Bill Harke

A Wisconsin red and white Holstein has taken her place in the history book alongside her black and white counterparts.

Blondin Redman Seisme-Red, an aged cow owned by MilkSource Genetics of Kaukauna — the same company that operates Rosendale Dairy — is the first red and white Holstein to ever receive the classification score of EX-97.

The Holstein Association USA’s professional staff of classifiers evaluates 17 individual traits in five major dairy scorecard breakdowns. The information helps producers make important mating decisions, identify the most profitable and valuable animals in the herd, and adds marketability to the owner’s registered Holsteins, according to Holstein Association USA.

Holstein Association USA upgraded the 8-year-old’s classification to the extremely rare EX-97. Only 29 cows have ever have reached that pinnacle; each was a black and white Holstein, according to DairyCowDaily.

“Seisme has been a special cow from day one,” said Jim Ostrom, MSG co-partner. “It has been a privilege for herd manager Jamie Endvick and the entire team at MilkSource Genetics to work with, and care for, such an extraordinary beauty.”

To put the win into context, Cy Letter, technical supervisor for Holstein Association USA, explained, “There have been about 200 million cows in the history of modern breeding, and Seisme is No. 30 to reach this level. She is also the first-ever Red & White.”

In 2013, Seisme was International Red and White Cow of the Year by Holstein International, one of the most prestigious honors in the show cow world.

The cow’s sire is Valleyriver Ruben Redman and her dam, Blondin R Marker Supra VG-89-3YR-CAN.

“Seisme is a work of wonder for Mother Nature, but we’re very proud of all the men and women at MilkSource Genetics who work behind the scenes to take care of her,” said John Vosters, MSG co-partner. “These are people who are passionate about their cows. It’s not a job to them — it’s a passion.”