A rural Colesburg girl is the new Clayton County Little Miss Squirt. Cagney Wessel, daughter of Brent and Staci Wessel was named the new Little Miss Squirt at the Clayton County Dairy Promotion Banquet on Friday, April 5th. The Alternate Little Miss Squirt is Oaklee Munz, daughter of Jay and Liz Munz of Elkader.
The Dairy Best Award was presented to the Gunder Roadhouse. The Dairy Appreciation Award went to Precision Dairy Equipment in Elkader. The Outstanding Young Dairy Producer Award was presented to Randy & Samantha Wagner Family of Farmersburg. The Distinguished Dairy Producer Award goes to Jason and Kelly Mueller of Strawberry Point. The Senior Dairy Producer Award went to Albert & Trudy Hanson of Elgin.
SCHOLARSHIP PRESENTATIONS
This is the eighth year that Clayton County Dairy Promotion Committee has offered scholarships to support our county’s youth education beyond high school. The winners this year are Jenna Funk, Brooke Hansel, Mindy Keehner, Billie Jo Schlueter, and Amelya Weigand.
Jenna Funk is a senior at Clayton Ridge. Her parents of Amy Kirby & Rick Funk of Elkport. Her plans are to study business administration at the Northeast Iowa Community College in Calmar.
Brooke Hansel is planning to attend Iowa State to study ag business after she graduates from Clayton Ridge in May. Her parents are Nick & Julie Hansel of Guttenberg.
Mindy Keehner is a senior at MFL MarMac. She is the daughter of Dan & Darla Keehner of Monona. Her plans are to attend Iowa state to study agricultural business and agronomy.
Billie Jo Schlueter of Strawberry Point is the daughter of Amanda Hartford and Will Schlueter. She is a senior at Starmont and is planning to attend Northeast Iowa Community College to become a veterinary technician.
Amelya Weigand is planning to attend Kansas State University to study animal biotechnology after she graduates from MFL MarMac in May. Her parents are Adam & Lisa Weigand of Monona.
AWARD PRESENTATIONS:
1. DHIA PRODUCTION BLUE RIBBON ROSETTES
2023 Qualifiers: Herd owners whose production average for either milk, fat, protein, or combined fat & protein
Are at the state breed average for the year January 1 to December 31, 2023 and completed 6 DHIA tests.
Qualifying Level:
MILK FAT PROTEIN CFP
Ayrshire 19,667 790 622 1,412
Brown Swiss 21,213 900 728 1,628
Guernsey 16,295 720 549 1,269
Holstein 25,859 1040 818 1,858
Jersey 18,141 888 665` 1,553
Milking Shorthorn 19,193 666 581 1,247
Mixed 21,959 919 720 1,639
Recipients: #COWS MILK FAT PROTEIN CFP
Brown Swiss:
Bergan Dairy, LLC, Elkader 12 27,865 1075 932 2007
Guernsey:
Rolling Prairie Guernsey, Garnavillo 269 16,735 744 573 1317
Holstein:
Scott & Suzy Hilgerson, Elkader 67 26,724 998 826 1824
Chad & Erin Hunt, Elkader 73 27,386 1034 862 1896
Trent & Matt Henkes, Luana 59 27,936 1121 867 1988
Terry Lenth, Luana 111 28,252 1112 873 1985
Wesselcrest, Greeley 298 28,926 1282 980 2268
Anderegg Farms, Inc., Guttenberg 179 28,985 1129 886 2015
Milking Shorthorn:
Matt & Trent Henkes, Luana 13 21,597 786 654 1440
Mixed Herds:
Tim & Kari Gaul, Guttenberg 81 26,702 1041 838 1879
Dennis & Lori Bergan, Elkader 240 32,635 1144 1002 2146
2. HIGH HOLSTEIN HERD FOR MILK AWARD
Anderegg Farms, Inc., Guttenberg 28,985 Lbs. Milk
3. HIGH HOLSTEIN HERD FOR C.F.P. AWARD
Wesselcrest, Greeley 2268 Lbs. C.F.P
4. HIGH HERD FOR MILK & C.F.P. FOR COLORED BREEDS
Bergan Dairy, LLC, Elkader 27,865 Lbs. Milk 2007 Lbs. C.F.P.
5. HIGH HERD FOR MILK & C.F.P. FOR MIXED HERDS
Bergan Dairy, LLC, Elkader 32,635 Lbs. Milk 2146 Lbs. C.F.P.
6. MILK QUALITY AWARD
Larry, Liane & Jasen Thompson, Monona 98,985 SCC
7. HIGH 305 DAY MILK RECORD
Bergan Dairy, LLC, Elkader #565 Holstein 48,816 Lbs. Milk
8. HIGH 305 DAY C.F.P. RECORD
Bergan Dairy, LLC, Elkader #510 Holstein 3090 Lbs. C.F.P. .
9. HIGH 305 DAY MILK (colored breeds)
Bergan Dairy, LLC, Elkader #968 Crossbred 37,765 Lbs. Milk
10. HIGH 305 DAY C.F. P (colored breeds)
Bergan Dairy, LLC, Elkader #23 Crossbred 2548 Lbs. C.F.P.
11. 200,000/7,000 LB. LIFETIME PRODUCTION CLUB AWARDS
The Clayton County Dairy Promotion Committee initiated a system 35 years ago of recognizing producers
with cows that produced in their lifetime 200,000 pounds of milk and/or 7,000 pounds of fat. Since 1986
there have been 463 cows enrolled in the club. 22 more cows achieved those lifetime production totals
since last year's awards presentation.
1. Anderegg Farms, LLC, Guttenberg 128 42WLD5013 Holstein
2. Bergan Dairy, LLC, Elkader 407 42WLC3807 Holstein
3. Bergan Dairy, LLC, Elkader 414 42WLC3814 Holstein
4. Bergan Dairy, LLC, Elkader 794 42WLA9694 Holstein
5. Todd Johnson, Guttenberg 1952 143225810 Holstein
6. Larry, Liane & Jasen Thompson, Monona Mahoney 42WLG0468 Holstein
7. Gary & Darlene Kregel, Guttenberg 1629 42THN4717 Holstein
8. Gary & Darlene Kregel, Guttenberg 1723 42THT4532 Holstein
9. Gary & Darlene Kregel, Guttenberg 1924 42THT3806 Holstein
10. Jason Mueller, Strawberry Point Crinkle 42WLD1534 Holstein
11. Wesselcrest, Greeley Carissa 71996835 Holstein
12. Wesselcrest, Greeley Embry 72979981 Holstein
13. Wesselcrest, Greeley Fashion 74072145 Holstein
14. Wesselcrest, Greeley Gabby 71996761 Holstein
15. Wesselcrest, Greeley Laura 72980052 Holstein
16. Wesselcrest, Greeley Melissa 72980018 Holstein
17. Wesselcrest, Greeley Linden 74072090 Holstein
18. Wesselcrest, Greeley 914 72980030 Holstein
19. Wesselcrest, Greeley Ace 71996777 Holstein
20. Wesselcrest, Greeley Africa 72980002 Holstein
21. Wesselcrest, Greeley Aloha 72980056 Holstein
22. Wesselcrest, Greeley Amplify 74072138 Holstein
11. DAIRY BEST AWARD
The Dairy Best award is presented annually to an eating establishment in Clayton County that does an outstanding job of serving real dairy products to the public.
Winner: Gunder Roadhouse
By December 2021, the home of the “Gunder Burger” had been closed for 21/2 years; and Dave Farmer had owned Culligan for 30 years and had recently sold it. Being from Gunder himself, he hated seeing the famous small-town bar & restaurant standing empty, so he purchased it. Thus began the community project of getting it ready to open back up.
By the end of March, the business was up and running under the name of the Gunder Roadhouse. They brought back the favorites that made it popular while also adding some new things to the menu, and daily specials are served.
Sitting in the middle of a farming community, using real dairy products was a must. Cold milk is on the menu, both white and chocolate, as well as malt milk shakes. Butter and sour cream are offered with baked potatoes and all dinner selections. The homemade desserts are made with real butter and cream. Ice Cream is also offered with all desserts. Shredded cheese is used in salads and wraps. Real Swiss cheese is used on the mushroom & Swiss burgers, Reuben & Philly platters. Some customers request butter on their hashbrowns and American fries and they have one customer that askes for a pat of butter in his coffee.
The Gunder Roadhouse is open Sundays 11-4, Closed on Tuesdays and 11-8 the rest of the week.
Congratulations to Dave and his friendly staff for receiving this year’s Dairy Best award.
12. DAIRY APPRECIATION AWARD
The Clayton County Dairy Promotion Committee annually honors a person or business that supports the dairy industry.
Winner: Precsion Dairy Equipment, Elkader
Precsion Dairy Equipment is a business that relies solely on the passion of a dairy farmer. Without the drive and commitment of living life milking cows, this business would cease to exist. Planting roots in Elkader well over 60 years ago it has expanded and contracted with the ups and downs of the dairy community. A business that doesn’t see customers as a number, more like family and friends. A place devoted to providing service around the clock. Always looking to give a helping hand, and to improve the life of the dairy farmer and the way they make a living day to day.
Precision Dairy Equipment is owned by Al and Joyce Prier and Travis Prier. The business services over 200 dairies in the surrounding areas in Northeast Iowa, Southwest Wisconsin and Southeast Minnesota. PDE is always willing to set up the milking parlor at the county fair and furnish for t-shirts for dairy and Kiddie Calf shows at the county fair. They are always willing to support dairy farmers in any way possible.
13. OUTSTANDING YOUNG DAIRY PRODUCER AWARD... Virgil Kregel Memorial
The Outstanding Young Dairy Producer Award is a sincere effort to honor young dairy producers who have achieved excellence in managing their dairy enterprise and have contributed leadership in the dairy industry and their communities. Nominees must be 40 years of age or younger to be eligible.
Winner: Randy & Samantha Wagner Family, Farmersburg
Randy Wagner started farming full time with his parents in 2006 after graduating from NICC with a Dairy Science degree. Randy and his wife Samantha milk 120 Holsteins in a double 11, swing parlor. Randy takes care of daily milking twice a day, typically with the assistance of a hired hand. He also takes care of feeding animals. Samantha assists with relief milking as needed, especially during planting and harvest. Randy’s parents, Don & Cheryl Wagner, are still a big part of the daily farming operations. Cheryl assists with relief milking; field meals and parts runs. Children Waverly and Tyson are master calf assistants to Don.
Cows are fed TMR with corn silage, haylage, dry hay, earlage, protein and mineral mix. Their milk is marketed through Wapsi Valley.
Samantha serves as secretary of the Midwest Dairy Association Iowa Dairy Princess committee. She is on staff with Iowa Farm Bureau Federation and serves six counties as the Regional Manager. The family are members of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Monona.
Randy and Samantha are parents of three children: Waverly (1st grade), Tyson (Jr. Kindergarten, and Lydia, age one.
Congratulations to the Wagner family!
14. DISTINGUISHED DAIRY PRODUCER AWARD
The Distinguished Dairy Producer Award honors dairy families and individuals who have achieved excellence
In managing their dairy enterprise while contributing leadership to the dairy industry and their communities. Honoring these outstanding producers serves as a tribute to the time and effort they have put forth in advancing the dairy industry.
Winner: Jason & Kelly Mueller, Strawberry Point
Jason and Kelly Mueller started dairy farming on halves in January 1997, then purchased their current dairy farm in April 2002. They milk 60 head of Holsteins, Jerseys and Holstein/Jersey crossbreds in a tie-stall barn. Cows are housed in free stalls and pastured in summer. Cows are fed complete feed and corn silage twice daily and free choice dry hay. Since 1997 the herd has been on DHIA test. Herd average is 20, 500 milk, 799 Fat and 810 Protein. Milk is marketed through Wapsi Valley Creamery. Herd is AI bred with Angus bull used as clean-up.
In 2007 they received the Outstanding Young Dairy Producer Award. In 2023 the family received the Meritorious Service Award from the Clayton County 4-H & Youth program for their dedication and support of the county-wide safety day program. Kelly serves on the FSA County Committee for Clayton County. They are members of St. Joesph Catholic Church in Elkader. Jason & Kelly are the parents of five children and have 2 grandchildren. Courtney & Karl Klocke and son Lloyd; Brittany & Josh Lechtenberg and daughter Daisy, Cody, Jasmine and Haley.
Congratulations to the Mueller Family!
15. SENIOR DAIRY PRODUCER AWARD
The Senior Dairy Award honors individuals who have provided outstanding support to the dairy industry and producers.
Winner: Albert & Trudy Hanson, Elgin
This year’s Senior Dairy Producer Award winner started milking on his parents’ home farm using Surge buckets and 10-gallon milk cans in 1973. Four years later, he purchased his farm south of Gunder. Albert Hanson and his wife Trudy milked for 50 years. Their milk cows were sold in October of 2023.
Albert’s herd was AI sired and on DHIA test for over 40 years. He served as an AMPI delegate for over 30 years and was also on the board of directors of the Northeast Iowa Coop in Clermont. Albert also served on the nominating committee for the Allamakee Clayton REC.
Albert & Trudy were past recipients of the Clayton County Young Dairy Producer Award and the Clayton County Distinguished Dairy Producer Award. Albert & Trudy have managed the soft serve shake machine for the Clayton County Dairy Promotion Committee over 30 years. We are extremely grateful for their dedication and hard work.
Besides being involved daily with the chores and the farming, Trudy also assists in surgery at the hospital in West Union and is an EMT. Along with farming, Albert is also a bus driver for the North Fayette Valley School district. The Hansons belong to the Apostolic church in Elgin. When their children were younger Albert served as a 4-H leader for the Marion Happy Hustlers 4-H Club.
Albert & Trudy have 3 children. April & Scott Lundquist live in Souix Center where she is a pharmacist. They have 3 children, Mason, Grayson & Kate. Molly & Jesse Johnson live in Pella where she is a teacher. They are the parents of Ayla and Lilly. Jack retired after 20 years in the Navy. He and his wife Jackie live on the island of Quam.
Congratulations to Albert & Trudy Hanson!