GREENSBURG, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Holstein Association hosted its 60th annual convention, Holsteins in the Highlands 2016, Feb. 25-26 in Westmoreland County.
Pioneer Award
The Pioneer Award was presented to the family of Lawrence L. Neely Jr. of Clarion County. Neely, known as “Jim,” was one of the founders of the Clarion County Holstein Club, and he and his wife, Dorothy, were instrumental in starting Town and Country Day in 1972 an event that the Clarion-Venango Club hosted annually for more than 30 years. They helped to establish the Clarion-Venango Dairy Princess Committee in 1971.
Neely, a director for the state Holstein association and a lifetime member of the Holstein-Friesian Association of America, worked to improve the Holstein breed and pedigrees over the 40-plus years he was involved in the Holstein industry. The Neely-Farms herd prefix bred nine Excellent cows, five Gold Medal Dams and eight Dams of Merit.
Hall of Fame
The Hall Fame Awards were presented to two families: Bob and Jane Pepple of Chester County, and Kevin and Gerarda Burleigh, Wayne County.
Bob and Jane Pepple built Pep-L-Lea Holsteins, starting 40 years ago on Bob’s family farm. They eventually purchased their own farm from Bob’s family and milked 360 cows on their 180-acre farm.
While Bob built the herd, Jane devoted her time and energy to working with youth, coaching judging teams and educating 4-H dairy club members on the techniques of showmanship and fitting.
Kevin and Gerarda Burleigh developed a herd from the time they got married and raised two boys and a daughter while concentrating on developing the Holstein breed. The farm bred 50 excellent cows and have hosted two production sales.
Young Breeder Award
The Distinguished Young Breeder Award was presented to Michael and Maria Yoder, of Belleville, Pennsylvania.
The couple leased a dairy farm in Mifflin County, and eventually went on to purchase the farm. They are now milking 180 and have bred 19 Excellent and 18 Very Good Holstein cattle.
All-Pennsylvania awards
The 2015 All-Pennsylvania Awards were presented at the annual convention.
The points-based All-Pennsylvania Awards are given to the top animals in each of 20 classes from the major shows sponsored by the Pennsylvania Holstein Association. In 2015, 1,119 head were shown at Pennsylvania Holstein-sponsored shows, with 50 head earning All-Pennsylvania recognition.
The 2015 All Pennsylvania Awards are as follows:
Spring calf: Klinedell Atwd Mardi Gra Et, owned by Jesse Kline, Myerstown, Pennsylvania.
Winter calf: Dunns Pride Wndk Carmelo-Et, owned by James Dunn, New Ringgold, Pennsylvania.
Fall calf: Ehrhardt McCutch Belinda, owned by Landree Fraley, Muncy, Pennsylvania; and J and K Vue Lavanguard Goo Goo, owned by Gerald and Kathy Boop, Millmont, Pennsylvania.
Summer yearling: Brook Corner Reginald Elite, owned by Audrey Hoover, Lebanon, Pennsylvania.
Spring yearling: Sweet Peas Atwood Hotshot, owned by Sweet Peas Holsteins, Susquehanna, Pennsylvania.
Winter yearling: Starmark HP Rumor Has It Et, owned by Pease, Strowd and Bradshaw, Susquehanna, Pennsylvania. Fall yearling: Linden Loch SD Pandora, owned by Tyler Shaw, Williamsburg, Pennsylvania.
Junior best three: Heart and Soul Holsteins, owned by Douglas and Jennifer Boop, Millmont, Pennsylvania.
Yearling in milk: Smith Oak Attic Nice, owned by Hlavaty, Hoover and Wolfe, Lebanon, Pennsylvania.
Junior 2-year-old: Heart and Soul Dempsey Roxstar, owned by Jaylene Lesher, Bernville, Pennsylvania.
Senior 2-year-old: MS Daisys Gold Dreamer, owned by Et Hlavaty and Seipt, Lititz, Pennsylvania.
Junior 3-year-old: Corlan Farms GC Romance, owned by Michelle Cornman, Shippensburg, Pennsylvania.
Senior 3-year-old: Alta View Sanchez Kat 76 Tw, owned by Campbell, Creek and Claypoole, Ford City, Pennsylvania.
Four-year-old: BVK Atwood Abbie Et, owned by Sweet Peas Holsteins, Susquehanna, Pennsylvania.
Five-year-old: Luck E Absolute Tango, owned by James Dunn, New Ringgold, Pennsylvania.
Six years and over: Luck E Goldwyn Aaliyah Et, owned by Jesse Kline, Myerstown, Pennsylvania.
150,000-pound cow: Lakevue Goldwyn Martina Et, owned by J. Travis Couch, Huntingdon, Pennsylvania.
Best three females: Sweet Peas Holsteins, owned by Lloyd and Denise Pease, Susquehanna, Pennsylvania.
Produce of dam: Arethusa Dundee Melissa, owned by Sweet Peas Holsteins, Susquehanna, Pennsylvania.
Dam and daughter: Shady Row Dundee Daphne, owned by Coy Campbell, Gratz, Pennsylvania.
Progressive genetics herd
The Pennsylvania Holstein Association recognized 53 Pennsylvania Holstein breeders who received the Progressive Genetics Herd Award.
Here are some of the herds with the longest-winning records.
25 years: Roger and David Latuch, Rockwood, Pennsylvania.
23 years: Brian Ruch, Andreas, Pennsylvania; Kirby and Sheryl Horst, Newmanstown, Pennsylvania; and Penn-England, Williamsburg, Pennsylvania.
22 years: Michael and Jill Ammon, Lewistown, Pennsylvania.
Progressive breeder registry herd
Forty-eight Pennsylvania Holstein members were honored with the Progressive Breeder Registry Award.
The top winner was Keystone Farm, of Easton, Pennsylvania. They received the award for the 50th time in 2015. And not too far behind is Penn Dell Farms, of Spring Mills, Pennsylvania, which has earned the award for 44 years.
