By Gary Smith

            With every National Holstein Convention, there is a National Sale.  So it goes with the Convention of  '66.  It was on June 2 at the Livestock Pavilion at Central and Tyler Road in northwest Wichita, Ks. - almost out in the farming community of Sedgwick county, which is now the Schofield Honda car dealership. 

            My Dad, Merlin Smith, had promised to take me to the Convention sale.  I wanted to go to the all-Kansas show also and watch our milk tester, Mildred Moore, show her Sr. Yearling heifer.  She stood 3^rd.  But I think there was probably too much field work, hay to put up or maybe school was barely out and too much catching up on work to do.

            But anyway, by about 8:30 of sale day, we were on our way.  Wichita was only about an hour away from our farm but it seemed like 2 or 3.  I was really excited to see some of these cows since my first registered calf was now in the barn and expectations were high.  We had purchased her in our state sale that spring from Carl Knudson.  I knew of a calf or two in the Convention sale and I mentioned the fact that maybe we might . . .  however,  I was never encouraged.

            We arrived at the fairgrounds and as I recall parking was at somewhat of a premium.  I piled out of the pickup and hurried my Dad towards the barns, only to find out that all the show cattle had already gone home.  To a 15 year old kid that had waited all week to see those show cattle that was a big let down, but that was soon taken care of when we began to look at the sale cattle.

            Wow!  I had never seen udders the like of what some of those cows were carrying, or the size and frame.  Our calves at home were not near that big, nor were they fancy.  Lot 27 was my choice – a

Romandale Reflection Marquis daughter from a cow named Romandale Cora – Reserve All Canadian

Aged Cow '62, consigned by a syndicate out of Washington state.  The two DeWerff cows looked so good.  They both had great body and tremendous udders.  They're about the only cows I remember.  Amd that's because the DeWerffs, Mildred Moore, Carl Knudson, Hobart McVay were the only people I knew and so I remembered the DeWerff's cows.  There was one other cow that did catch my attention, BSH Bessie Iron Liege – Ex, a six-year old cow milking 131# a day that had been 2x All Nebraska in milking form.  Later in the sale she sold for $2200.  A really fine cow!

            The sale began late, as I recall, to a standing room only crowd.  My Dad and I made it to the bleachers before they were full.  Chairs were down in front several rows deep.  Ladies wore dresses and there were some hats.  Men were in shirts and ties, some in suits, some in jeans like my Dad and myself

but all eyes were fixed on lot #1 as he came into the ring.

            Lot #1 – Fultonway Johann – male – a yearling son of Gray View Crisscross out of an Ex 92 daughter of Osborndale Ivanhoe, with records to  29408 m 4.3% 1260F at 10 years - 2^nd Dame Ex – GMD – 176,000 life - 3^rd Dam – GMD – 3x Grand at Rhode Island.  After some brisk bidding and then some work for the last few bids, he was sold for $25,000 to ABS.  The highest price since the 1920 Convention Sale.

            Second high animal was another son of Crisscross, this time out of Our Ramona (Ex – 92 – 752F), a cow that traced to a strong Kansas maternal line from the Phillips Brothers, formerly of Manhattan, Ks.  His price, $10,000 from Italy.

            Third high price and the last male in the sale was Gray View Calina.  His sire was Ja-Sal Skyliner Belina, son of Snowboots.  His dam was the Ex – 92 Crisco – GMD – daughter of the “Crissy” cow Ex – 93 – GMD.  Bringing $8,000, he made his home at Curtiss Stud.

            No bulls were consigned by Kansas breeders, but when it came to the cows – what a day the Wheat State had.

                        Lot 7    Kanza Skyhawk Bonnie Babe – VG 89 - $6750.

                                    She was consigned by Schneider Bros. - Salina, Ks.

                                    Purchased by E-L-V Apache Ranch – LaPeer, Michigan

                                    Contender – a group of Kansas breeders headed by John Carlin

                        Lot 5    Ken-Ver-Neil Count Fancy – VG 89 - $3900

                                    She was consigned by Chester DeWerff and Sons, Ellinwood, Ks.

                                    Purchased by Cerveceria Centro Americana Guatemala

                        Lot 4    Ken-Ver-Neil Count Sugar – Ex - $3800

                                    All American 3 year old – 1964

                                    She was consigned by Chester DeWerff and Sons, Ellinwood, Ks.

                                    Purchased by Harris Wilcox, Bergen, NY

                        Lot 8    Ideal Daisy May Reflector – Ex - $2100

                                    She was consigned by Patricia Wine, Salina, Ks.

                                    Purchased by Henry (Sonny) Bartel, Wisconsin

                        Lot 11  Heersche Leader Susan - $2,000

                                    She was consigned by Heersche Bros., Mulvane, Ks.

                                    Purchased by E. Richard Lomen, Ossian, Iowa

                        Lot 10  Le-Del Royal Fobes Bonnie – VG 87 - $1400

                                    She was consigned by Lester & Delmar Conner, Lyons, Ks.

                                    Purchased by Loren Hamm, Hooker, Okla.

                        Lot 9    Bar-Lee Whiz Marilyn – VG 87 - $1300                    Lot 9 ½ male - $150

                                    She was consigned by Luther Shetlar, Conway Spring, Ks.

                                    Purchased by L.H. Modesitt, Thayer, Ks.

            The sale average was $3236 for 37 head.  The Kansas cattle average was $3035 on 7 head with none of the bulls - a tremendous feat, almost the average of the sale.  The Bonnie Babe cow went on to score 92 and was in ELV Apache ads for years to come.  DeWerff's fancy cow went to Guatemala where she produced a bull calf by Marquis that became quite influential in that country and she became  quite a brood cow.  The other DeWerff cow, Sugar, came back to Kansas and established a great cow family at Ell-Bar Farms. 

            The '66 National Convention was a great time for all those who attended.  The friendships, the contacts, the knowledge and the dollars that would exchange hands as a result of these few days in early June of 1966 will long be remembered many.  Oh, by the way, that fancy calf by Marquis, Lot 27, that I liked so much and wanted to buy went for $6200 and returned to her breeder, Romandale Farms in Canada.  We never even got to bid on her.  She was second high female of the Convention sale.

            The decade of the 60's was upon us and Kansas Holstein had never seen such a time in the history of the organization.  Breeders were placing numerous bulls in stud of which a few notables were: Ideal Fury Reflector, Thonyma Royal Prince, Heersche Reflector Count, Tidy Burke Elevation, and Ideal Burke Lopez.  These are but a few and only one dimension of what was going on with Kansas Holsteins in the 60's.

            Lakefield Fond Hope had come and gone on to better and greater things in Canada, all the while leaving his mark in Kansas.  Three young national holstein Boys had either come back to Kansas and begun to work with their fathers on the family farm or gone on to work in ag as James Shetlar did, becomings a veterinarian.  The other two young men were Delmar Conner of LeDel Holsteins and John Carlin of Carlin's Hilltop Holsteins and we know that both have been successful in the years to follow.

            But the climax of all of our Kansas breeders, the pinnacle of, or the turning point of their Holstein careers was the very successful 1966 Holstein National Convention held in Wichita, Kansas, May 26 – June 2.

            The first 4 days involved committee meetings at the Lassen Motor Hotel.  Delegates did not arrive until the 29^th and the 30^th.  Monday, 30^th, was “Host Day” and there was a workshop for State Paper Editors. (I would have liked to have been there.)  There were over 20 - 30 papers in publication at that time.  The only activities for Host Day were the All-Kansas Black and White Show at noon and the Kansas Bar-B-Q, both at the 4-H Club Fairgrounds at the corner of Tyler and Central in West Wichita.

            The morning of the show dawned with the wind blowing and temperatures rising.  By show time, the winds had calmed to a very mild breeze, the hot sun had gone behind a cloud, and it was 11:55 and the bull calves were called to line up, and at 12:00 sharp, the show began as schedules with Eugene Nelson, Union Grove, Wisconsin, as judge.  T. Hobart McVey was the announcer.  Ed Call of K-State, Holstein Fieldman Jim Edwards, and Bob Strickler all assisted in the ring.

            Seventeen class winners were shown by twelve exhibitors with twelve others sharing reserve honors and third place.  Elmer Dawdy and the Pretz Farm both won 3 classes.  Elevation Farms had 2 All-Kansas awards and the rest were handed out individually.

The Bulls

            A total of 22 bulls were shown.  First prize Bull Calf was shown by Chet Unruh and Lauren Enns, Rock Home Sunshine.  First Jr. Yearling bull was Pretz Burke Idol shown by Pretz Farm, a son of Wis Burke Ideal.  A son of Harborcrest Sunshine won the Sr. Yearling class for Charles Koch, Silverfield Sunshine.

            There were six 2-year old bulls with the winning entry belonging to Rottinghaus Holsteins with

Plain-O Ann Hendrick, son of Corlan Farms Ivanhoe Deacon.  Carlins of Smolan showed the single entry in the Aged Bull class, Butzridge Ivanhoe Dandy.  He was an Ivanhoe son that was strong on top with good shoulder and moved well on his feet and legs.  And, as usual, no Champions were placed.

The Females

            Before we start this portion of the show of  '66, just let me say that Kansas Breeders literally “pulled out all the stops” when it came to the female show.  There are cows in this show that had been Grand or Reserve, nominated AA, etc., that didn't even get to the top five; some barely made the top 10.   I believe every female that was All-Kansas or Reserve All-Kansas was homebred except maybe one.  And I am pretty certain that in the Heifer Calf class at least one maybe two went on to be Gold Medal Dams or some other breed honors.  That feat I know happened in the cow classes as Elevation Farms had the famed produce of full sisters out, need I say more about the depth and quality of that day.

            Heifer Calves – 22 head shown.  1^st to a dairy and well balanced, open ribbed daughter of

                        Heersche Reflector Count owned by Chester DeWerff and Sons.  2^nd to Higher View

                        Model Fob Gwen of Higher View Dairy. 

                        The DeWerff heifer would go on to become GMD and score 91 pts.  The Higher View                              heifer   was nominated All American Sr. Yearling 1967 and 2 year old in 1968.

            Sr. Yearling Class

                        1^st was Pretz Useful Echo – Pretz Farms

                        2^nd was Strickler Merrit Flo – Strickler Holsteins

                        The first place heifer was a daughter of the Useful bull and a dam that scored in the

                        70's.  Just one of the reasons that George chaned the bull's name from Useless to

                        Useful.

            Junior Get of Sire

                        1^st was Thonyma Burke Mose Useful – Pretz Farms    (yet another reason to change his                             name from Useless to Useful.)

                        2^nd was Thonyma Marquis – Chester DeWerff and Sons

            Milking Classes

                        Now we start on milking classes the Kansas way.  When I started showing, I had been to             enough local, county, and state 4-H shows to know that when the milking classes started

                        the competition really began.  And, usually they would start with the 2 yr olds, or once

                        in a blue moon, the dry cows (but usually those were shown at the end of the Jr. Females

                        or end of the milking classes).  But folks, we are now in Kansas and unless the creek ran             dry or the sun didn't come up that morning – we started at a designated time with Aged                             Cows.  Done it for years, can't tell you why, don't ask me, if you really want to know . . .

                        go ask Elmer D.  So . ..

                        Age Cows – 18 head

                        “Best class of all around udders I have ever judged” said judge Nelson.  “One of the                                 most powerful cows with tremendous width of chest, tall and thin necked” was what

                        he said of the winner.

                                    Elevation Burke Hyacinth – Dawdy 

                        Next, a paternal sister with more length of fore udder and perhaps better balanced and

                        admired by many at ringside.

                                    Tidy Burke Ormsby Pontiac - Dawdy

                        3^rd was Bob Siemens with his great Lopez daughter.

                                    R & L Ideal Hester - Siemens

                        4^Th – Carlins with their Pathfinder

                                    Eureka Pathfinder Hazel – Carlin Farms

                        5^th & 6^th were two of Elevation Farms Tidy Burke Elevation daughters.

                                    5^Th – Elevation Burke Lucy – Elevation Farms

                                    6^th – Perfection DeKol Burke – Elevation Farms

                        4 year olds – 8 head

                        First won on being tighter in her fore udder.  First and second were two of the better

                        cows to ever walk the Kansas prairies.  The first one needs no introduction, Elevation

                        Burke Lochinvar – Ex96, GMD – did so many things right.  The second cow I followed

                        from the first time I ever saw her and as many times as I saw her.  She was a big white

                        cow, angular frame, good udder;  and as time went along, a pretty good brood cow.

                        1^st        Elevation Burke Lochinvar – Elevation Farms

                        2^nd       Heersche Captain Pansy – Heersche Bros.

                        3 year olds – 18 head

                        This class was won by a great daughter of Ormsby Burke Pontiac Mose.  She won on                                her stature, length of body, and even though I wasn't there I'm pretty sure, best udder in

                        class as she was never defeated all year for that honor.  Second was a grand daughter of

                        “Mose.”

                        1^st        Strickler Mose Betty – Strickler Farms

                        2^nd       Kanawaka BG Lucky Duchess – Frances Wempe

                        2 year olds – 18 head

                        A very competitive class but Hilltop Dairy finally won out.  In second was Chet Unruh's

                        Rock Home Carey Ruthann who later on during the convention sold to Chambric Farms

                        in Illinois.

                        1^st        Hilltop Don Jessie Jan – Hilltop Dairies

                        2^nd       Rock Home Carey Ruthann – Chet Unruh

                        Unfreshened 2 year old – 7 head

                        First place was Torks Crisscross Pat.  I'm not sure when she sold, but she did sell to the

                        judge Eugene Nelson, Gray View Farms, Wis.  She became a major player in their get of

                        Gray View Crisscross;  Get that was nominated AA in the late 60's and a good cow in

                        her own right.

                        1^st        Torks Crisscross Pat – Torks Farm

                        2^nd       Bo-lan Leader Fond Nan – Herb Bowman

                        Sr. Get of Sire – 5

                        1^st        Dawdy on Tidy Burke Cornerstone

                        2^nd       Elevation Farms Tidy Burke Elevation

                        3^rd        DeWerff – Heersche Reflector Count

                        Best 3 Females

                        1^st        Dawdy

                        2^nd       Elevation

                        3^rd        DeWerff

                        Produce of dam

                        1^st        Elevation Victory Lochinvar – Elevation Farms

                        2^nd       Elmer Dawdy

                        3^rd        Heersche Demonstrator Milly – Heersche Bros.  (Included Heersche Captain

                                    Pansy)

            In retrospect, looking back at a show that took placed 50 years ago and that I learned about

by reading over time and watching these cows at other shows, seeing them at their farms, ete. I learned that this was not one of the biggest shows Kansas ever held (and I'm sure that there are some names missing  that would hae made it not only larger, but even stronger) but one with great quality and impact;  a great aged cow class, 4 year old class,  a 3 year old and reserve 2 year old  that went on to do great things at the national level, and a unfreshened 2 year old that developed into a great cow in later years.  Then there were the 2 heifer calves that stamped their names in history – how many calves go on to be notable cows?  The bull calf was eventually sold to Mexico after leaving Kansas a great group of cows.  The Jr. Yearling bull went on into Stud after he sired a Jr. AA 2 year old here in Kansas.  The Aged Bull did a great job for Carlin Farms and went to NOBA, I believe.   The Produce of Dam was nominated that year for AA and one other year.  And, with their other full sister, Edna, wrote page after page of Holstein history, both male and female.

            This was a show for the decades. These 159 head,  both in their breeding during their lifetimes

and in the future generations, would definitely leave a legacy that participants that day could be proud of and a page in history that all of us are aware of.  This was one of those shows when we are able to look back and read about, realize it was of the Golden Age of breeding Holsteins.  Times were good,yes we lived thru tough times, but what farmer didn't?  We all  grew up watching men land on the moon and UCLA basketball have phenominal success and the era of  the Golden Age of Holsteins was just beginning and Kansas was in on it big time with this show.   These were great times with great people that led us in Kansas and bred some more great cows, so hope you have enjoyed this as much as I have researching and writing.

A report on the happenings of the Vernon & Marian DeWerff family after many years away from milking cows.  I was invited to have lunch with them one day this spring and then they invited me back to spend the night and have a wonderful breakfast the next morning.  So, while there, I reminded Marian she had written many articles as a Western District reporter and done some guest writing for the Kansas Quarterly and Kansas Holsteins.  After a bit of coaxing, here is her report on things as they currently stand at the Ell-Bar Farm.

Insights and Thoughts from “An Old Timer” by Marian DeWerff

            Surprise!  Surprise!  We're both still around and still living on The Farm.  Years ago I had

commented that Vernon would still be showing his beloved black and whites even if he had to use a cane.  Father Time changes our minds and our bodies and after some major surgery in January, 2016, and etc. etc., he is now using a cane but no thoughts of showing cattle again.  We kept wondering when  “our time” of health issues would come our way, but looking around and seeing others with health issues, we are very fortunate indeed. 

            Picking our farm name years ago, after the father and two sons dissolved the partnership of Ken Ver Neil, we had selected the name Ell-Bar Farm.  Generic enough so that any one of our 3 sons could take over.  Ha Ha.  No one wanted the 24/7 job of milking cows.  FYI:  Ell represents Ellinwood, and Bar stands for Barton County.  Son Wayne and grandson Seth, who helped show cattle for many many years, loved the showing part but certainly not the hours.  Wayne continues teaching and lives close by and Seth is doing an internship with Crop Quest in Colorado.  (First week:  check the growing crop after scraping off several inches of snow.)  Because of son John and his closebyness (is that a word?) we can still live where we want.  At the present time we don't have a black and white on the farm and because of that we had to buy another ride around mower to keep the 5 corrals looking decent.  John's daughter, Ruthann Spare, has come back to help her Dad with the farming operation.  Her engineer husband drives an hour to his work each day.  During the busy season, he comes directly from work, going to the field where we are harvesting or helps with the planting.  Up until Vernon's major surgery, we both had been driving tractors, pulling grain carts, or he was driving the semi.  Only the Lord and time will determine the days ahead.  Thankfully I'm still ready to go and do at a moments notice, being involved in many community and church activities.  I'm still on our Seminary Board at Sioux Falls, and currently serving second term on our Barton College Foundation Board, which definitely got me out of my comfort zone but I enjoy very much.  Life is still GOOD but you oldies know Changes must come!!!  The awe moment for our 63^rd anniversary was sitting in the 26^th row in Royals Stadium watching the second game of the World Series.  (Our driver to KC was also included.) 

            It's been interesting to observe how our involvement with the Dairy Industry has reached into the lives of our sons.  For instance, son Don met George Pretz at a convention in Wichita;  George as a county commissioner and Don as an employee of the state.  They “chewed the fat” of old days about junior shows and state fairs.  Wayne reminds Margie (Schneider) Pretz that she only got champion showman because she had on a short skirt and was very cute.  An IFYE from Wisconsin inquired if Don knew a Vernie DeWerff and was amazed he was his Dad.  That same IFYE inquired about Ivan Strickler and perhaps at a later time he can visit Steve who is still “running” Strickler Farms.  Small world!

            Technology is great and I'm not the greatest with all this high tech, but Facebook has given me many opportunities to “hook up” with old friends.  However, when Dallas Burton was killed, we had no knowledge of it until 3 months later.  Our sympathy to his wife and sons.  The Dairy Industry lost a great man when Ed Call passed away, and we were grateful when we were notified by Dick Dunham.  (Dick and Evelyn are still going strong and Jo Call is adjusting to her different life.)  Perhaps with this good technology, some of the young people can figure out how to get the news out faster to us.  Close by neighbor, Delmar Conner, and Gary Smith – thanks for updating us at times.  Good to read about the Leach Dairy and how the girls are still showing and growing.  Many of you readers remember Tony Whitehill and his dad, Wayne, from Mo.  What you don't know is that they had a walnut grove and shared many logs with us that we brought home in a cattle trailer one year.  Vernon made them a coffee and end tables as a thank you, and now many years later he has made a mission style queen size bed with matching night stand, cedar chest, heirloom hall tree with chest, and this year, with our grandson in love, they made a beautiful baby bed for our first great grand baby coming in July.  Also, he made a small table for another grandson getting married next March.  Our kids and grand kids certainly didn't get married and multiply like Vernon and I did so many years ago.  College and jobs were high priority for them and we're OK with that, but we are really excited to finally be GREAT!

            I can't recall the last part of this quotation about . . . A dairy farmer never dies, he just . . .   My ending might be . . . he lives a long and good life because of all the milk, butter and ice cream he/she has consumed over all the many years.  My BIG question though is this . . . What does a dairyman do with a used 1000 gallon bulk tank??????  We can't find anyone to take it for free.  I want to take down the old milking parlor but need to find how to dispose of this huge tank.  Any takers?  Any ideas?  I've totally exhausted my ideas and may have to take it to the iron disposal.  What do the other do when they retire from milking?

            We're looking forward to joining others for the food, fun, fellowship at the 100^th year celebration hosted by the Holstein Association.  The dinner is in Salina on May 26^th at 5:00 PM.

Hope to see many of you oldie goldies there as well as the new generation of milkers.

            This article is written by one who's been there, done that and still enjoys drinking milk and eating lots of ice cream.  Wishing you all the best life that comes from milking cows years and years.  Wouldn't trade it for anything, but let me tell you, I really enjoy lying in bed those cold icy mornings and not washing udders that are covered with mud and not getting hit in the face by those dirty frozen tails.  May God bless you that are still doing it all.  You are wonderful!!!