Retired Master Breeder
As presented by John Emerling
“Being recognized as a Master Breeder would be the greatest accomplishment of my lifetime
with registered cattle.” These words were once spoken by the person we are honoring this evening. The
individual that I am privileged to introduce to you is not short on accomplishments. He has won a
number of awards, has held a variety of positions on various clubs and committees, has been involved in
Holstein and community organizations, and of course, has been successful with his herd of registered
cattle. This evening I would like to highlight a few of the reasons why this individual is deserving of the
Retired Master Breeder Award.
Nearly 50 years ago, at the age of 23, (yes, that means he is old), this individual purchased his
first farm. Not long thereafter he became involved with registered cattle and joined the local Farm
Bureau.
Tonight’s retired Master Breeder developed and improved his herd and eventually bred and
developed several animals that were Grand Champion at his local Holstein show. His homebred animals
have gone on to be All-New York winners. He has bred 18 Gold Medal Dams. Several animals of his
breeding have been New York state production leaders and he is the breeder of a past national milk
leader. He has bred many Excellent cows and his animals have topped a variety of sales.
His participation on local agricultural committees, prepared him for his long-term endeavors on
state and national organizations. He has served as a National Delegate, Treasurer, second Vice President
and President for his State Holstein Association. These positions reinforced his commitment to
registered cattle.
Our retired Master Breeder has put several bulls into A.I. One of his homebred cows, Nicki
Combination was EX 90 with three records over 30,000 pounds of milk and 1,000 of fat. She was the
dam of several daughters that in turn scored Excellent and had records over 30,000 pounds of milk and
1,000 pounds of fat. One of these daughters was Celeste Nicholas, the dam of one of his bulls that went
into A.I. Although he is retired, his farm continues to support registered Holsteins, as it is now operated
by his four sons. They manage a herd of over 2,000 animals and the milking herd of 1,050 has a herd
average over 26,000 pounds of milk.
As a result of the success of Celeste Nicholas’s son Ransom-Rail Pacemaker, his giving to St.
Jude’s Children’s Hospital forged connections with well known public figures. Due to his generosity
with the children’s hospital, he was able to arrange for Danny Thomas to speak at a state Holstein
convention.
In addition to his success on the farm, this individual has proven to be a successful leader off the
farm. His experience as the President and CEO of a milk co-op was recognized on a national level when
he was asked to participate in discussions on the 1995 Farm Bill.
Whether this individual sits at a local Rotary club meeting, or in the bleachers of one of his 22
grandchildren’s sporting events, whether he is making decisions as the President and CEO of Conesus
Co-op, or making decisions on behalf of his Church, whether he is reminded of his successful registered
herd, or reminded of the difference he made in the lives of sick children, he has impacted the Holstein
world and his local community. So tonight, 54 years after he arrived from Germany, he is being
recognized.
As he travels back home from this year’s convention, I hope my good friend, Arnold
Duppengiesser, can say, “Being recognized as the 2007 Retired Master Breeder HAS been the greatest
achievement of my lifetime with registered cattle.”