BRATTLEBORO, Vt. May 13, 2022 — Holstein Association USA’s 2021 Herds of Excellence recipients have bred and developed herds with superior production and type. Given annually, the award recognizes outstanding Registered Holstein® breeders who have achieved the best of both in one package.

 “Hats off to the eight 2021 Herds of Excellence! The Brantner, Kestell, Koepke, Koester, Long, Siemers, Vandertie, and Zwald family herds provide excellent examples that show whatever you’re interested in breeding for, the Holstein breed has the diversity in genetics to accomplish your goals,” says Holstein Association USA CEO John Meyer.    

The award is broken down into three divisions based on herd size, including the Large Herd Division (500+ cows), Medium Herd Division (100-499 cows), and Small Herd Division (10-99 cows).

This year’s honorees are:

Large Herd Division:

Bomaz Inc. — The Zwald Family, Hammond, Wis.                

92.9% homebred; Age Adjusted Classification Score (AACS) — 85.6 points
ME Production Averages — 32,882M 1,319F 1,046P

Four Year Honoree      

Siemers Holstein Farms Inc. — The Siemers Family, Newton, Wis.
98.5% homebred; AACS — 84.8 points
ME Production Averages — 35,865M 1,511F 1,100P

Six Year Honoree

Medium Herd Division:

Koepke Farms Inc. — The Koepke Family, Oconomowoc, Wis.
100% homebred; AACS — 84.9 points
ME Production Averages — 35,002M 1,433F 1,060P
Five Year Honoree

Small Herd Division:

B-Long Holsteins — Bruce, Brenda & Bret Long, New London, Wis.
100% homebred; AACS — 88.2 points
ME Production Averages — 35,059M 1,377F 1,122P

Eleven Year Honoree

Doorco Holsteins— Dan, Julie, and Austin Vandertie, Brussels, Wis.
100% homebred; AACS — 88.4 points
ME Production Averages — 35,466M 1,397F 1,085P

Five Year Honoree

Ever-Green-View Holsteins, LLC — The Kestell Family, Waldo, Wis.
97.7% homebred; AACS — 88.6 points
ME Production Averages — 40,588M 1,698F 1,267P

Twelve Year Honoree

Show-Mar Holsteins — The Brantner Family, Evans City, Pa.
100% homebred; AACS — 89.5 points
ME Production Averages — 36,662M 1,622F 1,141P

Two Year Honoree