Have you Herd?

“Have you Herd?” is our new briefs section that includes member news, high scoring cows, and general good things being done by our membership. If you would like something included, please email marab@wisholsteins.com.

Announcements

New EX-97!

Clayton and Becky Wohlk welcomed Walter Christ on August 1. Carrie (Warmka) and Marcus Feucht welcomed Kendra Ann on July 6. She weighed 7 pounds, 6 ounces and measured 21 inches long.

Audrey Ann was born to Sarah and Aaron Schmitz on June 17 weighing 8 pounds, 12 ounces and measuring 21.5 inches long. She joins big brother Tanner.

Graisson and Mandy Schmidt welcomed Oliviana Jody on June 1. She weighed 7 pounds, 13 ounces and measured 20 inches long. Blondin Goldwyn Subliminal-ETS is the breed’s newest 97-point cow! She resides at Budjon Farms in Lomira and is owend by Budjon Farms and Peter and Lyn Vail. At 12 years of age Subliminal has competed at a high level in the showring and has made nearly 300,000 pounds of milk.

Brandon and Samantha Klein welcomed Emmett Joseph on May 17 and he joins big brothers and sister Liam, Tucker, and Ivy. Dominic Patrick was born to Courtney and Patrick Crave on May 4, weighing 8 pounds, 8 ounces and measuring 21.5 inches long. Laura and Kyle Demmer welcomed Jamison Richard on April 23. He weighed 8 pounds, 6 ounces and measured 21.5 inches long. Andrew Greenfield married Emily LaPolla on May 1. The couple resides in Port Deposit, Maryland. Crystal Siemers-Peterman and Ean Sinn were married on July 30. Congratulations to the newlyweds!

New EX-95!

Jeffrey-Way Tanawood is now EX-95 for the Hendrickson family of Belleville! At 9-07 she’s in her seventh lactation and has made 250,000 pounds of milk. The Jeffrey-Way herd boasts an impressive herd with 60 EX cows and 51 VG cows with none lower.

Holstein USA welcomes Tony Brey to the Board of Directors

Tony Brey, At-Large Director - Biography

First of all, I would like to say thank you to the Wisconsin breeders who have supported me in my bid for the Holstein USA board of directors and have mentored me over the last thirty-plus years. I returned home to our family farm after graduating from UW-Madison in 2007 with the enthusiasm gained from so many people within this Holstein industry. While we previously had a 60-cow tie stall, we’ve grown continuously to accommodate the next generation. Today, Brey Cycle Farm LLC is a family partnership between my brother, Jacob, myself, and our wives Moriah and Lauren. My wife Moriah and I have two children, Evan (9) and Alexa (4), who are already showing great interest in the farm and Holstein activities.

While expanding over the last decade-plus, we always valued the identification and genetics that come with Registered Holsteins. We have a 100 percent registered herd, currently milking 650 cows with an RHA of 30,130 milk 1077 fat and 929 protein. We also raise all our own heifers, 100 beef animals to finish, and custom raise an additional 800 heifers for other farms. We raise the feed for these animals on 1,200 acres on the scenic Door County Peninsula. Our farm has been on Holstein COMPLETE and had our production records processed through ATA for many years. We also utilize genomic testing, classification, and enjoy showing as well.

What seems like not long ago I was an enthusiastic junior member and National DJM Semi-Finalist. I have been fortunate to carry on that involvement in our association with activities such as serving on the Holstein USA genetic advancement committee (GAC), co-chairing family night at the 2019 National Holstein Convention, and serving as a voting delegate. I feel it’s essential to the success of Holstein USA to continue to find ways to bridge the gap between the junior and adult members. We need to promote the energy and ideas of our young leaders. One of our favorite programs on our farm is our internship program. This allows us to give back to enthusiastic youth who remind us of ourselves while staying relevant with the perspective of young people. I also bring the perspective of an active dairy producer who is continually reminded of the market challenges we face as producers. Holstein USA must continue to enhance current programs and create new ones to promote the increased value of the Registered Holstein cow.

It has been an exciting year at Registered Holstein sales. High type and deep pedigreed animals have sold exceptionally well from coast to coast so far in 2021. It is great to see Holstein breeders rewarded for the exceptional animals they have bred and developed.

However, I think an equally impressive story we must tell as registered breeders is the genetic progress that can be made with Registered Holsteins. I see firsthand on our dairy farm the progress that can be made in production, components, and health through genetics. I firmly believe breeders can make great progress whatever their breeding goals may be. I realize the perfect cow for my farm may be totally different for another breeder in a different environment or milk pricing system.

I would like to thank the Wisconsin Holstein Association members for their support and guidance in my running for the Holstein USA board. I consider it an honor to be elected to represent them and other members across the U.S. I look forward to representing our membership and the progress of the Registered Holstein cow.