2010 Red & White Convention
The Southeast Red & White Dairy Cattle Association hosted the 2010 National Red & White Convention, “The Red Sensational” July 20-23. The Convention began by members meeting the candidates of the first National Red & White Queen Contest Tuesday night, a judging contest for all members and the queen contest on Wednesday, Farm tours and the Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet on Thursday, ending with the 41st National Red & White Convention Sale on Friday.
Tuesday evening started the convention on a historic note. Members received a chance to socialize with the candidates of the first ever National Red & White Queen Contest. Abbi Lea Goldenberg representing Texas and Hannah Thompson representing Maryland, introduced themselves to the members at a meet and greet sponsored by St-Yle Holsteins.
The second day of convention was filled with Junior activities. A judging contest for members of any age started the day off. Winning the 15 years and under category was Brook Ambler, placing second was Zach Seekford. In the 15-21 year old category, queen contestant Abbi Lea Goldenberg took the top, followed by Shawon Vande Zande. In the 21 years and older category, Richard Mellinger won first place followed by Southeast RWDCA Vice President Steve Rhodes.After lunch, junior members had the chance to participate in a water fight. Early that evening the queen contest was underway. Both contestants were interviewed and then presented speeches to the members. A social followed the contest sponsored by Richard M. Green, Sr., Jake Skinner & Julie Tracy-Wagner Farm.
Thursday was filled with farm tours, a classification demonstration, the Annual Members Meeting and Awards Banquet. Members started their day off with a bus ride through the Blue Ridge Mountains in Shenandoah State Park. Following the incredible views was a tour of Gloryland Holsteins, Grottoes, Virginia. Here members enjoyed lunch put on by Gloryland Holsteins. At the next stop, Jennings Gap Diary in Churchville, Virginia, members received a classification demonstration by David Wallace, Executive Secretary of the Brown Swiss Association.
Following the tours, the Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet took place at the Rockingham County Fairgrounds in Harrisonburg, Virginia, Thursday, July 22. After the meeting a pig roast sponsored by the Southeast RWDCA was enjoyed by members. It was the pleasure of this organization to award the work of its outstanding members who have invested in the betterment of the Red & White Cow. The 2010 National Red & White Convention Awards Banquet began with recognizing the 25+ Year Members. David & Yvonne Preder & Rodney Bohnhoff of Plymouth, Wisconsin were awarded the Larry Moore Master Breeder Award, Dale and Deanna Bendig from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania received the J.P. “Doc” Ostrander Young Breeder Award and Ryan Morrill of Penacook, New Hampshire received the Junior Breeder Award. The Don Albrecht Distinguished Service Award was received by Frank Good of Dayton, Virginia and Dana Erway of Coudersport, Pennsylvania was awarded the Gary Mayhew Keystone Award. The 2010 Junior Essay winners were Daniel Kitchen, Danville, Pennsylvania, Amber Gabel of Newport, Pennsylvania, and Leah Henkes, Luana, Iowa. The Albrecht Memorial Scholarships were awarded to Kelsey Crull, Poplar Grove, Illinois, Seth Elsner, Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin and Kyle Natzke, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Hannah Thompson, Walkersville, Maryland was crowned as the 2010 National Red & White Queen. All-American, Junior All-American, and Superior Type Awards were presented to their recipients. Members also recognized and thanked the retiring board members for their hard work and leadership, Bill Hughes, Mt. Solon, Virginia and Jerry Good from Caledonia, Michigan. New Board Members were introduced and welcomed by the members and they are Jennifer Keilholtz-Hill, Thurmont, Maryland, Dr. Kim Olson, Atwater, Minnesota and Jake Skinner, Mercersburg, Pennsylvania.
The 41st National Red & White Convention Sale sold 98 lots of top Red & White cows and heifers on Friday, July 23. In spite of the heat, the cows and heifers strutted their stuff through the auction ring and averaged $2,655. The top seller was a flashy December calf from the Jodie family. Gloryland-JG Julia-Red-ET left the hands of the Jubilee Group and went home with Ryan Krohlow of Black Creek, Wisconsin. Also topping the sale was a choice out of the known KY-Blue Ruben Marla-Red-ET, Devon Benfer of Concordia, Kansas purchased that choice for $7,600 from Richard Green. A big congratulations goes out the Southeast RWDCA for sponsoring the 2010 National Red & White Convention Sale.
A live auction of donated items followed the awards banquet with the proceeds benefitting the RWDCA’s Junior Programs. The Scholarship Calf Raffle winner was drawn shortly before the 41st National Red & White Convention Sale. The winner was Dan Frohling of Woodstock, Illinois, who opted for the $1,000. The calf was then auctioned off at the end of the sale. Thank you to Leon Rhodes for donating the July calf. Another THANK YOU to all the donors, buyers and consignors of both the junior benefit auction and cattle sale, and those who bought raffle tickets, your continued support to the Junior Programs is highly appreciated by the members of Red & White Dairy Cattle Association.
A special Thank You goes to the Southeast Red & White Dairy Cattle Association for hosting a successful and historic 2010 National Red & White Convention. Next year’s convention will be held under the “Northern Lights” in Sauk Rapids, Minnesota from July 20-23, 2011.