BRATTLEBORO, Vt. — Holstein Association USA has named its Herds of Excellence for 2024, celebrating Registered Holstein® herds meeting the highest standards for production and conformation, with homebred cattle.

“The Herds of Excellence are wonderful examples of all that is possible with the Registered Holstein cow,” says Holstein Association USA CEO Lindsey Worden. “From intentional breeding programs to carefully managed cow comfort, the recipients work hard each day to maximize the potential of their herds. Congratulations to this year’s recipients on their well-deserved honor!”

 The award is broken down into three divisions based on herd size, including the Large Herd Division (500+ cows), Medium Herd Division (100-499 cows), and Small Herd Division (10-99 cows).

This year’s honorees are:

• Large herd size division (500+ cows)

Fustead Holsteins, owned by the Fust Family of Wausau, Wisconsin, first-year honorees. Their herd statistics: 72.4% homebred; AACS 83.2 points, ME production average: 32,829M, 1489F 1071P.

• Medium herd size (100-499 cows)

Koepke Farms Inc., owned by the Koepke Family of Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, They have earned the award for the seventh time. Herd statistics: 100.0% homebred; AACS 84.1 points, ME average: 35,516M 1508F 1098M

• Small herd size (10-99 Cows)

Ever-Green-View Holsteins, LLC, owned by the Kestell Family of Waldo, Wisconsin. A 15-year honoree, their herd’s statistical information is: 99.1% homebred; AACS 87.5 points, ME average: 39,695M 1716F 1246P

Kal-side Holsteins owned by the Oberholtzer Family of Hillsboro, Wisconsin. They won the recognition for the second time with herd performance as follows: 97.1% homebred, AACS 86.2 points, ME averages: 35,570M 1531F 1151P.

The awards will be presented during Holstein Association USA’s 139th annual meeting in Saint Louis, Missouri next month.