Following the Holstein Association USA Region 5 meeting on Friday afternoon, breeders attended dinner at the Marriott. Recognized were the 2009 Wisconsin Top Performer cows that included animals owned by Gary and Mary Housner and Ron Suhr of Elroy, Tom Kestell of Waldo, Austin Weir and Dodge Sampair of Elmwood, Joe Brantmeier of Sherwood, Aaron Hass of Evansville, and Craig Carncross of Lodi. Receiving the overall Top Performer was the recent record-setting Wisconsin cow, Ever-Green-View My 1326-ET, owned by Tom Kestell. Also recognized were owners of cows that have produced 300,000 pounds of milk lifetime.

 

Friday evening concluded with the first ever Wisconsin Convention Futures Sale, sponsored by Wisconsin Holstein’s Young Adult Committee. The sale averaged $5055 on 38 Lots that included choices from some of the area’s most prominent cow families. Animals sold to eight different states, with the top seller heading to Quebec, Canada. High seller at $15,000 was Lot 35, consigned by the Ron Hackmann family of Manitowoc, WI. This pick from Jimtown Shottles Nominate (GTPI +2360) will now call Lookout Holsteins and Marita Holsteins of Quebec, Canada home. Second high seller was Lot 14 from the John & Judy Swenson family of Barneveld, WI, at $9,500. This pick was purchased by John Cannon of Dyersville, IA. Rounding out the top three was Lot 1 at $8,000, which was consigned by Jim Janes of Berlin, WI and purchased by Endres Berryridge Farms, LLC of Waunakee, WI.

 

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. Four new board members were welcomed to the WHA Board of Directors: Marci Walker of Wisconsin Dells, Chris McCullough of Juda, Todd Borgwardt of Valders, and Paula Bovre of Fond du Lac. Those who did not attend the business meeting were able to tour the Wisconsin State Capital and the Olbric Botanical gardens.

 

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 Elis Knutson, the cow D-R-A August, and the bull Life-O-Riley Marquis King. The afternoon was highlighted by farm tours to Opsal’s Ridge and the Lyle and Deanna Opsal and Troy Opsal families, as well as Kellercrest Registered Holsteins, Inc., and the Tim and Sandy, and Mark Keller 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 Breeder was Todd Borgwardt of Sunnyside Dairy in Valders, WI. Honored with Distinguished Service recognition was Mike Snyder of Baraboo, WI. Receiving the prestigious Distinguished Breeder honors were Allen and Pat Rippchen of Ripvalley Holsteins, Ithaca, WI.

 

The WHA Board of Directors met at the conclusion of the convention to elect officers for the upcoming year. Leading the way for 2010 are President Jim Rickert of Eldorado, Vice President Corey Geiger of Mukwanago, and Secretary Angela Brown of Dodgeville, with Todd Stanek of Fall Creek and Bob Traynor of Spring Valley serving as Executive committee members.

 

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