Annual MSU Dairy Club Heifer Sale Averages $2,259; Raises Dollars for Judging Team Trip to Europe

4/16/08

Contact:  Sara Long
517-432-1555, ext. 170

EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Avid connoisseurs of dairy show calves and heifers were present March 28 to support the annual Spartan Spectacular Sale. Managed by the Michigan State University (MSU) Dairy Club and Dairy Judging Program, this year’s event featured 17 head of Holstein, Brown Swiss and Jersey heifers, which sold for an average price of $2,259.
           
Profits from the annual sale are divided equally between the MSU Dairy Club and the MSU Dairy Judging Program to support their respective activities. This year, the judging program’s profits will go toward the cost of sending several Dairy Club and judging team members on an agricultural tour of Europe June 18-30. The Michigan-based teams participating in the tour are the 2006 and 2007 Michigan 4-H dairy judging teams and the 2006 MSU Ag Tech (postsecondary) team. The invitation is extended only to teams placing among the top three in their respective divisions at the annual World Dairy Expo judging competition.
           
“About $3,000 will be deposited to the dairy judging team’s European trip fund-raising account,” said Jessica Geurink, Spartan Spectacular Sale co-chairperson and MSU agribusiness management senior. “I had an opportunity to participate in the same trip to Europe in 2006. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
           
“I met and traveled with some wonderful people, and I still keep in contact with many of them yet today,” she added. “Learning about the agricultural industry and history of the countries we visited was fascinating. I’d go back in a heartbeat!”
           
The top-selling animal was D-L-Bennett Lacey Rae-ET, a September 2007 red carrier “Advent” daughter from the Gloryland Lana Rae family. Consigned by Lawson D. Bennett, of Mayville, “Lacey Rae” was purchased by the partnership of Carlyle Westendorp, Nashville, and the Joe Domecq family, Rives Junction, for $5,800.
           
Second high seller was a December 2007 “Dundee” heifer consigned by Winterfield Farm, Wheeler. D. Newton Wiley, Thornton, Ind., paid $3,500 for the heifer.
           
A partnership with the annual Michigan Holstein Association-sponsored Spring Foundation Sale draws a large pool of potential buyers to the calf sale and offers students an opportunity to work with professional sale managers and auctioneers. Dairy judging team and club members help the state sale crew water and milk the consignments from the time the animals arrive several days before the sale up through sale day in exchange for the money earned from selling the milk.
           
Geurink explained that the sale ties in all aspects of raising dairy cattle, from nutrition to breaking an animal to lead to selecting an animal on the basis of conformation and pedigree.
           
“Organizing the sale takes a lot of hard work and commitment, and it’s important that everyone works together as a team,” Geurink said. “From the time we start selecting consignments in the winter to collecting information to promote the sale to being on-site to prepare, bed, feed and care for the sale animals to sale day when the calves are led through the ring and we collect checks from the buyers, it takes a dedicated work ethic and team effort.”
           
MSU Dairy Judging Program coordinator and sale adviser Joe Domecq agrees.
           
“It’s true that students develop a practical understanding of what’s involved in managing a sale from start to finish, but the experience offers more than that,” he said. “It’s a unique hands-on opportunity for students to build leadership skills, engage in a team-oriented project and learn from industry professionals. It also fosters networking with dairy producers and industry colleagues, some of whom may be future employers.”
           
Donors to this year’s sale were ABS Global, Inc., Amber Black, DeGroot Dairy, Fremont Cooperative Produce Co., Gingell Feed Consultants, Inc., King Street Dairy Farm, Land O’Lakes/Purina Feed, Michigan Farm Bureau Printing Services, Sunset Studios, the Thompson family and Williams Farm Machinery. Donors supply feed, equipment and bedding, in addition to other supplies, thereby helping the sale turn a solid profit.
           
MSU is home to three categories of dairy judging teams -- collegiate, two-year agricultural technology and 4-H -- and the Dairy Club. Both organizations offer social and educational opportunities to students, promote the dairy industry and increase students’ contact and interaction with Michigan dairy producers. For more information about the MSU Dairy Club or dairy judging teams, contact Domecq at domecqjo@msu.edu.
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