Ayrshire Ambassadors Cooperative Magazine

Staying True to the Ayrshire Breed Jasper Hill Farm Capitalizes on the Breed’s Inherent Traits

PLUS:

• West Virginia University Celebrates Historic Herd this Fall • • Ayrshire Dairy Industry: Faces of the Future • • Wisconsin ABA Gets a Marketing Grant • • Find out who won our photo contest! See page 4! •

Ayrshires Prove Valuable for Any Dairy Model We’re Counting on Your Support to Spread the Word

If you have ever owned an Ayrshire, you probably don’t need us to tell you what it is that makes them so special. You likely already know that these beautiful creatures are not only some of the most resilient, healthy, and adaptable cows out there, but that they are also extremely cost-effective, efficient producers of top quality milk. Altogether, they are the ideal dairy cow.

But sadly, the vast majority of dairy farmers don’t know enough about this amazing breed. According to DairyGood.org, of all dairy cows in the U.S., 86% are black and white Holsteins, followed by the Jersey at 8%. Ayrshires make up only 0.2% of U.S. dairy cattle.

So, if the Ayrshire is such an excellent choice for dairy farmers, why the discouraging statistics? While other breeds have been able to invest heavily in marketing and promotion over the years, Ayrshire breeders and enthusiasts have not had the resources to do so. Word of mouth has been the primary marketing channel for Ayrshires, which has kept the breed from reaching its full potential in the dairy industry.

We established the Ayrshire Ambassadors Cooperative to change this.

Our mission is to promote and grow the Ayrshire breed—to make the world aware of the unmatched benefits of Ayrshires, and to help them reach the spot they deserve in the industry. To do this, we need you—the farmers, breeders, and supporters of Ayrshires—to join us. By becoming a member of the cooperative for just $100 (or less if you’re a retired breeder or student), you will not only be creating a better future for our beloved breed, but for your children and grandchildren as well. Because when the breed grows, we all benefit.

The results are there—great production records and ideal butterfat and protein—it’s up to us to tell the world.

As you read through this edition of Ayrshire Ambassadors Magazine, we ask you to consider joining this historic cooperative.

You can find more information on membership on page 13, and advertising opportunities on page 15.

Celebrating a Lifetime in the Dairy Industry Working in the dairy industry is truly a lifelong commitment—to your herd, your land, and your legacy.

We wanted to take a moment to recognize these dedicated men, who’ve spent nearly their whole lives supplying their local communities with milk and perpetuating the Ayrshire breed.

Ayrshires have been the cornerstone of David Patrick’s herd at Maple-Dell Farm. Despite being in his 80s now, he never misses an event that celebrates the remarkable breed. The same is true for John Rodgers, who turned 80 this year. He continues to take every opportunity he gets to enlighten others about the breed’s potential.

Earl Keefer Sr., the eldest of the group (in his 90s) and owner of Sycamore Meade Farm, is so much an Ayrshire enthusiast that he says “the Ayrshire is better today than in the past.

A special thanks goes to these men for their lifetime of contributions to the Ayrshire breed!

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Earl Keefer Sr., David Patrick, and John Rodgers www.ayrshireambassadors.org

Why

?

Often produce up to

Taste preferred by

lbs. excellent quality milk per year

of consumers in a blind test by Woolrich's

High protein

3.3%

High butterfat concentration

4%

Smallest fat globules of any breed

meet the true "cash cow" of all breeds

Primarily grassbased diet

Highefficiency production

Low cost

+ Adapt easily to all management styles

Not subject to excessive foot & leg problems Reproduce easily & efficiently

▪ Strength ▪ Ruggedness ▪ Longevity ▪ Medium size ▪ Red-brown color

Maintain body condition easily Free of genetic diseases Produce vigorous calves 3

3-5+ 1,200+ www.ayrshireambassadors.org

Featured Farms

Beautiful Ayrshire Photo Contest And the Winner is… Joscelyn Strange!

We asked you to share your best Ayrshire photos for our contest, and the response was overwhelming. We had 20 beautiful photos submitted, and after opening the voting to the public, it didn’t take long to determine a winner.

Joscelyn Strange won by a landslide with her photo of JCC Burdette Danielle VG86 at 2-07 and her Predator bull calf! This cow is particularly special to Joscelyn. As a heifer, she was Joscelyn’s showmanship animal who she won the commissioner award (best showman in the state) with at the KY State Fair.

Though she is still what some may consider a newcomer to the Ayrshire community, Joscelyn demonstrates a deep passion for the breed. She was born and raised in Harrodsburg, KY and has shown livestock for as long as she can remember.

“My Pa (grandfather) Hilary Cox raised and showed registered hogs for years, and he passed that same love down to me,” she explains. “He was a huge inspiration to me and my biggest role model.”

It was her dad, though, that inspired Joscelyn to show Ayrshires.

“He showed when he was younger and loved it,” she explains. “In 2009, my parents bought me my first Ayrshire heifer. Her name was Heaven… I really do have the most amazing parents.”

JCC Burdette Danielle VG86 at 2-07 and her Predator bull calf In 2011, Joscelyn started dating Lee Strange of Ollie Acres, who she then married in 2015. around and bought me embryos for Christmas one year out “Together we have a mixed herd of Ayrshires, Jerseys, Brown Swiss, and Holsteins,” she says. “In all honesty, of my favorite Ayrshire cow, cementing his place as an Ayrshire lover forever!” she says, laughing.

Lee wasn’t a fan of the Ayrshires at first... but then he turned Over the short period of time they’ve had Ayrshires, Joselyn and her family have bred a great herd. They have won Junior Champion in the JR show on multiple occasions at the KY State Fair, as well as having reserve JR champion in the open show. A few of their bred and owned heifers have placed in the Top 10 at WDE. In addition, they have had high-placing animals at the NAILE in Louisville, KY and also bred a Junior All-American.

“I love this breed so much because they are different, all the way from personalities to color patterns,” Joscelyn says.

“I also love them so much because they are hardy and their calves come out strong and ready to thrive. There is not one single reason why I love this breed so much—they are in my opinion the best breed out there! I am so proud to breed Ayrshire cattle.”

Lee Strange, Joscelyn Strange, Joyce Elliott, and Bobby Elliott

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www.ayrshireambassadors.org

Ayrshire Key to Success for this Foxboro, MA Dairy Why Ayrshires are the Best Option According to Terri Lawton Todays’ dairy farmers are subject to ebbs and flows of the market, and it’s no secret that the profit margin is continually shrinking, to the point where farmers may not break even.

Terri Lawton of Foxboro, MA grew up watching her dad struggle to make ends meet, but she had bigger ambitions for herself. She knew from the start she didn’t want to take the shamefully low milk price. Today, thanks to her determination, she runs her own raw milk dairy (Oake Knoll Ayrshires) and the Foxboro Cheese company, making a profit margin that can support a family and employees.

And at the core of her success is her even-tempered, efficient Ayrshire herd.

Though her dad milked Holsteins, Terri was drawn to Ayrshires early on.

“Many of the farmers I visited in college told me Ayrshire milk was higher quality, more easily digested, and made better cheese,” she recalls.

This was also later confirmed by farmers that she visited as a State Dairy Inspector for Massachusetts.

In the early days, to supplement the cheese-making business she aspired to, she started selling raw milk and quickly received positive feedback from her customers.

“My customers said they liked my milk better than other farms that had Holsteins or Jerseys,” she says. “They told me it had a sweeter taste and was easier to drink. My customer base grew exponentially—people were driving two hours just to buy milk from my cows.”

The better quality milk, combined with the fact that her cows are on rotational grazing, gave Terri the competitive advantage she needed to succeed.

“It was easier to keep my market share when I was competing against farmers milking other breeds,” she says.

“For example, Jersey milk is thicker and some people find it harder to drink.”

When it comes to making aged cheese, Terri is partial to using raw milk.

“When you’re making a hard cheese, raw milk produces a better quality cheese with wilder flavors, making it truly unique,” she explains.

Terri also swears by using Ayrshire milk for cheesemaking. She noticed when her class made cheese with Jersey milk at the Vermont Institute of Artisan Cheese, the milk wanted to form clots of butter, which they had to remove from the cheese vat. Ayrshire milk naturally has smaller fat molecules, which are better for making cheese.

“Ayrshires are the ideal cow for any kind of niche dairy business,” Terri says. “Communicating that is really important because making raw cheese with Jersey milk, for 5

Terri Lawton of Foxboro, MA example, just doesn’t make sense. I would always point any micro-dairy toward Ayrshires.”

But it’s not just their quality milk that attracts Terri to Ayrshires.

“I prefer their temperament,” she admits. “They’re also good grazers and convert grass into milk efficiently.”

In addition, Terri has made an effort to shape her herd to fit her vision.

“I’ve worked hard to breed cows that produce milk with 4% or higher fat,” she explains. “All of my cows are purebred, and I’m picking bulls and cows that are best for my business—those that produce milk that is sweet and easy to drink and has a good cheese yield.”

In fact, she doesn’t necessarily go to AI companies to find the semen she wants.

“I’d rather use a privately collected bull that has the traits I’m looking for, even if I have to pay extra to have the semen shipped across the country,” she explains.

Thanks to this opportunity, she has bred a herd that she’s truly proud of and achieves her objectives. And despite higher prices than you find in grocery stores, Terri’s customers are willing to pay a little more money for a better quality product.

How to Get in Touch with Terri

Terri is happy to share her wisdom with others looking to get into the raw milk industry or value-added products. She is an experienced consultant for the Farm Viability Program operated by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and private businesses setting up cheese-making and other dairy products and managing human relations.

Terri is also a mentor for Ayrshire Ambassadors Cooperative in raw milk sales and cheese-making. Reach her at terri_lawton@yahoo.com or (774) 444-5824. www.ayrshireambassadors.org

Featured Farms

Featured Farms

Staying True to the Ayrshire Breed

Jasper Hill Farm Capitalizes on the Breed’s Inherent Traits

Andy and Mateo Kehler at beautiful Jasper Hill Farm If you’re a true cheese-lover, there’s no doubt you’ve heard of Jasper Hill Farm. Brothers Andy and Mateo Kehler bought the farm in 1998 and have since built what some may call a cheese empire in beautiful Greensboro, VT. Their cheese is sold across the country and was even served at the White House when the French president visited.

While there are many factors contributing to the Kehler brothers’ success, one of the critical components has been the beautiful, yet hearty, Ayrshire breed. A tried-and-true breed, Ayrshires have proven to have all the characteristics they’re looking for.

“Ayrshires are the most efficient converters of feed,” Mateo remarks, also mentioning their superior feet, legs, and udder attachment as important traits. “Their milk also has very small fat globules, which break down predictably,” he adds. “You can get a lot of bad flavors from milk with large fat globules.”

For example, Jersey milk, while it may have a higher yield, has large fat globules. Since the ratio of fat to protein is so important in cheese-making, Ayrshire milk—which has a more balanced fat and protein ratio—is often preferred.

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But having an Ayrshire herd also comes down to heritage for the Kehler brothers.

“Our little area of the northeast kingdom of Vermont was settled by Scots,” Mateo says. “Ayrshires have been a part of this landscape for well over 200 years, so they really fit with the cultural heritage of the neighborhood.”

He and his brother recognized early on that the quality of your cheese is only as good as your milk, and you can’t have good milk without a healthy herd. That’s why they’ve worked hard to come up with a combination of farm practices that result in the best product possible.

For example, at Jasper Hill, the cows do a lot of walking and are put out on a fresh piece of pasture after every milking. Mateo says this intensive rotational grazing program is “an ethical commitment to the health of the herd and to the aesthetic of cows on the landscape.”

“It’s become quite rare,” he continues. “More and more, cows are confined, and I think there are environmental, cultural, and aesthetic consequences to that.”

Through the months of May to October, the herd grazes

www.ayrshireambassadors.org

Featured Farms

freely. During the winter months, they are fed a dry hay— never silage.

These are all factors that combine to make Jasper Hill Farm cheese a desirable product. It is clear the Kehlers place a high value on Ayrshires at Jasper Hill the Ayrshire breed.

They actually intend to cross-breed their Ayrshires with the Holsteins on the second farm they own.

“We’d like to add some of the Ayrshire genetics,” he says.

“Really it’s a quite conventional herd of cows, and we’re looking to build a grazing herd of cows that are heartier than the average Holsteins.”

One of the things we’ve seen over the years is that, to a large extent, breeders have really tried to turn Ayrshires into Holsteins [. . .] remembering what Ayrshire cows are really good at, which is grazing, and using a less intensive production-based philosophy can often times yield better economic results. . .”

In addition to the premier milk used in their cheeses, their technique is one of the best found in the country. After all, they did learn the art of cheese-making in Europe.

Mateo worked for Neal’s Yard Dairy in the U.K., a leader in the artisan cheese industry. “They really salvaged a lot of traditions that were on the brink of distinction,” Mateo says.

Those years working in their cellars maturing cheese and for a few suppliers across the U.K. were instrumental in laying the foundation for Jasper Hill Farm and their philosophy when it comes to cheese-making.

“Cheese is a very complicated product,” Mateo admits.

“It’s four ingredients with a thousand iterations. We don’t feel we’ve fully mastered that body of knowledge. We’re still learning every day. That’s one of the things that makes cheese-making interesting to me—the opportunity for lifelong learning.”

When it comes to the future of Ayrshires, though, the

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Kehlers recommend staying true to the breed and utilizing their already positive attributes.

“One of the things we’ve seen over the years is that, to a large extent, breeders have really tried to turn Ayrshires into Holsteins,” he says. “Cows have gotten bigger, and there’s been much more emphasis on total production as opposed to components. I understand the market is driving this to a large extent. We really prefer smaller-framed cows. We find that those smaller cows actually perform better over the long term. In a way, remembering what Ayrshire cows are really good at, which is grazing, and using a less intensive production-based philosophy can often times yield better economic results than the really intensive high-production model that is dominating dairy management currently.”

The Kehlers really are fans of the Ayrshire breed and recognize them for what they truly are—a cost-effective investment and a remarkable breed when it comes to quality milk and cheese.

Jasper Hill’s BAYLEY Hazen Blue Cheese

www.ayrshireambassadors.org

Upcoming Events

Celebration of Historic Herd

West Virginia University Invites Public to Celebrate Reymann Memorial Herd September 28 The Reymann Memorial Ayrshire Herd at West Virginia University is one of the oldest continuous Ayrshire herds in the nation. Over the herd’s 119-year history, Lawrence A. Reymann and West Virginia University (his successor) have given great care and attention to the continued development of the herd through genetics, breeding, and improved management techniques.

As the university continues its mission to preserve and improve this herd, officials will be hosting an event on September 28, 2017 to celebrate their success and inform the public about their efforts, specifically the value of rotational grazing. The event (held at 1400 Stewartstown Rd., Morgantown, WV 26505) will run from 10 a.m. through lunch, which will be held at 12:30 p.m.

The herd has quite a unique history. It was originally established by Lawrence A. Reymann in 1897 by combining the top genetic bloodlines of the time. According to the Journal of Dairy Science, “In the first decade of the 20th century, Hill Top was probably the most outstanding Ayrshire herd both from the standpoint of winnings and leading records.”

Despite big dreams for his herd, Lawrence A. Reymann passed away at the young age of 31. His brother Paul O. Reymann, who later became the President of the Ayrshire Breeders Association (1921-1923), took over management of the herd and later donated Cacapon Farms (a farm owned

EVENT SCHEDULE 10 a.m.

Welcome Dean Robinson/Introduction of Reymann Family

10:15 a.m. Overview of farm and herd from Ben Walsh 10:45 a.m. Agronomics of the farmland base (Presented Dr. David Belesky, Clinical Associate Director of Farm Administration, and Dr. Tom Griggs, Associate Professor of Agronomy) 11:15 a.m. Forages and grasslands use in rotational grazing (Presented by Dr. Domingo Mata Padrino, Research Associate Professor of Plant and Soil Science) 11:45 a.m. Rotational Grazing and Campus on My Farm (Audrey Gay Rodgers of Belleville, PA will address the crowd on her own practices at Hameau Farm and Plum Bottom Ayrshires) 12:30 p.m. Lunch (Grass-fed burgers, Ayrshire cheese, and ice cream courtesy of Reymann Memorial Syndicate) 8

Ben Walsh and Curtis Swiantek with part of the Reymann Memorial Herd

by Lawrence) and the herd to the West Virginia University Agricultural Experiment Station.

As part of the original agreement, WVU vowed to “give particular care and attention to the breeding and development of the herd of registered Ayrshire cattle… and at all times use its best endeavor to promote and bring this herd of Ayrshires up to the highest standard.”

The herd has had some instability over the years, but is in capable hands today. Ben Walsh, the Associate Director of Farm Administration and Operations, is an experienced herd manager with a keen desire to return the Ayrshire herd to the elite prominence which it once held. In addition, the College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design is under the leadership of Dean Daniel Robinson. With his oversight, the herd has continued to develop and thrive, and two small research projects have been launched with grants from the U.S. Ayrshire Breeders Foundation.

The herd, which consists of 31 milking and young cattle, has tremendous potential. Currently, nine embryos (coming from excellent Ayrshire dams and sired by 100% Ayrshire bulls) are implanted in Holstein heifers. This isn’t the only method by which the herd is growing, though. Two animals have been donated by the Reymann Memorial Syndicate, including naturally polled Plum Bottom Ryder Lenore and Plum Bottom Pluto Athena.

Rotational grazing, which has improved the health of the herd and reduced feed costs, has also been instrumental in the herd’s success. Attendees will have an opportunity to learn more about the advantages of rotational grazing at the event on September 28.

Please join us at West Virginia University for a celebration of the Reymann Memorial Herd and an informative discussion about rotational grazing! www.ayrshireambassadors.org

Hameau Farm to Host Educational Forum on Rotational Grazing & Use of Solar Energy On September 26, 2017, Audrey Gay Rodgers of Hameau Farm (located at 6364 PA-655, Belleville, PA 17004) will be hosting an educational session about the practices used on her farm. Not only are these good for her herd, but good for the environment.

Starting at 10 a.m., attendees will have an opportunity to hear from: The Natural Resources Conservation Service – The NRCS representative, Bill Stidfole, will discuss the value of the

stone-based lane, the high tensile fence, the manure pit that prevents run-off in the stream, and the progressive practice of using solar energy to power the pump for the well and deliver water for cows to drink.

The Pennsylvania Forage and Grassland Council – Jessica Williamson, the Penn State Extension Forage Agronomist, will join us to talk about the rotational use of the paddocks and the management of the grass.

The Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture – Franklin Eden will be in attendance to discuss the importance of soil and how to improve its organic matter.

Ben Walsh – Finally, attendees will have an opportunity to learn about how rotational grazing is utilized by the farm director of the Reymann Memorial Herd at West Virginia University.

Belleville, PA

Attendees will also be invited to take part in a delicious lunch of grass-fed burgers, Ayrshire cheese, and homemade ice cream.

The event is free and open to the public. All those interested are encouraged to attend and learn the value of the aforementioned management techniques.

Celebrating 75 Years

New England Fall Ayrshire Sale Set for October 21 The 75th Annual New England Ayrshire Sale will take place on Saturday, October 21, 2017 at the Vermont State Fairgrounds in Rutland, VT, beginning at 11 a.m.

Celebrating 75 years of distinguished tradition, the New England Fall Ayrshire Sale is a chance for breeders to showcase their best animals.

According to Linwood Huntington, who has served as sales manager for the past 15 years, the annual New England Fall Ayrshire Sale is a significant event for the East Coast.

“We are the only Ayrshire sale east of Ohio,” he states.

“We have cows from all over New England, New York, Pennsylvania, and states from the west.”

This year’s sale is expected to include about 70 cattle— mostly Ayrshires but some other breeds as well.

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“I anticipate having Holsteins, Jerseys, Milking Shorthorns, and others as well,” Lin says. In addition to the cattle, semen will be available for purchase.

As Lin prepares for the sale, he is excited about the possibility of adding an online element this year.

“For the first time, we hope to have Cowbuyer as part of the sale this year,” he explains. “This online bidding service will allow buyers to purchase animals online, rather than in person.”

In addition, sale catalogs will be available upon request on October 1.

To get updates on the New England Fall Ayrshire Sale, Huntington recommends following the New England Ayrshire Club’s Facebook page.

www.ayrshireambassadors.org

Future of the Breed

Faces of the Future for the Ayrshire Dairy Industry How Three Young Women Plan to Support the Beloved Breed

The future looks bright for the Ayrshire breed—at least if these three young women have any say in it! Their passion is exactly what the Ayrshire community needs these days, and it started at Hameau Farm in beautiful Belleville, PA. Here’s a look at a few faces of the future and how they plan to help build a better legacy for the breed!

Shoshana Brody, 19, Baltimore, MD Hailing from Baltimore, Shoshana always had an interest in animals. Her love for agriculture and the dairy industry, however, took root when she made her way north to summer camp at Hameau Farm. She attended the camp for two years there, then worked as a counselor and in the barn. Since getting involved in showing through Hameau, Shoshana has shown Ayrshires at the All American Dairy Show, the Pennsylvania Shoshana Brody Ayrshire Association Heifer Show and Sale, the Huntingdon County Fair, and the Pennsylvania Farm Show.

Shoshana is an Animal Science major at Penn State, going

Amye Gulezian, 21, Takoma Park, MD For the past 11 years, Amye, a native of Takoma Park, has spent her summers working with Ayrshires at Hameau Farm.

Her mother initially sent her to camp there when she was younger because Amye had wanted to become a veterinarian.

“Turns out, I fell in love with farming and cows,” Amye says.

Wanting to work more closely with the Ayrshires, she began working in the barn and milking at Hameau, which she has now been doing for the past five or six years. She has also helped show Ayrshires for the farm.

“I love Ayrshires because I think they’re smart, have personality, and are the most individual cows,” Amye says.

So much so, in fact, that she says can even predict each cow’s

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into her sophomore year. During her spring break this year, she completed a one-week internship at Palmyra Farms in Hagerstown, Maryland, where she had the chance to milk, give vaccinations, feed calves, and perform other farm chores.

Though Palmyra has mainly Ayrshires, Shoshana did work with some Holsteins, Brown Swiss, and Jerseys while there.

Still, her affinity for Ayrshires is stronger than ever.

“Compared to the Holsteins and Jerseys that I have worked with, Ayrshires seem to have a more friendly nature and are easy to work with,” Shoshana says. Additionally, she loves the rich heritage associated with the breed, such as the fact that some bloodlines can be traced all the way back to where the breed originated in Scotland.

But it’s not just the breed Shoshana love—she also thrives on the unique dynamic of the Ayrshire community.

“Since there are fewer Ayrshires than other breeds, the community of people that are devoted to maintaining and improving the breed is very tight-knit and friendly,” she says.

Though she is still considering several different career possibilities, such as veterinary school or working with the transition period and calving stock, Shoshana says the one thing she knows for sure is that her future will include the dairy industry.

feelings and behaviors on a certain day. The Ayrshires at Hameau seem to have an excellent memory and are able to remember her even after a year of being gone, she says.

It’s really impressive that [some of the cows in the herd at Hameau have] been sustainable. Most other breeds don’t produce that long.

Amye has also been extremely impressed by the longevity of Ayrshires, as Hameau Farm has some 13- and 14-year-old cows that are still productive.

www.ayrshireambassadors.org

Annie Schmidt, 20, Garrett Park, MD Annie’s interest in agriculture began at age 10, when she first attended summer camp at Hameau Farm in Belleville, PA, coming from her hometown of Garrett Park. After four years of summer camp at the all-Ayrshire farm, she moved on to become a camp counselor in training. As she began working more on the farm and getting involved firsthand with Ayrshires, it was easy for her to fall in love with the breed.

“I love Ayrshires because of their personalities and their ability to adapt to their environment,” she says. “They are sweeter than any other breed that I’ve had experience with.”

Through her years of working with Ayrshires, Annie has

developed a passion for many of the aspects that come with the territory. On the farm, she says her biggest interest is herd health—she loves treating and caring for the cattle. But another one of her duties at the farm—clipping and showing the cows—has turned into her biggest passion of all.

Ayrshires and Hameau Farm are the reason I have found my passion in life, and I am so grateful for all the guidance I have received from members of the Ayrshire community!

“There is not much I love to do more than show,” she says. “I have shown at the All American Dairy Show, the Pennsylvania Farm Show, the Spring Dairy Expo in Ohio, and the Pennsylvania Ayrshire Association Spring Heifer Sale and Show.”

Through her showing experiences, Annie has also been able to meet and network with other members of the Ayrshire community and dairy industry, two groups that she hopes to stay a part of for years to come. Now entering her junior year at Penn State as an Animal Science major, Annie plans to attend veterinary school and become a food animal veterinarian with a focus in dairy animals. In the meantime, she keeps quite busy between working at the Penn State Dairy Barns, in a dairy nutrition research lab, and even where it all started—Hameau Farm.

“Ayrshires and Hameau Farm are the reason I have found my passion in life,” Annie says, “and I am so grateful for all the guidance I have received from members of the Ayrshire community!”

Annie Schmidt

“It’s really impressive that they’ve been sustainable,” she says. “Most other breeds don’t produce that long.”

Amye currently lives in Massachusetts, where she is entering her senior year at Hampshire College in Amherst. There, she works with the Dutch Belted breed—a small breed on the Livestock Conservancy’s critically endangered list, with less than 465 registered in the U.S. Amye is extremely passionate about preserving these kinds of smaller heritage breeds and their genetics.

“We can’t rely on just one breed,” she says. “That’s why it’s so important to preserve them and their genetics.”

Although Amye is not sure of her future plans yet, she loves the idea of becoming a farmer with a diverse herd of heritage breeds like the Dutch Belted and, of course, the Ayrshire—which she says will always have a special place in her heart.

Amye Gulezian 11

www.ayrshireambassadors.org

Future of the Breed

Wisconsin ABA Receives U.S. Ayrshire Breeders Foundation’s Annual Grant Association Makes Outstanding Effort to Market Ayrshires Since 2015, the Wisconsin Ayrshire Breeders Association has been marketing the breed in a unique way never seen before.

It’s yielded impressive results, introducing Ayrshires—and their many positive qualities—to numerous farms and new breeders. That’s why the U.S. Ayrshire Breeders Foundation has selected the association as the winner of their 2017 grant of $3,000.

According to their grant application, “The Wisconsin ABA board had a vision: to help more dairy farmers become involved with the Ayrshire breed. The board knew that if a dairy farmer had a little help in getting an Ayrshire into their herd, they would like the breed and want more. In 2015, the Wisconsin Beginning in Ayrshires Grant was established to fulfill this plan.”

Few other programs have had such success in getting Ayrshires in the hands of new breeders.

association. It will stabilize their ability to ensure the program continues to introduce this worthy breed to more herds in the future.

The committee encourages other Ayrshire asso­ciations to consider their own programs and the possibility of applying for the foundation’s grant to fund marketing efforts in the future.

On behalf of the Ayrshire breeder community, the foundation committee would like to express their gratitude to the Wisconsin Ayrshire Breeders Association for their unwavering commitment to the breed and their outstanding efforts to ensure its success! The committee encourages other Ayrshire associations to consider their own programs and the possibility of applying for the foundation’s grant to fund marketing efforts in the future.

So far, their plan to grow the breed has worked brilliantly.

The two recipients of the grant in 2015 were given $1,000 each to purchase animals at the Wisconsin Ayrshire Spring Sale. Both of them did just that—and one of them even bought two more Ayrshires that day! Since then, both recipients have been active members of the Wisconsin ABA and are continuing to expand their herds.

The results were similar in 2016. The winner of the grant again purchased three Ayrshires on the day of the sale. To add to that excitement, his young son also used the money from a Farm Bureau award to purchase an Ayrshire calf for himself.

In conjunction with the grant, the ABA also gives out free one-year memberships to all grant applicants to encourage them to become involved in the Ayrshire community even if they don’t received the grant.

The results of these efforts have been incredible. Few other programs have had such success in getting Ayrshires in the hands of new breeders. Despite the impressive results, though, the program is funded solely by donations. That’s why receiving the grant from the U.S. Ayrshire Breeders Foundation is such a big win for the The 2017 ‘Beginning in Ayrshires’ grant winner, Scott Noll, with his family and new Ayrshire 12

www.ayrshireambassadors.org

Membership Form Please mail this form along with payment to: Ayrshire Ambassadors Cooperative P.O. Box 296 State College, PA 16804

This form is for current and new breeders. Forms for retired breeders, Ayrshire associations, students, and ag-related organizations can be found online at www.ayrshireambassadors.org.

About us Mission To make owning Ayrshires an accessible, desirable, and profitable experience.

Vision To bring together individuals, families, farmers, and others that share a passion for Ayrshires and will work collaboratively to ensure the future of the breed.

Benefits of Membership With a membership, current/new Ayrshire breeders gain: • The opportunity to promote your herd with a listing of your farm and key facts about it in our directory • Access to our full directory of members • Access to valuable resources about marketing your own farm and owning Ayrshires • Access to mentors who can guide you in areas such as grazing management, showing, farm management, raw milk sales, and more

Current/New Ayrshire Breeder Form 1. Farm Name ________________________________________________________________________________ 2. Address 1__________________________________________________________________________________ 3. Address 2__________________________________________________________________________________ 4. City, State, Zip_______________________________________________________________________________ 5. Owners/Operators___________________________________________________________________________ 6. Contact information (phone number, email) _______________________________________________________ 7. Please list the top three classified cows in your herd.

1._________________________________________________________________________________________ 2._________________________________________________________________________________________ 3. _________________________________________________________________________________________ 8. Please share your year‑end DHIA Average._________________________________________________________ I use: o Rotational Grazing

o Total Mixed Ration

Over ➡ www.ayrshireambassadors.org | www.facebook.com/ayrshireambassadors 13

865-011 APR17

www.ayrshireambassadors.org

9. List your Fantastic Ayrshire Brood Cows.__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________ Fantastic Ayrshire Brood Cows are cows that have: a. Been classified with a 1st production record b. Have had two classified daughters with classification scores of 85 or higher with their first production records greater than or equal to the dam’s first production record

10. List the top three show‑winning cows or heifers in your herd.

1._________________________________________________________________________________________ 2._________________________________________________________________________________________ 3. _________________________________________________________________________________________ 11. List three current bulls being used as your herd sire.

1._________________________________________________________________________________________ 2._________________________________________________________________________________________ 3. _________________________________________________________________________________________ 12. List the top three producing cows with records in your herd.

1._________________________________________________________________________________________ 2._________________________________________________________________________________________ 3. _________________________________________________________________________________________ 13. List all cows in your herd that produce over 100,000 lbs. of milk. _______________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

14. List the top three cows from your herd on CPI list.

1._________________________________________________________________________________________ 2._________________________________________________________________________________________ 3. _________________________________________________________________________________________ 15. List the top three P9 or P8 calves recently born.

1. _________________________________________________________________________________________ 2._________________________________________________________________________________________ 3. _________________________________________________________________________________________ 16. Have images to share? Mail them in, and we’ll add them to the directory with your listing. You can share captions here: ______________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

o I’ve enclosed a check for $100 for a year‑long current/new Ayrshire breeder membership.

Checks should be made out to Ayrshire Ambassadors Cooperative 14

www.ayrshireambassadors.org

Want to advertise in *Get discount ad prices by signing up to become a member of Ayrshire Ambassadors Cooperative.

Memberships are now only $100! Fill out our membership form on page 13.

2017 Pricing Ayrshire Ambassadors Co‑Op Member Rates 1/4 Page: 1/2 Page: Full Page: Full Inside Front or Back Cover: Back Cover:

$150 $275 $400 $450 $500

Non‑Member Rates

1/4 Page: 1/2 Page: Full Page: Full Inside Front or Back Cover: Back Cover:

$200 $300 $500 $550 $600

Contact Leah Grubb at leah@affinityconnection.com or (814) 237‑0481 Ext. 135 to place your ad.

FULL PAGE 8.5” W x 11” H

1/2 PAGE

1/4 PAGE

7.5” W x 4.75” H

3.5” W x 4.75” H

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Thank You to Our Co‑Op Members!

Toll Gate Ayr Farm 1434 Toll Gate Rd. West Alexander, PA 15376

Owned and operated by Dwight and John Hunter (724) 484-7837

Stil Dreamn Dairy P.O. Box 39 Conway, MO 65632

Owned and operated by Brett & Jessica Dixon (417) 844-7217 stildreamndairy@hotmail.com

Kler-Vu Farm 5137 Old Rt. 12 Lyons Fall, NY 13368

Plus .125 bleed

Owned and operated by Tom Gillette

Live Area

8” x 10.5”

315-982-7707

Barrens‑View Farm

Hameau Farm

Owned and operated by the Baumgardner Family

Owned and operated by Audrey Gay Rodgers

237 West Barrens Church Rd. Dillsburg, PA 17019

barrensviewfarm 15

(717) 432‑3169 Wildcowz@hughes.net

6364 SR 655 Belleville, PA 17004

HameauFarmintheBigValley

(717) 667-3731 www.hameaufarm.com

www.ayrshireambassadors.org

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID State College, Pa. Permit No. 2

AYRSHIRE AMBASSADORS COOPERATIVE • State College, PA 16804 P.O.P.O. BoxBox 296296 • State College, PA 16804

ABOUT Are you confused about what Ayrshire Ambassadors Cooperative is and how it’s different from the U.S. Ayrshire Breeders Association and Foundation?

The U.S. Ayrshire Breeders Association provides practical support to Ayrshire Breeders, like registration and classification services (obtaining and publishing records for the type and conformation of Ayrshire cattle).

The U.S. Ayrshire Breeders Foundation supports the association, educates, conducts research, promotes awareness of the breed, and fosters youth involvement for now and for the future.

Ayrshire Ambassadors Cooperative fills a role desperately needed for the breed—one that the Association and Foundation simply don’t have the resources for. We’re striving to market the breed and enlighten dairy farmers using other breeds about the unique value Ayrshires have to offer.

Our Mission: To make owning Ayrshires an accessible, desirable, and profitable experience.

Our Vision: To bring together individuals, I love these redheads for every reason dairy farmers farm. families, farmers, and others that share a passion for Ayrshires and will work collaboratively to ensure the future of the breed.

RMA Nancy Chancellor 88 They are smart, friendly, produc tive, strong, trouble-free, (Reymann Memorial Ayrshires) pretty, and make me want to go to the barn every morning Need Help in One of These Areas? Contact a co-op approved mentor! even after all these years.

Raw Milk Sales Value Added Products Showing & Approved Judge

Terri Lawton terri_lawton@yahoo.com (774) 444 5824

Audrey Gay Rodgers hameau@embarqmail.com HOME: (717) 667 3731

Dwight Hunter bhunter2007@yahoo.com CELL: (724) 747 7436

Buying/Selling

Farm Management

Grazing Management

Shawn Hernley khernley@comcast.com HOME: (717) 865 5782 CELL: (717) 269 0138

Dan Baumgardner wildcowz@hughes.net HOME: (717) 357 2524

John Rodgers hameau@embarqmail.com CELL: (717) 250 8010

Ayrshire Ambassadors Quarterly

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