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.

The National Brown Swiss Convention was held in conjunction with the Ayrshire Association in Buffalo, New York, July 2-5, 2019. The convention had a great turn out with 202 of breeders in attendance, 22 states represented, and 2 countries present. The attendees of the National Convention enjoyed farm and winery tours, spectacular views of Niagara Falls, and the company of fellow breeders and enthusiasts!
New Board of Directors (Left to Right: Center: Executive Secretary Norman C. Magnussen, starting clockwise: Joy Widerman, Brian Pacheco, Brian Lammers, Marc Wailes, Dan Rieder, Jeff True, President Richard Sparrow, and Phil Heck. *Note: Dennis Worden and Roger Read were not present)
President Richard Sparrow outlined the important topics discussed at the Board meeting. Inter-breed cooperation will be essential going forward in the everchanging dairy industry. We will be reaching out to others for ideas and discussion on these goals. Executive Secretary, Norman Magnussen, stressed the importance of data exchange between breeders, testing associations, CDCB, A.I. companies and the Association. Data in is data out.

Outgoing Directors, Jeff Kennedy, PA and Carol Regusci, CA were honored for their 6 years of service on the Board. New directors Joy Widerman, PA, and Brian Pacheco, CA, were elected for a 3-year term.

One of the highlights of Convention was the Individual Herd and Production Awards. A total of 13 different breeders were presented with these honors. The number of young cows receiving the individual awards were very impressive to go along with the tremendous lifetime production awards! The Brown Swiss Association presented the following awards to:

2018 Living Lifetime Cow Award – ECM (Energy Corrected Milk)

  • Kevin Michalovich, Lakeville, OH

J.P. Eves Trophy

  • Tanner Mashek, Calmar, IA

H.R. Searles Trophy

  • Dennis Mashek, Calmar, IA

Protein Award

  • Dalton Freeman, Bremen, IN

Top ECM Award

  • Dalton Freeman, Bremen, IN

White Cloud Award

  • Dennis Maskek, Calmar, IA

Vernon C. Hull Total Performance Award

  • Voegeli Farm, Inc. & City Slickers, LLC, Monticello, WI

Cow For All Seasons

  • Voegeli Farm, Inc. & City Slickers, LLC, Monticello, WI

Ira Inman PTPR Trophies

  • Larry & Jennifer Meyer, Chilton, WI
  • Nor-Bert Farms, LTD, Bremen, IN
  • Cozy Nook Farm, Waukesha, WI
  • Hills Valley Farm, LLC, Cattaraugus, NY

Progress Genetic Herd Awards

  • Meadow Brook Farms, Manitowoc, WI
  • Loehr Dairy LLC, Mt. Calvary, WI
  • Cozy Nook Farm, Waukesha, WI
  • Double W Farm Dairy, Holyoke, CO

Protein Genetic Herd Awards

  • Travis Kamper, Riverdale, CA
  • Loehr Dairy LLC, Mt. Calvary, WI
  • Cozy Nook Farm, Waukesha, WI
  • Roger & Lori Read & Family, Lyle, MN

The Brown Swiss Association has always emphasized the youth programs. The youth programs are funded by proceeds from the Fun and Silent Auction. We are happy to announce $12,267 was raised at this year’s National Convention. The Junior awards that were presented are as follows:

Bell Ringer Winners

Production and Cheese Yield Award Winner

  • Dalton Freeman, Bremen, IN

Youth Achievement Winner

  • Sarah Lehner, Delaware, OH

Jr. Youth Achievement Winner

National

  • Brianna Meyer, Chilton, WI

Reserve

  • Carter Settles, Clayton, IN

Scholarships

Brown Swiss Association ($1,000 each)

  • Kendra Waldenberger, Spring Grove, MN
  • Eleanor Harrison, Aldie, VA

Howard Voegeli Memorial ($500)

  • Hannah Rhoades, Greenville, OH

Peter & Lynn Vail ($500)

  1. Ryland Nierman, Brownstown, IN

Progressive Brown Swiss Sires ($500)

  • Lauren Almasy, Hubbard, OH

Joseph Miller Memorial ($500)

  • Kiley Henn, Deerfield, WI
2019-2020 National Brown Swiss Ambassadors, Sarah Lehner and Alternate Kaylen Miller.
Brown Swiss Ambassadors

National

Sarah Lehner, Delaware, OH

Alternate

Kaylen Miller, Orangeville, IL

The New York National Brown Swiss Sale was held at the Erie County Fairgrounds in Hamburg, NY. There were 55 lots that averaged $4,573 with the high seller, Cutting Edge D Daria, selling for $13,000! Registered Brown Swiss continue to be in high demand!

People left Convention with an optimistic point of view for the Brown Swiss breed going forward.