Congratulations to the 2012 Star of the Breed, awarded by the Holstein Association USA to Siemers Alisha Gold Ava-ETS, bred and owned by 18-year-old Crystal Siemers-Peterman of Newton, Wis.!
This designation is given each year to one Holstein who is a “cow for all seasons,” possessing both outstanding type and milk production. To be eligible for the Star of the Breed award, a cow must place in the top five in her class at a National Holstein Show in the award year, be in a herd enrolled in the TriStar program and have an official classification score. Once the eligible cows are determined, the following calculation is used to decide the award recipient: Combined ME Fat and Protein + Age Adjusted Classification Score x (Breed Average ME Combined Fat & Protein/Breed Average Age Adjusted Classification Score).
Crystal describes Ava as “a dream come true for me and my family.” Born March 3, 2006, Ava has a pedigree to be admired by any Registered Holstein breeder. Sired by showring legend Braedale Goldwyn, Ava is out of a Silky Gibson-ET daughter of Tri-Day Ashlyn-ET 2E-96 GMD DOM, the result of some embryos Crystal’s mother, Sherry, purchased as a foundation for Crystal’s 4-H project.
Ava is classified Excellent-95 2E, with a 96-point udder, earning a 50 in the breakdowns of Stature, Rear Udder Height and Rear Udder Width. With an illustrious show record, the cow has been nominated Junior All-American every year she has been shown. In 2012, she competed as an Aged Cow in the spring, placing second at the Midwest Spring National Holstein Show, and came back out in the fall as a 125,000 Pound Cow, placing third at the International Holstein Show. Just as impressive as her showring accomplishments is Ava’s milk production ability; this past lactation, she made a 365-day record of 56,330 pounds of milk, with 4.1 percent fat (2,301 pounds) and 3.3 percent protein (1,865 pounds). In total, she has produced 168,680 pounds of lifetime milk, maintaining component levels of 4.1 percent fat and 3.4 percent protein.
Source: Holstein Association USA, Inc.