BRATTLEBORO, Vt. – 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.
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