A small group from WestGen went to World Dairy Expo October 3-8, 2017. President Eric Iversen and Vice-President Matt Plett, Marketing Lead Kristie Baouya and Genetic Advisor Michael Haambuckers, were joined by Michael Luttmerding from Armstrong, BC; Dick Carlson Salmon Arm, BC; Andrew and Elijah Jansens from Armstrong, BC; Danielle & Jason Prinse from Rosedale, BC; Dirk, Elizabeth & Margriet Appel with Quinn Cameron from Penhold, AB; John Sunder from Deroche, BC; Jennifer Veldhuisen from Grinrod, BC; and Mike Plett from Landmark MB.
Our group toured the 884+ exhibits, finding many exciting new products and services. This year there was 1,772 exhibitors representing 2,356 cows!
Supreme Champion: Rosiers Blexy Goldwyn-ET, Exhibited by: Budjon, Vail, Abbott, Van Exel & Woodmansee, Lomira, WI.
Reserve Supreme Champion: Musqie Iatola Martha-ET, Exhibited by: MilkSource Genetics, LLC, Kaukauna, WI.
Supreme Champion of the Junior Show: Miss Nastias Y Not Me, Exhibited by: Aspen M. Silva, Modesto, CA.
Reserve Supreme Champion of the Junior Show: Adams Creek AP Bianca-ETV, Exhibited by: Alyssa Nuttleman, Bangor, WI.
The A.C. “Whitie” Thomson Memorial Award was awarded to Gord Rendle, BC and Ridley Wikkerink, BC Congratulations Ridley and Gord!!Congratulations to Wendon Holsteins of Innisfail, Alberta. They were awarded the Robert “Whitey” McKown Master Breeder Award.
Dairy Tours
Our group joined a Semex Farm tour to Stone Front Dairy and Majestic View Dairy in Lancaster Wisconsin. Stone Front Dairy is owned and operated by Lyn & Andy Buttles. Andy showed us around their barns. Their farm was started in 1913 by Andy’s great-great grandfather and moved 15 years ago to expand to the current freestall barns. Andy Milks 700 Holsteins, Jersey and Brown Swiss 3x per day. They are still expanding with another new barn being built.
Majestic View Dairy is owned by partners John & Peg Haskins with Ron & Terri Abing and is run by the Abing family and their daughters Amanda and Sarah. Sarah works for Semex and joined us as well on the tour. Majestic View has been growing agressively since 1999 and have 1,100 cows. and farm 4,200 acres of land.
We enjoyed the tours at both farms and meeting up with the tour group from Semex Brazil and Pakistan.
WestGen offers its sincere congratulations to all Western Canadian breeders and exhibitors of animals who competed at 2017 World Dairy Expo. On behalf of your fellow breeders and from the staff at WestGen, the company you own, you have made us all very proud!
Our group had a fabulous time at WDE 2017 and can’t wait for next year! Let us know if you want to join us in 2018!
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