IOWA STATE FAIR EVENT UPDATES

CALF GIVEAWAY

Congratulations to Bernie & Rachel Bakker (Rock Bottom Dairy) of Rock Valley on winning the ABS and Ecolab Registered Holstein Calf ‘Farnear Dundee Rylee’! We hope they enjoy the new addition to their dairy herd.

The Calf Giveaway Presentation took place on Friday, August 10 in the Show Ring during the Iowa State Fair. Wayne Dykshorn, the ISDA Board President, welcomed everyone to the event, thanked the sponsors and ISDA members and proceeded with the drawing. The calf was led into the ring by ABS Representative John Cannon. Iowa Dairy Princess Sam Ehrhardt of Monona (daughter of ISDA Producer Members Mark & Sandra Ehrhardt) and Iowa Alt. Dairy Princess Jessi Hermsen of Masonville assisted with the drawing and Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey drew the winning name.

The ISDA extends our appreciation and thanks to Tom Simon & Family (Farnear Holsteins) of Farley for housing the calf the past few months and bringing the calf to the Iowa State Fair to display. We would also like to thank ABS and Ecolab for sponsoring the Calf Giveaway. Their support and dedication to the ISDA and Iowa’s dairy producers is greatly appreciated. Contact information for both ABS and Ecolab can be found at the ISDA website: http://www.iowadairy.org/images/ABS%20and%20Ecolab%20Calf.htm

SEMEN CERTIFICATE

Dan Hotvedt (Foresight Farms) of Mable, MN received the $250 Prairie State/Select Sires Semen Certificate. Mark Knutson was on hand at the State Fair to present the award. Congratulations to Dan and thanks to Prairie State/Select Sires for their donation.

RALPH KEELING AWARD

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey and ISDA Board President Wayne Dykshorn presented the Ralph Keeling Award to Dale Thoreson. This year marked the 40th Anniversary of the Ralph Keeling Leadership Award. It was established to recognize individuals whose leadership efforts contribute significantly to Iowa’s dairy industry. It is presented annually to outstanding leaders, in honor of the late Ralph Keeling. Keeling operated a successful dairy farm and business, devoting much of his time and talents to help progress the state’s dairy industry. This award is sponsored by the Iowa State Dairy Association.

Dale is an Iowa State University Extension Dairy, Beef, and Forage Specialist serving eleven counties in northeast Iowa.  Dairy producers call on him for assistance and advice on topics from farm modernization to improved feed rations.  He has a vast knowledge of the dairy industry and is always willing to answer questions and help find solutions to problems.  He is well respected and a great asset to Iowa’s dairy industry.  His dedication truly represents the spirit of the Ralph Keeling Leadership Award.

List of Ralph Keeling Recipients: http://www.iowadairy.org/images/RALPH%20KEELING%20AWARD%20WINNERS.htm

Full Article on Dale Thoreson: http://www.iowadairy.org/images/Press%20Release%20%5BDale%20Thoreson%20Awarded%5D.htm

STATE FAIR MILKING PARLOR

The State Fair Milking Parlor is up and running again this year. The viewing area continues to draw crowds throughout the fair. Cows are milked several times each day in front of a large glass window for fairgoers to see. An educational dairy video runs throughout the day to provide extra information on dairy farming and milk production to spectators. The ISDA is the sponsor of the State Fair Milking Parlor.