Holstein Association Awards

Herd of Excellence

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.		View past Herd of Excellence recipients
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

Read more about the 2025 Recipients

2025 Herds of Excellence Recipients

Fustead Holsteins – The Fust Family, Wausau, Wisconsin
Large Herd Division
73.4% Homebred
Average Age-Adjusted Classification Score - 90.5
Milk: 37,225 Fat: 1,557 Protein: 1,154
Second Year Honoree

Doorco Holstiens – The Vandertie Family, Brussels, Wisconsin
Small Herd Division
100% Homebred
Average Age-Adjusted Classification Score - 90.5
Milk: 37,225 Fat: 1,557 Protein: 1,154
Eight Year Honoree

Ever-Green-View Holsteins, LLC – The Kestell Family, Waldo, Wisconsin
Small Herd Division
98.9% Homebred
Average Age-Adjusted Classification Score - 87.6
Milk: 39,430 Fat: 1,707 Protein: 1,227
Sixteen Year Honoree

Progressive Breeders' Registry
In order to qualify for the Progressive Breeders' Registry (PBR) award, a herd must qualify under the following criteria:
		Herd owner must be a member of both their national and state associations, and enrolled in the Deluxe or Premier TriStar options and Herd Classification programs.
		Percent B.A.A. for Herd Classification must be in the top 25% of herds classified during the 18-month time period just prior to March 1 of the current calendar year.
		Must have a minimum of twenty 87% RHA and higher cows in the milking herd, of which at least 75% bear the herd owner's prefix.
Automatic evaluation of all herds is done annually. The PBR recognition is given to approximately 10% of herds enrolled in the Deluxe or Premier TriStar options. TriStar Herd Mature Equivalent Lactation Averages are adjusted by each state's average production. A milk component cutoff is based on combined fat and protein, which is calculated by multiplying the milk cutoff by 3.6% for fat and 3.1% for protein, and totaling the two components.

Click here to search
the PBR list.

Progressive Genetics Herds
In order to qualify as a Progressive Genetics Herd (PGH), a herd must qualify under the following criteria:
		Herd owner must be a member of both their national and state associations, and enrolled in the Deluxe or Premier TriStar options and Herd Classification programs.
		Must have a minimum of twenty 87% RHA and higher cows in the milking herd with CTPIs. No minimum requirement for number of young stock.
Automatic evaluation of all herds is done annually. The PGH recognition is awarded to the 500 herds with the highest average TPI for females in the herd, both young and mature. Animals used in the evaluation are derived from Genetic Herd Report and Youngstock Genetic Herd Report inventories.

PROGRESSIVE GENETICS AWARD CRITERIA
Year	TPI Cutoff	Range
2020	2101	2102 to 2724
2019	2043	2044 to 2620
2018	2034	2035 to 2537
2017	1956	1957 to 2450
2016	1898	1899 to 2365

Click here to search
the PGH list.