12th Featured Futurity Exhibitor

Featured Futurity Exhibitor: Jordan and Whitney Ebert

Our next entry is Frozens JK Darnell exhibited by Jordan and Whitney Ebert. Jordan and Whitney reside on their family farm, Ebert Enterprises, in Algoma, Kewaunee County. Ebert Enterprises consists of 2,900 cows on 4,800 acres. Jordan and Whitney have shown at the Kewaunee County Fair, Wisconsin Jr. State Fair, District Show, State Show, and World Dairy Expo. They are honored to have exhibited the 2012 Supreme Champion of the Jr. State Fair Show with Goldie. Jordan is a sophomore at UW-Madison where he is majoring in Dairy Science. He is involved in the Badger Dairy Club, 4-H, Jr. Holsteins, and Jr. Jerseys. Whitney is a Jr. at Algoma High School where she is active in 4-H, FFA, Jr. Holsteins, and Jr. Jerseys. The family is also involved in the Kewaunee County Dairy Promotions. They would like to thank everyone who has been helpful in the industry as they continue to learn and be a part of good memories.

Futurity Fact:

The Wisconsin Holstein Futurity is an annual event and we invite you all to attend next year's show for the 28th annual WHA Futurity in 2014.  We hope to see you all at this year's show and at many more shows in years to come.

11th Featured Futurity Exhibitor

Featured Futurity Exhibitor: Joseta Halbur, Burledge Holsteins

Joseta, along with Ray, Rae Nell, Ted, and Olivia own and operate Burledge Holsteins, a 150 cow, 300 acre farm in Fond du Lac.  Both Ted and Joseta hold jobs off the farm.  Joseta serves as a Certified Energy Specialist with United Cooperative.  She helps with nightly calf chores on the farm and fills in when needed with milking.  Joseta also serves as the official calf namer on the farm and enjoys coming up with fun names for all the calves and building family themed names.  Joseta also serves as a 4-H leader and Secretary of the Fond du Lac Holstein Board.  Ray and Rae Nell have also been 4-H leaders for over 35 years. 

Futurity Fact: 

This year will be the 27th annual Wisconsin Holstein Futurity.  The show was founded in 1984 by Klass Koopmans of Darien, WI after reading about the success of the Ohio Futurity in a Holstein World article.  In 1987, the first Wisconsin Holstein Futurity was held at the Wisconsin State Fair Park sponsored by Pabst Brewing Company.  The first winner of the show was Indianhead Chief Jessica-ET exhibited by Bob and Karyn Schauf.  In 1997, Alto Dairy Cooperative became the main show sponsor, and today, the main sponsor is Badgerland Financial.  

1st ever Futurity winner Indianhead Chief Jessica-ET

10th Featured Futurity Exhibitor

Featured Futurity Exhibitor: Cierra Ehrke-Essock, Ehrke Farms

Cierra hails from Fort Atkinson in Jefferson County on Ehrke Farms, a 300 acre farm milking 70 head of Registered Holsteins.  Ehrke Farms was started in 1965 when Cierra’s grandfather, Bill Ehrke purchased the farm.  The farm has had many accomplishments over the years, including exporting cattle and embryos to 14 countries, having numerous All-American, Jr. All-American, All-Wisconsin, and Jr. All-Wisconsin nominations and winners over the years.  Bill is an active member of the Wisconsin Holstein Association serving on the Spring Show and Futurity Committees, is a former Junior Activities Committee member, has served as Chairman of the Sale Committee, and is a former Vice President of the Association.  Bill is also a past President of the Jefferson County Holstein Breeders and was appointed by the USDA to serve 6 terms as a dairy representative to the National Beef Promotion and Research Board.  Cierra’s mom, Cheryl, is also an active WHA member and former JAC member.  She currently serves on the Spring Show and Futurity Committees and is an officer and board member for the Jefferson County Holstein Breeders.  Cheryl volunteers for the Post Secondary Dairy Judging Contest at World Dairy Expo, is on the dairy committee for Jefferson County 4-H, and is a dairy leader for the club where they have many 4-H and FFA members exhibit their cattle each year.  Cierra will be a freshman at UW-River Falls to major in Agriculture Education and Dairy Science.  She is a 5 year FFA member serving as Secretary and Vice President, and she received her FFA State Farmer Degree this year.  Cierra is also a 13 year 4-H member. 

Futurity Fact:


Besides our top prizes, there are many other awards that the Futurity exhibitors will be competing for.  All of the entries in our "Procession of Bovine Beauties" can compete for Best Udder, sponsored by East Central Select Sires, Top Milk Production and Top Fat & Protein, both sponsored by Brian Greenman Rural Mutual Insurance Agent, Top Bred & Owned and Top Jr. Bred & Owned, both sponsored by Robert and Randy Nigh of Lirr Farms, and 1st Place Jr. Award sponsored by Angela Davis-Brown of Ma-Brown Holsteins and Jerseys and WI Jr. Holstein Association.  

Awards table from the 2012 Futurity 

9th Featured Futurity Exhibitor

Featured Futurity Exhibitor: Brenda Gilbertson, Gildale Holsteins

Brenda, along with her husband, Erik, their daughters Makenna, who is 2, and Elise, who is 2 months old, and her father-in-law, Mark own and operate Gildale Holsteins in Hollandale, located in Iowa County.  Brenda has a life-long passion rooted in the dairy industry.  She was introduced at a young age to all facets of her family’s 50-cow farm, Cava-Lanes Holsteins in Reedsville, WI.  Actively involved in various agricultural organizations, Brenda went on to study at UW-River Falls and earned a degree in agricultural marketing communications and dairy science.  It was at one of her favorite dairy events, World Dairy Expo, that she met her husband Erik.  Married in 2009, she joined the partnership of Gildale Holsteins.  Gildale has bred and exhibited All-Wisconsin’s and many champions of the District 3 Holstein Show throughout the years.  Brenda’s father-in-law, Mark has served on the WHA board and has previously served as President of the Association.  Brenda currently works with ABS Global as the North America advertising and promotions manager.  She is a participant of the Young Dairy Leaders Institute as she advocates sharing the story of dairy farming and value it brings to consumers.  The Gilbertson family enjoys exhibiting at local, state, and national level Holstein shows. 

Futurity Fact: 

The Futurity is a very unique cattle show that features an opening ceremony before the show begins.  Dignitaries, sponsors, and royalty will enter the Case IH Coliseum riding in one of two convertibles, this year provided by Jeff Zwiers and Mark Gilbertson.  As they enter, a bio will be read about each person to introduce them to the crowd.  Then, the National Anthem will be sung by Bryce Krull and Cierra Ehrke-Essock.  As the animals enter the arena, a bio will also be read about the exhibitors and family.  Our Parade of Bovine Beauties will enter the arena and walk down the "red carpet."  Judge Chris Lahmers will choose his top ten animals and place them one by one from the bottom up until he reaches his Champion.  

2012 dignitaries entering the arena 

   

8th Featured Futurity Exhibitor

Featured Exhibitor: Kenna Kirsnis, Ourway Holsteins

Kenna Kirsnis hails from Brooklyn, WI, located in Dane county.  Kenna works at Virhada Holsteins, which is owned and operated by Virgil, Dawn, Koday, and Karsen Haag.  The 190 cow, 320 acre farm is located in Mt. Horeb, WI.  Besides working at Virhada Holsteins, Kenna enjoys breeding and showing Holstein and Brown Swiss animals, works as an AI relief breeder, and enjoys helping junior members.  Kenna also started her own herd of Brown Swiss animals.  In high school, Kenna was very active in the dairy industry receiving the FFA Star Farmer award 2 years in a row and was a top 5 individual in livestock judging all 4 years.  After high school, Kenna attended Blackhawk Technical College and graduated with a degree in Agriculture Business and Farm Program in 2012.  Make sure to look for Kenna at this year's Futurity show.

Futurity Fact: 

The purpose of the Futurity show is to help promote our dairy industry to the general public and display the care and dedication that we have for our animals and the products they produce.  The State Fair is the perfect time to do this as the show brings a large crowd, many of whom are from non-agriculture backgrounds.  To help inform the audience, we have many dignitaries and royalty that will attend the show.  Attending this year's show will be Wisconsin Secretary of Agriculture, Ben Brancel, Wisconsin Holstein Association Princess, Morgan Behnke, Wisconsin Holstein Association Princess Attendant, Crystal Siemers-Peterman, Alice in Dairyland, Kristin Olson, and the WI Fairest of the Fairs, Steffani Koch.  Each will be introduced during opening ceremonies and will all be giving a short speech about the dairy industry and their involvement.

2012 Royalty in attendance

7th Featured Futurity Exhibitor

Featured Exhibitor: Jillian Weier, Weier-Nook Farm

Weier-Nook Farm is located in Dodgeville, WI in Iowa County. Jillian Weier, along with her parents, Mark and Sarah Weier, and her siblings, Carl and Tony, milk 50 cows on the 300 acre farm that has an RHA of 19,274 milk, 694 fat, and 585 protein with a BAA of 106.4 as of January 2013. Mark is a 40 year member of the Iowa County Holstein Association and is currently serving as Vice President. He has served many terms on the Iowa County Board in the past, including serving as President for 5 years. Mark also served on the DHIA board for 6 years. Showing at the WHA Futurity has been a bucket list item for Weier-Nook Farm, and we are very excited for them to be able to cross this item off their list and attend the 2013 Futurity show.

Futurity Fact: The Futurity is a very prestigious show where some of the best Holsteins compete for the Grand Prize of $1,500.  It is a high quality, high stakes show, and we don't envy the job of the judge who has to pick only one winner.  This year, Weier-Nook will join the "Parade of Bovine Beauties" that Chris Lahmers will be judging.  Chris hails from Marysville, Ohio where he and his wife Elizabeth, and their children, Elaina, Ava, and Audrey, own Brown Velvet Brown Swiss and Lah-Dale Holstein show herds.  Chris has judged many shows, including the 2012 International Jr. Holstein show at World Dairy Expo, the 2012 Midwest Spring Red & White show, and the 2011 New York Spring Red & White show.  We are very excited to have Chris as our Judge this year.

2012 Judge Paul Trapp

6th Featured Futurity Exhibitor

Featured Exhibitor: Michael Sanchse and Melanie Hoffmann, Soxer Holsteins

Michael Sanchse and fiancee Melanie Hoffmann run Soxer Holsteins in West Bend, WI, located in Washington County.  Michael is a diesel and heavy equipment technician at Yes JCB in Milwaukee. Since a young age, Michael has been involved on his uncle’s farm and a member of the 4-H dairy program. He still helps on the farm today and stays involved in the 4-H program as the Slinger Hi-lite Happy Workers Dairy Leader. Michael also serves as President of Faith UCC church in Slinger.

Futurity Fact: 

The Futurity wouldn't be as successful as it is without our generous sponsors.  This year, Agropur is sponsoring the 3rd place prize of $500.  Agropur's mission is to "provide a wide range of quality dairy products reflecting current and future consumers demands."  The company, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2013, processes more than 3.3 billion liters of milk in 28 plants throughout North America.  They generate more that $3.8 billion in sales and employ more than 6,000 people. For more information, visit their website (www.agropur-us.com).