Holstein Association USA is honored to present nine outstanding herds with the 2020 Herds of Excellence award. Started in 2008, this sought-after distinction is given to Registered Holstein® breeders who have developed herds excelling in both milk production and conformation at the most elite levels.
The award is divided into three herd size divisions, based on the number of cows included in the herds’ milk production averages. The divisions are: 10 to 99 cows; 100 to 499 cows; and 500+ cows. To be recognized as a Herd of Excellence, a herd must have classified within the last year, and have an age-adjusted average classification score (AACS) of 83 points or higher; have at least 70 percent of the herd homebred; and be enrolled in the Association’s TriStarSM production records program. Additionally, qualifying herds must meet the following production criteria:
- 10 to 99 cows – 25 percent above breed average ME for milk, fat and protein
- 100 to 499 cows – 20 percent above breed average ME for milk, fat and protein
- 500+ cows – 15 percent above breed average ME for milk, fat and protein
This year’s honorees are:
Small Herd Size Division (10-99 Cows)
B-Long Holsteins — Bruce, Brenda & Bret Long, New London, Wis.
100% homebred; AACS — 87.3 points
ME Production Averages — 34,936M 1,364F 1,093P
Ever-Green-View Holsteins, LLC — The Kestell Family, Waldo, Wis.
95.7% homebred; AACS — 89.1 points
ME Production Averages — 41,171M 1,673F 1,264P
Hill-Ton Holsteins — The Hamilton Family, Cuba City, Wis.
95% homebred; AACS — 86.8 points
ME Production Averages — 37,164M 1,386F 1,135P
Show-Mar Holsteins — The Brantner Family, Evans City, Pa.
100% homebred; AACS — 89.4 points
ME Production Averages — 36,453M 1,404F 1,100P
Medium Herd Size Division (100-499 Cows)
Hilrose Holsteins — Joseph A. Brantmeier, Sherwood, Wis.
100% homebred; AACS — 89.1 points
ME Production Averages — 34,384M 1,376F 1,039P
Koepke Farms Inc. — The Koepke Family, Oconomowoc, Wis.
100% homebred; AACS — 85.3 points
ME Production Averages — 34,501M 1,386F 1,016P
Koester Dairy Inc. — The Koester Family, Dakota, Ill.
98.3% homebred; AACS — 85.1 points
ME Production Averages — 33,685M 1,351F 1,061P
Large Herd Size Division (500+ Cows)
Dinomi Holsteins — The Migliazzo Family, Atwater, Calif.
97.2% homebred; AACS — 83.0 points
ME Production Averages — 33,302M 1,267F 1,071P
Siemers Holstein Farms Inc. — The Siemers Family, Newton, Wis.
98.7% homebred; AACS — 85.0 points
ME Production Averages — 36,882M 1,472F 1,120P
