WEBVTT 00:00:10.370 --> 00:00:13.789 Welcome to the Bullvine Podcast, where we explore 00:00:13.789 --> 00:00:16.050 fascinating stories from the dairy industry. 00:00:16.750 --> 00:00:19.609 Today, I'll be sharing the extraordinary tale 00:00:19.609 --> 00:00:22.890 of Hanover Hill designer Miss, a Holstein cow 00:00:22.890 --> 00:00:25.809 whose journey from sale day afterthought to breed 00:00:25.809 --> 00:00:28.710 -defining matriarch reminds us why we fell in 00:00:28.710 --> 00:00:31.769 love with this industry in the first place. You 00:00:31.769 --> 00:00:34.829 know, there's something magical about the unpredictability 00:00:34.829 --> 00:00:38.170 of dairy breeding. We often focus on record -breaking 00:00:38.170 --> 00:00:41.030 sales and celebrated pedigrees, but sometimes 00:00:41.030 --> 00:00:43.450 the most profound impact comes from the most 00:00:43.450 --> 00:00:46.890 unexpected sources. The story I'm about to share 00:00:46.890 --> 00:00:49.210 with you exemplifies why I remain passionate 00:00:49.210 --> 00:00:52.429 about this industry after all these years. It's 00:00:52.429 --> 00:00:55.210 a tale that spans decades, connects to rock and 00:00:55.210 --> 00:00:57.880 roll royalty, and ultimately reshapes Holstein 00:00:57.880 --> 00:01:00.179 breeding in ways nobody could have predicted. 00:01:00.840 --> 00:01:03.859 So settle in as we explore how a day -old calf 00:01:03.859 --> 00:01:07.260 that sold for just $2 ,100, the lowest price 00:01:07.260 --> 00:01:10.959 at an iconic dispersal sale, would go on to become 00:01:10.959 --> 00:01:14.060 one of the most influential maternal forces in 00:01:14.060 --> 00:01:16.739 Holstein history. Our story begins in the late 00:01:16.739 --> 00:01:19.739 1970s with what seemed like an ordinary conversation. 00:01:20.780 --> 00:01:23.579 Jeffrey Nurse, the ambitious owner of Nurseland 00:01:23.579 --> 00:01:26.760 Farms in Georgetown, Ontario, was chatting with 00:01:26.760 --> 00:01:29.579 Phyllis McMaster, the agricultural representative 00:01:29.579 --> 00:01:32.840 for Halton County. They were discussing a concept 00:01:32.840 --> 00:01:35.239 that had the dairy community buzzing with excitement, 00:01:35.659 --> 00:01:39.560 index cattle. This seemingly casual conversation 00:01:39.560 --> 00:01:42.439 would set into motion a chain of events that 00:01:42.439 --> 00:01:45.079 would reshape Holstein breeding for decades to 00:01:45.079 --> 00:01:48.079 come. Following this discussion, Nurse decided 00:01:48.079 --> 00:01:50.900 to head south to South Carolina, specifically 00:01:50.900 --> 00:01:54.689 to visit Bill Hughes Farm in Apex. Now, Bill 00:01:54.689 --> 00:01:57.370 Hughes wasn't just any breeder. Those in the 00:01:57.370 --> 00:02:00.349 industry knew him as someone with an almost supernatural 00:02:00.349 --> 00:02:03.709 talent for spotting exceptional animals before 00:02:03.709 --> 00:02:06.590 others could see their potential. It was there, 00:02:06.650 --> 00:02:09.590 amid the warm Carolina atmosphere, that Nurse 00:02:09.590 --> 00:02:12.069 found himself captivated by a three -month -old 00:02:12.069 --> 00:02:15.430 astronaut calf. There was something special about 00:02:15.430 --> 00:02:17.810 this young animal, something that went beyond 00:02:17.810 --> 00:02:21.110 what was visible to the casual observer. What 00:02:21.110 --> 00:02:23.610 made this discovery even more intriguing was 00:02:23.610 --> 00:02:26.169 the calf's pedigree, which included a storyline 00:02:26.169 --> 00:02:29.750 few would believe without verification. The calf's 00:02:29.750 --> 00:02:32.689 dam was Miss Dream Street Fond Helen, a matte 00:02:32.689 --> 00:02:35.889 daughter with a fascinating backstory. Hughes 00:02:35.889 --> 00:02:38.090 and his neighbor Gordon Newton had acquired her 00:02:38.090 --> 00:02:40.830 at a Dream Street sale. But here's where things 00:02:40.830 --> 00:02:43.750 take an unexpected turn. Helen had been bred 00:02:43.750 --> 00:02:46.530 by none other than John Lennon and Yoko Ono. 00:02:46.810 --> 00:02:49.770 Yes, that John Lennon, the Beatles legend himself. 00:02:50.409 --> 00:02:53.360 It seems almost unbelievable, but the iconic 00:02:53.360 --> 00:02:56.639 musician and his wife had a brief but noteworthy 00:02:56.639 --> 00:02:59.680 venture into cattle breeding. This surprising 00:02:59.680 --> 00:03:02.599 connection added an element of mystique to the 00:03:02.599 --> 00:03:05.319 calf's lineage, though Nurse's interest was firmly 00:03:05.319 --> 00:03:08.000 rooted in the animal's genetic potential rather 00:03:08.000 --> 00:03:11.319 than its celebrity connections. Seeing promise 00:03:11.319 --> 00:03:14.419 where others might not have looked twice, Nurse 00:03:14.419 --> 00:03:17.060 purchased the calf and brought her back to Canada. 00:03:17.500 --> 00:03:20.939 He named her Helen's daughter, Astronaut Keepsake 00:03:20.939 --> 00:03:24.750 Ray. Under his care at Nursland Farms, Rae thrived, 00:03:24.810 --> 00:03:27.370 eventually earning her rightful place among the 00:03:27.370 --> 00:03:30.189 elite cows that would form the foundation of 00:03:30.189 --> 00:03:32.150 the legendary Hanover Hill breeding program. 00:03:32.990 --> 00:03:35.509 What's remarkable about this initial discovery 00:03:35.509 --> 00:03:38.590 is how easily it could have never happened. Had 00:03:38.590 --> 00:03:41.270 Nurse not had that conversation with McMaster, 00:03:41.370 --> 00:03:44.069 had he not made the journey south, had he not 00:03:44.069 --> 00:03:46.870 recognized potential in that particular calf, 00:03:47.110 --> 00:03:50.449 the entire trajectory of Holstein breeding might 00:03:50.449 --> 00:03:53.659 have been different. This chance discovery would 00:03:53.659 --> 00:03:56.099 eventually lead to one of the most influential 00:03:56.099 --> 00:03:59.780 maternal lines in dairy breeding history. Now, 00:03:59.819 --> 00:04:02.120 for the part of this story that still amazes 00:04:02.120 --> 00:04:04.439 me whenever I tell it, the rock star connection 00:04:04.439 --> 00:04:07.900 in designer Miss's lineage. It's not every day 00:04:07.900 --> 00:04:10.580 you can trace a legendary dairy cow's ancestry 00:04:10.580 --> 00:04:13.699 back to a Beatles icon, but that's exactly what 00:04:13.699 --> 00:04:17.139 makes this tale so extraordinary. The connection 00:04:17.139 --> 00:04:20.379 runs through Miss Dream Street Fond Helen. who 00:04:20.379 --> 00:04:23.759 was indeed bred by John Lennon and Yoko Ono during 00:04:23.759 --> 00:04:26.600 their surprising venture into agriculture. Many 00:04:26.600 --> 00:04:29.899 don't realize that in the 1970s, the famous couple 00:04:29.899 --> 00:04:33.000 purchased a 600 -acre estate in Delaware County, 00:04:33.279 --> 00:04:35.879 New York, where they established a small herd 00:04:35.879 --> 00:04:39.120 of Holstein cattle. This wasn't just a celebrity 00:04:39.120 --> 00:04:42.079 whim. They became seriously involved in breeding 00:04:42.079 --> 00:04:46.139 quality dairy stock. Helen's dam, Velnar Proud 00:04:46.139 --> 00:04:48.339 Harriet, had an impressive pedigree herself. 00:04:49.040 --> 00:04:51.360 She descended from Kirchendall Proud Clarion 00:04:51.360 --> 00:04:53.680 and could trace her lineage back to a Canadian 00:04:53.680 --> 00:04:58.060 Holstein named Morline Reflection Bell. This 00:04:58.060 --> 00:05:00.839 was a pedigree that blended quality and reliability 00:05:00.839 --> 00:05:04.779 with, quite literally, rock and roll flair. What's 00:05:04.779 --> 00:05:07.519 fascinating is how this unusual background contributed 00:05:07.519 --> 00:05:10.139 to the genetic makeup of what would become an 00:05:10.139 --> 00:05:12.899 extraordinary cow family. When Jeffrey Nurse 00:05:12.899 --> 00:05:15.279 brought Helen's daughter, Astronaut Keepsake 00:05:15.279 --> 00:05:17.899 Ray, back to Canada, he was bringing more than 00:05:17.899 --> 00:05:20.879 just a quality heifer. He was introducing genetic 00:05:20.879 --> 00:05:23.920 material from a uniquely diverse source into 00:05:23.920 --> 00:05:27.680 what would become the Hanover Hill program. Ray 00:05:27.680 --> 00:05:30.759 flourished under nurses' management. Her development 00:05:30.759 --> 00:05:33.600 confirmed his instinct about her potential, and 00:05:33.600 --> 00:05:36.279 she gradually established herself as one of those 00:05:36.279 --> 00:05:39.300 foundation females that every great herd needs. 00:05:39.560 --> 00:05:42.319 The qualities she displayed, strong production, 00:05:42.680 --> 00:05:45.600 excellent confirmation, and genetic prepotency, 00:05:46.000 --> 00:05:48.000 would later become hallmarks of the Designer 00:05:48.000 --> 00:05:51.060 Miss lineage. When you think about the journey 00:05:51.060 --> 00:05:53.899 from John Lennon's farm to becoming part of one 00:05:53.899 --> 00:05:56.519 of the most influential Holstein breeding programs 00:05:56.519 --> 00:05:59.399 in history, it's a reminder of how interconnected 00:05:59.399 --> 00:06:03.379 our industry truly is. The genetic threads that 00:06:03.379 --> 00:06:06.120 create an exceptional animal often come from 00:06:06.120 --> 00:06:09.779 the most unexpected places. This unusual heritage 00:06:09.779 --> 00:06:12.660 added a certain mystique to Designer Miss' story, 00:06:12.939 --> 00:06:16.079 but as we'll see, Her true value would be proven 00:06:16.079 --> 00:06:19.060 not by her famous connections, but by her remarkable 00:06:19.060 --> 00:06:22.899 genetic impact across generations. Sometimes, 00:06:23.180 --> 00:06:25.740 greatness comes from the most unexpected sources, 00:06:26.060 --> 00:06:29.759 even from a rock star's farm. The summer of 1985 00:06:29.759 --> 00:06:32.720 stands as one of those watershed moments in Holstein 00:06:32.720 --> 00:06:35.079 history that anyone who lived through it will 00:06:35.079 --> 00:06:38.060 never forget. The Hanover Hill Dispersal Sale 00:06:38.060 --> 00:06:41.259 in Port Perry, Ontario wasn't just another cattle 00:06:41.259 --> 00:06:43.819 auction. It was the dairy event of the decade. 00:06:44.329 --> 00:06:46.509 drawing breeders and enthusiasts from across 00:06:46.509 --> 00:06:49.449 North America and beyond. If you were in the 00:06:49.449 --> 00:06:51.949 dairy industry at that time, you simply had to 00:06:51.949 --> 00:06:55.290 be there. The atmosphere was electric, charged 00:06:55.290 --> 00:06:57.949 with anticipation as the greatest Holstein herd 00:06:57.949 --> 00:07:01.829 in the world was about to change hands. The sale 00:07:01.829 --> 00:07:04.629 catalog read like a who's who of elite genetics, 00:07:04.829 --> 00:07:08.029 with one name standing above all others. Brookview 00:07:08.029 --> 00:07:11.430 Tony Charity. Charity was the crown jewel, the 00:07:11.430 --> 00:07:15.060 superstar that everyone was talking about. When 00:07:15.060 --> 00:07:17.000 the bidding opened on her, you could feel the 00:07:17.000 --> 00:07:19.040 tension in the air. The numbers climbed higher 00:07:19.040 --> 00:07:21.660 and higher until she commanded an astounding 00:07:21.660 --> 00:07:26.420 $1 ,450 ,000, a world record at the time that 00:07:26.420 --> 00:07:29.779 left the crowd gasping. The headlines would celebrate 00:07:29.779 --> 00:07:32.240 this record -breaking sale for years to come. 00:07:32.379 --> 00:07:35.100 But while all eyes were on Charity and the other 00:07:35.100 --> 00:07:37.939 celebrated lots, something far less dramatic 00:07:37.939 --> 00:07:40.579 but ultimately more significant was unfolding 00:07:40.579 --> 00:07:43.879 elsewhere in the sale ring. Jeffrey Nurse had 00:07:43.879 --> 00:07:47.139 bred his ray to Hanover Hill Triple Threat, resulting 00:07:47.139 --> 00:07:50.660 in a heifer named Monteith Miss Canada. When 00:07:50.660 --> 00:07:53.939 this heifer was four months old, Nurse had consigned 00:07:53.939 --> 00:07:56.360 her to the Allen Grove Triple Threat Invitational 00:07:56.360 --> 00:07:59.399 Sale, where Peter Heffering purchased her for 00:07:59.399 --> 00:08:02.800 $4 ,800, substantially below the sale average 00:08:02.800 --> 00:08:07.980 of $9 ,721. By the time the Hanover Hill dispersal 00:08:07.980 --> 00:08:10.420 arrived, Miss Canada had just freshened to Hanover 00:08:10.420 --> 00:08:12.879 Hill Designer. producing a heifer calf with a 00:08:12.879 --> 00:08:15.899 double cross of Roibrook Telstar. Enter Doug 00:08:15.899 --> 00:08:19.339 Dixon, a young 24 -year -old breeder from Dixlin 00:08:19.339 --> 00:08:21.939 Farm in Cheltenham, Ontario. While the crowd's 00:08:21.939 --> 00:08:24.000 attention remained fixed on the record -breaking 00:08:24.000 --> 00:08:27.639 prices and celebrity cows, Dixon quietly purchased 00:08:27.639 --> 00:08:31.300 this day -old heifer calf for a mere $2 ,100. 00:08:32.399 --> 00:08:35.299 It was the lowest price paid for any animal in 00:08:35.299 --> 00:08:37.899 the entire sale, a footnote so insignificant 00:08:37.899 --> 00:08:41.740 that hardly anyone noticed at the time. Two months 00:08:41.740 --> 00:08:44.120 later, when the registration papers arrived at 00:08:44.120 --> 00:08:46.500 Dixon's farm, he learned the official name of 00:08:46.500 --> 00:08:49.259 his bargain purchase, Hanover Hill Designer Miss. 00:08:49.500 --> 00:08:52.200 Not a name that turned heads, not a pedigree 00:08:52.200 --> 00:08:54.700 that made headlines, just another heifer calf 00:08:54.700 --> 00:08:57.159 that happened to be the cheapest lot in the most 00:08:57.159 --> 00:09:01.320 important Holstein dispersal of the era. Little 00:09:01.320 --> 00:09:03.899 did anyone suspect, not the sale organizers, 00:09:04.320 --> 00:09:06.840 not the other bidders, and perhaps not even Dixon 00:09:06.840 --> 00:09:10.100 himself, that this seemingly unremarkable transaction 00:09:10.779 --> 00:09:12.860 would eventually prove to be one of the most 00:09:12.860 --> 00:09:15.799 consequential purchases in modern Holstein history. 00:09:16.220 --> 00:09:19.080 The lowest priced animal was about to write one 00:09:19.080 --> 00:09:21.860 of the industry's most remarkable success stories. 00:09:22.720 --> 00:09:25.679 You know, there's something almost poetic about 00:09:25.679 --> 00:09:28.679 Doug Dixon's purchase that summer day in 1985. 00:09:29.399 --> 00:09:32.600 While seasoned industry veterans and deep -pocketed 00:09:32.600 --> 00:09:35.740 investors battled over the marquee lots, this 00:09:35.740 --> 00:09:38.240 young breeder from Cheltenham was following his 00:09:38.240 --> 00:09:42.210 own instincts. At just 24 years old, Dixon didn't 00:09:42.210 --> 00:09:44.429 have the luxury of chasing the headline animals. 00:09:44.970 --> 00:09:47.990 Like many young breeders starting out, he was 00:09:47.990 --> 00:09:50.669 working with a limited budget and had to find 00:09:50.669 --> 00:09:54.330 value where others weren't looking. What he lacked 00:09:54.330 --> 00:09:56.809 in financial resources, he made up for with a 00:09:56.809 --> 00:09:59.169 keen eye and perhaps a bit of youthful optimism. 00:10:00.110 --> 00:10:02.809 Picture this young man, standing in the crowded 00:10:02.809 --> 00:10:06.129 sale pavilion, catalog in hand, studying the 00:10:06.129 --> 00:10:08.940 pedigrees, while the auctioneer's voice echoed 00:10:08.940 --> 00:10:11.980 throughout. When that day -old heifer calf came 00:10:11.980 --> 00:10:14.480 into the ring, the energy in the room had likely 00:10:14.480 --> 00:10:18.019 dissipated after the high drama lots. Most buyers 00:10:18.019 --> 00:10:20.799 had either secured their targets or were saving 00:10:20.799 --> 00:10:23.639 their bidding for other featured animals. For 00:10:23.639 --> 00:10:26.899 Dixon, this was opportunity knocking. A daughter 00:10:26.899 --> 00:10:29.440 of Hanover Hill designer with a double cross 00:10:29.440 --> 00:10:32.340 of Roybrook Telstar in her pedigree, there was 00:10:32.340 --> 00:10:35.549 something there worth taking a chance on. especially 00:10:35.549 --> 00:10:39.070 at what would prove to be a bargain price. At 00:10:39.070 --> 00:10:42.730 $2 ,100, this calf represented not just the lowest 00:10:42.730 --> 00:10:45.570 price of the entire Hanover Hill dispersal, but 00:10:45.570 --> 00:10:47.970 perhaps the greatest return on investment in 00:10:47.970 --> 00:10:50.990 Holstein history. Sometimes the best decisions 00:10:50.990 --> 00:10:53.870 are made not in the spotlight, but in the quiet 00:10:53.870 --> 00:10:56.230 moments when nobody else is paying attention. 00:10:56.970 --> 00:10:59.389 Dixon loaded up his purchase and headed back 00:10:59.389 --> 00:11:02.399 to Dixland Farm. likely with no inkling of the 00:11:02.399 --> 00:11:04.679 dynasty he was bringing home in that trailer. 00:11:05.539 --> 00:11:09.139 This wasn't just another calf. This was the foundation 00:11:09.139 --> 00:11:11.740 female that would transform his breeding program 00:11:11.740 --> 00:11:14.679 and leave an indelible mark on the Holstein breed 00:11:14.679 --> 00:11:18.340 worldwide. What makes Dixon's story so remarkable 00:11:18.340 --> 00:11:21.620 is the contrast. While the sales headliners commanded 00:11:21.620 --> 00:11:24.759 figures that made national news, the true genetic 00:11:24.759 --> 00:11:27.419 goldmine changed hands with barely a notice. 00:11:27.759 --> 00:11:31.000 It's a powerful reminder that in breeding, as 00:11:31.000 --> 00:11:33.960 in life, value isn't always reflected in price 00:11:33.960 --> 00:11:37.019 tags, and sometimes the greatest potential lies 00:11:37.019 --> 00:11:40.100 in what others overlook. When Designer Miss arrived 00:11:40.100 --> 00:11:42.639 at Dixland Farm, nobody could have predicted 00:11:42.639 --> 00:11:45.379 just how completely she would fulfill her genetic 00:11:45.379 --> 00:11:48.659 potential. In Holstein Breeding Circles, we talk 00:11:48.659 --> 00:11:51.620 about the concept of a complete cow, an animal 00:11:51.620 --> 00:11:54.340 that excels in every meaningful aspect of dairy 00:11:54.340 --> 00:11:57.580 production and conformation. Designer Miss wasn't 00:11:57.580 --> 00:12:01.230 just complete. she was exceptional. Let me paint 00:12:01.230 --> 00:12:04.730 a picture of this remarkable cow for you. Designer 00:12:04.730 --> 00:12:07.690 Miss achieved the coveted, excellent classification, 00:12:08.070 --> 00:12:10.909 but what made her truly special was scoring 95 00:12:10.909 --> 00:12:14.090 points across the board for rump, udder, feet, 00:12:14.269 --> 00:12:17.570 and legs. For those unfamiliar with the classification 00:12:17.570 --> 00:12:20.710 system, these scores represent near perfection 00:12:20.710 --> 00:12:23.950 in form and function, the kind of scores that 00:12:23.950 --> 00:12:26.350 most breeders only dream about. But Designer 00:12:26.350 --> 00:12:28.960 Miss wasn't just a pretty cow. Her production 00:12:28.960 --> 00:12:32.179 capabilities were equally impressive. Over the 00:12:32.179 --> 00:12:34.820 course of eight lactations, a testament to her 00:12:34.820 --> 00:12:37.759 longevity and durability, she produced an astounding 00:12:37.759 --> 00:12:44.080 176 ,367 pounds of milk, 7 ,755 pounds of fat, 00:12:44.179 --> 00:12:48.580 and 5 ,920 pounds of protein. These numbers weren't 00:12:48.580 --> 00:12:50.559 just good, they were exceptional. especially 00:12:50.559 --> 00:12:52.899 considering the era in which she was producing. 00:12:53.100 --> 00:12:55.159 What's remarkable about Designer Miss is how 00:12:55.159 --> 00:12:57.559 she balanced these two often -competing aspects 00:12:57.559 --> 00:13:00.879 of dairy breeding. Historically, breeders have 00:13:00.879 --> 00:13:03.159 sometimes had to choose between focusing on type 00:13:03.159 --> 00:13:06.940 or production. Designer Miss defied this false 00:13:06.940 --> 00:13:10.279 dichotomy, embodying both in a single package. 00:13:10.620 --> 00:13:14.519 From 1985 until her death in 1997, Designer Miss 00:13:14.519 --> 00:13:18.039 called Dixlin Farm home. During those 12 years, 00:13:18.259 --> 00:13:20.690 she didn't just produce milk, she produced the 00:13:20.690 --> 00:13:23.889 next generation of excellence. If her own accomplishments 00:13:23.889 --> 00:13:26.610 weren't enough, her true legacy began to take 00:13:26.610 --> 00:13:29.929 shape through her offspring. Think about this. 00:13:30.129 --> 00:13:33.129 In an industry where a cow producing even one 00:13:33.129 --> 00:13:35.870 or two poem, excellent daughters is cause for 00:13:35.870 --> 00:13:39.250 celebration, Designer Miss produced four excellent 00:13:39.250 --> 00:13:42.190 and eight very good daughters. This earned her 00:13:42.190 --> 00:13:45.789 12 star brood cow points, a formal recognition 00:13:45.789 --> 00:13:49.779 of her genetic impact. What makes a cow truly 00:13:49.779 --> 00:13:52.419 valuable to the breed isn't just what she does 00:13:52.419 --> 00:13:54.700 in her lifetime, but what she leaves behind. 00:13:55.580 --> 00:13:57.940 Designer Miss didn't just pass on her exceptional 00:13:57.940 --> 00:14:01.120 traits. She amplified them. Her daughters and 00:14:01.120 --> 00:14:03.059 granddaughters didn't just maintain her quality. 00:14:03.240 --> 00:14:06.080 In many cases, they improved upon it, creating 00:14:06.080 --> 00:14:09.120 a cascade of genetic excellence that would eventually 00:14:09.120 --> 00:14:12.679 spread worldwide. At Dixieland Farm, she wasn't 00:14:12.679 --> 00:14:15.440 just another cow in the barn. She became the 00:14:15.440 --> 00:14:18.240 cornerstone, the reference point. the foundation 00:14:18.240 --> 00:14:21.399 female against which all others would be measured. 00:14:21.600 --> 00:14:25.120 Doug Dixon's $2 ,100 investment had transformed 00:14:25.120 --> 00:14:28.860 into something priceless, a genetic anchor for 00:14:28.860 --> 00:14:31.759 his entire breeding program. The true measure 00:14:31.759 --> 00:14:34.379 of a great cow isn't just what she accomplishes 00:14:34.379 --> 00:14:37.399 in her lifetime, but the legacy she creates through 00:14:37.399 --> 00:14:39.820 her offspring. This is where Designer Miss truly 00:14:39.820 --> 00:14:42.539 shined, becoming what we in the industry call 00:14:42.539 --> 00:14:45.990 a dynasty founder. a cow whose genetic influence 00:14:45.990 --> 00:14:49.389 expands exponentially through generations. The 00:14:49.389 --> 00:14:52.590 numbers alone tell an impressive story. Designer 00:14:52.590 --> 00:14:55.370 Miss produced four excellent daughters and eight 00:14:55.370 --> 00:14:58.409 very good daughters. For those not familiar with 00:14:58.409 --> 00:15:00.970 our classification system, these represent the 00:15:00.970 --> 00:15:04.570 highest tiers of confirmation excellence. Producing 00:15:04.570 --> 00:15:06.950 a single excellent daughter is an achievement 00:15:06.950 --> 00:15:10.090 for most cows. Producing four is remarkable. 00:15:10.830 --> 00:15:13.409 This exceptional genetic consistency earned her 00:15:13.409 --> 00:15:16.110 12 -star brood cow points, a formal recognition 00:15:16.110 --> 00:15:19.409 of her prepotency, her ability to consistently 00:15:19.409 --> 00:15:22.710 pass her superior traits to her offspring. But 00:15:22.710 --> 00:15:25.710 her impact reached far beyond just her daughters. 00:15:25.990 --> 00:15:29.309 Her son by Aerostar, appropriately named Dixlin 00:15:29.309 --> 00:15:32.250 Design, became a sensation in the AI industry. 00:15:32.730 --> 00:15:35.750 He wasn't just popular locally, his fame stretched 00:15:35.750 --> 00:15:38.570 across the Atlantic. The German Holstein breeding 00:15:38.570 --> 00:15:41.190 community known for their discerning eye and 00:15:41.190 --> 00:15:44.230 emphasis on balanced breeding, fell in love with 00:15:44.230 --> 00:15:46.570 the Design family line. I still remember how 00:15:46.570 --> 00:15:49.070 surreal it felt during the Royal Agricultural 00:15:49.070 --> 00:15:52.429 Winter Fair when literal busloads of German breeders 00:15:52.429 --> 00:15:54.570 would make the pilgrimage to Dixieland Farm. 00:15:55.389 --> 00:15:58.509 They came with a singular purpose, to inspect 00:15:58.509 --> 00:16:01.490 Design's family members up close, to see with 00:16:01.490 --> 00:16:04.049 their own eyes the source of the genetic excellence 00:16:04.049 --> 00:16:07.549 they had come to value so highly. These weren't 00:16:07.549 --> 00:16:10.210 casual visitors. These were serious breeders 00:16:10.210 --> 00:16:12.929 making significant investments in time and resources 00:16:12.929 --> 00:16:15.909 because they recognized something special in 00:16:15.909 --> 00:16:19.470 this bloodline. What made Designer Miss' offspring 00:16:19.470 --> 00:16:22.450 so appealing wasn't flashy marketing or hype. 00:16:22.629 --> 00:16:25.309 It was their consistent ability to deliver both 00:16:25.309 --> 00:16:28.389 in the show ring and in the milk parlor. Her 00:16:28.389 --> 00:16:31.070 progeny carried that same balance of form and 00:16:31.070 --> 00:16:34.370 function that made Designer Miss herself so valuable. 00:16:34.669 --> 00:16:37.960 With each breeding, with each calf born, Designer 00:16:37.960 --> 00:16:41.299 Miss' influence expanded. Her genes began appearing 00:16:41.299 --> 00:16:44.519 in pedigrees across continents, her impact multiplying 00:16:44.519 --> 00:16:48.559 with each generation. From a $20 ,100 afterthought 00:16:48.559 --> 00:16:51.440 at a dispersal sale, she had become the matriarch 00:16:51.440 --> 00:16:55.379 of a global genetic dynasty. When we talk about 00:16:55.379 --> 00:16:57.740 cow families that reshape breeding programs, 00:16:58.179 --> 00:17:00.200 the Mavis branch of Designer Miss' descendants 00:17:00.200 --> 00:17:04.519 stands as one of the most influential. One daughter 00:17:04.519 --> 00:17:07.440 in particular, Dixieland Prelude Mavis, would 00:17:07.440 --> 00:17:09.500 become the cornerstone of what many consider 00:17:09.500 --> 00:17:12.279 the most significant family line tracing back 00:17:12.279 --> 00:17:15.400 to designer miss prelude mavis wasn't just another 00:17:15.400 --> 00:17:18.019 good daughter she became the conduit through 00:17:18.019 --> 00:17:20.740 which designer miss's exceptional genetics would 00:17:20.740 --> 00:17:24.240 flow into future generations when bred to rudolph 00:17:24.240 --> 00:17:26.339 she produced what would become one of the most 00:17:26.339 --> 00:17:29.599 remarkable cows in the family history dixieland 00:17:29.599 --> 00:17:33.779 rudolph mavis rudolph mavis became a legend in 00:17:33.779 --> 00:17:37.230 her own right She classified excellent five times, 00:17:37.430 --> 00:17:40.250 a remarkable achievement reflecting her exceptional 00:17:40.250 --> 00:17:43.269 confirmation that stood the test of time. But 00:17:43.269 --> 00:17:45.430 what's even more impressive was her production. 00:17:45.809 --> 00:17:48.750 Throughout her lifetime, she produced a staggering 00:17:48.750 --> 00:17:53.130 253 ,000 pounds of milk. Let that sink in for 00:17:53.130 --> 00:17:55.549 a moment, over a quarter million pounds from 00:17:55.549 --> 00:17:58.690 a single cow. That's not just good production. 00:17:59.109 --> 00:18:01.809 That's extraordinary longevity combined with 00:18:01.809 --> 00:18:04.589 exceptional performance. What truly sets Rudolph 00:18:04.589 --> 00:18:07.349 Mavis apart in Holstein history wasn't just her 00:18:07.349 --> 00:18:09.950 own accomplishments, but her unparalleled consistency 00:18:09.950 --> 00:18:13.650 as a brood cow. She produced 23 daughters in 00:18:13.650 --> 00:18:17.230 her lifetime. Now, in most cow families, when 00:18:17.230 --> 00:18:19.269 you get that many daughters, you typically see 00:18:19.269 --> 00:18:22.650 significant variation. Some excellent, some average, 00:18:22.809 --> 00:18:25.710 some disappointing. That's just the reality of 00:18:25.710 --> 00:18:29.279 genetic recombination. But Rudolf Mavis defied 00:18:29.279 --> 00:18:32.380 those expectations. Of her 23 daughters, not 00:18:32.380 --> 00:18:35.539 a single one classified below good plus. Think 00:18:35.539 --> 00:18:38.160 about the statistical improbability of that achievement. 00:18:38.640 --> 00:18:41.119 This wasn't just good luck. This was genetic 00:18:41.119 --> 00:18:44.059 prepotency in its purest form, the ability to 00:18:44.059 --> 00:18:46.720 consistently stamp her superior traits onto her 00:18:46.720 --> 00:18:50.339 offspring, regardless of the sire used. This 00:18:50.339 --> 00:18:52.759 generational excellence is what separates merely 00:18:52.759 --> 00:18:55.900 good cow families from truly great dynasties. 00:18:56.430 --> 00:18:59.130 Many cow families shine brightly for a generation 00:18:59.130 --> 00:19:03.069 or two before their influence diminishes. The 00:19:03.069 --> 00:19:05.710 Mavis family did the opposite. They maintained 00:19:05.710 --> 00:19:07.930 their excellence while expanding their impact 00:19:07.930 --> 00:19:11.269 with each successive generation. What made this 00:19:11.269 --> 00:19:13.890 even more remarkable was that this consistency 00:19:13.890 --> 00:19:17.190 held across different management systems, environments, 00:19:17.549 --> 00:19:20.450 and breeding programs. As these genetics spread 00:19:20.450 --> 00:19:22.990 to different farms and countries, they continued 00:19:22.990 --> 00:19:25.920 to express their superior traits. proving that 00:19:25.920 --> 00:19:28.619 the excellence wasn't environmental, but deeply 00:19:28.619 --> 00:19:32.400 embedded in their genetic makeup. The Mavis family 00:19:32.400 --> 00:19:35.240 line demonstrates why maternal lineages matter 00:19:35.240 --> 00:19:39.140 so profoundly in dairy breeding. While sires 00:19:39.140 --> 00:19:41.079 often get the spotlight in breeding programs, 00:19:41.420 --> 00:19:44.460 it's these exceptional maternal lines that provide 00:19:44.460 --> 00:19:47.500 the foundation upon which lasting genetic progress 00:19:47.500 --> 00:19:50.809 is built. What truly astounds me about the designer 00:19:50.809 --> 00:19:53.910 miss lineage is its remarkable consistency across 00:19:53.910 --> 00:19:57.630 generations. In dairy breeding, we often see 00:19:57.630 --> 00:19:59.750 what geneticists call regression to the mean, 00:19:59.890 --> 00:20:02.410 where exceptional animals tend to produce offspring 00:20:02.410 --> 00:20:05.250 that, while still good, don't quite match their 00:20:05.250 --> 00:20:08.069 parents' excellence. It's why so many promising 00:20:08.069 --> 00:20:10.930 cow families flash brilliantly for a generation 00:20:10.930 --> 00:20:14.789 or two before fading into mediocrity. But designer 00:20:14.789 --> 00:20:18.509 miss defied this pattern completely. From designer, 00:20:18.650 --> 00:20:21.529 Miss herself scoring excellent 95 to prelude 00:20:21.529 --> 00:20:24.390 Mavis, then to Rudolph Mavis being classified 00:20:24.390 --> 00:20:27.109 excellent five times and onward through subsequent 00:20:27.109 --> 00:20:30.410 generations, the quality didn't just maintain, 00:20:30.710 --> 00:20:33.869 it actually improved in many respects. This is 00:20:33.869 --> 00:20:36.670 exceedingly rare in Holstein breeding. When we 00:20:36.670 --> 00:20:39.109 examine the pedigrees closely, we see something 00:20:39.109 --> 00:20:42.089 that experienced breeders recognize as the hallmark 00:20:42.089 --> 00:20:45.470 of truly elite maternal lines, genetic prepotency. 00:20:46.000 --> 00:20:48.200 This is the ability of an animal to consistently 00:20:48.200 --> 00:20:51.500 pass on its desirable traits regardless of what 00:20:51.500 --> 00:20:54.619 it's mated to. While most cows' influence gets 00:20:54.619 --> 00:20:57.680 diluted with each generation, designer miss' 00:20:57.779 --> 00:21:01.259 genetic contribution seem to strengthen. Consider 00:21:01.259 --> 00:21:04.079 the progression through the generations. Designer 00:21:04.079 --> 00:21:07.500 miss to Prelude, Mavis to Rudolph Mavis, then 00:21:07.500 --> 00:21:10.400 branching into multiple exceptional family lines. 00:21:10.839 --> 00:21:13.880 Each generation maintain the exceptional mammary 00:21:13.880 --> 00:21:16.740 systems, dairy strength, and production capabilities 00:21:16.740 --> 00:21:20.400 that made this family so valuable. When you see 00:21:20.400 --> 00:21:23.000 daughters, granddaughters, and great -granddaughters 00:21:23.000 --> 00:21:26.099 all classifying excellent across different farms 00:21:26.099 --> 00:21:28.779 and management systems, you know you're witnessing 00:21:28.779 --> 00:21:31.440 something special. What's particularly impressive 00:21:31.440 --> 00:21:33.460 is how this family maintained its excellence 00:21:33.460 --> 00:21:36.740 across various sire lines, whether bred to Prelude, 00:21:36.880 --> 00:21:41.480 Rudolph, Leeduck, Allen, Damien, Duplex, Atwood, 00:21:41.579 --> 00:21:44.359 or Stanley Cup. Vastly different bulls with different 00:21:44.359 --> 00:21:46.640 breeding patterns, the daughters consistently 00:21:46.640 --> 00:21:49.220 exhibited the superior traits of the maternal 00:21:49.220 --> 00:21:52.480 line. This demonstrates that Designer Miss' influence 00:21:52.480 --> 00:21:55.640 wasn't just compatible with one particular sire 00:21:55.640 --> 00:21:58.680 line, but had the genetic strength to express 00:21:58.680 --> 00:22:02.299 itself regardless of the mating. In the complex 00:22:02.299 --> 00:22:05.359 world of dairy genetics, finding a maternal line 00:22:05.359 --> 00:22:08.339 with this level of consistency is like discovering 00:22:08.339 --> 00:22:11.529 a compass that always points north. a reliable 00:22:11.529 --> 00:22:14.170 foundation upon which you can build with confidence. 00:22:14.549 --> 00:22:18.329 The designer Miss family didn't just avoid deterioration, 00:22:18.390 --> 00:22:20.930 it established a new standard for generational 00:22:20.930 --> 00:22:24.089 excellence that continues to influence Holstein 00:22:24.089 --> 00:22:27.930 breeding worldwide. The show ring is where reputations 00:22:27.930 --> 00:22:30.650 are made and legacies are cemented in the Holstein 00:22:30.650 --> 00:22:33.309 world, and the Mavis family certainly left their 00:22:33.309 --> 00:22:36.269 mark in impressive fashion. What started with 00:22:36.269 --> 00:22:38.809 designer Miss blossomed into multiple generations 00:22:38.809 --> 00:22:41.809 of champions that dominated show rings across 00:22:41.809 --> 00:22:45.569 North America. Herbcrest Allen Melody exemplified 00:22:45.569 --> 00:22:48.369 everything the judges look for, that perfect 00:22:48.369 --> 00:22:51.450 blend of dairy strength, angularity, and mammary 00:22:51.450 --> 00:22:54.869 system excellence. She wasn't just another pretty 00:22:54.869 --> 00:22:58.170 cow. She combined show ring appeal with production 00:22:58.170 --> 00:23:01.130 capability, showcasing the family's dual -purpose 00:23:01.130 --> 00:23:04.099 performance. that commercial dairymen and showmen 00:23:04.099 --> 00:23:07.440 alike could appreciate. Then there was Damien 00:23:07.440 --> 00:23:10.440 Marvell. What a sensation she created when she 00:23:10.440 --> 00:23:13.140 stepped into the ring. That tremendous frame, 00:23:13.359 --> 00:23:15.920 exceptional dairy character, and that picture 00:23:15.920 --> 00:23:18.700 -perfect udder that seemed suspended as if by 00:23:18.700 --> 00:23:21.720 invisible strings. She had that presence that 00:23:21.720 --> 00:23:25.099 makes everyone in the barn stop and look. Judges 00:23:25.099 --> 00:23:27.480 would run their hands along her perfect texture 00:23:27.480 --> 00:23:30.069 and placement. nodding appreciatively at what 00:23:30.069 --> 00:23:32.450 generations of careful breeding had created. 00:23:33.509 --> 00:23:36.670 Duplex Marvelous continued the tradition, carrying 00:23:36.670 --> 00:23:39.509 herself with that distinctive Mavis family style. 00:23:40.269 --> 00:23:43.089 When she produced herbcrest Atwood Mariella, 00:23:43.190 --> 00:23:45.849 whose Stanley Cup daughter became the sixth generation 00:23:45.849 --> 00:23:48.589 excellent in this family branch, it confirmed 00:23:48.589 --> 00:23:51.630 what the most astute breeders already knew. This 00:23:51.630 --> 00:23:54.670 wasn't luck or coincidence. This was genetic 00:23:54.670 --> 00:23:57.960 prepotency. working its magic. What truly fascinates 00:23:57.960 --> 00:24:00.440 me about the Mavis family's success is how they 00:24:00.440 --> 00:24:02.920 excelled across dramatically different sire lines. 00:24:03.400 --> 00:24:06.759 This isn't just unusual, it's the genetic equivalent 00:24:06.759 --> 00:24:09.980 of striking gold repeatedly. Think about it. 00:24:10.180 --> 00:24:13.859 Prelude, Rudolph, Liddock, Allen, Damien, Duplex, 00:24:14.119 --> 00:24:17.059 Atwood, Stanley Cup, these bulls represent significantly 00:24:17.059 --> 00:24:19.720 different breeding philosophies and genetic packages. 00:24:20.019 --> 00:24:22.460 Yet when crossed with the Mavis maternal line, 00:24:22.640 --> 00:24:25.019 they consistently produced superior animals. 00:24:25.549 --> 00:24:28.230 This phenomenon represents what Holstein breeders 00:24:28.230 --> 00:24:31.009 have sought for generations, a maternal line 00:24:31.009 --> 00:24:33.730 so powerful it can improve almost any mating. 00:24:34.150 --> 00:24:37.930 It's what the old -timers call nickability, the 00:24:37.930 --> 00:24:40.630 capacity to blend well with diverse bloodlines 00:24:40.630 --> 00:24:43.349 while consistently stamping its own superior 00:24:43.349 --> 00:24:46.569 characteristics onto the offspring. For breeders 00:24:46.569 --> 00:24:48.809 trying to build consistent, high -performing 00:24:48.809 --> 00:24:52.369 herds, finding such a maternal line is like discovering 00:24:52.369 --> 00:24:55.400 the philosopher's stone. that legendary substance 00:24:55.400 --> 00:24:59.140 capable of turning base metals into gold. The 00:24:59.140 --> 00:25:01.380 Mavis family turned good genetics into great 00:25:01.380 --> 00:25:04.759 ones, ordinary pedigrees into extraordinary performers, 00:25:05.140 --> 00:25:08.640 generation after generation. This is the true 00:25:08.640 --> 00:25:11.519 holy grail of breeding, predictability and excellence 00:25:11.519 --> 00:25:14.119 combined, proving that Designer Miss' influence 00:25:14.119 --> 00:25:17.180 wasn't just powerful, It was transformative across 00:25:17.180 --> 00:25:20.000 time and bloodlines. If there's one cow that 00:25:20.000 --> 00:25:22.599 truly epitomizes the rags -to -riches story of 00:25:22.599 --> 00:25:25.140 the designer -miss legacy, it's Charwill Attic 00:25:25.140 --> 00:25:28.240 Marcy. Her journey represents perhaps the most 00:25:28.240 --> 00:25:31.240 dramatic chapter in this extraordinary Holstein 00:25:31.240 --> 00:25:34.400 tale, showcasing how profound genetic value can 00:25:34.400 --> 00:25:37.759 remain hidden until the perfect moment. Marcy 00:25:37.759 --> 00:25:40.660 was born to Dixlin Leedook Mavis, already three 00:25:40.660 --> 00:25:42.940 generations removed from designer -miss herself. 00:25:43.680 --> 00:25:45.880 When William Martin purchased her for just $2 00:25:45.880 --> 00:25:50.059 ,500 at the Dicksell and Dispersal, few could 00:25:50.059 --> 00:25:53.039 have predicted her future impact. Think about 00:25:53.039 --> 00:25:56.859 that price for a moment. $2 ,500 for what would 00:25:56.859 --> 00:25:59.519 become one of the most celebrated show cows of 00:25:59.519 --> 00:26:02.960 her generation. That's less than what many commercial 00:26:02.960 --> 00:26:05.299 dairy producers might pay for a decent replacement 00:26:05.299 --> 00:26:08.759 heifer. What's particularly fascinating is that 00:26:08.759 --> 00:26:11.339 even as a yearling, Marcy's potential remained 00:26:11.339 --> 00:26:15.660 unrecognized by the broader industry. Martin 00:26:15.660 --> 00:26:19.619 tried to sell her, asking a modest $6 ,000, but 00:26:19.619 --> 00:26:22.660 found no takers. Nobody was willing to pay even 00:26:22.660 --> 00:26:25.299 that relatively small sum for what would later 00:26:25.299 --> 00:26:28.220 become a half -million -dollar cow. It makes 00:26:28.220 --> 00:26:30.319 you wonder how many other genetically exceptional 00:26:30.319 --> 00:26:33.000 animals are overlooked every day across auction 00:26:33.000 --> 00:26:35.980 rings and farm dispersals. Everything changed 00:26:35.980 --> 00:26:38.839 when Marcy was sold to GenCom Holsteins in Quebec. 00:26:39.470 --> 00:26:41.589 Under their expert development and management, 00:26:41.809 --> 00:26:45.250 her true genetic potential began to shine. This 00:26:45.250 --> 00:26:47.849 wasn't just another pretty cow. Marcy had that 00:26:47.849 --> 00:26:50.990 rare combination of dairy strength, angularity, 00:26:51.089 --> 00:26:54.369 mammary excellence, and undeniable presence that 00:26:54.369 --> 00:26:57.029 makes a champion. Her show ring dominance was 00:26:57.029 --> 00:26:59.789 nothing short of spectacular. She didn't just 00:26:59.789 --> 00:27:02.970 win, she dominated, claiming all Canadian and 00:27:02.970 --> 00:27:05.529 all American honors as both a two -year -old 00:27:05.529 --> 00:27:08.680 and a three -year -old. When a cow collects such 00:27:08.680 --> 00:27:11.359 prestigious titles across both countries, the 00:27:11.359 --> 00:27:14.619 industry takes notice. Her value skyrocketed, 00:27:14.640 --> 00:27:17.240 reflecting not just her individual merit, but 00:27:17.240 --> 00:27:20.099 the recognition of the genetic goldmine she represented. 00:27:20.640 --> 00:27:24.160 In March 2015, Milk Source Genetics in Wisconsin 00:27:24.160 --> 00:27:27.140 recognized her exceptional value and made their 00:27:27.140 --> 00:27:30.519 move. The rumored $500 ,000 acquisition price. 00:27:30.759 --> 00:27:35.039 From $2 ,500 to $500 ,000, That's the kind of 00:27:35.039 --> 00:27:37.660 appreciation that makes lottery winners jealous. 00:27:38.640 --> 00:27:41.259 But Marcy wasn't finished writing her story. 00:27:41.720 --> 00:27:44.460 Later that same year, she achieved what many 00:27:44.460 --> 00:27:47.880 consider the pinnacle of show ring success. Grand 00:27:47.880 --> 00:27:51.240 champion at the Royal Winter Fair. Standing center 00:27:51.240 --> 00:27:54.160 ring under the bright lights at the Royal, with 00:27:54.160 --> 00:27:56.880 cameras flashing and the industry's elite applauding. 00:27:57.440 --> 00:28:00.019 Marcy cemented her place in Holstein history. 00:28:00.259 --> 00:28:02.940 That moment represented the culmination of a 00:28:02.940 --> 00:28:05.259 genetic journey that began with a day -old calf 00:28:05.259 --> 00:28:08.480 that nobody wanted at the Hanover Hill dispersal 00:28:08.480 --> 00:28:13.059 back in 1985. What Marcy's story teaches us is 00:28:13.059 --> 00:28:16.059 profound. Designer Miss provided the genetic 00:28:16.059 --> 00:28:18.839 blueprint, but it took the expertise of operations 00:28:18.839 --> 00:28:22.059 like GenCom and MilkSource to fully realize that 00:28:22.059 --> 00:28:25.269 potential. It's a reminder that exceptional genetics 00:28:25.269 --> 00:28:28.009 sometimes need exceptional management to truly 00:28:28.009 --> 00:28:31.490 shine. The right environment, feed, health protocols, 00:28:31.809 --> 00:28:34.430 fitting techniques, and show preparation all 00:28:34.430 --> 00:28:37.029 played crucial roles in transforming Marcy from 00:28:37.029 --> 00:28:39.789 a genetic possibility into a show ring reality. 00:28:40.210 --> 00:28:42.690 To fully appreciate the significance of design 00:28:42.690 --> 00:28:45.309 or miss in Holstein history, we need to understand 00:28:45.309 --> 00:28:48.029 the powerhouse that was Hanover Hill Holsteins. 00:28:48.430 --> 00:28:51.680 This wasn't just any breeding operation. It was 00:28:51.680 --> 00:28:55.380 revolutionary. Established in Canada in 1973 00:28:55.380 --> 00:28:58.480 by R. Peter Heffering and Kenneth Wesley Trevina, 00:28:58.640 --> 00:29:01.700 Hanover Hill represented nothing short of a complete 00:29:01.700 --> 00:29:04.220 paradigm shift in Holstein breeding philosophy. 00:29:05.019 --> 00:29:07.680 These weren't just successful breeders. They 00:29:07.680 --> 00:29:10.200 were visionaries who had already made their mark 00:29:10.200 --> 00:29:12.400 in the United States before crossing the border 00:29:12.400 --> 00:29:15.880 northward. What made Hanover Hill special was 00:29:15.880 --> 00:29:19.019 their comprehensive approach. While others might 00:29:19.019 --> 00:29:22.460 focus exclusively on production or type, Heffering 00:29:22.460 --> 00:29:24.619 and Trevina understood the value of balance. 00:29:25.240 --> 00:29:28.460 They methodically mated deep cow families with 00:29:28.460 --> 00:29:31.680 the absolute best sires available, creating a 00:29:31.680 --> 00:29:34.259 program that emphasized both exceptional milk 00:29:34.259 --> 00:29:37.240 production and outstanding physical confirmation. 00:29:37.680 --> 00:29:40.500 By the mid -1980s, Hanover Hill had transformed 00:29:40.500 --> 00:29:43.759 into what many called the epicenter of the Holstein 00:29:43.759 --> 00:29:47.359 universe. This wasn't hyperbole. It was reality. 00:29:48.039 --> 00:29:49.940 They had developed what was widely considered 00:29:49.940 --> 00:29:52.339 the planet's most influential Holstein herd, 00:29:52.500 --> 00:29:55.599 period. Their breeding program had produced nine 00:29:55.599 --> 00:29:59.039 class extra sires, more than any operation in 00:29:59.039 --> 00:30:01.619 Holstein history, breaking the record previously 00:30:01.619 --> 00:30:04.740 held by Mount Victoria Farms. Their marketing 00:30:04.740 --> 00:30:07.799 strategies were equally sophisticated. They understood 00:30:07.799 --> 00:30:10.420 that breeding exceptional cattle was only half 00:30:10.420 --> 00:30:13.519 the battle. Presenting them properly to the world 00:30:13.519 --> 00:30:17.319 was equally important. Hanover Hill sales became 00:30:17.319 --> 00:30:20.059 industry events, drawing breeders from across 00:30:20.059 --> 00:30:22.859 the globe who recognized that securing Hanover 00:30:22.859 --> 00:30:25.140 Hill genetics meant accessing the cutting edge 00:30:25.140 --> 00:30:28.500 of Holstein breeding. This is the context that 00:30:28.500 --> 00:30:31.299 makes Designer Miss' story even more remarkable. 00:30:32.160 --> 00:30:34.960 She emerged as one of the most significant maternal 00:30:34.960 --> 00:30:37.539 influences in the breed from within a program 00:30:37.539 --> 00:30:41.640 already famous for producing elite animals. Despite 00:30:41.640 --> 00:30:44.839 her humble beginnings and that $2 ,100 price 00:30:44.839 --> 00:30:47.529 tag, the lowest of the entire dispersal sale, 00:30:47.769 --> 00:30:50.630 she would go on to eclipse the influence of many 00:30:50.630 --> 00:30:53.269 of her more celebrated and expensive herd mates. 00:30:53.990 --> 00:30:56.670 What's truly extraordinary is that Designer Miss 00:30:56.670 --> 00:30:59.349 wasn't just another good cow from a great herd. 00:30:59.589 --> 00:31:02.549 In many ways, she became the embodiment of Hanover 00:31:02.549 --> 00:31:05.829 Hill's breeding philosophy. Balanced, productive, 00:31:06.269 --> 00:31:10.089 structurally correct, and most importantly, prepotent. 00:31:10.210 --> 00:31:12.529 She didn't just carry the Hanover Hill prefix. 00:31:13.240 --> 00:31:15.980 she carried forward its vision in ways that even 00:31:15.980 --> 00:31:17.839 her breeders couldn't have fully anticipated 00:31:17.839 --> 00:31:21.259 when she was born. When I look at Designer Miss' 00:31:21.380 --> 00:31:24.259 remarkable journey, I can't help but think about 00:31:24.259 --> 00:31:26.960 the profound lessons her story offers for today's 00:31:26.960 --> 00:31:30.160 dairy breeders. In an era dominated by genomics, 00:31:30.319 --> 00:31:33.579 indexes, and data -driven decisions, her legacy 00:31:33.579 --> 00:31:36.519 reminds us of some timeless truths about breeding 00:31:36.519 --> 00:31:39.819 exceptional cattle. First and foremost, price 00:31:39.819 --> 00:31:44.319 tags rarely, if ever, tell the whole story. We 00:31:44.319 --> 00:31:46.440 live in an industry where headline -grabbing 00:31:46.440 --> 00:31:49.440 sales often capture our attention. The million 00:31:49.440 --> 00:31:51.920 -dollar heifers and embryo packages make for 00:31:51.920 --> 00:31:54.559 exciting conversation, but Designer Miss proves 00:31:54.559 --> 00:31:57.359 that extraordinary genetic potential can be hiding 00:31:57.359 --> 00:32:01.440 in plain sight. At just $2 ,100, the lowest price 00:32:01.440 --> 00:32:04.000 of the entire Hanover Hill dispersal, she was 00:32:04.000 --> 00:32:06.559 literally the bargain that everyone overlooked. 00:32:06.839 --> 00:32:09.140 This should give every breeder, regardless of 00:32:09.140 --> 00:32:12.759 budget, reason for optimism. The next breed -changing 00:32:12.759 --> 00:32:15.619 cow might already be in your barn, not commanding 00:32:15.619 --> 00:32:18.039 attention, but quietly building a foundation 00:32:18.039 --> 00:32:21.599 for greatness. Sometimes the animal that doesn't 00:32:21.599 --> 00:32:24.380 catch everyone's eye at first glance is the one 00:32:24.380 --> 00:32:26.900 with the deepest genetic capacity to influence 00:32:26.900 --> 00:32:30.740 generations. Designer Miss also teaches us about 00:32:30.740 --> 00:32:33.460 focusing on fundamental traits rather than chasing 00:32:33.460 --> 00:32:37.000 trends. While the industry was increasingly shifting 00:32:37.000 --> 00:32:40.089 toward index -based selection, Her story highlights 00:32:40.089 --> 00:32:43.210 the enduring value of basic, functional confirmation 00:32:43.210 --> 00:32:46.690 and production efficiency. She embodied what 00:32:46.690 --> 00:32:49.990 many call trouble -free genetics, the kind that 00:32:49.990 --> 00:32:52.869 work day in and day out in commercial environments 00:32:52.869 --> 00:32:55.750 while maintaining the capacity for show ring 00:32:55.750 --> 00:32:58.490 excellence. Her legacy reminds us to look beyond 00:32:58.490 --> 00:33:01.349 the current breeding fads. The traits that made 00:33:01.349 --> 00:33:04.109 Designer Miss exceptional, mammary system, feet 00:33:04.109 --> 00:33:06.369 and legs, production persistence, fertility, 00:33:06.960 --> 00:33:08.980 are the same traits that determine profitability 00:33:08.980 --> 00:33:12.500 and longevity today. The packaging might change, 00:33:12.720 --> 00:33:16.420 but the fundamentals rarely do. Perhaps most 00:33:16.420 --> 00:33:19.099 importantly, Designer Miss exemplifies the beautiful 00:33:19.099 --> 00:33:22.440 unpredictability of genetic expression. Breeding 00:33:22.440 --> 00:33:25.579 is both science and art, blending careful analysis 00:33:25.579 --> 00:33:28.440 with intuition and sometimes just plain luck. 00:33:28.880 --> 00:33:31.819 Even with all our technological advances, there 00:33:31.819 --> 00:33:34.359 remains an element of genetic recombination that 00:33:34.359 --> 00:33:38.460 we cannot fully predict or control. This unpredictability 00:33:38.460 --> 00:33:41.980 is what makes breeding so captivating. Designer 00:33:41.980 --> 00:33:44.279 Miss wasn't engineered through complex mating 00:33:44.279 --> 00:33:47.740 strategies or cutting -edge technology. She emerged 00:33:47.740 --> 00:33:49.539 from thoughtful but straightforward breeding 00:33:49.539 --> 00:33:52.940 decisions and then proceeded to defy all expectations. 00:33:53.519 --> 00:33:56.359 Her ability to pass on her exceptional qualities 00:33:56.359 --> 00:33:59.960 generation after generation, what we call prepotency, 00:34:00.180 --> 00:34:03.079 couldn't have been fully predicted by any index 00:34:03.079 --> 00:34:06.180 or evaluation system available. at the time. 00:34:06.240 --> 00:34:08.719 For modern breeders dealing with genomic evaluations 00:34:08.719 --> 00:34:11.619 and AI mating programs, Designer Miss offers 00:34:11.619 --> 00:34:14.079 a humble reminder that our sophisticated tools 00:34:14.079 --> 00:34:17.360 are supplements to, not replacements for, breeder 00:34:17.360 --> 00:34:20.039 judgment and the time -tested principles of selection. 00:34:20.440 --> 00:34:23.039 The disciplined eye that can recognize quality, 00:34:23.400 --> 00:34:26.599 regardless of pedigree or price, remains invaluable. 00:34:27.480 --> 00:34:31.059 Her story also underscores patience as a breeder's 00:34:31.059 --> 00:34:34.880 virtue. Designer Miss' full impact wasn't immediately 00:34:34.880 --> 00:34:38.159 apparent. It unfolded gradually across generations 00:34:38.159 --> 00:34:41.199 as her daughters, granddaughters, and great -granddaughters 00:34:41.199 --> 00:34:44.699 continued to excel. In today's fast -paced breeding 00:34:44.699 --> 00:34:47.780 environment, where genomic evaluations can change 00:34:47.780 --> 00:34:50.980 monthly and cattle turnover is rapid, the value 00:34:50.980 --> 00:34:54.159 of giving a cow family time to prove itself shouldn't 00:34:54.159 --> 00:34:57.099 be underestimated. What truly makes a cow valuable 00:34:57.099 --> 00:34:59.920 in the dairy industry? As we've seen through 00:34:59.920 --> 00:35:02.690 the extraordinary story of designer Miss, it's 00:35:02.690 --> 00:35:05.650 certainly not the price tag. True value emerges 00:35:05.650 --> 00:35:08.030 through a combination of factors that become 00:35:08.030 --> 00:35:11.030 evident only with time and careful observation. 00:35:11.829 --> 00:35:14.329 Designer Miss exemplified what I consider the 00:35:14.329 --> 00:35:17.550 four pillars of bovine value. First, there's 00:35:17.550 --> 00:35:20.409 consistency, the ability to not just be excellent 00:35:20.409 --> 00:35:23.210 herself, but to produce offspring that maintain 00:35:23.210 --> 00:35:26.409 or even improve upon that excellence. So many 00:35:26.409 --> 00:35:28.889 promising cows fall short when their genetics 00:35:28.889 --> 00:35:31.900 don't translate to the next generation. Designer 00:35:31.900 --> 00:35:34.980 Miss defied those odds, creating a dynasty where 00:35:34.980 --> 00:35:38.059 excellence became the family standard, not the 00:35:38.059 --> 00:35:41.360 exception. Second is production efficiency. A 00:35:41.360 --> 00:35:43.179 beautiful cow that can't produce economically 00:35:43.179 --> 00:35:46.380 viable amounts of milk might win ribbons, but 00:35:46.380 --> 00:35:49.679 she won't build sustainable operations. Designer 00:35:49.679 --> 00:35:52.539 Miss proved herself over eight lactations, producing 00:35:52.539 --> 00:35:56.619 over 176 ,000 pounds of milk while maintaining 00:35:56.619 --> 00:36:00.179 her physical excellence. This balance is what 00:36:00.179 --> 00:36:02.780 commercial dairymen need to survive and what 00:36:02.780 --> 00:36:05.559 seed stock producers must prioritize to remain 00:36:05.559 --> 00:36:09.000 relevant. Third comes confirmation, the physical 00:36:09.000 --> 00:36:11.820 structure that allows longevity. Designer Miss 00:36:11.820 --> 00:36:14.960 scored excellent with remarkable 95 -point scores 00:36:14.960 --> 00:36:18.360 for rump, udder, feet, and legs. These weren't 00:36:18.360 --> 00:36:20.659 just aesthetic qualities, they were functional 00:36:20.659 --> 00:36:23.119 attributes that enabled her productive life and 00:36:23.119 --> 00:36:26.239 transmitted to her offspring. Finally, and perhaps 00:36:26.239 --> 00:36:29.730 most importantly, is prepotency that magical 00:36:29.730 --> 00:36:32.489 ability to stamp her qualities onto her offspring 00:36:32.489 --> 00:36:36.329 regardless of the sire when her descendants consistently 00:36:36.329 --> 00:36:39.510 excelled across multiple generations and through 00:36:39.510 --> 00:36:42.769 various sire lines it demonstrated her extraordinary 00:36:42.769 --> 00:36:46.510 genetic influence this predictability is invaluable 00:36:46.510 --> 00:36:49.489 in a breeding program for today's dairy producers 00:36:49.489 --> 00:36:52.750 facing thin margins and volatile markets these 00:36:52.750 --> 00:36:55.210 lessons from designer miss aren't just interesting 00:36:55.210 --> 00:36:58.880 history their practical guidance the most valuable 00:36:58.880 --> 00:37:01.639 animals in your herd might not be the ones with 00:37:01.639 --> 00:37:04.280 the highest genomic numbers or the flashiest 00:37:04.280 --> 00:37:07.659 pedigrees they're the trouble -free cows that 00:37:07.659 --> 00:37:10.699 calve regularly produce efficiently maintain 00:37:10.699 --> 00:37:14.119 body condition stay healthy and reliably pass 00:37:14.119 --> 00:37:16.739 these traits to their offspring in our pursuit 00:37:16.739 --> 00:37:19.280 of genetic advancement we sometimes overlook 00:37:19.280 --> 00:37:21.619 these fundamentals yet designer miss reminds 00:37:21.619 --> 00:37:24.539 us that the definition of a truly valuable cow 00:37:25.039 --> 00:37:27.900 hasn't changed much over the decades. The methods 00:37:27.900 --> 00:37:30.400 of identification have evolved, but the core 00:37:30.400 --> 00:37:33.659 attributes remain constant. Her legacy encourages 00:37:33.659 --> 00:37:37.059 us to look beyond the surface, beyond the indexes, 00:37:37.079 --> 00:37:40.500 and recognize the deep, lasting value that builds 00:37:40.500 --> 00:37:43.039 sustainable herds and profitable operations. 00:37:43.539 --> 00:37:45.679 As we come to the end of this remarkable story, 00:37:45.920 --> 00:37:48.400 I can't help but reflect on the incredible irony 00:37:48.400 --> 00:37:52.639 at its heart. The 1985 Hanover Hill dispersal 00:37:52.880 --> 00:37:55.699 was historic by any measure, with all eyes fixed 00:37:55.699 --> 00:37:58.219 on Brookview Tony Charity as she commanded that 00:37:58.219 --> 00:38:02.280 staggering $1 .45 million price tag. The cameras 00:38:02.280 --> 00:38:04.739 flashed, the crowd gasped, and the headlines 00:38:04.739 --> 00:38:07.679 wrote themselves. A world record. A sensation. 00:38:08.079 --> 00:38:11.579 A moment in Holstein history. Yet in the shadow 00:38:11.579 --> 00:38:14.099 of that spectacle, a day -old heifer calf changed 00:38:14.099 --> 00:38:17.900 hands for just $2 ,100, the lowest price paid 00:38:17.900 --> 00:38:21.420 for any animal that day. No fanfare. No headlines. 00:38:22.010 --> 00:38:24.110 Just a young breeder named Doug Dixon making 00:38:24.110 --> 00:38:26.889 what seemed like a modest purchase. That calf 00:38:26.889 --> 00:38:29.690 was Hanover Hill Designer Miss. History has a 00:38:29.690 --> 00:38:32.070 way of rewriting first impressions, doesn't it? 00:38:32.730 --> 00:38:35.210 While Tony Charity certainly earned her place 00:38:35.210 --> 00:38:37.949 in the record books, it was Designer Miss who 00:38:37.949 --> 00:38:40.570 quietly built one of the most influential maternal 00:38:40.570 --> 00:38:44.750 lines our breed has ever seen. She became the 00:38:44.750 --> 00:38:47.550 cow that launched thousands of exceptional daughters, 00:38:47.769 --> 00:38:50.949 granddaughters, and descendants. Animals that 00:38:50.949 --> 00:38:53.630 have shaped modern breeding programs across continents. 00:38:53.949 --> 00:38:56.329 I think there's a profound lesson here for all 00:38:56.329 --> 00:38:58.809 of us in the dairy business. We're naturally 00:38:58.809 --> 00:39:01.389 drawn to the spectacular, the record -breaking 00:39:01.389 --> 00:39:04.030 sales, the championship ribbons, the perfect 00:39:04.030 --> 00:39:07.809 scores. But sometimes, true greatness lies in 00:39:07.809 --> 00:39:10.849 the animal that nobody's watching. The heifer 00:39:10.849 --> 00:39:14.030 in the corner pen. The cow with the modest pedigree, 00:39:14.150 --> 00:39:17.090 but the remarkable consistency. Designer Miss 00:39:17.090 --> 00:39:20.110 reminds us that in breeding, as in life, The 00:39:20.110 --> 00:39:22.170 packaging doesn't always reveal what's inside. 00:39:22.730 --> 00:39:26.389 Her story encourages us to look deeper, to trust 00:39:26.389 --> 00:39:29.090 our instincts, and to remember that genetic expression 00:39:29.090 --> 00:39:32.070 sometimes takes generations to fully reveal itself. 00:39:32.929 --> 00:39:35.610 The next time you're at a sale and your attention 00:39:35.610 --> 00:39:38.550 is pulled toward that unheralded animal that 00:39:38.550 --> 00:39:41.769 something in your gut tells you to bid on, remember, 00:39:41.949 --> 00:39:44.210 designer miss, when you're evaluating your herd 00:39:44.210 --> 00:39:46.909 and wondering which bloodlines to develop, remember 00:39:46.909 --> 00:39:50.480 how this seemingly ordinary calf built an extraordinary 00:39:50.480 --> 00:39:54.039 legacy. In our industry, where margins are tight 00:39:54.039 --> 00:39:57.280 and decisions matter, Designer Miss offers perhaps 00:39:57.280 --> 00:40:01.039 the most valuable lesson of all. Sometimes the 00:40:01.039 --> 00:40:03.579 best investments aren't the ones with the highest 00:40:03.579 --> 00:40:06.500 price tags, but those with the deepest foundations. 00:40:06.960 --> 00:40:09.239 The ones that will still be paying dividends 00:40:09.239 --> 00:40:12.460 generations after the headlines have faded and 00:40:12.460 --> 00:40:15.559 the record prices have been forgotten. That's 00:40:15.559 --> 00:40:18.340 the legacy of Hanover Hill Designer Miss. the 00:40:18.340 --> 00:40:21.519 unexpected champion whose greatest triumph wasn't 00:40:21.519 --> 00:40:24.260 a single moment of glory, but a quiet revolution 00:40:24.260 --> 00:40:27.380 that continues to shape our breed today. Thanks 00:40:27.380 --> 00:40:29.739 for tuning in to our show today. We've enjoyed 00:40:29.739 --> 00:40:32.300 having you with us and hope you found the episode 00:40:32.300 --> 00:40:35.099 informative and entertaining. If you liked what 00:40:35.099 --> 00:40:37.199 you heard, please don't forget to subscribe, 00:40:37.539 --> 00:40:39.920 leave a review, and share with your friends. 00:40:40.199 --> 00:40:43.260 Join us next time for another fascinating discussion. 00:40:43.760 --> 00:40:46.320 Until then, take care and be well.