Mid-Atlantic Brown Swiss Sale sets new record; royalty crowned

Group of people gathered at a fair, showcasing their cows, with a rustic backdrop and a banner for South Mountain Creamery. — Pictured left to right are Dr. Alan McCauley, Dylan Fry, Abby Brown, Hannah Myers, Reese Myers, Ellie Widerman on the halter of Lot 1, Jenlar Timeout Wynn ETV; Kyle Welk, Chris Hill, Kylie Younkins, Jonathan Hubbard, Abby Wilbur on the halter of Lot 13, Peach Kist WC Bing-ET; Jake Hushon, Ben Zeller, Hannah Balthaser on the halter of Lot 24, Cripplecreek D Wicked; Brett Haines, Jenna Lenhart, Cole Nickerson, Joy Widerman, Hannah Gingerich, and Karlie Supplee.
*Photos courtesy of Andrea Haines*

By DYLAN FRY

Special for Farmshine

Two women stand together, one holding a box with a bow. The woman on the left is wearing a light gray vest and a white shirt, while the other is wearing a black blazer and a sash that reads 'Miss Northern Colorado 2023'. They are smiling in front of a backdrop that appears to be a stage. — The 2026 Maryland Brown Swiss Ambassador honor was bestowed upon Brooke Leaf of Baltimore, Md. during the sale. She is pictured with Maryland Brown Swiss President Cindy Warner.

FREDERICK, Md. — The 52nd Mid-Atlantic Brown Swiss Sale took place here on Saturday, April 11, at the Frederick Fairgrounds. A record-setting average for this sale series was achieved: $3951 on 35 live lots. There were also nine embryo packages offered from breed-leading cows across the country, with an average of $466 per embryo. A diverse group of buyers hailed from 13 states.

This popular spring sale continues to produce high quality show animals, with numerous sale alumni earning honors in the Bell Ringer and All-American contests. Among the many highlights, the top three individuals included:

High seller: $8700 — Jenlar Timeout Wynn ETV, a September ’24 Time Out daughter from the famed brood cow, Jenlar Carter Waltz (EX-91). She was consigned by Cripple Creek Farm and purchased by Skyhigh Genetics, both located in New York State.
Next high seller: $8000 — Peach Kist WC Bing-ET, a December ’25 World Class daughter of Peach Kist T Brinkley (3E-93). The consigner was Jenna Lenhart of Maryland. Dr. Alan McCauley of Michigan is her new owner.
Next high Seller: $8000 – Cripplecreek D Wicked, a September ’24 Doboy daughter of Top Acres Diego Wizer (EX-91), Reserve All-American in 2023, hailing from the Wizard family. Consigner: Paige Knott, of West Virginia. Purchaser: JoBo Holsteins/Swiss of Pennsylvania.

Additional consignments selling for over $7000 included:

$7600, Spots Pride Coll Penelope ETV, sold to Cindy Warner of Maryland and Joy Widerman of Pennsylvania.

$7600, Fiddler Genetics Ray Renee ETV, sold to Hayes Gottwald, Va.

Four embryos, Lot 44, sold for $474 apiece to Rayme and Kristin Mackinson of Bakersfield, Calif., dedicated to the Maryland Brown Swiss Junior Fund supplied by Greg Harrison, JoBo Swiss, Dylan Fry and Billie Jo Rhodes.

A sizable crowd was on hand to appreciate the high-quality offerings, which featured a special line up of heifers of all ages. The spring day was filled with enthusiasm and energy from the crowd, as well as fervent online bidding via Cowbuyer.

With a return of the new sale committee and sale force, this foundational sale had its most successful year to date. The sale committee consisted of Dylan Fry, Chestertown, Md.; Jenna Lenhart, Thurmont, Md.; Billie Jo Rhodes, Churchville, Va.; and Ellie and Joy Widerman of Gettysburg, Pa. Animals were presented by Jake Hushon of York, Pa., on pedigrees and auctioned by Chris Hill of MD-Hillbrook Sales.