Junior Breeders Recognized for Their Outstanding Registered Holsteins

^{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.}

Junior members from around the country who bred and own exceptional Holstein cattle have recently been honored by Holstein Association USA. The awards, based on both conformation and milk production, are designed to reward and encourage Junior members to continue their excellent Registered Holstein^® breeding programs. All eligible cows are automatically screened for these awards on an annual basis.

National Junior Star Performer Award

The National Star Performer Award recognizes well-rounded Holstein cows with exceptional milk and component production, as well as admirable classification scores. The cow must be bred and still currently owned by their Junior Holstein breeder; have an RHA of at least 87 percent; be enrolled in Holstein Association USA's TriStar ^SM production records program; have a 305-day or less lactation completed in the last calendar year of at least 25,000 pounds milk; and be classified Very Good-85 or higher. Once the eligible cows are determined, they are ranked based on a formula: (Combined ME Fat and Protein + Age Adjusted Classification Score) x (Breed Average ME CFP/Breed Average Age Adjusted Score). Annually, ten cows are recognized with this honor, with the highest-ranking cow being designated as the National Junior Star Performer.

The 2021 National Junior Star Performer is SHOW-MAR STAR 1436 owned by Wesley Brantner of PA. Star is classified Excellent-90, and has a 305-day production record of 52,150 pounds of milk, with 2,084 pounds of fat and 1,604 pounds of protein.

Continuing, the top 10 winners of this esteemed award for 2021 are:

2nd place: SHOW-MAR RIE 1424, owned by Wesley Brantner, PA

3rd place: RYAN-VU DOORMAN MAITI-ET, owned by Dylan & Cameron Ryan, WI

4th place: RUMMAGE ATWOOD STARLIGHT, owned by Ryleigh Rummage, TN

5th place: MEIER-MEADOWS DOR CHARLOTTE, owned by Magen Busker, IL

6th place: SHOW-MAR DIAMONDBACK ROSE, owned by Wesley Brantner, PA

7th place: J-FOLTS BYWAY LENORE, owned by J. Isaac Folts, NY

8th place: NOR-BERT FEDEX ALEXIS, owned by Dalton, Dillon, & Breanne Freeman, IN

9th place: MEIER-MEADOWS DECEIVER GEM, owned by Rachel Busker, IL

10th place: SHOW-MAR CRUSH EVERYONE, owned by Wesley Brantner, PA

National Cream of the Crop Award

The National Cream of the Crop Award recognizes the top 75 Junior-owned Registered Holstein cows that have produced the highest combined pounds of fat and protein during a 305-day lactation. To be eligible for this award, cows must meet the following criteria: be owned by a current Holstein Association USA Junior member; have an RHA of at least 87%; be enrolled in the TriStar production records program; and have a 305-day or less record of over 30,000 pounds of milk completed during the calendar year. The entire lactation must be completed while the animal is under youth ownership. Once the pool of eligible cows is determined, cows are ranked on total pounds of fat and protein produced during the lactation.

First place in the 2021 Cream of the Crop award is SHOW-MAR KAY 1364-ET owned by Wesley Brantner of Pennsylvania.

Rounding out the top 10 Cream of the Crop winners for 2021 are:

2nd place: HILL-OVER AIRLIFT BUENO, owned by Alexander Burleigh, PA

3rd place: EK-STJ BRILLIANT-RED-ET, owned by Alexander Burleigh, PA

4th place: BRITE-SIDE ATWOOD BANNER-ET, owned by Abigal Busker, IL

5th place:, LYN-VALE RAINY DAY-RED-ET, owned by Brianne Vandoske & Austin Radue, WI

6th place: SHOW-MAR KRACKLE 1400-RED, owned by Wesley Brantner, PA

7th place: NOR-BERT MERIDIAN MAKALA, owned by Dalton, Dillon, & Breanne Freeman, IN

8th place: SHOW-MAR RIE 1424, owned by Wesley Brantner, PA

9th place: SHOW-MAR SKY 1406 , owned by Dylan Brantner, PA

10th place: JEFFREY-WAY DENVER THADDEA owned by Brianne, Brooklyn, & Reid Vandoske, WI

Additional Junior Cow Awards

Other recognition Holstein Association USA Junior members can achieve include the National Junior Breeder of an Excellent Cow Award, which was awarded to 194 cows this year, and the National Junior Breeder of a Multiple "E" Cow Award, which 46 cows owned by junior members achieved.

The National Junior 200,000 Pound Lifetime Production Award was given to 11 different cows and their owners. An impressive 62 cows owned by junior members achieved requirements to win the 150,000 Pound Lifetime Production Award.

Congratulations to all the Junior members who received recognition for their outstanding Registered Holsteins. Find complete lists of all Junior award honorees at https://www.holsteinusa.com/juniors/index.jsp, under Junior Awards-Cows in the main menu.