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State Picnic.......................................................................................................MW
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R-Homestead Holsteins began in 1955 with the purchase of an open heifer as a 4-H project for the eldest son of Orlo and Beulah Ruppert, David. Before this time, the dairy consisted of a herd of Milking Shorthorn cows. Beulah’s family had a herd of Holstein cows and she herself had shown Holsteins as a youth. With this background and the encouragement of Beulah’s brother Earl “Hubcap” Moeller, their journey with the beloved Black and White cows began. From the beginning, developing a herd of mostly homebred cattle with a “balance of type and production” has been the goal for the farm and this motto has remained for three generations.
The farm last hosted the Illinois State Holstein Picnic in 1979. That year, the herd boasted a BAA of 104.4, through a dedicated breeding philosophy, this has increased to its current level of 109.7. Currently, they have 11 EX, 42 VG, 16 GP and 2 G for the entire classi ed herd. Their highest classi ed cow at this time is R-Homestead AS Charlotte-ET EX-94, with a 99 point rump, which is their highest ever. The rolling herd average in ‘79 was an impressive 18,000 lbs. milk with a 3.8% butterfat. Current rolling herd average is 22,000 lbs. milk with a 4.0% butterfat and 3.2% protein. The cows are not pushed hard for milk; longevity and components are the greater focus.
R-Homestead is truly a family a air as all labor is provided by family with no outside employees. Dave and Lenore have four children, all of whom were active showing and helping on the farm growing up, and still are active today. Tonya and her husband Lloyd Garrelts live four miles from the farm at Lenore’s childhood home and ll in whenever Marc and Lora may be away. Lance and his wife Amy, and their three kids, Shae, Paige and Chase live in Heyworth and have a small herd of Holsteins that are primarily housed at R-Homestead with a few show calves at their home. They use the pre x R-Way and have garnered several Illinois State Fair winners over the years, having the Junior Champion of the Junior Show in 2021. Jenè and her husband Nathan Clementz have ve girls, Noelle, Brenley, Kenna, Hadley and Maebry. The older girls are all active showing and are a big help whenever extra hands are needed on the farm. Lora and Marc Hilgendorf made the move to Nokomis in the spring of 2007 and so became the fth generation to milk cows at the original Ruppert family farm. Their three children, Landon, Kaylee and Logan are an essential part of the farm’s day to day operations helping with calf chores and anything else asked of them.
Thank you for hosting this year’s Illinois State Holstein Picnic!
