Holstein Association USA Recognizes Outstanding Members at Banquet
Three Holstein Association USA members were recognized during the National Holstein Convention annual banquet last week for their outstanding contributions to Holstein Association USA and the Holstein breed as a whole.
Distinguished Young Holstein Breeder
Brad Groves of Groves-View Dairy in Billings, Mo. was honored as the 2011 Distinguished Young Holstein Breeder. This award is given annually to a Holstein Association USA member or partnership between the ages of 21 and 40, to recognize the significant accomplishments of young Registered Holstein breeders, and their commitment to preserving the dairy industry and achieving excellence in their daily lives. In addition to an award plaque, the winner receives paid travel and lodging expenses to the National Holstein Convention and a $2,000 cash award.
Groves has taken a lifelong interest in genetics and worked to breed the best herd of Registered Holstein cattle that he can. Today he and his family are milking 160 cows twice a day. Their ME production averages last year were 34,250 pounds of milk, 1,272 pounds of fat and 1,037 pounds of protein. They classify regularly and have a 107.9 percent BAA, with 18 Excellent, 54 Very Good and 45 Good Plus cattle on their last classification. The Groves-View herd is enrolled in Holstein COMPLETESM and use EASY IDSM with custom ear tags for registration. Brad says, "Registered Holsteins have had a huge financial benefit for us. It doesn't matter what the milk price is, type sells." They have marketed embryos to foreign countries and across the U.S.
Brad and his wife, Gail, have two children, Taylor, age 12, and Kiera, age 10. He volunteers several groups, including serving as secretary/treasurer for his county DHIA for over 10 years. Groves is involved with planning the 2012 National Holstein Convention and was recently named to the Genetic Advancement board for KABA/Select Sires.
Elite Breeder
Frank Raymond Ruby, of Fir-Ridge Holsteins in Scio, Ore., was recognized as Holstein Association USA's 2011 Elite Breeder. The Elite Breeder honor is given annually to a Holstein Association USA member who has bred quality Holstein cattle and made notable contributions to the breed and Association.
Ray passed away in March 2010, but his legacy lives on through his family, wife Ida, children Scott and Michele, and three grandchildren; and the sound breeding program he dedicated his life to. He bred over 100 Excellent cows in his lifetime and over 500 cows scored Very Good. Ruby's herd also excelled in milk production, with over 1,200 cows carrying the Fir-Ridge prefix achieving over 100,000 pounds of lifetime milk, 88 of which went on to make over 200,000 pounds. The herd received Holstein Association USA's Progressive Genetics HerdSM distinction numerous times. Ray's love for the breed was evident, as he expressed in the following statement, made when he was running for the Holstein Association USA board of directors in 1996, "Whether I was milking 20 cows or the 600 cows and 600 young Registered Holsteins that my family and I currently operate, it has always been a very interesting and rewarding experience to be part of the ever-progressive Holstein breed."
Numerous organizations benefitted from Ray's involvement through the years. He was a longtime active member of the Oregon Holstein Association and Holstein Association USA, and served two terms on the national board of directors from 1996 to 2003. He was involved as a director for the Farmers' Cooperative Creamery, the Oregon Dairy Farmers Association and his county DHIA. Additionally, he served his community on the Scio School Board for several years, and was a member of the Lions Club.
Distinguished Leadership Award
Charles Iager of Fulton, Md., was announced as the 2011 Distinguished Leadership Award recipient. This award is given annually to an individual who has provided outstanding and unselfish leadership to the Holstein Association or dairy industry as a whole.
Iager's Maple Lawn Farms has been in the family since 1939. Passed down through the years, they now have 350 Registered Holsteins and 1,000 acres of crops, along with a rapidly growing fresh retail turkey operation. He and his wife Judy have been married for 46 years, working tirelessly for the causes they're involved with. They have three sons, Mike, Matt and Mark, and seven grandchildren.
Charles has been a member of Holstein Association USA for 48 years, and a longtime active member of the Maryland Holstein Association, holding several officer and committee positions, including chairing the Scholarship Committee for over 20 years. Iager has always been a strong supporter of youth programs, giving his time as a 4-H and youth leader, and financially through scholarships and sponsorships of youth programs through the Holstein Foundation, National Dairy Shrine, University of Maryland and the Maryland 4-H Foundation. Charles and Judy most recently served as Honorary Co-Chairs of the Holstein Foundation's Dairy Leaders for Tomorrow campaign, giving a pacesetting Chairman's Level gift and successfully spearheading many fundraising efforts. Preserving Maryland's dairy history for future generations is also very important to Charlie, and he has been integral in supporting the Maryland Dairy Shrine.
Aside from the Holstein business, Charles has served on the Maryland Dairy Industry Association board of directors, the Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative District Leadership Committee, is an Alpha Gamma Rho Alumni board member, a member of Farm Bureau and the Howard County Fair Association. He has been recognized by numerous organizations with leadership and service awards for his dedication and selflessness.
See the Summer 2011 issue of the Holstein Pulse for more extensive coverage of Holstein Association USA awards. For more information about annual awards, including applications, visit www.holsteinusa.com/awards/individuals.html or contact Lindsey Worden at 800.952.5200, ext. 4096 or lworden@holstein.com.
06.30.2011