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BLACK & WHITE BRIEFS... News from the Dairy Industry

40,000 lbs. Annually, Really
     The goal of 40,000 lb. per cow annually is a realistic goal, but this level of production leaves no room for error, according to a report from the American Dairy Science Association meeting and as reported in Dairy Profit Weekly.
     Producers must reduce cow stress and increase feed intake to attain this goal. Housing remains a critical factor in reducing stress. Future dairy housing will likely resemble the climate-controlled facilities currently used by hog and poultry producers, according to dairy scientist Lawrence Jones of Farme Institute, Homer, NY. He predicts future biosensors will include conductivity, milk temperature and somatic cell count, hormone measurements with adoption of electronic identification of animals, and automated measurements, such as activity and body weight. These systems will be able to detect problems earlier by comparing trends and averages. Other keys to high production are maintaining a uniform diet, avoiding abrupt management changes and using a large variety of ingredients in diets.
     Top production must start with top genetics, but neither using the highest Net Merit AI bulls or cloning 50,000-lb. cows will guarantee a 40,000-lb. cow, says Bennett Cassell, dairy scientist at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. For the highest production, he suggests breeding all high-producing cows to proven bulls above the 80th percentile for Net Merit. Fitness and reproductive traits also contribute to lifetime economic merit.

Moses Leaves Holstein Association
     Tom Moses left his post at Holstein Association USA, effective August 28. A 19-year veteran of the Association, he was executive assistant, administrative affairs.
     A familiar face to many across the U.S., Moses worked closely with state Holstein Association leaders, serving as the Association’s key liaison with that group. He also worked with the Holstein Association’s governance committee and related issues, and had oversight for the Association’s buildings and grounds at its Brattleboro, VT headquarters.
     “Tom resigned. He asked that his resignation be immediate, and we accepted it,” explains Steve Kerr, CEO of Holstein Association USA, adding that Moses’ responsibilities have been reassigned, and no replacement will be hired. Association president Bud Leckie simply said, “Tom worked for us a long time and did a good job.”
     “My interests are for the Holstein Association and its members, and always have been,” Moses said. “I hope they prosper and succeed. The Association needs to move forward.”

Select Sires and Infigen Sign Cloning Agreement
     Select Sires, Inc., Plain City, OH and Infigen, a privately-held biotechnology company in Deforest, WI, announced they have signed an agreement with Genmark, the agricultural marketing division of Infigen, for future cloning of selected bulls. Under the agreement, Select Sires will be able to clone a bull whose demand exceeds semen production capabilities.
     “History is littered with great sires whose semen production limitations diminished their impact and value to producers. Infigen’s technology provides us an exciting opportunity to solve this problem. When Select Sires identifies a genetically elite bull, whose semen supply is limited, we are poised to move quickly, if we so choose,” Select Sires General Manager David Thorbahn said in an Infigen news release.
     Given the fact that it will take at least two years before a bull can be cloned, and the clone is mature enough to produce semen, this technology is not a quick-fix on a high-demand bull. One example of where this technology will be useful, says Thorbahn, is for a bull who dies after his evaluation proves his genetic value.

Forum Announced
     An open forum to discuss possible increased enforcement of show-ring ethics will be held Nov. 5 in Louisville, KY, according to an announcement from Holstein Association USA. It is being sponsored by the Association's Show Ring Ethics Committee.
     Part of the forum discussion will feature a representative from the Ohio Department of Agriculture to explain the details of Ohio's enforcement program. The state government's goal with enforcement is to eliminate drug residues in meat and milk from show animals and enhance the public perception of animal agriculture.
     The forum plans to formulate, in cooperation with other breed associations, a common goal and strategy for show-ring ethics enforcement.
     For more information, contact Peter Cole at the Holstein Association at 800-952-5200, ext. 4127.

Sales & Shows
The Elite Red Sale 2000 was held in Bedford, PA, on July 29, in conjunction with the Red and White Dairy Cattle Association’s (RWDCA) convention and show. The 87 lots averaged $2,929. Golden-Oaks Romeo Rose-Red topped the sale at $10,000. Golden Oaks Farms, Wauconda, IL consigned this September 1999 SFL Concord Romeo-Red-ET daughter from an EX-91 Blackstar. Her new owner is Robert Gilmore of Jordanville, NY.

On August 26 the Howard & Jean Furchtenicht family held the Nu-Wing Select Sale at ther farm near Sarona, WI. The sale averaged $2840 on 81 lots from their herd. Top seller was Nu-Wing Storm Welcome for $9200. Ken and Mike Jackson of Jerian Holsteins, Barron, WI were the successful bidders for the Storm March yearling backed by four generations of Excellents: Blackstar Wealthy (2E-92), Mark Winell-ET (2E-90), Wilma (5E-95 GMD-DOM), and Wimpy (3E-93 GMD-DOM), respectively. Second-high-seller was Nu-Wing Astre-Avis-W (VG-86 VG-MS) for $9100. Wayne and Roger Sherwood of Meshoppen, PA purchased the beautiful-framed Astre daughter from VG-86 Leadman Willnot, next dam is Wilma. The Sherwoods also purchased the third-high-selling female, Nu-Wing Raider Weather (EX-90) for $9000. Weather is a Raider sister to the high seller.

Mason-Dixon RWDCA Millennium Spectacular Red & White Show
July 28, 2000, Bedford, PA
Total Head: 70
Judge: Dennis Patrick, MD
Senior & Grand Champion: Wendybrooke Dus Lulabel-Red, 1st & BU aged cow, Rita Marlow, Burke, NY.
Reserve Senior & Reserve Grand Champion/Intermediate Champion: Morrill Rnger Cameo 648-Red, 1st senior 3-year-old cow, Kimberly Morrill, Penacook, NH.
Reserve Intermediate Champion: Melody Lane Britney, 2nd & BU senior 3-year-old cow, Fred & Eileen Bova, Burke, NY.
Junior Champion: Spungold Tahoe-Red, 1st winter yearling, Dale & Deanna Bendig, Gettysburg, PA.
Reserve Junior Champion: Ridleside Ruben Roo-Red-ET, 1st winter calf, Greg Schantz, Lowville, NY.
Premier Breeder & Exhibitor: Morrill Farm Dairy, Penacook, NH

At the National RWDCA Annual Membership Meeting held prior to the RWDCA show, Brian Crull of Poplar Grove, IL and Rob Morrill of Penacook, NH were elected to the Board of Directors. The new officer team consists of President, Edward Peck, Minneapolis, MN; Vice President, Kathy Cook, Fremont, MI; and Secretary/Treasurer, Joan Carpenter, Crystal Spring, PA. Other board members include Louis Tennis, Browns, IL; Jim Good, Caledonia, MI; Deb Lundy, Jefferson, WI; Barb Natzke, Fond du Lac, WI and Steve Rhodes, Harrisonburg, VA.
Two new awards were presented at this year’s meeting. David Burket of East Freedom, PA was awarded the Larry Moore Master Breeder Award. Steve Rhodes, Harrisonburg, VA received the J.P. “Doc” Ostrander Young Breeder Award. Amanda Sell of Watertown, WI and Ryan Griffin, Rochester, MN were presented with scholarships. Elmer Carpenter, former Red Bloodlines editor and RWDCA director, was awarded the Albrecht Memorial Award in recognition of his service and support of the Red and White Association.

Illinois Championship Show
July 20-21, 2000, Bloomington, IL
Total Head: 158
Judge: Jim Burdette, Mercersburg, PA
Senior & Grand Champion: C Lauduc Broker Mandy, 1st & BU aged cow, Carrousel Farms, Orangeville, IL
Reserve Senior & Reserve Grand Champion: Vital-I Lincoln Bonnie, 1st 5-year-old cow, Joe Vitale, Dixon, IL
Junior Champion: Gus Wind Encore Dandelion-ET, 1st fall heifer calf, Butler & Rueth, Chebanse, IL
Reserve Junior Champion: Blue-Top Sky Honeymoon-ET, 1st fall yearling heifer, Jeff Butler, Chebanse, IL
Premier Breeder: Erbacres Holsteins, Lanark, IL
Premier Exhibitor: Carrousel Farms, Orangeville, IL

Ohio State Fair Holstein Show
August 12-13, 2000, Columbus, OH
Total Head: 300
Judge: Brent Walker, Guelph, Ontario
Senior & Grand Champion: Shir-Man Astre Heart, 1st 5-year-old cow, Stookeyholm Holsteins, Milford, IN
Reserve Senior & Grand Champion: Kennydale Emily, 2nd 5-year-old cow, Mohrfield Holsteins, Pleasant Plain, OH
Intermediate Champion: Goldoan Charles Julia, 1st & BU senior 2-year-old cow, Quietcove Holsteins, Wapakoneta, OH
Reserve Intermediate Champion: White-Light Mathie B Kriket, 1st & B&O senior 3-year-old cow, White-Light Holsteins, St. Marys, OH
Junior Champion: Provetaz Wallone Spirit-ET, 1st spring yearling heifer, Mohrfield Holsteins, Pleasant Plain, OH
Reserve Junior Champion: Priceview BC Beautiful, 1st fall heifer calf, Priceland-Vu Farm, Marion, IN
Premier Breeder: Springhill Farm, Inc., Big Prairie, OH
Premier Exhibitor: Mohrfield Holsteins, Pleasant Plain, OH

Massachusetts Holstein Show
Aug. 13, Greenfield, MA
Total Head Shown: 60
Judge: Garritt Sammons, Johnstown, NY
Senior & Grand Champion Female: Wauregan Jed Sukey-ET, 1st 5-year-old cow, BU of class & show, Todd Whittier, W. Sutton, MA
Reserve Senior & Reserve Grand Champion Female: MD-Carrollton Berretta, 1st aged cow, Todd Whittier
Junior Champion Female: Lohi Broker Carpathia-ET, 1st fall yearling, Todd Whittier & Rick & Shannon Allyn, Canaan, CT
Reserve Junior Champion Female: Miss Rivercross Ariel, 1st summer yearling, Todd Whittier
Premier Breeder & Exhibitor: Cook Farm, Hadley, MA

Indiana State Fair Holstein Show
Aug. 17, 2000, Indianapolis, IN
Total Head Shown: 194
Judge: Brian Engleking
Senior & Grand Champion Female: MS Oneeda Baugo Astra May, 1st & BU 4-year-old cow, Stookey, Steinberger & Penick.
Reserve Senior & Reserve Grand Champion Female: Fuhrmann-Vu Encore Sassy, 1st & BU senior 3-year-old cow, Stookey & Steinberger.
Junior Champion Female: Guyview Hero Heather, 1st intermediate senior yearling, Maranda Stookey & Andy Keener.
Reserve Junior Champion Female: Price-View BC Beautiful, 1st senior heifer calf, Jerry Price.
Grand Champion Bull: Lealand M Junior, 1st bull calf, Roland Engleking.
Reserve Grand Champion Bull: Doc-Rey Storm Thunder, 2nd bull calf, Gene Settles.
Premier Exhibitor: Stookey Holsteins.
Premier Breeder: Tracy & Sherry Baker.

New York State Fair
August 28, 2000, Syracuse, NY
Total Head: 309
Judge: Brent Walker, Guelph, Ont.
Senior & Grand Champion: Ladyholm Larissa, 1st 5-year-old cow, Elmvue Farms, Millerton, NY
Reserve Senior & Reserve Grand Champion: Sandycrest Annalee, 1st aged cow, Elmvue Farms, Millerton, NY
Junior Champion: Eiklynn CC Chance, 1st winter yearling, Rick & Shannon Allyn & Oscar Dupasquier, Canaan, CT
Reserve Junior Champion: Blondin Windstar Rosalie, 1st summer yearling, Penn-Octo Holsteins & Rick & Shannon Allyn, Canaan, CT
Premier Breeder: East Cupcake Farm, Aurora, NY
Premier Exhibitor: Elmvue Farms, Millerton, NY

Maryland State Fair Holstein Show
September 4, 2000, Timonium, MD
Total Head: 152
Judge: Callum McKinven, Quebec, Canada
Senior & Grand Champion: Tri-Day Ashlyn-ET, 1st & BU senior 3 year old, Oseeana Holsteins & Kueffner Holsteins, Boonsboro, MD
Reserve Senior & Reserve Grand Champion: Medway Astre Mixie, 1st & BU 5 year old, Gene & Kathy Iager, Maple Lawn Farm, Fulton, MD
Junior Champion: Oseeana MS Starlite-ET, 1st spring yearling, Jami Savage, Savage Leigh Holsteins, Knoxville, MD
Reserve Junior Champion: Bristol Lea Leia, 2nd spring yearling, William Iager, Maple Lawn Farm, Fulton, MD
Premier Breeder: Savage Leigh Holsteins, Knoxville, MD
Premier Exhibitor: Maple Lawn Farm, Fulton, MD