Doug Maddox Memorial Senior Breeder of the Year

Every year we honor a family and herd that has had a major impact on the Holstein breed not only in California but across the nation as well. This year’s honorees certainly have been recognized coast-to-coast with their results in the show ring, as well as their involvement with some of the most genetically influential cows in the business. It’s my honor to present Frank & Diane Borba of MB Lucky Lady Farm with the Doug Maddox Memorial Senior Breeder Award.

Diane Morasci met Frank ‘Chopper’ Borba on Halloween in 1974 through mutual friends. They grew up in the same neighborhood, found they had plenty in common and were married in 1979. They established MB Lucky Lady Farm on the Morasci family dairy, and had two children: Stephanie (38) and Frankie (36). Stephanie and her husband, Louie, now run the dayto-day operations on the farm, and have three children. Frankie has taken the reins at Frank Borba & Son Custom Chopping. He and his wife, Alison, have four children.

Diane & Frank milk about 1025 cows on MB Lucky Lady Farm. The herd consists primarily of Holstein, with 75% of those being registered cows. They also have 400 acres of almond trees and another 250 acres of farm land. While most of the show cows are housed at other locations, they have also invested in a fair number of high-genomic testing Holsteins, and Louie enjoys the genetic management of those cattle.

In the past two decades, Diane and Chopper have been involved in several successful partnerships owning some of the most notable cows in the business. They were part of the group that purchased Regancrest S Chassity EX-92 GMD DOM 35* and her package of offspring at the 2009 International Intrigue Sale. That package included Mr Chassity Gold Chip EX-94, sire of hundreds of Excellent daughters and numerous AllAmerican and All-Canadian winners.