BSHS – A Peek at the Past
April 2010
The Brown Swiss Historical Society (BSHS) would like to present various History Highlites by taking a Peek at the Past over the last 130 years. While the Association (BSCBA-USA) celebrates its 130th year in 2010, BSHS will review items of interest from 2000 (10 years ago), 1975 (35 years ago), 1950 (60 years ago) and 1925 (85 years ago). Most of this information will be gathered from the Brown Swiss Bulletin issues with occasional reports for earlier years as published in the old Herd Book Records.
2000 – The Miss Millennium contest crowned Idyl Wild Improver Jinx, owned by Forest Lawn Farm, Wausau, WI, as the winner out of 11 fine entries in the contest. Jinx is a Superior Brood Cow, three time All American and twice a Total Performance winner. Runnerup was Arnola Peggy Priscilla, owned by Wayne and Connie Sliker, St. Paris, OH.
Gracing the January 2000 cover along with Miss Millennium was the National Total Performance winner, Shen-Val Jade Crissy ET, owned by Jeremy McDonald, Stephens City, VA. The Cow For All Seasons, was Alexander Sensational Pam, owned by Tierra Verde Dairy of Greenville, TX.
1975 – Record numbers, estimated at 500, attended the 94th Annual Meeting held December 3-6 in Rochester, MN. The fiscal year until 1979 was July 1 – June 30 with a late fall convention. Retiring President was Hiroshi Tateyama, CO and incoming President was Bernard Monson, IA. Marvin L. Kruse was Secretary- Treasurer and the office had three Area Representatives, Richard Druke (Western); Myron Fledderjohann (Eastern); and J. Lee Majeskie (Central and Director of Program Development).
“Great cattle are bred by those who love their cattle, who love to work with their cattle and who view them with a super critical unprejudiced eye”. This was a quote of Fred S. Idtse, Association Secretary from 1942-63, who passed away January 22, 1975.
Schulte’s Sunwise Pat, Meadow View Farm, Gowrie, IA, died December 2, 1974. Pat was selected All-American for five consecutive years, a feat not accomplished by any other cow at that time.
An excellent article on “The History of Brown Swiss Cattle Breeding” by Dr. W.Engeler, Zug, Switzerland, was published in the February issue of the Bulletin.
1950 – Fred Idtse is Secretary-Treasurer and two field representatives are on staff including R.W. Stumbo, Beloit, WI and Fred Gaunt, Milltown, NJ. The Bulletin Editor is George Oppermann, but he returns to the family farm in Iowa in the spring and Michael J. Connelly becomes Editor. Association President is Paul Bennetch of Plainsboro, New Jersey. NOTE: The Association has recently received many memorabilia items from Paul Bennetch’s daughter.
1925 – Association Secretary was Ira Inman, who served in this capacity from 1911-1942. The Association was incorporated in 1925 under his leadership. A.E. Bowers of Cleveland, OH was President of the Association. The National Show Champion was Cinnamon’s Maiden 12764, owned by N.C. Schmid, Monroe, WI. There were 1335 bulls and 2140 females registered this year.
To join the Brown Swiss Historical Society, complete the application found under Brown Swiss Historical Society on the association’s website, www.brownswissusa.com. Dues are $10 per year individual, $20 per year for farm, family or business, or lifetime membership for $100.
May 2010
The Brown Swiss Historical Society (BSHS) continues its Peek at the Past over the last 130 years. While the Association (BSCBA-USA) celebrates its 130th year in 2010, BSHS will take a peek at items of interest from 2000, 1975, 1950 and 1925. Most of this information will be gathered from the Brown Swiss Bulletin issues with occasional reports for earlier years as published in the old Herd Book Records.
2000 – Kevin Michalovich, Lakeville, OH, is selected as the National Youth Achievement winner for 1999. Hoosier Knoll Maura, owned by Dwayne and Miriam Bell, Walkersville, MD, sets a new breed record for milk at 5-11 in 365 days with 47,240m, 4.9% 2303f, 3.2% 1535p. Maura was bred by Jeff Hendress of Wolcott, IN.
1975 – Meredith McHone, Editor of the Bulletin since October 1971 resigns. Connie Gritton, IL, is employed as Editor of the Bulletin, a position she holds until 1993.
L-J Star Jeavarissa Jean 522561, owned by Steve Tuman and Mark Nolan, Glencoe, MN, was selected as the All-American Aged Cow. The March issue contains an explanation of the New Sire Summary procedures known as PD74 or the Modifi ed Contemporary Comparison (MCC), replacing the original Predicted Difference (PD) used since 1965.
The first Youth Achievement winners were selected by district. There was no overall winner at that time. Winners include: Barry Schaeffer, MD(1); Thomas Weygandt, OH(2); Stanley Smith, GA(3); John Korth, IL(4); Maureen DeBruin, WI(5); Russell Church, IA(6); Suzanne Reuter, OR(7); and Arnold Rothlin, CA(8). There were only 8 districts at that time.
1950 – Northern Ohio Breeder’s Coop advertises Colonel Harry of J.B. as the only Living Son of the Immortal Jane of Vernon. Royal’s Rapture of Lee’s Hill, after completing the greatest fat production record of all time (29,095 lbs milk & 1229 fat), becomes National Show Champion at Waterloo that fall. Rapture was even publicized in Ripley’s “Believe It or Not” newspaper column.
1925 – Believe 4245 holds the Breed Champion records for both milk and fat with her 13 year old record in 365d milked 4x of 25,848m 3.9% 1003f. She was bred by E.M. Barton, Hinsdale, IL and owned by F.P. Minnette and Son, Sauk Center, MN. The breed average for 365d ROP (Records of Performance) in 1925 for 427 cows was 12,070m, 484f.
To join the Brown Swiss Historical Society, complete the application found under Brown Swiss Historical Society on the association’s website, www.brownswissusa. com. Dues are $10 per year individual, $20 per year for farm, family or business, or lifetime membership for $100.
June 2010
The Brown Swiss Historical Society (BSHS) continues its Peak at the Past over the last 130 years. While the Association (BSCBA-USA) celebrates its 130th anniversary in 2010, BSHS will take a peek at items of interest from 2000, 1975, 1950 and 1925.
2000 – Marvin L. Kruse, long time employee with the Association for 30 years, passes away at the age of 81. Marvin served as Western fi eldman from 1951-61; editor & business manager of the Bulletin from 1961-78; Executive Secretary from 1963-78; and Vice President of Brown Swiss Enterprises from 1978-81. He also served as Secretary of the American Milking Shorthorn Society from 1981-84.
1975 –Warren Kinney, owner of Lee’s Hill Farm, New Vernon, New Jersey, dies in Feburary. Vernon Hull, farm and herd manager since 1938, was willed the Lee’s Hill animals upon Mr. Kinney’s death. The herd was then dispersed on May 24, 1975.
Dr. Lee Majeskie, Director of Program Development since 1969, resigns to accept a staff position at the University of Maryland. Lee supervised and grew the PTPR program to a then high of 12,340 cows enrolled. The PTPR program was originally proposed by Howard Voegeli and adopted in 1971.
The fi fth All American judging contest was won by Erma Neitzel (Roger’s Mother) while Chris Keim and Steven Neely tied for second place, one point behind.
1950 – The Association publishes a series of articles entitled “Facts About Your Association” in the Bulletin. The May issue’s topic is “Type Classifi cation”. The classifi - cation program is now 7 years old, beginning in 1943. The program has 7 offi cial judges (classifi ers). They are: M.W. Lawritson, Univ. Nebraska; C.S. Rhode, Univ. Illinois; F.W. Atkeson, Kansas St. College; H.A. Searles, Univ. Minnesota; G.W. Trimberger, Cornell Univ.; J.H. Hilton, North Carolina St. College; and A.C. Scheidenhelm, New Jersey Ag. College.
1925 – Honor Rolls for Fat only were fi rst founded in 1920 for Brown Swiss and were for 3x and 4x milkings. In 1925, a “Farmers” (2x) 305 day Honor Roll was established for 2, 3, & 4 year olds and Mature cows. The original 2, 3 and Mature Class Leaders were all owned by Ira Inman, Beloit, WI while the 4 year old class leader was owned by John Ingold, Monroe, WI. Groups were split into Jr. and Sr. classes in 1942. The under 2 year old and Over 12 groups were added much later.
To join the Brown Swiss Historical Society, complete the application found under Brown Swiss Historical Society on the association’s website, www.brownswissusa. Dues are $10 per year individual, $20 per year for farm, family or business, or lifetime membership for $100.