Editor
MIDDLETON
The first-ever Wisconsin Convention Futures Sale, sponsored by the Wisconsin Holstein Association Young Adult Committee (YAC), averaged $5,055 on 38 lots that included choices from some of the more prominent cow families located throughout the U.S. The sale took place Friday evening, Feb. 26, in conjunction with the adult WHA Convention in Middleton, and grossed $195,725.
Animals sold to eight different states, with the top seller heading to Quebec, Canada. Lookout Holsteins and Marita Holsteins of Quebec, Canada, purchased a first-choice female out of Jimtown Shottles Nominate, who carries a GTPI of +2360, for $15,000. The pick was consigned by the Ron Hackmann family, of Manitowoc.
The John and Judy Swenson family, of Barneveld, consigned the second-high choice at $9,500. This pick, purchased by John Cannon, of Dyersville, Iowa, is out of Gold-N-Oaks Gold Girl-ET, who has several sons in artificial insemination.
Rounding out the top three was a consignment from Jim Janes, of Berlin, at $8,000. Endres Berryridge Farms LLC of Waunakee, will have a choice of five Sanchez pregnancies from Kingsmill Goldwyn 3293-ET, whose great grandam is the renowned Ms Kingstead Chief Adeen, nominated All-American Junior 3- and 4-year-old in 2000 and 2001.
Of special interest was a first-choice female, sired by Sanchez, out of Fustead Durham Evelyn, the sixth-place junior 3-year-old at the 2009 World Dairy Expo. Evelyn was owned by Brian and Wendy Fust’s son Brad, who was tragically killed in a car accident in the fall of 2008. In memory of their son, the Fusts donated 25 percent of their sale proceeds back to the Wisconsin Junior Holstein Association. Prior to the sale, members of WHA spearheaded an initiative and solicited $100 donations from 63 individuals to form a “syndicate” to purchase the Fusts’ choice. The choice was then resold for $5,000 to new owners Synergy Dairy, Pulaski. Twenty-five percent of the proceeds earned from the sale of the Fusts’ choice, along with the $6,300 from the syndicate, will be used to establish a scholarship fund in Brad’s memory.
According to Bob Traynor, chairman of the WHA YAC, a portion of the gross receipts will be added to the YAC fund to be used toward scholarships to younger WHA members to continue their education at agricultural-related events. Traynor added that YAC was established four years ago with the intent of getting more young people involved in the adult WHA.
For more information or a complete listing of the Wisconsin Convention Futures Sale, call WHA at 800-223-4269 or visit the Web site at www.wisholsteins.com.
