The Canadian Red & White Club hosted the 2012 National Red & White Convention, “Me & You @ Rendezvous II,” Aug. 13-16 in Listowel, Ontario. The annual Red & White Dairy Cattle Association (RWDCA) directors meeting was held Monday. On Tuesday, attendees toured several farms to see elite dairy herds with Red & White cattle tracing back to well-known bloodlines.
The first stop was Bombur Farms, the home of many daughters by Rosebett Red Licorice-ET. This farm is also home to the cover girls of a recent issue of RWDCA's magazine, The Red Bloodlines .
The next stop was Sauder Holme Holsteins, a family-oriented farm with many VG and EX Red & Whites. Last but not least was Fradon Holsteins, stationed high upon a hill. Fradon Holsteins is home to the elite Jodie cow family, along with many red and red carrier decedents.
After the farm tours, members visited downtown St. Jacobs for shopping, followed by dinner for all members at Anna Mae’s.
The third day was the annual National Red & White Convention Sale, managed by David Carson Farms & Auctions. The sale consisted of 92 lots, which averaged $2,078. There were about 150 buyers and spectators at the sale.
High seller honors went to a Rose Royce daughter, who also was the first place summer yearling at the Ontario Summer Show in 2011, lot 112 selling for $10,000. Second highest seller was lot 72, Lenslake Contender Matilda-Red VG-85, selling for $5,200. The third highest seller of the day went to Westport Robo Suzanne-Red VG-88, selling for $4,700 and sold as lot 22.
Following the sale, 120 members convened for the Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet at Listowel Agricultural Hall.
The awards ceremony began by honoring those who have been members for 25-plus years.
John Gillies of Ontario was awarded the Larry Moore Master Breeder Award and Richard Hurtgen of Oregon received the J.P. “Doc” Ostrander Young Breeder Award. Kelsey Crull of Wisconsin received the Junior Breeder Award.
The Don Albrecht Distinguished Service Award was received by Stephanie Stout of Wisconsin and Elmer Howe of Minnesota. Brian and Sue Crull of Wisconsin were awarded the Gary Mayhew Keystone Award.
The 2012 essay winners for the junior division were Cole Booth, Wisconsin; Lane Kummer, Pennsylvania; and Morgan Marotz, Nebraska. The intermediate division consisted of Kati Kindschuh, Wisconsin; Taylor Jirousek, Minnesota; and Carly Sherwood, Pennsylvania. In the senior division the winners were Corbin Wood, Pennsylvania; Morgan Lundy, Wisconsin; and Jordan Rassler, Pennsylvania.
The Albrecht Memorial Scholarships were awarded to Laura Emerson, Delaware; Morgan Lundy, Wisconsin; and Rose Morian, Pennsylvania.
All-American, Junior All-American and Superior Type Awards were presented to their recipients by past Red & White Queen Laura Emerson.
Colleen Ziller of Illinois was crowned the 2012 National Red & White Queen.
Retiring board members were thanked for their hard work and leadership: Mary Etta Lenkaitis, Illinois; Kimberly Morrill, New York; and Tim Baumgartner, California.
New RWDCA board of directors members are Yvonne Preder Plymoth, Wisconsin; Gary Janssen, Illinois; and Sam Appleby, Manitoba. New board officers include President Jake Skinner, Pennsylvania; Vice-President Mike Brown, Utah; Secretary Kim Olson, Minnesota; and Treasurer Yvonne Preder, Wisconsin.
Stephanie Stout was promoted to manager of the RWDCA and is the new executive secretary. The association is currently looking to fill an assistant manager position.
A live auction of donated items followed the awards banquet. Proceeds benefitted the RWDCA’s Junior Programs, the 2012 Convention and the 50th Convention.
The Scholarship Calf Raffle winner was drawn at the beginning of the live auction. The winner was Steve Dolson of Legacy Holsteins in Atwood, Ontario. Dana Erway donated the raffle calf, Del-Hollow Demlo Laurie-Red.
Next year’s convention will be held in Dunkirk, New York, Aug. 13-15. PD
PHOTOS
TOP RIGHT: 2012 Red & White Queen Colleen Ziller (left) and 2011 Queen Laura Emerson (right).
MIDDLE RIGHT: 25-year members, left to right: John Schmitz (presenter), Darren J. Carlstrom, Dana Erway and Kim Olson (presenter).
BOTTOM RIGHT: Brian and Sue Crull receiving the Gary Mayhew Keystone Award, pictured with Queen Ziller. Photos courtesy of Red & White Dairy Cattle Association.
