More than 200 Holstein breeders from across the state gathered Feb. 19-20 at the Holiday Inn in Marshfield for the 2016 Wisconsin Holstein State Convention. The event was hosted by Wood County.

NEW OFFICERS: The new Wisconsin Holstein Association officers are, from left, front row, Joseta Halbur, Erica Ullom and Heather Jauquet . Standing, from left, is Bryan Stremcha, Steve Endres, Pam Salz-Pralle, Kent Wendorf, Kevin Jorgensen, Chad Ryan, Bill Calvert and Craig Carncross. Missing from the photo is Tracy Mitchell.

The annual WHA business meeting was held, and included committee reports from board members who head the various WHA committees and a report on the financial status of the Association. Four new board members were elected to serve a three-year term: Steve Endres of Waunakee, Joseta Halbur of Eden, Heather Jauquet of Pulaski and Bryan Stremcha of Bangor.  Erica Ullom of Bloomer was elected to fill a one-year term vacated by Dan Cnossen. Retiring board members included Paula Bovre of Fond du Lac, Marci Walker of Wisconsin Dells, Chris McCullough of Juda, and Todd Borgwardt of Valders.

The Wisconsin Holstein Board of Directors met at the conclusion of the state convention to elect officers for the upcoming year. Newly elected officers are President Kevin Jorgensen of Waupun, Vice President Chad Ryan of Fond du Lac and Secretary Kent Wendorf of Viroqua, with Pam Selz-Pralle of Humbird and Craig Carncross of Lodi also serving as Executive Committee members.

Top cows
The 2015 Wisconsin Top Performer cows were announced. Recognized were cows owned by Aaron Hass of Evansville, Siemers Holsteins of Newton, Legacy Farms of Shell Lake, Valley Drive Holsteins LLC of Campbellsport and Tom Kestell of Waldo. Receiving the overall Top Performer was Tom Kestell's cow, Farnear Shottle Favorite-ET, VG-87, with a record of 48,434 pounds of milk with 2,724 pounds of fat and 1,424 pounds of protein. Also recognized were owners of cows that have produced 300,000 and 400,000 pounds of lifetime milk.

 Following the annual meeting, 40-year and 50-year members and Wall of Fame inductees were honored. This year's Wall of Fame inductees were John D. Weuthrich, the cow Krull Broker Elegance, bred by Cindy Krull and the late Brian Krull and developed by Budjon Farms and Joel Kietzman, and the bull KHW Kite Advent-Red-ET, bred by KHW Genetics and developed and marketed by Wayne Glaeser.

Honored at the Saturday evening banquet was this year's Distinguished Young Holstein Breeder, Distinguished Service, and Distinguished Holstein Breeder award winners. This year's Distinguished Young Holstein Breeder award recognized Smithcrest Holsteins, Matt and Kate and Travis and Holly Smith of Watertown. Honored with Distinguished Service recognition was the late Bill Hageman of Fond du Lac. Receiving the prestigious Distinguished Breeder honor was Jeff and Kate Hendrickson, Jeffrey-Way Holsteins of Belleville.

Source: Wisconsin Holstein