Waverly prepares for Seventh Annual Jersey Sale
By GINGER SECRIST MYERS
Stiff Correspondent
CLEARBEO^VA^Mention
the name Waveily Farm to anyone
with even a remote interest in
Jerseys and you will strike a chord
of recognition. Known as the
Robert Stiles Family, the 210 cow
herd is owned and managed by
four brothers, Ken, Paul, Mike,
and Tracy Stiles and has gained
national recognition in both the
showring and the milk pail.
A quick look at the summary of
their herd makes even the
seasoned dairy cattle breeder
envious. At Waverly Farm 27 cows
have records over 20,000 pounds of
milk and 18 of these cows are
scored Excellent. Also 38 cows
have top records over 19,000
pounds of milk or 900 pounds of fat.
Another 55 cows have dams or
grandams with records over 20,000
pounds of milk.
The December R.H.A. on 200
cows wc r 13,532 M 4.7 percent
633 F and 506 P. There are 60 cows
at Waverly scored Excellent and
the appraisal average on 188 cows
is 85.7 percent.
Waverly Farm is currently the
only Jersey farm housing two
National Grand Champions; Sybil
Surville Jesse EX-96 was the
National Grand Champion in 1976
and 1977 as well as the National
Reserve Grand Champion 1978 and
1979, and her great-granddaughter
W. F. Justin Lanita EX-94 National
Grand Champion 1963,1965.
With all the apparent pressure of
handling such a top herd like
theirs, it would seem there would
be little time for more ambitious
endeavors. But, like most suc
cessful people in other fields, the
Stiles never miss an opportunity to
move forward.
This drive for improvement,
promotion, and the desire to work
with the best cattle of the breed
prompted them to begin the
Waveiiy Invitational Sale series
seven years ago. They have also
begun housing of the Heifer
Project International Herd in the
past 18 months.
The Seventh Waverly In
vitational Sale takes place on April
21. Hie sale, held annually at the
Frederick County Fairgrounds,
Clearbrook, VA, has offered the
best of the breed in a sale series
who’s average has been eclipse
only by sales the likes of the All-
American Jersey Sale in
Louisville, Ky.
Tracy Stiles confirms that the
motivation to begin the sales was
two-fold. First, they had gone to
lots of sales themselves and felt
they had the know-how to put
together a quality sale. Secondly, it
would afford them the opportunity
to merchandise a select few of
their own cattle. He acknowledges
that the sale gives the farm a
showcase for publicity.
This publicity has had many
pluses for both the Stiles and the
consignors to their sales. Many
guests visit Waverly Farm while in
the area for the sale. In
preparation, the entire herd is
clipped, feet are trimmed, and
spring fix-up is all completed by
sale time. Consignors benefit from
the sale’s proven track record for
success.
Tracy stresses that their sale
tries to have something for
everyone. From previous sales,
there have been more than thirty
head that developed into Bull
Mothers, contract cows, or made
Hall of Fame records for their new
owners. Because of their success,
consignments are also easier to
get.
Tracy recalls in the early days,
they had to go looking for con
signors. Now consignors are
coming to them. They still try to
see every consignment before
accepting it, with selections
starting around Christmas.
Another added plus for con
signors is the rate of commission
charged for the sale. Since the
Stiles view this sale as in part a
promotion for Waverly Farm, they
feel they should charge only
enough commission to cover the
sale’s expenses. Therefore, the
commission for each sale has been
set after the sale, when all the
expenses are totaled.
Concerning the type of cow
accepted for the sale, Tracy states,
There’s no written criteria for
selection. We’re looking for a good
cow and a cow that will sell well.”
Mike added, “We feel that part of
our success here (at Waverly
Farm) is that-we’ve never been
afraid to buy a good cow; one that
is pleasing to look at, but still
profitable to milk. With the dairy
economics the way they are today,
we feel we need to have this kind.
This is the kind we aim to sell in
our sales.”
Another marketing factor that
enters into the Waverly Sale this
year and has appeared in several
sales in the last 18 months are
consignments from the Jersey
herd owned by Heifer Project
International (HPI). The herd is
housed and managed by Waverly
Farm.
HPI is a non-profit church
related organization based in
Perryville, Ark. HPI works with
all species of livestock and dairy
cattle placing donated animals
with needy individuals and com
munities. HPI has animals placed
in all 50 states and in 70 foreign
countries.
Eighteen months ago a PA in
vestor Mr. Robert Marsh donated
his 75 head Jersey herd to HPI. In
that herd are such noted Jersey
matriarchs as Forest Glen
Quicksilver Dawn, A-Nine
Majestic Morgan, W.F.
Quicksilver Ashley, Forest Glen
FIRST CHOKE FOR
CONSERVATION
ULLAGE.
Ibday’s tillage practices bring a whole
new set of problems to fanners concerned
with keeping their com dean.
Which is why more conservation tillage
farmers are switching to Bicep* for
cleaner fields. With no broadleaf weeds.
And no grasses.
Bicep is a single formulation herbicide
that provides season-long control of broad
leaf weeds and grasses because of its unique
combination of chemical properties.
Low volatility —there is very little
evaporation off the trash.
Good solubility —a little moisture carries
Bicep into the weed and grass germinating
zone.
Excellent Adsorption —once in the weed
germinating zone, Bicep adheres to soil
particles, providing season-long control.
In many cases Bicep is less expensive
than tank mixes, with better results. One
application is all you need for clean fields
all season long. With no tank mixing. No
hassle. And best of all, no weeds or grasses.
Bicep. Make it your first choice for
cleaner fields in
conservation tillage. CIBA—GEIGV
Westerner Lillian, and Maple Row
Generator Sherry. There are off
spring of Rocky Hill Favorite Deb,
the former National Milk Cham
pion, Quicksilvers Claire of
Ogston, and Gramhill Q.S. Fran
Fair. When seeking a home for
such a quality group, HPI asked
Waverly Farm to take them in.
The Stiles agreed and moved the
75 head into their own facilities
with some moderate expansion in
buildings. The HPI herd is fully
integrated with the Waverly herd
and the Stiles have complete
management control. The two
herds are tested on separate DHIA
reports. Each month HPI receives
a copy of their herd’s test sheets,
breedings, sales, and contracts.
The Stiles receive all the milk from
the cows, a boarding fee for the
young stock, and a percentage of
all sales.
The arrangement has mutual
benefits for both parties. Waverly
has handled HPl’s consignment
at several elite sales, the proceed
going to fund HPI project
Waverly Farm does the contra*
negotiations for bull calves goin
to A. 1., HPI again receiving tt
funds. Bull calves that are not sol(
for A.I. purposes are placed in HP!
projects. Presently six baby bul
calves are being prepared foi
export to Bolivia. Recently, em
bryos from HPI cattle were ex
ported to India.
Tracy agrees that it has beer
successful financially for the fam
but stressed, “We really like
getting the opportunity to wort
with animals of this caliber. W<
hope this arrangement is a long
term thing.” HPI has a heifer
consigned to this year’s Waverlj
Invitational Sale.
When asked about the outlook for
this year’s sale, Tracy predicted,
“Regardless for the present dairy
(Turn to Page E 8)
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