Achieving Perfection: Holstein Association USA’s 2017 Herds Of Excellence

The information below has been supplied by dairy marketers and other industry organizations. It has not been edited, verified or endorsed by Hoard’s Dairyman.

Seventeen Registered Holstein® breeders have earned the distinction of 2017 Herd of Excellence by Holstein Association USA. There are three herd size divisions, 10-99 cows, 100-499 cows, and 500+ cows. Each division is based on the number of cows included in Mature Equivalent (ME) production averages for each herd.

The announcement of the Herd of Excellence recipients is an annual tradition. Since its beginning in 2008, the Herd of Excellence honor has become one of the most coveted Holstein Association USA awards. The Herd of Excellence designation honors Registered Holstein breeders who have developed Holstein herds that excel in both production and type.

To be recognized with this accolade, herds must have classified within the last year and have an age-adjusted average classification score of 83 points or higher; have at least 70 percent of the herd homebred; and be enrolled in the Association's TriStarSM production records program. Additionally, qualifying herds must meet the following production criteria:

· 10 to 99 cows - 25 percent above breed average ME for milk, fat and protein
· 100 to 499 cows - 20 percent above breed average ME for milk, fat and protein
· 500+ cows - 15 percent above breed average ME for milk, fat and protein

Of the 17 herds, eight are first-year recipients. B-Long Holsteins, New London, Wis. has received the award seven years and Ever-Green-View Farms, Waldo, Wis is an eight-year recipient.

This year’s honorees are:
500+ herd size division:

The Zwald Family, Bomaz Inc., Hammond, Wis.
ME Production Averages – 32,168M 1,223F 1,036P
Bradley Cates, Co-Vale Holsteins, Preble, N.Y.
ME Production Averages – 31,849M 1,233F 997P
The Migliazzo Family, Dinomi Holsteins, Atwater, Calif.
ME Production Averages – 37,473M 1,396F 1,194P
The Agresti Family, Double D Dairy, Ceres, Calif.
ME Production Averages – 32,761M 1,210F 1,008P
The Schloneger Family, Legacy Farm LLC, Shell Lake, Wis.
ME Production Averages – 32,084M 1,316F 1,054P
The Siemers Family, Siemers Holstein Farm, Inc., Newton, Wis.
ME Production Averages – 36,359M 1,373F 1,075P

100 to 499 herd size division:

The Koepke Family, Koepke Farms Inc., Oconomowoc, Wis.
ME Production Averages – 35,448M 1,476F 1,062P
The Koester Family, Koester Dairy Inc., Dakota, Ill.
ME Production Averages – 35,254M 1,390F 1,117P
Benjamin F. & Carolyn A. Turner, Maplelane-Manor Farm, Apulia Station, N.Y.
ME Production Averages - 33,190M 1,347F 1,081P
Gerald & Kevin Ihm, True-Blue Holsteins, Barneveld, Wis.
ME Production Averages – 32,794M 1,251F 1,008P

10 to 99 herd size division:

S. Scott & April D. Cooper, Appealing Holsteins, Delta, Pa.
ME Production Averages – 38,374M 1,467F 1,127P
George Malkemus & Anthony Yurgaitis, Arethusa Farm LLC, Litchfield, Conn.
ME Production Averages – 34,988M 1,443F 1,066P
Bruce, Brenda & Bret Long, B-Long Holsteins, New London, Wis.
ME Production Averages – 37,665M 1,330F 1,153P
Daniel L. Vandertie, Doorco Holsteins, Brussels, Wis.
ME Production Averages – 34,194M 1,322F 1,042P
Thomas J. Kestell, Ever-Green-View Holsteins, LLC, Waldo, Wis.
ME Production Averages – 41,247M 1,557F 1,242P
Grafton County Farm, Grafco Holsteins, North Haverhill, N.H.
ME Production Averages – 35,483M 1,392F 1,086P
Daryl & Pam Nunes, Ocean View Genetics, Deerfield, Wis.
ME Production Averages – 36,969M 1,400F 1,062P

These Holstein breeders are acknowledged for having mastered the art of breeding balanced cattle – exceptional conformation paired with high production. Congratulations to the 2017 Herd of Excellence honorees.

The awards will be presented during Holstein Association USA’s 133rd Annual Meeting in Acme, Michigan.

Read more about these remarkable herds in the Spring 2018 issue of The Pulse. Select pages of The Pulse are available online at www.holsteinusa.com under the Latest News tab, then click The Pulse.