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Appler's Brown Swiss don't let her down at the Iowa State Fair Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Agri News staff writer
DES MOINES -- Kathryn Appler showed five Brown Swiss in the Youth Dairy Show at the Iowa State Fair. She placed fifth, third twice, second and first in her class.
Kathryn, her parents, Laura and Kent, and her brother, Matthew, live on five acres near Clermont, but that didn't stop her from pursuing her interest in dairy.
She got her start in the 4-H dairy project through the Iowa Brown Swiss Association's Share-A-Heifer Program.
After two years, she was required to sell her heifer, Kuddles, in the state sale. Kathryn bought her back and Kuddles has since had two heifers.
Kent explained that Kathryn and Matthew have been buying young heifers, taking them up to two years and then selling them.
"Sometimes they sell them to our neighbor, or he takes care of the animals as cows," Kent said.
Their neighbor, Eric Anderson of Scenic Ridge Swiss of Elgin, is who Kathryn got her Share-A-Heifer from.
"He has really taught me a lot about taking care of dairy cattle and about showing," Kathryn said. "He keeps our cows for us. He gets the milk, and we get to show them."
Matthew will be old enough to show at the Iowa State Fair youth show next year. This year, he showed his heifer in the open show.
"I was really impressed with what the girls could do, especially Givinchy," Kathryn said. "She was amazing. She finished second."
Kathryn gives the Share-A-Heifer program high marks.
"It's an excellent program for anyone who thinks that they might be interested in the dairy project," she said. "Working with the farmer who provides the heifer is a big help."
Anderson comes with them to all the shows and helps.
The Iowa State Fair is special.
"It's the biggest show, and you can see how good your animals are," Kathryn said.
Kathryn's goal is to get better at showing and to get more animals.
"I think I'd like to try out another breed, too," she said. "I love Brown Swiss, but I'd like to work with some other breeds."
The dairy project has been good for his kids, Kent said.
"They have to do chores, and they're learning that when you care for a live animal you have to be there every day, and that includes the winter," Kent said. "They're learning about responsibility."
Kent said that showing dairy cattle is a great family centered activity.
"What better place to take a vacation than the Iowa State Fair," he said.
A 90-year-old tradition
Yarabee Farms, owned by Maynard, Craig and Eric Lang, celebrated two special events at the fair, said Jessica Bloomberg, Craig's daughter. This is the 90th year that the Lang family has exhibited at the fair and they sponsored an exhibitor dinner to mark the milestone.
"In 1919, they started exhibiting hogs, and then my great-grandpa Howie bought some Ayrshire cows in the 1930s, and started the herd name Iow-Ayr Farm Ayrshires," Bloomberg said.
Coupled with the 90th anniversary, Craig Lang, president of the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, was awarded the Ralph Keeling Leadership Award by the Iowa State Dairy Association. Maynard received that same award 20 years ago.
The Langs milk 500 cows, mostly Holsteins, but their show cows are Ayrshires. They also have a few Jerseys. One of the Ayrshires is owned in partnership with Ski Pal Ayrshires. Craig's sons, Cade and Dane, are employed full-time on the dairy farm.
"I grew up coming to the Iowa State Fair, and it's my favorite part of the summer," said Bloomberg, who is industry relations manager for the Iowa State Dairy Association. "I'm really proud of all the generations who have been here."
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