Officials at World Dairy Expo have announced the 2006 Cow of the Year. Norse Star Jude Berry, a Jersey owned by Mike and Merna Fremstad and Arden and Jan Sherpe of Norse Star Jerseys near Westby, has been selected as this year's recipient for her excellent pedigree, production record and outstanding showing performance.
Fremstad says Berry is an outstanding animal that any Jersey breeder would be proud to own. The cow moved up to number 39 on the top 200 Jersey cow list following August milk production proofs.
"I was happy and surprised when I got the news she had been named Cow of the Year," says Fremsted, who 
Merna Fremstad says her family has been involved with Jerseys since 1917, when Mike's grandfather Henry began the family history of breeding high quality Jersey cows. The Sherpe family has been in the Jersey business since 1942. Norse Star Jerseys LLC began in 1997 when the two families formed a business partnership.
Last year, Berry produced 38,669 pounds of milk containing 1,737 pounds of fat, or 4.5%, and 1,431 pounds of protein, or 3.7%. She was milked three times a day year-round. In addition to her outstanding production, she has been recognized for her genetic potential by many of the leading artificial insemination companies.
Each year, World Dairy Expo grants one of the seven breeds of dairy cattle the opportunity to choose one of their own as the Cow of the Year.