It is time to cast your ballot for this year’s Brown Swiss Historical Society Awards. Two
awards, Historical Master Breeder and Active Master Breeder, will be presented at the National Convention in July in Vermont. This year we have added mini-bios that you may
become more familiar with the nominees. The ballot is at the end of this document.
Deadline for voting is April 15!
Historical Master Breeder Award Nominees
Armbruster Brothers, Red Brae Farm, Eagle, Wisconsin. James, Edgar and Andrew Armbruster began farming together in 1963 and became Swiss breeders in 1968 when they purchased the herd of Lyle Spenser with
James operating the Brown Swiss herd. World Dairy Expo started many of their All-American nominations on
their way - Red Brae Fanny being All American in 1964. The depth of quality in the Red Brae herd provided
many bulls for A.I. - among which were Red Brae Citation and Red Brae Monarch. Jim was active with 4-H Dairy
Youth on all levels, from 4-H to college, and received the first Badger Dairy Club “Guest of Honor” in 1972.
Roy Arnold (1921-2006) Arnola Farm, Lexington, North Carolina. A dairy farmer all his life, Roy Arnold started
with Brown Swiss in the 1960’s. Arnold is best known as the breeder of one of the great brood cows of the
breed - Arnola Peggy Priscilla, “5E”, National Total Performance Winner in 1989 and 1991 and Superior Brood
Cow. Her progeny, both male and female, dominated the shows and sales and Sire Summaries and have had
an impact on breeding programs worldwide. He served six years as a National Director from District III.
Leon W. Button (1933-2003), Vine Valley Farm, Rushville, New York. Leon ’Dub’ Button’s great-grandfather
started farming in 1885 and in 1937 his descendants added a milking herd to the operation. A young Dub purchased two nine month old heifers in the Empire State Sale at Cornell University in 1948 for his 4-H projects
and got his start with registered Brown Swiss. He would concentrate - when it was his time to own the farm on being a top New York breeder with state fair champions and the top Brown Swiss DHIA herd. Vine Valley Loa
Pauline “3E” won six times at NY State Fair and her son, Vine Valley Chip’s Paul, influenced many NY herds. He
bred, raised and developed Vine Valley A. Sun Lois, a “Superior Brood Cow”. She was the dam of Vine Valley
Paul LuAnn “5E”. LuAnn was nominated All American in every milking class and was National Total Performance
Winner at 12 yrs in 1979. Leon was President of the New York Brown Swiss Association, served on the National
Type Committee and received the New York Progressive Breeder Award.
George DeVoe (1899 - 2000), Judd’s Bridge Farm, New Milford, Connecticut. George DeVoe first put together
19 properties for Rowe B. Metcalf to establish Judd’s Bridge Farms - he then set about assembling a leading
Brown Swiss herd. DeVoe managed Judd’s Bridge from 1932 to 1948 and even before he purchased Jane of
Vernon, Judd’s Bridge animals were at the top of the show and production classes. Fifteen hundred people attended the Judd’s Bridge Dispersal where Colonel Harry of J. B. set a new high of $23,500, selling to a group
of Ohio breeders. This son of Jane of Vernon sold with 60 of his daughters and two maternal sisters, Jane of
Judd’s Bridge and Chloe of J.B., affording breeders the opportunity to obtain the best the breed had to offer.
DeVoe was a great promoter, contributing much to the New England Association and the Eastern Breeders’
Sale, and ultimately, the breed,
Jim Harkness (1912-1996), We-Gotta Farm, Marcellus, New York. The first Brown Swiss were purchased by
his father in 1925 and Jim Harkness became a member of the first 4-H Dairy Club in New York State with a
Brown Swiss calf. The herd had to be sold when his father died, but after finishing school in 1941, Jim started
dairying and was able to purchase a descendant of his original 4-H calf which was Swissland Fi-etta. Among
her famous descendants was We-Gotta Jetway Fancy who had four All American daughters. This family’s winning genetics were sold into many of the top herds. Youth programs continued to be important to Jim Harkness,
and he served many years as Youth Chairman in New York.
George G. Harris, Harris Hill Farm, New Milford, Connecticut. The original Harris farm was in Wethersfield,
CT - here George W. purchased a Brown Swiss, Tube Rose 24, and later imported 2 groups from Switzerland in
1882-83. His son, George M., continued until his death in 1956. George G. moved the herd and family to New
Milford in the spring of 1958 with an emphasis on the dairy, continuing the use of the bull Mandarin of Laurel
Ridge whose progeny put the herd on the map. Perennial favorites were Harris Hill Mandarin Mary “Ex” and
Harris Hill Tina L “4E”, Elite, Superior Brood Cow and Supreme Champion at Eastern States Exposition in 1972.
Her son, Harris Hill Tom Jones, was a highly used Superior Sire. He also bred Harris Hill Laddie’s Sorrel, dam of
Top Acres Elegant Simon. George G. served as president of the New England Association and was a member
of the Eastern Breeders’ Sale Committee. He later served as an Area Rep and Classifier for several years before
becoming National Executive Secretary from 1987-1994.
Rex Mort, Morts Dairy, Pierceton, Indiana. Rex Mort took over his father’s Brown Swiss herd in 1957 when
he finished school and spent 50 years breeding ‘his kind’ of cow - one that made the next generation better. He
was famous for finding and buying cows that he developed into winners such as We-Gotta Fragment Fancy
Twin whose daughter, Mort Tower Frisky “E94”, was a 3 time All American and the Total Performance Winner in
2002. He is also credited with breeding 10 cows scoring 94 points and breeding the famous Mort Jade Starbuck
bull who now has 31,761 daughters on test worldwide. Active in the Indiana Association, Mort served as a director and on the show committees.
Bill (1928-2011) and Velva Notter, Venture-West, Holyoke, Colorado. Bill spent 18 years working for three
leading herds before establishing Venture Farm in April 1959 in Gladstone N.J.with 19 Brown Swiss cows and their
son’s 4-H calf. Two moves were made: first to Cobleskill, NY and then to Holyoke, CO there becoming VentureWest with a herd of 350. Type selection was for feet & legs, quality udders and strong cows. Production was geared
to lifetime records with the first Million Pound Herd (5 living cows with over a Million pounds of milk) accomplished
in 1975. They bred a Five Generation Superior Brood Cow family and two A.I. Sires, Ventures Sunny Bruce and
Ventures ESP Babaray - both from the five generation Superior Brood cow, Evansdale Ethan Bella. Bill was President of the NY Assn, Chairman of the Eastern Breeders Sale, Director from District I, and National President in
1980-83. Velva is a long-time secretary of the Rocky Mountain association and has served on the Cow Recognition
and By Laws Committees and is the Brown Swiss Historical Society Publication Chairman.
Orbec Sherry (1896-1988), Vernon Stock Farm, Viroqua, Wisconsin. Orbec Sherry, one of Dairy Shrine’s Pioneer Breeders, is best known as the breeder of Jane of Vernon, who through her two sons and six daughters,
changed the Brown Swiss breed. Sherry started breeding registered Brown Swiss in 1923, enjoying the showing
and testing competition. He hit the jackpot when he mated Butternut Jane to Janet’s Boy of Elmhurst. The resulting calf was Jane of Vernon who for 5 straight years was Champion at Waterloo (national show). Jane also
had a son and the famous “Four Janes” who were an inspiration to breeders at the Treasure Island National
Show in 1939. Sherry sold the Four Janes to Lee’s Hill in New Jersey and Jane to Judd’s Bridge Farm in Connecticut where she had another son and two daughters. Orbec spent many years judging and gathering cattle
for export to Central and South America.
Pete Vanderham, Bridge View, Mira Loma, California. Pete began with two Brown Swiss cows in 1957 and
a goal to excel in breeding the right kind. Fifty-two years of hard work later it can be called successful with 58
AA and 44 Res. AA wins (with all but seven carrying the Bridge View prefix.), 22 National Show Champions and
a herd acclaimed worldwide for it’s influence on the breed through the use of Bridge View sires, most notable,
Bridge View Elegant Jade. Unique were the back-to-back-to-back National Championships (one national show)
of Bridge View R.F. Joanne (1968), and Bridge View Aristocrat Jolene (1969 & 1970). Bridge View Miss Patrice
is one of the two cows with eight All American nominations. Pete served two years as a National Director from
District IX and a term as National President.
Jacob (1863-1926), Jake (1892-1978) & Howard (1930-2003) Voegeli, Voegeli Farm, Inc., Monticello, Wisconsin. The Voegeli herd is now under fourth generation management, the first three generations are those
nominated. It was Jacob who in 1895 bought a registered Brown Swiss bull and five registered heifers. He made
cheese, bought more Swiss and built the big landmark barn. Jake (Jacob’s son) used the shows to merchandise
their bulls and cows, with champions at state fairs & Waterloo (the national show) - this involving outfitting a
boxcar to make the circuit. Outstanding animals bred were June’s College Girl, champion butterfat producer,
VB Vronicka’s Uanna, VB Tex-Jane Paula, and the bulls, Double Jane’s Design and VB Spice Sensation. Howard
continued the tradition of breeding cattle that won at the shows having Premier Breeder at the National Show
cconsecutively from 1971-1979 as well as the winning PTPR herd in 1973, 76, 77, 79, 87, 88, 91. The Madora
family, bred and developed by Howard, is the breed’s only 14 generation “Ex” family. Howard served as District
V Director from 1967 - 72 and through his work to bring the World Dairy Expo to Madison, WI was sometimes
called “ the father of the Expo”. For their successful breeding efforts, Jacob and Jake Voegeli were named Dairy
Shrine’s Pioneers and Howard, a Dairy Shrine’s Distinguished Breeder.
Active Master Breeder Award Nominees
Richard & Donna Hill, Hill’s Valley Farm, Cattaraugus, NY. Richard Hill began registering Brown Swiss under
the Hill’s Valley prefix in the early 60’s. His herd grew in conjunction with his parents’ herd until Richard and
Donna purchased the farm in 1979. Rich and Donna have been Premier Breeder at the New York State Fair at
least 15 times; Premier Breeder and Exhibitor at Eastern National twice and Southeast National in 2011. In 2011
they bred and owned the Intermediate Champion, Hills Valley Perfecta Ritz, at World Dairy Expo (International
Show) and the Eastern National. Richard served on the National Board of Directors and served as Vice President
for two years. Richard and Donna were committee members for the 2007 New York National Convention.
Larry Kruse, Kruses Swiss Farm, Earlville, Iowa. Larry’s father purchased a Brown Swiss calf as a 4-H project
for him in 1954. As a young man Larry and his father farmed together for 10 years and in 1973 Larry and Julie
took over the farm. Larry bred and owned Kruses Beautician Vixie, grand at Madison 2 times including the 1980
Centennial National Show in 1980. Other noteworthy animals bred and developed at Earlville were Fantasy Vix
and Ransom Folly. Larry served as Iowa President, co-chair of the Iowa State Sale and served on the National
Board for two terms. He was one of the founding members of Progressive Sires.
Roger Nierman, Long Lane Farm, Brownstown, Indiana. Roger was raised with Brown Swiss on his father’s
dairy. Henry, his dad, had started with Brown Swiss in 1945. In 1974 Roger took over the herd. His greatest one
achievement is developing a Brown Swiss herd that can be passed on to his son and his kids and the family
can continue farming and pursuing his life’s dream with the Big Brown Cow. Noteworthy achievements are
breeding and owning a National Cow for All Seasons and a National Total Performance Winner. (He also bred
the dam of Gentle Breeze Mat Christine.) Roger served as state president in Indiana and on its board of directors.
He also served on the National Board of Directors for two terms and several national committees.
Alan Rinehart, R-Hart Farm, Wapakoneta, Ohio. Alan was raised on the family Brown Swiss farm. In 1979 he
and his brother, Bruce, took over from his father. In 1990 Alan and his wife, Randi, took over sole ownership and
operation of the herd. R-Hart Farm is best known for their development of cow families, most notably the Gentle
Breeze Mat Christine family - which placed many plus proven bulls in A.I. and had wide-spread positive influence
over the breed. Christine’s daughter, Christian, is most familiar to many as a bull mother. Sons include Denmark,
Eagle and Ace. Another of Christine’s daughters, Clar, was the dam of R Hart BC Collection. Alan served as
Ohio State President and also many years as a director. In 1997 he helped with the Ohio-hosted national convention and in 2007 served as the chairman for that Ohio National Convention.
Sunshine Genetics, Dan Hornickel and Chris Keim, Whitewater, Wisconsin. Chris and Dan started the nucleus of their small select herd in 1976. In 1983 the herd came to the location at the farm outside of Whitewater
where they are located today. As veterinarians, their main focus has been on using their expertise with technology
available to develop ET offspring for other people. Families developed in their small herd along with their partners
include the Mort Matt Tammy family (foundation of the Twilite family) and the Top Acres Present family. They
have served on national committees and on the Wisconsin State Brown Swiss board.
Darrell Worden, Forest Lawn Farms, Wausau, Wisconsin. Darrell grew up with Swiss on his father’s farm. In
1961 he began his own Brown Swiss herd. Darrell developed Idyl Wild Improver Jinx and bred her son, Forest
Lawn Simon Jetway. Daughters of Jinx and the Kelly K family have made their mark in the Forest Lawn herd
and others. Darrell served as Vice President of Wisconsin Association, was on the Wisconsin board many years
and served on the National Type Committee as member and chairman. Since its inception in 1982, Darrell has
auctioneered every National Fun Auction except one.
Ballot
Active Master Breeder Award. This award recognizes an active breeder who has successfully developed a
breeding program that accentuated cow families, especially those that contributed significantly to the advancement of the breed.
VOTE FOR ONE NOMINEE BY PLACING A CHECK ON THE LINE PRECEEDING THE NAME YOU SUPPORT
Nominees:
______ Richard and Donna Hill, Hill’s Valley Farm, Cattaraugus, New York
______ Kruse, Larry, Kruses Swiss, Earlville, Iowa
______ Nierman, Roger, Long Lane Farm, Brownstown, Indiana
______ Rinehart, Alan, R-Hart Farms, Wapakoneta, Ohio
______ Sunshine Genetics, Dan Hornickel and Chris Keim, Whitwater, Wisconsin
______ Worden, Darrell, Forest Lawn Farm, Wausau, Wisconsin
Historical Master Breeder Recognition. This award recognizes a breeder who has retired or has passed on.
The recognized breeder will have a legacy that has made a lasting impression on breed progress by developing
one or more strong cow families.
VOTE FOR UP TO THREE NOMINEES BY PLACING A 1 ON THE LINE PRECEEDING THE NAME YOU SUPPORT MOST, 2 FOR SECOND AND 3 FOR YOUR THIRD CHOICE
Nominees:
______ Armbruster Bros, Red Brae Farm
______ Arnold, Roy, Arnola Swiss
______ Button, Leon W, Vine Valley Farm
______ DeVoe, George, Judd’s Bridge Farm
______ Harkness, Jim, We-Gotta Swiss Farm
______ Harris, George, Harris Hill Farm
______ Mort, Rex, Mort’s Swiss
______ Notter, Wm “Bill” and Velva, Venture’s Swiss
______ Sherry, Orbec, Vernon Stock Farm
______ Vanderham, Pete, Bridge View Swiss
______ Voegeli, Jacob, Jake & Howard, Voegeli Swiss
Deadline: April 15, 2012
Mail or Email this ballot to:
Russ Giesy, 10540 Emerald Ave, Leesburg, FL 34788 or email: russ47giesy@yahoo.com