BRATTLEBORO, Vt. — Holstein Association USA’s has been naming a “Star of the Breed’’ since 2007, honoring an elite Registered Holstein cow with outstanding production and exceptional type.  The 2024 Star of the Breed is described as the “kind of cow you’d like to have a whole herd of.” A trouble-free cow with high production, impressive components, eye-catching type, and an easy-going personality, Ms Shadow QCove Magnificent embodies the Star of the Breed award. She is owned by Ohio Holstein breeders, the Elsass family of Quietcove Holsteins and Kurt Wolf.

“Magnificent is a beautiful cow, not only to look at but also to work with. She produces high volumes of milk with really high components,” says Kurt Wolf of Shadow-W Holsteins & Boarding.

Ms Shadow QCove Magnificent qualified for the award with her 3-year-old production record of 42,390 pounds of milk with 2471 pounds of butterfat (5.8%) and 1298 pounds of protein (3.1%). She’s classified EX-92 and placed fourth as a junior 3-year old at the Mid-East Summer National Show in 2024.

Magnificent is a Walnutlawn Sidekick out of a maternal line Kurt and the Elsass family have found success with. Both Magnificent’s dam, Shadow-W Denver Mile High (EX-94), and grandam, Shadow-W Reginald Marian (EX-95-3E), have been named All-National 5-Year Old Cow.

“She’s easy going, she’s easy to work with, and she’s a problem-free type of cow,” Kurt describes. “She’s got a will to milk and does it very easily. She’s also reproductively sound and breeds back right away.”

Magnificent will be recognized during Holstein Association USA’s 139th annual meeting at the 2025 National Holstein Convention in Saint Louis, Missouri this summer.