NEWS: July 2013

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Guernsey Leader Passed Away

Myron W. Lancaster passed away on Thursday, July 25, 2013. He was 79, born August 17, 1933 in Hutchinson, KS to Arthur and Gertrude (Shules) Lancaster. He graduated from Santa Ana High School in CA, then attended WSU from 1951-1955. There he earned a degree in dairy science. It was at WSU that he met the love of his life, Hettie Smith. Upon graduation from WSU he served 2 years in the U.S. Army.

The couple owned and operated Olympic View Dairy Farm in Sequim, WA. As a dairy farmer, Mike was awarded the Distinguished Dairy Cattle Breeder and Klussendorf Trophy, as well being named Premier Exhibitor at numerous National Dairy Shows. His passion for the dairy industry extended beyond the family farm. Throughout the years Mike's accomplishments include being Vice President of Dairy Gold Farm for 23 years, Board Member of National Milk Producers Federation, and President of American Guernsey Cattle Club. Mike was a well known judge, having judged National Final Shows, and two shows in Australia. In Mike's retirement, he was a member of the Seattle Agriculture Committee, and a board member of the Semiahmoo Resort Association. Mike is survived by his wife Hettie; children, Andy Lancaster, Cindy (Rich) Plagerman, Lindy Childers, Tina (Wally) Nelson; 11 grandchildren; and 1 great-grandchild. Memorials may be made to National Dairy Shrine at www.dairyshrine.org. A celebration of Mike's life will be announced.

Saturday, July 27, 2013

The Ohio State Fair Ayrshire Show

We just happen to be wandering around the Ohio State Fairgrounds in Columbus this weekend and took time to watch Judge Jeff Ziegler place approximately 100 Ayrshires in the Ohio State Fair show today, July 27.
Here are the champions from today:

Champions of the Show. L-R: Garrett Hageman, Donna, Lane, John & Blake Griewe, Grace Hageman, Res. Gr. Champion: Mill Valley Pandalores Trixie, Jeremy Griewe on the halter; Ohio Ayrshire Princess, Kaitlyn Burrell; Miller's Burt Bran Muffin, Jack Miller on the halter; Judge Jeff Ziegler; John Miller, National Ayrshire Princess, Melissa Downard

Intermediate Champions L-R, National Ayrshire Princess, Melissa Downard; Res. Int. Champ., Duncan Poker Madea; Rachel Duncan on the halter; Int. Champion: Mill Valley Pandalores Trixie, Jeremy Griewe on the halter; Ohio Ayrshire Princess, Kaitlyn Burrell.

The 2-Year-Old Futurity Winner and Best B&O 2-Yr-old: Duncan Poker Madea. L-R: Judge Ziegler, National Ayrshire Princess, Melissa Downard, Darrel Ducan, Rachel Dunan on the halter, Sally Duncan and Ohio Ayrshire Princess, Kaitlyn Burrell

Junior Champions: Downard, Jr. Champ: Emerald Farms Burdette Nita, Taylor Jodry on the halter; Res. Jr. Champ: Mill Valley Milkman Pepper, Jeremy Griewe on the halter; Burrell

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

National Guernsey Show - Sacramento 2013

Chris Lahmers of Ohio judged the 2013 NGS-Sacramento on Sunday, July 21.

Lang Haven Tiller Nirvana continued her incrediblematernal influnce on this show as her Amerian Pie daughter Faria Farms AmeriPie Norvena, VG-86, captured Grand Champion. She was Nom. All-American Produce of Dam in 2010 and made over 23,000M and nearly 950F in her first lactation. She is owned by Frank and Patti Faria of Escalon, CA. Their son Jacob is holding her at left int he photo. Reserve Grand Champion honors went to Music Guy Yogi Natalia, the 2nd place Sr. 3-Year-Old, owned by Anton Fernandes of Hilmar, CA. She is a Yogibear daughter from a VG-83 Mentor. The next dam was a Valiant bred by Pen Col Farm of Pennsylvania.

The Junior Champions were both Junior-Owned and thus took home a pair of rosettes each. Faria Farms Active Neola-ET was the Junior Champion. She is a June 2012 Activate from Nirvana and is owned by Ben Howard of Orland, California. Randy Edwards of Hilmar California exhibited the Res. Jr. Champion with Nells Glow SJ Harlee, a Spring Yearling by Springhill Judgment from a Response dam.

The Grand Champion of the Junior Show was Music Guy Yogi Natalia, the Res. Grand from the Open Show. Reserve Grand Champion of the Jr. Show went to Nells Glow Aaron Ivette, a Jr. 2-Year-Old sired by Aaron and owned by Anton Fernandes of Hilmar. Her dam was a Luxury with 20,000M followed by a VG-86 Lord with 1,000F

The Total Performance Cow was owned by Linda Madsen of Temecula, CA. Milky Way Jessie Joanna, VG-84, has a top record over 30,000M, 1,400F and 1,100P and over 100,000M lifetime. She is a Luxury daughter from an EX-92 Perfecto that was Nom. All-American. Linda Madsen also took home the Premier Breeder & Exhibitor banners.

Sunday, July 7, 2013

World Guernsey Conference Banquet

The World Guernsey Conference concluded Saturday evening with a banquet attended by more then 150 Guernsey enthusiasts. The large worldwide contingent was augmented by many of the local Guernsey Island farmers (16 farms on the island).

WGCF President Ray Watts of Meadow Court Farm on Guernsey welcomed attendees. The banquet was attended by the Lt. Governor of the island, who is appointed by the Queen herself, and by the Bailiff of Guernsey, who serves as the head judge on the island among other responsibilities.

It is a custom at the final banquet of a World Conference for the attending countries to present a gift to the host country. Seth Johnson of AGA (left) presents the gift from the USA to Ray Watts.

The gift was a model Guernsey bull customized with the markings of Les Jaonetts Caras Conqueror, the first bull whose semen has ever been exported from Guernsey to the US.

Saturday, July 6, 2013

Swissconsin National Sale Wrap Up

The top seller for the day was Lot 1, Voelkers Brook Cara, the #1 Genomic heifer of the breed. She sold for $21,500 and was consigned by Dayne Voelker of Perryville, MO. The duo of Kulp and Chard purchased this fancy consignment! Contenders were another pair, Lindsey Rucks and Jeremy McDonald of FL and VA.

Second high seller for the day was Lot 72, Random Luck Legacy Perri-ET EX 90. She brought $13,000 and was consigned by Kara & Ryan Olson and Rick Thompson of Darlington, WI.

The third high seller was Lot 15, Groves-Sun Total Trustle-ET for $9,700. She was consigned by Todd & Brad Groves and Sunshine Associates. The Groves of MO purchased this well made heifer. Contender was Paul Trapp and Jeff Woods.

Sale Average to Follow!!

Friday, July 5, 2013

For The Love of Brown Swiss

A total of 5 Madison Champions (and two Supreme Champions) have called Sunshine home over the years! An impressive feat!

Milk and Honey Tonis Tessa EX91 has a Total Winter calf selling in the National Sale. Tessa also has eye pleasing heifers and cows sired by Supreme, Total and Wonderment on the farm.

Sun-Made HF Zeus Kayla 2E93 is the dam of lot 16 tomorrow.

An EX Agenda 4-Year-Old daughter of Toni Tessa.

An impressive line-up of deep pedigreed cows.

A long time crowd favorite- Forest Lawn Anthem Busy 3E94 is at Sunshine making eggs. Busy is owned by Elite Dairy. You can check Busy and her favorite owner Ken out in the July Brown Swiss Bulletin Word Dairy Expo Ad.

Chris Keim addresses the group

Cozy Nook Farm- Tom, Joan and Charlie Oberhaus

WI Cow of the Year- Cozy Nook Pronto Twylight. 5 #1 eggs by Payssli sell tomorrow!

Tom gave a tour of the free stall barn

A great group of impressive individuals with great udders and even better records!

Twinkle-Hill Farm owned by the Winkelman family.

A group of fancy March calves that are offered as a choice at tomorrows sale caught the eye of all that walked through the barn. Be sure to check out lots 12 and 13 C.

Twinkle-Hill Total Tracy EX90 is fresh again and looking to be out this fall. This outstanding Total is just fresh.

Some of the famous "A" family at the farm

A line of rear udders made up of "A" family members. Production and type!

The first stop of the morning was to Horseshoe Hill owned by the Uglow family.

The gorgeous front entrance to the barn was a welcoming sight this morning.

A special Spring Calf- Jetway X Premium Shila- Her full sister was Nominated AA Summer Yearling in 2011 and most recently topped the 2013 Mid-West Revue.