ONCE IN A LIFETIME KIND OF COW

July 2, 2021 · Gray, ME · Average $7,541 on 42 Lots

Always been a nursery of the Holstein breed, New England is known for its innovative breeders and marketers. The Monumental Success Sale held at Juniper Farms in Gray, ME, celebrated not only the 40-year history of the multi-faceted operation, but also the successes and camaraderie of Maine Holstein breeders. The current owner of Juniper Farms, Michael Liberty, grew up in the area and started milking cows at the neighboring Wilsondale herd when he was just 14 years old. “My father grew up working for Mike Wilson just up the road,” George Liberty said. “They took him in like a son.” Michael Liberty went on to a successful real estate development career, and then on to further entrepreneurial ventures, but always kept an interest in Registered Holsteins and dairy cattle genetics. Juniper Farms / Juniper Genetics was started in 1981 as an investor partnership focused on elite type and index cattle, and international merchandising. Established by Michael Liberty and several partners, one of which was the managing partner, Mike Wilson. Under his oversight, the operation invested in a number of cows with highly sought after genetics. The foundation of the early herd and many of the embryos marketed in the 1980s and 1990s stemmed from the two ‘Peggys’ - Eric-Dew Conductor Peggy EX-95 3E GMD and Holtex Glendell Peggy EX-95 2E. Over the decades, the Juniper prefix has been carried by a bevy of high-scoring individuals, most notably, the popular AI sire Juniper Rotate Jed EX-96, and the impressive brood cow, Juniper Outside Wish EX-95. Juniper always purchased and supported New England breeders extensively, and that support has been returned. The Monumental Success Sale saw a large percentage of the sale cattle either consigned or purchased by breeders from the region, including the high seller - Pineland Tatoo Poutine, consigned by nearby Pineland Farm. Michael’s son, George Liberty, now runs the day-to-day operations on the farm along with herd manager, Steve Wagner. The herd is making a mark in the show ring thanks to the high-type individuals purchased over the last few years. Breeder of the All-American Junior 2-YearOld in 2018 - Juniper Sid Chardonnay EX-92 - George is excited about the young cows calving in and the bred heifers in the barn — thus fueling the idea for the Monumental Success Sale. The Monumental Success Sale, 40th Anniversary Edition, was held on July 2, 2021 and hosted by Juniper Farms in Gray, ME. A large crowd enjoyed Maine hospitality with steak and lobster before the sale before watching a great lineup of cattle parade around the sale ring. The sale was topped by Lot 4 at $77,000, Pineland Tatoo Poutine VG-89 2Y, a Tatoo Senior 2-Year-Old from seven VG & EX dams, back to the Pala family. Poutine was consigned by Pineland Farms, ME, and purchased by Glamourview, MD. Second high seller was lot 68 for $34,000, Ralanes Sagerbrae Aval Attack, a 12/19 Avalanche that was All-Canadian Intermediate Calf in 2020. Her dam is an EX-92 Gold Chip, the Kingsway Sanchez Arangatanf EX95-2E CAN. Attack was consigned by Dan Hovden & Duane Gibbs, IA and purchased by Glamourview, MD. The third high seller for $14,500 was Ridgedale Area VG-88 2Y, a Summer Junior 2-Year-Old sired by Thunderstorm. Already in 2021, Area won the Junior 2-Year-Old class at the 2021 Northeast Spring National Holstein Show. Her dam is a VG Windbrook, on back to Chief Adeen EX-94. Area was purchased by Pierre Boulet, QC.

More High Sellers:

Lot 18 … $12,000 … Conant-Acres Tatoo Loralie VG-89 2Y, a Junior 3-Year-Old Tatoo due again in July to Mystic Crush, from seven generations of VG & EX dams back to Milibro Cousteau Leila EX-94 3E. Consignor: Kacey Conant, ME Buyer: Daniel Van De Pol, CA Lot 28 … $10,000 … Quality Unix Majestic, a 9/20 Unix out of Quality Atwood Missy EX-942E-CAN then Valleyville Rae Lynn EX-95-CAN 3*, HM All-Canadian Senior 3-Year-Old 2013. Consignor: Quality Holsteins, ON Buyer: Brigeen Farms, ME Lot 23 … $9,700 … A 3/21 Diamondback out of Wilsondale Pronto Torilyn VG-87, then back to the Triuna family at Wilsondale. Consignor: Wilsondale, ME Buyer: Juniper Farms, ME Lot 3 … $9,600 … Brigeen Humblnkind M87 Gigi VG-88 2yr – 1st senior 2-year-old at the North East All-Breeds Spring Holstein Show 2021 backed by five EX dams from the Gigi family at Brigeen. Consignor: Brigeen Farms, ME Buyer: Juniper Farms, ME

Pineland Tatoo Poutine VG-89 2Y topped the sale at $77,000 and has seven generations or VG or EX dams behind her.