Farmers are hard to buy for. The things they need, they buy for themselves. The things they want, have price tags with lots of zeros. While it’s hard to find that perfect gift for the dairy farmer on your list, short of finding 12 doses of Goldwyn semen or a higher milk price, here are 16 items that are sure to please your dairy farmer this Christmas.
- Prints by Bonnie Mohr
For a long time, Bonnie Mohr has been the industry standard for great dairy Like many, our family has had the opportunity to appreciate Bonnie’s great work. My wife has given me a Bonnie Mohr print every year on our anniversary. That is why when we had the opportunity to interview Bonnie – Bonnie Mohr – Science and Art Together Creates a Holstein Love Story-; it was an honor for us. Be sure to check out her website for more extraordinary fine art from rural America. - The Chosen Breed and The Holstein History by Edward Young Morwick
Anyone who appreciates history will enjoy either the US history (The Holstein History) or the Canadian History (The Chosen Breed) by Edward Morwick. Each of these books is so packed with information that they are each printed in two separate volumes. We had a chance to interview Edward – Edward Young Morwick – Country Roads to Law Office and got a real sense of his passion and quick wit which also come shining through in his books. Be sure to get your copies of this amazing compilation of Holstein history. - A Great Pair of Work Boots
Never underestimate the power of a pair of comfortable, warm work boots. When mucking around chasing that fresh heifer, who just doesn’t want to go into the robotic milker, nothing beats a pair of great work boots. - 2016 World Dairy Expo and 2016 Royal Winter Fair Holstein Show Photo Books
Due to their extreme popularity over the past three years, we brought back the photo books for 2016. These 80 page 10”x 8” coffee table books each contain over 150 hi-resolution photos. You can relive all the action and excitement of the 2016 World Dairy Expo Holstein Show and The Royal Winter Fair 2016 Holstein Show with these one-of-a-kind photo books. Check out these photo books here. - A Special Lady from Steel Cow
Although she is neither a dairy breeder nor a show ring competitor, artist Valerie Miller of Steel Cow is, nevertheless, completely hands-on in her relationship with cows. This passionate painter not only paints her girls larger than life but she also aligns their bovine characteristics with dear family members and friends. These paintings are admired by all and make a great Christmas gift for the dairy breeder on your list. (Read more: Steel Cow’s Valerie Miller: Larger Than Life With Her Cow Girls) - A Show-Cation
This could be the Christmas to take relief milking to another level. How about giving the Tanbark enthusiast on your list a vacation, or as we like to call it – a Show-Cation to World Dairy Expo or The Royal? Better yet, maybe you can send them to IDW in Australia or the European Championship show in France. Check out our favorite showcations. - Get the gift of maximum genetic progress
Why not give the dairy breeder on your list some embryos from their favorite cow or even a gift card for semen for that young sire they have always wanted? Check out our mating recommendations section for some ideas, or Sire Proof Central to find that needle in a haystack sire that will change your breeding program. - Paintings by Gary Sauder
Since the first time I saw Gary’s work on Facebook, I was amazed by the super-realism of his paintings. His passion and understanding of what great dairy animals look like comes through in each and every one. We had the chance to interview Gary in our feature article – GARY SAUDER: The Muse in His Studio. To order some of Gary’s excellent artwork visit Cow Art and More. - Coupons for relief milking
It may seem silly to some, but dairy farming is a 365 day per year job, and sometimes they just need time to step away for dinner with their partner. Coupons for 2 or 3 milkings might just be the gift they never forget and greatly appreciate. - Prints by Emma Caldwell
Probably one of the most talented young artists I have ever come across, Emma Caldwell is well on her way to becoming a worldwide household name. Though just starting out in her career, she has already done some amazing paintings of Hailey, Smurf, and Francesca. Check out our feature interview with Emma, Emma Caldwell’s Art Stirs Mind and Heart, as well as her many great prints available from her web shop. - Legends of the Tanbark Trail by Tim Baumgartner
Dairy cattle have been on exhibit for nearly 200 years and taking home the coveted title of National Grand Champion has always been a compelling force. Tracing the first 100 years of U.S. national dairy cattle shows, Legends of the Tanbark Trail is a remarkable account of the people, the places, and the magnificent and unparalleled animals that have graced the show ring throughout its history. Be sure to get your show enthusiast their copy of this special - Facebook Page for Their Farm
Instead of wasting hundreds of dollars on a web page that no one will ever read, give the dairy breeder in your life a Facebook page that will reach the world. The best part about it? It’s free! That’s correct; it will cost you nothing. All you need to do is download this simple guide,The Dairy Breeders Guide to Facebook and you will be well on the way to helping the dairy breeder in your life market to the world. - The Dairy Queen: A History of the Jersey Breed Worldwide
This 300-page book is a great Christmas present for anyone interested in the Jersey breed. It chronicles the origins and development of the Jersey breed through detailed text and photos. Be sure to check out our interview “THE DAIRY QUEEN” HAS ALL THE ANSWERS! With Co-Author Derrick Frigot. He tells how this book came to be and what makes it so unique. Supplies are limited, so be sure to check out theirFacebook page and order your copy for the Jersey breeder in your life. - Millionaires in the Cornfield: The Glory Days of the National Dairy Cattle Congress by Norman Nabholz.
For me, Norm is probably one of the greatest cattle minds of the past 50 years. It only takes a few moments of chatting with Norm to recognize his passion for this business we all love. His book is easy to pick up but hard to put down. Not only does it recount the achievements of legendary breeders and showmen with words and countless pictures, the background information and this behind-the-scenes look are most entertaining and engaging. The Bullvine had a chance to sit down and interview this multi-talented man in our feature article – HALTER, PEN and GAVEL. That’s Just the Norm. - A New Smartphone
If there is one thing we have learned since starting The Bullvine, it is that Dairy Farmers love to check out the latest news on their smartphones. More than half our web traffic comes from a mobile device. So, make life easier for the dairy farmer on your list and get them that smartphone that makes reading the latest news on The Bullvine, or gossip on Facebook that much easier. While you’re at it, be sure to join the world’s largest community of dairy breeder discussion,The Milkhouse. There are over 5,000 members, and 20-30 posts every day about all the issues that face Dairy Producers from around the world. - A Subscription to The Bullvine
For those that are tight on budget, go for a FREE subscription to the largest dairy breeder publication in the world. Filled with daily news items and feature articles, this subscription is the gift that keeps on giving year-round.
The Bullvine Bottom Line
Yes! Christmas is getting closer. So, instead of buying that tie that they might only wear for weddings or funerals, or the work gloves that could get lost the first time they are worn, consider these 16 great gift ideas. Not only do they connect them to their dairy passion, but also your thoughtfulness will touch your special dairy breeder’s heart and make lasting memories this Christmas!
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