Wisconsin Ag Connection - 'Altitude' Named 2009 Cow of the Year

Wisconsin Ag News Headlines

'Altitude' Named 2009 Cow of the Year
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 09/21/2009

Officials at the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture have announced the 2009 Cow of the Year. 'Kamps-Hollow Altitude' a nine-year-old Holstein owned by Ryan Kamps and Ryan Weigel from Belmont, has been selected as this year's recipient for her excellent pedigree, production record and outstanding showing performance.

As a heifer, Altitude was sold through the 2000 Pioneer Dairy Club Classic Sale at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville to Mark Haag, Kamps and Weigel. She has had a tremendous impact on the breed through numerous sons and daughters that transmit her family's superior type. Among the most notable are daughter KHW Regiment Apple-ET, who as a red and white topped the junior 2-year-old class at the 2006 International Holstein Show, and son KHW Kite Advent Red, the first red and white Holstein bull to transmit three points of type.

"Altitude's genetics and impact on the breed will continue to transmit generation after generation. The impact she's made and her future mark wouldn't be possible without the daily attention and devotion Altitude receives from the Kamps family," noted Ryan Weigel.

Her most recent production record at 7-00 at twice a day milking for 365 days yielded 39,690 pounds of milk with a 4.7 percent fat and 1,849 pounds and a 3.5 percent protein with 1,385 pounds. She currently is the sixth highest red carrier CTPI cow in the breed at a 2051 CTPI.

The Holstein breed was selected to receive the Cow of the Year award according to a succession plan among the major dairy breeds, as determined by the Wisconsin Purebred Dairy Cattle Association.