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 award is divided into three herd size divisions, based on the number of cows included in the herds’ milk production averages. The divisions are: 10 to 99 cows; 100 to 499 cows; and 500+ cows. To be recognized as a Herd of Excellence, a herd must have classified within the last year, and have an age-adjusted average classification score (AACS) 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

This year’s honorees are:

Small Herd Size Division (10-99 Cows)

B-Long Holsteins — Bruce, Brenda & Bret Long, New London, Wis.

100% homebred; AACS — 87.3 points

ME Production Averages — 34,936M 1,364F 1,093P

Ever-Green-View Holsteins, LLC — The Kestell Family, Waldo, Wis.

95.7% homebred; AACS — 89.1 points

ME Production Averages — 41,171M 1,673F 1,264P

Hill-Ton Holsteins — The Hamilton Family, Cuba City, Wis.

95% homebred; AACS — 86.8 points

ME Production Averages — 37,164M 1,386F 1,135P

Show-Mar Holsteins — The Brantner Family, Evans City, Pa.

100% homebred; AACS — 89.4 points

ME Production Averages — 36,453M 1,404F 1,100P

Medium Herd Size Division (100-499 Cows)

Hilrose Holsteins — Joseph A. Brantmeier, Sherwood, Wis.

100% homebred; AACS — 89.1 points

ME Production Averages — 34,384M 1,376F 1,039P

Koepke Farms Inc. — The Koepke Family, Oconomowoc, Wis.

100% homebred; AACS — 85.3 points

ME Production Averages — 34,501M 1,386F 1,016P

Koester Dairy Inc. — The Koester Family, Dakota, Ill.

98.3% homebred; AACS — 85.1 points

ME Production Averages — 33,685M 1,351F 1,061P

Large Herd Size Division (500+ Cows)

Dinomi Holsteins — The Migliazzo Family, Atwater, Calif.

97.2% homebred; AACS — 83.0 points

ME Production Averages — 33,302M 1,267F 1,071P

Siemers Holstein Farms Inc. — The Siemers Family, Newton, Wis.

98.7% homebred; AACS — 85.0 points

ME Production Averages — 36,882M 1,472F 1,120P

Profiles of these impressive herds can be found in the Spring 2021 issue of The Pulse, available at www.holsteinusa.com under the Latest News tab.