Duncans lead Coshocton dairy ranks

COSHOCTON, Ohio – Coshocton County’s dairy service unit saluted the county’s top milk producers during the annual Coshocton County dairy banquet April 8 at the Coshocton County Career Center.
Walter Mowery, president of the dairy service unit board, presented county awards to owners of Coshocton County herds on official test producing more than 19,000 pounds milk.
At the top. Leading the county’s ranks is the 44-cow herd of Charles and Daryl Duncan, with 28,308 pounds milk, 1,299 pounds fat and 863 pounds protein.
Daryl Duncan also tests a separate nine-cow herd that averaged 21,229 pounds milk, 1,035 pounds fat and 672 pounds protein.
Other top producers included: Paul Snyder, 21,116 pounds milk, 821 pounds fat and 637 pounds protein for his 33-cow herd;
James and Onita Lowe, 20,504 pounds milk, 829 pounds fat, 639 pounds protein for their 69-cow herd; and
Peach Hill Farms, 19,303 pounds milk, 713 pounds fat and 606 pounds protein for their 133-cow herd.
Charles and Daryl Duncan were recognized for their Elite Holstein herd, which was listed in the top 5 percent in the state for milk, fat and protein.
New princess, sort of. Crystal Raber, who served as the 2003 dairy princess, agreed to return as the 2005 princess. The 18-year-old daughter of Norman and Judy Raber, she is a seven-year member of Chili Challengers 4-H club and has taken dairy projects to the Coshocton County Fair each year.
Attendant Emily Hothem, daughter of Rich Hothem and Lisa Clark, will assist Raber in the county dairy promotion this year.
Before crowning her successor, retiring princess Kendra Lowe summarized her activities during the year.
Youth awards. Dairy achievement awards were presented to outstanding youth in three categories.
Award winners were (in order of finish): Tyler Zimmerman, Emily Hothem and Brittany Bowles, senior;
Emily Eppley, Tiffany Zimmerman and Todd Lahmers; and Ashley Pritchard and Brandon Bowles, junior;
Kurt Wyler and Savannah Bowles, first-year.
Thanks. A special certificate and gifts were presented to Marilyn Wyler for her years of service. Wyler, who is retiring this year after 35 years of teaching, has served the dairy banquets since 1983.
Others honored for their assistance to the dairy service unit included Paul Golden and Tammi Rogers of the extension office, Alice Moore of Peach Hill Farms and Keith Pepper. Pepper was superintendent for the Coshocton County Fair dairy barn.
Dairy promotion. Alice Moore spoke about dairy promotion work of the American Dairy Association & Dairy Council Mid East. She emphasized the “Three-A-Day” dairy program and the after-school fitness program in partnership with the NFL.