A Note from Gary Smith

When you are hurrying around trying to get out of the house to an appointment and the phone rings, you're tempted to ignore it. You let it ring a couple times and you're almost out the door but when you pick up your phone so you'll have it later, you just automatically answer it and it's Dwight Rokey - the Kansas Holstein President. I thought he might be asking about a certain bull or placing an order for semen - never thinking about what was coming. He said, "Gary – Dairy Agenda Today has offered Kansas Holstein Associates a place on their website in 2016 to write about and celebrate the 100th anniversary of Kansas Holstein Association for the entire year. Your name was brought up. Would you do it?" I said, yes, but after I hung up, I wondered why and I have been wondering ever since. I finally got hold of my old quarterlies and Worlds, and after a couple of weeks things have begun to come together.

For the first one or two installments, I am giving you the writings of T. Hobart McVay and Edward A. Reed. These two men wrote at different times about the history of Kansas Holstein and the Holstein Association from 1916 to 1996. They were both fine gentlemen, greatly respected as cowmen and their knowledge of the breed and its people were unmatched. McVay especially had an unequaled talent for putting words to paper. Their work leaves me with little to improve on - some editing, but very little.

Mr. Edward Reed has suggested that I write a history of Kansas Holsteins and therefore must combine Holsteins and Holstein people. In attempting an article of this nature I realize space will not permit a full resume without omitting many important events, people, and foundation animals. In treating the subject at hand I will attempt to briefly outline the highlights of the early days, a few of the important sires as I remember them, and can learn from history.

So far as we can learn the earliest transfer reported in the news in Kansas was when B. Neuman, Frankfort, Kansas, purchased a female from A. L. Langworthy in 1885. In a printed report written by H. B. Cowles, Topeka, one of Kansas' most ardent workers and best early day breeders, he reported that Holsteins became numerous enough to attract attention in this country in the early 1870's. By 1880 some of the importers were making milk records commonly thought impossible, and scattered animals began to drift west. Toward the end of that decade Topeka was becoming quite a Holstein center, represented by such breeders as H. W. Cheney, M. A. Low, F. W. Travis, A. G. Potter, and J. B. Zinn. We might add here that some of the best Holsteins in the Topeka area were bred and developed in the herd of H. B. Cowles. It was from this herd that the foundation animals of Ira Romig & Son were purchased, and the most recent breeding in Kansas, tracing to the Cowles herd, was when Smith & White purchased the last of the Cowles herd after his death.

At the end of this same decade other breeders doing yeoman service in pushing the breed were J.M. Beach, Maple Hill; M.S. Babcock, Nortonville; C.F. Stone, Peabody; J. P. Mast, Scranton; and Henson & Rathbone, Council Grove. Mr. Stone for years covered the great fairs of the country with such cows as Empress Josephine 3rd, who according to Mr. Cowles ranked easily with the best of the breed up to the time of his writing, about 1920. In a news report of 1904 it was pointed out, "In 1904 the only Kansas herd exhibiting at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition was the Stone Holstein herd of Peabody, Kansas."

It was in this new era that many of the breeders that have such an influence on present day cattle came into the picture. As mentioned before, Ira Romig of Topeka became active with the turn of the century; Tom Ewing, Independence; Chestnut & Sons, Dennison; David Coleman & Sons, Dennison; J. T . Axtell, Newton; Ira F. Collins, Sabetha; C. W. Dingham, Clay Center; E. S. Engle & Sons, Abilene; P. W. Enns, Newton; H. M. Holdeman, Meade; Geo. Lenhart, Abilene; Kansas State Agricultural College, Manhattan; Harry Molhagen, Bushton; G. Regier, Whitewater; Ben Schneider, Nortonville; Mott Bros., Herington; Schuyler Nichols, Herington; Charles Stevens, Columbus; George C. Tredick, Kingman; C. B. Vandeveer, Ashland; A. B. Wilcox & Son, Topeka.

With the above group of breeders becoming greatly interested in the popularity of the Holstein cow, it was a natural thing for them to vision greater advancement through a working State organization. It was following a grade sale of Holsteins at Abilene, Kansas in February, 1916, that John W. Johnson and W. H. Mott had gone to Junction City, and were dining at the Bartlett hotel, and here conceived the idea of forming a State organization. Call for a meeting was sent out by letter from Mr. Mott to be in Herington on March 1, 1916.

At the meeting a banquet was given by the Herington Commercial Club to visiting breeders. It was here organization was completed, and the organization was named the Holstein-Friesian Association of Kansas. The first president was Dr. Schuyler Nichols, Herington; vice president, Ben Schneider, Nortonville, and secretary-treasurer, W. H . Mott, Herington. The semi-annual meeting in 1916 was held at Manhattan; the annual meeting of 1917 was held at Newton where Dr. J. T. Axtell, Newton and P. W. Enns, charter members of the organization gave a banquet for visiting breeders.

The matter of a State Holstein Sale had been discussed at various times but cattle were not too plentiful, and breeders were hesitant about letting their cattle sell, or offer them at public sale, believing there were but few buyers for them. To convince the breeders that a successful sale could be held, Dr. Axtell and Mr. Mott agreed to furnish all the cattle for the first sale. The sale was held and was an unqualified success. From that date the public Holstein sale has grown.

One of the beginners prior to the year of 1916, and a charter member, was Harry Mollhagen, Bushton. We mention him especially now because he started with Holsteins in 1910 and among other cattle, owned two bulls that had a tremendous influence on the future of the breed in Kansas. Perhaps we should say four bulls. On April 25, 1916, Mr. F. G. Searles, Oskaloosa, dispersed his herd. Mr. Mollhagen had acquired the bull, Sunflower King Walker, from the Searles herd one year previous. At the Searles dispersal, W. H. Mott acquired Tirania Lady Ouada 5th King, whose dam had a 27-pound, 7-day record, and sired by the same sire as Sunflower King Walker. These animals figured closely in the Mott and Mollhagen herds. A short time later Harry Mollhagen acquired the bull Canary Butter Boy King from the herd of Frank Crandall, Howell, Mich. After being used in the Mollhagen herd for some time he was sold to W. H. Mott, folloiwng on the daughters of the above Searles bred bull. Canary Butter Boy King came from the same herd and was sired by the same sire that was the foundation of the Crescent Beauty breeding of today, and a part of the lineage of the Robin Carr herd. The sire of Canary Butter Boy King being Laundry Girl Butter Boy, who had 18 A.R. daughters and five A.R. sons. Among the daughters were Crescent Beauty Butter girl and Crescent Butter Maid.

Later Harry Mollhagen, with his brother, Bill, and a neighbor breeder, George Worth, purchased two young herd sires from Fredmar Farms, Jefferson Barracks, Missouri. These were used in the above herds and from time to time they will be referred to, as they had great influence in many other herds in Kansas. Their names were Fredmar Sir Fobes Triune, and Fredmar Prince Triune Supreme.

Other herds in this period of 1910 to 1920 include that of George Appleman, who was elected president of the State Association in 1919 and the herd of Gov. W. R. Stubbs. In the Mulvane community were other good herds, such as those of Carl High, George Bradfield, the Goodin's and B. R. Gosney. In the Hutchinson area were F. L. Martin, A. M. Davis, W. R. Crow and others. At Topeka, Smith and Hughes were making progress.

During this time W. R. Stubbs perhaps attained as much publicity and probably had as much influence on the Holsteins of that immediate time as any other heard. Hoping to quickly improve his cattle, Gov. Stubbs purchased from Wisconsin, the sire, Canary Paul Fobes Homestead, he being sired by Canary Paul and from Jessie Fobes Bessie Homestead. In this herd through his daughters and sons in the Mulvane territory Canary Paul Fobes Hoestead became quite famous.

Perhaps his best known son was King Korndyke Canary Homestead who in turn sired Canary Paul Anna Homestead. Canary Paul Anna Homestead was bred by George Bradfield, and did well on the big time circuit for the Mulvane breeders and was later sold to head the herd of C. E. Griffith, Big Cabin, Okla. He shared service with Sir Johanna Bess Segis, an own son of Piebe Laura Ollie Homestead King. Bo Chestnut, of the Chestnut & Sons firm was showing the Griffith cattle at that time.

Another beginner in Holsteins in the year 1915 was R. E. Bausman, who purchased his first cow from the herd of Shulters, Robinson & Schultz at Independence. Later purchased a cow and a heifer from Decker at Caldwell, and started testing in 1919.

In 1931 Mr. Bausman went north to A. J. Lashbrook's herd and purchased three bred heifers, one of which was Lashbrook Lou Ormsby, who was a granddaughter of Ormsby Sensation and sired by a son of Ormsby Sensation, then in service at Carrolton College, Northfield, Minn. One heifer dropped a bull calf and it was the mating of this young bull to Lashbrook Lou Ormsby that produced Lou Ormsby Lad Excellent proven sire and Kansas' 1st Medal Sire.

By 1920 Kansas put a state herd out which exhibited at the major fairs and included the Dairy Cattle Congress and the National Dairy Show. Prof. J. B. Fitch, head of the Department of Dairy Husbandry, Kansas State College, at that time was largely responsible for the selection and the herd was in the capable hands of Pat & Bo Chestnut, Denison, Kansas.

The herd was headed by Johanna Bonheur Champion 2nd, who was Senior and Grand everywhere except the Dairy Cattle Congress where he was 1st prize Aged Bull. He placed 2nd at the National Dairy Show. He was owned by the U.S.D.B., Fort Leaven worth, Kansas.

One of Kansas' great cows of all time headed that show herd. She was Irene Sarcastic DeKol; Senior and Grand at all fairs, 4th at Dairy Cattle Congress and 2nd at the National. After the close of the season she was consigned to the National Sale, Chicago, where she sold for $3,100 to Mackinshof Farms, N. Y. She was owned by George B. Appleman, Mulvane. The records show that up to the National Dairy show the Kansas State herd had 26 championships, 24 firsts, 23 seconds, 24 thirds, 16 fourth and 10 fifth place awards.

In another part of the state dairying was also making strides in the production end as well as showing. Around Sabetha, the Collins Farm was using Vanderkamp Segis Pontiac, and his daughters were making great records. One, Collins Farm Violeta Lady Truth, set a State record with 1,142.1 butter. Another one with 1,008 butter. The Truth cow being the family that carried on and did so much in the development of the great herd of Emil Menold, Sabetha, as well as many others of that community.

About this time, 1920 to 1925, the Mulvane territory was the hot Holstein center of Kansas. In 1921 the Stubbs Farm herd was dispersed. A group of Mulvane breeders purchased the cow Genista Knoll DeKol in that sale for the top price of $1,300. She held the state production records at that time of 365 days with a record near 30,000 lbs. of milk. The entire Stubbs Farm herd of 97 head averaged $328, a record price for those days. It was reported that a crowd of 1,600 persons attended this sale. Kansas breeders were able to secure the 1922 National Convention for Kansas City. W. H. Mott was instrumental in getting the convention. It was at this convention that W. H. Mott began his career as a National director, serving from 1922 to 1936. In this sale the Mulvane Breeders sold their Genista Knoll DeKol cow for $1,000. Her picture had appeared on the cover of the "World" in June of 1922.

One of the most prominent breeders of this date in the Kansas City area was Mr. A. J. King. A very prominent figure in the National Convention in 1922, and he had gained a national reputation in having purchased from Billiwack Farms, California, the All-American Junior Yearling Bull, Billy Homestead DeKol, and the All-American Cow, Jennie DeKol Segis Walker. The mating of this cow and sire in later years resulted in a pair of twin bulls that we shall refer to later in this story.

In the year of 1924, the large barn of George B. Appleman burned. The herd was saved with the exception of a few calves. During the next year the herd was taken care of in neighboring quarters and in 1925 the good herd was dispersed at one of the top averages up to that time. Amimals were scattered throughout the state. The top cow, Segis Ladoga DeKol, went to T. H. McVay, Nickerson. After the fire causing the dispersal of the Geo. Appleman herd, Raymond Appleman, son of Geo. Appleman, became deeply interested in registered Holsteins and assumed the managership of the herd of H.J. Meierkord, Linn, Kansas on January 1, 1931. His first purchase for the Meierkord herd was from the A. J. King dispersal near Kansas City where the young bull Sir Billy DeKol Jennie(twin), the result of a previously mentioned mating, was purchased. The other twin, Sir DeKol Billy Jennie going to Dunloggin Farms, Ellicott, Maryland.

The year 1935 was the last year of Prof. J. B. Fitch as head of the Department of Dairy Husbandry at Kansas State College. Likewise, 1935 was the beginning of the tenure of Prof. F. W. Atkeson as head of the department; also the beginning of the reign of Kansas Black and White Shows. Through efforts of "Ham" Mathieson, Holstein Fieldman in the western territory, the members of the dairy department at the college, and the Extension Service, plans were made to hold six Holstein shows. In the June 1st issue of the Holstein-Friesian World, Mr. Robert Geiger, Holstein Fieldman for this territory wrote: "The success of these shows and the manner in which they were received argues well for the future of Holsteins in Kansas, and also affords other state organizations a project that will be an important part of each association's extension program. The first Kansas Black and White show was held at Clay Center, April 29, 1935. Other cities in which shows were held that year were Topeka, Olathe, Parsons, Newton and Lyons.

Sir Billy DeKol Jennie did have a tremendous influence in Kansas Holstein History through his sons and daughters. He also did well in the show ring.

After the daughters of Sir Billy DeKol Jennie came into production and more of them arriving in the Meierkord herd, the bull problem was still present-where to go for a good bull?

One spring day, young Appleman, Mr. Meierkord, a young assistant county dairy agent, named Arthur "Whitie" Thomson, and a neighbor, Omer Perrault, started out to see the daughters of two bulls. The daughters were sired by two bulls. previously mentioned as being purchased by Harry Mollhagen, from Fredmar Farms.

Money was tight, distances were long, cows had to be milked, and an offer was left on Fredmar Sir Fobes Triune. Mr. Mollhagen said no. The group left for Washington county. Later they reconsidered and sent word that they would accept the bull at his figure which now seems cheap. In the years ahead, and through the records and classification of his daughters in many herds, Fredmar Sir Fobes Triune was awarded the Silver Medal Type Sire recognition. During that period more sons and grandsons of "Triune" were in use in Kansas than of any other sire. There are few shows today, few herds in Kansas, that do not have some animals of the blood of this famous sire in their veins. When the Meierkord herd was dispersed in 1944 it recorded the highest average for a complete dispersal in Kansas to that date.

During these late years other good breeders were building also. R. L. (Dick) Evans began breeding and building for profit and even selected the Prefix "Payline" about 1920-1922. One of the early Evans sires being L-Jai-Cee Sir Bess Ormsby, bred by Chapman Farms, Kansas City. This sire had . two Excellent daughters in the Evans herd, and Payline Tess, one of the Excellent daughters had 838 fat, 3x.

Ed Regier's father was selling and breeding some good ones. Mr. Hostetler, Harper, was growing and building good Holsteins . Allott Brown, Pratt, had one of the good herds in the state. George Worth was the first man to have his Holstein herd classified in Kansas. Mr. Carman, father of Carman Bros., St. Francis, Kansas, was the fourth herd to classify . Glen Sewall was doing great service in building a strong organization that was breeding great herds of good cattle in the Sabetha area. Heersche Bros. were just starting . M. A. Shultz was building a good herd of cattle on a farm that was destined to improve from the fact it was a Holstein dairy farm. Jake Zarnowski was learning to get a lot of milk from a registered Holstein cow.

Holstein men and Kansas Holstein cows were making progress. The State Association had survived 25 years. A Silver anniversary was planned for Herington, Kansas, April 2-3, 1941.

Representing the National Association were: President, A. C. Oosterhuis, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin; Glen Householder, Director of Extension, Brattleboro, Vt.; Ted Prescott, associate editor of the Holstein-Friesian World was present. 0. E. Reed, Chief Bureau Dairy Industry was on the program and Prof. F. W. Atkeson was toastmaster. R. L. Evans was president in 1941 and presided at the program.

The State Sales of 1947 and 1948 were the highest selling state sales in the nation with averages of over $600.00 each year.

In 1948 the State Associations of Kansas and Missouri were hosts to the 63rd Annual Convention of the National Association held May 31st thru June 3rd at Kansas City, Missouri.

In the era after the National Convention in Kansas City in 1948 many of the herds in Kansas were using sons or grandsons of the popular Wisconsin Admiral Burke Lad.

One of Kansas' oldest herds is the herd of Mrs. Harry D. Burger & Son, still operated by Harry Burger (the son) and built on the Burke descendents with some National and State records.

Another herd in the Sabetha area having a tremendous impact on Kansas Holsteins was the Harvey Bechtelheimer herd founded on the blood of the old Emil Menold breeding and concentrated on the Burkes. This herd was just sold last year to Puerto Rico, and the Bechtelheimers have retired.

The herd of Jake Zarnowski was founded on Appleman blood lines, then used a son of Fredmar Sir Fobes Triune.

Another of Kansas' older herds is that of E. B. Regier, Whitewater, established by the father of E. B. and it was a Regier bred grandson of Fredmar Sir Fobes Triune that became Kansas' first Gold Medal Sire, proven on his daughters in the Heersche and Regier herds. Also, another grandson of Triune was made Gold Medal from his work in the Grover G. Meyer herd, Basehor. The Meyer herd had been using Oyde Hill sons of the famous Rock River Hengerveld Al, and it was on this line Regier Polkadot Triune Don appeared to have worked best.

Grover Meyer served as State Secretary several years and also as National Director for 3 terms. We cannot pass by the name of Grover Meyer without mentioning his Lucifer Posch Ormsby, for he did a good job in Grover's Springrock herd and had an important influence on the K. W. Phillips & Sons herds, which we will mention later.

In 1957 Kansas lost the famed K. W. Phillips & Sons herd, when after the death of the father K. W. Phillips in February, 1949, and the creation of the Tuttle Creek dam project inundated their farm, the Sons moved to Beaver Crossing, Nebraska, continuing with the well founded blood lines of Fredmar Sir Fobes Triune, Great Mercury Prince, Lucifer Posch Onnsby, and various combinations of Heersche and Ramsey breeding to bring to them distinguished National prestige and fame. They used the Valla Vista prefix.

The Heersche Brothers herd was founded on breeding from the Gov. Stubbs dispersal. Through the lack of knowledge about the term TB reactor at that time, a TB reactor was purchased for $32.00 The Heersche family were transplants from Holland by way of Nova Scotia and landed in their present location in 1919. Their foundation cow was a homebred descendent of the previously mentioned Genista Knoll DeKol. Her name was Flo Aaggie Genista. Their blood lines have dominated many herds. Another herd of tremendous influence State and Nationally is the Ernest Reed & Sons herd. Dispersed in the early forties and rebuilt from heifers purchased by Ernest while the sons were in service in World War II, the herd was developed greatly by son Edward and sold in 1962 to Paclamar Farms. The sire behind this herds progress was Maytag Ormsby Fobes 14th, whose dam was of the famous Maytag Pontiac family. After the sale to Paclamar Edward purchased young animals and again is creating another great herd, owned by Ed exclusively.

During the tenure of E. A. Dawdy as National Fieldman, he was the influential man in securing Sir Bess Tidy from Fred Eiten in Iowa, and bringing this bull to St. Joseph's Home at Abilene where he was used heavily in the St. Joseph's herd and was also used quite extensively in the Dawdy herd and other herds. He was the first bull in Kansas to be used artificially. The St. Joseph's herd was built around Sir Billy DeKol Jennie and his sons and sons of Fredmar Sir Fobes Triune. Sister Xavier, then in charge of the herd, was aware of a great breeding bull when the Sir Bess Tidy daughters freshened from those blood lines. A young man growing up at that time at the Home was Harold Scanlan, and fast becoming the right hand man for Sister Xavier.

In 1944 E. A. Dawdy resigned as fieldman and started building a herd on his farm near Salina. From his wide acquaintances in the field he acquired a few cows and by 1946 was looking for a bull to use on the daughters of Sir Bess Tidy and other females in the herd. In 1947 Wis Burke Ideal came to the Dawdy Farm from the Wisconsin Reformatory herd at Green Bay, and the success of this sire is now favorable history as expressed in the late WBI issue, the Holstein World.

In 1949 H. A. Meier at Abilene, Kansas, purchased a sire that was to have some influence on the breed. This bull calf was Wis Whirlwind, purchased from Wisconsin Reformatory herd at Green Bay, Wisc. Used as a senior sire in the Meier herd for two years prior to the successful herd dispersal, he sired sons that in turn were to sire some great cows. Snowboots Wis Milky Way (EX-97-twice Res. All-Amer. Aged Cow); Ja-Sal Whirlwind Princess (EX-93- 1,000 lbs. fat) and Adler Ann Whirlwind Dancer (EX-All American) were just a few of the daughters of his sons. In the Meier sale Wis Whirlwind was sold to San Mar Gale Farm in Ohio where he classified "Excellent" and proved SMTS.

Another of Kansas' great breeding herds is that of Glenn and Dave Palmer, Topeka, started by a son of Lochinvar, from the Finkelstein dispersal and since developed by Dawdy and Reed Thonyma bred sires. A combination that has produced show winners, and State record production.

In a short discourse of this nature one must not neglect herds of the Kubin Bros. (Dale and Quentin). Each with their own prefix and operated separately but each has contributed to the power of Kansas blood lines.

The Hostetler herd of Harper ranks among the older herds having been started by the father of Leo Hostetler, and Chauncey Hostetler was one of Kansas' early day test supervisors. The Hostetler herd is now a father and son operation milking over 100 head, and using production backed sires.

Another herd founded north of Hays, Kansas about 1945 was the Higher View Herd of J. D. Fellers & Son. The senior Fellers has passed away, but the son, Edmond now has two sons coming along with an abundance of enthusiasm and cow knowledge. The first sire of importance was purchased in 1947 at the Win-View dispersal of John Elam of Winfield, Kansas. The bull, Clyde Hill Elsie Tidy Lad 6th. Since then bulls of Thonyma breeding, two of them doing a great job, and a set of daughters look great sired by a son of Amcana Dictator Model.

Another of the outstanding herds is that of Luther Shetlar, Conway Springs, built on the blood of sons of Fredmar Sir Fobes Triune and the use of the Gold Medal Sire, Posch Crystella Tidy (VG). Now doing a great job of using home bred bulls from some of the many Gold Medal dams in the herd.

One of the younger herds of Kansas, coming fast is the Conner herd of Lyons, started from calves shipped from New York, (two Gold Medal Dams from these calves) and the use of two bulls doing a real job. One a Thonyma sire and the other a Quin-Lynn. Also, a Heersche bred bull was proved Gold Medal.

Many are the small herds and blood lines that have contributed to the stature of Kansas Holsteins, and I am thinking of the Fickel Bros. and their father, and the sire LeRoy DeKol Ormsby used by the Fickels. The Raymond Bollman herd made a real contribution as did the Beezley Farm herd at Girard. It was in these two herds that Lou Ormsby Lad left his mark. He was followed in the Beezley herd by a "Gold Medal" son of "Old Burke".

We could continue for many more pages, telling the story of present day Kansas breeders. We have attempted to name only a few of those established for thirty-five to over fifty years. A study of the advertisements in this booklet will tell the story better than I can of the many really top herds now in operation in the state.

In an article of this type we feel we would be remiss if we did not mention the contribution the staff of Kansas State University, the heads of the Dairy Department, the Extension staff, and . the experiment stations as the program has blended well with the Kansas Holstein people.

The Kansas Inter--breed Dairy Cattle Council was founded Feb. 4, 1945; this organization followed the pattern of the National PDCA, was the first of its kind on a state level and has served well in state health programs and numerous other functions.

Until proven wrong we in Kansas believe we are the only state with three Holstein National Champion 4-H boys, Delmar Conner, Lyons; John Carlin, Smolan; and Jim Shetlar, Conway Springs. Delmar and John each doing an outstanding job with Holsteins.

As further evidence of the power of Kansas Holsteins, Delmar owner is preparing a list of
the Kansas bred bulls gone into the A.I. studs in the various states, and for export, and John Carlin . heads our youth programs.

All this evidence adds up in this writer's mind the tremendous power and exemplification of a Holstein program in action, by wonderful people, whose goals are high and mold a good way of life. Kansas is fortunate to have new breeders coming along to carry on the traditions of the past.

(Editor's Note - We note that the author's modesty prevented his mentioning his own vital part in the history of Kansas Holsteins. No history of Kansas Holstein progress would be complete without mentioning the major part that T. Hobart McVay and his wife Marion have played. About 1924 the first registered animals were purchased; mostly of the Stubbs breeding. Developed in later years along "Rag Apple" lines, the "Macksimum" and "No-Na-Me" prefix's appeared quite frequently among the show ring winners in Kansas. McVay animals have accounted for at least 23 All-Kansas awards in years past. The famous Lakefield Fond Hope (EX-GM) (owned jointly with Carlin, Evans and Hughes) was senior sire here for several years prior to his sale to Glenafton and later to COBA.

No other living Holstein breeder has given more of his time and efforts to the advancement of Kansas Holsteins than has Hobart McVay. He served eight years as National Director of Holstein Association; was president of the American Dairy Association of Kansas for five years ; was Secretary-Treasurer of the Kansas Holstein Association for ten years and during that span of years from 1945 to 1955 developed the Kansas Holstein Quarterly into one of the leading state publications. During his ten years as Secretary of the state association he developed the membership to over 500, which is still an all-time high. In 1948 Hobart was Chairman of the Convention Committee for the National Convention at Kansas City and is Chairman of the Finance Committee for this convention.

This article takes us back to a different time in Kansas. I found Mr. Reed’s writing after I submitted the first article. It would probably have been better run first, but that is not the way my information has been found. You may see some repetition between the first two articles, but it reinforces history. So enjoy another story of “early” Kansas Holstein history.

Holstein-Friesians in Kansas
by O. E. Reed

The Holstein-Friesian was among the very first of the dairy breeds to invade the stronghold of the Longhorn in Kansas. The Longhorn came from Texas by way of theChisholm Cattle Trail and other equally famous trails, finally reaching Abilene and Salina, and leaving by way of the Union Pacific for the East.

The longhorn was followed by the improved beef breeds. Then, as the population grew, there was a demand for milk and dairy products and dairying began to develop.

In the early 1900’s a handful of dairymen began to import Holstein cattle. The herds were founded largely with animals purchased from New York breeders, particularly from Henry Stevens who not only bred a lot of excellent Holsteins but was a regular advertiser in the Kansas farm papers.

One of the early Kansas breeders was C.F. Stone at Peabody, who made some good records and patronized the show yard: he showed a complete show herd at the St. Louis World’s Fair in 1904. He was a contemporary of M.E. Moore of Cameron, Mo., who headed the committee hat made it possible for Holstein cattle to enter the Dairy Demonstration at St. Louis in 1904, where Shadybrook Gerben 43750 produced the most milk and butterfat of any cow of any breed. She was also a noted winner in western and southern shows.

It is interesting to note that two of the 15 Holstein cows that made up the demonstration herd at St. Louis were bred in Kansas.

Shadybrook Gerben was bred by H.W. Cheney, North Topeka, and Lady Truth Gerben Mecthilde 48037 was bred by C.F. Stone of Peabody. H.N. Holdeman of Girard, Kansas, had many winners from the well known families, and H.B. Cowles of Topeka built a great herd by using bulls bred by Henry Stevens of Liverpool N.Y. Other early Kansas breeders who developed good herds were J.F. Hastings of Edgerton, M.S. Babcock of Nortonville, J.M. Beach of Maple Hill, P. J. Searls of Oskaloosa, T. W. Ewing of Independence, W.E. Bentleyof Pendennis, J.P. Mast of Scranton, Charles Stephens of Columbus and others.

Later Charles Holston of Topeka joined the ranks, as did Gerge Lenhart and the Egles of Abilene. G. Regier and Sons of WhiteWater, P.W. Enns of Newton, and the Applemans from Mulvane were among the earlier breeders who did Advanced Registry work. Ira Romig, Topeka, Coleman and Sons, Denison and Chestnut and sons of Denison, Ben Schneider, Nortonville and B.R. Gosney of Mulvane also developed good herds.

Harry Molhagen of Bushton, out in the wheat belt, appeared on the scene around 1910 with an excellent herd of cattle. He made some excellent records, depending largely on cane hay, wheat pasture, and cottonseed meal for his dairy ration.

Molhagen developed a great herd of cows and proved a great bull, Canary Butterboy King. This bull attracted the attention of Dr. W.H. Mott of Herington who bought him and used him in his herd. Mott and other breeders, together with a representative from the Kansas State College of Agriculture, organized the Kansas Holstein-Friesian Association in 1916. He was the first director from Kansas to the National Association. The 25th anniversary of the State association was held at Herington April 3, 1941,

In 1914 Gov. W.R. Stubbs began the development of his Holstein herd at Mulvane, with foundation females purchased from H.B.Cowles of Topeka and from S.B. Jones and other Wisconsin breeders at Waukesha and Lake Mills. He purchased a bull from E.C. Schroeder of Minnesota, strong in the blood of Sir Pietertje Ormsby Mercedes, and also a bull from S.B. Jones, Canary Paul Fobes Homestead. This herd was dispersed after the death of Gov. Stubbs, and the animals that were purchased by Kansas breeders formed the nucleus of many good herds. Mark Abilgaard, a graduate from K.S.A.C. was manager of the Stubbs herd and he made some excellent records.

Another early Kansas breeder was F.E. Johnson of the “Big Train of the Washington Senators.” Walter’s early experience apparently remained with him all through his like for he operated a dairy farm with Holstein cows near Washington, D.C., after he quit the ball game and until his death.

One of the greatest influences for the development of Holsteins in Kansas was the Advanced Registry records made at the Kansas State College of Agriculture in 1911 and 1912. The first cow to make a record of note in the college herd was Carlotte Abbekerk 52826, who produced 15,773.8 pounds of milk and 515 pounds of butterfat at 13 years of age. Maid Henry 54878 completed her State record at the college at 1912. At the age of 13 years she produced 19,600.4 pounds of milk and 716.3 pounds of fat in 365 days (AR).

At that time Mr. Gardner, superintendent of Advanced Registry, wrote that he knew of no Holstein cow of that age that had produced as much as 700 pounds of butterfat in a year. Maid Henry was a great cow. Her record was published all over Kansas and her name became a household word. Many farmers and their families came to the college just to see her.

The sire selected to head the college herd was Sir Pontiac Crowns 55317, bred by the University of Missouri. His dam produced 18,405 pounds of milk and 729 pounds of fat (AR). Sir Pontiac Crowns was a grandson of Hengerveld De Kol.
Holsteins can now be seen in most every county in Kansas Other men such as Meyers (a director in the National association),
Steuwe Brothers of Alma, Kenneth and Roy Phillips of Manhattan, and a host of other breeders are carrying on.

The first cow-testing association in Kansas was organized in Dickinson county, in 1912. A high-grade Holstein cow made the highest record during the first year of the operation of this association. She produced 13,698 pounds of milk and 546 pounds of butterfat. Kansas has continued to test cows in Herd-Improvement associations.
T.A. Borman, editor of the Kansas Farmer, was an enthusiastic Holstein fan: as a young man he milked and cared for Holsteins on the farm at Abilene.

Today, cows that have Holstein blood in their veins (purebreds, grades or crossbreds) produce the bulk of milk on Kansas farms.

The following article appeared in the 1948 Souvenir Booklet of the Kansas-Missouri National Holstein Convention. Mr. Johnson was the editor of the widely read Kansas Farmer, and a man greatly respected in Holstein circles. He talks of the fear and lack of popularity the Holstein bull brought with him. How our “fore fathers” basically had to educate the public on the correlation between type and production. Most important of all, how our association built a bond of trust, integrity and honesty amongst themselves and those of their neighbors, buyers, other states, friends and the general public. We still work at all of what Mr. Johnson writes, but I think we should stop and thank many of those who have gone before us. They broke ground in sales in a state that is unique unto itself in many ways; where travel is hard even today to make in bad weather and farms can be very far apart. Yes, this state was founded on solid sales, sound cattle, and trustworthy people. Even when we had drought years, early blizzards, lots of flooding, poor feed, horrific heat and too many bull calves. I’ve said enough - read what Jesse Johnson says. Thank you.

Public Sales: A Factor in Holstein Growth
by Jesse R. Johnson, Livestock Editor, Kansas Farner

Kansas Holsteins have achieved their popularity the hard way. That is they have had to prove every step on their journey to Kansas farms. Forty years ago, a Holstein bull was as unpopular and as greatly feared as a gray wolf by the average Kansas farmer and cattleman.

In an era not far removed from the longhorn, the then sloping rump, high hip bones and long lean face, could hardly be accepted by men who were well along in the process of breeding up their herds by the use of good beef bulls. Little was then know of the relation between type and milk production.

The early Holstein breeders were scattered over a wide expanse of territory and lived largely to themselves. Roads were difficult and the Model T Ford was not so capable of long swift journeys as automobiles are now.

Prior to the year of 1916 but few Holstein breeders had ever done any considerable amount of advertising and few if any public sales had been held in the state. The year Dr. W.H. Mott, James T. McCulloch and John W. Johnson developed the idea of forming a state wide Holstein Breeders association. This was done and the following year the annual meeting was held at Newton followed by a public sale with cattle selected by Mott and Dr. Axtell in New York and Wisconsin. The sale was well attended and prices were attractive, enough to prove a wide demand. This even started a new era of advertising and public sales. During the next few years, hundreds of cattle were brought into the state or consigned from herds in the state.

First combination and later Association sales have had exceptional value from the standpoint of education in both type and blood lines. Now animals that are accepted for Association sales are carefully selected for quality, performance and health.

Early in the history of the breed, much inferior breeding stock was sold by speculators. Sometimes cattle from other states were brought to Kansas from other states and sold because they came from cow testing associations, even though they had been taken from tested herds because they had shown no profit. In addition, some diseased cattle were sold in Kansas. However, with better state regulation, testing associations, county and district herds, herd classification and better methods for exchanging ideas and information, the opportunity for dishonesty has all but disappeared.

The National Holstein-Friesian Association Congress held in Kansas City 26 years ago (1922) was a milestone in the history of Kansas Holstein cattle, and it goes without saying that this year’s June event will add and give renewed enthusiasm to this great industry.

Not all that is historic about Kansas Holsteins must be taken seriously. In Kansas, we had some pretty good scribes among the Holstein population. One of those was Winifred Heersche, wife of George Heersche of the Heersche Brothers of Mulvane, Kansas. I can remember reading her contributions different times to the quarterly district news and having a good laugh. This piece was especially written for the 1966 Kansas Souvenir Booklet for the National Convention at Wichita. Enoy some Heersche humor and, I warn you now, the smiles it creates are contagious.

P.S. Ignore the dollar figures - remember it’s 1965 or 1966.


All I Really Wanted . . . Was a Handkerchief
by Mrs. George Heersche

For those people who always feel they don’t get all they deserve, let me tell you, you might be the fortunate ones. Any way you look at it, I usually end up with more than for which I had asked. The thought really struck me full force last summer when I needed a little (I thought) electrical wiring done. Having sweltered for several summers, we found a jewel of a bargain in a window cooler, the only drawback was the lack of a 220 wall plug. Busily counting the dollars I was going to have left over in Savings, I gaily called the local electrician and ordered said plug. He did mention something about did I have space in the breaker box and a quick check of same showed two number not in use. Little did I know that breaker box manufacturers have a dull sense of humor and add numbers just to make everything come out even. To make a long story short, by the time I got the wall plug I also had new wiring from the meter to the house, a new breaker box, a new wall plug for the dryer and a bill for $220. In lighter moments the family laughingly speak of my $220 wall plug!

That got me to thinking. How many other times had I gotten more than my just deserves? If I need a new washer to stop the drip in the kitchen sink, I’m just as apt to end up with a whole new faucet outfit. If the washing machine breaks down, it can’t be repaired. I get a new one. And it’s no comfort to a bent budget that maybe I did give it more than normal use. The dishwasher wears out. It’s like milking by hand after having a milking machine. I get a new dishwasher. The dryer catches on fire - new dryer. And of necessity I feel compelled to consider them as gifts for this and that special occasion.

Just once I wish someone would say, “Mom, here’s a dollar. Go buy yourself a present.” I just love pretty handkerchiefs.

But my greatest joys have come from the spontaneous, unsolicited gifts given me by my husband, George.

I remember the lovely Valentine’s Day he came home with a grain drill. i’ll admit that when he brought home chocolates he usually ate most of them and certainly a drill was more practical if I could just adjust my thinking to see the romantic side of the whole situation. I considered parking it in the front yard and planting flowers in the window box arrangement but that idea received a big veto. The dirt would plug the drill holes. It really has been very useful (to the farm) and my heart still skips a beat every time it is pulled past the house.

Several years ago for Mother’s Day he brought home a three-piece matched set - mower, hay conditioner, and rake. I know I should have been overjoyed, but what i really could have used were some new cereal bowls.

I have never asked for a mink coat and really don’t consider we are in that bracket but that new silo and feed bunk which were finished in time to be filled for our anniversary, didn’t come free. I really do try to appreciate the extra nap time he has now that he used to spend shoveling silage.

Now I’m just waiting for George to say - this year let’s exchange gifts, something like a purse and a tractor! In spite of all these elaborate gifts, I did marry into this business for better or worse and only now do I realize that I’m also in it for good.

The new milking parlor will be finished in time for this Mother’s Day but, honestly, all I wanted was a handkerchief.

By Dick Dunham

The Cooperative Extension Service was part of the Land Grant Program which was established by the U.S. Congress in 1863. Kansas was the first state to become a part of the Land Grant system when the state established Kansas State University (originally Kansas State Agricultural College).

The early days of the Extension involved the establishment of Extension Offices in every county of Kansas. Agricultural Agents and Home Economists were hired to deliver educational information and services to the counties. The Ag Agents were expected to provide educational and service programs to all the farmers in the county. 4-H agents were hired in many counties at the beginning of the 20th Century.
It was not clear when Kansas Agricultural Specialists for Dairy, Beef, Swine, Poultry, and Agronomy, etc. were established. Their main job was to interpret and deliver useful research information that could be useful to farmers.

The Dairy Herd Improvement Association (DHIA) was started early in the 1890's and it remains a very successful educational and service program. The USDA was responsible for administering the program and the state Dairy Extension Specialists administered the DHIA at the state level.

The original testing program provided monthly milk weights and butterfat tests. This information was extremely useful for evaluating individual cows. Eventually the production data was sent to the USDA for sire evaluation. This information was extremely use for the evaluating sires used for artificial insemination. The DHIA is a records program that is the envy of all the other livestock programs.

Participation in DHIA was somewhat limited to purebred herds in the early days since milk production records were beneficial when selling breeding stock. In addition, dairy farmers had a pretty good evaluation of how much milk each cow was producing when they were milked by hand or with a bucket milking machine. With the conversion to pipeline milking machines and bulk tank coolers during the mid 1950's, DHIA records were needed to evaluate each cow's production. It was often said that “the pipe line milker was the best friend a cull cow ever had”.

Extension Dairy Specialists trained the local DHIA Supervisors. During the early days of production testing the most intense training involved using the Babcock Test for butterfat. Using the milk weights and butterfat tests they calculated the lactation records and herd averages. In those days
a supervisor could test no more than 48 cows per day.

The DHIA Program became a natural for the Dairy Extension educational programs. Each local county DHIA held an annual meeting to conduct business and elect officers. The Extension Dairy Specialists participated in the annual meetings to review the use of production records and feeding, breeding, and management information. At one time there were 55 local DHIAs in Kansas.

Diary farmers became the first users of computers in agriculture when their production records were processed by mainframe computers at a few processing centers across the USA. Beginning in the mid 1960's, the records from Kansas DHIA members were processed at the Mid-States Processing Center at Iowa State University. Now production and management information is processed on the farm the same day as the test with a PC.

Service was also an important part of the Kansas Dairy Extension Program. There were many Dairy Shows at the district and state levels. The Kansas Holstein Association conducted the “Kansas Black & White Show” which later became known as the “Kansas Holstein Show”. The Dairy Extension Specialist assisted by checking cattle in their classes and recording the placings. The Extension Dairy Specialists were the Superintendents of Dairy Cattle at the Kansas State Fair until about 2000. They also conducted the Kansas 4-H Dairy Judging Contest.

A lot of Dairy Extension Service time was devoted to making farm visits. These visits usually were made to recommend facilities or to evaluate milking equipment.

The following is a review of the Kansas Extension Dairy Specialist and their Service Period.

Jim Linn 1924-1952
Jim became the first Dairy Extension Specialist in 1924. Until that time, the county Ag Agents
provided as much help as they could. Most of Jim's work was involved with the DHIA program.
He also was involved with all of the dairy shows. Jim had a very unusual
responsibility . . . he served as the President of the National Ayrshire Association.

Ralph Bonewitz 1952-1980
Ralph became the Extension Dairy Specialist after serving as the County Ag Agent in Woodson
County. By then, the DHIA Program had grown enough to require most of his time.
In those days, the Dairy, Livestock and Agronomy Specialists traveled together for programs
in the counties. Ralph wrote an article for the Kansas Farmer Magazine each month. He was
the Superintendent of Dairy Cattle at the Kansas State Fair.

Dick King 1955-1963
Dick became an Extension Dairy Specialist after working in the Salina area in the feed
industry. The DHIA program had grown enough to justify two Extension Dairy Specialists
positions. Dick finished his Extension career as an Extension Area Director.

Ed Call 1963-1969 and 1980-1994
Ed was the first Extension Specialist among all the departments at Kansas State to obtain a
PhD degree. Since that time nearly all of the new specialists have a PhD. This degree
requirement was justified by the amount of new scientific information. Ed specialized in
Reproductive Physiology and Breeding. He worked with the DHIA, 4-H programs, and he
developed very popular AI Clinics programs. Ed declared that there would be no bulls on the
farm older than three days of age.

Dick Dunham 1969-1998
Dick became an Extension Specialist after a year in a similar position at Iowa State
University. At that time, the Extension Dairy program was divided into the North and South
areas. Ralph Bonewitz worked the South area and Dick worked the North. Dick was in
charge of dairy cattle at the Kansas Free Fair and Ralph was in charge at the Kansas State
Fair. When Ed Call returned to the Extension Service, the state was not divided by areas.
At that time, Ed had the responsibilities for reproduction and breeding and Dick had the
responsibilities for nutrition and milking management. They shared the Kansas State Fair
responsibilities. Dick conducted on farm milking demonstrations and made farm visits to
evaluate their milking systems. Ed & Dick made three weekly radio recordings to be
played on a Pittsburg station.

John Smith 1970-2012
John came to K-State from the Arizona Extension Service to replace Ed Call. His speciality
was Reproduction, and he advised dairy farmers with cow comfort issues, particularly cooling.

Mike Brouk 1998-Present
Mike Brouk came to K-State from the Missouri Extension Service to replace Dick Dunham.
Mike was the first Dairy Extension Specialist with a split appointment (70% Extension and
30% Teaching). Most of Mike's Extension work was involved with DHIA, 4-H and
consulting with diary farmers.

Louis Mendonca 2013-Present
Louis came to K-State after doing graduate work at the University of Minnesota. He also
holds a D.V.M. Degree from Brazil. Louis's appointment is 30% research in Reproductive
Physiology and 70% Extension. Mush of his work is in the larger hers.

The Altenreads were our neighbors when I was growing up on the farm. They lived to our corner east, 1 mile north, and another quarter east on the county blacktop road. Registered Holsteins had become their means of income They had bred and developed some livestock that had done well at the shows: a yearling bull that had won everywhere in 1946, except 5th at Waterloo, named Wis Zonia Skyechief of Riverview. Also an aged cow that, as I write this, I cannot find her names, but I believe that she was homebred. She never stood below 4th in her show career and stood 2nd several times at district and state level competitions.

Clyde always walked with either one or two canes as he had trouble all of his life with bad hips. I talked with one of our other neighbors, Paul Nisly, who remembers going over and helping Clyde feed silage and hay to the milking herd once a day because he couldn't do much besides drive the tractor.

Edna was always glad to see me and would greet me at the back door or come out to the yard and invite me in for a cookie. She was like another granmother and I always remembered her colorful aprons, her friendly and cheerful voice and the black and what cast iron dog that held the door open between the kitchen and the dining room.

These are all things I remember about them when I saw them when my Dad would take me along in the pickup to go see what Clyde needed help doing or when we were invied there for supper.
But what your are going to read about this couple is something I never knew until I read it in these Kansas Quarterlies. Sometimes...I think...I know we get to wrapped up in our own cows and in our daily lives.

This couple went out of their way to try to better the lives of almost 40 young men and women and for many, they were successful.

So read this article printed in October 1955 Kansas Quarterly and think about someone you knew in the Holstein arena or elsewhere in your community or in your world that has or is touching lives like the Altenreads did and say, “Thank You”.

Altenreds Lend Helping Hand to Homeless Boys

by Editor Earl N. Phillips

How would you like to help raise 38 boys? Well, that would be quite a job if the lads were perfect specimens of gentlemen, but if they had served time at a reformatory, it would be even more of a job.

But that's what Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Altenread, Rt. 1, Hutchinson, have done in the past 30 years. They have been father and mother to 38 different boys paroled to them from the Kansas State Industrial Reformatory in Hutchinson.

These boys have lived one at a time from six months to two years in the Altenread home and with the help and understanding of their foster parents have been aimed on the road back to good citizenship and a place in society.

Their work with the parolees started back in 1925 when Ed Frizzell, KSIR superintendent and a good friend of the Altenreads asked Clyde if he could help in the rehabilitation problem which faced the reformatory. Places were needed each month for the 100 to 150 boys who had no good home of their own to go to until parolees were served.

Talking it over, the childless Altenreads decided to give it a try and took their first boy, a lad from northeast Kansas who had been sent to KSIR for grand larceny. And so the years went by with more and more boys. Their method of rehabilitation was simple. The Altenreads were affectionate and kind to the boys and one of the first things the couple did as explained by Mrs. Altenread, “We started by taking them to church with us.”

Some of the youths talked about the past and the way they started getting into trouble and some never wanted to mention the institution. But one thing was noticed, that of the 38 boys, only two had parents who were living together.

Of course, the parolees were carefully screened and many of them were sent to the reformatory for relatively minor troubles although there was one who had wounded a man with a gun. One, an orphan, located his father and sisters while living with the Altenreads and a happy reunion was the result. Some ran away and all but one was found and returned to the institution. From the records, it is figured that 85% never got into trouble again.

One boy, working hard at milking cows for the first time in his life, awoke the second morning with his hands sore and swollen from the exercise. He was afraid he would be flunked out and sent back to the reformatory. He wasn't.

Twice the Altenreads took girls from a home in Hutchinson which cared for those who have had difficulties.

In 1936, the couple adopted a daughter, 3-year-old Arlene. Mrs. Altenread explained, “Having all boys around, I just wanted a little girl of my own.” Arlene, now 22, lives in Baldwin City, Kansas, and teaches school at the town of Vinland, to the north.

The Altenreads have lost track of most of their boys but the ones they hear from either directly or through the reformatory are leading normal and full lives.

Two years ago a new rule put an end to the project. The rule said that parolees must go back to their own counties. Reno County boys had homes to go to so the Altenreads weren't needed.

The Altenreads keep in touch with KSIR though and hope that one of these days there may be another boy coming out who will need a boost.

As a result of their untiring work with these boys, a trip was won to Chicago and an appearance on the nationwide CBS television show “Welcome Travelers.” It was an all expense paid trip and in addition they received gifts of an electric rotisserie, dining set, year's supply of soap and a 21 inch television set.

An extra surprise was the appearance on the program of Dr. Frank Richard, KSIR chaplain, who walked out on the stage after the Altenreads had told their story and added words of praise from the institution. Their real reward though is not a tangible one but is that of happiness for the work accomplished with these wayward boys.

From time to time the state association would sponsor a sale, but it was not till 1943 that an annual state sale was inaugurated. The first sale of this long series was held at Abilene on October 18, 1943. The sale was under the management of a state sale committee and eighty head were sold. These sales continued uninterrupted for fifty two years or until 1995. In some years a spring heifer sale was also held. This has been a successful series and has served the state well. In 1947 and 1948 the Kansas State Sales had the highest average in the nation for state sales.

In 1946 the Kansas Holstein Association held its first All-State Show. This was the first such show to be held by any state. Since then many state associations have followed this example with all-state shows of their own. The Kansas Association has been the host for two National Conventions and co-hosted a third with the Missouri Association.

In 1922, before National Conventions were hosted by individual state associations, the convention was held in Kansas City. It was brought to Kansas City largely through the joint efforts of the Kansas and Missouri Associations. This was the first meeting held under the present delegate system of voting.

A “Heart-Of-America Dairy Show” was held and the Grand Champion cow was Zwingara Segis Clothilde, an undefeated cow consigned to the sale by George Appleman, Mulvane. Ks. The two day convention sale was under management of “Doc” Mott. In this sale 148 head averaged $472 with a top of $3,200. At this convention “Doc” Mott was elected to his first term on the National Board of Directors.

In 1948 the convention was again held in Kansas City. The Kansas and Missouri Associations acted as hosts. T. Hobart McVay, Nickerson, was Convention Chairman. Grover Meyer, Bashor, “Doc” Mott, Mrs. Grover Meyer and Mrs. G. R. Appleman served as chair persons of convention committees. On Host Day the convention guests were treated to a day at Clyde Hill Farms. Top price at the convention sale was $4,500. Eight head of Kansas animals were consigned with the 1947 All-Kansas 3-Year-Old cow from Raymond Bollman bringing $1,300. T.H. McVay was elected to his first term on the National Board at this convention.

In 1966 the Kansas Association was host to the 81st National Convention. It was held in Wichita. Kurtiss Forsberg, Mentor, and Ivan Strickler, Iola, were co-chairmen. The weather was perfect all week and many guests came two or three days early or stayed over an extra day or two to inspect the many outstanding herds in the state. One farm reported eighty-eight visitors from twenty-two states. Another farm reported visitors from over 100 different Holstein farms and did not know the exact number of persons.

Guests at the convention were treated to a view of some of Kansas' best when the annual All-Kansas Black & White Show was held on host day. Quentin Kubin, McPherson, was convention sale chairman. The 37 head averaged $3,236. The top of the sale, selling for $6,750, was Kanza Skyhawk Bonnie Babe, consigned by Schneider Brothers, Salina. There were seven females consigned by Kansas breeders and these averaged #3,057, considerable above the $2,138 average of all cows in the sale. This convention was a great success and brought enthusiasm among breeders in the state to a new high.

In 1982 our state hosted the 97th National Convention, again held in Wichita. Edward A. Reed, Lyons, was General Chairman and Dale Bodenhausen, Muscotah, was the Vice-Chairman and also
Chairman of the Finance Committee. This was a large convention with a total of 1,645 guests registered plus an additional 475 attending the show and sale that were not registered.

On host day, as in 1966, convention guests were able to observe the annual All-Kansas Show. Two hundred and twenty-five head were checked into the ring. This was the largest number ever shown at an All-Kansas Show. Dr. Fred Foreman made the placings.

George Pretz, Osawatomie, was chairman of the Sale Committee. The sale of 123 head brought a total of $1,290,000 for an average of $10,488. Top price was $100,000 for a bull. It was another great convention.
The Kansas Association has had a member on the National Board of directors for forty-six of its eighty years. “Doc” Mott was elected in 1922 and served until 1936. Grover Meyer, Basehor, was elected in 1936 and served until 1948. T. Hobart McVay, Nickerson, was elected in 1948 and served until 1956. Ivan Strickler, Iola, was elected in1964 and served until 1072. Ivan was elected President of HFAA in 1979 and served for two years. Edward A. Reed, Lyons, was elected to the nation board in 1981 and served until 1989.

The Kansas Holstein Quarterly

In the spring of 1944, the Kansas Association published the first issue of the “Kansas Holstein Quarterly”. The editor of this first issue was Grover Meyer, Basehor, who was at that time serving as secretary of the association. The first issue consisted of eight “5 ½ x 7 3/4” pages. There was no advertising. Included in this issue was the news of the resignation of E.A. Dawdy as National Fieldman and the announcement of a new state record Sr 3 Yr Old with 516 pounds fat. The second issue published had a new editor – T.H. McVay of Nickerson. Hobart was to remain as editor for the next 11 years until Aprill, 1955. Through his efforts the magazine developed into what was considered the best state Holstein breed publication in the country. In October, 1945, the page size was changed to 8” x 11” and this was to be the page size for all future issues. The first advertising appeared in the August 1945 issue. The ads were all the same size – 3 3/8” x 4”. The cost was $4 per ad! The first issue to have full page ads was the April 1946 issue. This issue consisted of 24 pages and it cost one cent to mail it! Under the guidance of Hobart the issues continued to grow in size and the last issue that he edited, Winter 1955, consisted of 48 pages.

The April 1955 issue was the first under the editorship of Earl N. Phillips, Manhattan. He was the editor through the January 1957 issue.

Edward Reed, Lyons, was appointed editor starting with the April 1957 issue. His tenure as editor extended for 16 years or until the Fall 1972 issue. During that period it was not unusual for issue sizes to be from 75 to 85 pages, reaching a peak of 106 pages for the 1966 Convention issue. In addition to the membership, the magazine was sent to all dairymen in the state whose herds were on some type of testing. The extensive out-of-state mailing list brought the total issues mailed out to over 1,800 each issue.

Dallas Burton, Abilene, newly hired Field Secretary for the Kansas Association, assumed the responsibilities of editorship with the Summer 1972 issue. By 1976 only two issues per year were being published and the name was changed to “Kansas Holsteins”. Dallas continued as editor through 1979.

H.M. Beineke, owner of the Nickerson Argosy, Nickerson, was the printer for all issues of the “Quarterly” from 1947 to 1979. Mr. Beineke was a “perfectionist” and contributed considerably to the success enjoyed by this publication during those 32 years.

Chuck and Melly Schmidt, Hays, were the editors during 1980 and 1981. Pete and Jo Ann Wempe, Lawrence, were the editors for 1982 through 1984. Volume 41, Issue 2, Fall/Winter 1984 was the last issue of the Kansas Holstein Quarterly to be published. During the last few years of its publication, it had been very difficult to get editors, publication costs had increased and number of dairy herds had declined. The Kansas Association joined the states of Missouri, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Arkansas in launching the first issue of “Mid States Holstein News” The Kansas association has been a part of this effort through 1995.

The Future

Recently at a District Holstein meeting, Warren Winter, Hillsboro, current president of the Kansas Holstein Association, had this to say: “If this organization is to continue to survive and continue to be a positive force in our industry, we must continually bring forth new ideas that will revitalize and give new direction to this organization. It has been a great organization in the past and it can be in the future.”

One such new idea was the Kansas Association sponsored “Mid-States Dairy Expo” at the Kansas Coliseum, Wichita, that was held July 6 through 8, 1995. This included a show with exhibitors from nine states showing 118 head of top quality animals. Substantial cash prizes were given. For the first time at any Holstein show a “Commercial Man's Champion” was designated. A sale was held and 81 head sold for an average of $2,121. The morning of the third day was devoted to an interesting dairy seminar and a full day's program was provided for the Junior Members.

Although the Expo was held during the busy farming season and the temperature was at the 100 degree mark, it was a successful event both financially and in the numbers participating. The association has not ruled out repeating a like event in the future.

For this anniversary year several special events have been planned. This special issue of the “QUARTERLY” is part of that celebration. Part of the program at the 50th All-Kansas Show in April will be a noontime banquet. A special effort is being made to invite all former members of the association that are no longer active. It should be a grand reunion.

The Expo in 1995 and the Anniversary celebrations planned for this year are examples of what can be done to keep the association alive. The number of dairies continues to get smaller each year and therfore the number of registered Holstein breeders is now less than half the number that the association had in the early 1950's. However, we still have the best cow, in fact a much improved cow, and the Holstein breeders of Kansas are still a great group of people. The Association is in good hands and with some extra effort and a lot of enthusiasm the Association will move forward into a successful future.

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 63rd anniversary was sitting in the 26th 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 100th year celebration hosted by the Holstein Association. The dinner is in Salina on May 26th 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!!!

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 3rd. 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 - 2nd Dame Ex – GMD – 176,000 life - 3rd 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, becoming 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 29th and the 30th. Monday, 30th, 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.
1st to a dairy and well balanced, open ribbed daughter of Heersche Reflector Count owned by Chester DeWerff and Sons.
2nd 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
1st was Pretz Useful Echo – Pretz Farms
2nd 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
1st was Thonyma Burke Mose Useful – Pretz Farms
(yet another reason to change his name from Useless to Useful.)
2nd 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.

1st Elevation Burke Hyacinth – Dawdy

Next, a paternal sister with more length of fore udder and perhaps better balanced and admired by many at ringside.

2nd Tidy Burke Ormsby Pontiac - Dawdy
3rd was Bob Siemens with his great Lopez daughter. R & L Ideal Hester - Siemens
4th – Carlins with their Pathfinder, Eureka Pathfinder Hazel – Carlin Farms

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

5th – Elevation Burke Lucy – Elevation Farms
6th – 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.

1st Elevation Burke Lochinvar – Elevation Farms
2nd 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.”

1st Strickler Mose Betty – Strickler Farms
2nd 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.

1st Hilltop Don Jessie Jan – Hilltop Dairies
2nd Rock Home Carey Ruthann – Chet Unruh

• Unfreasened 2-Year-Olds – 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.

1st Torks Crisscross Pat – Torks Farm
2nd Bo-lan Leader Fond Nan – Herb Bowman

• Sr. Get of Sire – 5
1st Dawdy on Tidy Burke Cornerstone
2nd Elevation Farms Tidy Burke Elevation
3rd DeWerff – Heersche Reflector Count

• Best 3 Females
1st Dawdy
2nd Elevation
3rd DeWerff

• Produce of Dam
1st Elevation Victory Lochinvar – Elevation Farms
2nd Elmer Dawdy
3rd 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 phenomenal 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.