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Roger and Floyd Marti and Jill and Brian Nelson of Olmar Farms in Sleepy Eye, Minn. were presented the 2017 Elite Breeder Award during the 2017 National Holstein Convention in Belleuve, Wash. Now in its third generation of family ownership, the Marti family has built a foundation herd breeding and developing superior Registered Holsteins® with an emphasis on the strength of cow families.

Olmar Farms was established in 1944, by Oliver and Verla Marti with the purchase of nine Registered Holsteins as foundation cows from breeders in North and South Dakota. They instilled an appreciation for the Registered Holstein business and dairy farming in their sons, Roger and Floyd, who joined the operation in 1976. In 2002, Roger’s daughter Jill, her husband Brian, and their children Isaac, 17, and Joshua, 16, moved home.

back (l-r): Isaac and Brian Nelson, Roger Marti, John M. Meyer, Gordie Cook, Boyd Schaufleberger; front: Joshua and Jill Nelson, Marsha and Cheryl Marti.

“It is our goal to breed beautiful, balanced, profitable cows. Profitability is not measured in one lactation. At Olmar Farms we have always held on to the belief that if one cow can score Excellent and produce over 30,000 pounds of milk or 1,100 pounds of fat and last several lactations, then why can’t an entire herd. We pride ourselves in having a cow for anyone. It is because each generation has been working toward the same goal for 72 years that our herd has become known as a place to buy animals with confidence,” comments Jill.

The Olmar herd has a rolling herd average of 26,063 pounds of milk, 976 pounds of fat, and 822 pounds of protein. The family maintains a legacy of well-rounded breeding, that hasn’t wavered, with attention to three areas: high type, high production and longevity.

Olmar’s current BAA is 109.2 on 142 cows. Over time, 233 cows bearing the Olmar prefix classified Excellent, with one at EX-95 and nine more at EX-94. A true breeder herd, Olmar cattle transmit their desirable qualities on to the next generation. To date, 33 Dams of Merit, 61 Gold Medal Dams and one Gold Medal Sire carry the farm’s prefix.

Olmar excels at maintaining a balanced performance, being recognized on the Progressive Breeders’ Registry for 47 consecutive years. The herd is also known for cattle with outstanding genetic value as a 24-year Progressive Genetics Herd. Olmar Farms sent over 40 bulls into A.I. in the United States and internationally.

The Marti family gives their time freely to numerous organizations. Jill served nine years on the Minnesota Holstein Board and 25 years as a 4-H leader and dairy judging coach. Brian currently serves on the local school board and county dairy board. “Not only can a farm have an influence with their genetics, but also how they give back to the industry. Olmar Farms has a priority with not only taking care of our cows but giving back to the community and industry,” states Jill.

For more information about Holstein Association USA annual awards, including applications, visit www.holsteinusa.com/awards/individuals.html or contact Ashley Mohn at 800.952.5200, ext. 4128 or by email, amohn@holstein.com.

Holstein Association USA, Inc., www.holsteinusa.com, provides products and services to dairy producers to enhance genetics and improve profitability–ranging from registry processing to identification programs to consulting services. The Association, headquartered in Brattleboro, Vt., maintains the records for Registered Holsteins® and represents approximately 30,000 members throughout the United States.