Despite canceling its annual convention due to the pandemic, the Wisconsin Holstein Association will still recognized two Registered Holstein dairy herds with its top awards. This week, the group announced that Erik and Brenda Gilbertson of Hollandale earned the 2021 Distinguished Young Holstein Breeders Award, and the late-Glenn and Joann Brewer of Glenn-Ann Holsteins near Albany have been named Distinguished Holstein Breeders of the Year.
The Gilbertsons are the fourth generation to operate their farm. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Farm & Industry Short Course, Erik farmed with his father, Mark, while also working off the farm at shows and sales. When his dad suffered a stroke in 2004, Erik made the decision to take over the operation full-time. He and Brenda were married in 2009, and farmed in partnership with Mark until purchasing the farm in full four years ago.
The herd, which has a BAA of 111.1, currently houses 18 Excellent cows, 24 Very Good cows and seven Good Plus cows. They plan to continue breeding cows that produce good components while also exemplifying good type and longevity.
Meanwhile, Glenn and Joann Brewer grew up just a few miles apart, both graduating from Albany High School in 1962. Glenn attended UW-Platteville to run cross-country and stayed in Grant County after graduation, teaching agriculture and becoming a loan officer. Joann got her teaching degree and taught school in the same area. After their children where born, they decided to move back to their hometown and raise their kids on the farm.
Glenn always believed that consistency in feeding and milking was key to a successful herd. Heifers needed to be well cared for and fed to have large frames so they can calve in at 23 to 26 months. Cows needed to be fertile enough to calve regularly and healthy to remain in the herd for a long time. This philosophy earned Glenn-Ann Holsteins a spot on Holstein Association USA's Herds of Excellence list in 2016, one of only four herds honored that year.
Glenn passed away in February of 2020 and Joann lost her own battle with cancer a short time later. The decision was then made to start selling the milking herd privately after the August 2020 classification, which resulted in a 109.6 BAA.
The recipients and their families of both awards will be recognized at the Wisconsin Dairy Showcase on May 1 at the Jefferson County Fair Park.
Categories: Wisconsin, Livestock, Dairy Cattle