A Brown County dairy farm family has been chosen as the recipients of Holstein Association USA's Elite Breeder Award. Emerald Acres of DePere is owned by Paul and Debbie, Ted and Lana, and Don and Joyce Ossmann, and Dr. Scott Armbrust. They will be honored next week at the National Holstein Convention in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The award recognizes a member who bred outstanding animals, making a notable contribution to the advancement of the Holstein breed in the United States.
The farm was established in 1942 by the Ossmann brothers' parents. Paul and Debbie, Ted and Lana, and Don and Joyce became partners in the farm in 1973. In 2006, they built a free stall barn and parlor for their 400 cows and continue to milk 70 cows in a separate tie-stall barn.
The Ossmanns breed high type cows with strong production and an emphasis on components. More than 300 of their cows have produced over 100,000 pounds of Lifetime Milk. Over the years they have bred 90 Excellent females, 10 Excellent males, 54 Gold Medal Dams, and 49 Dams of Merit. Emerald Acres’ genetics have influenced Holsteins worldwide through superior cows and sires alike.
The lives of the Ossmann family and Dr. Armbrust were forever changed by one cow, purchased at the 1986 National Holstein Convention sale in Milwaukee. The friends walked away from the sale with a partnership on Ripvalley NA Bell Tammy EX-94 2E, GMD, DOM. Tammy would go on to become Bell's highest scoring daughter, produce 160 embryos, and have over 30 bulls in A.I. nationally and internationally.
Other farm favorites that have impacted their herd include Fischer-Heights Elton Crown VG-88, GMD, DOM, Mayerlane-SA BWM Misty-ET EX-94 3E, GMD, DOM, and Kuipercrest Valiant Ann-ET EX-91, DOM.
Categories: Wisconsin, Livestock, Dairy Cattle