale averaged $2751 on 90 head.

More pictures from Andrea Hood-Haines from the Maryland State Fair!

Maryland Swiss Miss Stephanie Eagle poses with the junior and reserve junior champions of the Maryland Brown Swiss Show. (Left) Nicole Hood of Middletown with her junior champion heifer, a spring yearling, Hoodstead Victor Pippie; Hannah Carey leases her heifer from the Hartman Family, winning the reserve junior champion ribbon with Pa-Lyn-Leigh P Tinkle-ET, a fall calf exhibited by Jamie and Jami Hartman, St. Thomas, Pa. and Carroll County Dairy Princess Pam Bell.

A 4-year old cow, Sun Made Pilot Pleasure-ET, exhibited by Fair Hill Farm, the Ed Frey Family of Chestertown was named grand champion female of the Maryland Brown Swiss Show. The reserve grand champion banner was awarded to Emily Yeiser of Arnold for exhibiting her 5-year old cow, Spots-Pride Bronze Promise. From left to right are Maryland Dairy Princess Ruthie Miller, Emily Yeiser, Ed Frey with grand champion shown by Gus Schwartzbeck; Maryland Swiss Miss Stephanie Eagle, Judge Eric Topp and Cindy Warner, show-chair.

Daysland Acres Niki, a senior 2-year old exhibited by Sherry Albaugh of Walkersville was named the grand champion cow of the Milking Shorthorn show. A junior 3-year old, Daysland Acres Daffodil-EXP exhibited by Katie Albaugh of Walkersville was named the reserve grand champion animal. Judge Randy Frasier of Johnstown, N.Y. poses with his grand champion winners Sherry Albaugh (left) and Amanda Dennis at the halter of the reserve grand champion animal.

Bar-None Jerseys of Union Bridge exhibited the junior champion heifer, a spring yearling, Bar-None Minister Pizzazz-ET. The Arrowsmith Family, Hillacres Jerseys of Peach Bottom, Pa. took home the reserve junior champion ribbon with a fall calf, Hillacres Rhonda Ricotta. Seen here are Mandy Arrowsmith (left) poses with her reserve junior champion heifer and Debbie Osborn at the halter of the junior champion entry.

Jerseys may be small, but in Maryland they sure proved to have a large and impressive line up for the champion class.

From left to right is Judge Randy Frasier with his grand champion Jerseys at the Maryland State Fair; Justin Burdette with the reserve grand champion, a 4-year old, Dalemcee-J Counciller Tauntra, exhibited by Waverly Farm of Clear Brook, Va.; Kevin Ehrhardt of Baldwin with the grand champion cow, a 5-year old, Jewels Prime Sapphire-ET exhibited by Ehrhardt Farms and Carroll County Dairy Princess Pam Bell.

Maple Dell Farm, the Patrick Family of Woodbine exhibited the grand champion female, a senior 2-year old, Maple Dell Wilton Paris during the Maryland Ayrshire Show. The reserve grand champion honor was awarded to a 4-year old cow, Vales-Pride Ramius Vixen exhibited by Vales-Pride Farm, the Valentine Family of Emmitsburg. The Patrick’s also took home both junior champion trophies. The junior champion heifer, a winter yearling named Maple Dell Zorro Sonnie was exhibited by Derek Patrick of Woodbine. S&M-Ayr Conn’s Ninjua, a spring yearling was named reserve junior champion. Premier Breeder and Premier Exhibitor banners were presented to the Patrick’s also. From left to right are Carroll Co. Dairy Princess Pam Bell; David Patrick; Bob Valentine, reserve grand champion; Garrett Murray, junior champion; Alexis Winkler, reserve junior champion and Judge Bill Taylor.

Misty Meadows Landon Sadie, a senior 3-year old, exhibited by Beth Clark of New Paris, Pa. was named the grand champion and best bred and owned animal at the Maryland State Guernsey Show. The Frey Family of Smithsburg exhibited the reserve grand champion animal, a junior 2-year old, Windy Springs Kyle Smidgen.
Warwick Manor D Rosemary, a spring yearling exhibited by Kevin and Dina Stoltzfus, East Earl, Pa. was honored with the junior champion title. Beth Clark of Misty Meadows Farm exhibited the reserve junior champion heifer, Misty Meadows Archie Sis, a winter yearling. Both Premier Breeder and Premier Exhibitor banners were presented to the Frey Family of Smithsburg. Guernsey winners from left to right are Beth Clark, Heather Frey, Kevin Stoltzfus and a representative of Misty Meadows Farm.

Andrea Hood-Haines was kind enough to send us some pictures from the recent Maryland Brown Swiss Futurity.

Savage-Leigh Denver Tiffee, a Denver daughter out of Savage-Leigh Tiffany was the winner of the 127th Maryland Brown Swiss Futurity. Jamie and Jami Hartman of St. Thomas, Pa. exhibited the winning and best bred and owned entry. From left to right are Washington Co. Dairy Princess Kayla Eury; new MD Swiss Miss Brittany Cole; outgoing MD Swiss Miss Stephanie Eagle; Jami and Jamie Hartman with their winning cow and two children, Kaleigh and Colton; MD Alternate Dairy Princess Logan Moore; MD Dairy Princess Ruthie Miller; Nicole Hood, Jr. winner; Cindy Warner, chairman; Clayton Frey, genetic merit winner; Judge Eric Topp; Bonnie Remsberg, co-chair and Carroll Co. Dairy Princess Pam Bell.

Judge Eric Topp of Wapakoneta, Ohio reviews his choices for futurity winner.

Outgoing Maryland Swiss Miss Stephanie Eagle (top) crowns the new Brown Swiss Royalty at the Maryland State Fair. Seated below her from left to right are Maryland Brown Swiss Princess Nicole Hood of Middletown and newly crowned Maryland Swiss Miss Brittany Cole of Thurmont.

This coming Saturday is the Do-N-Joy Select Sale that will be held in Arlington, MN. Tony & Jeff Kohls of Do-N-Joy Holsteins, along with sale manager Alan Dykshorn of Dykshorn Dairy Sales, have assembled quite the line-up of heifers, cows and choices – click here to check out the online catalog. Arlington is located within a half hour of my family’s farm and many of the consignors on the sale are good friends of mine. So naturally I would love to be at the sale – but unfortunately I won’t be able to make it. But that doesn’t mean I can’t watch and participate online!

This sale marks the first live auction webcast with real time bidding provided by BovineBid.com. The mind behind BovineBid.com is Jason Lamoreaux and for any questions, the website says to contact him. So I called Jason this morning to learn more about the live auction webcast process and to see how I can watch the sale from my computer here in Hardwick, MN. Jason was very helpful and shared some great info with me – here’s what I learned!

BovineBid.com is a contract service for sales across the United States and North America. People interested in watching & bidding online during a live auction webcast with real time bidding, have to register for each individual sale. If you were to visit www.bovinebid.com today, you would see a promotion to sign up for the Do-N-Joy webcast. I went thru the registration process myself and it took less than one minute! Click here if you’d like to sign-up.

Jason highly recommends that people interested in watching and/or bidding during this sale should register by Friday, September 5th at 5 p.m. He recommends pre-registration so that the sale managers can approve you as a legitimate bidder prior to the start of the sale.

A high-speed Internet connection is recommended for watching the sale and it is required for bidding during a sale. Once the sale begins and the webcast begins to roll, the video and audio quality will be dependant upon your computer system and the speed of your Internet connection. In most instances, a high speed connection alone will ensure high quality video and sound. There will be NO delay from what is appearing at the sale to what you see and hear from your computer.

As each lot passes through the ring, your computer screen will display where the bids are coming from. If the bid is currently from someone at the sale, the screen will say “Floor” and indicate the current asking price. If a bid were to come from an online bidder, their bidder name and price will appear on the screen. An online bidder will know if they had the winning bid if after the auctioneer says “Sold!” they are the highest bid on the screen. It is the responsibility of each winning online bidder to make settlement with the sale management. This includes arranging trucking, verifying health papers and bill payment. For this sale, all winning bidders should contact Alan Dykshorn – (712) 441-0686. A 3% buyer’s premium will be billed to buyer from BovineBid.com for any purchases made online.

If at any time a viewer has a question, there is a real-time chat feature where they can type their question and it will be answered by a BovineBid.com staff member. Also, you can visit with Jason directly at (616) 822-0101. BovineBid.com will have two staff members on hand at the sale on Saturday.

In addition to the Do-N-Joy Select Sale, BovineBid.com is already scheduled to provide live auction webcast with real-time bidding for the Planet Holstein, Agriprize High Profile, Global Impact Red & White and Autumn Opportunity Sales in October.

A few key points I took away from my conversation with Jason…

- Interested bidders and sale viewers will need to register for each individual sale.

- A high-speed Internet connection will ensure the best live auction webcast experience.

- BovineBid.com is a super simple, user-friendly way to participate in sales when you can’t be there in person.

No, I won’t be at the sale this Saturday. But I can watch and participate online! I hope to see you online at the sale too!!

Tis the season for showing, and we have more pictures for you from our Maryland field editor, Andrea Hood-Haines. Holstein events took place over Labor Day weekend in Timonium and included the Red & White Show, the Black & White Show and the annual Holstein Futurity.

Maryland Holstein Futurity
Savage-Leigh Leona-ET a 3-year-old exhibited by Savage-Leigh Holsteins was named Miss Maryland Futurity at the Maryland State Fair on Saturday, August 31st. The Allen daughter, out of Savage-Leigh Licorice-ET was also honored with the supreme champion title of the Maryland State Dairy Show.

The Miss Maryland Holstein Futurity title was given to an entry by Savage-Leigh Holsteins of Knoxville. The 3-year old, Savage-Leigh Leona-ET poses from left to right with Judge Gerald Coughlin, Chip Savage with his wife, Isha and boys, Chase and Connor Savage; Maryland Alternate Dairy Princess Logan Moore, Washington County Dairy Princess Kayla Eury, Carroll County Dairy Princess Pam Bell and Maryland Dairy Princess Ruthie Miller.

A Sr. 3-year old, MD-Carrollton James Ultra, exhibited by Patrick Brauning of Finksburg was the winner of the Futurity Junior Award and a $100 savings bond. The James daughter, out of MD-Carrollton Reckless Uri was placed fourth overall in the futurity.

Pheasant Echo’s Rubens Tudie-ET, exhibited by Pheasant Echo’s Farm of Westminster was the jackpot winner during the show. Following are the top five futurity results followed by the 16 entries judged by Gerald Coughlin of Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.

2nd: MD-Maple-Dell Rubens Daya, Maple Dell Farm, Woodbine
3rd: Windsor-Manor ZeRoyal-ET, Windsor Manor Farm, New Windsor
4th: MD-Carrollton James Ultra, Patrick Brauning, Finksburg
5th: MD-Maple-Dell Ruben Decia, Maple Dell Farm, Woodbine
6. Virginia Lawrence, Nottingham, Pa., 7. Peace & Plenty Farm, Union Bridge, 8. Bulldog Holsteins, Frederick, 9. Pheasant Echo’s Farm, Westminster, 10. Peace & Plenty Farm, Union Bridge, 11. Savage-Leigh Holsteins, Knoxville, 12. Courtney Hoff, New Windsor, 13. My Lady’s Manor Farm, Baldwin, 14. Peace & Plenty Farm, Union Bridge, 15. Peace & Plenty Farm, Union Bridge, 16. Coldsprings Farms, New Windsor

Judge Jimmy Burdette of Mercersburg, Pa. ponders over his grand champion possibilities during the Maryland State Red & White Show.

Courtney Hoff of Coldsprings Farms, New Windsor, one of four juniors, led her entry in the Maryland Holstein Futurity.

Savage-Leigh Dundee Lucy-ET, was the junior 2-year old winner. Shown here is Sean Johnson at the halter.

The 5-year old class winner, Salstein Lily 329 was an entry from Gene Iager, at the halter, and Bulldog Holsteins of Frederick.

Davis Schwartzbeck of Union Bridge was awarded the Marlin Hoff Memorial Scholarship during the Maryland Holstein Futurity ceremony. Davis is attending Delaware Valley College and pursuing a degree in dairy science. He resides on his family’s farm, Peace & Plenty Holsteins of Union Bridge, Md.

Winning the two $4000 Maryland Dairy Scholarships presented on Saturday, August 30th at the Maryland State Fair were Robert Wesley Miller of North East (Cecil County) and Curtis Eugene Rhoderick of Mt. Airy (Frederick County). From left to right are Robert, Curtis and Arthur Johnson, committee member.

Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom, located in the northeastern region of Vermont between Quebec and New Hampshire, offers breath-taking scenery, and is home to many Vermont made products like their famous maple syrup. It’s also home to many outstanding Holstein herds. They recently held their regional show there – here are the results and pictures! (coverage provided by Renee Nadeau and Marcy Guillette)

Northeast Kingdom Holstein Club Show
August 16, 2008
Orleans County Fairgrounds
Judge: Seth Johnson
Senior and Grand Champion: Cowtown Shane Shasta (Woodmansees Outside Shane), 1st Jr. 3-year-old, Cowtown Holsteins, Derby VT
Reserve Senior and Reserve Grand Champion: Dala-Star Canyon Pansy (Canyon-Breeze Storm Atom), 1st aged cow, Dan LaCoss, Barton, VT
Junior Champion: Cowtown Tradition (Silky Gibson), 1st fall yearling, Cowtown, Derby VT
Reserve Junior Champion: Cowtown Skychief Graceful-ET (Donnandale Skychief), 1st fall calf, Henry Delabruere, Derby VT
Premier Breeder and Exhibitor: Dala Star Holsteins, Barton, VT

Junior Show
Grand Champion: REW Livitup-ET (Oseeana Astronomical), 1st 3-year-old, Andy Birch, Derby VT
Junior Champion: Cowtown Skychief Graceful-ET (1st Fall Calf)
Henry Delabruere
Reserve Junior Champion: Lylehaven Advent Calico- ET (2nd Fall Calf)
Ricky Hall, East Montepelier, VT

Senior Fitting and Showmanship: Andy Birch, Derby, VT
Junior Fitting and Showmanship: Ben Barrett, Sutton, VT

Champions of the Northeast Kingdom from left: Judge Seth Johnson, Cy Nelson with Grand Champion, Dan LaCoss with Reserve Grand Champion and Tyler Patenaude with Junior Champion.

Junior Showman Ben Barrett.

Showmanship Winner Andy Birch (and also Grand Champion of Junior Show) with Lindy Birch and Judge Johnson.

I headed out to the Great New York State Fair again on Saturday to get a glimpse of the color breeds this time!

The Ayrshire Champion line-up: Grand Champion would go to the first cow – Covey Farms Wilton Libby, a Jr. 3-Year-Old owned by Doug Evans and Reserve went to the next cow in – Lincolnshire Birdy, the Aged Cow from Lincolnshire Farm.

The line-up begins for Junior Champion of the Guernsey show. Here is the 1st & 2nd Spring calves and 1st Winter Calf. In order, they are: Trotacre Hunter Sticky Vicky, owned by Hadley Palmerton; Welcome Silverado Abby, The Foote Family; and Ripley Farms R Coni Nani-ET, Morey Miller.

A jubuliant Dick Whalen celebrates after Maplehurst Skpr Aura Lee is named Junior Champion, Lee is owned by Whalens, Morey Miller and Frank Faria and was purchased at the National Convention Sale in June.

The Intermediate Champion – Millborne Tiller Blair, 1st  Jr. 3-Year-Old

Tillers ruled the day! Here are the Senor & Res. Senior Champions: Guernsey Dell Tiller Heart and Millborne Tiller Fancy – both Tiller daughters, both 4-Year-olds, and both exhibited by Morey Miller!

Grand Champion was the 4-Year-Old, Guernsey Dell Tiller Heart with Morey Miller on the halter and Reserve Grand was also owned by Morey, Millborne Tiller Blair, shown by Tim Coon. Brad Cates served as the official judge and Elizabeth Trombley is the NY State Guernsey Queen.

I was unable to make it back for the Brown Swiss and Jersey shows on Sunday, so I took some pictures in the stalls.

What do you know, the first Swiss I pictured went on to be Grand Champion! Dublin Hills Treats – the 1st 4-Year-Old for Elite Dairy, Peter Vail & Ken Main, Copake, NY.

Also in the Elite Dairy line-up was the high seller of the National Brown Swiss Convention Sale at $43,000 – Round Hill Prm Lil Fern. She would go on to be Intermediate Champion & Res. grand Champion the next day.

The eventual 1st Jersey Aged Cow – Bri-Lin Ren Sadoe, owned by Ken Beneke.

Cooper Farm’s string

The line-up for the Luchsinger Family.

Lincolnshire Farm’s string after the show, milking out the Reserve Grand Champion.