Wisconsin Ag Connection - 'Bethany' Named Holstein Association's 'Star of the Breed'

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'Bethany' Named Holstein Association's 'Star of the Breed'
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 05/19/2015

A Registered Holstein cow from Sauk County is getting some nationwide attention these days. 'Pineylawn Jasper Bethany,' owned by the Mike & Valerie Holschbach family of Heatherstone Enterprises near Baraboo, has been named Holstein Association USA's 2014 'Star of the Breed.' In its ninth year, this award recognizes the total package of the animal, which must excel in both the showring and milking barn to be eligible for such a distinction.

Bethany was bred by Ed Monstma of Pineylawn Acres in Fond du Lac. The Holschbachs purchased her in April 2013, where she has since produced 46,920 pounds of milk in her third lactation.

Scored Excellent-94 in her latest classification evaluation, Bethany has placed fifth as a five-year-old in her classes at both the Midwest Spring National Show and the Midwest Fall National Show last year.

To be eligible for the Star of the Breed award, a cow must place in the top five in her class at a National Holstein Show in the award year, be in a herd enrolled in the TriStar program and have an official classification score.

Meanwhile, the Holstein Association also announced that two Wisconsin breeders were among four in the nation to earn 'Herd of Excellence' awards this year. They include Tom Kestell, Ever-Green-View Farms, Waldo; and Steve and Amanda Killian, Dirt-Road Holsteins, Blair.

Herds must be 25 percent above breed average Mature Equivalent for milk, fat, and protein; have classified within the last year and have an actual average classification score of 83 points or higher to be eligible for the award.

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