The Show of the Spring
Time to plan for the New York Spring Dairy Carousel April 8-11 in Syracuse at the New York State Fairgrounds. The 41st edition, sponsored by the New York Holstein Association, will include shows for all major dairy breeds along with top-notch Holstein and Protein Breed sales.
In 2015, over 200 youth from the Northeast participated in the judging contest followed by eight different breed shows featuring 730 head of dairy cattle. Many of the animals have won their respective breed’s All-American contests as “The Carousel” has become known as, “the show of the spring.” The Holstein Sale had an exciting line up of high genomic females, potential show winners, Red and Whites, and members of the Breed’s most distinguished cow families. The 70 lots averaged $6,912.
The Carousel officially kicks off Friday, April 8, 8:00 a.m., with the National Holstein USA Judging Conference, followed at 12:30 p.m. with the Youth Showmanship Contest. Starting at 2:30 p.m., is the second annual Richard Keene Memorial Youth Judging Contest. This event is sponsored by Farm Credit Northeast AgEnchancement. At 6:00 p.m. will be the Protein Breeds Sale.
New York Junior Holstein members are center stage on Saturday morning, April 9, with the Junior Holstein Show judged by David Bergeron, Ontario, Canada. Saturday afternoon starting at 1:00 Reid Stransky, Owatonna, MN lines up the Ayrshires. In the other ring, Dean Dohle, Pleasant Hope, MO places the Guernseys. The day concludes with New York Spring Holstein Sale starting at 4:00 p.m. sponsored by the New York Holstein Association and managed by The Cattle Exchange of Delhi, NY. The day concludes with the fun-filled Junior Olympics & Pizza Party for the juniors.
Sunday morning 8:00 a.m. finds the Red & Whites in the Coliseum for Stransky’s evaluation. At 9:00 a.m. Justin Burdette, Mercersburg, PA places the Milking Shorthorns. In the afternoon, Dean Dohle has the honor of evaluating the Jerseys while Bergeron places Brown Swiss.
The Carousel culminates on Monday, April 11 with the New York International Spring Holstein Show judged by Justin Burdette.
A complete schedule of events is included below. Cattle will again be released at the end of each breed show. A list of classes and the entry forms are available online at www.nyholsteins.com OR by calling the New York Holstein Association office at 607-273-7591. The early entry deadline has passed. Entries received by March 24 are $75 per head, then increase to $130 per animal until showday.
If you’re planning to attend, hotels in the area include: Best Western Fairgrounds, 315-484-0044; Clarion Fairgrounds, 315-457-8700; Comfort Inn Fairgrounds, 315-453-0045; Maplewood Inn, 315-451-1511; Red Mill Inn, 315-635-4871; and Western Ranch Motel, 315-457-9236. Make your reservations as soon as possible since rooms sell out quickly. Mention the New York Spring Dairy Carousel for special rates.
Camper/RV hookups are available at $30 per day. Reservations, camper license number, and pre-payment are required.
Food is available in the Coliseum and admission is free, so come one and all to the 2016 New York Spring Dairy Carousel.
For any other questions or for online entries & information go to www.nyholsteins.com, or contact Cattle Superintendent Alan Danforth at 518-231-6597 or New York Holstein Association Executive Manager Patsy Gifford at 607-316-0867.
