The Dodge County Holstein Breeders, in coordination with the Wisconsin Holstein Association, hosted the annual Adult Holstein Convention at the Best Western Inn in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, Feb. 18-19. More than 150 Holstein breeders from across the state were in attendance for national and state annual meetings and to recognize outstanding accomplishments for 2010.

Following the Holstein Association USA Region 5 meeting on Friday afternoon, breeders attended dinner at the Best Western. Recognized were the 2010 Wisconsin Top Performer cows that included animals owned by Tom Kestell of Waldo, Wisconsin, in five categories, Steve and Amanda Killian of Blair, Wisconsin; Synergy Dairy of Pulaski, Wisconsin; and Jerry and Brenda Yager of Highland, Wisconsin. Receiving the overall Top Performer was Synergy Dairy with their cow Glo-Crest Seps LucyLou-Red, with more than 51,000 pounds of milk. Also recognized were owners of cows that have produced 300,000 and 400,000 pounds of lifetime milk.

Friday evening concluded with the second annual Wisconsin Convention Futures Sale, sponsored by Wisconsin Holstein’s Young Adult Committee. The sale averaged $5,568 on 37 Lots that included choices from some of the area’s most prominent cow families. Animals sold to eight different states, including Wolfe Island, Ontario. High seller at $20,000 was Lot 2, consigned by Lloyd and Floyd Bauman and Fred Lang of Marathon, Wisconsin, and purchased by Edgewood Dairy of Custer, Wisconsin. This pick from Ralma Baxter Cherrio-ET included a live Atwood female with contracts to several A.I. organizations, or buyer’s choice of Tom, Bookem or Shamrock females. Second high seller was Lot 1 from Jeff Rugg of Stevens Point, Wisconsin, at $16,000. This pick was purchased by Golden Oaks Farm of Wauconda, Illinois, and includes a pick of three Observer females due March 2011 from Ralma Goldwyn Carmel-ET, one of the highest contracted cows in the breed. Rounding out the top three was Lot 21 at $13,500, which was a choice consigned by Mark Paul of Luxmburg, Wisconsin, and purchased by Steve and Amanda Killian of Blair, Wisconsin.

On Saturday morning the annual WHA business meeting was held, and included committee reports from board members who head the various WHA committees and a report on the financial status of the association. Three new board members were welcomed to the WHA Board of Directors: Dan Cnossen of Eland, Wisconsin; Kent Wendorf of Viroqua, Wisconsin; and Chad Ryan of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Kelli Cull was also re-elected. Those who did not attend the business meeting were able to tour a local flower and gift shop on the spouses outing.

Following the annual meeting, 40-year and 50-year members and Wall of Fame inductees were honored. This year’s Wall of Fame inductees were Elmer Woelffer, the cow Crescentmead Rotate Amanda, and the bull Harborcrest Happy Crusader. The afternoon was highlighted by farm tours to Car-Bon Farm and the Carl and Bonnie Werner family, Vande Holsteins and the Bruce and Val Vande Zande family, as well as TomLu Holsteins and the Tom and LuAnn Bunkoske family.

Honored at the Saturday evening banquet was this year’s Young Distinguished Breeder, Distinguished Service, and Distinguished Breeder award winners. This year’s Young Distinguished Breeders were Chris and Kathie McCullough of Juda, Wisconsin. Honored with Distinguished Service recognition was Ben Brancel of Endeavor, Wisconsin. Receiving the prestigious Distinguished Breeder honors were Joe and Chris Brantmeier of Sherwood, Wisconsin.

The WHA Board of Directors met at the conclusion of the convention to elect officers for the upcoming year. Leading the way for 2011 are President Corey Geiger of Mukwanago, Wisconsin; Vice President Todd Stanek of Fall Creek, Wisconsin; and Secretary Angela Brown of Dodgeville, Wisconsin; with Matt Lippert of Pittsville Wisconsin, and Marci Walker of Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, serving as Executive Committee members. PD

—From Wisconsin Holstein Association news release