There is no question that Dairy Farmers have a different way of talking. (Read more: Dairy Slang: 22 Phrases That Mean Different Things to Dairy Breeders) However, there are even differences in the slang farmers around the world  use.  One of the most noticeable differences is that used by of dairy farmers in Australia and New Zealand compared to North America.  They certainly have a different way of expressing themselves  down under.

With the assistance of the members of The Milk House, (Read more: Introducing the Milk House – Dairy Breeder Networking on Facebook) here are 20 dairy phrases that have different meanings in Australasia than they have  in North America. Here, in their own words, is what they say in Australia and New Zealand.

Stud – ”The term Stud means a pedigree cow herd here and means a Bull AI company up in North America.”

Dairy – “In North America a dairy is  where someone milks the cows but  down under it is called a cowshed. A dairy  here  is the local corner shop where you can get your food, etc.”

Units vs. Straws – “In North America a straw of semen is often referred to as a unit of semen, whereas we refer to them  straws. (Example “I purchased 20 straws of Goldwyn Semen”)

Paddocks – “We call  the fields, where cows graze,  Paddocks whereas in North American they are called pastures.”

Crook – “A crook in North America refers to  a person who is dishonest or a criminal.  Here it means someone who is gravely ill.”

Thongs – Here we wear  flip-flops, while in North America a thong is a tiny bathing suit.”

Barbie – “In North America Barbie is very unrealistically proportioned doll. In Australia a Barbie is a Bar-B-Cue.”

Bonnet –“For us, a bonnet is a car hood. In North America it is a lady’s hat.

Cracker – “   “Cracker” is the  term we use for a heifer or cow that is very high in conformation whereas in North America a cracker is a thin, crisp wafer often eaten with cheese or other savory toppings.”

Take Out – “In North America food that is cooked and sold by a restaurant or store to be eaten elsewhere is called Take Out. However, down under  this is referred to Take Away. Take Away  in North American would refer to an act of regaining the ball or puck from the opposing team.”

Topping –  “The process of cutting the grass in a pasture or paddock is called topping but in North America this this is called bush whacking. Toppings in North America are  something you put on an ice cream sundae or pizza.  Moreover, the brush mower used to do the topping in Australasia is called a slasher.  In North America a Slasher is a horror movie, especially one in which victims (typically women or teenagers) are slashed with knives and razors.”

Pitchfork – “In North America a pitchfork is a farm tool with a long handle and sharp metal prongs, used especially for lifting hay.  In Australasia, a Pitchfork is a ‘grapple’.”

A Uniloader –“For us, a uniloader  is a small tractor with lift arms used to attach a wide variety of labor-saving tools or attachments is called a uniloader in North America they are called kid-steers or bobcats.”

Commercial – In North America a milk producer who is who not as focused on animal breeding is considered to be a commercial producer. In Australia a commercial only refers to  the ads that come on during a  favorite TV show.”

Sookies  “We refer to our  calves  as Sookies.   Also, they are often called Poddys, which sounds like something North American’s call restroom facilities  for  young children.”

Bulk Tank – “In North America a Bulk Tank is a cooling tank. It is a large storage tank for cooling and holding milk at a cold temperature, until it can be picked up by a milk hauler. In Australia and New Zealand , this equipment is called a Vat.”

Crushes – “North American headlocks  are referred to as Crushes here.”

Open vs. Empty –“A heifer who is not in calf in North America is referred to as being Open. That heifer, for us, considered Empty.”

A Milk Shed –“ In North America a shed is a simple roofed structure, typically made of wood or metal, used as a storage space, a shelter for animals, or a workshop.  Here  a shed is a milking parlour and nd a parlour is somewhere Australians and New Zealanders go to have their afternoon tea.”

The Bullvine Bottom Line

While the specific terms that dairy farmers use the world over can be very different, the one thing that we all can say for sure is, “Dairy  passion and purpose unites us all!”

Know more dairy slang?  Be sure to share it with us.

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The dairy industry is full of stereotypes. Some are false and some are well-earned.  One stereotype that distinctly stands out is the gender inequality in the dairy industry. Look at the top of any of the dairy breeding companies and, outside of human resources and marketing, how many women are in C-Level or even senior leadership positions? One maybe two.  This has me asking, “Is the dairy breeding industry sexist?”

While most of the world started going through a feminist movement in the 1960’s and ‘70s, parts of the dairy industry seem to have missed it entirely.  Women are treated as inferior in many dairy breeding organizations with glass ceilings on their career growth and income levels. Ninety nine percent of the time executives and managers in the dairy breeding business and industry are men. While the dairy breeding industry has jumped headlong into new technology such as genomics, it is still light years behind when it comes to gender equality.

As a child, I grew up on your typical multi-generational dairy farm.  With that the roles were well established.  My grandfather and the men worked in the barns and the fields and my grandmother worked in the gardens and tended to the house. Except when it was harvest time.  Then she did the milking and came in and put meals on the table for the hungry crews.  She was more than capable of the chores when the “men” where in meetings and holding important dairy positions.  Then my father, the only son, married a very independent and strong minded wife, who wanted to have her own career off the farm.  It was like the world had come to an end!

For some families, differences in the roles of a wife and mother can be overlooked by the fact that you don’t see the comparison every day.  But in our circumstance that was not possible, as we lived next door to my grandparents. Who actually did what job was very obvious.  While grandpa was responsible for the cows and the cropping, and grandma was responsible for the children, house and gardens.  Although as every farm family knows, grandma had to help out wherever needed, often working side by side with grandpa in the barn and in the fields. Who got credit was less obvious.  My grandmother was justifiably proud of claiming (and getting) joint recognition for the Master Breeder achievement in 1984.

After 18 years of working for Holstein Canada running the type classification and genetic improvement department, my father had decided to move onto a new challenge and joined the Canadian Association of Animal Breeders (CAAB), and ultimately become the General Manager there.  In looking to grow CAAB there was a need for a new marketing executive, and the then General Manager, Rusty MacDonald, hired my mother as the Information Director.  Now, having two parents that work at the same place isn’t that unusual for many Bullvine readers since most dairy farms are family run.  So you can relate to the fact that work does not stop outside the house. It is the conversation at the dinner table, on the way to church on Sunday and, heck, pretty much all the time.  One of the things that became very clear to me as a child was the glass ceiling that had been established in the dairy breeding industry.  We often heard heated discussions about how hard it was for my mother to get the respect she deserved for her ideas and efforts in the dairy breeding industry.  My father, who was extremely supportive of my mother, could not change the ways of senior leaders in other dairy breeding organizations.

Not much has changed since the days that my parents both worked for CAAB.  In doing a quick analysis of the current leadership teams at the major artificial insemination organizations as well as milk recording and breed associations, I find very few female senior leaders.  While yes there are some in the colored breeds as well as the General Manager at Holstein Canada, and a few positions on the senior leadership team at Holstein USA, I have found it hard to find many females at the top.  I posed this question on the Milk House (Read more: Introducing The Milk House – Dairy Breeder Networking on Facebook) and was only able to find two females – one at Accelerated and one at Genex in senior leadership roles that are not human resources or marketing related.

Growing up, my sister was as talented as my brother or myself. She was equally as capable as a judge, as well as talented in business. My brother has worked for one AI company for 20 years and is now the Chief Operating Officer. However my sister has had to deal with many more barriers and challenges in the past in order to achieve her success. My parents taught us all never to back down when you believe in something. While that has served us all well, it also created many challenges for sister. Especially when working with males who believe in male entitlement. When you look at things relative to the obstacles faced, there is no question that my sister has achieved as much, or more, than either of us boys.  And yet, if you look at it in terms of fame and recognition, she has not had equal opportunity.

An interesting point that was raised in the discussion on the Milk House was about the many talented young woman that have been doing extremely well in the dairy judging competitions.   However,   this is not new.  The challenge is that these young woman have not seen their abilities work as a stepping stones to senior leadership roles in our industry as they do for males.  How many of these ladies have gone on to judge the Holstein Show at World Dairy Expo or The Royal?  None. There are certainly many talented women, such as Kelli Cull from Budjon and Molly Sloan, who have the talent to do so, and I think should be given the opportunity.  This has been the circumstance for over 30 years.  I can remember when I was younger, over 20 years ago, I had the opportunity to be judged by the likes of Kenda Nurse, and Nancy Hazeleger, two woman that did an outstanding job, not just because they made me champion, but because they had placings you could easily follow, gave good sound reasons and interacted very well with the exhibitors.   All trademarks of a good judge.

Bullvine Bottom line

As we have found many times here at The Bullvine, numbers don’t lie.  The fact that there are so few woman in senior leadership roles and that we have never had a female judge at a major North American Holstein Show (Royal or Expo) speaks volumes.  The same is true on the farm. While there is no question that most women are full partners and 50% (or more) of the brains behind the operation, how many times do you see them in the limelight or getting the recognition? Women are not only suitable for cooking, gardening or secretarial work but they are equally as capable as men in all aspects of dairying. We as an industry need to recognize that.

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Worldwide purebred dairy cattle breeders account for less than 1% of the dairy farmers.  Purebred Holstein breeders account for around 20% of the Holstein cattle in the USA and about 17% of the total dairy cattle in the USA.  However, if you were to read any of the media, or discussion groups among breeders, you would think that purebred breeders were closer to 90%.

This disconnect was once again made obvious to me yesterday, when I posted a simple question “Do you think there will be any more Millionaire Sires?” which referenced an article we wrote back in September by the same name.  While the topic generated over 200 comments in under 12 hours, what was most telling was the perspective that revealed how long many breeders believed it would take for a sire to achieve such a lofty number.  The one point that came through loud and clear was that the average pedigree breeder has an inflated sense of how much semen market share they actually account for.

Trust me I understand that we can all be guilty of having an inflated ego.  Some of us…read that as I, have a bigger ego than must.  However, even I can realize how little of the semen market share the pedigree sector actually accounts for.

There are approximately 115 million dairy farms in the world.  India and Pakistan account for 89 million of those dairy farms although, at an average herd size of less than five cows; these two countries are mostly irrelevant from a dairy cattle breeding perspective (although some of The Bullvine’s competitors would argue differently if you look at their Facebook followers’ profile (Read more: The Truth about Dairy Genetics Publications Facebook Fan Page Statistics).  As far as worldwide dairy cattle genetics are concerned, specifically semen sales, the principal markets, based on the number of dairy cattle, average herd size, and total production per cow, are: as follows:

1. United States of America
2. China
3. Russia
4. Brazil
5. Germany
6. France
7. New Zealand
8. United Kingdom
9. Turkey
10. Netherlands

When you look at these ten countries that account for 51.1% of the world’s milk production (68% if you exclude India and Pakistan), one of the key points that stands out is that the average herd size in most of these countries is well over 100 cows.

United States dairy cows stats show that the average herd size on dairy farms is 167 milking cows. The majority (74%) of U.S. dairy farms have less than 100 cows. Farms with more than 100 cows produce 85% of the milk.  So while the majority of dairy farmers in the USA are relatively smaller herds, the large majority of the cattle and milk production are associated with large commercial herds.

When you are looking at semen sales, this is a very telling statistic.  This shows that in order to move mass amounts of semen, like 1,000,000 doses, a sire needs to be used extensively in the large herd market.

It is purely a numbers thing. With almost 90% of the US dairy cattle population  accounted for in the herds that are over 100 cows, in order for a sire to sell 1,000,000, he is going to need to be popular in that market sector. This is especially true given today’s high sire turnover genomic era.   The opportunity to reach Millionaire status may exist for the odd sire to do it, such as the type specialist Atwood but he will be the last type sire that will ever have a chance to do so.  However, as we demonstrated in the article (Read more: Do you think there will be any more Millionaire Sires?),  the majority of today’s sires will be lucky to hit 500,000 in total sales.

What was shocking to me when I followed the discussion on the Milk House, was the number of purebred breeders who were throwing out niche type bull after niche type bull that could possibly achieve this lofty mark.  Unless the large commercial herds have the worst conception rates known in the world, there are just not enough potential inseminations for type niche sires to ring the bell.  As one member of the forum points out “More units of semen get dropped on the ground behind commercial cows daily than a small registered herd would use of that bull.”

Taking these metrics one step further, the show side of the dairy cattle breeding industry, something I love as much as anyone, accounts for less than 1% of the semen marketplace. By my calculations, less than 1/100 % of purebred breeders exhibit at World Dairy Expo, The Royal or other major dairy cattle show.  Although the show segment accounts for almost 50% of the media coverage by the major dairy cattle breeding publications, it is relatively small potatoes when it comes to semen market share.  From the A.I. perspective the show/type side of the marketplace is high blend price.  It is also more costly to market to as these breeders are more of a sire by sire, mating by mating, purchase than a bulk semen or A.I. company loyalty purchase. This means it’s an expensive segment to attract and sell to.  Hence why you see so many A.I. companies focusing on the 26% of US dairy farms that account for 85% of the dairy cattle.  Heck, even Semex, the A.I. company that has produced the most sires that have sold more than 1 million doses (12) has changed their focus from a niche type market towards this much larger segment (Read more: Semex – The Rise and Fall of a Semen Empire and Select Sires vs. Semex – A Contrast in Cooperatives).

I find this issue to be especially relevant when I look at many of the boards that make decisions for the dairy cattle breeding industry, specifically breed associations.  The vocal minority are not afraid to express their opinions and they are often the ones elected to the boards of some A.I. companies and most breed associations.  This leads to a slant, especially at breed associations, toward their small group.  So instead of focusing on the majority of the milk production market segment, these boards focus on a small niche and find themselves scrounging for relevance.

The Bullvine Bottom Line

Those who consider themselves dairy cattle breeders love to talk about the latest sire or what cow won which show. But it is important to remember they are of limited relativity to the semen market as a whole. They are a very niche segment.  Yes, it’s a very vocal segment and accounts for a much larger portion of the conversation than the 26% of milk producers who account for 85% of the production.  Nevertheless, the fact remains, it is still a small but vocal minority.

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As I attend dairy events and communicate with other breeders, I hear varied reactions to the ever increasing rate of change in the dairy cattle improvement industry. Some want things to stay the way they are or go back to the way they were. Others want a slower rate of change. While others say – “Bring it on!”  Most often the last group are the new entrants and those that are expanding and buying the new technology. As a result of all these interest groups having different viewpoints, organization serving breeders receive mixed messages on how they are to operate and what they need to do to lead us into the future. But one thing is for certain, the future will not be the past or the present. Here are a few topics that we all need to mull over.

Criticism and Fault Finding Don’t Work

When was the last time you pointed a finger at others and said ‘They are wrong!’?  Well maybe they are but then again maybe they are not. It seems that folks in the dairy industry waste energy on pointing out deficiencies instead of accepting others and moving forward to make the overall better. Every parent knows that when they complement and build up their children, the end result can be over the moon. There is a people management theory that talks about bosses finding employees doing things right and rewarding them for that instead of focusing on the things done wrong. Future and fault both start with an ‘f’, but they do not both belong in the same sentence.

Needed – Futuristic Organization Leaders

When you vote for your rep to an organization do you vote for the one that has the time to serve or the one that will put in place the policies and direction so that staff can develop the programs and services needed for five and ten years down the road. Often we hear “He or she would make an excellent director, but they are too busy developing their own business to take the time to serve on a board of directors.” The truth is that those ideas are exactly what progressive boards need. There are ways to get their creative input into policy and direction and it does not mean that they need to attend unnecessary and unproductive meetings. Big companies operate very well under policy and direction boards – so too can the dairy improvement industry. Our futures may depend entirely on the type of leaders breeders elect and how those leaders are encouraged to operate. (Read more: Empty Chairs at Empty Tables)

Dynamic Organizations

Frequently these days we hear about mergers, take-overs, consolidations and elimination. Often our initial reaction is negative to any or all of these. Nevertheless the industry moves on afterwards. Our industry needs to move continually on too new and higher heights. Protection, of jobs, programs, services or organizations, is a time, energy and resources waster.

Traditionally we have had individual organizations providing animal identification, animal tracking, milk recording, type classification, data storage, data analysis, research and technology transfer. If we were starting from where we are at today to create new, would we still need all these centers?  Avoiding the costs of duplication and providing the best information to breeders in 2020 are opportunities that must be taken.

Most often we think nationally. But in this ever increasingly global world we need to consider if there are opportunities for more success if we were to have multicounty or worldwide organizations. International organizations for providing services such as genetic evaluations, data storage, research and technology transfer need to be considered. (Read more: The Future of the Dairy Cattle Breeding Industry – United we Stand, Divided we Fall!)

Automation Has Just Begun

Something new in robotic or drone technology comes on the scene for dairy farmers almost every month. Initially, it was machines replacing labour but it has quickly expanded to be more data captured that is significantly improving cow, herd and business management.  The day is coming where every input is tested and measured and every output is measured, tested, monitored and documented for consumer awareness.

Our traditional concept of what’s official and what is not will not be necessary. Milk weights will be captured at every milking and on a routine schedule other tests, including components, will be performed.

But that is not all – animals will be continually monitored and have the results retained from birth to death. As herd size expands and the cost of technology decreases, breeders will fine tune their genetics, their nutrition programs, their management and how they market their products. If we call the current time the “information age” then I am sure, we’ll need to call it the super information age in ten years’ time. (Read more: Robotic Milking: More than just automation it’s a new style of herd management)

One Cow Will Not Suit All

In the past, we have defined the ideal cow and strongly encouraged every breeder to breed for that ideal. Well, that’s not what will happen in the future. Yes, every breeder will want and breed for the profitable cow but the definition of profitable will be very much breeder specific. With more on-farm software and more on-farm testing, programs like milk recording or type classification could well be replaced. It could very well be that automatically captured photos will be all that is needed as far as conformation assessment is concerned.  Want to know how a cow moves? Then watch her move in real time. Want to know the mobility of a sire’s daughters, analyse the videos. When genomic indexes reach 80+% accuracy, then the need for third party verification of performance will be much less important than it has been in the past. Furthermore with most breeders deriving the vast majority of their revenue from the sale of milk and with cow input costs captured individually, net returns will determine which cows stay or go, not their performance. (Read more: The Secret to Breeding the Dairy Cow of the Future… )

The Bullvine Bottom Line

Our industry’s future success depends on the attitude and approach taken by breeders. Collaboration amongst breeders and support for new information and concepts is necessary. The leaders, we elect, need to be business oriented visionaries. Communication from breeders to their leaders and organizations and back to the breeders must be continuous.  Information and data will determine profit or success. Where once breeding was considered primarily an art form, in the future cattle breeding will depend upon science and business. One thing is for sure, pulling together is not an option, it is a must have.

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I cannot tell you the number of times that I have been asked, “Why do you lay down on the ground in the cow piss and poop to take pictures?”  It seems like after every show that I go to someone has taken a picture of me laying on the ground taking pictures.   I figured that in order to answer everyone’s questions and explain it in more detail, I would write an article about it.  Here goes.

When I first launched the Bullvine, we did not cover many shows, so we had to use professional side shots of the animals, instead of having pictures of the cows how they looked at the show.  Then, as we grew, we started attending more shows and decided that we would start covering them in more detail.  With that came the need for pictures.  For years, I have been a big fan of the photography work that Han Hopman has been doing for Holstein International.  (Read more: Han Hopman: Shooting Straight at Holstein International)

He has taken some of the most iconic shots the show ring has ever seen.  Therefore, when we started to cover shows here at The Bullvine, we decided that we wanted to do more photos like Han. In order to achieve this, I first started by looking at Han work and seeing exactly how he was achieving such fantastic results.  I went out and purchased a $500 Canon camera and started to learn about photography.  One of the first things you learn is how to set up the camera to achieve the best results.  The camera settings can often be found in the META Data of each photograph.  So I found myself looking at Han’s photographs to see how he was setting up his camera.   This gave me great insight into the technical part of the process but certainly left much room to learn the artistic side.

Han Hopman always get’s his shot including this one of Eastside Lewisdale Goldwyn Missy & RF Goldwyn Hailey, Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion at Royal Winter Fair 2011.

While Han has been the first to employ this method in dairy cattle show ring photography, it has been a very popular technique in sports photography for many years.    Sports Illustrated, known worldwide for their excellent photos, has been using this technique since the 1970’s when Walter Ioos started doing this in order to differentiate his photographs.  It also turned out to be a great contributor to the early success of Sports Illustrated.

Walter Iooss’ photos and collages of Michael Jordan featured in Sports Illustrated cover story celebrating the basketball icon’s 50th birthday

Having looked at what Han has been doing, and how Sports Illustrated used the power of differentiated photographs to grow to be the largest sports magazine in the world, I figured that we here at the Bullvine should do the same.  Over the past two years, I have been working at learning this technique and using it and other lessons to create differentiated photographs for us here at the Bullvine.

This is a low-angle shot by Sports Illustrated’s Peter Read Miller. The camera resting on the ground.

First let’s clear things up.  I often have conversations with other show ring photographers about this very issue.  Many comment that they prefer to do event coverage photographs instead of cover shot photographs. For that reason, you will not find them lying on the ground to get the type of shots Han has made so popular.  In doing regular event coverage photography instead of trying to get 3-4 cover shots, you are more likely aiming to get 5-10 pictures per class so that viewers can get a good understanding of what each animal in the class looked like and so that the viewers of the photographs could make their own judgement call on each animal.  This means you don’t have as much time to set up for each photo, as you need to always be moving and getting the required shots. Add to that the fact that most publications are posting in real time to their website with placings, and here at the Bullvine we are also posting to Facebook and it can be very hard to stop and pose each photo.  The challenge with conventional event coverage photographs is that they are actually not really giving you a good representation of the animals.  That is because, when taking a regular event coverage photograph, you are shooting down on the animal (as most photographers are taller than 5 feet tall/60 inches).  This causes the level of distortion that is actually unbecoming to the animal.  Combine that with the fact that each camera and lens comes with a certain level of distortion and the pictures you see in typical event coverage are not as accurate as one would think.

Picture taken at standing height

Picture taken at about 30 inches off the ground.

The best viewing angle for the most accurate evaluation of an animal is to have a camera and lens approximately at the middle of the animal.  So, for a 60 inch cow, you should have the lens at about 30 inches off of the ground.   For most photographers, that means they would need to get at least down on one knee in order to get the best shot.  This is something that many do not choose to do.

Now Han has taken this technique to a whole new level, where he prefers to get down on the ground as low as possible.  This works great when shooting cattle from long distances as it makes the cows seem larger than life and provides very impressive cover shots.  However, as I have learned the hard way, in the past two years that I have been doing this, when these photos are taken at close range, you will find that the cows start to look quartered.  So there is certainly an art form to this photography.

Picture taken at about 30 inches of the ground

Picture taken at ground level

One of the things I quickly learned is that not all North American shows have iconic environments to create these magnificent photographs.  Most dairy cattle shows in North America take place in dark arenas that don’t have very picturesque backgrounds, unlike those in Europe that have a custom environment which helps in producing outstanding photographic results.  The other challenge I learned is that we are typically shooting in low light, with high color cast so certainly shows are a tricky place to get great shots.  This is where I have employed and benefited from the help of others.   I started with staff photographers I work with in my main company who taught me the technical side.  It meant combining many conversations with the likes of Han and Randy Blodgett and two outstanding young photographers, Laurens Rutten and Bradly Cullen, as well as working through much trial and error.   I have slowly learned how to overcome these challenges.  Along with that came the understanding that I would have to invest in new equipment.  What started out as a $500 investment has now become a $30,000 investment complete with converting my garage into a studio in order to learn even more.  We have also now added a video studio for Bullvine TV (Read more: Introducing BullvineTV – The Dairy Breeding Industry Now Has Its Own Channel)

The lesson that I learned from many of the professional portrait photographers I have been fortunate to work with is that you need to develop your own style in order to stand out.  For me, that started out with wanting to catch those moments that breeders will never forget.  It meant being able to capture those moments when a cow is named grand at Expo, or when a father and son embrace after the Royal.  These are the moments that people will never forget, and pictures from these events have proven to be viral on social media.

One of the things I found as our pictures become more recognizable, is that more and more exhibitors where asking me if I had been able to get a picture of their animals.  In the beginning, since more of my photographs turned out somewhat less than good, it meant that I didn`t have time to get the shots all breeders were looking for.  However, more recently, as our experience has grown, we now strive to get a picture of every animal that enters the ring, and this is something we have been very close to achieving.  With the last Quebec Summer Show, we posted over 300 photographs from a show that had 148 animals.  (Read more: Expo provinciale de Montmagny) The interesting part is that instead of just doing event coverage like most publications are still doing, we are now able to produce shots that showoff the animals in the best possible way.  This has led to the Bullvine`s photos being the most used photos for ads and magazine covers in the dairy breeding industry.

The Bullvine Bottom Line

For me being able to be in the middle of the ring at Expo, the Royal or pretty much any other dairy cattle show is a real honor.  Exhibitors go to a great deal of effort 365 days a year, and I love being able to see up close just which  cows look good and which ones are not at their best on that day.  I feel that it`s my responsibility to the breeders that view our photographs to provide them with the best photos possible.  Also the reason I don`t charge breeders and exhibitors for the use of my photographs, as I have not paid for the right to take the photographs, how do I have the right to charge them?  In order to achieve this it not only means having the best equipment we can afford, but it also means being willing to get down on the ground  in order to  get the angle and perspective that captures the best possible moment.   Often this means laying in the piss and poop, as the angle that allows you to get to see the cows fore and rear udder may not be one that is in the cleanest spot in the show ring.  Sure I could move to a different angle, but then I would be cheating the breeders who go to so much effort to bring their animals to the show as well as those who like to view our pictures online.  It`s not about how pretty I look, but rather, what can I do to capture that animal looking her best! If that means laying in piss and poop, so be it. Besides how many true dairy farmers do you know that are afraid to get a little poop on them?

Check out more photographs in our gallery section 

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Listen in on two dairy breeders’ conversation, and you might think you were listening to an entirely different language.  The show ring, dairy cattle breeding and dairy farming industry is full of strange terminology that most people would simply not understand.  Here are 22 phrases that have totally different meanings to dairy breeders.

Ring

Non Dairy Breeders: a typically circular band of metal or other durable material, especially one of gold or other precious metal, often set with gems, for wearing on the finger as an ornament, a token of betrothal or marriage, etc.

Dairy Breeders: The place where dreams can be made or broken.  Where dairy breeders bring their best to compete for fame and fortune.  Well for fame at least.  Though there are times the two are combined.  (Read more:  World Dairy Expo Proposal – First comes cows then comes vows! and 8 of the greatest Dairy Love Stories in the World)

Expo

Non Dairy Breeders: a world’s fair or international exposition

Dairy Breeders: Expo in the dairy breeding industry is a short form for none other than the pinnacle of competition, World Dairy Expo.  A five-day event showcasing the finest in dairy genetics and the newest technologies available to the dairy industry.  For many dairy breeders this is their Mecca where dairy breeders from around the world make an annual pilgrimage to Madison, Wisconsin USA in early October for the greatest dairy cattle show and exhibition in the world.  (Read more: World Dairy Expo 2013 – Memories to last a Lifetime and World Dairy Expo 2013 Holstein Show Results)

The Royal

Non Dairy Breeders: Most non breeders would think of the British Monarchy, and Queen Elizabeth.  Very popular now are Prince William, his wife, Catherine Elizabeth Middleton and their adorable son Prince George.

Dairy Breeders: For dairy breeders in North America say the words The Royal and they will think of The Royal  Agricultural Winter Fair, held every November in Toronto, Ontario Canada.  Similar to Expo, the Royal showcases some of the greatest cattle the world over all in one place to compete for the coveted title of Supreme Champion.  In Australia, they will think of The Royal Melbourne Dairy Show held in September of each year. (Read more: The Royal Flu – Did you catch it? and Canadian National Holstein Show Results)

County fair

Non Dairy Breeders: The once a year event where you ride the midway, eat fried food and go to concerts.

Dairy Breeders: The single most important show in the history of the universe. Your chance to become a legend in your own community.  If you can’t make it here, you can’t make it anywhere.

Strapper

Non Dairy Breeders: a large, robust person.

Dairy Breeders: A dairy cattle showman with the unique ability to display a magnificent beast to the utmost of her ability.  Though there are some “Strappers” who are also on the much larger side.

Fitter

Non Dairy Breeders: a person who fits garments.

Dairy Breeders: A unique person who travels from show to show preparing dairy cattle for competition.  Often possessing egos to fit the situation.

Clear Magic

Non Dairy Breeders: the art of producing illusions as entertainment by the use of sleight of hand, deceptive devices, etc.; legerdemain; conjuring:

Dairy Breeders: a liquid in an aerosol or other spray container, used in preparing dairy cattle for the show ring.

Crazy Glue

Non Dairy Breeders: Super glue that is crazy strong, crazy fast. It works in as little as 30 seconds, forming an extremely strong bond on all kinds of surfaces.

Dairy Breeders: A tool used to temporarily correct poor teat placement on dairy cows.

Plough Puller

Non Dairy Breeders: from the genus Bos, oxen used to pull ploughs and other implements.

Dairy Breeders: A dairy cow that is so thick and heavy that they would be better suited working in the fields than producing milk.

Greasy

Non Dairy Breeders: composed of or containing grease; oily:

Dairy Breeders: A dairy cow that is over conditioned and not ready to exhibit in the show ring.

Silky

Non Dairy Breeders: the soft, lustrous fiber obtained as a filament from the cocoon of the silkworm.

Dairy Breeders: A dairy cow whose parts blend together so smoothly it is said she looks like silk.

Woody

Non Dairy Breeders: A character from the Toy Story movies.

Dairy Breeders: A dairy cow that lacks dairy character, i.e. is thick and not refined.

Sack

Non Dairy Breeders: a large bag made of durable material such as burlap, thick paper, or plastic, used for storing and carrying goods.

Dairy Breeders: A dairy cows mammary system

Goat Bag

Non Dairy Breeders: The latest couturier designer purses from the streets of Milan.

Dairy Breeders: A dairy cow who has only two quarters or extremely large teats, similar to that of a dairy goat.

Blow Bag

Non Dairy Breeders: The latest couturier designer purses from the streets of NY.

Dairy Breeders: A dairy cow whose udder attachments have deteriorated to the point where her udder hangs significantly low.

Chrome

Non Dairy Breeders: chromium-plated or other bright metallic trim, as on an automobile.

Dairy Breeders: A dairy cow that has such extreme venation on her udder that it “shines” like chrome on an automobile.

Fresh

Non Dairy Breeders: not preserved by freezing, canning, pickling, salting, drying, etc.:

Dairy Breeders: The calving date of a cow when she last gave birth.

Index

Non Dairy Breeders: a more or less detailed alphabetical listing of names, places, and topics along with the numbers of the pages on which they are mentioned or discussed, usually included in or constituting the back matter.

Dairy Breeders: A genetic evaluation tool such as TPI (Total Profit Index) or LPI (Lifetime Profit Index).

Genomics

Non Dairy Breeders: the study of genomes.

Dairy Breeders: A breeding tool that has totally changed the way we breed dairy cattle.  Also, a four letter word for many old school dairy breeders. (Read more: Genomics)

Putting on her wedding clothes

Non Dairy Breeders: What a woman does when she is preparing to marry the love of her life.

Dairy Breeders: Getting a dairy cow ready to exhibit at the show.

Flushes like a chicken

Non Dairy Breeders: A chicken that is very prolific at producing eggs.

Dairy Breeders: A cow that is very prolific at producing valuable embryos.

Polled

Non Dairy Breeders: In today’s social media age, say the word polled and most people would think of a Facebook poll about Justin Bieber’s new hair cut or Miley Cyrus twerking video.  Also, not to be confused with a type of dance at your local mens establishment.

Dairy Breeders: For dairy breeders it’s one of the hottest breeding topics.  Hornless, especially genetically hornless dairy cattle are in great demand.  The polled gene (P) is dominant to the horned gene (p). If an animal has two polled genes (PP), homozygous, or one polled and one horned gene (Pp), heterozygous, it will be polled. However, if it is heterozygous polled (Pp) it may pass either the polled or horned gene on to its offspring. The only situation when an animal will be horned is when it possesses two recessive horned genes (pp), homozygous horned.  (Read more: Polled Dairy Cattle)

What phrases would you add?

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A year ago Clarence and Wendy Markus were abruptly awakened in the night to discover that 30 years of their family’s hard work was burning to the ground. (Read more: Your Barn is on Fire!)  A thousand times over the past year, Clarence has shared with everyone his unique perspective on that fateful night….”It’s just stuff”.   Despite the loss and upheaval to their lives, Clarence and the entire Markus family have come to see something that could have defeated them has become a blessing. They are extremely appreciative of the outpouring of support from the dairy community around the world.  As members of the dairy industry, we all know that the dairy community is the greatest.  (Read more: Why the Dairy Community is the Greatest in the World….)  Nevertheless, sometimes it is harder to remember and accept Clarence’s message that, “It’s just stuff.”

There are those who might take Clarence’s comments lightly, while agreeing with the observation “They’re just cows” or “It’s just a barn.” They may too quickly overlook  the amount of hard physical work, the time spent, the late nights or the costs involved for “just a cow” and the memories that “just a barn” hold for generations of a dairy farmer’s family.  For families like the Markus’s, dairy farming is more than just an occupation. It is more than a career. It is a way of life.  Therefore,  when the cows are lost, and the barns are destroyed, it is like getting  laid off, fired or downsized from your chosen career and having your place of work completely eradicated.. Seeing all that was lost in this horrific fire, I don’t take Clarence’s words, “It’s just stuff” lightly. And neither does he or his family.    What he is sincerely highlighting is the fact that everyone was safe.  Clarence and his wife Wendy were not harmed in the fire.  Their four kids, spouses and many grandchildren are all safe. They are able to appreciate that as a blessing especially when it was combined with the amazing support of the many community members from around the world who have reached out to them.

I contrast this story with the tragic   one of Patricia Stiles and Reese Burdette.  (Read more:  Patricia Stiles –Dairy Farmer, Grandmother, Hero, Fighting for Her Life!) They too were awakened in the night to a devastating fire.  However, unlike Clarence and Wendy, their fire was not in the barn, but rather in the house.  Unlike the Markus family who were able to remain safe, Patricia and her husband Mike had their two young grandchildren, Reese and Brinkley, in the house and they had to help them escape the blaze.  Tragically for Patricia and Reese, they did not make it out unharmed.  Both suffered   massive smoke inhalation and burns to most of their bodies. While Patricia is now out of the hospital, after a tough battle to regain her health, Reese still finds herself battling in hospital.

It is at a time like this that you can appreciate Clarence’s perspective on “stuff” as compared to family health, life and safety. .  While there are large differences in the  economic cost of the Markvale fire and the Waverly one, all of us can agree that  , the damage to the health of our hero Patricia and her sweet granddaughter Reese far outweigh the losses of “stuff”.  .

You see, ultimately the old stuff lost in the fire can be replaced by new stuff.  This was the case on display yesterday as Markvale opened their doors to their new facility.  However, instead of the day being about the fancy new barns, it was about the community that supported them and made it possible.  It was about giving heartfelt thanks for how fortunate they were that everyone was safe and that they are members of such a caring community.

The Bullvine Bottom Line

Fire has a way of destroying the old and making room for the new.  A forest fire clears the underbrush and dead trees and makes room for the new to grow and thrive.  This is exactly the way the Markus family sees it as each of their three sons will continue on as dairy farmers and members of this great fraternity.  Fire can also be devastating, as the Burdette and Stiles families have been experiencing.  All of these families have certainly been reminded of the lesson that “it’s just stuff.”  Stuff can be replaced. However being a member of this great community and having your health is irreplaceable and far more important than just stuff.

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With Canada celebrating its national holiday this week and today being US Independence Day, we thought it only fitting to see which of these two great dairy cattle breeding nations has the edge when it comes to dairy cattle genetics.

We decided to look at 5 areas -Total Index, Production, Health and Fertility, Longevity and the Show Ring.  For each category we calculated the top 100 Canadian or USA bred animals.  For country of origin we used the country they were registered in.  Each area carries a 20 point total.  The following is what we found.

Total Index – BPI

Naturally the US will dominate the TPI list and Canada will dominate the LPI lists so we decided to use our own BPI index as a gauge to determine which country has the top sires in the total balanced index category.  (Read more: Bullvine Performance Index)

While Canada is coming on strong in the genomic sire lists, on the whole the BPI index is dominated by the USA.

Verdict: 3 Points to Canada and 17 Points to the USA

Production

For top production sires we used a weighting of 50% PTAM, 20% PTAP, 5% %PTAP, 20% PTAF, 5% %PTAF

With 82% of the top proven and genomic sires for production, the USA dominates the production section of this competition.  However it is interesting to see that Canada is getting stronger with 30% of the top genomic production sires.  This stronger showing may also be a result of Canada’s national index, LPI having more production weighting than that of the American TPI.

Verdict: 4 Points to Canada and 16 Points to the USA

Health and Fertility

For Health and Fertility we used the following weightings SCS 20%, DPR 20%, SCR 20%, SCE 10%, DCE 10%, SSB 10%, and DSB 10%.

It isn’t surprising, since the USA’s national index, TPI, has a heavier weighting on Health and Fertility, to find that the USA absolutely dominates this list.

Verdict: 2 Points to Canada, 18 Points to the USA

Longevity

For longevity we used the following weightings -PL 50%, MS 30%, F&L 10%, BC 5% and DC 5%.

Given that Canada does put a high emphasis on type and, as a result longevity, it’s not surprising that Canada does have a strong showing in this category.

Verdict: 3 Points Canada, 17 Points USA

Show Ring Success

For the show ring we decided to take a look at the top 5 placings from this past year’s World Dairy Expo and Royal Winter Fair to see who dominates in the show ring.

One area where Canada does dominate the USA is in the show ring.  At both National Shows Canada came out on top.  Although the USA did have an edge in the cow classes at World Dairy Expo, Canada absolutely dominated the 2013 Royal Winter Fair.

Verdict: 14 Points to Canada and 6 Points to the USA

The Bullvine Bottom Line

Final Verdict: Canada 26 USA 74

Not surprisingly the USA comes out on top of this North American Battle.  In fact the USA comes out on top when compared to any country in the world and Canada comes in 2^nd place in the world ranking.  While Canada’s passion for the show ring certainly helps them in this competition, even in the index categories Canada performs better than their cattle numbers would indicate.  Canada has 1/10 the cattle numbers of the USA but wins 15% of the index market share. In the end, national pride always finds a way to wave the flag!!

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Growing up on a dairy farm is certainly one of the most rewarding experiences anyone could ever have.  Now that I am a parent myself, I am constantly reminded of some of the unique experiences that only a dairy farm kid can have.

1 – The unpredictable circle of life

On a dairy farm on any given day, you can experience the highs of welcoming a newborn calf, or the lows of a favorite cow getting hurt and having to be culled.  While most kids may experience the death of a pet, a dairy farm kid gets to experience the complete circle of life, from birth, through raising to death.  A dairy farm kid gets to experience it all.  However, through everything a dairy farm kid also learns that no matter what happens you have to wake up each morning and plow on.  Regardless of what happened yesterday, today you still need to feed, water and care for all the cattle on the farm.

2 – Summer vacation means mowing hay or fixing fences.

While many kids get all excited about their summer vacation trip   to Europe or Disneyland, a dairy farm kid knows that their summer will consist of repairing the pasture fence, mowing hay, or training a 4-H calf.  There may not be the glitz and glamor of international travel, but the discipline and work ethic learning during these “staycations” will prove invaluable no matter what career is chosen later on.

3 – Baler twine can fix anything

While some kids grow up learning that duct tape is the fix all around the house, it pales in comparison to the power of baler twine.  From fixing broken fences, gates and keeping your pants up, the limitless potential of baler twine is invaluable around the farm.  Even now when I find myself in a pinch I think to myself “If I only had some baler twine I would have this fixed in no time.”

4 – A hard day’s work is not measured in hours

In most other walks of life, you will hear people talk about how many hours they have worked, but not on a dairy farm.  Dairy farm kids learn that there is always more to be done and, “If you have the time to calculate how many hours you have worked, you haven’t worked hard enough.”  Every dairy farm kid knows that the day starts well before sunrise with cows to be milked, and ends after sunset after the crops have been harvested, and the pregnant cows have been checked for calving.  The best way to appreciate how hard someone has been working is not by listening to them complain, but rather it is by shaking their hands and feeling the calluses from all the work they have been doing.

5 – Mistreat a cow and you are going to get kicked….hard

Recently there has been much made about a video released about cattle abuse.  While the actions in these videos are certainly deplorable, any kid actually raised on a dairy farm knows this is not how you treat cattle.  If you mistreat a cow, she is going to kick you, and hard.  Hooves are hard and can leave a bruise like none other. Mistreatment only escalates whatever problem you think you are dealing with.

6 – It’s better to lead than to push

When cows refuse to cross a gutter or go through the door it’s far more productive to lead them across than to try to push them.  Pushing them in this kind of a situation is pointless and is only going to lead to greater frustration for you. A far better way is just to lead them. Lead and they will follow. This kind of attitude can also apply in life.  Don’t push…lead.

7 – The measure of a man is not how much money they have but rather the community that supports them

While many love to tell you about how much money they have, a dairy farm kid learns pretty quickly in life that it’s not money that is the measure of a man, but rather how quickly the community around them supports them in the tough times.  Recently we have seen this very measure proven again and again (Read more: Why the Dairy Community is the Greatest in the World….)

8 – Multitasking means doing more than two things at once

I can’t tell you how many times I have heard socialite mothers complain about having to watch the kids (which means having the nanny do the work for them) and then have to worry about cooking dinner (that again is done for them) and then have to be ready to go out and be sociable.  Really, try having to feed the family, feed the calves, milk the cows, be a taxi service for both the kids and the farm and then whenever you have time also be the accountant and referee between the kids fights. (Read more:  Dairy Farm Moms are Unstoppable and The Dairy Farmer’s Wife)

9 – You have to give love in order to receive love

Anyone who has ever taken care of a dairy cow has quickly learned that if you show them the love they will quickly show you the love back. When you take care of them, they will take care of you.  You discover that having a vigilant focus on your cows’ comfort and well-being is the key to a successful dairy farm.  Healthy, happy cows give more milk and lead far more productive lives than cows that aren’t treated well.  It’s been scientifically proven that cows with more love in their life will outperform any cows that aren’t being treated well.

10 – Nothing is more refreshing than a glass of ice-cold milk, fresh from the cow

Raw milk may not be everyone’s personal preference and is even considered “dangerous” to some, but anyone who was raised on a dairy farm agrees that nothing compares to it. After moving away from the dairy, I will never enjoy milk purchased from the store as much as I loved the creamy goodness of milk from your own herd fresh from the bulk tank.

11 – It’s possible to combine your passion and your paycheck

Far too many people, these days, are lost in their careers.  They are stuck in jobs that they don’t like, working in an industry that they could care less about.  In contrast, anyone who has grown up on a dairy farm certainly has been exposed to the passion that comes with being a dairy farmer.  Sure, the paycheck may not be as sexy, but a rewarding career is second to none.

12 – Nothing compares to working with family

Everyone talks about and values teamwork but there are no greater teams than the ones comprised of dairy families pulling together.  Growing up on a dairy farm the dinner table acts as the boardroom table and pretty much every decision is made over a dinner of roast beef, mashed potatoes and a glass of ice cold milk.

Whatever “dairy dozen” you hold most dear, I have no doubt that they have a positive impact on your life — on or off the farm! 

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Eighteen days ago, Patricia and Mike Stiles woke up to a nightmare. One that they and their families are still going through today.  It’s a nightmare that is going to continue for some time to come.   Since that time the dairy industry from around the world has rallied to their support.  Sending out prayers, love, support and giving generously to aid them.

Both Patricia Stiles and her granddaughter, Reese Burdette, who Patricia risked her life to try and save, continue to fight their battles. (Read more: Patricia Stiles – Dairy Farmer, Grandmother, Hero, Fighting for her life!) Pneumonia is huge demon that both are facing, as well as the other infections and trauma that face burn victims. Surgeries for skin grafting are working, and slowly, but surely, Reese and Patricia are healing. Doctors have estimated at least 15 to 30 operations for the Reese over the next few months — many for skin grafting.

The dairy industry continues to rally around these families, with support and donations.  Thanks to the support of many of our community members, for the past two weeks we have been running a fundraiser to help these families deal with the costs associated with these many surgeries.

Highlights from the Helping Heroes

• Lot A – 4 #1 Reginald embryos from JACOBS SID MIKA VG-87-2YR
  Current Bid: $900/embryo
• Lot B – 5 #1 Kingboy embryos from Ri-Val-Re Obsrver Salsa VG-86-2YR 
  Current Bid: $400/embryo
• Lot C – 11 x 16 framed print of DALEMCEE-J COUNCILLER TAUNTRA
  Current Bid: $640
• Lot D – 12 x 12 canvas print of ANNA ( Steel cow )
  Current Bid: $500
• Lot E – 4 #1 Atlanta-P embryos from Luck-E Talent Kiki *RC EX-93
  Current Bid: $800/embryo
• Lot F – 16 x 24 vivid metal print by Farmgirl Photography
  Current Bid: $500
• Lot G – 17.5 x 14 Signed and Numbered Lithograph by Bonnie Mohr – Sweet Summer
  Current Bid: $600
• Lot H – 5 #1 Alexander embryos from Arethusa Shottle Domino EX-93
  Current Bid: $400/embryo
• Lot I – 17.79” x 21.35” framed poster of Decrausaz Iron O’Kalibra
  Current Bid: $500
• Lot J – 3 #2 Declan IVF female embryos from Dubeau Dundee Hezbollah EX-92
  Current Bid: $600/embryo
• Lot K – 16 x 20 signed and ready to hang canvas print EMMA CALDWELL – “Holstein”
  Current Bid: $300
• Lot L – 21.35” x 17.79” framed poster of KHW Regiment Apple-Red
  Current Bid: $225
• Lot M – Choice of Aftershock embryos from Quality Holsteins
  Current Bid: $800/embryo
• Lot N – 5 doses of Deer Hill Francis EX-91
  Current Bid: $100/dose
• Lot O – 4 #1 Doorman embryos from VIEUXSAULE SEAVER ELSI VG-86-2YR
  Current Bid: $700/embryo
• Just Added Lot  O – Lot 0 –  One of a kind CUSTOM PAINTED MILK CANS from Debbie Cornman Studio
  Current Bid: $720

To see full details on these lots please visit Helping Heroes – Fundraiser to Support the Stiles & Burdette Families

How to Bid

There are three simple ways to bid; you can enter your bid in the comments below, place your bid on the Facebook, or email helpingheroes@thebullvine.com, and we will keep all locations up to date with the latest bids.

Terms

The Bullvine will act as a dairy breeder’s version of eBay. That means that once the sale is complete we will collect the funds from the successful bidder, notify the breeder who donated the lot of who and where to send the lot to. Once the winning bidder has successfully received the items, we will release the funds. The buyer will be responsible for all shipping expenses.

Please share this article to help raise awareness of this great opportunity to support the Stiles and Burdette families at this time.

Please continue to reach out to this family, and continue to pray for little Reese and Miss Patricia, and their family.

Being a dairy farmer means working long days that start before the sun rises and don’t end until well after the sun sets.  Dairy farming isn’t easy.

Being a dairy farmer means staying up all night waiting for the first calf heifer to calve, and then having to help her in order to save her and her calf’s lives.  Dairy farming isn’t easy.

Being a dairy farmer means knowing when a cow is sick, in heat or has mastitis.  Dairy farming isn’t easy.

Being a dairy farmer means being able to balance a ration, a checkbook and crop rotations.  Dairy farming isn’t easy.

Being a dairy farmer means being able to make a halter or gate latch or just about anything with baler twine.  Dairy farming isn’t easy.

Being a dairy farmer means watching your prized cow flair up with mastitis and almost die and there is nothing you can do about it.  Dairy farming isn’t easy.

Being a dairy farmer means having to get waist deep in the manure to clear a jammed stable cleaner.  Dairy farming isn’t easy.

Being a dairy farmer means risking losing everything you own in a fire or natural disaster.  Dairy farming isn’t easy.

Being a dairy farmer means no lavish parties or long vacations to fancy resorts.  Dairy farming isn’t easy.

But….

Being a dairy farmer is all worth it when you see the look in your child’s eyes the first time they see a calf being born.

Being a dairy farmer is all worth it when you get that very good two year old after you have spent many generations of corrective mating to get her.

Being a dairy farmer is all worth it when you see that 7 year old cow calve for the 5^th time, attending to her newborn calf.

Being a dairy farmer is all worth it when you hear your children tell you that they want to dedicate their lives to providing safe and nutritious dairy products to feed a growing world.

Being a dairy farmer is all worth it when you watch your children grow up on the farm and learn the values that you hold so close to your heart.

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I cannot think of a better way to kick off National Dairy Month, than doing what the dairy industry does best….supporting our community.  A week ago tragedy struck the Stiles and Burdette Families when Patricia Stiles and her husband Mike, awake to smoke, only to discover their house was on fire, and they need to get their two grandchildren out.  While Mike and the youngest grandchild Brinkley Burdette made it out relatively safe, Patricia and seven-year-old Reese Burdette, where not as fortunate and now find themselves with severe burns to their body and a long road ahead.  (Read more: Patricia Stiles –Dairy Farmer, Grandmother, Hero, Fighting for Her Life!)  Over the past week, there has been an amazing showing of support for these to great families, and since our article Why the Dairy Community is the Greatest in the World we have had many breeders offering their support and willing to make donations to help support these families at this time of need.

Over the next few days, we will be releasing three donated lots per day to help raise funds to cover the hospital expenses these families now face.  The auction will end on Friday June 13th at midnight.  100% of the proceeds will go to the bank account that has been set up for the families.

Lot A – 4 #1 Reginald embryos from JACOBS SID MIKA VG-87-2YR

Current Bid: $900/embryo (Bids in $50 increments)

Everyone remembers when Justin Burdette awarded BONACCUEIL MAYA GOLDWYN EX-95-2E-CAN the 2013 World Dairy Expo Holstein Grand Champion. (Read more:  World Dairy Expo 2013 Holstein Show Results and  World Dairy Expo 2013 – Memories to last a Lifetime) Well, here is a chance to buy into this great cow family and support the Burdette family in this time of need.  JACOBS SID MIKA is the very promising VG-87-2YR that was 3rd at the Quebec International Show last year and has all the makings of her legendary mother Maya.  With Reginald showing he can sire great ones as well, you know these embryos have the potential to be very special. (Read more: FERME JACOBS: SUCCESS IS ALL IN THE FAMILY! and Ferme Jacobs 2013: A Journey of Magic, Maya and Mastery!)

Lot B – 5 #1 Kingboy embryos from Ri-Val-Re Obsrver Salsa VG-86-2YR

Current Bid: $400/embryo (Bids in $50 increments)

From the heart of Ri-Val-Re comes these great embryos that will have a brother sampled through Select Sires by Relif P as well as sisters that are 2400 gTPI. These embryos will have a parent average TPI of over 2300 with the potential for a 2400+ gTPI calf. This is a great opportunity from an emerging cow family and support a great cause. (Read more: BREEDING RI-VAL-RE: Where Looking Good in the Stall Is Just As Important As Looking Good On Paper)

Lot C – 11 x 16 framed print of DALEMCEE-J COUNCILLER TAUNTRA

Current Bid: $640 (Bids in $20 increments)

The very talented artist Gary Sauder has donated an 11×16 (actual size of the picture) framed print of DALEMCEE-J COUNCILLER TAUNTRA EX-95.  Tauntra is the showing winning cow exhibited by Patricia and the Stiles family.  This painting was originally commissioned by Patricia and Mike.  Gary has the unique ability to truly capture these great cows in their truest form.  (Read more: GARY SAUDER: The Muse in His Studio) Don’t miss you chance to get this amazing painting and support Patricia at this time.

Lot D – 12 x 12 canvas print of ANNA ( Steel cow )

Current Bid: $500 (Bids in $20 increments)

Original Paintings by artist Valerie Miller can be found in art collections worldwide and are available exclusively through ( STEEL COW ). Valerie captures the personality of each of “the girls” in original acrylic paintings after going out into the field and studying and sketching them. “The girls” are all named after friends or family. This is your opportunity to take home Anna. Anna love’s country boys and pickup trucks, but she really is just a farm girl at heart. Here is your chance to support to great farm girls and take home an amazing canvas print by the very talented Valerie Miller. (Read more: Steel Cow’s Valerie Miller: Larger than Life with Her Cow Girls)

Lot E –  4 #1 Atlanta-P  embryos from Luck-E Talent Kiki *RC EX-93

Current Bid: $800/embryo (Bids in $50 increments)

From 8 generations fo VG or EX these Atlanta-P embryos are very special. Atlanta-P is +3.50Type +689M & +2048M. Altanta-P’s dam is Luck-E Advent Atlanta EX-94 96MS 5yr. When your this good it’s not luck it’s Luck-E.  (Read more: Luck-E Holsteins: The Harder they work, the Luck-E-r they get!)

Lot F – 16 x 24 vivid metal print by Farmgirl Photography

Current Bid: $500 (Bids in $20 increments)

Danae Bauer has a real talent for capturing those special moments. She combines that ability with her passion for dairy cattle and she has taken some amazing photographs. Danae is offer a 16 x 24 vivid metal print from any of her Farmgirl photographs. Vivid metal prints are show-stopping conversation pieces and add an artistic edge and contemporary elegance to the photographs This makes a very special gift for those dairy farmers that you know that spend just as much time talking to cows as much as they do people. (Read more: DANAE BAUER: Capturing the Passion)

Lot G – 17.5 x 14 Signed and Numbered Lithograph by Bonnie Mohr – Sweet Summer

Current Bid: $600 (Bids in $20 increments)

The art of Bonnie Mohr stimulates, engages, and inspires both the heart and the mind, from her rural, American pieces of country life to her poetic, peaceful images of inspiration. The essence of Bonnie’s art is that it reflects who she is, 100 percent. Every facet of her life is threaded into the canvas of her work, and after growing up and living on a dairy farm, she began painting her passion — cows. (Read more:  Bonnie Mohr – Science and Art Together Creates a Holstein Love Story) In her work Sweet Summer a perfect summer day at the farm unfolds with rolling hills in the background, the white barn, farm buildings, and silo; green trees border the beautiful pasture where a herd of Holstein cows graze and wander peacefully amidst the purple clover in the fields. A note from Bonnie: The rosy colors and sweet smell of clover dwell abundantly in most pastures across the upper Midwest, every summer. If you have ever approached a herd of cows out in the pasture – they will inch towards you out of complete curiosity. This painting is one of pure enjoyment and love for dairy cows and enchanting summers of rural America!  Don’t miss you chance to get this amazing painting and support Patricia at this time.

Lot H – 5 #1 Alexander embryos from Arethusa Shottle Domino EX-93

Current Bid: $400/embryo (Bids in $50 increments)

Not only does Domino come from a show winning pedigree with her dam Cherown SY Delilah EX-96 4E USA being named honorable mention grand champion at the 2001 Royal Winter Fair, but also her daughter, Arethusa Sanchez Dice EX-92(Pictured Above) was recently named Intermediate Champion at the New York International Spring Show demonstrating these she can also breed great ones.  Here is your chance to get in on one of the great show cow families in the breed today. (Read more:  Arethusa: A Winning Focus)

Lot I – 17.79” x 21.35” framed poster of Decrausaz Iron O’Kalibra

Current Bid: $370 (Bids in $20 increments)

Laurens Rutten is probably one of the most talented show ring livestock photographers in the world. He has taken some of the greatest show ring photographs in both Europe and North America. No photograph has been seen by a larger audience than Decrausaz Iron O’ Kalibra *RC EX-96-CH. O’Kalibra was voted the 2013 Most Influential Cow In Switzerland and The European Champion of 2013. She was Grand Champion Swiss Expo 2013 & 2012. O’Kalibra is simply one of the greatest show cows in the world today. (Read more: DECRAUSAZ IRON O’KALIBRA: Simply the Best) Here is your chance to get a framed print of this amazing cow and support a great cause.

Lot J –  3 #2 Declan IVF female embryos from Dubeau Dundee Hezbollah EX-92

Current Bid: $600/embryo (Bids in $50 increments)

Talk about a pedigree that has it all. If you are looking to invest in superior bloodlines this package has it. In HEZBOLLAH you have the great SNOW-N DENISES DELLIA EX-95-2E-USA GMD DOM 5* and COMESTAR LAURA BLACK VG-87-3YR-CAN 24* and in Declan you add MD-DELIGHT DURHAM ATLEE EX-92-4YR-USA DOM GMD 6*, BRAEDALE BALER TWINE VG-86-2YR-CAN 33* and SCIENTIFIC DEBUTANTE RAE EX-92-4YR-USA DOM GMD 3*. Declan’s EBV for type are outstanding at +3.59 PTAT, +3.08 UDC and +2.30 FLC, in Canada his just as impressive at +16 Conformation, +14 Mammary Systems, +12 Dairy Strength, and +12 Feet and Legs. Hezbollah is becoming a great brood cow. Of her first 8 classified daughters, 6 are VG including 2 at VG-87! We know of 3 more fresh that should be VG as well.  (Read more: The Judge’s Choice – Investment advice from Tim Abbott) What more could you ask for?

Lot K –  16 x 20 signed and ready to hang canvas print EMMA CALDWELL – “Holstein”

Current Bid: $300 (Bids in $20 increments)

Emma Caldwell’s paintings are depict dairy cattle, and they are a celebration of the dairy community. In her art she strives to capture the calm air and that tremendous physical strength that is absolutely necessary in an enduring cow, but also present her as feminine, dairy and stylish. Together generations of the dairy community have worked together to develop this hard working, strong healthy animals that we milk today. The dairy industry is working to help support our own once again. (Read more: Emma Caldwell’s Art Stirs Mind and Heart!) Emma is proud to be able to contribute to this great cause and be a part of this incredible community.   Don’t miss your opportunity to help celebrate the Holstein Cow and support Patricia and Reese.

Lot L –   21.35” x 17.79” framed poster of KHW Regiment Apple-Red

Current Bid: $225(Bids in $20 increments)

KHW Regiment Apple-Red has done it all.  She wins shows, she classifies high and produces loads of milk.  Her daughter can be seen at the top of the biggest red and white shows in the world, and her decedents dominate the Red & White Index lists.  At this past years World Dairy Expo, she showed off her trademark depth, angularity and balance but that was not enough for the living legend. Apple-Red was able to take things to a level that might never be able to be repeated ever again. Her clone, KHW Regiment Apple 3-Red-ETN who is the spitting image of a younger Apple-Red was the only cow that was able to beat her on this day. Yes you could say she was beaten by herself. And to add to the growing legend, her daughter MS Candy Apple-Red-ET was named Honorable Mention Grand Champion.  (Read more: KHW Regiment Apple-Red – Beauty, performance, and even more record accomplishments ) Here is your chance to remember this amazing accomplishment with this limited edition framed print.

Lot M –  Choice of Aftershock embryos from Quality Holsteins

Current Bid: $800/embryo (Bids in $50 increments)

Quality Holsteins has generously donated your choice of 4 Aftershock embryos from two amazing cows.  (Read more: Quality Holsteins – Well-Deserved Congratulations and Quality Cattle Look Good Every Day) First up are 2 After Shock embryos from the legendary QUALITY CARLTON PAM EX-97-6E 4*.  Pam was the first EX-97 bred and owned cow in Canada.  She was nominated All-Canadian in 2003 and has already produced 5 EX daughters and 9 VG and made over 230,000 lbs of lifetime production.  She really has done it all.  Also available are 4 Aftershock embryos from QUALITY GOLDFINZ EX-92-2E.  The fancy Goldwyn daughter from QUALITY B C FRANTISCO EX-96-3E 21*.   Goldfinz first two daughters have both scored VG in their first lactation.  Winning bidder can choose any 4 of these 6 embryos. This a great opportunity to purchase some of the highest quality embryos available in the world and support a great cause.

Lot N – 5 doses of Deer Hill Francis EX-91

Current Bid: $100/dose (Bids in $20 increments)

Talk about an extremely rare opportunity. Deer Hill Francis EX-91 semen is extremely limited supply and has never before and will never again be publicly available. Of course Francis is the Sweet Pepper Willy Sam (Desblay Rebel Willy x Sweet Pepper Jaye Sherry EX94 Max Score) from the legendary Sweet-Pepper Black Francesca 3E-94. Francesca’s has been the Grand Champion World Dairy Expo 2012, 2010 Grand Champion Royal Agricultural Winter Fair 2012 All-World 6 & 7 Year-Old Ayrshire 2012 Total Performance Winner World Dairy Expo 2012, 2011 Nasco and International & Type Production Award World Dairy Expo 2012, 2011. Francesca, wasn’t just a cow who had great show ring accomplishments, she was a cow who won the hearts and minds of breeders the world over. She was one of those rare cows that transcended her breed to be loved by all. (Read more: The Magic of Francesca)Here is your chance to bring the greatness of Francesca into your herd and support a great cause.

Lot O – 4 #1 Doorman embryos from VIEUXSAULE SEAVER ELSI VG-86-2YR

Current Bid: $700/embryo (Bids in $50 increments)

From the same family as the extremely popular Immunity+, HealthSmart, Genomax and Robot Ready, VIEUXSAULE FLAME.  VIEUXSAULE SEAVER ELSI VG-86-2YR is continuing the legacy of her dam VIEUXSAULE ALLEN DRAGONFLY EX-94-2E-CAN 16* (Read more: VIEUX SAULE ALLEN DRAGONFLY: 2013 Canadian Cow of the Year Nominee) and grand dam VIEUXSAULE OUTSIDE MARY SOLEX-95-3E-CAN 4*.  Elsi’s pedigree brings persistence and performance together. It is repeated on the sire stack side as well where Dragonfly’s sire stack is loaded with bulls that Canadian breeders hold in high regard. Here is your chance to get in on an emerging cow family and support a great cause.

Lot 0 –  One of a kind CUSTOM PAINTED MILK CANS from Debbie Cornman Studio

Current Bid: $720 (Bids in $20 increments)

Debbie Corman offers her unique artistry to one of a kind milk cans that are cherished by all. Deb is a self-taught Calligrapher and Artist and combines these two great talents to create unique items that are treasured by all. She has spent over 30 years developing her skills as an accomplished painter doing animal portraits, decorative painting, pen and ink, and watercolor and combines those talents to create amazing pieces of art from milk cans. Here is your opportunity to get custom painted milk can with your favorite cow; barn or whatever you want painted on it by Deb. Don’t miss this chance to get an amazing piece of memorabilia for your dairy operation.

Bidding ends at midnight on June 13th.

How to Bid

There are three simple ways to bid; you can enter your bid in the comments below, place your bid on the Facebook, or email helpingheroes@thebullvine.com, and we will keep all locations up to date with the latest bids.

Terms

The Bullvine will act as a dairy breeder’s version of eBay.  That means that once the sale is complete we will collect the funds from the successful bidder, notify the breeder who donated the lot of who and where to send the lot to.  Once the winning bidder has successfully received the items, we will release the funds.
The buyer will be responsible for all shipping expenses.

Please share this article to help raise awareness of this great opportunity to support the Stiles and Burdette families at this time.

This Mother’s Day while we are all sending loads of love to our mothers, wives, daughters and other amazing women in our lives, we here at the Bullvine thought we would take a look at some of the most amazing females in the Holstein breed that are also having the biggest impact in the past ten years.

AITKENBRAE STARBUCK ADA EX-94 2E DOM

There are few cow families that can rival the accomplishments of the Adas when it comes to show ring success and transmitting elite type. For generations, this family has dominated the North American show circuit and, as we near the big dance on the colored shavings, there is no  doubt that the next generation of Adas will be there vying for All-American titles.  Ada herself was a tremendous show cow having been  named Unanimous All-American Senior Three-Year-Old in 1989, but it is her brood cow status, specifically through the impact of her two Donnandale Skychief daughters, which makes her a true legend in Holstein history.

AITKENBRAE STARBUCK ADA EX-94 2E DOM

Shoremar S Alicia is the eldest of the famous Skychief daughters of Starbuck Ada. Alicia, nominated All-American five times in milking form, was the Supreme Champion of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in 2000. With more than a dozen excellent daughters from a variety of mating sires, it is obvious  that Alicia is the Ada family’s  next generation brood cow. That generation is already highlighted by her Startmore Rudolph daughter, Cityview R Alicia Excellent-92-CAN 23* or her Durham daughters BKB Abby Excellent-95 3E DOM and BKB Amanda Excellent-92 GMD DOM.

The Excellent-94 2E DOM Ms Kingstead Chief Adeen is a full sister to Alicia and has produced such names as Atwood, Atlee, Ariel and Autumn. Adeen is one of the most influential and one of the only cows in the breed with offspring over +2500 on genomics and All-American progeny. It was a flush to Maughlin Storm early in Adeen’s career that might just have been the most influential mating. It produced the Excellent-91 DOM Storm Allison, Very Good-88 DOM Storm Adeline, and Very Good-88 DOM Storm Amberlee dam of the great Durham Atlee. Since the time that she made an appearance at the International Holstein Show in 2005 Atlee has attracted worldwide interest, and Atlee’s numerous sons dominate the international type lists: Atwood, Amazing, Avalanche, Arden and Atlantic in the USA; Atticus, Attic and Aftershock in Canada, Delete in Spain and Heavenly Dreams in Italy.

Notable Progeny/Descendants:

• MAPLE-DOWNS-I G W ATWOOD EX-90
  HOCAN000008956379
  Goldwyn x MD-Delight Durham Atlee EX-92 GMD DOM
  #1 Proven Type Sire in the World (+4.66 PTAT)
• Heavenly Golden Dreams
  HOGBRM000000642262
  Goldwyn x MD-Delight Durham Atlee EX-92 GMD DOM
  One of the hottest type sires in Italy (+3.78 PTAT)
• Ms Atlees Sht Aftershock
  HOUSAM000065249839
  +3.12 PTAT
• Shoremar S Alicia EX-97 3E
  HOCANF000006434408
  Skychief x Ada
  2X All-American (Aged Cow 2003 & 5-Year-Old 2000) 3X All-Canadian (2-Year-Old, 4-Year-Old & 5-Year-Old) All World & People’s Choice Winner 2000 Member All-American Produce of Dam 2000 Grand & Supreme Champion RWF 2000
• MS Kingstead Chief Adeen EX-94 2E DOM HOUSAF000017302711 Skychief x Ada 2X Member All-American Produce 2X All-American Nominee ( Jr. 3-year-old & 4-Year-Old) Dam of 1 All-American-Amlaird Lee Alice Grand Dam of 2 All-American Grand Daughters-Ms Durham Atlee (Dam of Ariel, Aubry, Albany, Atwood, Aftershock) & KY Blue BW Debbie Great Grand Dam of 2X All-American Ms Atlees Roy Autumn Dam of 24 EX offspring
• MD-Delight Durham Atlee EX-92 GMD DOM
  HOUSAF000131704103
  Durham x Storm x MS Kingstead Chief Adeen EX-94 2E DOM
  All-American Sr. 3-Year-Old 2005
  Dam of Atwood, Amazing, Avalanche, Adren and Atlantic in the USA; Atticus, Attic and Aftershock in Canada, Delete in Spain and Heavenly Dreams in Italy.
• Amlaird Lee Alice EX-94 2E
  HOCANF7293258
  Lee x MS Kingstead Chief Adeen EX-94 2E DOM
  All-American Jr 2-Yr-Old 2003 1st Jr 2-Yr-Old World Dairy Expo 2003
• BVK Atwood Arianna VG-89-2YR
  HOUSAF140792830
  Atwood x MS Kingstead Chief Adeen EX-94 2E DOM
  ALL-CANADIAN & ALL-AMERICAN JR.2-YR 2012
• MS ATLEES GOLDWYN ARIEL EX-92
  HOUSAF63164327
  Goldwyn x MD-Delight Durham Atlee EX-92 GMD DOM
  Res. All-American Jr. 2-Yr-Old 2009
  Full sister to ATWOOD and sold as a package for $1.5M
• MS ATLEES ROY AUTUMN EX-90
  HOUSAF000063164290
  oy x MD-Delight Durham Atlee EX-92 GMD DOM
  2x All-American and Junior Champ, International Holstein Show 2007

DE-SU BW MARSHALL GEORGIA EX-90 GMD DOM

The daughters and granddaughters of De-Su BWM Marshall Georgia currently account for an incredible 25 of the 300 daughter proven bulls over 2000 TPI.  Georgia is by far the most influential cow family impacting the current active-sire lineup.  Of the 25, 12 of them are over +2.00 PTAT.  That is an incredible achievement that certainly makes Georgia one of the most influential brood cows of the modern era.

DE-SU BW MARSHALL GEORGIA EX-90 GMD DOM

The most notable of her sons is De-Su Oman Goli, who still ranks well on the Dutch proven sire list.  Among Georgia’s most influential daughters are two full sisters to Goli, De-Su Oman 5121 VG-86 and De-Su Oman 6125 GP-82, as well as Shottle daughter De-Su 6822 VG-85 (Dam of Gillespy).  A third full sister to Goli, Oman 6121, has become the face of De-Su, through her Planet son Observer and her Bolton grandson De-Su Gulf.  Observer was the much heralded genomic sire that delivered on his high genomic rankings to debut #1 on the TPI rankings last April and now ranks in the top 10 sires that are 99% reliable.

Notable Progeny/Descendants:

• De-Su Finley General-ET  TR TY
  HOUSAM000061681242
  AltaFinley x Georgia
  TPI +1714    PTAT +2.37    UDC +2.78  FLC +1.24
• De-Su Gulf-ET
  HOUSAM000064700367
  Bolton x Shottle x  De-Su Oman 6121-ET TL VG-86 GMD DOM
  TPI +2165    PTAT +2.81    UDC +3.35    FLC+1.79
• De-Su Gillespy-ET
  HOUSAM000063449626
  Bolton x De-Su 6822 VG-85
  TPI +2155    PTAT +2.88    UDC +2.31    FLC +2.52
• De-Su Watson
  HOUSAM000064700377
  Boliver x Shottle x De-Su Oman 6121-ET TL VG-86 GMD DOM _­
  TPI +2085    PTAT +2.14    UDC +1.72    FLC +1.37
• De-Su 7049-ET VG-88
  HOUSAF000062720607
  Shottle x  De-Su Oman 6121-ET TL VG-86
  Dam of proven sons De-Su 538 Hooray (+2148 TPI),  De-Su History (TPI +2110) and De-Su 541 Bartlett (+2069 TPI)
• De-Su 6997-ET EX-90
  HOUSAF000061682318
  Dam of De-Su 9843 (+2192 TPI) and De-Su Large 2075 (+2181 TPI)
• De-Su 7012-ET EX-92 DOM
  HOUSAF000062720570
  Shottle x De-Su Oman 6125-ET GP-82
  Dam of proven sons De-Su 527 Spur (+2110 TPI) and De-Su 530 Caviar (+2040 TPI) and genomic son De-Su Graze 11125 (+2307)
• De-Su Oman 6290 VG-86
  HOUSAF000061681611
  Oman x De-Su Bw Marshal Georgia-ET EX-90
  Dam of ALTAGOALMAN (Read more: 16 Sires Every Dairy Breeder Should Look At For Their Breeding Programs and Eight Proven Holstein Sires to Watch For or to Watch Out For)
• De-Su Paradise 2204
  HOUSA000071813689
  Paradise x Bookem x  De-Su Oman 6121-ET TL VG-86
  TPI +2565    PTAT +3.10    UDC +3.11   FLC +2.19
• De-Su Defender 3544
  HOUSA000072852486
  Defender x Large x Planet x De-Su Oman 6121-ET TL VG-86 TPI +2603    PTAT +3.63    UDC +3.75   FLC +2.89

GILLETTE BLITZ 2^ND WIND VG-88-3YR 43*

GILLETTE BLITZ 2^ND WIND is the third generation of high influence cows from the Braedale Gypsy Grand Family.  2^nd Wind is a cow that does it all – show ribbon winners, top producers and #1 index cows.  (Read more:  GILLETTE BLITZ 2ND WIND – 2012 Golden Dam Finalist and 2012 Golden Dam: The Results are In!)

GILLETTE BLITZ 2ND WIND VG-88-3YR 43*

GILLETTE BLITZ 2^ND WIND has set the bar so high as a mother of Class Extra sons that she is in a class all by herself.  As the dam of no less than five Class Extra sons, she has done what has never been done before.  Her Class Extra sons are Gillette Windbrook, Gillette Windhammer, Gillette Stanleycup, Gillette Wildthing, and Gillette Willrock.  These five sires were in the top 30 in the North American LPI list in 2011.

2nd Wind is also able to achieve success on the female side with 49 daughters over +2000 GLPI.  This six-time number one LPI cow has been able to pass the torch to her daughter Gillette Bolton 2nd Sleep and her granddaughter Gillette S Planet 2nd Snooze.

Notable Progeny/Descendants:

• GILLETTE WINDBROOK EX-97-CAN    EXTRA’10
  HOCANM7816429
  FBI x GILLETTE  BLITZ 2ND WIND VG-88-3YR-CAN 43*
  LPI +2687 Conf +17 2777 daughters are 83% GP+
• Gillette Wildthing EX-90-CAN    EXTRA’11
  HOCANM7816547 Marion x GILLETTE  BLITZ 2ND WIND VG-88-3YR-CAN 43*
  LPI +2323   Conf +7
• Gillette Willrock  EX-90-CAN    EXTRA’11
  HOCANM7816548
  Marion x GILLETTE  BLITZ 2ND WIND VG-88-3YR-CAN 43*
  LPI +2323   Conf +7
• Gillette Windhammer  EX-96-CAN    EXTRA’11
  HOCANM7816548 Bolton x GILLETTE  BLITZ 2ND WIND VG-88-3YR-CAN 43*
  LPI +2520   Conf +11
• GILLETTE STANLEYCUP EX-95-CAN    EXTRA’11
  HOCANM8932152 Bolton x GILLETTE  BLITZ 2ND WIND VG-88-3YR-CAN 43*
  LPI +2520   Conf +11
• GILLETTE BOLTON 2ND SLEEP VG-89-4YR-CAN 5*
  HOCANF8932144 Bolton x GILLETTE  BLITZ 2ND WIND VG-88-3YR-CAN 43*
  Sleep was #1 in August 2010 and her daughter Gillette S Planet 2nd Snooze(VG-86-2yr) was #2 GLPI in December 2011.
• GILLETTE ZENITH 2ND STAR EX-90-CAN      3*
  HOCANF7816472 Zenith x GILLETTE  BLITZ 2ND WIND VG-88-3YR-CAN 43*
  2^nd Wind’s highest classifying daughter and has 3 VG daughters herself.
• GILLETTE BOLTON 2ND MOTIVATION VG-89-4YR-CAN 1*
  HOCANF8932148
  Bolton x GILLETTE  BLITZ 2ND WIND VG-88-3YR-CAN 43*
• GILLETTE GVI SUPERSIRE DRIVE
  HOCANF11692154
  Supersire x Man-O-Man x BWM Leader x GILLETTE BLITZ 2ND WIND VG-88-3YR-CAN 43*
  gLPI +3339 Conf +10 Next generation of contract bull mothers from the 2^nd Wind family.
• Farnear Atwood Milli
  HOUSAF 70639229
  Atwood x Shottle x GILLETTE BLITZ 2ND WIND VG-88-3YR-CAN 43*
  gTPI +2058 / NM $ 396 / PTAT +4.28

HICKORYMEA BWOOD OSSIE P EX-91

When it comes to Polled, two  herds have supplied the key bloodlines that have impacted polled breeding world-wide today.  Both herds are from Pennsylvania. They are Burket-Falls and Hickorymea. Hickorymea owners Eddie Johnson and his sons Keel and Chip bred a polled Chairman son, named Hickorymea Lassiter, who became the foundation sire for Polled in their herd.  A granddaughter of Lassiter by Elton scored VG-89 and became the dam of Hickorymea Bwood Ossie P EX-91.  Sired by Bellwood Ossie P’s greatest impact came through her two sons Hickorymea Ottawa-P (by Hickorymea Tripod) and Hickorymea Oswald-P (by Coyne-Farms Prelude Bosco), two bulls that were the highest ranking polled sires available 8 years ago.  This family is still providing some of the most exciting polled sires in the world today.

HICKORYMEA BWOOD OSSIE P EX-91

A Man-O-Man  out of  a Shottle from an EX Bosco (Full sister to Oswald P), now owned by Regancrest, Hickorymea MOM Opine-P VG-87 is one of the most popular non-Lawn Boy pedigrees in the world.  Another exciting member of this family is Hickorymea Man Outfit-P at Lirr Farms in Wisconsin.  Outfit-P is the dam of the sire Lirr Mogul Outfit-P (2335 gTPI) as well as the high homozygous sire Lirr Option-PP (1946 gTPI). Outfit-P is from a VG-86 Goldwyn and a then a VG-88 Paradox to the EX Bosco daughter of Ossie.  A maternal sister to Outfit is Hickorymea Signif Ohio-PP, sired by Burket-Falls Significant-P, she is one of the highest homozygous females in the world.

Notable Progeny/Descendants:

• Hickorymea Oswald-P-ET  PO
  HOUSAM000129008769
  Was once a top 10 TPI proven sire.  An amazing accomplishment for a polled bull.
• Lirr Outline P-ET  PO TY
  HOUSAM000072026183
  Mogul x Man-O-Man x Goldwyn x Hickorymea Bosco Oval P-ET EX-90
  #7 gTPI Polled Sire in the world (+2249 gTPI)
• Pine-Tree Overtime P
  HOUSAM000071178789
  Numero Uno x Signif-P x Goldwyn x Paradox x Hickorymea Bosco Oval P-ET EX-90
  #13 polled gTPI sire in the world (+2186)
• Pine-Tree Ohio Style P
  HOUSA000071178738
  O-Man x Signif-P x Goldwyn x Paradox x Hickorymea Bosco Oval P-ET EX-90
  #14 polled gTPI sire in the world (+2184)
• Lirr Outcome P
  Mogul x Man-O-Man x Goldwyn x Paradox x Hickorymea Bosco Oval P-ET EX-90
  #18 gTPI polled sire in the world (+2166)
• Hickorymea Bosco Oval P-ET EX-90
  HOUSAF000129993610
  Grand dam of popular bull mother Hickorymea MOM Opine-P VG-87 and great grand dam of Hickorymea Man Outfit-P.
• Hickorymea Manoman Opine-P  VG-87
  Man-O-Man x Shottle x Hickorymea Bosco Oval P-ET EX-90
  Dam of high polled genomic sons Eastwood (by Epic +2307 gTPI), Linker (by Lithium +2287 gTPI) and Ocean PP (by Parker +2269 gTPI).
  Dam of high polled genomic daughters Prismagen Epic Oregon (by Epic +2406 gTPI), Regancrest Opines 7479 (by AltaOak +2375 gTPI) and Regancrest Opines 7475 (by AltaOak +2345 gTPI).
• Hickorymea Man Outfit-P VG-86
  HOUSAF000141062053
  Man-O-Man x Goldwyn x Paradox  Hickorymea Bosco Oval P-ET EX-90
  Dam of the sire Lirr Mogul Outfit-P (2335 gTPI) as well as the high homozygous sire Lirr Option-PP (1946 gTPI).
• Hickorymea Signif Ohio-P VG-85
  HOUSAF000140759222
  Signif-P x Goldwyn x Paradox x Hickorymea Bosco Oval P-ET EX-90
  Dam of the #13 gTPI Polled Sire in the World, Overtime P, and the #14 gTPI Ohio Style P.
• Hickorymea Goldwyn Ought-P VG-86
  HOUSAF000137995680
  Goldwyn x Paradox-RED x Hickorymea Bosco Oval P-ET EX-90
  Dam of high gTPI Sires Hickorymea Parker P (by Garrett +2034 gTPI) and Hickorymea Overturn P (by Man-O-Man +2013 gTPI) and daughters Hickorymea Man Outfit-P (by Man-O-Man +1981 gTPI), Hickorymea Signif Ohio-P VG-85 (by Significant +1909 gTPI) and Hickorymea Dolman Otter-P VG-85 (by Dolman +1687 gTPI).

KAMPS-HOLLOW ALTITUDE-ET RC CV TL EX-95 2E DOM

With high type and high index daughters and granddaughters showing up on top genomic lists, show results and sale catalogs, Altitude has certainly become one of the most influential cows of the modern era.  Probably best known for her daughter KHW Regiment Apple Red – EX-96 3E DOM the “Million Dollar Cow.”  Apple Red has also been able to prove herself as a brood cow.  Her shining moment in the spotlight had to be at World Dairy Expo 2013 where she set new benchmarks at the top of the ladder of show ring success.  While the crowd roared their approval of the final placings assigned by Judge Michael Heath, the record books took note that for the first time one special cow not only earned Reserve Grand Champion but also was flanked on each side by the Grand Champion, her clone, and, on the other side by her daughter, the Honorable Mention Grand Champion.  (Read more: KHW Regiment Apple-Red – Beauty, performance, and even more record accomplishments).

KAMPS-HOLLOW ALTITUDE-ET RC CV TL EX-95 2E DOM

Also, impressive was Apple-Red’s brother, Advent-Red who was Premier Sire of the Red and White Show.  Advent is the highly acclaimed Kite son of Altitude.  Without hesitation, Advent is one of the all-time greatest showring sires of the red breed whose daughters have accumulated various accolades at national and international shows worldwide.  Advent has taken home numerous premier sire banners at the most prestigious shows nationwide including the Royal Winter Fair National Red and White Show and the Grand International Red and White Show at World Dairy Expo. His stats speak to the magnitude of his impact with more than 400 Excellent daughters in the United States and Canada alone and 105 All-American Nominated daughters in just the past five years. Forty-one of the 105 received the prestigious title of All-American or Reserve All-American according to the Red and White Dairy Cattle Association. Other

Notable Progeny/Descendants:

• JOTAN
  HONLDM000393714184
  Jordan Red x Altitude TPI +1856    PTAT +2.06    UDC +2.31    FLC +2.86
• KHW ELM-PARK ACME-ET  RC TY
  HOUSAM000061720218
  TPI +1845    PTAT +2.68    UDC +2.91     FLC +1.36
• MR APPLES MCGUCCI-ET  RC TY
  HOUSAM000072353438
  McCutchen x KHW Regiment Apple-Red EX-96 3E DOM
  TPI +2277   PTAT +4.06    UDC +3.24    FLC +3.81
• MR APPLES ARMANI-ET  RC TY
  HOUSAM000068571374 Goldwyn x KHW Regiment Apple-Red EX-96 3E DOM
  TPI +2147    PTAT +3.37    UDC +3.07    FLC  +3.18
• MR APPLES AVATAR-ET  RC TY
  HOUSAM000068571318 Shottle x KHW Regiment Apple-Red EX-96 3E DOM
  TPI +1956   PTAT  +2.62    UDC +2.20   FLC +2.38
• KHW REGIMENT APPLE 3-RED-ETN EX-95-2E-USA    DOM   1*
  HOUSAF000135511521 Durham x Altitude
  Grand Champion World Dairy Expo 2013 RES. ALL-AMERICAN 4-YR 2013 ALL-AMERICAN R&W 4-YR 2013 INT.CHAMP MADISON R&W 2011 1ST JR.2-YR MADISON R&W 2011
• KHW REGIMENT ARIEL-RED VG-89-4YR-CAN  1*
  HOUSAF000135511512
  Regiment X Altitude 3RD 4-YR ROYAL R&W 2008
• KHW GOLDWYN AIKO-ET *RC EX-91 92-MS DOM
  HOUSAF000137658044
  Goldwyn x Altitude
  15 Sons in AI.
• MS CANDY APPLE-RED EX-94-2E-USA
  HOUSAF139005833
  Talent x KHW Regiment Apple-Red EX-96 3E DOM
  HM Grand Champion World Dairy Expo Red & White Show 2013
• MS APPLES ANNESA RC CV   VG-85
  HOUSAF000069822323
  Goldwyn x KHW Regiment Apple-Red EX-96 3E DOM
  TPI +2151    PTAT +3.49     UDC +3.77    FLC +3.22
• MS APPLES ANGEL-ET *RC EX-92
  HOUSAF000069561886

REGANCREST S CHASSITY  EX-92 GMD DOM

Like many truly great cows Chassity puts it all together.  Jeff Butler, a member of the Chassity Syndicate, describes her in winning terms,” She’s a big cow standing 63 inches, with a wide rump, hard top, a wide chest, and walks up hill. And of course she has a beautiful udder. “This comes naturally when you consider that Chassity is a sixth generation Excellent from the renowned Barbie family.  (Read more: REGANCREST S CHASSITY – 2012 Golden Dam Finalist)

REGANCREST S CHASSITY EX-92 GMD DOM

Chassity’s list of offspring reads like a healthy bank statement.  From Goldwyn, she produced Gold Chip and Goldwyn Cash. Cash went on to make Cashmoney, Cashcoin, Colt 45, Cash-O, and Casher!  With these offspring, Chassity is definitely in the money and, while she`s unforgettable for her exceptional 1.5 million dollar selling price at Intrigue in August 2009, her financial story didn`t stop there.  In the Destination Vegas Sale, in December of the same year, her daughter MS Chassity Goldwyn Cash was the world’s top-selling individual, being purchased for $205,000.   At the World Classic Sale in Madison a Planet daughter, MS Courtlane UR-S Candy VG85, sold to Regancrest.  Earlier in the summer a Domain granddaughter of Chassity, sold for a high price through the Skyline Holstein Sale in Germany.  She sold to Koepon. Chassity’s name continues to be a guaranteed bank machine at sales worldwide.

Chassity has 154 progeny, from 37 different sires, setting new records and earning breed leading numbers of their own, especially for type.  According to her current owners “the largest demand these days is driven by the progeny of Chassity’s Goldwyn daughter Cash and Chassity`s Snowman Daughters.”  Courtlane UR Chassity, the 8th generation EX was Chassity’s first EX daughter! She is the dam of Chester (by AltaIoata +2236 gTPI) and Cameron (by Jeeves +2214 gTPI). MS Chassity PLN Chaching VG86 2yrs is Chassity’s Planet daughter and the dam of MR Chaching Centric (by Numero Uno +2362 gTPI).  Her daughter MS Chassity Goldwyn Cash VG87 2yr gLPI +2816 has a record of 2-04 (305D) 15,491kg milk, 4.1F and 3.2P.  She has two Observer sons – Cashcoin +2358 gTPI and Cashmoney +2299 gTPI.

In cattle breeding, it takes progeny to continue making money and at Butlerview they report that “Chassity is a great embryo producer and so are her daughters”  (Read more: Exciting Times for Butlerview and BUTLERVIEW: The Goals are Simple. The Genetics are Exceptional)

Notable Progeny/Descendants:

• MR Chassity Cadillac
  HOUSAM000070476916
  Bookem x REGANCREST S CHASSITY  EX-92 GMD DOM gTPI +2218
  PTAT+3.36  UDC +2.98   FLC +2.19
• MR Chassity Moman Clarta
  HOUSAM000141008235
  Man-O-Man x REGANCREST S CHASSITY  EX-92 GMD DOM
  gTPI +2218   PTAT +2.81   UDC +2.11   FLC +2.22
• MR Chassity Gold Chip
  HOUSAM000140145553
  Goldwyn x REGANCREST S CHASSITY  EX-92 GMD DOM
  Very popular genomic sire now with an official daughter evaluation (gTPI +1996   PTAT +3.70   UDC +3.31   FLC +3.16)
• MR Chassity Colt 45-ET  RC PC
  HOUSAM000070476906
  Colt P x REGANCREST S CHASSITY  EX-92 GMD DOM
  Red factor and polled spurred Colt 45’s rise to one of the most popular sires in the world gTPI +2020   PTAT +2.99   UDC +2.88  FLC +2.80
• MS Chassitys Caroline VG-86
  HOUSAF000070477005
  Robust x REGANCREST S CHASSITY  EX-92 GMD DOM
  gTPI +2243   PTAT +2.54   UDC +2.05   FLC +2.30
• MS Chassity Goldwyn Cash VG-87 2yr
  HOUSAF000140175910
  Goldwyn x REGANCREST S CHASSITY  EX-92 GMD DOM
  Top selling individual of 2009 for $205,000 Dam of Cashcoin and Cashmoney.
• MS CHASSITY SNCHZ CARLY VG-89-4YR-CAN
  HOUSAF140538603
  Sanchez x REGANCREST S CHASSITY  EX-92 GMD DOM
  Res. Intermediate Champion Atlantic Spring Showcase 2013
• MS CHASSITY DOMAIN CHAYA VG-88-2YR-CAN
  HOUSAF141086211 Domain x REGANCREST S CHASSITY  EX-92 GMD DOM
  1ST 2-YR CALGARY SPRING 2013
• MS Chassity Obs Claire VG-87
  HOUSAF000141008075 Observer x REGANCREST S CHASSITY  EX-92 GMD DOM
  Dam of 30 progeny over 2000 gTPI.  Including the high new release genomic full brothers by McCutchen, Capital Gain (+2517) gTPI and High Octane (+2512). (Read more: The 16 Sires from the April 2014 Genetic Evaluations That Stand Out)

WESSWOOD-HC RUDY MISSY EX-92 3E GMD DOM

For more than 10 years Rudy Missy has been producing elite genetics and leading the pack in reliability and health traits.  Today, with names like Shauna, Supersire, Chart Topper, Mogul, Oak and Sid.  It  is hard to deny the impact of America’s favorite Rudolph daughter.  Backed by an Excellent-90 GMD DOM Elton and three more “Very Good” generations, Wesswood-HC Rudy Missy quickly became a worldwide star.  The family traits shine through in high production, superb protein pounds and simply being cattle that your average farmer likes.  Good strength, wide rear udders, mobile feet and legs.

WESSWOOD-HC RUDY MISSY EX-92 3E GMD DOM

Thirty-nine direct daughters of Rudy Missy have scored Very Good or Excellent over the years, and her brood cow status has become  undeniable.  All seven females from the flush to O-Man scored Very Good and can be credited with  developing the bloodlines for Shauna, Supersire, Chart Topper, Mogul and AltaOak.  Pine-Tree Missy Martha VG-86-2YR DOM is probably the most notable daughter of this flush and is the dam of Shottle Martha Sheen Very Good-86 DOM.  Ammon-Peachey Shauna Very Good-87 DOM is undoubtedly the best daughter to date from Martha Sheen, especially when you consider the large number of bulls she has put into A.I. Sired by Planet, Shauna exudes dairyness and strength similar to her Shottle dam.  Shauna ranked #4 gTPI female in the August 2009 release and was quickly contracted for sons by Robust, which resulted  in the high genomic sons Supersire and Headliner.  Shauna’s Freddie sons, Sargent and Shaw, as well as Snowman sons, Diamond and Platinum, also rank high. (Read more:  AMMON-PEACHEY SHAUNA – 2012 Golden Dam Finalist and Charting the Right Course at Seagull Bay Dairy)

Mountfield SSI Dcy Mogul debuted at No. 2 on Holstein Association USA’s Top 100 TPI Genomic Young Bulls list in December 2011.  Mogul and full brother Mixer are the Dorcy grandsons of Pine-Tree Missy Miranda, Very Good-86 DOM, the full sister to Martha, and daughter of Missy.  Miranda is also the dam of the former No. 1 GTPI daughter in the United States, De-Su 199 Chart Topper who was sired by De-Su Watson.

Notable Progeny/Descendants:

• Seagull-Bay Supersire
  HOUSAM000069981349
  Robust x Planet x Shottle x Pine-Tree Missy Martha-ET VG-86 x Wesswood-HC Rudy Missy-ET EX-92
  Extremely popular genomic sire of sons TPI +2420   PTAT +2.40   UDC +1.71   FLC +1.28
• Mountfield SSI Dcy Mogul HO84M0003006972816 Dorcy x Marsh x Pine-Tree Missy Miranda-ET VG-86 DOM x Wesswood-HC Rudy Missy-ET EX92 Extremely popular sire of sons (TPI +2394   PTAT +2.81   UDC +2.99   FLC +2.78)
• Pine-Tree Altaoak
  HOUSAM000069169951 Niagra x Leif x Shottle x O Man x Wesswood-HC Rudy Missy-ET EX-92
  Popular genomic sire (TPI +2333 PTAT +2.56    UDC +2.30   FLC +1.45)
• Ammon-Peachey Shauna  VG-87
  HOUSAF000066228178
  Planet x Shottle x Pine-Tree Missy Martha-ET VG-86 x Wesswood-HC Rudy Missy-ET EX-92
  One of the most contracted and popular bull mothers in the world Dam of 30 progeny over 2200 gTPI
• Seagull-Bay Shauna Saturn VG-85
  HOUSAF000069981537
  Man-O-Man x Ammon-Peachey Shauna  VG-87
  Dam of 28 progeny over 2200 gTPI
• Seagull-Bay Miss America VG-85
  HOUSAF000070640281
  Robust x Ammon-Peachey Shauna  VG-87
  Dam of 23 progeny over 2400 gTPI, including sons MR America Pageant (by Cashmoney +2563 gTPI), MR America Daft Punk (by Day +2501 gTPI) and MR America Classic (by Cashcoin +2465 gTPI).  As well as daughters MS America Dixie (by Day +2565 gTPI), Compass-Trt America Okay (by AltaOak +2529 gTPI) and Compass-Trt Amrica Jabra (by Jabir +2492 gTPI).
• Carters-Corner Shot Melody Excellent-90
  DOM HOUSAM000063033664
  Shottle x O Man x Wesswood-HC Rudy Missy-ET EX-92
  Dam of Brookview-E Moviestar Very Good-86 who is the dam of the popular Mogul son MR Moviestar Mardi Gras (+2470 gTPI).
• De-Su 199 Chart Topper VG-85
  HOUSAF000069490353
  Watson x O Man x Wesswood-HC Rudy Missy-ET EX-92
  1st Choice Numero Uno sold for $79,000 at World Classic Sale 2011
  Dam of high genomic sons De-Su 11236 Balisto (by Bookem +2446 gTPI) and De-Su Mg Davinci 11288 (by Mogul +2442 gTPI).
• Pine-Tree 2149Robst 4846-ET VG-85
  HOUSAM000069804610
  Robust x Zenith x Shottle x Pine-Tree Missy Martha-ET VG-86
  Dam of 30 progeny over +2400 gTPI. Including high genomic sons View-Home Monterey (by McCutchen +2578 gTPI), View-Home Day Missouri (by Day +2522 gTPI) and View-Home Ernhdt Tenn aka Powerball-P (by Earnhardt P +2476 gTPI).
• PINE-TREE FINLEY MINNIE EXCELLENT-91
  CAN HOUSAF000061733050
  AltaFinley x Wesswood-HC Rudy Missy-ET EX-92
  Dam of the top type bull sire by MR Sam, Pine-Tree Sid (+14 Conformation)

The Bullvine Bottom Line

From Polled, Red & White, Type and Genomics, these 7 cows and their descendants are having the biggest impact on the Holstein breed.  While there are certainly some bloodlines from the past, such as: Roxy; Dellia; and Laurie Sheik; that have had a huge impact; these seven are the bloodlines that are having the biggest influence in today’s modern dairy breeding era.

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The horse race known as “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports” delivers yet again! This time, the story of its improbable winner, California Chrome, provides inspiration for dairy breeders to believe that it’s possible to achieve lightning in a bottle.  The story has hit every news outlet, but there’s a message for dairy breeders too.

Photo by NBC News

In May 2008, at the Fasig-Tipton Horse Sale for 2 year olds in training, an ownership group from Northern California purchased an undersized chestnut-colored filly named Love the Chase for $30,000.  (Side note, this is the same Horse Auction Company that held the recent Day at the Derby Sale that averaged $37,000 US).  The new ownership group eager to assess their investment shipped her back across country and took her to the racetrack.

Love the Chase ran so poorly in her first three races that she was dropped into an $8,000 maiden claiming race, the lowest rung at Golden Gate Fields, a track outside of San Francisco.  When she won that race, the group met with her trainer Greg Gilchrist, and asked what should they do with her?  His response “”If you can find somebody who will give you $8,000 for her,” Gilchrist said, “I’d get rid of her right now.”

Steve and Carolyn Coburn; Denise and Perry Martin (Photo by Benoit Photo)

So the ownership group did that and two self-proclaimed “dumbasses” from the group, Steve Coburn, a press operator at a company that makes magnetic strips for credit cards and drivers’ licenses and Perry Martin, who owned a laboratory in Sacramento, Calif., that tests products such as air bags bought her for the sum of $8,000.  Coburn bought her only because his wife nixed the idea of buying a plane—too expensive for a middle-class couple from Topaz Lake, Nevada and the other, Martin, was testing his luck in racing for the first time.  The men had never met, but they were bound by their affection for the filly.With new trainer Monty Meier, they took the filly back to the track and matched her against $12,500 claimers.  However, they got the same result.  She finished last.  They dropped her back down against the $8,000 claimers and returned to the track.  She still finished dead last. Her future was in doubt.

Not to be dismayed by these poor results, the now registered “Dumb Ass Partners” shocked everyone when they announced that they planned to breed the undersized and underperforming mare.  Like the show heifer that is at the bottom of every class.

Now this is where the story gets interesting for dairy breeders.  Without any expertise, Martin began studying Love the Chase’s pedigree and discovered she was two generations removed from Mr. Prospector, a classic sire and successful sprinter in the 1970s, three generations removed from Northern Dancer, another top-line sire and winner of the 1964 Kentucky Derby, and although tracing the pedigree any further back would have struck most seasoned breeders as pointless, he found a connection to Swaps, winner of the 1955 Kentucky Derby.

After a failed attempt to breed Love The Chase to a top stallion, the owners paired their horse with Lucky Pulpit, a 10-year-old who had won three times in 22 starts.  They paid a modest stud fee of $2,000.  This time it took. Their breeding investment was now $10,000.

Almost a year later, Love The Chase gave birth to a 137-pound, chestnut-colored colt that had four white feet and a white blaze down his nose.  In racing, white is known as “chrome.”  So California Chrome was one of the names Coburn, Martin and their wives wrote on scrap paper and threw into a hat when they gathered one day at a restaurant. , Their waitress picked the winning name.

About two years later, California Chrome was ready to race, and Coburn and Martin wanted to run him in Southern California, where he would be matched against better competition.  However, they needed a trainer.  Art Sherman, the Dumb Ass Partners, learned, had been the exercise rider on none other than Swaps, the 1955 Kentucky Derby winner six generations removed from California Chrome.  Who better to care for their horse, they decided, than a trainer who at 18 rode a railway car with Swaps and slept in the same boxcar with the horse on a three-day trip from Los Angeles to Louisville.

California Chrome’s Jockey, Victor Espinoza , used to train Jack asses and his trainer, Art Sherman, is the oldest winner in history of the Kentucky Derby. (Photo by: Jamie Rhodes/USA Today Sports)

They told Sherman they wanted him to train “our Derby horse” and explained they had a typed-up plan to get their horse to the big race.  Sherman, who once moonlighted at the betting windows to help pay the bills, chuckled at their naiveté.  After all, he had won more than 3,000 times as a jockey and a trainer, yet had never raced on or trained a Kentucky Derby horse.

In December, California Chrome won the King Glorious Stakes, followed by another victory in the California Derby Cup.  Next, in the San Felipe Stakes, he faced open company, top-caliber horses from outside of California.  With the pressure ostensibly mounting as post time approached, Coburn jauntily handed out purple hats with the donkey insignia and invited fans into the paddock area as they saddled up their horse and lifted Espinoza, the one-time donkey-riding jockey, atop California Chrome.  The horse blazed to victory, after which Coburn passed out more purple hats and invited fans into the winner’s circle.

Photo by: UPI/John Sommers

Soon after, Martin and Coburn reported, they got an offer of $6 million for 51 percent control of California Chrome.  They were vague in public about the details, with Coburn saying only that the offer came from the Middle East.  Nevertheless, they were clear about their answer: “Hell no.”

Photo by: APphoto_Santa Anita Horse Racing

In early April, when racing fans wondered if these first timers would match their horse against other Kentucky Derby hopefuls in the Santa Anita Derby, the answer was “Hell yes.”  California Chrome romped to victory, giving him four consecutive victories by a combined 24 1/4 lengths, increased his earnings to $1,134,850 and stamped him as the favorite to win the Kentucky Derby.

This past week, while the blue-blood owners and their famous trainers stayed in $1,000-a-night rooms in downtown Louisville, Coburn, Martin and their wives  stayed at the Hampton Inn in Frankfurt, an hour long drive from Churchill Downs racetrack.  Coburn had announced to anyone who would listen that, on Saturday, they would collect $2 million and the red roses reserved for the Kentucky Derby winner.  That is exactly what they did.  It was redemption for  a jockey who used to train “jack asses” (donkeys) it was redemption, for a slow-running filly-turned-mare and redemption for a couple of self-proclaimed dumb asses.

California Chrome owners Steven Coburn, right, and Perry Martin hold the trophy after Victor Espinoza rode California Chrome to victory in the 140th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 3, 2014, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

The Bullvine Bottom Line

Today one of the significant differences between the thoroughbred horse industry and dairy cattle breeding is the use of genomics.  Much of the breeding in the thoroughbred industry is still done by “gut feel” versus proven numbers. , That is why performance and track records for over 60 years have failed to improve.  Where would horse racing be with a tool like genomics? Still, the heartwarming story of California Chrome, gives hope to dairy breeders, who are in it for the love more than money.

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