Country Life A8 • lyndentribune.com • Wednesday, July 12, 2017
Lynden hosts part of Holstein USA convention in Bellevue Polinder farm shows 80 cows, hosts 350 for lunch; another stop is Markwell By Calvin Bratt editor@lyndentribune.com
LYNDEN — The base may have been a Bellevue Hyatt, but it was to a classic Lynden farm that Holstein national conventioneers came for a view of 75 years of breeding by the Polinder family. On June 29 six buses delivered about 350 people to the Ronelee Farm just south of town to learn about the dairy cow families that have been bred there. Arriving about 11 a.m., the visitors could view about 80 cows clipped and washed and placed in eight small paddocks — with certainly the queen of the show, Dabble, located in the center pasture surrounded by three and four generations related to her. It was her 14th birthday exactly that day. This display and arrangement was appreciated because of the ease in viewing several cows with limited time and effort. Sherm and Jeff Polinder spoke to the gathered crowd from the elevated platform of their farm’s office. Sherm, who along with his father Henry served on the national Holstein Association board, welcomed the folks from throughout the country before sharing the farm’s story. At ground level, multiple panels gave a pictorial review of key cow families going back to the first family started by Henry Polinder in the 1940s. These panels por-
trayed Harriet, Fanny Fobes, Dolly, Dimple and Dabble, and Ronelee bulls that have been successful as well. The Polinder father and son could speak readily to their specialized audience about key cow families in which they played a part. Jeff has been the farm’s leader in breeding decisions the past several years. “The breeding goals have changed some over the years,” Jeff Polinder said. “We do not put as much emphasis on size and style, but more emphasis on fertility, durability and longevity. Dabble herself helped this transition because she is exceptionally strong in those qualities.” Sherm Polinder credited his father for having the vision to pursue registered Holsteins. “Dad was practical. He did not have patience for pretty cows that did not produce.” Sherm also thanked local breeders Ernie Nolte, Gerrrit Sterk and Ken Haak for selling exceptional genetics that helped establish a strong base. “Our most significant purchase was Dolly from Wes and Brad Kammerman. She was a very hardy cow that wanted to live. She was the grandmother of Dabble, who also exhibited these same qualities.” Both father and son said they admit breeding cows is an art and a science, but believe “the Lord makes the final DNA combination.” The visiting group partook of a Rose DeGroot-catered lunch across Polinder Road under a large tent before reboarding their buses and making a stop also at Markwell Farm north of Lynden where a number of animals of other Whatcom
Visitors at the Polinder farm look out toward the cow Dabble during the June 29 tour by national Holstein breeders and families. (Calvin Bratt/Lynden Tribune)
Kulshan coming soon to Ferndale
Announced via its Facebook page, Kulshan Veterinary Hospital of Lynden will open a Ferndale location sometime this fall. The location will be at 6220 Portal Way, pictured here. (Courtesy photo)
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