GREENSBURG, Pa. – At the Pennsylvania Holstein Association 2004 state convention, Myron and Lori Bonzo of Beaver County, Pa., received the Distinguished Young Breeder award.
The couple is the third generation to breed registered Holsteins with the One-O-One prefix.
They milk 41 Holsteins with a rolling herd average of 28,832 pounds, 1,026 pounds of butterfat and 895 pounds of protein.
The herd has been recognized with the Progressive Breeder Registry award and the Progressive Genetic Herd award for eight years.
They were honored in 1997 with the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau’s Young Farmer and Rancher of the Year and the 2001 Beaver County Conservation District’s Farmer of the Year.
Their two main cow families are now both 10 generations “very good” or “excellent.”
Top recruiters. Membership solicitors recognized include David Trotter, Beaver/Lawrence club; James Houser, Centre/Clinton club; and Paul Hartle, Centre/Clinton club.
State shows. In 2003, approximately 1,400 head of Holsteins were shown at the major shows with 48 head earning All-Pennsylvania recognition.
James and Nina Burdette of Mercersburg, Pa., led the way with three All-Pennsylvania awards, three reserve All-Pennsylvania awards and two honorable mention awards.
Dale and Deanna Bendig of Gettysburg, Pa., received three All-Pennsylvania awards.
Hall of fame. Three top farmer-breeders were inducted into the Pennsylvania Holstein Hall of Fame.
Dick and Marilyn Packard of Pack-Herd Holsteins in Bradford County have received numerous awards over the past 30 years, including the Ford Farm Efficiency award in dairy, Dairy of Distinction, Master Farmer award, and Penn State’s Dairy Alumni Production Efficiency award.
Beginning in 4-H, the couple has shown cattle for 50 years and have received numerous reserve and honorable mention honors at the Pennsylvania Holstein spring and fall shows.
Dick has served as state director for the Holstein Association for 12 years, and Marilyn has been involved with the Bradford County Junior Holstein Club for more than 20 years.
Hostetter. Donald Hostetter of Maplebound Holsteins in Chester County was also inducted into the hall of fame.
Hostetter’s cattle have received honors at the Chester County Black and White shows, Pennsylvania Championship and state shows, and at the Pennsylvania Farm Show.
As a child, Hostetter convinced his father to begin dairy farming, and by the time Hostetter was 23, he was renting his own farm with his wife.
Hostetter has served as the state Holstein director, Chester County Holstein officer and director, and county Dairy Herd Improvement Association director.
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