No, we are not talking about the Colombian singer and songwriter who has sold over 80 million records which have made her the best-selling female Latin artist of all time.  We are talking about Erbacres Snapple Shakira the EX-95 2020 Breeder’s Choice Grand Champion. Her story is not a rag to riches story.  It is a story of some of the most talented breeders from around the world coming together to breed and develop an international superstar.

SHAKIRA’S DREAMLIKE RISE WAS PROPELLED BY VISION and DEFINED ROLES 

KHW Regiment Apple-Red-ET
Excellent-96 4E DOM 28*
4-01 2x 365d 35,750 4.7 1682 3.7 1314
9-01 2x 365d 36,750 4.3 1582 3.3 1211
Lifetime: 240,640 4.7 11394 3.6
Her accomplishments could fill a book, but a few of the highlights include:
• Grand Champion International Red & White Show 2011
• Unanimous All-American Junior Two-Year-Old 2006
• All-American Red & White 125,000 lb. Cow 2013
• All-American Red & White Aged Cow 2011
• World Champion Red & White Cow 2010 & 2014
• Reserve Grand Champion International Red & White Show 2013
• Reserve Grand Champion Royal Winter Fair Red & White Show 2009
• Premier Breeder International Red & White Show 2017 & 2019

We begin our story with a very passionate breeder who came to America with a passion and a dream.  Francisco Rodriguez came to USA for work but wanted to live out a dream and so he set out to find partners to make that happen. (Read more: FRANCISCO RODGRIGUEZ: Passion with a Purpose). Dairy dreams often start with star breeding the best to the best.  For Shakira that starts with her dam, Snapple-Red. Snapple is from the great Apple-Red (Read more: KHW Regiment Apple-Red-Et – Everything and more and KHW Regiment Apple-Red – Beauty, performance, and even more record accomplishments). For Francisco the pedigree was what dreams are made of. So, when John Erbsen came to him about Snapple, who at the time was 6 months of age, there was no question that he wanted to own her. However, having just moved to the US and being heavily invested in flushing the Apple-1, a clone of Apple, that he had purchased earlier, financing was limited. He also needed to get access to pedigree potential genetics and to build a team.  It was this outstanding pedigree combination that had the passionate team interested. Nevertheless, passion does not pay bills so, for Francisco, partners were needed.  His search did not take long. He already had worked with John with Apple-2 and knew the great care and knowledge that he brought to the table.  He also had a long history of working with fellow Colombian, Juan Pablo Muriel and knew of his interest in partnering and the business acumen he brought with him. With that the team was formed that would possess the vital skills needed to produce an international superstar.  They purchased Snapple at 6 months of age.

MISS APPLE SNAPPLE-RED-ET (REDBURST) Grand Champion- North American Open Red & White Show 2020 MILKSOURCE, WI

Under the outstanding care of John Erbsen, Snapple continued to develop.  After flushing her twice, he says, “We exported embryos to Central America and Germany.  One of Snapple-Red’s mates was O’Kaliber.” O’Kaliber is the son of the famous European show cow Decrausaz Iron O’Kalibra and KHW Elm-Park Acme, a half-brother to Apple. The next star, ET Shakira, would be born before Snapple-Red calved as a 2-year-old.

Snapple would go on to be Grand Champion, Midwest National Red & White Spring Show, 2019, Unanimous All-American R&W Four-Year-Old, 2017 and Reserve All-Canadian R&W Senior Cow, 2019. Snapple was shown in heifer form by Junior Holstein Member, Connor Erbsen, and, since World Dairy Expo 2017, has been owned by Milksource Genetics. 

ERBACRES SNAPPLE SHAKIRA – “IT’S ALL IN THE NAME”

When naming calves there are many decisions to be made.  Francisco points out that since John had done such great work caring for and developing Snapple and now Shakira it was only natural to use John’s Erbacres prefix.  When it came her name, all team members worked together and Francisco suggested the name Shakira, and the partners all agreed.  “I always wanted a cow with the name of the famous Colombian singer so, as soon as she was born, that was it”  The story continues from the personal heart of Francisco. “I have always been a party guy.  I told my wife Sofia that when our Shakira wins, we will dance like crazy.” To make the dream even more outstanding, Francisco has announced, “When our Shakira wins, they will play “Hips Don’t Lie.” Her story was now ready to be set to Shakira’s music!

Francisco leading Shakira as a yearling at the 2016 World Dairy Expo

SHAKIRA’S PATH TO STARDOM

Shakira was a nice calf and loved by all her owners but, as they reported, “She was not a show winner at the start.”  Francisco explains “Shakira had great parts but John’s raising program was for growth and health and not skinny show heifers so, in the heifer classes in the show ring, she often carried too much weight.” At that time, Shakira ended up in the middle of the heifer classes. 

BEAUTY IS IN THE TRAINED EYE OF THE BEHOLDER

John Erbsen also saw her special beauty. “My kind are the ones that get better every year.  They develop out and calve back.” With Shakira, he sums it up, “I could see that Shakira was going to do that.” John says his judgement was confirmed by others. “It gave me confidence, when other people could also see her potential. My sister Paula, after seeing Shakira when she was four or five weeks fresh said, ‘This one is going to be pretty special!’”

Shakira’s breeders knew there was potential but only after a couple of months fresh in her first lactation did it all start coming together. John Erbsen saw her every day and he reports that “Shakira was not the same as she started out after calving.” He colorfully adds, “On the phone, I teased Francisco that she might not be great. However, by the time Francisco visited and saw her, he was in love. She had changed a lot. She was coming on. She was going to be pretty special.” We now see exactly how special. Shakira has excelled at significantly improving her conformation after first calving.

”SHAKIRA STOOD OUT FROM THE REST FROM THE BEGINNING”

The team then decided to take her to the mecca, World Dairy Expo.  Where she started to get lots of attention.  Ysabel Jacobs continues the story, “When Yan walked the aisles at World Dairy Expo in 2017, he came back to our string and said, “I saw the best cow.” Thus, began discussions over price and purchasing. This inspired further activity. “We took her on a walk.” reports Ysabel, with the following details. “There was careful consideration and growing excitement until, on show morning, when I went into the barn, before 5 a.m. Yan said, “We bought her!” Shakira was now owned by the new partnership of Ferme Jacobs, Jacob’s family members and other extended family. (Read more: Ferme Jacobs – “Dreams without goals are just….dreams”)

SHAKIRA IS PART OF A FOREVER FAMILY

Sofia and John saying their good byes to Shakira.

One would understand, if those who owned Shakira never wanted to part with her. The growing worldwide support might also confirm that position. However, John Erbsen is quick to point out, “I don’t run a museum here.” He does admit though that his whole family was attached to Shakira as were Francisco and his wife, Sofia. Everyone agreed that Shakira was a great personality animal. “We all wanted to be able to see her continue her journey.” Everyone supported the final decision. “Our partnership was confident we were selling her to a home, where she could keep developing.” Juan Pablo also recognized that not selling would leave them with “too much money on four legs.” Even as Francisco confirmed that  “We sold her to another great Team.”, it was still emotional. John and Sofia, and probably other family as well, shed tears.  In a beautiful picturing of the connection that is maintained with this well-loved rising star, Rodriguez declares, “The original team celebrates every time Shakira rings another bell.”

SHAKIRA’S GOT TALENT

It isn’t surprising that those who have worked with Shakira have many positive anecdotes about her.  Ysabel says, “It is a pleasure to work with Shakira.  She responds well to feed and environment.” It should be noted that Shakira’s environment changed between owners.  Ysabel explains, “Shakira was used to being by herself all the time at Erbacres. She had also been a 4-H calf.  When she arrived at Ferme Jacobs, we let her be by herself but within a pen with the group.” Ferme Jacobs has carefully developed this style of housing show animals.  “Show cows will be more aggressive and learn more by being part of a group.” Ysabel and Yan have witnessed how this works. “When feed is presented, they learn to run. If they don’t hurry, others are going to eat it.” This housing style is also mirrored in Shakira’s present situation, according to Ysabel.  “She is currently with the fresh cows.  She herself hasn’t calved but she is due in June and adds, “Shakira is doing really well right now.” To those who reach for the stars, these are the ordinary details of an extraordinary cow.

ERBACRES SNAPPLE SHAKIRA 1st place Junior Two Year Old 2017 Canadian National Holstein Show Antelimark, Jacobs, Theraulaz, TY-D

Ysabel Jacobs also has notes along this line. “Shakira has continued to change quite a bit.  She wasn’t the big, framed cow that she is now.” Specifically, she clarifies. “Shakira always had the perfect rump and especially good udder, as a heifer.” Some had noted that she had somewhat of a thick as a heifer “Her dam had a thick head and a thick neck as a heifer. Shakira’s front end has cleaned up a lot Ysabel sums up. “Shakira has a long dairy neck now.”

Erbacres Snapple Shakira-ET VG89, gets the nod for Intermediate Champion at World Dairy Expo. She is jointly owned by Ferme Jacobs, Ty-D Holsteins, Killian Tehraulaz, Ferme Antelimarck and C & F Jacobs. She is led by Tyler Doiron.

 “SHAKIRA’S STAR TREK”

As we tell Shakira’s story, we cannot help but be impressed with the ways she is winning new fans. A notable measure of her growing popularity is that for Shakira it connects three continents –  South America, North America and Europe – and continues to grow.

Regardless of the business you are in, awareness is powerful. Even with the instant communication that is growing exponentially, that alone doesn’t guarantee success. However, in six years, Shakira’s popularity has skyrocketed.  Her popularity has multiplied partly because of passion and partly because of marketing. “Being able to actually see her on line has a double impact.” says Francisco. “Nothing beats being able to see her mobility” That is fantastic marketing.   Francisco then enthuses that it is possible now for many more eyes to see Shakira’s great characteristics.  

Ysabel also praises what online marketing can provide. “Everyone can actually see so much volume with that perfect udder.” In show cow circles, many claim perfect udders but Ysabel says, “You can have a good udder but, with Shakira, you have both the quality and the exceptional veining.” This opportunity for visual sharing, brings her story to the eyes and hearts of dairy breeders everywhere. Shakira’s story is able to go where no dairy star story has gone before.

Erbacres Snapple Shakira
Grand Champion
2020 Summer Invitational
Ferme Jacobs, Antelimarck, Theraulaz and TY-D

HOW TO REACH FOR THE STARS

For dairy breeders who would be thrilled to emulate Shakira’s success, there is much to learn.  It starts with Francisco’s first two steps “Make your passion a dream by having a sound genetic plan and goals. Stick to your plan.” He then adds another key requirement.  “Dairy breeding is a great business, but it is more than just cows.” With impassioned emphasis, Francisco told The Bullvine, “People make the difference. You must have a great team.” Fortunately for Shakira, great teams contributed to her development at each stage of her progress. A long-range view is the starting point. Persistence through challenges will teach lessons.  Always have patience.  Teamwork triumphs.

 “SHARING THE SPOTLIGHT WITH SHAKIRA”

The dream began with a star’s name.  Francisco had a dream that one day his namesake would emulate that star’s success, while standing in the ultimate dairy spotlight. There have been many star performances for SHAKIRA on the way. Her success has won her an audience and many loyal followers.  It is likely that SHAKIRA will indeed stand in the ultimate spotlight one day at World Dairy Expo and the Royal Winter Fair, but Francisco’s dream doesn’t stop there. In his story of Shakira, he dreams that she won’t be alone. Her namesake SHAKIRA will be there too and the song playing in the background will be, “HIPS DON’T LIE!” Another first.  Another starburst.

ERBACRES SNAPPLE SHAKIRA Grand Champion – Fall Invitational Holstein Show C & F JACOBS, FERME ANTELIMARCK 2001 INC, FERME JACOBS INC, KILIAN THERAULAZ, TY-D HOLSTEINS, CAP-SANTÉ, QC

SHAKIRA’S FUTURE INCLUDES EVEN MORE STAR SHINE

With so many facts already recorded in the historically exceptional story of Shakira, the question becomes, “Where will Shakira go from here?” Each person who has known her best answers from a different perspective, but they all share the same confidence, “Whatever happens next, Shakira, will continue to set new records and leave outstanding genetics.” Today The Bullvine and fans throughout the dairy world heartily applaud Grand Champion Breeder’s Choice Winner – Shakira.

Get original “Bullvine” content sent straight to your email inbox for free.

Mike Deaver and Apple captured by Nina Linton in this iconic WDE image in 2011.

So many exciting cows have been lost to the international industry too soon.

Misadventure, illness and calving complications have all too often put a fatal full stop on the careers of the high-profile cows the world has loved to love. In the last two decades, the mortality levels of several exciting young cows set to impact the global dairy community have been crushing.

So, it is worth celebrating the incredible career of a Red & White Holstein, who has bucked every trend the industry has to offer – almost as much as one of her owners – when she celebrated her 15^th birthday in May.

Everyone knows her simply as Apple, but her official title is KHW Regiment Apple-Red-ET EX96 4E DOM 19*.

Story starts….

So many things have to go right for a cow to become a household name. Most of that rests in the hands of whomever is managing her. 

Apple was lucky in that regard. She was bought by one of the industry’s cleverest cowmen – Mike Deaver – as a bred two-year-old.

While Mike couldn’t afford her, he knew people who could and, importantly, he knew how to manage her. Mike, of Sherona Hill at Edgerton, Wisconsin, USA, is at the heart of Apple’s story – and most of her early success.

Mike remains the majority shareholder (30%) in Apple, who lived at Sherona Hill during her early reign and for the past seven years has resided in a prime-time box stall at Mike and Julie Duckett’s Duckett Holsteins, at Rudolph, Wisconsin.

As Mike reflected on his adventures with Apple after selling his farm recently and re-locating to a warmer climate on the other side of the USA in Arizona, this master storyteller brings Apple’s journey into perspective.

SHORT BUT SWEET

KHW Regiment Apple-Red-ET EX-96 DOM
2013 HI Red Impact Cow of the Year
Res Grand Champion, Grand Int’l R&W Show 2013
Grand Champion, Grand Int’l R&W Show 2011
All-American R&W Aged Cow 2011
HI World Champion R&W Cow 2010
Unanimous All-American Jr 2-Yr-Old 2006
All-American R&W Jr 2-Yr-Old 2006
HHM All-American Jr 3-Yr-Old 2007
Nom All-American R&W 5-Yr-Old 2009
Photo: John Erbson.

It’s worth noting that Apple was only shown eight times in her career – for three historical results at World Dairy Expo (WDE) and seven All-American nominations. Today, she has more than 280 EX descendants all over the world, and is the only cow to have her clone beat her for Grand at WDE and her daughter finish Honourable Mention.

Her sons and grandsons have also had an extraordinary impact on both the Black & White and Red & White populations. And, there isn’t a person on the planet interested in great cows who doesn’t know her.

Apple’s lineage was recently traced back 26 generations and 139 years of registered Holsteins to 1880. She comes from an imported cow from North Holland named “Vriend”, who was number 2439 in the Dutch herd book.

She remains modern, timeless, and in demand. Her ability to cross credit to the genomics market, and the family’s super production records and great components, hasn’t hurt her either.

MARCH TO GREATNESS

The day Apple sold for US$1million at the Global Glamour sale in 2008, she was the reigning All-American for age, the maternal sister to KHW Kite Advent-Red-ET (multiple WDE Premier Sire), the first Red & White in 11 years to win a Black & White in-milk class at WDE, and her pedigree was laden with six consecutive EX dams.

After that sale, Apple would go on to win Grand Champion Red & White at WDE in 2011. She was Reserve Grand at WDE in 2013 to her clone (KHW Regiment Apple-3-Red ETN owned by Westcoast Holsteins) with her Talent daughter in Honourable Mention (Ms Candy Apple-Red-ET EX93, owned by Frank & Diane Borba and Frank & Carol Borba). That year, KHW Kite Advent-Red-ET was again Premier Sire of the Red & White show. It was hardly surprising that Apple was also the 2013 Holstein International Red Impact Cow of the Year. 

Much of the credit for her success comes down to the core group of people who understood what she was capable of from the get-go, and then made sure that it happened.

SLIDING DOORS

The day Mike met Apple he had visited with Norm Nabholz to look at a Jersey he was considering buying at Kamps Hollow Dairy in Belmont, Wisconsin.   

“I was completely obsessed to buy her when I saw her as a bred heifer,” Mike said. “I liked the Jersey that day, but she wasn’t good enough to suit me. Norm and I were talking on the way home and I was going on and on about how much I liked the two-year-old, and he said to me, ‘You’re more excited about this Jersey than I thought you’d be?’. I replied, ‘The Jersey? No, I’m talking about the Red one’.

“He thought I was a bit over the top. But, from the moment I saw her, it was complete obsession – more than any other cow during my career. I didn’t really care about the proof of her sire [a plus proven Rubens sire, Carrousel Regiment-Red-ET], but I really liked the dam of her sire [Stelbro Renita Ranger EX94 8*]. She was a four-time Madison Grand Champion, and it was good blood. I’d never seen Apple’s mother until that day. I’d heard she was a pretty nice cow – and [Kamps Hollow Durham] Altitude was an incredible cow.”

Altitude is today remembered as one of the breed’s most important brood cows. Sired by Durham, she lived to 15 years old, and was classified EX95. Not only was she Apple’s dam, she was the dam of bulls Advent, Acme and Jotan, and the granddam of Amor Red, Absolute, Big Apple and Armani. She, herself, was the Red Impact Cow of the Year in 2009, and every bull from her that was put into stud made the active line-up.

Behind Altitude was Apple’s big-hitting fourth dam – the famous D-R-A August EX96.

RIGHT PERSON ASKING THE QUESTION

Mike asked Norm who the best person was to broker the deal. That man was cattle photographer John Erbson, who would join Mike in the Apple partnership.

“John got to Kamps Dairy at 10am the day we bought her, and I never got the call until 10.30pm that night that they had finally priced her,” Mike said. “John asked me if I was sitting down. It was US$60,000.

“I think they priced her where they thought I wouldn’t take her. I had no idea how to pay for her. I probably had $600 at that point. I said to John, ‘That’s a lot of money for a heifer. Tell them I’ll take her’.”

She was at Sherona Hill by 4.30am the next morning.

Mike said he also asked about housing and working into a partnership on Altitude with Ryan Kamp (one of Apple’s former owners).

“I was inches away from that, and we’d agreed, but Ryan called me the next morning and he said it would break his heart if she left his farm, and I completely understood.

“In the end, he used to drive over to look at Apple at our place and stand outside her box stall for an hour and just smile as he watched her eating. Then he’d turn around and say, ‘Thank you. She could never live like this at my house’.”

KHW Regiment Apple-Red-ET stormed onto the international stage when she won the junior two-year-old class at the 2006 World Dairy Expo. She was led and co-owned by Mike Deaver. Photo: Dianna Malcolm.

WDE 2006 PAVES THE WAY

Apple calved in at Sherona Hill as a junior two-year-old, and was set for WDE in 2006. As always, Mike had put some thought into her campaign. He entered her in both the Black & White and Red & White shows – deliberately building hype on the young cow.

“Everyone wanted to know if I was going to show in the Red & White show or the Black & White show, which was held two days later. And, I didn’t say anything to anyone,” Mike said.

“And, then the word went through the fairgrounds that I had her uddered for the Red show.

“I’d half-bagged her, and I had her prepped, her tail brushed, and, although we didn’t oil her, we wiped her down with a sponge, and she had her show halter on. We went through the whole process like we were going to show her. 

“Everybody was still hanging around, looking around at her, waiting for her to head to the ring, but as soon as they did the first call for the junior two-year-old for the Red show, I milked her out.

“That news went through the sheds so fast, ‘He’s gone black. He’s gone black’! I thought it was kinda funny to screw with everyone a little bit.

“I was always going to show her in the Black & White show. Someone asked me why I chose the Black & White show over the Red that year? And, I said to them, ‘If you don’t compete with the best ones, what’s the sense in winning?’” 

NO NERVES

Mike said he wasn’t nervous when he hit the ring with Apple the sole Red & White entry in a class numbering 31 head under judge Dan Donor.

“No, because I had hold of the greatest young cow I’d ever seen,” Mike said.

He deliberately didn’t enter the ring in order by his class number, hanging back despite the ring steward’s best efforts, and eventually entered the WDE’s coliseum last. And out of order. The ring steward was then forced to escort him to his allotted spot.

“I walked Apple on the inside of every cow in that ring, and when I got to the end and the steward told me to follow him, I knew who Apple went behind, so I just turned right and went straight across the middle of the ring.

“And, then when I got there Dan [Donor, the judge] walked straight to the middle of the ring and I just set her up, and he did a complete walk around her like she was the only cow out there. He said, ‘thank you’ to me, and then I just walked over and put her in her spot.

“I thought, ‘I might get my arse beat, but I do know he’s going to know I’m here’. And, she was the only Red one.

“After he got through looking at her, the crowd started clapping. He couldn’t not win with her because the crowd was already hooping and hollowing, and the damn class hadn’t even started.”

Mike was to have a good day that day, because in the very next class he was exhibiting Quality Ridge Stormi Hazel, who would go on to classify EX96 2E 3* and be nominated All-American seven times in milking form.

“I knew I had Hazel to come next and Dan knew that too. So, we had a nice one-two punch there. That’s the way that day went down.”

US$1 MILLION

The day the four-year-old Apple sold for US$1million in the Global Glamour sale at Arethusa in 2008, the sale manager Ernie Kueffner and a former founding partner in Apple, said the new partnership was smart to include Mike, and for them to continue to house her at Sherona Hill.

“Successful businesspeople don’t buy cows because they want a blue ribbon,” Ernie said at the time. “They buy because they are a good investment. And, truthfully, finding money is easy. The real problem is once people purchase the cows, where can they keep them and who will take care of them. That is the biggest problem in our industry – taking care of animals properly.”

And, while WDE had set the tone for her career, Mike felt she had nothing to prove that year.

“Right after we sold her we had two really good daughters to sell in our Prime Time sale [held during WDE week],” Mike said.

“And, we’d just sold a half a dozen calves for another million dollars. So, I left her at home from WDE that year and put her on display at the sale. I had a calf bring US$140,000 and another one bring US$100,000. I didn’t need to take her down to the show and give anyone the chance to beat the million-dollar cow.”

INTELLIGENT AND FUN

Mike said Apple is aggressive and intelligent, and kept everyone on their toes at Sherona Hill.

“She’s a sneaky cow. If you left the gate slightly open, she’d get out. I ended up having to put a rope and snap on her gate, because she worked out how to open the spring-loaded latches.

“She would fart around until she could flip the latch up, and then pull it over with her mouth and either go and tear your hay stack down or eat a barrel of grain.”

Mike also left her in the third box stall at Sherona Hill so she never had to turn a corner to go to the dairy. At shows, the only person to take Apple to the clipping frame, for show preparation or to the wash rack was Mike’s son, Todd. In the end, they put a ring in her nose to keep her safe.

“She’s not mean, and she’s not mad, but she would make you suffer. Running back to her stall from the wash rack around corners on concrete is not good.

“If Todd did nothing else at the show, his job was to look after Apple. She liked him. No one else was to put her their hands on her except Todd, me or Joe Hoffman.

“It’s not because we were so smart or anything. It’s just she was so inquisitive and so on her own, and she respected really diligent handling, and if we made sure that happened, then she didn’t go out of place.

“And, I didn’t want to be the guy responsible for her going down and breaking her hip. At home, it didn’t happen because we just opened the gate and she had a straight line to the dairy.

“I’ve got a Sid daughter, who is exactly the same. If you have a pail of milk she’ll stop and drink the damn thing on the way back from milking. She’s always screwing around. Instead of fighting her, we just made sure there was no milk there.”

Mike said the ring on her nose also kept Apple on her game in the show-ring.

“I showed her one year and she’d look like a million dollars, and just when it was time to put her game face on she’d drop her shoulders and chine and spread her front legs, and goof around with her head.  

“It changed her whole front-end perspective. As soon as I could feel her starting to do it, I’d flick the ring and she’d shape back up. I might have got beaten, but Apple wasn’t going to beat me.”

– Apple’s clone, KHW Regiment Apple-3-Red ETN (pictured and owned by Westcoast Holsteins) won the four-year-old class at the 2013 WDE before going on to best Apple for Grand Champion Red & White Holstein. Apple finished Reserve and one of Apple’s Talent daughters was Honourable Mention, making it an historic Apple triple-crown. Apple 3 went on to win Reserve Supreme of the show. Photo: The Bullvine.

CLONING, AND WHEN THREE APPLES WIN

Her breeding plan early on was a studied exercise.

Mike said when the partnership won a free cloning session with Trans Ova Genetics when Apple won as a two-year-old, they took the sample right there at the show.

“That’s what got us going on the cloning thing. I always thought when others had cloned a 96-point cow that was 12 years old, that all the resulting clones looked like a 12-year-old cow when they were two.

“So, I believed the cloning had to be done with the genetic information when they were at their best, and they had to be a modern cow that would be modern in another five to 10 years.

“Trans Ova kept that genetic information, and we cloned that same tissue sample three separate times for nine calves. And, they all look like her, and they all looked like young cows.”

Among them was KHW Regiment Apple C-Red-ETN – the dam of popular sire Dymentholm Mr Apples Avalanche *RC. Another clone – Apple 3 – would be the cow to deny Apple her second Grand Champion at WDE in 2013 under judge Michael Heath, of Westminster, Maryland, USA.

Mike has judged many of the world’s biggest shows, and even though Apple was Reserve Champion that day and her Talent daughter was Honourable Mention (detailed above), the historic three-way Apple bonanza wasn’t his fairy-tale finish.

“I wasn’t overly thrilled with the ‘bing, bang…boom’ finish, because I thought Apple should have been Grand that day,” he said.

“If you’re going to get beat, well, your clone doesn’t hurt you. And, I knew her clone was a great young cow. She had been Intermediate Champion in 2011 as a junior two-year-old. But, I thought that Apple’s maturity and complete development could have put her over Apple 3.

“One guy told me that Apple not being Grand that day was my own fault, since I was the one who made the clone.”

WDE’s 2011 Red & White Holstein judge Adam Liddle, of Argyle, New York, USA, makes KHW Regiment Apple-Red-ET Grand Champion. Mike Deaver is on the halter. Photo: Nina Linton.

COWS WHO SHINE IN ANY ENVIRONMENT

Mike said his coast-to-coast trucking business, which took him throughout the USA and Canada, had given him a lot of experience and perspective about the kind of cows that shine in every climate.

“I see how much the weather and the living conditions will make some cows valuable in one area, yet they have no value in another area,” he said.

“And, just as an example, Fond Matt was a great bull, but he had leg issues. The best Fond Matts were in California and Kansas and there were some great ones in Virginia, but their legs couldn’t hold up on ice and concrete in other states, so his daughters didn’t work there.

“Apple had – for me – all the right angles. Every angle I look for in a great cow’s bone structure is A-framed. All of Apple’s angles were right and symmetrical, so that’s the way I looked at it. In my opinion – and I’d travelled enough roads in North America to know – she’d work on every good farm I’d ever been to.”

SIRES ALL WORKED

Perhaps for that reason, Apple clicked with almost every sire she was joined to.

“We started off with her first flushes to well-proven bulls out of great cow families like Talent, Stormatic and Redliner to see if she was going to be a brood cow. Then we went to Goldwyn – because he was the breed’s greatest bull – and we used the best Goldwyn son at the time, Destry. Every bull worked.

“We didn’t flush her every two weeks to get as many embryos as we could. She had breaks. We’d do two to three flushes for show-age calves and then we’d give her a break.”

One of Apple’s daughters that Mike bought outright is Holstein International’s 2019 Red Impact Cow of the Year (and the sixth member of the Altitude family to achieve the honour in the 12 years the competition has been running), Ms Delicious Apple-Red EX94-2E.

She is also the dam to show specialist Mr D Apple Diamondback *RC at Select Sires and full sister to Absolute-Red and Big Apple-Red.

“Delicious Apple is probably the most proportionate, balanced cow I’ve ever owned. And, when Diamondback was born that’s exactly what he was. He grew at exactly the same rate with everything. His belly came down, as his legs got longer; his shoulder came up, and his neck stayed long. He didn’t shorten in the rump or sway in the back. He’s the best calf I’ve ever had born.”

POSTER GIRLS

Today, Apple loves holding court at Duckett Holsteins.

“People will stop by there, and put her picture on Facebook all the time. I was up there several months ago, and she looks superb.

“She lives in a nice, big pen with Treasure [Vangoh Durham Treasure EX96-3E EX(99)MS]. They’ve got the life. Neither one of those cows have a problem with people coming to see them.”

THE BEST OF IT

Mike is now settled in Arizona, with no dairy cows in his direct care. He is upfront that they had the best of the registered game in the USA, and he fears for the next generation.

“The market is now completely flooded with a tremendous amount of quality cattle. It used to be a big deal when I was younger to have four generations of EX. Now, having eight or 10 is a dime a dozen.

“The only show left is Madison and the Royal [Agricultural Winter Fair], and if they’re not winners, who wants them?

“It doesn’t hold a lot of hope for anyone that wants to be in business – unless you have way too much money.”

Mike said the costs associated with farming today, along with the icy winters in Wisconsin, made his decision to step aside easier.

“I don’t have a fourth-generation tradition going on in Wisconsin. I like what we’ve done to this farm, and it’s been fun. And, if we could make some money and the weather was nice here all the time, it’d be fine.

“But when we spend six months in the ice and snow, and you can’t go anywhere because you have no help, I’d rather go and see my sons, Todd and Kyle, and their kids.”

THE NEXT CHAPTER

So, while Apple’s career continues with her latest batch of calves arriving in September, Mike has sold everything from the farm – except the halter he led Apple in – and the halter that he used on his first EX95-point cow.

“Apple is absolutely the only cow I wanted to own for her entire life, because I thought she was going to contribute something to the breed.”

And he was right.

However, Mike Deaver’s contribution to the breed – along with the cowmen of his generation – has been just as critical.

Because without Mike’s vision, work, daring and talent, Apple’s story may never have happened…

Only one red and white Holstein has ever been the Supreme Champion at the greatest dairy show in the world, World Dairy Expo.  Her name  is Lavender Ruby Redrose-Red.  Redrose is easily one of the greatest Red and White cows in history and, with her recent passing, her legacy is sure to continue for   her owners Nicky Reape and Mark Rueth of Rosedale Genetics. (Read more: Lavender Ruby Redrose-Red EX-96 4E Passes)

Lavender Ruby Redrose-Red EX-96 4E
2011 Wisconsin Cow of the Year!
Grand & Supreme Champion, World Dairy Expo 2005
All-American 5-Year-Old 2005
Grand Champion, World Dairy Expo 2007
All-American 125,000 lb. Cow 2007
Holstein International World Red & White Champion 2006 & 2007
Reserve Senior Champion, World Dairy Expo 2004
Res. All American & Res. All-WI 4-Year-Old 2004

It was Redrose’s third dam, the legendary Stookey Elm-Park Blackrose that first got Rosedale Genetics started, and hence the applicable prefix for Nicky and Mark.  A long time and very talented fitter Mark worked with many of the greatest show cows in the world.  During his 12 years clipping for Indianhead,  Mark had developed a strong friendship with Bob Schauf owner of Indianhead.  In December 1990, Mark was working at the Elmpark Sale and a tall, pregnant Blackstar, out of the renowned  three-time All-Canadian & American Champion  Nandette TT Speckle Red EX-93 DOM, named Blackrose caught his attention.  (Read more:  The Notorious Jack Stookey)  “When I saw her wide rump and massive frame, I thought: You must be able to breed something good out of that.”  Though they ended up paying  somewhat more than they intended, Mark and Bob were successful in purchasing Blackrose and they did indeed  fulfill Mark`s prediction as they bred  some great ones.

Stookey Elm Park Blackrose-ET *RC EX-96 3E GMD DOM
All-Time All-American Jr 2-Yr & Jr 3-Yr-Old Cow
Res All-American 5-Yr-Old Cow 1995
All-American Jr 3-Yr-Old Cow 1993
All-American Jr 2-Yr-Old Cow 1992
Grand Champion, Royal Winter Fair 1995

Stookey Elm Park Blackrose would go on to score EX-96, be named All-Time All-American Jr 2-Yr & Jr 3-Yr-Old Cow as well as Grand Champion at the Royal Winter Fair in 1995.  Blackrose  would also become one of the two greatest type transmitting cows in history.  (Read more:  MD DELIGHT DURHAM ATLEE – 2012 Golden Dam Finalist).  The daughters of her sons INDIANHEAD RED-MARKER EX-CAN ST’99, MARKWELL KITE-ET EX-CAN ST’04 and INDIANHEAD ENCOUNTER-ET EX-CAN ST’05, would dominate the show ring, especially in the Red & White classes.  Her outstanding daughter by KINGLEA LEADER, ROSEDALE LEA-ANN EX-93-2E-USA GMD, produced the dam of Redrose, NORTHROSE-I LAVENDER EX-90-4YR-USA 5* (Note: Northrose is Nicky and Mark’s prefix for their Canadian registered animals).  D R Vaandrager, a long time fitter who had worked with Nicky and Mark, purchased some embryos from Nicky and Mark to help start his Lavender Holsteins in Abbotsford BC, Canada.  They decided to use the famous STBVQ RUBENS for one of their flush matings and successfully produced Lavender Ruby Redrose-Red.

Nandette TT Speckle Red EX-93 DOM
3 All-Canadian & American Championship titles

Lavender Ruby Redrose-Red has called Rosedale home since its inception in 2001 when she was just a yearling.  While still needing development, Nicky and Mark saw great potential in Lavender Ruby Redrose-Red, “In my eyes, Redrose is a more dairy version of Blackrose,” comments Mark.  Just like Blackrose, who seemed to have instant success as a 2yr and 3yr old, Redrose was named 1^st Junior 2 year old at the 2002 World Dairy Expo Red & White Show.  She would continue her success in 2004 when she was named second 4 year old and Reserve Grand Champion,  behind eventual grand champion CHAIREIN RUBENS PARADE-RED.  In 2005 Lavender Ruby Redrose-Red  followed  no one as she was  not only  named Grand Champion of the Red and White show, but also went on to be named Supreme Champion.  She would come back in 2007 to win the 125,000 Lb. Cow class and again be named Grand Champion of the Red and White Show.

Just like the great Blackrose, Redrose-Red is also leaving a legacy of  outstanding descendants  as:

Rosedale Adventaeous-Red-ET EX-92
1st Sr. 3-Yr. Midwest Spring Red & White Show 2010
KHW Kite Advent-Red x KHW Kite Advent-Red

Rosedale Gold-Mine-ET *RC VG-89-2YR
HM All-American Jr 2-Yr-Old 2011
Goldwyn X Redrose-Red

Rosedale Black Ruby EX-94
Allegro x Redrose-Red

Rosedale Tea-Rose EX-94
(Redliner x Durham x Redrose)
Reserve All-American R&W 4 Year Old 2012
Nasco Type and Production Winner 2012

ROSEDALE TWISTER-RED EX-90-4YR-USA
Distrigene x Tribute x Redrose

The story of Lavender Ruby Redrose will also be told  through her sons

VG 2 yr old By Rosedale Accolade EX94
(KHW KITE ADVENT-RED x Redrose)

The Bullvine Bottom Line

Nicky Reape and Mark Rueth are two of the most passionate dairy breeders there are in the world today.  They take amazing care of  their cattle and treat each animal as if it was  unique in its own right … because each one is.  Rosedale has enjoyed a great deal of success in the show ring since its inception back in 2001 and  many  outstanding accomplishments have been added  during this time.  While many breeders dream of  having a class winner at World Dairy Expo, Rosedale has had several, including  numerous Supreme Champion awards.  One of the highlights has to be the success of Lavender Ruby Redrose-Red, who certainly became part of the family and fan favorite around the world, as demonstrated  by the very popular birthday parties Nicky and Mark would post on their Facebook page.  While I am sure the passing of Redrose will  be tough for Nicky and Mark, she certainly has left a legacy for them to build on.  Redrose Red  is now laid to rest in a bed of roses next to her grandmother Rosedale Lea-Ann Excellent-93 EEEEE 2E GMD and her legendary great grandmother Stookey Elm Park Blackrose-ET *RC EX-96 3E GMD DOM.

Get original “Bullvine” content sent straight to your email inbox for free.

“It was a very good year.” can be the opening lyrics for a song or the lyrical description of a remarkable year in the life of Comestar Goldwyn Lilac.  In 2012 Lilac had daughters and granddaughters command high prices at sales.  Her progeny became list toppers during the year.  Owned by Genervations Inc., Mapel Wood Farms and O’Connor Land & Cattle Co., of Jerseyville, Ontario, Lilac was flushed in 2012 to add polled and red to the family.  On all sides she expressed what a complete cow she had become:  pedigree + performance + progeny. As her owners confirmed, “Lilac, from the Lila Z family, was great to work with in developing and marketing elite genetics.”

COMESTAR GOLDWYN LILAC VG-89-5YR-CAN 3*
ALL-ONTARIO SR.2-YR 2008
NOM. ALL-CANADIAN SR.2-YR 2008
2ND SR.2-YR ON SUMMER 2008
1ST SR.2-YR AUTUMN OPP. 2008

There are Many High Lights in Lilac’s Pedigree

An amazing year doesn’t happen just out of the blue it has to be supported by a great foundation. The sires behind Lilac read like a who’s who of highly proven, well-respected sires:  Goldwyn x Durham x Formation x Starbuck x Astro Jet.  Now that is a formula for success! And that’s just the sire side. High is more than just a word commonly used with Goldwyn who has high scoring, high producing and high genomic sons and daughters.  He has re-written the book on daughters winning at shows.

Let’s take a look back at Lilac’s dam and you face the dazzling resume of Lylehaven Lila Z  EX-94, 9* (Read more: LYLEHAVEN LILA Z – 2012 Golden Dam Finalist) .  She, herself, has two generations of EX 94 cows with high production preceding her. The Million Dollar Cow was living at Comestar, when she was flushed to Goldwyn to produce several full Goldwyn sisters, including Lilac (Read more: Lylehaven Lila Z : Was She Really Worth $1.15 Million?). They all carry high type, high production and high index. Like Lilac the other daughters have also placed bulls in A.I. and have had global demand for their embryos. Now Lilac carries on the strong transmitting potential she got from this great pedigree.

LYLEHAVEN LILA Z EX-94-CAN 14*
Dam of Lilac
ALL-CANADIAN JR.2-YR,JR.1-YR
HM. ALL-CANADIAN 5-YR,4-YR
HM.INT. ROYAL 2004
1ST JR.2-YR ROYAL 2004

The Limelight Loves Lilac

“It never rains but it pours” could be applied to the showers of accolades that fell on Lilac in 2012. Not only was she in the top four for 2012 Cow of the Year but she topped a field of six finalists, Comestar Goldwyn Lilac was named Holstein World’s Favorite Goldwyn Daughter.

Lilac Blooms in the Spotlight

Even though 2012 was a peak year for Lilac, it merely marked the next step on a path filled with a considerable list of achievements. Over two lactations Lilac produced 53,569 kgs at 4.6% Fat and 3.6% protein.  She has garnered two superior lactation awards with records of 2-03  (305D)   14,556 kgs  4.6%F   3.7%P and 4-06  (305D)    19,612 kgs  4.6%F   3.4%P.  In addition in 2008, Lilac was named All-Ontario Senior 2 year old and in her second lactation lit up with a VG89 classification score – the maximum possible. Lilac has been competitive on the index list as well.  She has placed as high as #6 LPI cow but, even more amazing, is that she has placed in the top 16 on the LPI list no less than 9 consecutive times.  That’s blooming great no matter how you look at it.

OCONNORS PLANET LUCIA VG-86-2YR-CAN
Daughter of Lilac
#1 LPI Cow in Canada

Shining Lilac Reflects on her Neon Offspring

This is one family whose reputation has only been enhanced with the arrival of genomics. Lilac’s high indexing sons and daughters are set to follow in her red-carpet footsteps. Her daughters’ star power stands at 3 stars led by Lucia and Lucy.  She has 17 classified daughters: 13 Very Good and 4 Good Plus. Nothing lower!  Taking a closer look at Planet daughter Lucia, we see she was the #1 LPI Cow in August and December 2012. Lilac’s MOM daughter, Lucy, is her highest DVG LPI daughter. Another special note is that Lilac’s Brewmaster daughter Lauren 3210 DVG LPI has an unheard of +1.15% Fat and 0.40% Protein.

MAPEL WOOD M O M LUCY
Lilac’s highest DGV daughter by Man-O-Man

No doubt this seemingly magical transmitting ability will continue with her sons who are too young yet for official proofs. Having said that Lexor was once the #1 PA gLPI Bull and Latimer (Freddie) has been high on the PA gTPI Bull List. As well as her grandsons Willpower, Liquid Gold, Fuzion and Gizmo also topping the lists (Read more: $750 Dollar Semen! Are You Crazy?)

Lilac Also Transmits the Scent of Money

Lilac’s daughter, Lucia, sold for $410,000 in the Genetics By Design Sale. She and her progeny sold for more than $2.1 Million in that November 2012 sale (Read more:Genetics by Design – Crosses the $4,000,000 Mark).  Lucy had a Sudan daughter sell for over $150,000 in 2012 at the International Intrigue Sale, as well as selling for $77,000 herself in the Genetics by Design Sale. All told, Lilac’s family accounted for approximately 66% of the Genetics By Design Sale’s total! As well, son Lexor had many high selling daughters in the November 2012 sales.

BAXTER LILAC Z VG-88-2YR
Baxter Daughter of Lilac in The Netherlands

Lilac’s Growing Legacy

With the tremendous highs of 2012, came the ultimate heartbreak.  In July, Lilac suddenly died. Nevertheless, Lilac and the family around her, are in high demand whether for females or semen from sons. The impact of the Lilac family is spreading through numerous herds in many countries. One such daughter is Baxter Lilac Z VG-88-2yr owned by  Soureth Holsteins in The Netherlands.  Now other breeders will enjoy the sweet smell of success from 2012 Cow of the Year Nominee Comestar Goldwyn Lilac.

Make Your Vote Count

Over the next few days we will be profiling the nominees and encourage you to get your vote in before the deadline.  There are 4 ways of voting— Voting options for Holstein Canada members include mail in ballot; faxing your ballot; emailing your vote to cowoftheyear@holstein.ca; or voting online through your Holstein Canada account. Also share this on Facebook to make sure your fellow breeders get out and vote.

Get original “Bullvine” content sent straight to your email inbox for free.

Today The Bullvine joins with Beverly Donovan and Richard Caverly of Benton Maine during a sad moment in the breeding journey of Deer Hill Ayrshires, as they mourn the passing of Sweet-Pepper Black Francesca 3E-94. Francesca, wasn’t just a cow who had great show ring accomplishments, she was a cow who won the hearts and minds of breeders the world over. She was one of those rare cows that transcended her breed to be loved by all. Beverly and Richard took amazing care of “Frannie” and gained a close friend in return.

Sweet-Pepper Black Francesca – EX-94-3E (USA)
Grand Champion World Dairy Expo 2012, 2010
Grand Champion Royal Agricultural Winter Fair 2012
All-World 6 & 7 Year-Old Ayrshire 2012
Total Performance Winner World Dairy Expo 2012, 2011
Nasco International & Type Production Award World Dairy Expo 2012, 2011
Reserve Grand Champion World Dairy Expo 2011
Grand Champion Eastern States National 2011, 2009

A Firm Foundation

Richard recalls how they found Francesca. “Beverly was looking to add a strong foundation animal to her Deer Hill herd. We visited Craig and Bonnie Hawksley, as Craig has always been the most helpful mentor and friend. He has an uncanny ability to breed Ayrshire cattle.” It was a great consultation that netted results. “Francesca was discussed and later purchased as the cow that would become a focus of Beverly’s Ayrshire passion.”

Dedication, Commitment and Support

Once the choice was made, the focus at Deer Hill became Francesca’s development. Richard describes that attention to detail. “Beverly’s passion to seek the greatest things for each and every one of her animals is something found in very few individuals. If it is chore time, no matter what the job may be, Beverly is there to provide for the animals first and foremost.” He points out that this care is not a 9 to 5 event at Deer Hill. “From the time her feet hit the floor in the morning, Bev’s sole attention is for her animals. We also have the incredible support of a team of trusted and cherished friends, family, and people willing to share their successes and help with our problems.”

Francesca being shown by close friend Jim Strout during the Supreme Champion Parade at the 2012 WDE

Francesca’s Feats

At Deer Hill, Francesca, fondly known as Frannie, made high records including 6-09 (305 days), 34,560 pounds, 4.3% Fat and 3.1% Protein and has had three calves the oldest a son Deer Hill Francis EX91. Francis is the main herd sire at Deer Hill and his two Calimero sisters, Princess, now a yearling and Pixiedust, born in early August 2012, are very promising heifers. Francesca’s feats are even more amazing when you know that she calved six times before her eighth birthday.

2012 Madison Tanbark Legends Frannie with Veronica and Vivid at 2012 WDE Team Arethusa

Francesca Truly Was a Saint!

Obviously, overcome with the loss they must face, Richard explains how Francesca’s perfection was the motivation that inspired all of them. “In many ways she was both magical and determined. She would make you turn your head with her beauty and fascinate you with her ability to excel as a cow, while she appeared to be running on cruise control!” He credits Frannie with presenting two sides to her own story. “On the one hand she made everything easy. Yet was the first to show you that nothing should be taken for granted. She would take unexpected opportunities to bring you into reality as she guided you through a dream.”

A Shining List of Achievements

Sweet-Pepper Black Francesca was the Grand Champion of the 2012 International Ayrshire Show at World Dairy Expo. She was the winning entry from the Six-Year-Old & Over Class, best uddered, the senior champion and the grand champion female of the show, the Nasco type & production award winner, and total performance winner of the show. Francesca was also the recipient of the Udder Comfort $1,000 Cash Award. This was another crowning achievement after being the 2010 Grand Champion and the 2011 Reserve Grand Champion. In 2012, she was the Grand Champion of the Eastern States Exposition for the third time in her show career, and also won Best Uddered Cow, the Nasco Type & Production Award, Total Performance Award, and the Milk Fat Production Award, all awards that she had won in 2011 at that show, too. In 2012 she was also the winning Mature Cow, Senior Champion, Grand Champion and Best Udder at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. Earlier this year, Francesca won the All-World Title for Best 6 to 7 Year Old Ayrshire from the World Ayrshire Federation. In both 2010 and 2011, she was named Unanimous All-American. Deer Hill Farm has shown Francesca 6 times at national shows in the U.S.A. and won Grand Champion at 5 of the 6 and Reserve Grand Champion at the other.

The “Frannie Pack”

As already mentioned, Francesca had 6 calves before she was 8 years old. Richard describes her offspring. “The first 3 born at Sweet Pepper were all males. Deer Hill’s first arrival was also a male who we named Francis. Francis is the hub of the Deer Hill program as his calves have truly been incredible and he currently is the service sire of choice with every female within the other families here at Deer Hill.” With justifiable pride, he points out that her daughters excel for him and Beverly as well. “Fairytale Princess is Francesca’s first daughter and the epitome of what we look for in a young female. Fairytale Pixiedust is the family baby, who like momma and siblings inspires us to go to the barn! We are blessed to be working with Craig and Bonnie with Francesca’s dam Feather. At 15 years old she was raised to Excellent 93 in a system that only allows for a 94-point maximum score. She has been a show Grand Champion as well, as recently as this summer at the state fair.” As expected there is true affection for the success of others in Francesca’s family. “She has two sisters who have both won shows in milking form this year. Faith is Francesca’s sister here at Deer Hill. She is a June baby who is truly precious to us.”

Frannie and Beverly Supreme at Skowhegan State Fair (Oldest Continuing Fair in The World)

The Frannie Dream Team is Amazing Both “At Home” and “Away”

As Francesca’s story unfolded Bev and Richard were supported, uplifted and mentored by many others who saw the potential and possibilities facing Francesca. They recognize how much that has meant to them. “With such great family, friends, neighbors, and my employer, we always felt safe with our “home team” watching out for us!” It takes many players to pull together a winning team and Richard starts with “Pam Jeffery – because every great team is known by its cheerleaders!” He gives special recognition to Ernest Kueffner, Terri Packard, Gary and Melissa Bowers, Steve McDonald and Julie Hemp because, as Richard points out “These great individuals let us be part of their wonderful teams at the shows! Team Arethusa, Mac-Ayr, M & J Heifer Care, and Lencrest. So many people, such wonderful individuals! The veterinarians, foot trimmers, truckers, fitters, and that one very special lady who always looked Frannie up to make sure her tail looked glamorous (Joyce Thomas).Also, the ever-important leadsmen Steve White, Gary Bowers, Jim Strout and Mike Duckett.” Richard doesn’t leave out one other important group, the Judges, who contributed to Francesca’s success. “ It was always their decision in the end and for the most part they all did agree!

The Team the helped Frannie at the 2012 RAWF

Ode To Francesca

The support, friendship and love Frannie has received through the years is amazing. “People whom we do not know spent their vacation time and hard earned dollars to travel millions of miles to see her. She brought them to the coliseum and back to the straw pack where they admired her and often had their photo taken with her.” Obviously, Francesca was more than one of the cows she was a superstar at the shows and “one of the family” all the time.

Life Lessons from Francesca

Richard is thankful and declares “It is an honor to share such an experience with so many! For everyone who loved Frannie you all shared in the dream in your own special way. Frannie touched a generation, and if they learned one thing from her she would want them to know “Dream big. Dedicate Yourself and Follow the Dream” Francesca started out in the little state of Rhode Island. Bev gave her homes in Massachusetts and Maine and Francesca conquered the world with love and friendship.”

Francesca and Beverly early one morning at Eastern States Expo

The Bullvine Bottom Line

Bev and Richard have been married 2 ½ years and Francesca has been a shared dream. Faced with a future without her, they sum it up quite eloquently. The magic of Francesca is that she has excelled at showing, milking, producing nice offspring, and winning the hearts of people all over the world. She has been a magical fairytale in our lives by making Bev’s dreams come true. The future may bring more fairytale magic to Deer Hill Farm, and in time, we will see if the ‘Magic of Francesca’ continues through her offspring.

“Loved by All”
Sweet-Pepper Black Francesca
2004-2012

As a follow up to our 8 Greatest North American Holstein Show Cows of All-Time we now turn our focus onto the Colored breeds.  With many breeds with cows from different eras this was certainly one of our of biggest challenges to date.  To choose we focused heavily on how much they dominated in their breed and era, as opposed to overall personal conformation.  Here is what we found.

#12.  INDIAN ACRES MM PISTACHIO PIE EX-94-USA

INDIAN ACRES MM PISTACHIO PIE EX-94-USA
Photo by Cybil Fisher

Born April 23, 2002
EX-94-5Y (USA)
Sire: Four Winds Magicman
Dam: Indian Acres Fays Pumpkin Pie
Exhibited by: Ashley Elise Sears, South Deerfield, Massachusetts, USA
Supreme Champion – World Dairy Expo – 2007
Supreme Champion – World Dairy Expo, Jr. Show – 2007
Grand Champion – National Guernsey Show – 2007, 2006
Grand Champion – National Guernsey Show, Jr. Show – 2007
Senior Champion – National Guernsey Show – 2007, 2006

#11. LLOLYN JUDE GRIFFEN EX-95-USA

LLOLYN JUDE GRIFFEN EX-95-USA
Photo by Cybil Fisher

Born: September 02, 2000
EX-95 10-00 yrs (USA)
Sire: Master C Tops
Dam: Llolyn Fred’s Gold 31B EX-2E 4-07 yrs (CAN)
Exhibited by: Peter Vail & Budjon Farms, Lomira, Wisconsin, USA
Grand Champion – World Dairy Expo – 2008, 2007
Senior Champion – World Dairy Expo – 2008, 2007
Supreme Champion – World Dairy Expo Jr. Show – 2004
Grand Champion – World Dairy Expo Jr. Show – 2004
Grand Champion – All-American Jersey Show – 2007, 2006
Senior Champion – All-American Jersey Show – 2007, 2006
Nasco Type & Production Winner – All-American Jersey Show – 2007
1st Place Aged-Cow – All-American Jersey Show – 2007
Reserve Supreme Champion – World Dairy Expo – 2007
Reserve Grand Champion – World Dairy Expo – 2010, 2004
Reserve Senior Champion – World Dairy Expo – 2010
Intermediate Champion – World Dairy Expo – 2004

#10. PENN DEL VICUVIUS GLENNA EX-96-USA

PENN DEL VICUVIUS GLENNA EX-96-USA
Photo by Julie DeLavergne

Born : November 23, 1983
EX-96 6-05 yrs (USA)
Sire: Penn Del Hornet Vesuvius
Dam: Penn Del Flame Goldilocks
Exhibited by: Fowler & Emily Branstetter, Edmonton, Kentucky, USA
Grand Champion – World Dairy Expo – 1989, 1988
Senior Champion – World Dairy Expo, Jr. Show – 1989, 1988
Grand Champion – National Guernsey Show – 1989, 1988, 1987
Senior Champion – National Guernsey Show – 1989, 1988, 1987

#9. VALEVUE BBK MINERVA EX-96-2E

VALEVUE BBK MINERVA EX-96-2E
Photo by Cybil Fisher

Born June 08, 2002
EX-96-2E @ 6-06 (USA)
Sire: Blackaddar B B Kellogg
Dam: Yellow Briar Patricks Mint VG-85  4-07 yrs (CAN)
Exhibited by :Steve & Vicki Searles/Stillmore Cattle Company Pine Island, MN
2005, 2006 & 2008 – Grand Champion – WDE
2005 – Intermediate Champion – WDE

#8. LYNDALE CONVINCER ELAINE EX-5E-93

LYNDALE CONVINCER ELAINE EX-5E-93
Photo by Kathy DeBruin

5E93 @ 15-05 (USA)
Exhibited by: Lyndale Swiss, Nebraska, USA
World Dairy Expo Grand Champion Cow 1988, 1989 & 1990
Supreme Champion World Dairy Expo 1988 & 1989

#7. VANDENBERG AMEDEO GORGEOUS EX-97-3E

VANDENBERG AMEDEO GORGEOUS EX-97-3E
Photo by Vicki Fletcher

Born: 05/14/01
EX-97-3E @ 8-05 (CAN)
Sire: Piedmont Grove Amedeo
Dam: Vandenberg Jude Georgina VG-85 @ 3-02 (CAN)
Exhibited by: Rapid Bay Jersey Farm Ormstown, Québec, Canada
Supreme Champion – 2007 Royal Winter Fair
Grand Champion Royal Winter Fair ,2007 2005
Reserve Grand Champion, RAWF 2006

#6. WAYMAR PATRICK NADINE EX-97-USA

WAYMAR PATRICK NADINE EX-97-USA
Photo by Frank Ronbinson

Born: July 22, 1991
EX-97-6E @ 11-01 (CAN)
Sire: Nabdon Master Patrick 7R
Dam: Waymar Silver Jay Norah 5T VG-85 10-11 yrs (CAN)
Exhibted by: Piedmont Jersey Inc, Coaticook, Quebec, Canada
Res. Supreme Champion – World Dairy Expo 1996 & 2000
Grand Champion – World Dairy Expo 1996, 1997, 1998 & 2000

#5. WESTLYNN TOM DEE  EX-96-USA

WESTLYNN TOM DEE EX-96-USA
Photo by Maggie Murphy

Born: October 04, 1988
EX-96  10-05 yrs (USA)
Sire: Westlynn Emory Tom
Dam: Westlynn Pepper Delight
Exhibited by: Kortus, Mark Rueth & Clark & Joy Vilter, Hartland, Wisconsin, USA
Reserve Supreme Champion – National Guernsey Show – Madison, WI (WDE)
Grand Champion – National Guernsey Show – 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992
Senior Champion – National Guernsey Show – 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992

#4. GLENAMORE GOLD PRIZE EX-97-6E-CAN

GLENAMORE GOLD PRIZE EX-97-6E-CAN
Photo by Patty Jones

Born: 09/18/89
EX-97-6E @ 11-00 (CAN)
Sire: Glenamore Goldust 15R
Dam: Glenamore Royal Prize 38T
VG-85 @ 3-07 (CAN)
Exhibited by: Shamrock Genetics, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
Grand Champion Royal Winter Fair 2000, 1999, 1996, 1995, 1994

#3. DES PRAIRIES TOUTOU EX-96-3E

DES PRAIRIES TOUTOU EX-96-3E
Photo by Patty Jones

Born:     July 18, 1993
EX-96-3E @ 10-05 (CAN)
Sire: Woodland View Jupiter-ET
Dam: Des Prairies Toupie 2  VG-85 @ 2-06 (CAN)
Exhibited by Bruce, Susan, and Kelsey Mode
Grand Champion Royal Winter Fair 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002 & 2003
Supreme Champion Royal Winter Fair 2003
Grand Champion – World Dairy Expo 2002

#2. HURONIA CENTURION VERONICA 20J EX-97-USA

HURONIA CENTURION VERONICA 20J EX-97-USA
Photo by Cybil Fisher

Born: September 01, 1999
EX-97 8-09 yrs (USA)
Sire: Sooner Centurion-ET
Dam: Genesis Renaissance Vivianne, VG-87 2-01 yrs (CAN)
Exhibited by: Arthusa Farm , Litchfield, Connecticut, USA
Supreme Champion – World Dairy Expo 2006
Grand Champion World Dairy Expo 2004, 2005, 2006,

#1. OLD MILL E SNICKERDOODLE OCS EX-4E-94-USA

OLD MILL E SNICKERDOODLE OCS EX-4E-94-USA
Photo by Kathy DeBruin

Born: October 14, 1998
4E94 12-00 yrs (USA)
Sire: Victory Acres Jubilation Emory
Dam: Old Mill E Cookie
Exhibited by: Allen Bassler, Jr., Upperville, Virginia, USA
Grand Champion World Dairy Expo 2009, 2008, 2005, 2004, 2003 & 2002

The Bullvine Bottom Line.

While I am sure you can debate which cows were actually better than others, the only way to fairly judge was to look at how much they dominated in their own breed and era. The one thing that comes to light for sure is just how much Snickerdoodle has dominated the Brown Swiss breed, and hence her being named the greatest North American Colored Breed Show Cow of All-Time.

LYLEHAVEN LILA Z comes from a long line of great genetics that have prepared her to be contender for 2012 Golden Dam.  Her grand-dam THIERSANT LILI STARBUCK EX-94 5E has 22 daughters who are high for yield and type. Her dam LYLEHAVEN FORM LAURA Ex-94 3E has 14 high conformation and high production daughters including a remarkable 5 full sisters to Lila Z.

LYLEHAVEN FORM LAURA EX-94-3E-USA GMD DOM 6* – dam of Lila Z
RES. ALL-CANADIAN JR.3-YR 2002
HM. ALL-AMERICAN 4-YR 2003

Lila Z Magnifies Success for Multiple Owners

Lylehaven Lila Z has changed ownership on no less than seven separate occasions. Up to the present time more than thirteen breeders have owned shares in this record breaking cow.  Lila Z is currently owned by Rich Vanderwal, Cedarwal Farms Limited (Abbotsford, BC) and the Donaldson Family, Bradner Farms (Abbotsford, BC). Rich Vanderwal sums up the interest that led to their purchase. He says, “We admired Lila Z as a valuable show cow and a great breed ambassador”  (Read more – Lylehaven Lila Z: Was she really worth $1.15 Million)

Zero in on Lila Z’s Numbers

Those who work with Lila Z find that she impresses in the barn and on the books. Rich Vanderwal points out that “her greatest strengths are her frame, her dairyness and the great mammaries she passes on to on her progeny.”  Lila Z’s numbers clearly support this analysis. She is EX-94 (third lactation) and a fourth generation Ex-94. Lila is a 14 Star Brood Cow. In 3 lactations she produced 75,385 kgs milk 3.9%F 3.4%. She has 1 Super 3 and 3 Superior Lactations. As well, Lila Z was All-Canadian- Junior Yearling & Jr 2 Yr Old and HM All Canadian 4 Yr Old & 5 Yr Old.

Lila Z has a Living Legacy

OCONNORS PLANET LUCIA VG-86-2YR-CAN – grand daughter of Lila Z
#1 GLPI Cow in Canada -8/12

Obviously Lila Z has what it takes and has become a media sensation but Rich Vanderwal feels she goes well beyond the headlines.  “Lila Z is no longer just a million dollar cow with a nice pedigree and show winnings.  She is the premier brood cow at the top of the Holstein breed.” He elaborates on what makes her unique. “Lila Z is a bull dam in her own right but now her daughters and granddaughters are producing bulls (Lavaman, Lexor and now Let it Snow) that are topping the genomics list for the last 2 years  and an own granddaughter is now #1 GLPI cow in Canada (Lucia – one the sensational 6 top north American genomic Holsteins we would invest in), with high genomic sons on the way.” This has been part of the reason why her progeny and descendants are commanding high prices at sales all over the world. Rich points out, “Lila Z’s influence now extends into most herds in Canada and internationally.”

 53 Desirable Lila Zs

COMESTAR GOLDWYN LILAC VG-89-5YR-CAN – daughter of Lila Z
ALL-ONTARIO SR.2-YR 2008,
NOM. ALL-CANADIAN SR.2-YR 2008

There are 5 daughters of Lila Z which feature in Canada’s Top 75 GLPI cows. “Goldwyn has been the golden cross on her so far producing daughters that are All Canadian, Star Brood Cows and valuable bull dams” says Vanderwal. The numbers are excellent for them too. Seven of her eight Goldwyn daughters were VG as 2 yr olds with high production. Goldwyn Lilac is nominated for the 2012 International Cow of the Year. Her first EX daughter is by Shottle however over thirty of her daughters are young and have not calved in for the first time. Cederwal and Bradner are using many high genomic sires on Lila Z flushes at this time.

Great Way to Get Some Zzzz’s

Embryos from Lila Z’s descendents are routinely offered for sale, privately or through public auction. Her high genomic grandsons are being used as flush sires by many breeders around the world. Acecroft in the UK have so far produced 93 registered progeny of Goldwyn Zulu.

Lila Z’s Rising Sons

So far Lila Z has 5 Ex and 4 VG sons. One is Class Extra and one is Superior Production. Her sons routinely transmit great length of body and ultra long dairy necks, with tremendous frames that have the balance and style associated with Lila Z.

Lila Z Delivers the Genomics

Lila Z just naturally rises to the top of whatever list breeders measure by.  Rich explains.  “Since we (Cederwal & Bradner) purchased her she has also proven to be a terrific transmitter when evaluated by genomics also.” However he notes that this isn’t the first reason buyers considered the purchase of Lila Z, “She was never bought or sold on genomics. It has been a bonus to the owners of her progeny that the science of genomics later confirmed her true transmitting ability. (Read – Lessons Learned: 6 Dairy Cattle Investment Secrets Revealed)Lila Z and her daughters are now in that very unique group of cows that demand respect as proven transmitters – the package of genomics backed by a truly reputable cow family.” (Read more – Top Three Things To Consider When Investing In High Genomic Heifers)

Lila Z is Ready for Her Close Up

“We are thrilled to be able to be involved with such a famous and significant brood cow” Undoubtedly past owners felt the same way as her growing star power continuously attracted attention.  With a touch of mystery Rich advises, “Look for her to make a cameo appearance at the Genetics by Design Sale in November 2012.”  Obviously the new owners continue to believe that Lila Z’s story is “still beginning”.

The Ongoing Impact of Lylehaven Lila Z

Lila Z`s owners, past and present, love to expand on the major influence of Lila Z and her progeny.  David Eastman notes that “Not since the days of Laurie Sheik, has so much faith and confidence been put in one cow family.”  Rich Vanderwal emphatically concludes, “Lila Z’s contribution to the Holstein breed will rank her as the #1 brood cow of this era.”

Do you think Lila Z deserves to win our 2012 Golden Dam Contest?  Let us know. Your vote counts.