By Ashley Abbott

The 2015 World Dairy Expo will certainly go down in the books as an amazing show from top to bottom, but for one herd in particular, 2015 was truly record-breaking. For the first time in history, there were three breed champions exhibited by the same farm, MilkSource Genetics. Such an amazing feat had only been a dream until this year when it became a reality.


Beginning with Musqie Iatola Martha-ET, the Champion Jersey who earned the slap from judge Michael Heath with her style and balance.


Then Strans-Jen D Tequila-Red, who came out on top of the super competitive Red & White Show.


And lastly, the stunning Lovhill Goldwyn Katrysha, the Holstein who was eventually blanketed as the Supreme Champion of the 2015 World Dairy Expo.

When Jim Ostrom, President of MilkSource Genetics, was asked if he had thought, going into this year’s expo, that he would be coming out with three champions, he said, “The short answer is absolutely not, we had no idea. Early in the week, we told the team that it’s the best string of cows that we will ever work with, and we should enjoy the moment regardless of what the outcome is because they are truly spectacular.”

Many people wonder what the “secret” is to having such massive success in the show ring. Ostrom, along with Herd Manager, Jamie Endvick shed some light on this. Both concur that these animals are truly developed throughout their entire lives, and they feel grateful to have been able to continue developing these cows that were started by great breeders.

At MilkSource Genetics, they say preparation for the show starts a year or more ahead of time. It starts with knowing the ideal calving time for each cow in order for her to be “on the money” for the show season. Then it is crucial to get them bred in a certain window of time to make that happen. Beyond that, it is the balancing of nutrition, the regular leading, washing, clipping, and task of making sure that they get bred back to calve in the right time frame for the following show season. MilkSource also takes special care to build a connection between their team and the cows. This is of utmost importance, especially at the show, for the team to know how each cow will react to the circumstances, and how to best manage their reactions and keep them stress-free.

Endvick sites their three “keys” to success as teamwork, passion, and bonding. Teamwork is vital, because as with any great team, each member has their own area of expertise, but they have to know how to work together to achieve a common goal. Endvick works with these cows 365 days a year to make sure that they are nurtured as well as any cows anywhere. Joel Kietzman manages the show string before and during shows, and he has a way with both humans and cows that allow him to bring out the best in both halves of the team. And Ryan Krohlow is a rising star in the show cow world and prepares the MilkSource cows to reach their fullest potential.

 Passion is what keeps them focused day in and day out. And bonding allows the human half of the team to work harmoniously with the cow half of the team. Ostrom adds, “The animal is the key; beyond that it is the expertise we put into caring for the animal.”

The team of Jamie Endvick, Joel Kietzman, Ryan Krohlow, and many other people- all have a crucial role, and it is their expertise in their field that enhances the success of cows like, Tequila, Martha, and Katrysha the three champions from World Dairy Expo.

When asked about future goals for MilkSource Genetics, Ostrom humbly notes, “A fellow exhibitor asked me what we were going to do to top this, and the truth is nothing. We will never top this and we know that.” He explains that after the show we just go back to developing animals to be competitive.

 Ten years ago, one of the goals of MilkSource Genetics was to get a ribbon at World Dairy Expo, and Ostrom believes, “That’s as good a goal today as it was then.”

 When asked if these history making ladies will make another appearance this fall, MilkSource states that final decisions have not been made, but there is a chance that all three will be making the trip to the Royal.