‘We have made people uncomfortable … and we are comfortable with that’

No one saw it coming.

The Bullvine arrived like a speeding freight train.

It also knocked the media outlets off their axes. It challenged everyone. Its early online stories rampaged through the industry like a bull in a china shop. 

It wrote the calls people thought, but never said.

People were shocked, even horrified … and they starting talking.

And that was exactly what founder Andrew Hunt wanted. Conversation and dialogue. Because this dramatic entry almost three years ago was no fly-by-the-seat-of-your pants’ decision. This was a strategic start to a fresh age of media coverage in the dairy industry.

And as everything starts to shake down and settle in, The Bullvine has rapidly become a power player with purpose and 30,000 readers. Its reach and impact is now unquestioned.

The publication is heading into 2015 with big plans that have yet to be revealed, but in an exclusive interview at World Dairy Expo (WDE), Andrew briefly stopped and allowed a tour of the frenetic and clever brain that is poised to dominate this industry’s media…

Andrew Hunt, 37, is a man of many layers. He comes from a powerful, tight well-connected family within the Canadian industry, who all had something to lose when their son/brother made the decision to initiate the outwardly controversial, online media outlet, The Bullvine.

He appeared — to many — to come from nowhere. The opposite is true.

His parents, Murray and Karen, are not only Master Breeders (Huntsdale Holsteins) but also integral industry leaders at the highest levels in the Canadian Holstein industry.

His brother, Paul, is the Chief Operating Officer for Alta Genetics (based in The Netherlands) and his sister, Heather, is a nutritionist for ANC (Agri-Nutrition Consulting, based in Ohio, USA). All are strong personalities with responsible roles. They are also potentially visible targets for any Bullvine detractors.

Strong connections

However, that is not how this close family works. Andrew has his parents’ and siblings’ support. They often disagree, but they are always in each others’ corners. And they were all sitting ringside together at WDE.

Andrew says, “If you know Paul, you know him as Paul Hunt and respect him for who he is. He’s not Andrew, Murray, Karen or Heather Hunt. If you judge any of my family because of what I do on The Bullvine, then you are discrediting yourself, not my family.

“We are all A-type personalities and we have all charted our own courses. But it doesn’t mean we’re not close. We’re family. We just had to learn to separate our work from our family time, and I have to say that kids have been amazing for changing that Christmas dinner-time conversation!”

Andrew’s mother, Karen Hunt, muses, “The first discussions about The Bullvine were colourful. You might say we were as surprised as anybody. However, with a lifetime of experience with Andrew’s somewhat unorthodox approach to technology and communication, we were ready to trust his instincts.”

Dad Murray adds, “And there was only two weeks between the time Andrew first ran the idea of The Bullvine up the flag poll, and the day the first article went up on February 24, 2012.”

Murray and Karen are the only additional official team members working for The Bullvine today, although staff from his two other companies play roles when they’re needed.

Murray says, “We both love it!  Every day brings new ideas, challenges and contacts. It has taken the discussions that we’ve always had around our kitchen table and expanded them more than a little … to around the world.”

Driven back to dairy

Andrew went to the University of Guelph in their Bachelor of Commerce, Agricultural Business and Management programme, and earned his stripes on a six-figure income in the Fortune 500 consulting services world.

He was always a ballsy, driven and restless personality.

So it did not surprise the people who knew him well when he left the security of his former employment with the full support of his new wife, Dr Zosia Hunt (who was still a student then). They also had a two-year-old and a newborn child at the time.

He established his own marketing agency from the ground up, Inbound Sales Network (which would also later include Inbound Accelerator, for tech start-ups). Today it has over 100 team members. The company has been incredibly successful and, for many, that would have been plenty.

Not for Andrew.

“I love the dairy industry. That’s why I left and came back. It’s a drug that I’m hooked on. And it’s what I’m most excited and passionate about,” he says.

The Bullvine is the result of Andrew’s ongoing passion to work within the dairy industry, blended with a skill set and history that brings new dynamics to a sometimes-predictable news medium.

Real and edgy

He did not launch The Bullvine to make money. He launched it to create energy and a strong message for the industry.

The opening salvo on The Bullvine’s webpage remains as a reminder that things were going to be shaken up:

“Let’s start with what we are not. We’re not just an event reporting magazine. We’re not a billboard or promoter of whoever will pay us the most money. We are something different, something real.”

Andrew says, “When we first looked at the publications in the marketplace, we knew we were up against well-established, traditional family-around-the table reads. If we did the same thing, we were never going to be successful. We had to use the power of community and conversation to really drive our growth.

“We also needed to be edgier — especially in the first year. We have made people uncomfortable, and we’re comfortable with that. Over time, some would say we have softened our stance. But I think the industry has also adjusted and there is greater acceptance of what we do. I think the industry has come to us somewhat.”

Shock and relief

There was no question that the opening stories shocked some. Others were relieved someone had finally put a voice to what they were thinking.

In the beginning, 2000 people read The Bullvine’s email and online messages a day.

Today, it reaches that number within an hour of an article being posted. In a week, 30,000 dairy people are reading what The Bullvine shares. In any given day it has between 7000 and 10,000 visitors. It’s a bustling outlet that publishes five feature articles a week and 10 news releases daily on anything from show time and profiles, to genomics, sire breakdowns, politics, innovation and education.

Andrew says it’s not so much the shock value that drives him, as the desire for transparency.

“Yes, we wanted to get people’s attention and knock people off their centre and be as far from the norm as we could be. But we have always been about clarity and transparency. In my industry, those are your staples. In the dairy industry everyone has been too worried about being friends with everyone else. It is a small community, so there is pressure to not offend anyone.

“But because of our monetisation strategy, I don’t depend on income from the typical sources, so I can say what I want to say and take it for what it is. What I don’t think a lot of people understand is that because we had planned our strategy for the first three years, we didn’t take the initial feedback personally.

“We knew it would be coming. The interesting thing for us was because we weren’t connected to the industry as a financial driver, it gave us the freedom to express ourselves honestly.”

Honesty achieves

And honest they have been.

They have called out many people from many parts of the industry, and entertained stories few dare to write. They have tackled taboo topics such as Photoshop and show previews.

The Photoshop editorial prompted Andrew to introduce the Dairy Marketing Code of Conduct, designed to make photographers, AI centres, breeders and graphic designers accountable for any changes to cattle photographs.

“I discovered many new issues with current photography practices. The biggest one is just plain old laziness,” Andrew says. “They are too lazy to do it right. ‘Photoshop saved careers’, they told me. I say, ‘Photoshop has made many photographers lazy.’”

Advertising pressure

Yes, today The Bullvine carries advertising. But that has not changed who or what they write about.

“I’ve always written what I’ve wanted to write. There’s been some people we’ve written about that most would argue that we shouldn’t have because of their backgrounds and/or industry perception.

“But if I think they are interesting and I’d like to know more about them, then we’re going to write about it. And if I’m the only person that reads it, cool. We have done those stories. But I say to the people who challenge me on that, that the decision’s on me since I’m paying for it. So I guess I can have that opinion. If they don’t like it, they don’t have to read it.”

God or data

Andrew has also called opposing media outlets to account for making claims on readership. The most notable and recent being readership demographics.

“You need data to back what you say with regard to that. Here’s my analysis: in God we trust, everyone else better bring data.

“When you have a number of Facebook followers from India and Pakistan — that have an average herd size of three cows — those readers are not showing cattle or selling genetics. The top four cities that register on The Bullvine are Quebec, Madison, Toronto and Montreal. We’re Canadian. It’s self-explanatory who has the most useful readers.”

Hefty research into ringside photography

One of the strongest evolutions of The Bullvine has been the initiation of ringside online show coverage and extensive ring photography.

“When we started I wasn’t going to do it because everyone else was,” Andrew says. “I’d never done photography, but soon realised that I needed photographs, and, being a techno guy, I thought, ‘let’s rock’ n’ roll’.

“I was a huge fan of Han Hopman [Holstein International photographer] and I used my technical skills to study his photos and assess his camera settings. I have also spent close to $50,000 on camera equipment since we started, and received training from photographers outside the industry and drove everywhere in North America to get better. I also bored my kids senseless picturing them. But we do have some insane family memories because of it.

“I still think Han is the best composition photographer there is in the world and he does an amazing job of telling a story with a photograph. This journey for me has turned out to be very rewarding and helped the growth of the company.”

It has also added to the workload, because, while many outlets have several staff ringside, Andrew is mostly either on his own or accompanied by his parents as back-up. He uses his technical skills to overcome running a smaller team, and makes it look more effortless than it probably is.

Coffee-table book + picturing for free

Picturing led Andrew to producing a coffee-table book of photographs post WDE and he has many showman ask for photographs for their marketing campaigns. It is something he does for free.

“They work so hard to get those animals out there, how can I have the right to charge them and reap the benefit of ‘snapping a photo’ of a cow that looks amazing?

“It’s an honour to have that opportunity and that’s why I put every photograph on Facebook. All I ask of the breeders and owners of the cows I picture is that they don’t remove my logo. Other than that, they can go nuts with them.”

Last year, over 14 photographs taken by The Bullvine were used for industry magazine covers.

Next steps: education and mentoring

Taking on the photography pushed Andrew to embrace the next step — something he likes to do.

“If you stay in your comfort zone, you are not progressing and if you don’t challenge yourself every day by either improving your strengths or working on your weaknesses, then you’re not developing as a person. The day that happens, I will quit.”

The business has evolved from its base as a genetics, show and genomic-based commentary, through to also being an educational tool. It now has as much focus on dairy industry issues as it does on the subjects it began with — genetics and shows.

The Bullvine recently initiated The Milk House — the World Wide Dairy Breeding and Dairy Genetics Group on Facebook. It is a closed chat room for producers from all around the world to share ideas. Already, all manner of things have been covered, connecting the industry in a new way at the grassroots level. There are more than 2000 posts a week.

Andrew has also established a network where dairymen can be part of conference calls with a “board of advisors”. Andrew is not involved, other than to facilitate. It is purely actioned to help dairy farmers. “The quality of discussion on these calls is very informative and helps us understand our industry better and how we can better serve it.”

It’s learning from others that first got Andrew started in the dairy marketing industry.

“When I was in university, I was approached by Albert Cormier and Dave Eastman to do the marketing for their soon-to-be-released sire Champion and their new company GenerVations.  Albert is legendary for his ability to market dairy cattle and David’s one of the smartest guys in the industry and at the forefront of breeding circles.” Andrew says they were a “great breeding ground for what he has become”.

Running a responsible line

Day to day, The Bullvine is growing and Andrew Hunt is growing with it — including his presence in the dairy industry.

With that comes greater responsibility — and that’s something he does not take for granted.

Of his direct approach, Andrew says, “I am more apt to run you over than stab you in the back.”

But helping the industry share ideas and progress is what drives him and makes him happy.

“I’m the luckiest man there is in the world,” he says. “I have a wife who ‘gets me’, who supports me and who is out of my league. She is the biggest stabilising factor in my life outside of my parents, who taught me to always believe in myself.

“When you are doing what you love and you can pay your bills, what else is there? The Bullvine can go on forever if I still have passion for it. How do you get bored with something that at your core is who you believe you are?”

This article first appear in the December 2014-February 2015 Edition of Crazy Cow in Print.  Click here to check out there Facebook group and watch for their new website soon.

Today, a single email can launch a worldwide movement. Three years ago today, a single email started what would become the greatest social change movement in the dairy industry. (Read more: Twice the Bull – Half the S**T)  However, it’s all going to fail without your support. Let us explain.

For years, the media has been censored.  What you read and what you heard and the opinions expressed were those that the powers that be wanted you to hear.  Magazines only published viewpoints that they knew would be popular with advertisers because that is how they made their money.   That model had to be broken, and it took more than just technology to change the world as we know it.

In 2012, the Turkish military jets had bombed and killed 34 Kurdish smugglers near the border region and Turkish media completely censored that news. Editors sat in their newsrooms and waited for the government to tell them what to do. One frustrated journalist could not take this anymore. He purchased his own plane ticket and went to the village where it had occurred.  He was confronted by this scene: a line of coffins coming down a hill and relatives wailing. He felt   overwhelmed.. He didn’t know what to do, so he took out his phone, like any one of us might, and snapped that picture and tweeted it out.  Voila! That picture went viral and broke the censorship and forced mass media to cover the story.

These same feelings are the feelings we here at the Bullvine felt when watching what was happening to the dairy industry.  We could see the media and the industry censoring what information was being shared with producers from around the world.  Scared to share an opinion that was contrary to that of the companies that had the power, the industry was heading down a slippery slope.  We felt the need to say something.  We didn’t like feeling overwhelmed. So we started the Bullvine.

However, sometimes starting the conversation or sharing a different opinion is not enough.  Take what occurred in Turkey in 2012.  A year later, Turkey’s Gezi protests began. It started as a protest about a park being razed but became an anti-authoritarian protest. It wasn’t surprising that the media also censored it, but it got a little ridiculous at times. hings were very intense. At the same time that  CNN International was broadcasting live from Istanbul, CNN Turkey was airing a documentary on penguins. Now, I love penguin documentaries but that wasn’t the news of the day. An angry viewer put his two screens together and snapped that picture, and that one too went viral, and since then, people call Turkish media the penguin media.

We find this same level of censorship, either intentional or not, still exists in the dairy industry.  Most publications are so afraid to offend the companies that have the power or the money that they are allowing them to choke out those same breeder-producers they claim to serve. Instead of standing up for those that they claim are members of the community, they sit back and watch as the industry slowly dies.   They prefer to post pretty pictures of baby calves or young kids, choosing to hide their heads in the sand like CNN Turkey did, instead of analyzing the actual news of the day.

Nowadays, technology like Facebook, Twitter, and etcetera allow people from around the world to connect on any topic they choose.  We see it all the time in chat forums such as The MilkHouse, where breeders express their concerns about actual issues that all breeders face.  The challenge is, for the most part, it’s just talk.  It’s a few breeders who are expressing their concerns while others lurk in the background afraid of repercussions.

A great example of this is when one breeder expressed their concerns over a sire of theirs failing health tests, after initially passing them upon entering an AI unit. The level of discussion went insane.  Breeders and producers from around the world were expressing their support and outrage about how this AI unit had conducted themselves. The AI unit representative had even called the breeder threatening them for their actions.  The problem is nothing changed.

Sure social media helped flame this fire to proportions never before seen in the dairy industry.  However, nothing changed.  Everyone eventually moved on.  No one has purchased less semen from this AI company as a result of their actions and breeders still lease their sires to this AI company.  So nothing has really changed other than the megaphone has gotten louder.

While we here at the Bullvine certainly see the need to raise and give a megaphone to the issues that face breeders here today, it is going to take more than just a louder voice to bring about real change.  It’s going to take all members of the community to unite and take action.

The dairy breeding industry is on the edge of extinction as we know it.  AI companies and other genetic organizations are using the superior technological and capital power they possess to choke out the dairy breeding industry as we know it.  Unfortunately, dairy breeders are sitting back and watching this happen.  They are letting these companies choke out their future.  Sure a few voices on social media are shouting, “Hell no!”  But no one is taking action.

The companies that are making these decisions that best serve their own interests see that, despite all the discontent that is being expressed through social media, no one is changing their buying habits.  It was much the same when we first took on the touchy subject of AI units owning females. Sure everyone was upset about the issue but no one took action.  Now these organizations own the majority of the top index animals in the world and have more than enough females to produce their own next generation of sires, without having to purchase bulls from breeders at all. Breeders have become like that  little dog with a big bark that has no bite. There is no incentive, need or concern, on the part of the AI companies, to change.

The Bullvine Bottom Line

In the past, when dairy producers had a problem, the only way they could be heard was to join committees and get on boards in order to have their voice heard.  In contrast, in today’s day and age, you can simply take to social media and express your opinion.  The problem is that it’s too easy.  It’s too easy to get it off your chest and then move on.  This method leads to no sustainable change being made.  So, the next time you are so pissed off about something in the dairy industry or the next time you are so concerned about the future of the breeding industry, don’t just take the easy route and put up an angry post   on Facebook.  Ask yourself what sustainable action you are taking to bring about change?  For us here at the Bullvine, that is the motivation that first got us started three years ago today. That is the motivation that we use daily to do what we do. However, without you taking action it all dies on the vine – The Bullvine.

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If you have a dairy farmer in your life, there are 25 ways to irrefutably confirm that Valentine’s Day 2015 has arrived and romance dairy-style is making its presence heartfelt!! He may not have done ALL of these today but you can put a kiss (X) on the heart, if your dairy man has put romance, as described here, into your life.

25 Ways to Score Dairy Love on Valentine’s Day

1. Valentine’s Day he makes a YOU-turn especially for love. He salutes February romance by bringing his lunch to share with you in the calf barn where you’re re-bedding calf pens. It’s his idea of a “roll in the hay with his little honey”.
2. The only other women on his mind have four legs and udders. You have the magazines and advertisements and newspapers to prove it. Unfortunately he thinks of them nine days a week.
3. He’s always inventing more ways to spend quality time together. Recently you have had two-gether time stable cleaning, bagging feed and bookkeeping.
4. The last handwritten card you received on Valentine’s Day said, “We’re out of colostrum. The feedstore will leave it on the ramp after closing.” Who said your man no longer delivered any good pick-me-ups?
5. You may be owed it but don’t bank on a dairy farmer producing anything with more poetic rhythm than the seat on the tractor you get to drive to rake hay. Although you would love him to pen “Ode for my wife” you are more likely to receive laundry room “odor for my wife!”
6. Although you have a romantic vision of total agreement in your partnership, in actual fact, men and women working on dairy farms often disagree. It’s the GMO effect:  Genetically Modified Opposition.
7. It isn’t that dairy farmers don’t like matchmaking. In fact it’s practically a full-time hobby. Give him a stack of pedigrees and the latest bull proofs and his thoughts, although maybe not focused on love, are definitely focused on finding the perfect mates.
8. When you occasionally ask why he never says anything romantic to you or about you, his response is, “I am struck dumb by your perfection.” Now that’s a smart dairy farmer.
9. The last time he presented you with a surprise box on Valentine’s Day, it turned out to be a trip to the granary to see the new litter of kittens that were making their home there. If you were lucky, he also had a second special box … a cardboard one….. so that you could move them somewhere that wouldn’t interfere with your daily chores. Such a thoughtful guy!
10. Thoughtful and sentimental. Or should that be “scent”imental. Women love it when a man lets his presence be known.  Dairy farmers are great at that. Barn boots across the clean floor, greasy hands on the fresh towels — barny barn smell on the pillow cases.  It may not be better housekeeping but it’s definitely animal husbandry.
11. Thank goodness most passionate dairy farmers don’t play the field they plough them!
12. Dairy farmers talk funny – especially when give instructions. You better know where the rock ridge is so that you can bring him a cotter pin when the tractor breaks down north of the dry well by the rail fence on the old Sutter place.
13. Dairy farmers may not be the brightest valentines in the chocolate box but they are definitely the sharpest ones in the laundry. More times than I can count I have washed pocket knives, burned out light bulbs and udder towels and turned everything the bright red of that new hat that was his “favorite”
14. It all comes out in the wash… if you’ve ever spent Sunday morning trying to untangle a pair of nylons from 200 yards of binder twine ….you know that isn’t true!
15. Washing the milk check takes money laundering and strained relationships to a whole new level.
16. However, on most days, there is no need for a matchmaker in dairy romances. Mother Nature does a wonderful job using storms, drought, wind and rain to keep the relationship from becoming routine or, heaven forbid, predictable.
17. You both know that your dairy guy thinks it’s a compliment to be asked, “Where you raised in a barn?”
18. Going “out” is a phrase you have to eliminate from your vocabulary. Out means: the cattle are out; or we’re out of feed;
19. Some couples share their love by going out to shows. When you share your life with a farmer you have a 24/7 front row seat for the greatest show on earth brought to you by Mother Nature productions.
20. Dairy sweethearts don’t need Valentine Surprises. The 24/7 of dairy farming has surprises built in. Like the ones that happen when the dairy man who has the key to your heart also leaves every door he passes through open:  house, barn, calf pens.
21. Dairy love is always ready to cut to the chase. ‘Cattle are out’.
22. On the other hand, nothing says love like duct tape and binder twine. You may prefer the ribbons and lace of Valentine’s Day, but duct tape and twine get the job done until the perfect fix is available. It’s quick. It’s easy.  Two can do it!!
23. So don’t expect a dairy farmer to get a fresh haircut for Valentine’s date. Keeping his shaggy locks is a sign of unconditional love. This romantic is not going to do anything that would make him attractive to somebody else.
24. If you’re still longing for a special treat for Valentine’s Day, sit hubby down and explain your vision for redoing the farmhouse in country modern style. When he looks up, obviously confused, ask, “What do you think?”  Nine times out of ten he will answer, “Sounds great to me”. When he comes in from the barn next week he will have no choice but to love the brand new living room furniture.
25. This man can fix anything that’s broken but with dairy luck on your side he will never break your heart

The Bullvine Bottom Line

So looking back over our checklist, how does your Dairy Valentine’s Day lover rate? If you checked more than three of these boxes with a smile on your face, the truth is obvious.  You’re in love with a dairy farmer.  You need to repeat this phrase often “I’ve fallen for a dairy farmer and I can’t give him up!!” So to all my peers who also love dairy guys, Happy Valentine’s Day Ladies from the Broadside of the Bullvine!! (Read more: 8 OF THE GREATEST DAIRY LOVE STORIES IN THE WORLD, THE DOS AND DON’TS OF DATING A FARMER, THE MOST IMPORTANT PARTNERSHIP IN THE WORLD)

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With the New Year comes new excitement, new ideas and new plans.  After insane growth in 2014, the pressure is on us here at the Bullvine to continue our innovative ways….and we certainly plan to keep the dairy industry on its toes.

Since our launch, almost three years ago, The Bullvine has indeed changed the dairy industry media.  While all our competitors are trying to be like us, we continue to break new ground in our coverage of all the key facets of the dairy industry.  In 2015, we have the following exciting plans that will continue this innovation:

1. Bullvine TV will be weekly
   The Bullvine is getting into video in a big way. Since we got our feet wet with Bullvine TV in 2014, the response has been very positive and, in 2015, we plan to take this to new heights.  That means a weekly TV show that summarizes the week that was in the dairy industry.  For those of you that would rather listen to or watch a 30 minute broadcast of the goings on from the past week, Bullvine TV is for you.  We will provide our same unique perspective on all the major issues and help you to stay up to date on the latest events, issues and challenges that face the dairy industry.   We will also be introducing a new show called TanbarkCenter that will be similar to the “SportsDesk” highlight show. It will feature all the shows we cover live in 2015.  This will include video, interviews and analysis of the major shows in North America, as well as many international shows.  It will start from Australia with our coverage of International Dairy Week from January 19^th to 25^th.
2. Introducing the Bullvine Quarterly
   While our opinions on print magazines have been well documented, we certainly see the value in offering our unique perspective in that format. It has been a daily request from our community members that we make some of our unique content available in print form.  That is exactly what we are going to do.  Starting in February, we will be launching a quarterly magazine that will have all the best content from the last quarter as well as many unique articles.   While there were certainly rumors about our potential acquisition of a few of our competitors, we decided that, in the end, we wanted to start something new and continue breaking new ground.
3. Greater International Perspective
   Since our launch in February 2012 we have not been short of opinions. Love us or hate us, there is no denying that we have certainly made people think.  That has been our goal since the beginning and, in 2015, we plan to take that global.  When we first considered how to grow The Bullvine in 2015, we sat down and looked at the international dairy industry and noticed that we had not been applying our same analysis to all markets.  Therefore in 2015 we are going to change that.  We scoured the international dairy media to see who were the best of the best at providing this type of perspective. We are pleased to announce that we have been able to bring two such innovators onto The Bullvine Team.Leading the way is Dianna Malcom from Australia and Crazy Cow fame. Dianna has a wealth of experience in authentic journalism.  Not just skilled at event reporting, Dianna has a knack for getting to the heart of the story.  We have long been a huge fan of Dianna’s and we are excited about the opportunity to partner with her in 2015 (Read more: Dean and Dianna Malcolm: Forward in Five Gears! That’s Aussie D.I.Y. and Dean And Dianna Malcolm: Gobsmacked In Australia – Landing Right Side Up Down Under!). In looking for a distinctive voice in Europe one name kept coming up. Everyone we talked to, everywhere we looked we heard and saw the name Bruce Jobson.  Bruce much like me has not been afraid to tackle the tough stories and challenge his readers.  This is something that we feel the dairy industry needs a lot more of. We are excited to give Bruce this platform to share his unique perspective with the world.  Much like us Bruce views dairying from many different facets. He knows how to cut through the BS and tell it like it is. This refreshing approach is something those who read www.thebullvine.com have come to expect.

The Bullvine Bottom Line

There are those who believe that “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”.  We here are the Bullvine believe that “It is our job to Break it”.  We did not start the Bullvine to do the same things the same way that they have always been done.  Instead, we believe the world is changing and you can either lead that change or become irrelevant.  In 2015, we plan to break as many things as we possibly can.  While we certainly don’t want to mess with the success that we have already had in becoming the most influential media outlet in the dairy industry, we believe that in today’s fast paced world we need to be innovating not procrastinating. We will be doing many big things in 2015 to make that happen.  Get ready for an exciting ride.

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Back by popular demand, the 2014 Breeder’s Choice Awards – Tanbark Trail Edition are better than ever. The final show ribbons and rosettes have been awarded for 2014 and now it is your turn, the passionate dairy breeder, to decide who is the “Best of the Best”. With many class winners from World Dairy Expo not attending or repeating their victory at the Royal, there are sure to be some interesting results.  (Read more: International Holstein Show – World Dairy Expo 2014 and Royal Winter Fair Holstein Show 2014)

The Breeder’s Choice Awards celebrate fan favorites in the show ring, index cows, sires and dairy celebrities.  It stands alone as the only major award where real people – not industry insiders – determine the winners.

Enter Your Vote

Name

First

Last

Last

Email *

Spring Heifer Calf

1st Place

Choose OneButlerview Doorman Class-ETClaircrest Fever TikiIdee Gold Chip LuckyLacFraser GW Atwood SliverLachancia Elaborate TitaneMac-Mara Brok Us Big TimePetitclerc Atwood AtlasSeavalley Atwood Yantzys Pride

2nd Place

Choose OneButlerview Doorman Class-ETClaircrest Fever TikiIdee Gold Chip LuckyLacFraser GW Atwood SliverLachancia Elaborate TitaneMac-Mara Brok Us Big TimePetitclerc Atwood AtlasSeavalley Atwood Yantzys Pride

3rd Place

Choose OneButlerview Doorman Class-ETClaircrest Fever TikiIdee Gold Chip LuckyLacFraser GW Atwood SliverLachancia Elaborate TitaneMac-Mara Brok Us Big TimePetitclerc Atwood AtlasSeavalley Atwood Yantzys Pride

Winter Heifer Calf

1st Place

Choose OneBelfast Doorman LovestruckButlerview Door Camilla-ETMs Duckett Dyment Coral-ETMs Duckett Dymnt Carissa-ETRepa Jenna DoormanRotaly Goldwyn AllegriaTy-D Gold Chip ExcelWinright Chip Of Excellence

2nd Place

Choose OneBelfast Doorman LovestruckButlerview Door Camilla-ETMs Duckett Dyment Coral-ETMs Duckett Dymnt Carissa-ETRepa Jenna DoormanRotaly Goldwyn AllegriaTy-D Gold Chip ExcelWinright Chip Of Excellence

3rd Place

Choose OneBelfast Doorman LovestruckButlerview Door Camilla-ETMs Duckett Dyment Coral-ETMs Duckett Dymnt Carissa-ETRepa Jenna DoormanRotaly Goldwyn AllegriaTy-D Gold Chip ExcelWinright Chip Of Excellence

Fall Heifer Calf

1st Place

Choose OneLindale Sid EllenLingle Goldchip FelineMs Ellee Armani Elysia-ETRedlodge Saloon AvenueRyan-Vu GChip Claudette-ETRyan-Vu Reginald EmblemSagamie Atwood MikaelaStranshome Gold Annice-ET

2nd Place

Choose OneChoose OneLindale Sid EllenLingle Goldchip FelineMs Ellee Armani Elysia-ETRedlodge Saloon AvenueRyan-Vu GChip Claudette-ETRyan-Vu Reginald EmblemSagamie Atwood MikaelaStranshome Gold Annice-ET

3rd Place

Choose OneChoose OneLindale Sid EllenLingle Goldchip FelineMs Ellee Armani Elysia-ETRedlodge Saloon AvenueRyan-Vu GChip Claudette-ETRyan-Vu Reginald EmblemSagamie Atwood MikaelaStranshome Gold Annice-ET

Summer Yearling Heifer

1st Place

Choose OneCalbrett McCutchen LilaComestar Hodree Goldwyn-ETComestar Lamadona DoormanDes Pins Goldwyn BritannyGebarten Windbrook GlamourJacobs Goldchip BioSolid-Gold De Gsun DiscoWindy-Knoll-View PonyUp

2nd Place

Choose OneCalbrett McCutchen LilaComestar Hodree Goldwyn-ETComestar Lamadona DoormanDes Pins Goldwyn BritannyGebarten Windbrook GlamourJacobs Goldchip BioSolid-Gold De Gsun DiscoWindy-Knoll-View PonyUp

3rd Place

Choose OneCalbrett McCutchen LilaComestar Hodree Goldwyn-ETComestar Lamadona DoormanDes Pins Goldwyn BritannyGebarten Windbrook GlamourJacobs Goldchip BioSolid-Gold De Gsun DiscoWindy-Knoll-View PonyUp

Spring Yearling Heifer

1st Place

Choose OneAshview-TG Atwood Lilly-ETBudjon-JK Advn Awakening-ETBudjon-JK GChip EllenCobequid Attic AffictiveDelcreek Roll The Dice-ETExpo Brady SayokoHobby Acres Wndbrk Edie-ETJacobs Goldwyn Aliza

2nd Place

Choose OneAshview-TG Atwood Lilly-ETBudjon-JK Advn Awakening-ETBudjon-JK GChip EllenCobequid Attic AffictiveDelcreek Roll The Dice-ETExpo Brady SayokoHobby Acres Wndbrk Edie-ETJacobs Goldwyn Aliza

3rd Place

Choose OneAshview-TG Atwood Lilly-ETBudjon-JK Advn Awakening-ETBudjon-JK GChip EllenCobequid Attic AffictiveDelcreek Roll The Dice-ETExpo Brady SayokoHobby Acres Wndbrk Edie-ETJacobs Goldwyn Aliza

Winter Yearling Heifer

1st Place

Choose OneClaquato-RH EveCobequid Sid BlackberryDevans Remark DempseyIdee Gold Chip LillianJacobs Alexander EddyRoutina Zelgadis PaigeSavage-Leigh Alex Lacey-ETWabash-Way Braxton Twinkle

2nd Place

Choose OneClaquato-RH EveCobequid Sid BlackberryDevans Remark DempseyIdee Gold Chip LillianJacobs Alexander EddyRoutina Zelgadis PaigeSavage-Leigh Alex Lacey-ETWabash-Way Braxton Twinkle

3rd Place

Choose OneClaquato-RH EveCobequid Sid BlackberryDevans Remark DempseyIdee Gold Chip LillianJacobs Alexander EddyRoutina Zelgadis PaigeSavage-Leigh Alex Lacey-ETWabash-Way Braxton Twinkle

Fall Yearling Heifer

1st Place

Choose OneBeaverbrock Goldwyn ZoeyComestar Larianne GoldwynComestar Larion Goldwyn-ETEastside Brady CaramelHeart&Soul DD ReminisceHez Atwood Heidilin-ETMilibro Damion RoselilacerOakfield Goldwyn Lyric

2nd Place

Choose OneBeaverbrock Goldwyn ZoeyComestar Larianne GoldwynComestar Larion Goldwyn-ETEastside Brady CaramelHeart&Soul DD ReminisceHez Atwood Heidilin-ETMilibro Damion RoselilacerOakfield Goldwyn Lyric

3rd Place

Choose OneBeaverbrock Goldwyn ZoeyComestar Larianne GoldwynComestar Larion Goldwyn-ETEastside Brady CaramelHeart&Soul DD ReminisceHez Atwood Heidilin-ETMilibro Damion RoselilacerOakfield Goldwyn Lyric

Milking Yearling

1st Place

Choose OneBernadale Goldwyn AbilityCo-Vale Dempsey Dina 4270Macland Dempsey My ButtonPavue Windbrook LavenderPetitclerc Gold Saltalamacchia Savage-Leigh Golden Girl-ETSiemers Gsun Haya-Dream-ETVal-Brisson Meridian Doriane

2nd Place

Choose OneBernadale Goldwyn AbilityCo-Vale Dempsey Dina 4270Macland Dempsey My ButtonPavue Windbrook LavenderPetitclerc Gold Saltalamacchia Savage-Leigh Golden Girl-ETSiemers Gsun Haya-Dream-ETVal-Brisson Meridian Doriane

3rd Place

Choose OneBernadale Goldwyn AbilityCo-Vale Dempsey Dina 4270Macland Dempsey My ButtonPavue Windbrook LavenderPetitclerc Gold Saltalamacchia Savage-Leigh Golden Girl-ETSiemers Gsun Haya-Dream-ETVal-Brisson Meridian Doriane

Junior 2 Year Old

1st Place

Choose OneBosdale Gold LustreGaemenchet Sid KatiaHamming Sid DarlaJacobs Sid GloryMaplekeys Sid Odyssey-ETRyan-Vu Sid MollyStonehurst GW WindyWalk-Era Dundee Annelise

2nd Place

Choose OneBosdale Gold LustreGaemenchet Sid KatiaHamming Sid DarlaJacobs Sid GloryMaplekeys Sid Odyssey-ETRyan-Vu Sid MollyStonehurst GW WindyWalk-Era Dundee Annelise

3rd Place

Choose OneBosdale Gold LustreGaemenchet Sid KatiaHamming Sid DarlaJacobs Sid GloryMaplekeys Sid Odyssey-ETRyan-Vu Sid MollyStonehurst GW WindyWalk-Era Dundee Annelise

Senior 2 Year Old

1st Place Choose OneArethusa Fever Almira-ETBlondin Goldwyn CostaCro Valley Sid Ala CremeElmcroft Attic RetaJacobs Fever CaelLottos Atwood Lizette-ETOld-Acres Gold Sidney-ETPetitclerc Goldwyn Anouk

2nd Place Choose OneArethusa Fever Almira-ETBlondin Goldwyn CostaCro Valley Sid Ala CremeElmcroft Attic RetaJacobs Fever CaelLottos Atwood Lizette-ETOld-Acres Gold Sidney-ETPetitclerc Goldwyn Anouk

3rd Place Choose OneArethusa Fever Almira-ETBlondin Goldwyn CostaCro Valley Sid Ala CremeElmcroft Attic RetaJacobs Fever CaelLottos Atwood Lizette-ETOld-Acres Gold Sidney-ETPetitclerc Goldwyn Anouk

Junior 3 Year Olds

1st Place Choose OneBVK Atwood Abbie-ETCrasdale Atwood EnertiaGo-Sho Alittle Rock N RollHoneyfield Sanchez MadisonJacobs Atwood VedetteKingsway Tenacious RochelleRansom Rail Braxton KaleySt-Jacobs Goldwyn HazelWindy-Knoll-View Parfait-ET

2nd Place Choose OneBVK Atwood Abbie-ETCrasdale Atwood EnertiaGo-Sho Alittle Rock N RollHoneyfield Sanchez MadisonJacobs Atwood VedetteKingsway Tenacious RochelleRansom Rail Braxton KaleySt-Jacobs Goldwyn HazelWindy-Knoll-View Parfait-ET

3rd Place Choose OneBVK Atwood Abbie-ETCrasdale Atwood EnertiaGo-Sho Alittle Rock N RollHoneyfield Sanchez MadisonJacobs Atwood VedetteKingsway Tenacious RochelleRansom Rail Braxton KaleySt-Jacobs Goldwyn HazelWindy-Knoll-View Parfait-ET

Senior 3 Year Olds

1st Place Choose OneBrackleyfarm Chelios CheerioBrookvilla Goldwyn BrooksCharwill Attic MarcyCrovalley Knowledge AkikaFuturecrest Aftershock TahliaRiver Dale Mr Sam EllaStrans-Jen-D Tequila-RedT-Triple-T Platinum-ET

2nd Place Choose OneBrackleyfarm Chelios CheerioBrookvilla Goldwyn BrooksCharwill Attic MarcyCrovalley Knowledge AkikaFuturecrest Aftershock TahliaRiver Dale Mr Sam EllaStrans-Jen-D Tequila-RedT-Triple-T Platinum-ET

3rd Place Choose OneBrackleyfarm Chelios CheerioBrookvilla Goldwyn BrooksCharwill Attic MarcyCrovalley Knowledge AkikaFuturecrest Aftershock TahliaRiver Dale Mr Sam EllaStrans-Jen-D Tequila-RedT-Triple-T Platinum-ET

4 Year Olds

1st Place Choose OneButz-Butler Gold BarbaraCache-Valley Lheros 2331-ETJacobs Knowledge HarpeKingsway Sanchez ArangatangMs Atwood Madison-ETT-Triple-T-I Durham PoppiVedderlea Goldwyn EstherWindy-Knoll-View Chantilly

2nd Place Choose OneButz-Butler Gold BarbaraCache-Valley Lheros 2331-ETJacobs Knowledge HarpeKingsway Sanchez ArangatangMs Atwood Madison-ETT-Triple-T-I Durham PoppiVedderlea Goldwyn EstherWindy-Knoll-View Chantilly

3rd Place Choose OneButz-Butler Gold BarbaraCache-Valley Lheros 2331-ETJacobs Knowledge HarpeKingsway Sanchez ArangatangMs Atwood Madison-ETT-Triple-T-I Durham PoppiVedderlea Goldwyn EstherWindy-Knoll-View Chantilly

5 year old

1st Place Choose OneCoradie Goldwyn MiganeDrumlee Mischief DenisonDuckett Ross PamelaJacobs Goldwyn ValanaLovhill Goldwyn KatryshaNordale Goldwyn RickyRobrook Goldwyn CameronSiemers Goldwyn Goldie-ET

2nd Place Choose OneCoradie Goldwyn MiganeDrumlee Mischief DenisonDuckett Ross PamelaJacobs Goldwyn ValanaLovhill Goldwyn KatryshaNordale Goldwyn RickyRobrook Goldwyn CameronSiemers Goldwyn Goldie-ET

3rd Place Choose OneCoradie Goldwyn MiganeDrumlee Mischief DenisonDuckett Ross PamelaJacobs Goldwyn ValanaLovhill Goldwyn KatryshaNordale Goldwyn RickyRobrook Goldwyn CameronSiemers Goldwyn Goldie-ET

Mature Cow

1st Place Choose OneBoulet Goldwyn ChalouCowtown Dundee SindyGlenwin Goldwyn CalypsoLoyalyn Goldwyn JuneMacpes Fortune Koquine-ETMeadow Green Jeany OutsideMilksource Goldwyn Africa-ETMs Dundee BelindaNipponia R D LizabethRf Goldwyn HaileyRoggua Dundee EvelyneStone-Front Iron Pasta

2nd Place Choose OneBoulet Goldwyn ChalouCowtown Dundee SindyGlenwin Goldwyn CalypsoLoyalyn Goldwyn JuneMacpes Fortune Koquine-ETMeadow Green Jeany OutsideMilksource Goldwyn Africa-ETMs Dundee BelindaNipponia R D LizabethRf Goldwyn HaileyRoggua Dundee EvelyneStone-Front Iron Pasta

3rd Place Choose OneBoulet Goldwyn ChalouCowtown Dundee SindyGlenwin Goldwyn CalypsoLoyalyn Goldwyn JuneMacpes Fortune Koquine-ETMeadow Green Jeany OutsideMilksource Goldwyn Africa-ETMs Dundee BelindaNipponia R D LizabethRf Goldwyn HaileyRoggua Dundee EvelyneStone-Front Iron Pasta

International

1st Place Choose OneFairvale Morty Lady 51 (EX-94) (Australia)Qottage D’Horimetz (EX-92) (Belguim)Stortoft Sid Lauralynn (VG-89) (Denmark)Twin Uzelli (EX-93) (France)Lady Gaga (EX-95) (Germany)Glaslough Miss Petra (EX-93) (Ireland)Cityview Goldwyn Adeena 1 VG-89 (Italy)Benner Dundee Korey (EX-95) (Mexico)Bons-Holsteins Koba 191 (EX-94) (Netherlands)Fairview Dolman Jazz (EX-90) (New Zealand)Hotspot Nicole 1144 (VG-88) (South Africa)Badiola Mordoc Lubasca (VG-88) (Spain)Ptit Coeur Affirmed Medecina (EX-94)(Switzerland)Bilsrow Gibson Ada (EX-96) (United Kingdom)

2nd Place Choose OneChoose OneFairvale Morty Lady 51 (EX-94) (Australia)Qottage D’Horimetz (EX-92) (Belguim)Stortoft Sid Lauralynn (VG-89) (Denmark)Twin Uzelli (EX-93) (France)Lady Gaga (EX-95) (Germany)Glaslough Miss Petra (EX-93) (Ireland)Cityview Goldwyn Adeena 1 VG-89 (Italy)Benner Dundee Korey (EX-95) (Mexico)Bons-Holsteins Koba 191 (EX-94) (Netherlands)Fairview Dolman Jazz (EX-90) (New Zealand)Hotspot Nicole 1144 (VG-88) (South Africa)Badiola Mordoc Lubasca (VG-88) (Spain)Ptit Coeur Affirmed Medecina (EX-94)(Switzerland)Bilsrow Gibson Ada (EX-96) (United Kingdom)

3rd Place Choose OneFairvale Morty Lady 51 (EX-94) (Australia)Qottage D’Horimetz (EX-92) (Belguim)Stortoft Sid Lauralynn (VG-89) (Denmark)Twin Uzelli (EX-93) (France)Lady Gaga (EX-95) (Germany)Glaslough Miss Petra (EX-93) (Ireland)Cityview Goldwyn Adeena 1 VG-89 (Italy)Benner Dundee Korey (EX-95) (Mexico)Bons-Holsteins Koba 191 (EX-94) (Netherlands)Fairview Dolman Jazz (EX-90) (New Zealand)Hotspot Nicole 1144 (VG-88) (South Africa)Badiola Mordoc Lubasca (VG-88) (Spain)Ptit Coeur Affirmed Medecina (EX-94)(Switzerland)Bilsrow Gibson Ada (EX-96) (United Kingdom)

Every year we wonder if it will be possible to top the year before (Read more: Top 13 of 2013 – The Bullvine’s Most Popular Articles of the Year). Fortunately, thanks to the support of you, our loyal readers. 2014 was our best year yet.

14. DAIRY SLANG: 22 PHRASES THAT MEAN DIFFERENT THINGS TO DAIRY BREEDERS

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 the dairy farming industry are full of strange terminology that most people would simply not understand.  Here are 22 phrases that have totally different meanings to dairy breeders. (Read more: DAIRY SLANG: 22 PHRASES THAT MEAN DIFFERENT THINGS TO DAIRY BREEDERS )

13. THE TOP 10 DAIRY BREEDER FACEBOOK FAN PAGES AND WHY THEY’RE SUCCESSFUL

Have you ever wondered what it takes to have a successful Facebook page for your dairy farm?  Well, look no further! (Read more: THE TOP 10 DAIRY BREEDER FACEBOOK FAN PAGES AND WHY THEY’RE SUCCESSFUL)

12. BEST OF BOTH WORLDS – SALE REPORT

In picturesque upstate Vermont, the team of St. Jacobs ABC, Ferme Blondin and Brian Craswell Auctions Ltd. did an outstanding job coping with the wet weather to host this great sale at the St. Jacobs new dairy facility. (Read more BEST OF BOTH WORLDS – SALE REPORT)

11. ONTARIO SUMMER HOLSTEIN SHOW RESULTS 2014

On a beautiful Ontario summer’s day judge Gerald Caughin placed some of the best cattle in the world. Check here to see complete results (ONTARIO SUMMER HOLSTEIN SHOW RESULTS 2014).00

10. EXPO PROVINCIALE DE MONTMAGNY

This is one of the best kept secrets of the tanbark season.  Timed just a few weeks before World Dairy Expo, here is a showcase of what the champion state herd from the past 2 World Dairy Expo’s has to offer. Clearly, it is one of the best shows of the year (Read more: EXPO PROVINCIALE DE MONTMAGNY).

9. THE TOP 10 HOLSTEIN SIRES OF 2014 THAT WILL SIRE THE NEXT WORLD DAIRY EXPO GRAND CHAMPION

Everyone wants to breed the next great one. The popularity of this article proves it. (Read more: THE TOP 10 HOLSTEIN SIRES OF 2014 THAT WILL SIRE THE NEXT WORLD DAIRY EXPO GRAND CHAMPION)

8. INTERNATIONAL RED & WHITE SHOW – WORLD DAIRY EXPO 2014

Every year it seems like the Red & White show at World Dairy Expo is never short of a story line.  Last year it was the domination of Apple. This year it was the great Seisme vs Apple competition.   (Read more: INTERNATIONAL RED & WHITE SHOW – WORLD DAIRY EXPO 2014)

7. FANTASY EXHIBITOR© – WORLD DAIRY EXPO 2014

In its sophomore season the Fantasy Exhibitor contest added more excitement and much more discussion to the 2014 Tanbark season. (Read more: FANTASY EXHIBITOR© – WORLD DAIRY EXPO 2014)

6. THE 10 EXTREME TYPE SIRES MOST LIKELY TO SIRE THE NEXT WORLD CHAMPION

For those looking to take a risk, these 10 sires will breed the extremes.  They will either hit a home run or miss miserably.   Sometimes that is the risk you have to take in order to breed the next great one. (Read more: THE 10 EXTREME TYPE SIRES MOST LIKELY TO SIRE THE NEXT WORLD CHAMPION)

5. 12 LESSONS YOU CAN ONLY LEARN FROM GROWING UP ON A DAIRY FARM

Growing up on a dairy farm is certainly one of the most rewarding experiences anyone could ever have.   Here are just a few of the many lessons you can learn growing up on a dairy farm. (Read more: 12 LESSONS YOU CAN ONLY LEARN FROM GROWING UP ON A DAIRY FARM)

4. ROYAL WINTER FAIR HOLSTEIN SHOW 2014

Always one of the top shows in the world, it’s not surprising that The Royal comes near the top of our list.  This year’s show was a showcase for some of the greatest cattle in the world, with Hailey taking that next step to securing her spot as one of the greatest in history. (Read more: ROYAL WINTER FAIR HOLSTEIN SHOW 2014)

3. SAVE FRANK & MARJORIE MEYERS’ FARM – THE ARMY IS AT THE GATE & THIS FARMERS NUMBER IS UP!

How would you react if you woke up tomorrow morning to find that an eviction sign had been posted on your farm and you and your family had a deadline to remove yourselves and your goods? What if the expropriation was being carried out by no less than the army and your legal rights amounted to absolutely zero? (Read more: SAVE FRANK & MARJORIE MEYERS FARM – THE ARMY IS AT THE GATE & THIS FARMERS NUMBER IS UP!)

2. INTERNATIONAL HOLSTEIN SHOW – WORLD DAIRY EXPO 2014

There is no question that the Holstein Show at World Dairy Expo is one of the highlights every year.  This year the popularity of the show hit such levels that we had over 20,000 people ping our server in under a 1 minute span. That crashed our server momentarily.  The excitement from the show ring was just that hot.  (Read more: INTERNATIONAL HOLSTEIN SHOW – WORLD DAIRY EXPO 2014)

1.  WHY THE DAIRY COMMUNITY IS THE GREATEST IN THE WORLD….

Imagine this….You wake up in the wee hours of the night to smell smoke. You discover that your house is on fire. And your grandchild is trapped in her bedroom with no way to escape.  What would you do? This is exactly the scenario Patricia Stiles faced.  This tragedy has gripped the dairy industry and helped prove why the dairy community is the greatest in the world. (Read more: WHY THE DAIRY COMMUNITY IS THE GREATEST IN THE WORLD…)

The Bullvine Bottom Line

2014 was certainly a great year.  Just like the show at World Dairy Expo you wonder if the next year will be able to top the previous year. It always does.  The same can be said here at the Bullvine. We’re always looking for new stories and things to do to make the next one better than the last.  Watch for even greater things planned for The Bullvine in 2015.

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Welcome to December 2014 at The Bullvine.  It is the final month of another exciting year and time to pick a dozen articles for “Editor’s Choice 2014”.  I hope you will join me in looking back at which articles exploded out of the gate, which ones won our reader’s hearts and which ones brought attention to agriculture and the dairy industry.

12. MAKING IT BIG! World Dairy Expo and The Royal!

A single dairy class may only take up half an hour – a whole show one day — but in terms of breeding, buying, planning, fitting, travelling, preparing and follow-up, dairy shows represent a significant investment of time and money. It is no surprise then that huge numbers of our readers follow The Bullvine reports from across North America and around the world (Read more: International Holstein Show – World Dairy Expo 2014, Royal Winter Fair Holstein Show 2014 and International Red & White Show – World Dairy Expo 2014 ). Like our readers, we enjoy the showcase opportunities that World Dairy Expo and the Royal Winter Fair provide.  Live attendance, broadcasting and connecting with cows and breeders is what we like best. Bringing our readers as close as they can get to the show, without being with us on the scene, easily makes our top 12 picks of 2014. Thus both these North American showcases make our list of top picks.

11. ROSY-LANE HOLSTEINS – “Don’t Follow the Herd”

It’s not enough to know who the big show winners and top selling animals are. Dairy breeders are looking to understand, not only what got them to these lofty positions but also, how exceptional dairies are winners at producing milk.  They want to know the decisions that were made before the award went on the mantel and the money went into the bank.  Dairy breeders everywhere study the stories of great entrepreneurs like Quality Holsteins and Don Bennink. Lloyd and Daphne Holterman at Rosy-Lane Holsteins would tell you it isn’t a matter of one person or one ingredient.  They would say that success comes from a functioning partnership of people, teamwork and strategic planning. (Read more: ROSY-LANE HOLSTEINS – “Don’t Follow the Herd!”). This was a great interview and stands out as an example of how following your dairy breeding vision leads to success.

10.  The 10 Outlier Sires that Will Accelerate Genetic Gain

Recommendations on which sires to use always draws the attention of Bullvine readers. When our articles combine, not only list toppers but also important topics like reducing inbreeding, they draw increased attention (Read more: The 10 Outlier Sires that will Accelerate Your Genetic Gain the Fastest). These are the posts that our readers often refer back to, when discussing which bulls can offer the most genetic advancement. This article rang the bell with many breeders.

9. Why Braedale Goldwyn Wasn’t a Great Sire of Sons

An important part of what we do involves opening up discussion about what is not working too! When we identified Goldwyn, undoubtedly the greatest sire of show winning daughters, as less than a great sire of sons it generated many comments. The theory put forward in this article will be something bull breeders are likely to pay close attention to in years to come. (Read more: Why Braedale Goldwyn Wasn’t a Great Sire of Sons)

8. The 7 Most Influential Holstein Brood Cows of the Modern Era

Second only to bull lists are articles that turn the spotlight on cows. The seven cows included in this article cover all areas of breeding from show winners, to red, to polled, to dams of AI sons (Read more: The 7 Most Influential Holstein Brood Cows of the Modern Era). It is every breeders dream to breed one such cow. Clearly there is not a common definition of what makes an outstanding brood cow. This look back at the most influential cows may provide inspiration for those to come.

7. 50 Sires That Will Produce Feed Efficient Cows

For a second year, the Bullvine provided a list of sires using our Bullvine Efficiency Index (BEI). This index rewards bulls that sire cows that get the job done in the milking parlor after consuming the feed at the bunk. This approach to selecting sires has caught on with many of our readers. New or novel breeding strategies, although not always popular, definitely catch the attention of our readers and we enjoy the discussion and feedback that is generated.  (Read more: 50 Sires that will Produce Feed Efficient Cows)

6. Look Who’s Talking – Dairy Slang

We regularly cover the major issues, the controversial ones and those that everyone finds difficult. That’s why it is sometimes fun to take a look at the lighter side of the dairy industry.  So much of our time is focused on words, grammar, spell checking and expression, it was a special treat to look at dairying from the spoken word side. (Read more: Dairy Slang: 22 Phrases that mean different things to dairy breeders) It then continued with conversations on The Bullvine’s new platform ‘The Milk House’ (Read more: Introducing The Milk House – Dairy Breeder Networking on Facebook). Dairy breeders from New Zealand and Australia helped bring us up to speed on the lingo used by our counterparts from ‘Down Under”.  (Read more: Australian Dairy Slang – They say things a little differently down under)

THE TOP FIVE PICKS

Like many who follow The Bullvine, although motivated by dairying, we too are most inspired by people.  That is why our top five picks are based on people from the dairy industry. We are inspired by the personal stories, the amazing achievements and the many ways that real life people face the challenges of growing a 21st Century dairy. Although focused on cows, the dairy industry is, at its heart, all about the people.

5. FORGET KATE – The Dairy Industry has Kassidy Upton

The fact that the  interview with Kassidy Upton caught fire among Bullvine followers, was no surprise in an industry that values the success of its young members most of all. The celebrity level success that this young lady is attracting will inspire young people from inside and outside of agriculture (Read more: Forget Kate – The Dairy Industry Has Kassidy Upton). For dairy folks it is especially encouraging that Kassidy feels that her farm background has contributed to her achievements – not only in international competition but also in landing an acting role.  Certainly not everyone expects a girl from a dairy background to rise to the top of the Miss Teen Canada Globe competition or to win a part in a movie. It is unexpected until you learn the whole story. That is why it was one of my favorite picks and inspired us to continue to seek out articles on the ways agricultural is building a positive image through role models like Kassidy Upton.

4. BONS HOLSTEINS “The Type That Wins”

“Bons-Holsteins is a home bred farm.  In the last 60 years we never bought a cow, heifer or embryo.” Thus begins a fascinating international story that, remarkably, also includes a significant amount of showring success. Nico Bons explains how family teamwork has successfully propelled them toward the shared dream of “breeding a European Grand Champion.” The emphasis on show type has been a winning breeding formula for this family in The Netherlands and we learn that – worldwide – there is a common passion for dairying that unites dairy breeders.  (Read more: Bons-Holsteins: The Type that Wins!)

3.  JOHN ANDERSEN “Building a Field of Dreams”

For the John Andersen family, dairy farming is a family affair. The unique part of this story is the way in which they have managed to balance family life while building a dairy business and managing a very large milking herd. Furthermore, they have brought both commercial and pedigree dairy farming together in a successful manner that many would consider an unlikely combination. Here is an entire family – multi-generations with a full-range of dairy skills – who are focused on dairying and setting a model for the industry (Read more: JOHN ANDERSEN – COMMERCIAL and PEDIGREE – Building a Field of Dreams).

Facing Impossible Odds

Sometimes the odds seem insurmountable.  The top two Editors’ Picks for 2014 certainly fall into that category.

2.  SAVE FRANK AND MARJORIE MEYERS FARM – “The Army is at the Gate and this Farmer’s Number is UP”

Here was a story that inspired The Bullvine to rally the troops in a call to action. Ironically, the call to action was one that we hoped would stop actual military troops from taking over a family farm. The battle for the Meyers family to be allowed to stay on their farm seemed doomed from the start.  Too little.  Too late.  The opposition was too big.  And – in the end — the outcry became enormous too, as the story spread and many took up the cry for a fair resolution to this travesty. Nevertheless, despite the support from thousands, the Meyers were evicted. The numbers didn’t count except to Frank Meyers (Read more: Save Frank & Marjorie Meyers Farm – The Army Is At The Gate & This Farmers Number Is Up!).

1.  WHY THE DAIRY COMMUNITY IS THE GREATEST IN THE WORLD

Sometimes all you can do is pull together, pray and offer support.  That is what became the unifying force for everyone touched by the events that forever changed the lives of Patricia Stiles and Reese Burdette. Seven months ago Patricia saved her grand-daughter Reese from a fire.  She too suffered burns. Both faced a fight for their lives. That fight goes on to this day. It is a tough struggle. (Read more: Why the Dairy Community is the Greatest in the World…)

The great thing about communities is that they pull together, when times are tough.  The dairy community – the agricultural community – and all those who identified themselves as part of a community that could reach out to Patricia and Reese — did that and continue to do so.  So many months of struggle and setback. Many more months to go.  As we enter into the Christmas season, let us be thankful that these lives were spared.  Help and prayers are needed now – perhaps more than ever – as this courageous family faces the long road ahead.  Patricia and Reese have won our hearts. We sincerely appreciate the grace of their families and thank them for keeping updates coming, despite how hard that has to be for everyone involved. We thank all those in the worldwide community who through prayers and fundraising are providing ongoing positive support. That is why the dairy community is the greatest in the world.

The Bullvine Bottom Line

At the end of each dairy day, we can’t guarantee that everything is perfect.  But we love what we do and dairying will always be our passion. We care for our families, our cattle and our community. Here at The Bullvine we are thrilled that you have made The Bullvine part of your online home, and that you use this platform to express yourselves, far and wide, around the globe. We’re growing together in dairying and look forward to continuing our conversations with you in 2015.

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Most dairy breeders are pretty simple.  Give ‘em  a VG-89-2YR who wins Intermediate Champion at Expo and they will be happy.  If you are stymied about what to buy your father, wife, brother, sister, best friend or hired help, but can’t afford that 2700 TPI heifer from an early release sire, we have prepared a list of top 10 unique gift Ideas for the special dairy enthusiast in your life.

2014 World Dairy Expo and 2014 Royal Winter Fair Holstein Show Photo Books

Due to the extremely popular demand for  last year’s photo books, we  brought them back for 2014.  These 90 page 10”x 8” coffee table books each contain over 200 hi-resolution photos.  You can relive all of the action and excitement of the 2014 World Dairy Expo Holstein Show and The Royal Winter Fair 2014 Holstein Show with these one-of-a-kind photo books.  Check out these photo books here.

A Special Lady from Steel Cow

Although she is neither a dairy breeder nor a show ring competitor, artist Valerie Miller of Steel Cow is, nevertheless, completely hands on in her relationship with cows. This passionate painter not only paints her girls larger than life but she also aligns their bovine characteristics with dear family members and friends.  These paintings are admired by all and make a great Christmas gift for the dairy breeder on your list.  Steel Cow’s Valerie Miller: Larger Than Life With Her Cow Girls.

Paintings by Gary Sauder

Since the first time I saw Gary’s work on Facebook, I was amazed by the super-realism of his paintings.  His passion and understanding of what great dairy animals look like comes through in each and every one.  We had the chance to interview Gary in our feature article – GARY SAUDER: The Muse in His Studio. To order some of Gary’s fine art work visit Cow Art and More.

The Dairy Queen: A History of the Jersey Breed Worldwide

This 300-page book is a great Christmas present for anyone interested in the Jersey breed.  It chronicles the origins and development of the Jersey breed through detailed text and photos.  Be sure to check out our interview “THE DAIRY QUEEN” HAS ALL THE ANSWERS! with Co-Author Derrick Frigot.  He tells how this book came to be and what makes it so unique.  Supplies are limited, so be sure to check out their Facebook page and order your copy for the Jersey breeder in your life.

Prints by Emma Caldwell

Probably one of the most talented young artists I have ever come across, Emma Caldwell is well on her way to becoming a worldwide household name.  Although she is  just starting out in her career, she has already done some amazing paintings of Hailey, Smurf, and Francesca.  Check out our feature interview with Emma, Emma Caldwell’s Art Stirs Mind and Heart, as well as her many great prints available from her web shop.

Millionaires in the Cornfield: The Glory Days of the National Dairy Cattle Congress by Norman Nabholz.

For me, Norm is probably one of the greatest cattle minds of the past 50 years.  It only takes a few moments of chatting with Norm to recognize his passion for this business we all love.  His book is easy to pick up but hard to put down.  Not only does it recount the achievements of legendary breeders and showmen with words and countless pictures, the background information and this behind-the-scenes look  are most entertaining and interesting.  The Bullvine had a chance to sit down and interview this multi-talented man in our feature article – HALTER, PEN and GAVEL.  That’s Just the Norm.\

Facebook Page for Their Farm

Instead of wasting hundreds of dollars on a web page that no one will ever read, give the dairy breeder in your life a Facebook page that will reach the world.  The best part about it? It’s free!  That’s correct, it will cost you nothing.  All you need to do is download this simple guide, The Dairy Breeders Guide to Facebook and you will be well on the way to helping the dairy breeder in your life market to the world.

The Chosen Breed and The Holstein History by Edward Young Morwick

Anyone who likes history, even in the slightest, will greatly appreciate either the US history (The Holstein History) or the Canadian History (The Chosen Breed) by Edward.  Each of these books is so packed with information that they are each printed in two separate volumes.  We had a chance to interview Edward – Edward Young Morwick – Country Roads to Law Office and you get a true sense  of his passion and quick wit and they  also come shining through in his books.  Be sure to get your copies of amazing compilation of Holstein history in these books.

Legends of the Tanbark Trail by Tim Baumgartner

Dairy cattle have been on exhibit for nearly 200 years and taking home the coveted title of National Grand Champion has always been a compelling force.  Tracing the first 100 years of U.S. national dairy cattle shows, Legends of the Tanbark Trail is a salient account of the people, the places, and the superb and unparalleled animals that have graced the show ring throughout its history.  Be sure to get your show enthusiast their copy of this special book.

Prints by Bonnie Mohr

For a long time Bonnie Mohr has been the industry standard for great dairy paintings.  Like many, our family has had the opportunity to appreciate Bonnie’s great work.  My wife has presented me with   a Bonnie Mohr print every year on our anniversary.  That is why when we had the opportunity to interview Bonnie – Bonnie Mohr – Science and Art Together Creates a Holstein Love Story-; it was an honor for us.  Be sure to check out her website for more extraordinary fine art from rural America.

The Bullvine Bottom Line

Instead of buying the tie that they might only wear for weddings or funerals, or those  work gloves that could get lost the first time they are worn, consider these 10 great gift ideas.  Not only will they thank you for connecting them to their dairy passion, but also our  thoughtfulness will touch dairy breeder’s hearts and make lasting memories this Christmas!

Be sure to LIKE and SHARE this post on Facebook to let your friends and family know exactly what you are wanting for Christmas.

The holidays are almost here. And along with it, another seemingly endless list which demands that it, and you, are checking twice. Regardless of the chores, breeding, feed, finances, calvings, frozen pipes, storm damage …. And the fifteenth bull calf in a row … you are definitely feeling that you’re on thin ice.

The gifts, the tree, the perfect pies and turkey …. Christmas at the Farm … in some in one month.  No wonder we’re stressed exhausted and in some cases, dairy depressed.

We may catch ourselves envying the non-farm neighbours who head to warmer climates for their winter break. After all, how hard is it to care for a cat (and maybe a dog)? They can even choose to sleep in while they get time off from that barely stressful 9-5 job that pays their bills so effortlessly.

Oops!  Want a little cheese with that whine?

Try to remember that not everything about Christmas on a dairy farm is bad! And everything OFF the farm isn’t perfect either.  Almost everyone has to deal with debt loads, decision making and lack of control over the weather. While they may not be as isolated as the typical farmer, they also don’t have nearly as much hands-on control of their daily living.

Long days and late nights may make Christmas parties, concerts, sleigh rides and ski hills seem out of reach. Don’t get your Christmas stockings in a knot yet.  Put a wreath on the barn door.  Remind yourself where the Christmas season started. Have you got a Santa Claus hat?  Put it on your favorite cow.  After all, she never tires of giving her best to you every day.  Now that your workplace and staff are in a holiday moo-ed, take fifteen minutes to invite your family — or a neighbour to enjoy a hot chocolate.  Find a place where the view of your farm, cattle, or pastures will recharge your energy.

Here Comes Christmas Stress!  Right down Dairy Farm Lane!

Christmas is a time of waiting … and hurrying and worrying. The very fact that it is seen as a time to celebrate sets us up for the measuring, comparing and competing that can add huge stress to an already busy time.  Unfortunately, just when there are all these added challenges, we seem determined to respond to them in ways that aren’t usual either.

• Don’t cut off your usual support groups.  While bemoaning what you’re missing don’t cut yourself off from church, 4-H or coffee at the local diner or Timmy’s.  That hour isn’t going to make your list any shorter, but you will confirm that you’re not the only one coping with Christmas.
• Make a Happy Christmas in the Stable.  Don’t take your anxiety out on your cows.  Remember Christmas started in a stable.  But regardless of your faith beliefs, taking care of animals (and friends) takes the focus off ourselves.
• Take Care of YOU:  Seasonal stress can show itself through coughs, colds, flu, aches and pains.  If you have annual visits from these ailments, try to anticipate the trigger situations and take steps to prevent getting worn out.
• Make the Job a Game:  If you’re missing family activities. Bring Christmas fun to your farm.  Surprise your staff by wearing antlers or hanging mistletoe.  It’s surprising how the sound of laughter can change drudgery to fun
• Ask for what YOU Need:  Never mind your list for Santa.  If you’re feeling low, share that with those closest to you.  There may not be an easy solution, but it’s important not to carry the whole load by yourself! Every little hug helps!

Make Someone Else Happy!

We all know how our outlook can change in an instant, when someone shines the light of appreciation on what we are doing.  Make sure you light up someone else’s day with a sincere, “Thank you!” Everyone struggles.  Don’t add to their stress with criticism or shared anxiety about all the troubles of the world.  Find a piece of happiness to share with someone else!

A written thank you note to family who give up some of their time for the farm could make a big difference.  A note to staff shows that you appreciate them beyond the daily dairy grind.   The very effort of putting your thoughts of gratitude on paper will make a difference in your own outlook too!

Put Some Fun in Your Own Life!

Every year I have fun performing in Christmas Musicals and Concerts.  This year, various issues tempted me to give up this frivolous behavior.  However, fate stepped in, and just as I was about to give up my ladies’ performance choir – our new leader asked me if I would assist her with the stage managing.  Well, there’s nothing like being needed to make you forget your troubles.  Believe – herding cows or even cats — is less work than getting forty-five women on and off stage three times in one show!

Having recently turned 65, it seemed like this, finally, should be the year that I stopped putting on costumes and doing home groan comedy routines.  But – like clockwork— I woke up one morning giggling at an idea that occurred to me for my church Altar-Ego “Sister Page Turner” to deliver.  Our church is struggling through a somewhat dark period, and I thought the topic should be “Light!”  Thus- “Batteries Not Included!” will, hopefully, send a message of hopefulness.  As usual, trying to see the humour in an awkward situation actually does help.

The Bullvine Bottom Line

Learning to deal with stress takes time but, in the end, we develop coping strategies that help in many areas of life — not just in the barn. So friends, give yourselves a well-deserved pat on the back.  The work you do goes far beyond your own farm gate.  Chin up! Here at The Bullvine we’re glad to share our issues, concerns and joys with you.  We’re proud of you. Have yourself a very – merry – dairy Christmas.

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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.