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Ally: Respect
by Terry Rawn – Alta Sales Team leader, Ohio Valley
Now that the dust is starting to settle from proof day, I was reflecting on Carters-Corner Ally’s career and ascent. In September of 2003 we scheduled a photo session at Vander Made Dairy, an Advantage Herd. Five cows had been carefully selected for picturing. For the protection of the innocent we will guard the identity of the fitter. We will call him Freddie (not his real name.)
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Freddie was to pick me up at the Fort Wayne, Indiana airport which is about an hour from Vander Made’s. Upon arrival I began to question Freddie about how the preparation of the five cows was going. Freddie proudly exclaimed that he had four of the cows in pretty good shape and he decided to blow off the fifth cow. I apprehensively interrogated Freddie on who the fifth cow was and why he had not finished his work with her. He described her as not real big, a little light in the left front quarter, and somewhat feisty. “Uh Freddie, I think that is the cow we built the picture session around,” I exclaimed. |
It is amazing what a professional fitter can accomplish in 22 hours with a simple set of clippers, a halter, and some soap. In the accompanying picture you see the business end of Vander Made Ally 1223. This picture was taken with Lutz Goedde (former Alta CEO) and Lambert Vader Made. These guys average about 6’ 10” in height, which is why we made them lay on the ground.
Now that Ally has solidified himself as a breed leader, we can appreciate that our early experience in Ohio was only a microcosm of what was to come. The moderate size cow, that was a little feisty, shaped up, probably grew a little, ate a bunch and filled and filled and filled her udder. Yes Ally 1223 was a challenge to photograph, but, as we worked with her that day at Vander Made’s, there was something special about her, that I bet she shares with her sisters.
Freddie did not give Ally 1223 much respect at first glance. He learned a lesson about modern dairy cows and how they change when they are full of milk. 11HO5929 Carters-Corner Ally-et has over time earned more and more respect. With new proofs, formula changes, and a base change, Ally will get more attention and respect.
Posted Feb 16th
