Co-Vale Dempsy Dina 4270-ET (EX-94) first entered the high-profile Holstein scene in 2015 when she graced the colored shavings in Madison and was selected as 1st Senior 2-year-old. A few week later, she made the trip north the border and once again won her class but also captured the Intermediate Champion title for then owners Ransom Rail, Robert Landis and Olivia Gold, NY. Since that fall, Dina has continued to make a name for herself, selling for $75,000 this past summer to MilkSource Genetics LLC., WI, and Ransom Rail, NY, taking home Reserve Grand Champion honors at World Dairy Expo and then stealing the show at the Royal Winter Fair. We talked to co-owners of Dina about her success over the years.
1. This is now Dina’s 2nd championship at the Royal. What makes this win so special?
Ransom Rail: The atmosphere and the level of competition at the Royal are incredible. Winning there, at the highest level, is just a dream come true. We have been coming to the Royal for many years and have been in awe of the great champion cows. To be among them is humbling — but the thrill of that moment, we will never forget!
MilkSource Genetics: Any win at a show as prestigious as The Royal is incredibly special. The competition was extremely deep and to come out on top was an incredible honor.
2. What offspring or pregnancies do you have out of Dina?
Dina has a 2 yr. old Armani fresh in September that just scored VG-87. She has a Solomon due in December and an Archrival due in January. She also has calves by Sid, Byway, Solomon and Doorman.
3. What is Dina’s personality like at home?
Ransom Rail: At home, Dina is all business, hardworking, and trouble free. She flushes well and breeds back consistently. She is a joy to work with but where she is truly at home is in the show ring. She knows when it is show time and loves being out there.
4. Did you think that Dina would be able to go all the way at the Royal after her Reserve win at Expo? What was the feeling of having both Grand and Reserve Grand of the Holstein show this year?
Ransom Rail: Blexy looked great at Expo and we knew there were a lot of other really good cows out there, but we felt that Dina certainly had a shot at it. You never go into the ring for the champion parade thinking you will have Grand, but we were all very excited about Dina’s chances when she stepped onto the shavings. She really put it all together and looked phenomenal.
MilkSource Genetics: As with any show, all we could do is get the cows out to the best of our ability. We were thrilled with how both cows looked that day, and couldn’t be more excited for them to be named Grand and Reserve Champion.
5. Anyone you’d like to thank that helped with the success that Dina has had over the years?
Ransom Rail: The Dueppengiesser family would like to thank MilkSource Genetics! They not only did an amazing job with Dina, but they made the whole ride just awesome! We are very grateful that they asked Jared to show her. It made the whole experience very special for us. The entire MilkSource team is first class! We would like to thank our former partner, Bob Landis and his family; we couldn’t ask for better partners. We would also like to thank Nathan and Jenny Thomas for housing her during her dry period and getting her off to a great start.
MilkSource Genetics: We know with certainty that the moments in the ring are just that — moments. The real work is done in the barn. We must thank Eddie and Mandi Bue, Joel Kietzman, Ryan Krohlow and our entire crew at both shows and at home.