The Lee Robey family of Logan County won the Kentucky Dairy Production Award, and the Tommy Howard family of Fleming County earned the 2011 Kentucky Dairy Quality Award. The Howard and Robey farms were among those honored during the annual Dairy Recognition Dinner Aug. 19 at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville.
The Kentucky Dairy Quality Award is judged on industry quality standards and farm inspections. The Howard farm received a monetary award and a farm-gate sign. Other finalists were the Glenn Diller family of Lincoln County and the Isaac Shirk family of Casey County.
The Robey farm took top prize in the Kentucky Dairy Production Award – All Herds competition with a rolling herd average of more than 27,000 pounds. Top Herd Production – Mixed Herd was won by the University of Kentucky Coldstream Dairy managed by Joey Clark. The Proficient Dairy Producer Award was won by the Darrell Horst family of Lincoln County. The Proficiency Award is given on the basis of several factors as recorded by the Dairy Herd Improvement Association.
District winners for the production award were Howard Yoder, Christian County; David Yoder, Todd County; Brian Peden, Barren County; Fowler Branstetter Farm, Metcalfe County; David Corbin, Taylor County; Steve Young, Clinton County; Nathan Horst, Lincoln County; UK Coldstream Farm, Fayette County; Allison Farm, Mason County; Eddie Klingenfus, Shelby County; Tri-Mast Dairy, Marion County; and Longview Farms, Grayson County. The production awards were sponsored by the Kentucky Dairy Development Council and Kentucky Farm Bureau.
The third annual Kentucky Quality Milk Hauler Award went to Fredrick Mayfield of Somerset. Nominees were evaluated on activities that have contributed to the quality of their work and the positive image that they portray for the dairy industry.
The outstanding Kentucky dairy products exhibitor at the Kentucky State Fair was Bluegrass Dairy and Food of Glasgow. The outstanding overall exhibitor was Winchester Farms Dairy.
The Milk Safety Branch presented Outstanding Dairy Producer Awards to Richard Turner of Barren County and Jimmy Wright of Logan County. Community service awards went to Turner Dairy, Fulton; Winchester Farms Dairy; and Trauth Dairy, Newport.
Retired milk hauler Ansel Hale of Casey County was recognized for more than 32 years of service. Special recognition was presented to Karen Sloat of Rockcastle County in memory of Randall Caudill.
The Dairy Promotion Award went to retired dairy producer George Purcell of Jackson County. The Culinary Award went to Lynn Rupley of Louisville. Dairy service awards were presented to Billy Joe Williams of Bluegrass Dairy and Food, Glasgow, and Alfa Laval of Wisconsin. PD
—From Kentucky Department of Agriculture news release
