Walter and Sally Goodrich Named National Dairy Shrine’s
Distinguished Dairy Cattle Breeders

Walter and Sally Goodrich, recipients of the 1994 AJCA Master Breeder award, have been chosen by the National Dairy Shrine as its 2002 Distinguished Dairy Cattle Breeder. They own and operate Molly Brook Farm in partnership with their son, Myles, in West Danville, Vt.

The Distinguished Dairy Cattle Breeder award recognizes active, progressive dairy producers who, through their expertise in managing a dairy breeding herd based upon sound genetics and business principles, serve as a model of success for their contemporaries throughout the nation.

Molly Brook Farm is a quintessential family farm that has supported and raised six generations and Jersey cattle since 1846, all of which have been registered since 1917.

The title of Distinguished Dairy Cattle Breeder is fitting to describe the Goodriches’ contributions to the development of the Jersey breed. According to Neal Smith, Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the American Jersey Cattle Association (AJCA), "The Goodrich Family has always held to the standards of profitability and longevity in their breeding program."

In 1974, the Molly Brook prefix started appearing on the Active A.I. sire lists with Molly Brook Carousel Valor, who has been followed by numerous other bulls, many ranking in the top 50.

In August, 2002, 30 bulls are listed as active and non-active sires in the Jersey Genetic Summary. Their PTAs average +755M, +35F, +25P, and +195 for Net Merit dollars with an average Jersey Performance Index™ of +121. A total of 24 with the Molly Brook prefix are ranked in the top 1½ % of the breed for JPI.

Over two-thirds of those bulls and cows listed can be traced back to one of the most influential cows in U.S. Jersey history. Molly Brook Fascinator Flower was born November 2, 1980 and in the two decades since has been the foundation head of Excellent, high producing cows that last a lifetime.

"Flower’s" genetics are found in almost every herd in every state and across the globe. Richard G. Smith, Manager, Dairy Sire Selection with ABS Global states, "We can safely say that in every hour, of every day, somewhere in the world of Jerseys, another descendent of ‘Flower’ is being born."

Offspring have repeatedly shown up on the lists for Top A.I. Sires and Top 200 PTI and JPI Cows. The August sire proofs rank 12 maternal descendants of "Flower" in the Historical Top 100 Sires. Five maternal descendents are listed on the Top 200 Cow list ranked by JPI.

Their breeding philosophy spreads further than through one cow family. The Molly Brook herd ranks second in the nation for JPI herd average with 102 cows +255 Cheese Merit dollars and +149 JPI.

One highlight Walter and Sally enjoy is seeing and hearing success stories from their buyers. They offer the very best for consignment sales and have been more than willing to help people get started in the Registered Jersey business by selling good animals at reasonable prices.

Their contributions do not only come from their breeding philosophies and the top genetics they have offered for sale around the world. According to Russell G. Gammon, Executive Secretary, Jersey Canada, "I’ve encountered very few herd owners who have Sally’s encyclopedic knowledge of the genetic heritage, current accomplishments, and future potential of her cattle." At Molly Brook Farms, every animal is a good one. Gammon says, "They have blessed others mightily by soaring in the science and art of cattle breeding!"

Walter and Sally join only six other Jersey breeders who have been recognized in the 29 years it has been awarded by the National Dairy Shrine.     

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WORLD DAIRY EXPO HONORS
JAMES THWAITES, NEW ZEALAND JERSEY BREEDER

MADISON, WISCONSIN – World Dairy Expo will honor James T. Thwaites, Taranaki, New Zealand, as its International Person of the Year in ceremonies October 2 at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wisconsin, USA.

“World Dairy Expo annually honors individuals that exemplify the best in business, civic and family leadership,” says Tom McKittrick, World Dairy Expo General Manager. “Jim Thwaites is one of those unique individuals who proves that success in agriculture comes not only from profit in the barn, but from what we share with our peers, our community and our youth.”

New Zealand Jersey Producer Lauded For Service To Industry
When the Jersey cow fell out of favor with New Zealand dairy producers, one World War II veteran didn’t shy away from the challenge of bringing the small brown cow back to prominence, benefiting a whole country and the dairy industry worldwide. That visionary was James Thwaites, Taranaki, New Zealand, World Dairy Expo’s 2002 International Person of the Year.

As a young dairyman, Thwaites threw his efforts behind a small dairy company that under his leadership as a director and chairman grew to be the largest single site dairy manufacturing plant in the world. He also helped establish the first artificial breeding committee in his home province serving as chairman for 20 years and a council member for 35 years. Artificial insemination was a radically new philosophy to New Zealand in the 1950s, but Thwaites persuaded his peers of its benefits and gained slow but successful acceptance.

His love of the Jersey breed won him the respect of fellow breeders and led to his representing them in the New Zealand Jersey Cattle Breeders Association, Taranaki Livestock Improvement Association, New Zealand Herd Improvement Council, Kiwi Cooperative Dairy Company, and the National Dairy Association of New Zealand. He paid back his fellow Jersey breeders by placing one of the most influential bulls of the breed into artificial insemination, Glanton Red Dante, a bull that changed the emphasis of the breed. Dante was recently recognized as New Zealand’s Jersey bull of the century.

A man of diplomatic skill and foresight, Thwaites led a study group of New Zealand farmers to the United States when the New Zealand dairy industry tackled the issue of milk quality and the value of somatic cell counting. In addition, his international travels have helped bring the New Zealand grass system to the United States and elsewhere. The feed management process has been internationally recognized as one of the world’s best system and widely copied by producers.

Whether hosting friends met through his dairy industry travels or gleaning important information, Thwaites is considered instrumental in the current success of the New Zealand dairy industry. His friendship, leadership and search for long term benefits have greatly enhanced international ties and profitability for his countrymen. The Queen of England recognized his achievements by awarding him the M.B.E. (Member of the British Empire) in 1992.

Thwaites and his wife, Betty, have raised five children at their Glanton Jersey farm: Fiona, John, Stewart, Robin, and Phillip. His lifelong commitment to his country and his Jersey cattle will be felt by generations of dairy producers to come. Thwaites' recognition as the World Dairy Expo 2002 International Person of the Year is sponsored by Merrick’s, Inc.

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Clark and Wieghart To Receive
Progressive Dairy Producer Award from National Dairy Shrine

Columbus, OH (July 2002)--A Wisconsin husband-and-wife team with a rotationally grazed Jersey herd have been named one of two winners of the National Dairy Shrine Progressive Dairy Producer Awards for 2002

The awards, first presented in 1999, recognize persons between 21 and 45 years of age with ownership and/or management responsibility that have introduced and applied effective management and business practices to achieve a more profitable dairy business.  Awards of $2,000 each are made annually in up to three categories, funding the recipients' participation in an educational activity from which they will gain knowledge or new ideas to implement in their operations.

Leroy Clark and Dr. Michelle Wieghart, Cave Creek Jersey Farm, Spring Valley, WI, in the category of 100 milking cows or less, will receive this award October 3 at the National Dairy Shrine Awards Banquet held in conjunction with World Dairy Expo, Madison, WI.

Cave Creek Jersey Farm was established in Wisconsin in 1990 by Leroy Clark who had dairying experience in Maine and a degree in Dairy Science from Michigan State University, and his wife, Michelle Wieghart, who holds a Ph.D. in animal nutrition.  Their 60-acre farm supports a milking herd of 38 Registered Jerseys that rotationally graze from early May until October.  In October the cows are switched to a TMR feed in the barn.  Their nutrition program is influenced by their aim to freshen in September and October.  Seasonal calving lends to grouping cattle.  Michelle is the nutritionist for the dairy, and with the exception of pasture, all feed is purchased.

The management strategy at Cave Creek Jerseys is to breed unique pedigreed cattle with longevity and manage them to achieve that longevity along with high profitable lifetime production.  This strategy has increased the milking herd from 13 cows in 1990 to the present 38.  Four years ago, Clark began flushing Excellent or high Very Good cows with at least 90,000 to 100,000 lbs. milk lifetime.  They currently have seven cows in the herd at this level and 23 daughters out of cows meeting these criteria.  They are able to sell quality cows and heifers and maintain herd size.  National sales have given their breeding program recognition and they have one bull being proven in AI and others under consideration for A.I. contracts.

Looking to the future, this family has vertically integrated by building a mini-dairy processing plant.  Their quality Jersey milk is being pasteurized and made into whole milk yogurt.  CC's Jersey Creme Yogurt is being marketed through grocery stores in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area and in western Wisconsin.

Rounding out this family are the couple’s children, Caleb Clark, 16 and Lucas Wieghart, 4.  

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Carl Zurborg to Receive Guest of Honor Award

Columbus, OH July, 2002.  Carl Zurborg, retired Chief Executive Officer of Swiss Valley Farms milk cooperative, Davenport, Iowa, has been selected as National Dairy Shrine’s Guest of Honor for 2002.  The Guest of Honor award, presented annually since 1949, is National Dairy Shrine’s highest award, and one of the most prestigious recognitions in the dairy industry.

The award, presented to a contemporary dairy leader for outstanding accomplishments and contributions to the dairy industry, will be presented at the National Dairy Shrine awards banquet in Madison, WI, on Thursday, October 3, in conjunction with World Dairy Expo.

A 1952 graduate of Iowa State University with a degree in Dairy Industry, Zurborg  began his career in milk marketing in 1960 as CEO of Mississippi Valley Milk Producers Association, now Swiss Valley Farms.  With him as the catalyst, Swiss Valley, in 1973, became the first Midwest cooperative, and one of the first in the nation, to adopt multiple component pricing (MCP) of milk.

During his career, Zurborg guided the mergers of some 45 local creameries and cooperatives, moving from a small two-state cooperative to a respected regional organization with over 3,000 farmer-members.  His management decisions were always based on a, “Is this good for the farmer-member?”  philosophy, which resulted in innovations that led to better milk prices and a solid market for Swiss Valley members.

Zurborg realized the importance of brand strategy in marketing his cooperative’s products and worked to establish Swiss Valley Farms as a premium brand, recognized by consumers for high quality.  While most of Swiss Valley’s milk goes to fluid operations, Zurborg concentrated on developing a premium, product line in the manufacturing area as well. For example, Swiss Valley is a recognized leader in production of Swiss cheese and other value-added specialty cheeses.

Although an innovator, Zurborg always functioned with integrity, sound judgment and solid business principles, keeping the cooperative on firm financial footing.  Swiss Valley Farms continues to prosper in Zurborg’s retirement.  In the words of Gerald Bratland, president of the cooperative’s board of directors, “The cornerstone of success of Swiss Valley Farms has been etched in stone by building blocks Carl Zurborg has helped build.”

Zurborg was honored by the American Jersey Cattle Association and National All-Jersey Inc. in 2001 as a Pioneer of Equity, for his leadership in moving the U.S. dairy industry to a multiple component pricing system.

For the tremendous contributions Zurborg made to the Iowa agricultural industry, he was recognized as one of 150 individuals in the state of Iowa who have made a difference in the agricultural industry over the last 150 years.  For these significant contributions, he was given the prestigious Ralph Keeling Leadership Award.

In his retirement, Zurborg is currently writing a book on the History of Milk Marketing in the United States, a project for National Dairy Shrine he hopes to complete later this year.

Zurborg and his wife, Norma, are the parents of a son and five daughters, who range in age from 32 to 50 years.  

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National Dairy Shrine
Names Student Recognition Award Winners

Columbus, OH, July 2002--Two previous winners of the National Jersey Youth Achievement Contest will be among the 10 graduating college seniors to be honored by National Dairy Shrine with its Student Recognition Award.

Each year the National Dairy Shrine sponsors a contest for graduating college seniors who are planning a career related to dairy-production agriculture and who excel in leadership skills, academic ability and show keen interest in dairy cattle.  Barlass and Peeler will each receive a check for $500 during Dairy Shrine’s Awards Banquet on October 3 at the World Dairy Expo, Madison, Wisconsin

Kristin Barlass, Janesville, Wis., graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison this past May, majoring in Dairy Science with a business concentration. She started work as western region Program Assistant for National All-Jersey Inc. (NAJ), Jersey Marketing Service (JMS), and the American Jersey Cattle Association (AJCA) in June. Internship experiences includee working at RuAnn Dairy, Riverdale, Calif., with two dairies of 1,500 and 3,500 cows; Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin, coordinating its student mentor program; in dairy management services for Cargill Animal Nutrition; and at Midwest Dairy Business. She has also been involved in day-to-day management at Barlass Farms, a 300-cow Registered Jersey herd.

Iris Peeler, Starr, South Carolina, was the winner of the 1997 National Jersey Youth Achievement Contest. She has just graduated from Virginia Tech and was named outstanding Senior in the Department of Dairy Science.  Iris is the immediate past President of the American Dairy Science Association – Student Affiliate organization.  She plans to return this fall to Virginia Tech to work towards her Master’s degree in reproductive physiology.

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Ernstrom Named National Dairy Shrine Pioneer

Columbus, OH- July 2002--The profound influence upon milk pricing and dairy manufacturing of the late C. A. "Tony" Ernstrom will be honored with the Pioneer Award of National Dairy Shrine during its 54^th annual banquet, October 3 in Madison, Wis.

Also to be honored are the late Marvin L. Kruse and Donald E. Voelker, Ames, Iowa. Through their recognition and permanent inclusion in the National Dairy Shrine Museum in Ft. Atkinson, Wis., the dairy community will both remember and continue to learn from their stories and achievements.

C. A. Ernstrom
Researcher, Educator, Industry Service

“If there was ever a bridge between the university and the dairy industry, it was Tony Ernstrom,” says Rodney J. Brown, Dean Emeritus at Utah State University, of his long-time colleague, Carl Anthon Ernstrom.

A native of Utah with degrees from both Utah State and the University of Wisconsin, C. A. Ernstrom became the father of membrane milk processing in the U.S. dairy industry, revolutionized the way we look at milk pricing, and mentored an exceptional group of students that produced many of today’s industry leaders. His career was marked by excellence in original thinking, common sense, and a willingness to tackle tough problems.

In 1965, after a research position at Chr. Hansen Laboratories and nine years at the University of Wisconsin, Dr. Ernstrom returned to Utah State as Professor of Dairy Science. He was the first department head of its Department of Food Science and Industries, serving in that position for 17 years. Dr. Ernstrom’s long career concluded as Vice President with the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board. He remained active with his own yogurt business until his death in 1998 at the age of 75.

“Tony was a cheese expert,” notes Joseph A. O’Donnell, Executive Director of the California Dairy Research Foundation, “but he also understood the economics of making cheese. His research led to a scientific understanding of the relationship of milk components to cheese yield.”

“His most significant work was that which led to the development of cheese yield pricing for milk,” agrees Calvin Covington, Chief Executive Officer of Southeast Milk Inc., Belleview, Fla. “The cheese industry would not have experienced its tremendous growth over the past 25 years without the leadership, vision, and sharing of knowledge given by Dr. Ernstrom.

“There are numerous cheesemakers who will tell you that if it were not for cheese yield pricing, they would have been bankrupt years ago,” adds Covington. “On January 1, 2000, the Federal Milk Marketing Order system moved to multiple component pricing for 85% of order milk production. Dr. Ernstrom’s initial research provided the basis for this implementation.”

The Dairy Food Research Centers program of the National Dairy Board was the capstone of Dr. Ernstrom’s career, in the opinion of O’Donnell. “It re-established a core of dairy food research for the American dairy industry. Product development efforts flourished from the resulting technology and skilled graduates entering the workforce.”

Dr. Ernstrom gave much to his profession, as Editor for 12 years of the Journal of Dairy Science, Director of the American Dairy Science Association, and Fellow of the Institute of Food Technologies. Awards came from every segment of the dairy industry and academia.