March 17, 2010
News Release
By: Cynthia L. Warner—FARMSHINE CORRESPONDENT
MARYLAND BROWN SWISS ASSOCIATION HOSTS ANNUAL MEETING
Breeders Recognized with Awards
Jefferson, MD.—The Maryland Brown Swiss breeders gathered recently at the Frederick County 4-H Camp Center for their Annual meeting and awards banquet. The interest in the Brown Swiss breed continues to maintain positive support, as evidenced by nearly 100 breeders, members, and friends in attendance. This well attended meeting continues to prove the interest and popularity of the breed here in Maryland, and surrounding states.
“It’s great to see such support on an evening when we recognize the achievements of the adult and junior members,” said Allen Bassler, National Director, who travels from Virginia to attend, and is also a member of the Maryland Association.
Maryland once again posted another successful year throughout the state, but also had much success on the national level. Maryland continues to make an impact and presence in the All American contest, the Bellringer contest, and the sales arena on a national level. “We hold our own in comparison with much larger states,” said Cindy Warner, President of the Maryland Brown Swiss association. “Even though Maryland is small in size, we continue to be highly competitive in the show ring, the sale ring, and in the production ring,” said Warner. “When people think of Maryland, they think of high quality Brown Swiss, and that is what we have.” A report on the upcoming Mid Atlantic Brown Swiss Calf sale was then given by Dennis Smith, “This sale is on Saturday, April 17, at the Frederick Fairgrounds in Frederick, Maryland. “This year we have several selections from “EX-90” to “EX-94” dams with lots of potential. There is a great selection of September, December, June/July calves, as well as a strong group of March calves. And new to the sale we are selling some older animals, a high pedigreed group of spring yearlings. The pedigrees are strong, and the calves match up,” Smith concluded. For more information on the sale and a catalog, contact Cindy Warner at 301-639-6887, or Dennis Smith at 301-471-3215—they are the cell phone numbers.
Maryland Brown Swiss breeders were then presented with Production awards by Tom Remsberg.
Winning the production award for 20 cows or more went to Cletus and Janice Frey, Smithsburg, MD. with 24,628 ECM on 28 cows. In the category of 19 cows or less—the production award went to Cindy Warner, Round Hill Swiss at Bulldog Holsteins, Frederick, MD. with 24,156 ECM on 5 cows.
All records are calculated to ECM—Energy Corrected Milk
The following were the winners in the Individual Awards:
--Milking Yearling: Hoodstead Alloy Honeysuckle 1-11 305d 22,302 ECM
--Jr. 2-year-old: Windy Springs Goober Bess 2-1 305d 24,928 ECM
Owner: Cletus & Janice Frey, Smithsburg, MD.
-Sr. 2-year-old: Hoodstead Dyn Blueberry ET 2-11 305d 25,335 ECM
Owner: Scott & Judy Hood, Middletown, MD.
Jr. 3-year-old: Fair Hill Legacy Blitzen 3-0 305d 31,948 ECM
Owner: Dylan Fry, Chestertown, MD.
Sr. 3-year-old: Melodys Lulabelle 3-11 305d 29,744 ECM
Owner: Cletus & Janice Frey, Smithsburg, MD.
4 year-old: Windy Springs MHank Sarina 4-7 305d 29,864 ECM
Owner: Cletus & Janice Frey, Smithsburg, MD.
5-year-old: Maplecove Anthem Nice 5-0 305d 36,544 ECM
Owner: Dylan Fry, Chestertown, MD.
6-year-old: Dublin Hills Sasha 6-9 29,357 ECM
Owner: Nichelle Upton, Woodsboro, MD.
Lifetime (over 200,000 lbs. milk)
Windsor Acres Simon Peppy 9 Lac. 4858d 244,780m 9590f 8224p
Another highlight of the meeting was the Youth report given by Scott and Judy Hood, Youth Directors.
Record Book Winners were:
Junior Division; 1. Grant Zimmerman; 2. Kayla Lenhart; 3. Joshua Hubbard & Jonathan Hubbard (tied for 3rd)
Intermediate Division: 1. Kristin Myers; 2. Nichelle Upton; 3. Matthew Lenhart
Senior Division: 1. Nicole Hood; 2. Daniel Myers; 3. Jeffrey Hubbard
And Ethan Hood, Libertytown, MD. was the recipient of the Sweepstakes Showmanship honor, given to a Junior member who has excelled in the Fitting and Showing competition at the 2009 Maryland Brown Swiss State show.
A new highlight of the evening was the Maryland Swiss Miss and Swiss Princess selections, coordinated by Scott and Judy Hood. In the past this was an event held at the Maryland State Fair, but will now be an annual contest/selection at the spring annual meeting. “This way the new Swiss Miss and Princess will be prepared to start the new year with shows, banquets, and other events on a new year basis,” said Scott Hood.
Newly crowned Maryland Swiss Miss is Nicole Hood, Middletown, MD., and the new Swiss Princess is Nichelle Upton, Woodsboro, MD.
Another highlight of the meeting was the recognition for the Brown Swiss Scholarship given out that evening. Jennifer K. Hill of the scholarship committee announced and congratulated the winners. The following received a $500 scholarship—they were Hannah Thompson, Amy Yeiser, and Samantha Garst.
Bellringer awards were given out for the State level.
The reigning Maryland Swiss Miss Brittany Cole gave the Milk Toast to start the evening, and Maryland Swiss Princess; Nicole Hood gave the invocation before the meal.
The Junior Club Officers were elected and announced:
President: Jeffrey Hubbard
Vice-President: Daniel Myers
Secretary: Nicole Hood
Historian: Kristin Myers
Reporter: Nichelle Upton
Dave Wallace, the new Executive Secretary for the National Brown Swiss association was our guest from the national office. Dave assumed this new position on January 1, 2010. He brings much experience to his new job with the registered cattle business. Dave was raised on a registered Ayrshire farm in Ohio, where his family bred and owned the 1968 National Champion female. After graduating from Central State University, Dave worked at Vaucluse Jersey Farm until meeting his wife, Paula, and became involved with his father-in –law at Mackayr farm. He has experience in classifying, and became involved with farm management. He was operations manager for Carrousel Holsteins, and was the farm manager for Cedar Lane Farm in New Jersey.
Wallace is making his rounds and attending state meetings, and sales, and getting to know the people. He brought a positive message to the meeting which included more efficiency in the operations at the national office. “The turn around time on registrations have improved greatly,” said Wallace. He advocates that he will have an “open-door” policy, listening and taking suggestions, and assures the members “that he is here to work for you.” The Brown Swiss association is also working on classification programs with other breeds—an interbreed cooperation project. Wallace said how he has enjoyed working with the national Board of Directors and they will strive to do the best job possible for the association and the breed. Wallace stated, “I have really noticed how much Brown Swiss breeders like to talk positive about their cows and their herds, which continues to show the good people behind the good Brown Swiss and their products will maintain and ensure future success.”
Allen Bassler, District III Director addressed the issue on registering animals on line. “First of all it helps cut costs, and that is such a benefit to the association,” said Allen. “These are services and benefits to all of us.” Allen also stressed how important it is to support the Brown Swiss Bulletin with advertising. He said, “If each breeder would advertise at least once a year—it would really make a difference.” Allen challenged the group with this message, and encouraged breeders to help make a difference and advertise in the Bulletin.
It was also announced that Maryland will be hosting the National Brown Swiss Convention in 2011 in Frederick, Maryland. The dates are July 6-9, 2011 at the FSK Holiday Inn, Frederick, MD., with the sale scheduled at the Frederick Fairgrounds.
Warner also wanted to bring attention to the Maryland Brown Swiss website that continues to post information on activities, events, and other happenings in the state—and the website for this is www.marylandbrownswiss.org-- Please visit us and see what is going on!! The Mid Atlantic Calf sale will be posted on this site – so you can view the whole catalog and consignments.
The show committee reported the Maryland Brown Swiss State show will be held on Saturday, July 31, 2010 at the Frederick Fairgrounds, and will be promoted to invite breeders from out of state. This is a new venue, and the association views it as a positive step in making a great show with a lot of participation and good competition for all. There will be a fitting and showing contest the night before for the youth, and a picnic and fellowship to follow. Please mark July 31, 2010 for this new and exciting Brown Swiss show event in Frederick, Maryland. It will start at 9:30 am with Jake Hushon, Wisconsin doing the judging.
Concluding the program was the election of officers: They were as follows:
President—Cindy Warner
Vice-President—Dennis Smith
Secretary—Emmy Covell
Treasurer—Kathy Whitman
Directors: Tom Remsberg, Scott Hood, Jennifer K. Hill, and newly elected Director was Brad Garst.