Beginning in Ayrshires grant open for applications

The Wisconsin Ayrshire Breeders’ Association (WABA) will sponsor a farmer grant program. Nationally recognized by the U.S. Ayrshire Breeders Foundation, the Wisconsin Beginning in Ayrshires Grant will help breeders establish themselves in this excellent breed.

The successful applicant will be awarded a $1,000 grant from WABA, which will be used to help purchase an Ayrshire.

The goal of this program is to show existing dairy producers the profitability of Ayrshires in their milking herd. Ayrshire dairy cattle are a valuable asset to every dairy farm. They have many positive attributes that are profitable for all types of operations, including: low somatic cell counts, higher pregnancy rates, trouble-free body composition, functional size, higher fat and protein percent, compete well in grazing and freestall setups, and many other wonderful attributes.

Applicants for this grant can have owned Ayrshires in the past and be looking to expand their herd, or be a new breeder looking to buy their first animal.

The successful applicant will be awarded a $1,000 grant from WABA. This money will be given as a certificate, which can be redeemed with the purchase of animals at the annual Wisconsin Ayrshire Spring Sale. This year the sale will be held on April 14, 2018, at the Clark County Fairgrounds in Neillsville, Wis.

The winner of this grant will be also given a one year free membership to WABA, and assistance and information in the selection of their sale purchase.

The grant winner will be announced at the annual meeting in March. Their grant money will be given after successful purchase at the Wisconsin Ayrshire Spring Sale in April.

To qualify for the grant, a person must fulfill these stipulations:

• Actively engaged in farming
• Age 25 or older
• Interested in the Ayrshire breed
• Wisconsin resident
• Complete and submit an application
• Provide two references, professional and personal
• Attend Wisconsin Ayrshire Spring Sale

Past applicants are encouraged to reapply.

Applications can be found and downloaded on our Facebook page, Wisconsin Ayrshire Breeders’ Association.

To have a paper copy of the application mailed to you, please call Richard at 715-307-0537. Applications must be postmarked by Feb. 1.

Completed applications should be emailed to richard.franta@gmail.com, or mailed to Richard Franta, 1218 State Street River Falls, WI 54022. Contact Richard with any questions about the program or application.