CONTACT: Sarah Galdi (608)846-1432 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ABS GMS® HERD EARNS BREEDER OF THE YEAR HONORSDEFOREST, WISCONSIN - January 10, 2007 – Wim and Hennie Van de Brake of Thornspyc Dairy have been named the Country Roads Holstein Club 2006 Breeder of the Year. “This award, recognizing the success of Thornspyc Dairy, is evidence of the outstanding results GMS matings can provide dairymen around the world,” stated Amy Knuth, ABS Global GMS Manager. Thornspyc Dairy is located in Neerlandia, Alberta and is owned and operated by Wim and Hennie Van de Brake along with their five children—Jan, Metty, Henriet, William and Kristy. Van de Brakes acquired the farm shortly after immigrating to Canada in 1995 and have since expanded the 40-cow tie-stall to include a 100-cow free stall barn and milking parlor. All cows in the herd are mated using ABS’ Genetic Management System® (GMS) mating program with long-time ABS Representative Glen Felske. The Van de Brakes strive to bred high type cows which are able to achieve high production and still have a high productive life. When Van de Brakes originally purchased the farm, they also acquired several animals including Algorite Fancy Sonya. Sonya became a prominent cow in the herd producing 111,000 kg of milk (244,200 lbs.) and having several outstanding daughters including Thornspyc’s first homebred Very Good 2-Yr-Old Thornspyc Ellipsis Monica, Thornspyc Justy Tina VG-88 and Thornspyc Newton Monica VG-86. Thornspyc Dairy began classifying the herd in 2000 and utilizing supervised DHI testing in June 2003. They currently have a Rolling Herd Average (RHA) of 11,063 kg (24,338 lbs.) with 3.6% Fat and 3.0% Protein. Highlights from the last herd classification include nine new VG cows, of which six were homebred and one was first lactation, and 72.5% of the herd is now classified GP or better. Headquartered
in DeForest, Wisconsin, ABS Global is the world-leading provider of bovine
genetics, reproduction services and technologies. Marketing in more than
70 countries around the globe, ABS has been at the forefront of animal
genetics and technology since its founding in 1941. ABS Global is part
of Genus Breeding, a division of Genus plc.
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