Beloit, WI — The National Brown Swiss Convention was held in
conjunction with the Ayrshire Association in Buffalo, New York, July 2-5, 2019.
The convention had a great turn out with 202 of breeders in attendance, twenty-two states
represented, and two countries present. The attendees of the National Convention
enjoyed farm and winery tours, spectacular views of Niagara Falls, and the company
of fellow breeders and enthusiasts!
President Richard Sparrow outlined the important topics
discussed at the Board meeting. Interbreed cooperation will be essential going
forward in the everchanging dairy industry. We will be reaching out to others
for ideas and discussion on these goals. Executive Secretary, Norman Magnussen,
stressed the importance of data exchange between breeders, testing
associations, CDCB, A.I. companies and the Association. Data in is data out.
Outgoing Directors, Jeff Kennedy, PA and Carol Regusci, CA
were honored for their 6 years of service on the Board. New directors Joy
Widerman, PA, and Brian Pacheco, CA, were elected for a 3-year term.
One of the highlights of Convention was the Individual Herd
and Production Awards. A total of 13 different breeders were presented with
these honors. The number of young cows receiving the individual awards were
very impressive to go along with the tremendous lifetime production awards! The
Brown Swiss Association presented the following awards to:
• 2018 Living Lifetime Cow Award – ECM (Energy
Corrected Milk)
o Kevin Michalovich, Lakeville, OH
• J.P. Eves Trophy
o Tanner Mashek, Calmar, IA
• H.R. Searles Trophy
o Dennis Mashek, Calmar, IA
• Protein Award
o Dalton Freeman, Bremen, IN
• Top ECM Award
o Dalton Freeman, Bremen, IN
• White Cloud Award
o Dennis Maskek, Calmar, IA
• Vernon C. Hull Total Performance Award
o Voegeli Farm, Inc. & City Slickers, LLC, Monticello,
WI
• Cow For All Seasons
o Voegeli Farm, Inc. & City Slickers, LLC, Monticello,
WI
• Ira Inman PTPR Trophies
o Larry & Jennifer Meyer, Chilton, WI
o Nor-Bert Farms, LTD, Bremen, IN
o Cozy Nook Farm, Waukesha, WI
o Hills Valley Farm, LLC, Cattaraugus, NY
• Progress Genetic Herd Awards
o Meadow Brook Farms, Manitowoc, WI
o Loehr Dairy LLC, Mt. Calvary, WI
o Cozy Nook Farm, Waukesha, WI
o Double W Farm Dairy, Holyoke, CO
• Protein Genetic Herd Awards
o Travis Kamper, Riverdale, CA
o Loehr Dairy LLC, Mt. Calvary, WI
o Cozy Nook Farm, Waukesha, WI
o Roger & Lori Read & Family, Lyle, MN
The Brown Swiss Association has always emphasized the youth
programs. The youth programs are funded by proceeds from the Fun and Silent
Auction. We are happy to announce $12,267 was raised at this year’s National
Convention. The Junior awards that were presented are as follows:
• Bell Ringer Winners
• Production and Cheese Yield Award Winner
o Dalton Freeman, Bremen, IN
• Youth Achievement Winner
o Sarah Lehner, Delaware, OH
• Jr. Youth Achievement Winner
National: Brianna
Meyer, Chilton, WI
Reserve: Carter Settles, Clayton, IN
• Scholarships
o Brown Swiss Association ($1,000 each)
▪ Kendra Waldenberger, Spring Grove, MN
▪ Eleanor Harrison, Aldie, VA
o Howard Voegeli Memorial ($500)
▪ Hannah Rhoades, Greenville, OH
o Peter & Lynn Vail ($500)
▪ Ryland Nierman, Brownstown, IN
o Progressive Brown Swiss Sires ($500)
▪ Lauren Almasy, Hubbard, OH
o Joseph Miller Memorial ($500)
▪ Kiley Henn, Deerfield, WI
• Brown Swiss Ambassadors
National ▪ Sarah Lehner, Delaware, OH
Alternate ▪ Kaylen Miller, Orangeville, IL
The New York National Brown Swiss Sale was held at the Erie
County Fairgrounds in Hamburg, NY. There were 55 lots that averaged $4,573 with
the high seller, Cutting Edge D Daria, selling for $13,000! Registered Brown
Swiss continue to be in high demand!