Three outstanding Registered Holstein® herds have qualified for Holstein Association USA’s 2025 Herds of Excellence recognition. Each year, the award recognizes primarily homebred herds that excel in conformation and production.
“The Herds of Excellence award celebrates the families who work together, year after year, to build outstanding Registered Holstein herds,” said Lindsey Worden, Holstein Association USA CEO. “These honorees reflect a deep commitment to homebred genetics, strong cow families, and steady progress over time. We congratulate each family for the care, dedication, and pride they bring to their herds.”
The award is broken down into three herd size categories based on the number of cows in production averages, including the Large Herd Division (500+ cows), Medium Herd Division (100-499 cows), and Small Herd Division (10-99 cows). Each herd size division has specific criteria that must be met in order to qualify for the award.
Congratulations to the following 2025 Herds of Excellence.
Large Herd Division
73.4% homebred; AACS – 83.3 points
ME Production Averages – 32,630M 1,524F 1,076P
Second Year Honoree
Doorco Holsteins – The Vandertie Family, Brussels, Wisconsin
Small Herd Division
100.0% homebred; AACS – 90.5 points
ME Production Averages – 37,225M 1,557F 1,154P
Eight Year Honoree
Ever-Green-View Holsteins, LLC – The Kestell Family, Waldo, Wisconsin
Small Herd Division
98.9% homebred; AACS – 87.6
ME Production Averages – 39,430M 1,707F 1,227P
Sixteen Year Honoree
The awards will be presented during Holstein Association USA’s 140th Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida. To register for National Holstein Convention or learn more, visit www.holsteinconvention.com.
Read more about the 2025 Herds of Excellence in the Spring 2026 issue of The Pulse.
The Herd of Excellence designation honors Registered Holstein breeders who have developed Holsteins herds excelling in both production and classification scores. To be recognized with this accolade, herds must have classified within the last year and have an age-adjusted classification score (AACS) of 83 points or higher; have at least 70 percent of the herd homebred; and be enrolled in Holstein Association USA’s TriStarSM production records program.
Additionally, qualifying herds must meet the following production criteria:
- Large Herd Division: 15 percent above breed average for ME for milk, fat and protein
- Medium Herd Division: 20 percent above breed average ME for milk, fat and protein
- Small Herd Division: 25 percent above breed average ME for milk, fat and protein
Congratulations to the 2025 Herds of Excellence!
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