Pa. Holstein breeders convene in Pittsburgh
BY MARTHA J. GEHRINGER
PITTSBURGH - The “city with
a smile,” Pittsburgh, welcomed
Holstein enthusiasts from around
the state to the 74th annual
meeting, last weekend, at the
Sheraton Hotel on Station Square.
Highlights of the business
session included an address by
outgoing president, Sam Minor, in
which he listed the ac
complishments of the Holstein
Association during his term.
He cited as the most important of
these “The emergence of a local
initiative. That is the members,
the breeders of the local clubs, at
committee level, having a greater
influence in the programs and
direction of the Association.”
Minor further explained that “I
feel this is a direction in more
organizations throughout the
country. A planning from the
bottom up, not the top down.”
Recommending that the
National and State Holstein
Associations work together
towards common goals, Minor
explained this will strengthen both
Sam Minor, right, accepts a special award on behalf of the
Pa. Holstein Association from Robert Rugaber, Butler County
Extension Agent, in appreciation for the Holstein
Association’s support of the national NACAA banquet held in
Pennsylvania in 1985.
Left, Paul Corbin, Jefferson County: Jenny Weimer, Adams
County: and Evelyn Moyer, Somerset County received, for
their counties' Holstein clubs, the milk promotion award from
John and Judy Grice, Washington, co-chairman of the 1986
Convention, smile proudly at a job well done.
organizations, effectively utilizing
the assets of both.
Concluding his comments, Minor
told the audience he hoped they
would interpret his questions and
remarks as attempts at achieving
the highest possible goals for the
Registered Holstein.
It was announced that Thomas
Kelly, Blair County had received
unanimous nomination by Penn
sylvania Holstein delegates to the
candidacy for June election to a
director seat on the National
Holstein Board. This will give
Pennsylvania a larger
representation nationally.
The business meeting was
concluded with the induction of the
new state officers for the 1986 to
1988 term. Arthur Baxter from
Stoneboro is the new president.
Tim Merwarth, Easton, became
the new vice president and Walter
Wurster, Ottsville, was installed as
the new treasurer.
At the awards luncheon, the
Progressive Breeder Registry
Award was given to: Jay and Mary
Houser, 14 years; J. Harold Bare,
two years; Kenneth and Jane
Benner, two years; Lewis and
Barb Berkley, two years; Thomas
Boyer, two years; E.W. and J.C.
Brake, two years; Delaware
Valley College, 13 years; Joe
Hartle, Jr., three years; Dale
Hostetter and Sons, two years;
Stephen Janos, two years; and
Junge Farms, seven years.
Additional Progressive Breeder
recipients were: Keystone Farms,
28 years; Nevin Mast, two years;
Wayne Myers, two years; Richard
Packard, 19 years; David Roth,
two years; J. Ivan Smoker and
Son, seven years; Willowland
Farm, three years; Jefferson
Yoder, 18 years; Clarence Beiler,
18 years; Raymond and Richard
Cousen, one year; Harold Fabian,
one year; Sinking Springs Farm,
one year; Smyser Richlawn Farm,
one year; Paul and Kathy King,
eight years; Singing Brook Farm,
eight years; J. William and Vera
Schultz, six years; MarcoveFarm,
16 years; Keuhn Brothers, two
years; Richard and Charlotte
Place, one year; Glenn Moyer, one
year; Ralph and Thomas Thrower,
one year; Keith Decker, three
years; and North View Farms,
four years.
The juniors also elected new
officers for the coming year. They
are: president, Walter Russell,
Huntingdon County; vice
president, Charles Seidel, Berks
County; secretary, Irene Benner,
Perry County; treasurer, Christy
Harpster, Huntingdon County; and
news reporter, Jenny Weimer,
Adams County.
Rynd, Alsdorf join Hall of Fame
BY MARTHA J. GEHRINGER
PITTSBURGH - The
distinguished Hall of Fame award
this year went to two Crawford
County breeders, Marion Alsdorf
and Jack Rynd.
This award, the highlight of the
banquet, was presented by Fred
Strouse who described both as
being “excellent across the board
in character, personality, and
intelligence.”
Alsdorf, who recently served as
the president of the Pennsylvania
Holstein Assoc., operates a 120
registered Holstein milking herd
with his two sons and son-in-law
near Spartansburg.
He took over the family farm
about 50 years ago. At that time he
had a choice of either attending
college or remaining on the home
farm. If he had gone onto college
the family farm probably would
have been sold due to his father’s
failing health. Alsdorf chose the
latter.
Over 30 Excellent cows and two
Gold Medal Dams have been bred
during the past 50 years by
Alsdorf. In this tune he has also
had ten bulls go into A.I. service
with his A-Jay prefix.
He bred and showed the grand
champion at the state show in 1974
as well as the All Pennsylvania
Cow and Produce in the same year.
Alsdorf describe receiving the
award as an honor “and a hum
bling experience.” He went on to
say “I’ve had many priceless
years with the Holstein
Association... and feel that I’ve
learned more than I’ve con
tributed.”
Jack Rynd also described
receiving the award as a humbling
experience. He commented that
“I’ve really got two families. The
Holstein people are a wonderful
group where I have a mass of
friends.”
Rynd beginnings In full time
farming date back to 1950 when he
bought the family farm. At -that
time the farm consisted of eight
cows and 50 a.’i «s
It has since giuv.i. to 550 acres
Sam Minor, retiring PHA president, turns the gavel over to
th
Holstein breeder Tom Kelly of Blair County, received
congratulations following his unanimous nomination by
Pennsylvania Holstein delegates to the candidacy for June
election to a director seat on the National Holstein board.
and 130 cows. Rynd has also for
med a partnership with three of his
sons on their farm near
Cochranton.
They have developed over 62
Very Good and 30 plus Excellent
cows. Currently their rolling herd
average is at 16,000 pounds of milk
and 600 pounds of fat.
Last year Rynd was one of eight
people from across the country
chosen to be on the Dairy Task
Force. This was a national board
which attempted to develop an
answer to the milk surplus. He has
also served as president of the
Farmers Union Milk Producers
Bill Nichol, executive secretary, left congratulates Marion
Alsdorf on being named to the Pa. Holstein Hall of Fame. With
Alsdorf are his wife Maude and Art Baxter, president.
Rynd
Rynd
on being named to
is his wife Jean and
Cooperative for the past five years
Rynd was instrumental in the
planning and building of the Penn-
State Ag Arena and has served on
county and regional dairy
promotion committees.
Always a supporter of 4-H and
FFA, providing leadership, en
couragement, and advice, he
recently received a honorary
Keystone Farmer degree from the
local FFA chapter.
Portraits of Alsdorf and Rynd
will join those of other state
Holstein pioneers and leaders in
the Hall of Fame gallery, located
in the state Holstein Association at
State College.
secretary, left, congratulates Jack
the Pa. Holstein Hall of Fame. With
Art Baxter, president.