COWSMOPOLITAN Summer 2020 » 29
30 « COWSMOPOLITAN Summer 2020
NEW ENGLAND ANNUAL 2020 NEW ENGLAND HOLSTEIN ASSOCIATION OFFICERS PRESIDENT James Strout, Sr. 772 West Ridge Rd., Cornville, ME 04976
jimstrout@live.com // 207-399-3226
VICE-PRESIDENT Mary Margaret Cole mary_margaret.cole@uconn.edu // 860-608-0286 209C Pendleton Hill Rd., North Stonington, CT 06359 SECRETARY Melissa Griffin 65 Ashfield Rd., Shelburne Falls, MA 01370
mwillis28@yahoo.com // 413-489-3259
TREASURER Dan LaCoss daniel_lacoss@cargill.com // 802-274-4768 1620 Witherspoon Rd., East Ryegate, VT 05042 EXECUTIVE MANAGER Linda Haggarty neholstein@nesholsteins.com // 802-757-2442 234 Bayley Hazen Drive, Wells River, VT 05081
HOLSTEIN DIRECTORS
Bonnie Burr, CT/RI Peter Waterman, ME Nate Robertson, NH
Arnold Nieminen, CT/RI Heather Gregoire, MA Seth Carpenter, VT
Natalie Sneller, ME Scott DeBlois, NH Martha Seifert, VT
LtoR: Treasurer Dan LaCoss, Vice President Mary Margaret Cole, President Jim Strout Sr., Secretary Melissa Griffin
NEW ENGLAND STATES HOLSTEIN ASSOCIATION ANNUAL CONVENTION
HOLSTEIN COMMITTEES
EXECUTIVE Jim Strout, Sr, President; Mary Margaret Cole, Vice-President; Dan LaCoss, Treasurer; Melissa Griffin, Secretary FINANCE Chair Dan LaCoss, Jim Strout, Sr., Dave Schillawski, Lee Salonen, Linda Haggarty MEMBERSHIP Chair Betsy Bullard, Marion Seifert, Toni Jacque, Bridget Cummings, Jenna Bisnet,
Darin Johnson
BREED PROMOTION & SHOW Chair Rick Allyn, Scott Davenport, Bonnie Burr, Arnie Nieminen,
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31 - SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1 Tower Square Hotel, Springfield, MA
**Dependent upon the CDC recommendations and guidelines for COVID-19 as well as state regulations.
Betsy Bullard, Seth Carpenter, Chris Kimball, Elizabeth Hall
YOUTH Chair Nicole Fletcher, Lottie Page, Leanne Moon, Kirsten Kruger
HOLSTEIN USA CONTACTS
CONNECTICUT, MASSACHUSETTS, RHODE ISLAND Toni Jacque, Customer Information Specialist Ph: 802.451.4047 MAINE Bridget Cummings, ID Services Manager Ph: 802.451.4204 NEW HAMPSHIRE Jenna Bisnett, Customer Service Manager // Ph: 802.451.4042
Check the NE Holstein website and Facebook page for registration details, and updates!
BREED ASSOCIATION CONTACTS AYRSHIRE Cindy Crawford, Regional Director // Whiting, VT // 802-623-6934 BROWN SWISS Christine Belder, NE Secretary // nebrownswiss@gmail.com // 413-665-3338 GUERNSEY Robin Alden, Programs Manager // ralden@usguernsey.com // 614.339.5390 JERSEY Brenda Snow, Area Rep // bsnow@usjersey.com // 802-249-2659 MILKING SHORTHORN Marcia L. Clark, President // Gmc_farm@yahoo.com // 814-602-7089
VERMONT Darin Johnson, ID Programs Manager Ph: 802.451.4048
UPCOMING EVENTS AUGUST 5
New England Summer Holstein Show, Deering, NH
OCTOBER 16-18
North American Open Dairy Cattle Show, Hamburg, NY
Featured on this year’s cover are the 2020 New England Champions & Futurity Winner.
OCT 31 - NOV 1
Northeast Fall National: Hazels Gldwn Hatty-ET
New England States Holstein Annual Convention, Springfield, MA
CT/RI State Show: Vale-O-Skene Dreams Kiara New England Summer Show: Garay Dempsey Amazing Maine State Show: Ver-Maine OKaliber Maggie New England Futurity: G-M-C Sid Heartbreaker
COWSMOPOLITAN Summer 2020 » 31
GMC FARM
WHERE THERE’S A WILL, THERE’S A WAY!
N
estled into a picturesque ridge in western New Hampshire near the town of Cornish Flat, GMC Farm and the outstanding multi-breed herd developed there are a tribute to good old-fashioned Yankee determination! One of only two farms remaining in the immediate area, the small, family operation is known worldwide for the quality of its Milking Shorthorn, Holstein, and Brown Swiss cattle.
Owned by Greg & Marcia Clark, both natives of the Granite State, the farm and the 200-year-old house that sits on it traces its history back to Greg’s ancestors that settled in the area. But don’t mistake this for a relatively easy ‘family inheritance through the generations’ kind of farming experience – it’s very much the opposite! Married in 1982, Greg & Marcia set their sights on owning their own farm, though that dream was many years in the making. Greg grew up two miles down the road, while Marcia grew up on a dairy farm in Rochester, NH. Other than a
short two-year stint in Vermont early in their marriage, they’ve lived and farmed in New Hampshire. They both have held off-farm jobs to make the family farm dream a reality. Greg worked for 29 years in a machine shop, as well as doing some trucking, while Marcia established a couple of local businesses. They rented their farm for several years before purchasing it in 1993. While both farming and working away from the farm, they also started a family. Son Greg (36) works in sales in the area; Justin (33) is a pharmacist in Arizona; Brooke (26) works full-time on the farm; and Lindsey (23), works in the child care field. Still not busy enough, the Clarks as a family have always contributed their time to breed organizations and local ag groups. Marcia was just re-elected President of the American Milking Shorthorn Society at their recent annual meeting, and she also is the Treasurer for the
Northeast Brown Swiss Association and Treasurer for their local Cornish Fair. Brooke is a member of the New England Holstein Association Board of Directors. Milking Shorthorns have always been the main breed on the farm and make up over half of the 65-cow herd. Marcia grew up with them – her grandfather started with the breed and now the grandkids are the 5th generation to show Milking Shorthorns. And when it comes to Shorthorns, they don’t mess around. More than twenty years of success at the highest levels of showing are thanks to cows like Kingsdale Lucy 5th EX-95, Grand Champion at World Dairy Expo in 2001; and GMC Innisfail Princess 610 ET EX-94, the Intermediate and Grand Champion at the WDE Junior Show in 2010, as well as being Intermediate Champion of the Open Show that year. The Clarks have exhibited three World Dairy Expo Junior Show Grand Champions over the years. Innisfail RO Lady 906 EXP EX-96 brought plenty of purple rosettes home to New Hampshire. She was the winning Aged Cow at World Dairy Expo and Grand Champion of the Junior Show in 2015 (she was also Grand Champion of the WDE Junior Show in 2014 as well). In 2017, Lady 906 claimed Grand Champion honors at the Northeast National and
Brooke, Marcia & Greg Clark with G-M-C Aftrshck Ready Set Go, a homebred EX-94 cow that completes 10 generations of VG & EX cows back to Roxy. Photo © Cowsmo. 32 « COWSMOPOLITAN Summer 2020
the NAILE (Open & Junior) Shows in Louisville, KY. Beyond individual show winners, the GMC showstring has been a manytime Premier Breeder & Exhibitor at the Northeast National Show in West Springfield, MA. They also have the rare status of showing the Grand Champion and being Premier Exhibitor at all four National Milking Shorthorn Shows – Northeast, PA All-American, World Dairy Expo, and NAILE, as well as twice exhibiting the Grand Champion at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. On the breeding side of things, one of their herd matriarchs – GMC Fido Hailey
EX-92 3E – was named both the American Milking Shorthorn Society’s 2019 Cow of the Year and the 2019 Broodcow of the Year. Recently fresh again in June, she completes five generations of VG & EX cows, and was Reserve Grand Champion at the 2019 Northeast National Show last year. Her brother by Ace – GMD Ace Hal ET – stands at Select Sires, and her Royal Treble son, GMC Treble Hershey EXP ET is at Genex. Overall, the Clarks have bred or developed 195 All-American and Junior All-American nominations. The herd is one of the highest classified in the country, which is quite an accomplishment considering it is over 90% homebred. The 18,000 lb. RHA enables them to be the #1 Combined Type & Production Herd (under 40 cows) in the US. They enjoyed a larger audience in 2010, when they supplied the Milking Shorthorn cows for the popular annual Hoards Dairyman Judging Contest.
As noted earlier, Marcia is the President of the American Milking Shorthorn Society, GMC Fido Hailey EX-92 3E is the AMSS 2019 Cow of the Year and Broodcow of the where her Accounting Year for GMC Farm.
degree is a useful tool in staying on top of the financials of the breed organization. She’s also, naturally, a big booster of Milking Shorthorns. “The breed has really made tremendous progress in recent years, but hasn’t lost the traits that farmers admired when they were imported a hundred years ago – their longevity, hardiness, and good temperaments,” she notes. The smaller 20-head Holstein herd at the farm holds its own with the Shorthorns when it comes to national rankings. They tied for #6 in 2019 Overall Top 200 BAA herds at 113.7%, and #2 in the New York/ New England region. Greg grew up with Holsteins so there have always been some on the farm, and they’ve always been willing to purchase something from a cow family they admire. That description would have to include Lylehaven Atwood Lylly EX-95 3E, who the Clarks bought at the Rocklan Dispersal in April 2018. Previously the $70,000 high seller at the 2014 Lylehaven Complete Dispersal, Lylly has settled into her role as a prolific donor. The dam of 27 VG & EX daughters born before her arrival at the farm, she has already made over 80 embryos that will carry the G-M-C prefix. The first resulting calves on the ground are a fancy group of December 2019 Diamondback daughters. COWSMOPOLITAN Summer 2020 » 33
GMC Tray Ruth was purchased by Megan Hill, Bristol, VT, in the 2018 Massachusetts Blue Ribbon Sale and re-emerged last fall, winning the Milking Yearling Class at Expo and being named All-American. Photo @ Cowsmo. The homebred Holstein headliner for the herd would have to be G-M-C Aftrshck Ready Set Go. Scored EX-94 2E at 6-06, she is a fifth-generation Excellent cow and completes a run of ten VG & EX cows back to EX-97 Roxy. Ready Set Go showed off her frame and beautiful udder last summer where she placed 2nd in the 5-Year-Old class at the 2019 New England Summer Show. Another homebred cow that stepped out with the show string was G-M-C Sid Heartbreaker VG-87, who won the Futurity class at last year’s Northeast Fall National Holstein Show. Her dam is an EX-91 Windbrook, then the International Holstein Show Grand Champion, Rosiers Blexy Goldwyn-ET, who just recently hit the EX-97 pinnacle. Needless to say, that has elevated the Clarks’ excitement about the Beemer, Doorman, and Jordy sisters to Heartbreaker yet to calve. More highlights from the Holstein herd include a VG-88 senior 2-yearold Doorman granddaughter of Expo Grand Champion, Bonaccueil Maya Goldwyn EX-95-3E-CAN; Wendylawn Sid Sidney EX-94, who was HM Junior AllAmerican 4-Year-Old in 2016 due again in September; and a fresh Avalanche junior 2-year-old out of All-American Jacobs Sid Beauty-ET EX-95.
Lylehaven Atwood Lylly EX-95 3E was purchased in 2018 at the Rocklan Dispersal. Since then, she has produced over 80 embryos and her first calves to carry the G-M-C prefix are a group of fancy Diamondback December calves. Photo © Cowsmo.
Pierstein Damion Lindsay-ET, another EX94 cow in the herd, has been a good donor with a whole pile of Diamondback, Chief, and Jordy daughters in the youngstock stalls. The Clarks really wanted to establish a foundation from these terrific highscoring cows and so haven’t sold many embryos, but Greg admits they could probably sell more now. There are only about ten Brown Swiss members of the herd, but that group also has some powerful pedigrees and accomplishments. Lake Lane Thrice Spice was the Grand Champion of the WDE Brown Swiss Junior Show in 2006 for Brooke. Bo Joy Carter Glitter TW, a granddaughter of 3-time All-American Bo Joy Ensign Goldie ET, won the senior 2-year-old class at the Northeast National Brown Swiss Show last year. A fall calf out of two Excellent dams that they consigned to the 2018 Massachusetts Blue Ribbon Calf Sale went home to Vermont with Megan Hill. GMC Tray Ruth re-emerged last fall and won the Milking Yearling class at World Dairy Expo on her way to being named the 2019 All-American Milking Yearling. She completes seven out nine generations that have been nominated All-American. With that commitment to breeding, buying, and developing high-scoring
cattle, and with Brooke’s strong interest in being the next generation to farm, the Clarks determined that they had to do some renovations a few years ago. The farm originally had some old structures they had operated with, but in 2016, they built a modern 60-cow free stall set up. That was closely followed by a new 8-stall step up parlor constructed in 2017. With the farm almost completely reliant on family labor, a parlor that size allows one person do all the milking if necessary. The Clarks own only six acres along with the buildings, and thus purchase all of their feed. In the winter, they buy corn sileage and alfalfa round bales from local sources. In the summer, they only feed baleage, mainly sourced from Quebec. It might not be the answer for everyone, but the Clarks are happy to avoid the equipment expense and time commitment needed for cropping, and are happy to spend more time with the herd. The cattle can pasture on the six rolling acres in the summertime, which makes for a classic New England ‘pretty as a picture’ rural scene. GMC Farm is a classic New England success story – built with a frugal budget, lots of patience, sweat equity, and good old Yankee persistence to keep going and keep getting better! By Kathleen O’Keefe
34 « COWSMOPOLITAN Summer 2020
COWSMOPOLITAN Summer 2020 » 35
36 « COWSMOPOLITAN Summer 2020
COWSMOPOLITAN Summer 2020 » 37
NEW ENGLAND MASTER BREEDER RENDELL TULLAR, NH
Mark Patch presented Rendell Tullar with the 2019 New England Holstein Master Breeder Award. Rendy has been a member of the Association since 1976 and is a past president. Tullando Farm, located in Orford, NH, is home to 500 Registered Holsteins and was founded in 1956. Today, it is run by Rendell & Karen Tullar and their family. They installed robotic milkers in 2014 and were the first herd in New Hampshire to do such. They were awarded the New Hampshire Dairy Farm of the Year in 2015 for their forward-thinking and innovation with robotic milkers, manure injection and many other current technologies that increase production and improve herd health. The farm has bred 26 Excellent cows including Tullando Shout Eva (EX-94), their highest scored cow. Additionally, they’ve bred nine Gold Medal Dams Mark Patch, left, presented Rendell Tullar with and Dam of Merits cows, 14 GMD and 24 DOM cows. They exhibit at the the 2019 New England Holstein Master Breeder local, state and national level and enjoy their time working with the next Award. generation to instill a love of the industry.
LONGTIME MEMBER RECOGNITION
50 YEARS Frederick Dunn, ME Wynsum Holsteins, VT
51 YEARS Conant Acres, ME George Holmes, ME Robert Page, CT Larry & Dan Pillsbury, VT
53 YEARS University of Maine, ME Doreen & Richard Morris, NH Frank Panciera, RI Lee Salonen, NH Vermont Technical College, VT Paul & Judy Willis, MA
52 YEARS Donald Hibbard, CT Richard LeGeyt, MA
54 YEARS Robillard Flats Farms Inc., VT
55 YEARS Lincoln & Peggy Hawes, ME C Vernon Jr & Mary Smith, MA Arthur West, MA Maurice & Lois Maxwell, VT 56 YEARS John & Myrdith McKinley, VT Vera West, MA 57 YEARS James & Eleanor Pickard, MA
58 YEARS Michael Wilson, ME
59 YEARS Thayden Farrington & Son, ME Bruce & Kathleen Haley, ME Joyce Hamel, ME Richard & Diane Pearson, ME Stuart Farm, Merrill Family, NH Tullando Farm, Tullar Family, NH VT-Pond-View, VT 60 YEARS Louis Maxfield, VT 61 YEARS Collins Powder Hill Farm, CT Mapleleaf Farm Inc., Ned Ellis, CT Virginia W. Koehler, MA
62 YEARS Lewis Tanner, CT R. Clark Joyner, MA
63 YEARS Walter S. Hine II, CT Ken & Virginia Veazie, ME Marion Seifert, VT Don-Sim Farm 66 YEARS R.E. Hemond Farm, ME 67 YEARS Norman & Arlene Coulter, CT 69 YEARS Maurice & Shirley Keene, ME Robert Waterman, ME Walter Young, ME
72 YEARS University of Connecticut
74 YEARS Gold Top Farms, Ingraham Family, ME 76 YEARS Grafton County Farm, NH Scrutons Dairy, NH University of New Hampshire, NH Vern-Mont Farm, VT 77 YEARS Brigeen Farms, ME Champlainside Farm, Howlett Family, VT 87 YEARS Mayval Farm, MA
LEE SALONEN AWARD EMILY SYME, CT
This award recognizes New England Junior Holstein Exhibitors for their efforts and interest in all aspects of the Holstein industry. Recipients of this award have a high level of participation in junior programs, excel in herdsmanship, are knowledgeable of their cattle, have demonstrated leadership qualities, and have a sustained commitment to the industry. Lee Salonen has been a member Congratulations to Emily Syme, winner of of the New England States Holstein the 2019 Lee Salonen Outstanding Junior Association for over 50 years. He Holstein Exhibitor Award. Emily received has rendered tireless service on $250 in recognition of her achievements. the board for 33 years in nearly every leadership position including President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, Finance Chair and Finance Chair for the 2005 National Holstein Convention hosted by the New England States Holstein Association. Lee is also a recipient of the New England Association’s prestigious Distinguished Service award. Providing opportunities for youth to grow within the industry has been the cornerstone of Lee’s leadership philosophy, a philosophy that continues even today. 38 « COWSMOPOLITAN Summer 2020
COWSMOPOLITAN Summer 2020 » 39
NEW ENGLAND JUNIOR HOLSTEIN REPORT Last year marked an exciting year for the New England Junior Holstein Association! In June, 14 juniors, representing all six New England states, participated in a variety of junior competitions and events at the 2019 National Holstein Convention held in Appleton, WI. As for junior competitions, New England had great representation and spirit. In the Dairy Jeopardy contest, Christin Haynes (VT) competed in the junior division; Austin Norris (MA), Daniel Clapp (MA), and Trevor Clapp (MA) in the intermediate division; and Madeline Beaudry (NH) in the senior division. Trevor Clapp placed third in the intermediate division! Additionally, Riley Goodrich (MA) and Maggie LaPrise (RI) gave New England Juniors with their 4th place banner at the National Holstein Convention in Appleton, WI. speeches in the intermediate and senior divisions, respectively. Later in the week, junior and senior teams competed in the Dairy Bowl contest, where there were both good wins and tough matches. The junior team consisted of Regan Johnson (NH), Charlie Haynes (VT), Sydney Bullard (ME), and Katelyn Poitras (MA). The senior team consisted of Miriam Dugas (CT), Gregory Norris (MA), Chelsey Patch (NH), Maggie LaPrise (RI). In the Dairy Knowledge Exam, Gregory Norris earned second place in the senior division. Gregory Norris was also selected as a finalist for the NHWSO Scholarship! Members of the Junior Association also represented New England by entering a scrapbook as well as a banner, which placed fourth. Members were additionally proud to see Madeline Beaudry of New Hampshire selected as a DJM Semifinalist, and are glad that she represented New England well!
Junior Quiz Bowl team at the National Holstein Time not spent in competition was enjoyed at junior mixers such as the event held at the Convention. Pictured left to right: Sydney Bullard, Charlie Badger Sports Park, or on Tuesday’s farm tours where juniors were able to see farms such Haynes, Katelyn Poitras, Regan Johnson, and Coach Nicole Fletcher. as Milk Source, LLC and Siemers Holsteins. A few weeks later in mid July, the second annual New England Holstein Summer Show was held in Hopkinton, NH. The Youth Showcase was a successful event, where nearly 50 youth took part in Judging, Showmanship, and Dairy Knowledge contests. The winners of the Youth Showcase are as follows: Sydney Bullard (ME) in the Junior division, Carolyn Kirby (VT) in the Intermediate division, and Isabel Hall (VT) in the Senior division. New England Juniors also held multiple successful raffle fundraisers throughout the year, where a signed Bonnie Mohr painting as well as a pair of clippers were raffled off. In late October, juniors were excited to meet for the annual New England Holstein convention held in New Hampshire. New officers were elected, and are as follows: Maggie LaPrise (RI) as president, Trevor Clapp (MA) as vice president, Chelsey Patch (NH) as secretary, Charlie Haynes (VT) as treasurer, and Riley Goodrich (MA) as social chair. Junior contests were then held and at the conclusion of the contests, teams were named for the 2020 National Convention. Dan Clapp, Trevor Clapp, Jake Fisher, Chelsey Patch, and alternate Riley Goodrich were named to the senior quiz bowl team while Charlie Haynes, Christin Haynes, Will Bullard, Samantha Davis, and alternate James Davis were named to the junior quiz bowl team. As for Jeopardy, Greg Norris, Miriam Dugas, and Maggie LaPrise were named as seniors; Katelyn Poitras, Cindy Shaw, and Bill Constantine were named as intermediates; and Sydney Bullard and James Davis were named as juniors. Riley Goodrich, Bill Constantine, and Sydney Bullard competed in the Public Speaking Contest, and Chelsey Patch competed in the Folding Display contest. Maggie LaPrise was selected as a New England DJM contestant, while Katelyn Poitras was selected as a New England YDJM contestant. Juniors were also able to partake in fun activities, such as tours to Bohanan Farm and the Contoocook Creamery, Highway View Farm, and Morrill Farm. Despite the disruption of many regular summer and fall events, New England juniors look forward to meeting again. The group is excited to continue to learn and grow together whenever it becomes possible, whether in the show ring, studying for junior events, or on farms. Sydney Bullard as first place junior in the Youth Showcase at the New England Holstein Summer Show. 40  COWSMOPOLITAN Summer 2020
A pair of clippers were raffled off at the Northeast Fall National Holstein Show in September.
Christin Haynes (VT) at the New England Holstein Summer Show.
photos © Cybil Fisher
Budjon-Vail HP drm Style-et (VG-87) 2-04 2x 352 23,761 4.3 1032 3.3 774 D: Blondin Goldwyn Subliminal-ETS (2E-96) All-American Production Cow ‘17 All-American & All-Canadian Aged Cow ‘16 From the Skychief Supra (3E-93 35*) family!
Stone-HauS HyPnotic alana (VG-88)
2-01 2x 305 23,157 4.2 970 3.4 782 2nd Senior 2-Year-Old, Northeast Fall Nat’l ‘19 D: Klinedell Ms Anastasia-ET (EX-90) Next 3 dams are EX back to EX-92 Atlee & EX-94 Adeen!
HazelS Gldwn Hatty-et (eX-96) We were honored and humbled to have Hatty named Best Bred & Owned at the 2019 International Holstein Show and to receive the Whitey McKown Master Breeder Award. Thanks to our show crew and the Klussendorf members for nominating and honoring us with this award!
Clark & Lois Woodmansee | Clark, Courtney & Kendall Woodmansee • Graig Majewski 319 Route 165 | Preston, CT 06365 • Phone: 860-887-8079 COWSMOPOLITAN Summer 2020 » 41
BriGeen KinG Doc Loren-eT (VG-85)
B r i g e e n 1s t g r a d e d r o l e n e
(VG-89 2Y)
reserve Junior all-american winter Yearling 2019 1st grade x EX-91 doorman from the EX-95 integrity robin family currently flushing - she has rapid sisters born in June iVF reverse-sorted claynook duplo embryos from her dam available
+2558 gTPi king doc x Vg-88 Montross x EX-94 goldwyn Locket Loren has a beautiful cEo daughter and transfers by discJockey
278 Upper St, Turner, ME 04282 • 207-713-5145 | info@brigeenfarms.com Find US o n Fac Eb o o k | w w w.br ig EEnFar M S.coM
42 « COWSMOPOLITAN Summer 2020
COWSMOPOLITAN Summer 2020 » 43
2019 ALL-NEW ENGLAND WINNERS SUMMER CALF: Fairmont Crushabull Luis-ET; Fairmont LLC, VT Reserve: Ms Driscollhill Jordy Sher; G&D McNeil, Mark Viens; NH SPRING CALF: Carps View Diamondback Pizza; McKenzie Carpenter, VT Reserve: MS GC Ashby-ET; Caitlyn Abbott, VT HM: Fairmont Undenied Amy-ET; Wyatt Simpson, VT WINTER CALF: Quietcove Doormn Firefly-ET; R&S Allyn, AJL Genetics, CT Reserve: Whittierrail J Taryn; Todd Whittier & Casey Wolf, CT HM: BHL-HA Rsky Business-Red; Kennedy Kimball & Noah Reid, ME FALL CALF: Milk&Honey DM Madison; CLF LLC & R&S Allyn,CT Reserve: Fairmont Avalanche Locus-ET; Fairmont LLC, VT HM: MS Connies Crush Cait-ET; Watch Hill Holsteins, Tim Lawrence, CT SUMMER YEARLING: Windcroft Dman Irreplaceable; R&S Allyn, D Hovden, D Gibbs, S&B Carpenter, M Mitchell, C Dickson, J Black, CT Reserve: G-M-C Solomon Tampa; Lindsey Clark, GMC Farm, NH HM: Fairmont Drive Laisy-ET; Isabel Hall, VT SPRING YEARLING: Cobequid Dimonbk Symbol; Kennedy & Jadyn Kimball, ME Reserve: BEC Classic Paradise; R&S Allyn & S&J Crawford, CT HM: Brigeen Pharo A Rol; Sydney Bullard, ME WINTER YEARLING: Brigeen 1st Grade D Rolene; Reeve Twitchell, ME Reserve: DBHL-HA Faiths Fame; Kennedy Kimball & Noah Reid, ME HM: Beslea Doorman Latitude; Allyn, Lungwitz & Beslea Farm, CT FALL YEARLING: R-E-W So Lois; Michael Wolf, CT Reserve: Juniper Dback Missy-Red-ET; Juniper Farm, Inc., ME HM: PFTSWP Trey Tia; Hannah Foster, RI JUNIOR BEST THREE FEMALES: Brigeen Farms Inc, ME Reserve: Fairmont Farm, VT YEARLING IN MILK: Lizettes Crush Lilly Pad-ET; Clark Woodmansee, CT Reserve: Lizettes Crush It Loona-ET; Michael Wolf, CT HM: Woodmansee Crush Liona; Clark Woodmansee, CT SUMMER JUNIOR 2-YEAR-OLD: Savage-Leigh Goldlook-ET; Isabel Hall, VT Reserve: G-M-C Sid Heartbreaker; Brooke Clark, G-M-C Farm, NH HM: Grand-Hill Defiant Lovebug; Renee & Chet Baker, VT
JUNIOR 2-YEAR-OLD: Borderview Solomon Hattie; T&S Abbott, Emerson & Raggi, VT Reserve: MS Sid Blexy-ET; Borderview Genetics, C Woodmansee & Parrabel Genetics, VT HM: Ducketharvue Cvet Gigi-ET, C Woodmansee, CT SENIOR 2-YEAR-OLD: Robjo Doorman Embrace; R&S Allyn & Bradley Murphy, CT Reserve: Stone-Haus Hypnotic Alana; C Woodmansee, CT HM: MS Ack-Lee Arch Kiss; Blue Spruce Farm, VT JUNIOR 3-YEAR-OLD: Greenlark Libby Sid; R&M Viens & Glenn McNeil, VT Reserve: Juniper Wish Come True-ET; Brigeen Farm, Inc., ME HM: St-Jacobs Brazzle Habiba; Courteney Simpson, VT SENIOR 3-YEAR-OLD: Vale-O-Skene Dreams Kiara; Coon, Perotti & Woodmansee, CT Reserve: Chestnut-Hyll Goldchip Ann; Kurt Nieminen, CT HM: Butlerview Door Anika-ET; Nick Bellefleur, ME 4-YEAR-OLD: Pierstein Windbrook Alacaza; Borderview & Golden Oaks, VT Reserve: Desperie Regina Aftershock; C&R Baker & T&S Putnam, VT HM: Arethusa GC Mackenna-ET; Clark Woodmansee, CT 5-YEAR-OLD: Sunny Plains Dempsey Laurel; Abbott, Page & Bansen, VT Reserve: Allyndale Shocking Lilac; Fairmont Farm LLC, VT HM: Woodmansee Ashck Hest; Clark Woodmansee, CT AGED COW: St-Jacobs Stormatic Adel-ET; John & Sara Carpenter, VT Reserve: Pineland Punch Harlow-ET; Pineland Farm, ME 150,000 LB COW: Hazels Gldwn Hatty-ET; Clark Woodmansee, CT Reserve: Lookout Advent Flicka-Red; John & Sara Carpenter, VT Reserve: Woodmansee Fever Vita; Clark Woodmansee, CT PRODUCE OF DAM: Hazels Gldwn Hatty-ET, Clark Woodmansee, CT Reserve: Watch-Hill Advent Elaine -Scott Davenport, CT DAM & DAUGHTER: Hazels Gldwn Hatty-ET, Clark Woodmansee, CT Reserve: Chestnut-Hyll True Beauty; Kurt Nieminen, CT HM: Watch-Hill GC Serenity Now; Watch-Hill Holsteins, CT SENIOR BEST THREE FEMALES: Clark Woodmansee, CT Reserve: Watch-Hill Holsteins, CT DAIRY HERD: Clark Woodmansee, CT Reserve: Watch-Hill Holsteins, CT
2019 JUNIOR ALL-NEW ENGLAND WINNERS WINTER CALF: BHL-HA Rsky Busine-Red; Kennedy Kimball & Noah Reid, ME Reserve: Brigeen Sidekick I Rolande; Sydney Bullard, ME HM: Whittier-Farms Monica-Red; Katelyn Poitras, MA
WINTER YEARLING: Brigeen 1st Grade D Rolene; Reeve Twitchell, ME Reserve: BHL-HA Faiths Fame; K&J Kimball & Noah Reid, ME HM: Windsorville Candy Cane; Emily Syme, CT
FALL CALF: Just-A-Dream Avery Rosie-Red; Abby Foster, RI Reserve: Whittier-Farms Lambda Cy; Robert Shaw, MA HM: Shaw-Farm Loveman Evie; Cynthia Shaw, MA
FALL YEARLING: R-E-W So Lois; Michael Wolf, CT
SUMMER YEARLING: Fairmont Drive Laisy-ET; Isabell Hall, VT Reserve: BHL Hypntc Cranberry-Red; Jadyn Kimball, ME HM: Brigeen Stronger Acelyn; Reeve Twitchell, ME SPRING YEARLING: Cobequid Diamondback Symbol; Kennedy & Jadyn Kimball, ME Reserve: Brigeen Pharo A Rol; Sydney Bullard, ME HM: Woodmansee Monterey R; Abby Foster, RI 44 « COWSMOPOLITAN Summer 2020
YEARLING IN MILK: Lizettes Crush It Loona-ET; Michael Wolf, CT SUMMER JUNIOR 2-YEAR-OLD: Savage-Leigh Goldlook-ET; Isabel Hall, VT SENIOR 2-YEAR-OLD: Amerada Bryant S-Greta; Curtis Koebke, MA Reserve: SkyRdg-BZ-CR Corvette R; Barry Nadon III, MA SENIOR 3-YEAR-OLD: Butlerview Door Anika-ET; Nick Bellefleur, ME AGED COW: St-Jacob Stormatic Adel-ET; John & Sara Carpenter, VT 150,000 LB COW: Lookout Advent Flicka-Red; John & Sara Carpenter, VT
JOINING THE EX-97 CLUB
Rosiers Blexy Goldwyn
Blexy pictured at Ex-97 in June 2020. Photo © Cattle Club Blexy . . . a name that dairy enthusiasts around the world have know since that special day in October 2017 when Judge Adam Liddle slapped her as Grand Champion in Madison. That was just the first of three memorable moments for her currents owners, Budjon, Vail, Abbott, Van Exel & Woodmansee. The next came just hours later as she was selected as Supreme Champion of World Dairy Expo. And finally, her latest shining moment came when she earned the illustrious score of EX-97 in June 2020. Blexy’s story actually begins in Quebec in September 2010. Her dam is Rosiers Dundee Beyonce (EX-90 2*) from the Master Breeder herd of Ferme Des-Rosiers. She has four more VG/EX dams including grandam Rosier Burka Triumphant (EX-90 7*). “Michael Heath called us after he saw Blexy as a fall calf in a sale in March,” recalled Brad Hoover of Brook-Corners Holsteins, PA. “He thought she could be pretty special, so we purchased her in partnership with Bryant & Holly Hlavaty and Nathan Heim.” Blexy calved as a senior 2-year-old and she made her showring debut at Brad’s county fair. “We knew she was pretty special when she calved in,” commented Brad. “Chris Hill judged that day and he was really high on her. She won her class
and went on to be Intermediate and Grand Champion.” “I got a call from Chris saying he had judged one of the greatest young cows he’d seen in a long time,” said Tim Abbott. “Sharyn and I were headed to Atlantic City to go to a Journey concert with Chris & Jen. When we landed in Philadelphia we jumped in our rental and headed to Brook-Corners instead.” “Brad was leading her around and Sharyn pulled me over to the side and said ‘no matter what, buy that cow, don’t worry about the price.’ That was the only time Sharyn had ever said that to me!” recalled Tim. Tim and Sharyn purchased her that night and Clark Woodmansee came on as a partner the next day. She was 6th at Madison that year. She calved again as a 4-year-old but never hit “show form,” according to Tim. She calved the following year and some buzz started about her. She sold on the Define Your Destiny Sale and partners Hank and Carolyn Van Exel of California came on. After caring for and boarding her all summer, Tom & Kelli Cull and Peter Vail bought in on her, rounding out the
partnership as it stands today. Blexy was Nominated All-American and All-Canadian in 2016 as a 5-year-old and then returned to the show ring the following year and stamped her Madison ticket at Madison. Blexy truly become a “once in a lifetime cow” when she classified EX-97 in May 2020. From Budjon’s Facebook page: “Today was one of those days you can only dream of! Today was a day that when you work hard, pay attention to ALL the details and strive to do your best....the stars aligned...and results happen!” Blexy’s daughters are continuing her tradition of excellence. Ms Sid Blexy-ET (VG-89 EX-MS 2Y) was 2nd high seller at the Fireworks at Borderview Sale held in July. To date, she has three EX and five VG daughters, with more daughters to calve in from some of the breed’s most popular Type sires, Avalanche, Doorman, Crush and Unix. Blexy has certainly written her own chapter in the history books, with more to potentially come. Congrats to her breeder, and those along the way that helped develop her into the cow that she has become!
Kelli Cull, Tim & Sharyn Abbott, Peter Vail & Clark Woodmansee celebrate as Judge Adam Liddle. Photos © Ella Wright Photography. COWSMOPOLITAN Summer 2020 » 45
RIDALE GENETICS
Building t he Dream
T
he swiftness of the COVD pandemic and the response to it was a shock to us all. We went from hearing about the virus on the news in January and February to having a nationwide lockdown by mid-March. The uncertainty of regulations and time frames from state to state were confusing for everyone. Imagine then, if you were someone in our industry that had planned months and months for a sale to be held in the spring of 2020. What do you do? Cancel the sale? Move forward? Convert it to an online sale? A number of breeders, sale managers, and breed organizations and clubs asked those questions, and each one took the path they felt was right for their sale. That’s the situation that young breeders Ryan & Marjorie Rida found themselves in earlier this year as well. For many months, they had planned their 2020 Vision Sale
at Ridale to be held on April 25th, 2020 at their beautiful property in Cummington, Massachusetts. They dreamt for it to highlight some of the best that the Ayrshire and the Milking Shorthorn breeds had to offer – the two breeds the couple have loved and labored with, and showed with great success. As the days grew closer to the sale, they decided to go ahead with it, but to change the format to a ‘live’ virtual auction – meaning the animals would still be lead through the sale ring and auctioned off, but that there would be no crowd in attendance – all viewing and bidding would be through the online platform of Cowbuyer.com. Marjorie remembers that it was a tough decision to make. “We were really disappointed not to have a ‘real’ event. We had worked hard getting our cattle in shape to sell, and a select number of other breeders
had given us their best. We were looking forward to hosting people here at the farm and having a real celebration afterwards.” There’s plenty for Ryan (30) & Marjorie (29) to celebrate right on the home front. In the several years, they’ve been carving out a beautiful operation in western Massachusetts. First, with the purchase of 138 acres, then in 2015, they finished building the pack barn and hay barn. Currently, they are building a second pack barn and their new house is also under construction. Fittingly, the couple met each other while showing cattle at the Big E New England 4-H Show in 2008. Ryan is a native of the Cummington area and grew up with both Ayrshires and Milking Shorthorns. Marjorie hails from Farmington, Maine as a member of the Hardy family, who are
Ridale Sumthin Special EXP ET (EX-90 91-MS) is one of our featured “cover Girls” and recently maxed out on score as a Junior 3-year-old. Photo © Cowsmo.
46 « COWSMOPOLITAN Summer 2020
Marjorie’s father, Henry. Along her own show ring credentials, Verify is passing along some of those beautiful genetics. Her Regan daughter, Vanity, was the Reserve All-American Spring Calf in 2019, and her EX-93 Prime granddaughter was nominated AllAmerican 4-Year-Old last year and now completes 5 generations of Excellent cows. Further on in the catalog Ryan and Marjorie Rida with Hardy Farm Rio Verify EX-94 4E, a foundation cow for are several selling out the Ridale herd. Photo © Cowsmo. of Hardy Farm Burdette Majestic EX-93 2E, true enthusiasts and supporters of the nominated both All-American and Ayrshire breed, and well-known for their All-Canadian as a 4-year-old. Majestic had a Reagan daughter, Ridale Regan Hardy Farm prefix. Mandy Moore, nominated All-American Ryan attended a technical high school Summer Yearling in 2019. Majestic is a where he studied plumbing. He worked descendant of Hardy Farm R Command his way through the five years and 10,000 Mollie, a baby calf given to Marjorie as hours it takes to become a journeyman a birthday present when she was three plumber, and now owns his own business, years old. Mollie topped out at GP-84, Systems Plumbing and Heating Inc. but then a string of three Very Good Marjorie graduated from the University cows, then Majestic. of Connecticut with an Associate degree in Animal Science. From there, she spent The Milking Shorthorn section of the 3 ½ years at Vermont Farmstead Cheese catalog is kicked off with a good number Co. in South Woodstock, VT, where she of lots out of the ‘S’ family at Ridale. was employed as a herdsperson and The foundation cow, Holcombs Othello Snowstorm EX-91 2E 94-MS, was the marketing specialist. first cow that a then 18-year-old Ryan After establishing their own careers, ever purchased. He spotted a 4-yearthe couple decided it was time to move old cow in the pasture of prominent forward together. After a memorable New York Milking Shorthorn breeders, engagement at the Royal Agricultural John & Marjorie Kuszlyk. “I think she Winter Fair, the couple got married in was the third string 4-year-old for them,” 2016 and got to work building their comments Ryan. “But I still had to take Ridale herd. The attractive 2020 Vision sale catalog had lots descended from their foundation animals. Lots 1-8 were all daughters of Hardy Farm Rio Verify EX-94 4E, a thirdgeneration Excellent cow that has done a ton of winning in the show ring over the years. A five-time All-American nominee in milking form, Verify was the Reserve All-American Aged Cow in 2018 and the HM All-American 100,000 Lb Cow in 2019. Along with her show ring success, Verify represents a special tie between the two human families, as her sire (a Kellogg son from the Hawksfield Bronara family) was bred by Ryan’s brothers and her whole maternal line was bred by
out an FSA loan to get the $5,000 to buy her!” While it may have stretched him pretty thin at the time, it was a savvy buy for a young man. Matings to Mericrest Royalty produced Morning Dew Royal Sara EX-92 93-MS and her full sister, Ridale Royal Sahara EX-91 92-MS, who started winning as a heifer and never stopped. She was the Unanimous All-American Summer Yearling in 2016, and has since been nominated three times as a cow. Several other family members have captured All-American honors, including our cover girl – Ridale Sumthin Special EXP ET EX-90 91-MS, 2018 Unanimous All-American Junior 2-Year-Old. She also captured Unanimous All-American honors in 2016 as a Spring Yearling. Anchoring their Milking Shorthorn show string on the other end is Heavenly Betty EXP EX-94 4E 95-MS. Nominated for AllAmerican each of the last five years, Betty was the 2019 Reserve All-American Lifetime Merit Cow, and the Reserve AllAmerican Aged Cow in 2018. They’re currently marketing semen from her Innisfail Huckleberry son, Ridale Betty’s Blaze EXP, who has already sired some show winners in the Northeast. With all those COVID-19 ‘speed bumps’, how did the sale go? Well, we all like a happy ending! The 2020 Vision Sale averaged $4,325 on 55 live lots and set some records: highest Ayrshire sale average; highest selling Ayrshire at public auction; and 1st & 2nd highest selling Ayrshire heifers at public auction! The $26,000 high seller, Old-N-Lazy V Madison-ET EX-91 92-MS, a Vicking daughter who was Unanimous All-
Ridale Genetics and their partners tallied up 9 All-American Nominations, with 6 of them bred by either Ridale or Hardy. Pictured are five of those nominations from their winning Exhibitor’s Herd at Expo. Photo © Cowsmo. COWSMOPOLITAN Summer 2020 » 47
winners carry that prefix and Ryan acknowledges their willingness to sell the good ones. “Credit to Kurt Wolf for selling his best stuff and really elevating what was available for others to purchase. He’s been key to increasing the value of highOld-N-Lazy V Madison-ET EX-91 was the Unanimous All-American Senior 3-Year-Old in type Ayrshires as 2019 and topped the 2020 Vision Sale at $26,000. Photo © Cowsmo. people with other breeds have been American Senior 3-Year-Old in 2019 & turned on to them.” Unanimous All-American Senior 2-YearOld in 2018 was purchased by Peter Vail. The high selling heifer at $14,000 was The whole family is stacked with All- Chaluka Tuxedo Xara-ET, All-Canadian American winners, from her full sister, and HM All-American Summer Yearling Old-N-Lazy V Melania-ET VG-89 who in 2019 & All-Canadian Summer Calf was Unanimous All-American Senior in 2018, selling as a junior 2-year-old 2-Year-Old in 2019 to her EX-94 3E dam, prospect. Ryan’s brother, Andy, who Sharwards Calimero Megan, four-time pitches in at the farm and helps at the All-American and once Reserve All- shows, surprised everyone with his final bid. His wife, Bridget, was leading the American winner. heifer in the ring, as Andy laughingly Madison was consigned by the Ridas recalls. “She saw me bidding and her along with their partners, M&M Cattle jaw dropped. Then she didn’t look at Company. The sale topper was bred by me again because she didn’t want to the Old-N-Lazy partnership of Kurt Wolf know!” From four generations of VG & EX and Mike Maier. Quite a number of show
Ridale Nemo Serenity ET (EX-94 2E) enjoys her pasture time behind the main pack barn. Photo © Cowsmo.
48 « COWSMOPOLITAN Summer 2020
dams and out of the famous show cow, Chaluka Nemo Xioli EX-93, Xara calved in early June and looks very promising for the junior 2-year-old class. Selling for $13,250 as the 2nd high heifer was the aforementioned Ridale Reagan Vanity-ET, the 2019 Reserve All-American Spring Calf out of Verify. Glamourview – Iager & Walton, who have purchased a number of elite Ayrshires in the past couple of years, placed the final bid for Vanity, and she will join their show string as a Spring Yearling for 2020. The high selling Milking Shorthorn at $7,000 was Ridale Petrones Brandy EXP ET, a summer yearling by Petrone out of Heavenly Betty EXP EX-94 4E. She was purchased by Kurt Wolf of Epworth, IA so it’s quite likely we’ll see her in the show ring this fall. Sales can have enough stress and drama on their own, without adding the complications of a global pandemic. Ryan & Marjorie were both thrilled with how the sale went and with the final prices, but still have plans to have that in-person celebration in the future. “We’ve kept our foundation cows. We’re going to plan some new crosses and make some more babies,” says Marjorie. “We’d like to have a sale every two or three years. Hopefully, everyone will be able to attend in person at the next one!” By Kathleen O’Keefe
COWSMOPOLITAN Summer 2020 » 49