The Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council (DCRC) recognized the best of the best when it comes to reproductive efficiency, fertility and well-implemented management procedures during its annual meeting, held Nov. 7-9, in Reno, Nev.
Platinum recognition went to: Emerald Spring Dairy (Maurie and Darrin Young), Plainview, Minn.; Jer-Z-Boyz Dairy (Gary DeGraaf), Pixley, Calif.; Plymouth Dairy (Alan Feuerhelm), LeMars, Iowa; Rollin Green Dairy (Jim, Jeff and Jamie McNeely), Brooklyn, Wis.; Schilling Dairy (Schilling Family), Darlington, Wis.; and Weisenbeck Farm (Don, Sally, Hank and Jake Weisenbeck), Durand, Wis.
In addition to the six Platinum winners, there were six Gold, six Silver and six Bronze winners (listed below). Nominations came from 16 states and finalists represented 11 states. Farms were nominated by professionals, such as veterinarians, extension specialists, artificial insemination and pharmaceutical company representatives, and consultants, who serve the dairy industry.
Gold
K & R Blount Dairy (Kevin and Ryan Blount), Landing, Calif.
Copperhill Farm (Jim, Justin and Kurt Magnan), Fairfax, Vt.
Pine Hollow Dairy (Dale and Colleen Mattoon), Locke, N.Y.
Riverside Dairy (Andy Fisher and Anita Henschel), Reedsville, Wis.
Skyview Dairy (Garrett Luthens), Hutchinson, Minn.
United Ag LLC’s Dairy Fountain Dairy (Leo Ruyne), Plainview, Texas
Silver
Breunig Dairy (Neil and Margie Breunig), Lodi, Wis.
Claytop Holsteins (Jeff Paulen), Howard City, Mich.
Darlington Ridge Farm (Jim DiGangi), Darlington, Wis.
Hinsch Farms (Scott and Chad Hinsch), Goodhue, Minn.
Phillips Family Farm (Dave and Ann Phillips), North Collins, N.Y.
S & S Dairy (Steve Scheenstra), Visalia, Calif.
Bronze
Belldale Farm (Mike and Eric Colopy), Danville, Ohio
Keewaydin Farm (Suzi Pike), Stowe, Vt.
Rancho Cantera (Jake Bosma), Kent Ill.
Rolling Meadows (Mark Gabel), Lawtons, N.Y.
View Point Dairy (Bill DeRuyter), Sunnyside, Wash.
Zirbel Dairy Farm (Kris Scheider), DePere, Wis.
This awards program, sponsored by Hoard’s Dairyman magazine, recognizes dairy producers whose herds excel in getting cows safe in calf. DCRC’s Herd Reproduction Award judges considered many criteria when reviewing finalists’ applications, including pregnancy rate, voluntary waiting period, interbreeding intervals, heat detection, conception rate, value of reproduction and culling rate.
The Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council is focused on bringing together all sectors of the dairy industry – producers, consultants, academia and allied industry professionals – for improved reproductive performance. DCRC provides an unprecedented opportunity for all groups to work together to take dairy cattle reproduction to the next level.
