The Herd of Excellence Award was developed to recognize Registered Holstein breeders who have bred and developed excellent herds made up of cows with superior type and production. There are three herd size divisions that are based on the number of cows included in production averages for each herd. The categories are as follows: small herds (10-99 cows), medium herds (100-499 cows), and large herds (500+ cows).

To qualify for this award, the herd must qualify under the following criteria:

		The herd must have classified within the last year and have an average age-adjusted classification score of 83 points or higher.
		The herd must be at least 70 percent homebred.		View past Herd of         Excellence recipients
		The herd must be enrolled in the TriStarSM production records program.
		Additionally, qualifying herds must meet the following production criteria:
			Small Herds - 25 percent above breed average Mature Equivalent for milk, fat and protein
			Medium Herds - 20 percent above breed average Mature Equivalent for milk, fat and protein
			Large Herds - 15 percent above breed average Mature Equivalent for milk, fat and protein

Siemers Holstein Farms Inc.
The Siemers Family, Newton, Wisconsin
80.0% Homebred
Average Age-Adjusted Classification Score - 84.7
Milk:  34,042  Fat: 1,543  Protein: 1,057
Eight Year Honoree

MEDIUM HERDS (100 to 499 herd size division)

Koester Dairy Inc.
The Koester Family, Dakota, Illinois
99.8% Homebred
Average Age-Adjusted Classification Score - 85.2
Milk: 34,013 Fat: 1,519  Protein: 1,086
Eight Year Honoree

SMALL HERDS (10 to 99 herd size division)

Kal-side Holsteins
The Oberholtzer Family, Hillsboro, Wisconsin
94.0% Homebred
Average Age-Adjusted Classification Score - 85.8
Milk: 35,636   Fat: 1,477  Protein: 1,131
First Year Honoree

Doorco Holsteins
Dan, Julie, and Austin Vandertie, Brussels, Wisconsin
100% Homebred
Average Age-Adjusted Classification Score - 89.3
Milk: 37,252  Fat: 1,503  Protein: 1,160
Seven Year Honoree

Ever-Green-View Holsteins, LLC
The Kestell Family, Waldo, Wisconsin
98.9% Homebred
Average Age-Adjusted Classification Score - 87.6
Milk: 37,653 Fat: 1,609  Protein: 1,170
Fourteen Year Honoree

Lazy M Farm, LLC
Herman and Michael Maier Families, Stitzer, Wisconsin
78.3% Homebred
Average Age-Adjusted Classification Score - 88.1
Milk: 35,515  Fat: 1,514  Protein: 1,119
First Year Honoree

In order to qualify for the Progressive Breeders' Registry (PBR) award, a herd must qualify under the following criteria:

In order to qualify as a Progressive Genetics Herd (PGH), a herd must qualify under the following criteria: