No one was more thrilled than everyone here at Cowsmopolitan to regain a sense of normalcy in the 2021 fall show season. Returning to the ‘big stage’ in Madison, WI for World Dairy Expo, and seeing the show strings from across the US and Canada back in their aisles was a welcome, happy experience. The renewal of shows at Harrisburg, the Big E, and many of our prominent state fairs put the solid structure back into our show season, and we, for one, were happy to see it!
The number of entries to this year’s All-American Holstein contest reflected that return to familiar ground. At just over 200 entries for the 20 classes, that total falls in a ‘typical’ number of entries compared to last year’s landslide record number of entries. 2021 nominees came from 14 different states and three Canadian provinces.
As always, it is with great excitement, that we present to you the All-American nominees and winners! Since its inception by the HolsteinWorld in 1922, the All-American contest has recognized the very best Holsteins presented in US show rings in any given year. As always, we salute those breeders, owners, caretakers, and exhibitors of these remarkable animals. The work in breeding and developing these breed celebrities goes on 365 days a year, and while many of the rosettes are harvested in October and November, we know the foundation is being laid right now in every single trip to the barn in the cold and dark.
Overall, 44 different sires were represented by nominated individuals. We have a new king at the top of the sire list: Croteau LesPerron Unix, with eleven nominated daughters (nine cows, two heifers). That may come as no surprise following his Premier Sire banner wins at the International Holstein Show and Canadian National Show in 2021, but he dislodges the multi-year sire list champion Val-Bisson Doorman. Following Unix with ten nominees is Brenland Denver (one cow, nine heifers), then Doorman with eight (four cows, four heifers), and Duckett Crush Tatoo with seven (four cows, three heifers).
Butlerview Farm of Chebanse, IL made a notable return to the show ring in 2021 with nine individual All-American nominations solely-owned, and one in partnership. Following them were several perennial powerhouse exhibitors including: Duckett Holsteins of Rudolph, WI with six outright individual and group nominations and four owned in partnership; Ferme Petitclerc of Quebec with five individual and group nominations and one owned in partnership, and Elmvue Holsteins of Johnstown, NY with four solely-owned individual nominees. Quebec breeders Ferme Jacobs and Ferme Petitclerc each bred four individual nominees and one group, while Tim & Sharyn Abbott of Borderview Genetics in Vermont bred four individuals.
This year, six judges from a number of the country’s most prominent shows were asked to be on the committee to ensure every class would have adequate discussion and evaluation. Eddie Bue, Mike Duckett, Lynn Harbaugh, Ryan Krohlow, Chris Lahmers, and Chad Ryan comprised the 2021 All-American Nominating Committee. This group had judged and observed cattle at shows from east to west this year. As advised by Cowsmopolitan/HolsteinWorld in keeping with the contest criteria, the committee based their decisions on three factors: the show placings, the quality of the photo, and their own personal knowledge of the animals.
A panel of 19 judges selected the final award winners by ballot. Judges were asked not to vote in classes where they have bred or own an animal. The votes were tabulated with scores of seven points for 1st place votes, three for 2nd, and one for 3rd. The voting record of the judges will be posted on our website and the final numeric totals will determine the All-American, Reserve All-American and any Honorable Mention designations. The Winners of the contest are now published on the Cowsmopolitan website and will be featured in the Spring 2022 issue!
Written by Kathleen O’Keefe
All-American Holstein Winners HERE
All-American Holstein Nominees HERE
All-American Junior Holstein Winners HERE
All-American Junior Holstein Nominees HERE