A32—Lancaster Farming, Saturday, June 5,1982 Killdee Farms BY DONNA TOMMELLEO CHESAPEAKE, Md. - A few months ago Killdee Farms was one of few Holstein farms in the nation to breed a 1981 All-American. Five days from now, on June 10, the entire herd will be sold as the farm itself goes up on the auction block. Farm owners Walter and Joann Drummond will be moving to Vermont due to Mrs. Drummond’s ill health which will bring about an end to an 11-year success story. Drummond’s construction business, specializing in con servation practices -had increased in size. Soon Drummond had to make a decision either expand the grade dairy farm or liquidate. He opted for the former. In 1971, the Drummonds set a goal for a 100 percent registered herd and they needed the right individual to get them there. Enter Jack Miller. In 1971, Miller was herd manager for the highly respected Brown Swiss herd at Needmor Farm, Bohemia, Md. Miller and Drummond found common ground with a dream for a registered herd and soon the Brown Swiss herdsman found himself milking Black and Whites. The farm, located on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, was known simply as Drummond’s Farm or Drum mond’s Construction. But it was the migratory plover-live birds, the kildeers that frequented the area, that gave Jack Miller the idea for a farm name. Hence, Killdee Farms was christened. Under Jack’s guidance., the farm underwent several facelifts. A new 30-by-HO-foot silo was added for All-American 2 year old . illdee I Bubbler 89 Holstein is o> . of. Delight, will be selling in the Killdee dispersal, a Very Good Astronaut daughter Sired by SSF Gay Ideal Buffler, the Very Good more corn silage To' ac commodate the extra silage, a 200- foot concrete bunker with an automatic feeder was constructed m the feed lot. A pipeline replaced bucket milkers and a small bulk tank gave way to a larger one. And the cattle arrived. “As money „was available we bought bred heifers and cows at dispersal sales,” Jack explained. In 1975, Killdee purchased 44 registered Holstems from Delaware breeder William Kux The Aucreek herd figured heavily into Miller’s breeding program. Two of the original Aucreek purchases Aucreek Performer Apollo Lola, 2E 94 and her dam Aucreek Ivan Performer Viola, 3E 92 have been flushed for the past three years Miller explained the aged cows won’t be sold next week. Over the years, Miller and the Drummonds have enjoyed some major wins in the show ring. In 1976, the Lola cow won first 3- year-old and best udder m class at the Maryland State Fair. She went on to the Central National in Madison, Wisconsin where she stood fourth in her class. Lola also won reserve all- Maryland aged cow and reserve grand champion at the Maryland State Fair in 1978. The same year, her daughter Magnet Lola finished with reserve all-Maryland senior yearling and stood third at the Eastern National. By far, the greatest milestone in the Killdee show string occured in (Turn to Page A 35) located near Chesapeake - City, Maryland has developed one of the top registered Holstein herds in the state in just 11 years. But due to poor health of owner Joann Drummond, the farm is up for sale and the entire herd will be dispersed on June 10 at the Guernsey Pavilion in Lancaster. > V. readies for grand finale r; 5 A ■* 4 .A . 1 Two outstanding members of Killdee Farms, pose for what may be their final picture “Bubbler,” and herdsman Jack Miller, the together before next week’s dispersal sale, man who bred the All-American 2 >ar-old v* . t-; X. w ''•TH ■» " * *jt. * r* ;%** - „ • *. „-* , ' * -V * * ? 9 <,» . > ‘ * * K 'N*~ With sale neck tags already in place, a few of Killdee, relaxing in ample straw bedding, the Killdee animals spend their last days at Several Killdee Holsteins feed from the 200-foot concrete bunk. The bunk and a 30-by 80-foot silo were added to the Farm's facilities under Jack Miller’s guidance. «- w* • ■Wc * Sf"*