REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio – The Outstanding Young Guernsey Breeder Award was handed out at the American Guernsey Association’s National Convention, July 11, in Fishkill N.Y.
Young breeder. The 2004 recipient of the award is Kevin Stoltzfus of East Earl, Pa.
Kevin and his wife Dina started their own operation in 1999.
The herd currently consists of 60 registered Guernseys with plans to market Golden Guernsey milk through a family grocery store.
Kevin and Dina enjoy exhibiting their cattle at shows throughout the east and have garnered 11 All-American nominations over the years.
He has served as the president of the Pa. Guernsey Breeders Association and their farmed earned a Pa. Dairy of Distinction award in 2003.
The current rolling herd average is over 17,000 pounds milk, 750 pounds fat and 550 pounds protein.
Runners-up. The first runner-up for the 2004 Outstanding Young Guernsey Breeder award is Trent and LeAnn Jensen of Amery, Wis.
In 1999 the Jensens started Golden J Guernseys in Amery. They currently milk 50 Registered Guernseys in a tie-stall barn.
They sold their first bull for AI sampling in 2003, Golden J Regis Manfred. The couple uses many young sires in their herd.
Their current rolling herd average is over 18,000 pounds milk, 800 pounds fat and 600 pounds protein.
Youth awards. The American Guernsey Association recognized several youth at their national convention. Jeffery Ansell was the recipient of the 2004 National Outstanding Youth competition.
Ansell is the 20-year-old son of Larry and Susan Ansell, of Scottsdale, Pa., and represents the fourth generation at Ansell Acres, an 82-cow operation milking all six dairy breeds.
He is an animal science major at Penn State University, and after completing his degree, would like to become the next industry leader when he owns his own herd of cattle.
The first runner-up in the outstanding youth contest was Daniel Fritsche, New Ulm, Minn.
The National Outstanding Youth competition is based on well-rounded experience in dairy husbandry, breed activities and leadership.
Royalty. The 2004 Guernsey royalty was also crowned during the National Convention.
Kendy Gable, the 19-year-old daughter of Brad and Berneta Gable, New Enterprise, Pa., was chosen as the 2004 National Guernsey Queen.
Kendy and her brother, Aaron, are the sixth generation to work and be involved in the 100-cow operation, Snider Homestead.
The 2004 National Guernsey Princess is Monica Renfrow, the daughter of Dede and Lonnie Grove, Carlock, Ill.
Scholarships. Three Guernsey youth scholarships were awarded as well. Daniel Fritsche of New Ulm, Minn. was the recipient of the National Guernsey Scholarship, which recognizes a youth pursuing a college degree who was extremely active in Guernsey youth programs.
Fritsche also received the Turley Scholarship, awarded to a youth who has been active in youth programs and has shown in a National Junior Guernsey Show in the last three years.
Jennifer Blazek of Bangor, Wis., won the Max Dawdy Scholarship which is given in honor of Max Dawdy, former executive secretary of the American Guernsey Association.
Dairy bowl. The dairy bowl contest was highly competitive this year. Pennsylvania’s junior team of Sarah and Spencer Weimer, Abby Trotter and Edward Howell defeated the team from Wisconsin in the final round.
In the senior division it was the Massachusetts team of Emily Everett, Becky Everett, Ashley Sears and Maureen Phelon that beat out the team from Illinois.
For the first time, a most valuable player award was given in each division to an individual who not only expressed great knowledge of the Guernsey and dairy industry, but also displayed great sportsmanship.
The MVP of the junior division was Abby Trotter from Pennsylvania and in the senior division, Katie Boesche of Illinois.
Public speaking. The youth public speaking contest was once again an outstanding demonstration of the poise and knowledge of the Guernsey youth.
Winners in the junior division were Bethany Trotter, Enon Valley, Pa., first; and Betsey McKenna, Albion, N.Y., second.
Intermediate winners were Abby Trotter, Enon Valley, Pa., first; and Brett McRae, Wellford, S.C., second.
Senior winners were Michael Spurrier, Rocky Ridge, Md., first; and Kendy Gable, New Enterprise, Pa., second.
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