Dave Rama Awarded This Year’s Friend of New York Holstein

We all know that it’s not easy to get one over on Dave Rama. Our Master Breeder Committee kept this presentation very close to our pocket in the hope that we might be able to surprise both he and Merry. Dave has been our Convention Banquet MC for many years. Each year, as we sit down to dinner, he and I review the program so he knows all the names, etc. Friend of New York Holstein is the last presentation. He asked me who it was this year and I fibbed a little and said we didn’t choose one this year but forgot to take it off the program. He scratched it off on his program. As we finished the other presentations, he said to me “that’s it, right?” I said I had one more little announcement. I may never totally surprise Dave and Merry again, but it sure was fun that night. And in their typical fashion, their appreciation was sincere and joyful.

This year’s Friend of New York Holstein has been a friend to all of us for many years.

When I came on board in 2001, our sales were floundering as was our treasury. New York, always the cradle of the breed, was gaining significance as a hot spot for some of the premier genetics in the country.

It seemed logical to reenergize our NY cattle sales. Also, right here in NY, was a cattle sale service that was leading the field.

I barely knew Dave & Merry Rama, but we soon became close friends and trusted partners in selling New York Registered Holsteins.

The rest is pretty much history. Along with showcasing our NY genetics by buying and selling NY Holsteins, the Cattle Exchange made it possible for our Association to earn a tremendous amount of money as well as put money in many members checkbooks.

Two sale high points were our 2016 National Sale that averaged more than $25,000 and set an all time high average for a National Sale. Another is 2012 when NY Holstein had the 1st, 6th & 7th highest averaging regional sales in the country with our ET Sale, Harvest Sale, and Carousel Sale respectively. All managed by The Cattle Exchange.

Dave & Merry helped us gain recognition as a power house of Registered Holsteins as well as helping us economically. They became our very close friends….and probably as good a friend as New York Holstein has ever had with their commitment, dedication and business sense to help our bottom line year after year after year.

This year, when our beloved friend Horace Backus needed someone to intervene and assist with his memorabilia, the Ramas stepped in to haul the mountain of stuff to Delhi from Mexico NY. We then got together and organized and arranged its sale as you’ve seen right here at our Convention.

I could go on and on about the acts of kindness and friendship that this couple, who are the epitome of a team, have shown to so many people. We are grateful that New York Holstein has for many years been on the receiving end of a wonderful friendship.

Ladies and Gentlemen, please join me as we, with great honor, present this year’s Friend of New York Holstein to our dear friends, Dave & Merry Rama. Presented by Patsy Gifford.