District 1 Holstein Show

The District 1 holstein show will be held in conjuction with the Winnesheik Co. Fair on July 13th. Show will begin at 8:30 am. We will start the show off with colored breed heifers first. Then cows will be shown in alphelbetical order based on breed starting at 1:30 pm.

Entries are due July 1st, $10 per head. Please send entries and a copy of registration papers to Blake Courtney. Phone: 563-387-7879 or email blake4courtney@hotmail.com

Cattle can begin to arrive anytime on Tuesday July 11th, but must be in by NOON

Wednesday July, 12th. Cattle may begin leaving after the show. Any hay or straw must be pulled away from the fronts of the stalls before leaving.

Judge: Leah James

Master Breeder Award

Farnear Holsteins, Farley

This years Master Breeder Award winner has a long history of excellence in the Holstein breeding industry. This Family's passion for the registered Holsteins started nearly 60 years ago, and remains strong today. Farnear Holsteins has watched their breeding programgarner success on the state, national and international stages.

Within the last 30 plus years, the humble due known as Tom and Rick Simon, owners of Farnear Holsteins has been progressive with technology, shown the ability to adapt to change. Farnear Holateins has created a Holstein with global appeal.

Farnear Holsteins are located in Farley, Iowa. Tom and Rick Simon have incorporated their fathers advice by using the best bulls, by also buyin the top females from sales to produce great offspring. Their foundation started Papoose and Thor Jackie. This then led to Debbie Jo and Brocade. After this generation it led to the Apple-Red Robust Ruby snd Delcious continued the list of whos who in the Holstein breed. These cow families went on to produce Lark, Lexus, Drake, Sable abd brynn. Then soon followed by the Apple offspring. Adler, Altitude-Red, aling with Delta, Dante, Delta Lambda, and Captain. Farnear Holsteins are proud to know that breeders around the World are having success with their genetics.

Tom and Rick breed their animals for a wide variety of traits to reach all markets within the gentic field. They have exhinited five homebred Grand Champions at the Iowa State Fair. Adler is now classified at EX-96 and has been named Unanimous All-American Production Cow. Altitude-Red and Delta-Lambda have sired numerous class winners at national shows across North America. Tom and Rick have also sold over 350 bulls that have been sold to numerous A.I. studs.

Farnear has recently expanded to a 500 plus cow operation with nine Lely robots. Tom's son, Mark and Rick's son, Adam work alongside their fathers to continue thei success within the Holstein breed. Tom and his wife Shirley have 4 sons, Jeremy, Matt, Mark, and Josh along with six grandchildren. Rick and his wife Jodi have five kids, Bethany, Tyler, Adam, Noah and Ellie along with two grandchildren. They enjoy spending time with their families and friends, bowling, watching the Cyclones, Nascar, and watching the next generation develop. Congradulations to Farnear Holsteins for their success that continues to grow and congradulation on this years Master Breeder Award!

Please make sure to attend our 2023 State Picnic that will be hosted Augest 26, 2023 at Farnear Holsteins!

Outstanding Young Breeder Award Matt Zuercher, Postville

Matt and his wife Tara along with their children Braelyn, Brooks and Braxton own and operate Z-Breeze Holsteins in Postville, IA.

Growing up Matt was actively involved on the family farm and grew a great interest in the cows.

Throughout the years, he was involved with 4-H and exhibited cattle at various shows. His showing career stared at the age of 2 at the Big 4 Fair in Postville. Matt became more involved with the daily operations of the dairy farm as he was a teenager. The family often jokes that Matt is the only reason the cows did not get sold years ago.

In 2013, Matt purchased the cow herd from his parents, Joe & Linda, resulting in Matt being a 4th generation dairyman. Currently, he milks 45 cows in a tie stall barn on the family farm. He has focused on developing his herd by using high type sires with deep pedigrees.

In addition to dairy farming, Matt is involved with the daily operations of Zuercher Trucking, LLC which hauls milk to both Wapsie Valley Creamery in Independence and Prairie Farms in Luana. The trucking company also hauls grain and fertilizer. In between chores, you will typically find Matt driving milk truck or semi. He is part owner of Zuercher Ridge, LLC which is a crop farming operation owned with his brother, Chris and father, Joe. Matt is also a distributor for Blondin Sires. His wife Tara works full time as a nurse and assists on the family farm and business. The future looks to be busy as usual for their family, the farm and their other various endeavors. Matt & Tara.

Tara recently moved to the family farm and purchased the building site from his parents. They have a couple of improvement projects planned for the very near future which includes putting up a new barn and installing a robotic milker. Their children are getting started with 4-H and are growing a love for showing cattle. The kids are involved with sports, church and school activities. Matt, Tara and the rest of the Z-Breeze crew always look forward to their annual trip to the Iowa State Fair. Congradulations Matt on this years Young Breeder Award!

INTRODUCING OUR 2023-2024 PRINCESS

Hello Iowa Holstein Members! For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Brynlee Volker. I am the 20 year old daughter of Bill & Shellie Volker of Sumner. I have 3 sisters Brylie, Brenna, and Brielle. Currently, I am studying Human Resource Management at Hawkeye Community College.

In my free time I like working with cows, golfing, spending time with friends and family, and going to my family's cabin on the Mississippi River. I’m back for another year of serving as your Princess and can’t wait for the summer ahead.

I will be staying in Cedar Falls and working for the summer and of course helping my mom whenever I have time. I am excited for the district shows and state show and connecting with more members of our association.

If there are any other events you would like me to attend please reach out!

Email: brynleev03@gmail.com Phone: (319) 240-6266 Have a great summer everyone, Brynlee Volker

2023 Iowa Holstein Association Board of Directors

Front row L to R: Vice President Paul Stempfle, Doug Lyons, Sheri Danhof, Treasurer Shellie Volker President Walt Wessel, Back row L to R: Jeff Hammerand, Tom Simon, Trent Henkes, Kevin Fossum, Herald Editor

Brianna Lucey, Dan Moon, Larry Landsgard, & Doug Brown.

The March 2023 meeting was held prior to our Iowa State Holstein Sale. Meeting was called to order by Dan Moon at 9:41 A.M. The treasure report was approved by Jeff Hammerand and seconded by Paul Stempfle. February minutes were also approved by Duane Gibbs and seconded by Sheri Danhof.

The Juniors ran our lunch stand for the sale and proceeds went back to our Juniors. The Iowa Holstein Juniors also helped the Shade of Excellence sale by running their lunch stand as well the following weekend. Thank you Iowa Holstein Juniors! We are also looking for sponsors for the Iowa State Holstein Show. Juniors have been busy practicing and getting ready for National Convention in June.

The program development committee announced that this year's State Holstein Picnic will be hosted by Tom and Rick Simon of Farnear Holstein located in Farley, Iowa. State convention update was given by Trent Henkes and it was a success! Over $1,000 in donations, $3,280.00 was raised in ticket sales, with a cost of $2900.00.

Sale committee shared new ideas that were shared the night of the convention. Some of these ideas were to make some changes with raffle calves for next year's sale. The idea was to have a larger group of calves to select from the night before, instead of having only four animals to pick from and to help draw in more interest. Once the winning ticket is drawn, let the winner choose a calf and sell the rest like normal. Looking for more insights and ideas on what others may have.

The Show committee announced to keep the State Fair rotation as is. It has been opened up that if a district would like to host the Iowa State Holstein Show the year it is to be held down at State Fair, the committee needs to know by November 1st. There will be sawdust available on the grounds for the state show in Manchester this year. An ultrasound person has been contacted and the date is confirmed for the show.

All committee reports were approved by Blake Courtney and seconded by Doug Lyons.

Dennis Devore from Holstein USA shared information about additional individuals to be added for field representatives in our area. So far they have interviewed three talented individuals. Thank you Dennis for your insight and guidance.

Bus trip was discussed and Walt had 15 people signed up this far and it was stated they needed at least 30 people to attend the trip. Iowa State and NICC students were welcome to come on the tour. The bus was a 50 passenger bus that was out of Ames.

New Business:

No new business. Meeting was adjourned at 10 by Dan Bolin and Seconded by Doug Lyons.

Submitted Respectfully,

Brianna Lucey

17518 Gunder Rd • Postville, IA 52162

Larry’s Cell: 563-419-5576

Email: lansgard@neitel.net