DairyVoice Podcast

In this episode of Showbox Sires Evolution of the Great Cow, Tim Abbott and Mike Duckett talk with Justin Velthuis and Adam Hodgins of Hodglynn Holsteins of Ontario Canada about their latest release Maples Miraculous Red 744HO17701.

They discuss what breeding a cow like Maple has done for their breeding program and what made Maple so special.  A closer look at the profile of the bull, what traits stand out, and what they think the bull will transmit wrap up this discussion.

In this episode of DairyVoice, Tim Abbott of Showbox Sires with his series, The Evolution of the Great Cow, spends time with two of Horace Backus’ closest friends, Joel Hastings and Dave Rama, to talk about his contributions to the industry.

Horace Backus of Mexico, New York, the “Dean of Holstein Pedigrees”, passed peacefully in his sleep early on October 22, 2024. He spent his long career working with Registered Holsteins as a breeder, auction sale manager, author and organizational leader and is widely recognized by thousands of dairy breeders and industry leaders nationally and internationally. He was truly one of the Greatest Of All Time in the holstein world.

Tim, Dave, and Joel talk about their memories of Horace throughout the years and what they felt he brought to the table. There is a Horace Backus fund with Holstein Foundation, which is discussed in the podcast. If you would like more information on the Horace Backus Fund and how to help, contact the Holstein Foundation here.

In this podcast episode, Tim Abbott and Mike Duckett of Showbox Sires announce the release of their new bull ASHER-RED 744HO17546. Tim and Mike speak with Joe Brantmeier of Hilrose Dairy about the cow family and generations behind the bull. Joe Brantmeier talks about 14 year old Hilrose Advent Anna-Red and what she is like to work with.

They discuss how you would use ASHER-RED and, most importantly, when will semen be available and how do listeners get it? It is available through your Select Sires distributor within next 2 weeks. Contact them now.

In this episode of The Evolution of the Great Cow, Tim Abbott of Showbox Sires spoke with Robert (Bob/Fitzy) Fitzsimmons of East Montpelier, Vermont. They talked about old many great cows and people over the years. Bob was one of the first classifiers for Holstein Association and worked with Tim at St. Jacobs. Fitzy talks about his young success in the industry and his mentors over time, like Jerry Rappaport the influential Boston developer and attorney who bought several dairy farms in the Vermont area. Plus, those who had the biggest effect on his career, like Bill Weeks, Bob Lord, and his father.

This podcast is priceless and quite a trip down memory lane.

In this episode of DairyVoice, Dr. Donald Sockett from the University of Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory and Dr. Tom Earleywine of Purina Animal Nutrition talk with Connie Kuber of Sealpro Silage Barrier Films about current colostrum feeding practices and how they can be improved. They give tips for producers to help raise these healthy resilient calves and information on improvements to current colostrum feeding practices. 

In this episode of DairyVoice podcast, host Tim Abbott of Showbox Sires spoke with Ian Crosbie of Benbie Holsteins and Auctioneer John Copithorne while traveling to the Prairie Passion sale at Benbie Holsteins on the 4th of July. Ian represents his family operated farm that milks 160 holsteins. Purebred high end options in western Canada is something that doesn’t happen every day and for this episode of the series Evolution of the Great Cow, Tim was able to speak with Ian. He also talked with John Copithorne, auctioneer from Alberta. John is known as one of the great auctioneers in the world. Together, this made for a fantastic interview.

In this episode of DairyVoice, host Mike Opperman speaks with Tara Bohnert, Smart Farming Dairy Specialist for Datamars Livestock. They discuss new technologies and some of the data they can collect. The big question … how can producers collect all this data to help them make more effective decisions?

Tara talks about upcoming technology that she is excited about and what dairy farmers need to do before stepping in to this new technology.

In this episode of The Evolution of the Great Cow, Tim Abbott, Mike Duckett and Jeff King of Kings Ransom Farm discuss the newly release bull 744HO17425 Hellion-ET. Jeff King talks about the family behind his popular bull Dropbox and specifically about his dam Daze. Mike Duckett, who works with offspring of Doc every day, talks about the traits he sees in her family that are really appreciated.

According to Mike Duckett, Hellion checks almost every box. Mike digs in to what he sees in Hellion’s proof. Everyone is excited about a combination of Doc and Daze. And, the group discusses what sires of today’s cattle would work well with Hellion. 

In this episode of DairyVoice, host Connie Kuber of Sealpro Silage Barrier Films talks with Geri Berdak, the CEO of The Dairy Alliance. The Dairy Alliance is a great organization and CEO Berdak explains why. She discusses her top priorities, unique challenges of the dairy industry, and how they communicate with consumers and their dairy farmers. They cover the Alliance’s future and an overview of how they approach their marketing plan.

In this episode of The Evolution of the Great Cow, Tim Abbott and Mike Duckett talk with the iconic Comtois family in Victoriaville, Quebec Canada. Comestar is a global icon in cattle breeding. They discuss the newly released bull 744HO17421 Lacteur. Steve & Marc Comtois discuss Lacquer’s family and talk about Laurie Sheik. Holstein International described Laurie Sheik as the “foundation of a long enduring empire.”

Mike Duckett digs in to the mix of sires in Lacteur’s pedigree and looks at the numbers on both the Canadian and U.S. side of this fantastic cow.