The dairy genetics market showed remarkable strength at the Quest for Success VII sale held Saturday at Maple-Leigh Futures in Delavan, Wisconsin. Under perfect spring skies, 126 lots averaged an impressive $7,155, demonstrating the continued demand for elite genetics.
The Ryan and Harbaugh families, along with their dedicated team at Maple-Leigh, orchestrated a flawless event that drew a packed house of enthusiastic bidders from across the country. The electric atmosphere in the sales arena reflected both the exceptional quality of the offerings and the dairy community’s unwavering commitment to genetic advancement.
TOP SELLERS SHOWCASE GENETIC EXCELLENCE
Leading the parade of elite genetics was Lot 45H, Genosource Juju-ET, commanding $34,500. This December Jerry Lewis daughter boasts an impeccable pedigree, tracing to the legendary Ladyrose Caught Your Eye EX-95. As a three-time All-American and Madison class winner, Caught Your Eye has established herself as one of the breed’s most influential dams, having produced at least seven nominated All-American daughters.
1st place Junior Three Year Old
World Dairy Expo International Brown Swiss Show 2023
Topp-View & Brothers Three
Brown Swiss enthusiasts showed up in force, driving Lot 18B, Topp B-3 Deluxe Fine Wine-ETV, to $30,000. This September Deluxe daughter descends from Topp B-3 Woodford ‘V89’, the Unanimous All-American Junior 3-Year-Old and Intermediate Champion at the 2023 International Brown Swiss Show.
The Brown Swiss momentum continued with Lot 22B, Just So D Tangerine, bringing $25,500. This VG-86 junior 3-year-old Daredevil daughter was the All-American Summer Junior 2-Year-Old in 2024 and traces to the renowned Dublin-Hills Treats family through seven generations of VG and EX dams.
BREED DIVERSITY DRIVES BIDDING WARS
The sale showcased exceptional quality across multiple breeds, with each attracting passionate bidders:
Guernsey breeders rallied around Lot 27G, Gold N Pines Butterthanyou-ET, at $19,000. This December American Pie daughter is out of Pond N Pines Beau Nutter Butter-ETV VG-89 max, the All-American Junior 3-Year-Old in 2022 and dam of numerous nominated All-American heifers.
Jersey enthusiasts competed fiercely for Lot 74J, Schulte Bros VIP Shotgun Rider-ET, pushing the price to $17,000. This September VIP daughter traces to two-time International Jersey Show Grand Champion Bri-Lin Valson Spritz EX-97%.
Red & White Holstein genetics commanded attention with Lot 130R, Luck-E Moovin A-Moon-ET *RC, fetching $17,200. This EX-91 Moovin daughter comes from the celebrated Luck-E Advent Asia family through eight generations of VG and EX dams.
PEDIGREE POWER DRIVES PREMIUM PRICES
A clear pattern emerged throughout the sale – animals with strong show credentials and deep pedigrees commanded top dollar. Nearly every high-selling animal featured impressive titles like “All-American,” “Reserve All-American,” or “Champion” within their immediate family.
This pattern underscores the dairy industry’s continued emphasis on both show-ring excellence and production capabilities when making breeding investments. While milk prices and production costs present challenges for commercial producers, the investment in superior genetics remains robust as breeders recognize that advancing their herds through strategic genetic acquisitions represents a critical long-term strategy.
MAPLE-LEIGH FUTURES: A SHOWCASE VENUE
The sale’s success further cements Maple-Leigh Futures’ reputation as a premier venue in the dairy industry. The facility has established itself as a center for excellence, known for its meticulous presentation and professional atmosphere.
The Ryan and Harbaugh families have created an environment where both consignors and buyers feel confident in the quality and presentation of animals. This reputation has been cultivated through years of hosting successful sales and participating in major dairy events.
The Quest for Success VII sale demonstrates that despite broader economic challenges, the market for elite dairy genetics remains vibrant. As breeding programs continue their relentless pursuit of genetic advancement, venues like Maple-Leigh Futures provide the crucial marketplace where vision meets opportunity.
For those looking ahead, the next major dairy sale on the calendar will be the Summer Sensation Sale at Maple-Leigh Futures on June 21, featuring another outstanding lineup of all-breed consignments.
