2011 Holstein Princess

abby

Hello Fellow Dairymen,

As many of you know I have recently been selected as the 2011 Iowa Holstein Princess. My name is Abby Costello, and I have grown up with Holsteins my whole life. I live in Cedar Rapids (not on a farm) but I am lucky to have family that does live on a 90% registered dairy farm. I raise and show heifers with Rick Henderson in Coggon where I have several heifers. I also have cows which are at the family farm in Long Grove. As a family herd, we have about 60 head of milking cattle including Holsteins, Ayrshires and Milking Shorthorns of which 90% are registered. My family is very active in cattle shows as our family motto is “raising cattle and kids”. I have over 40 cousins who have all tried showing at least once. Maybe not all the “right” breed, and we often times have our arguments about which breed is best.

I have recently graduated from Linn-Mar High School. In the fall, I will be going to Capri College to become a cosmetologist. My plans after Capri are to go to NICC at Calmar to get a two year education in dairy science then come back home to the cattle.

The weather is getting warmer and many sales have past. I have seen many youngsters out there buying their show animals for this summer. I think I am just as anxious as they are for the show season to arrive. I want to wish all of you good luck this summer. I also will be at many shows passing out ribbons and awards. If you run a show and would like me there to help with anything, my email is AbCostello1013@yahoo.com. I am always up for showing at new open shows; also if you have open show information, send it my way I'll share it with others who might be interested. I’m looking forward to helping any way that I can at the district and state shows.

Since becoming the Iowa Holstein Princess, I have worked two sales with Scott and Amy Courtney, represented the Iowa Holstein Association at the Celebration of Agriculture Banquet, and taught a judging workshop to Linn County FFA members. In May, I also took dairy cattle to "Agriculture in the Park" to teach 1,500 elementary students how important dairy is in their lives. As June is getting closer I am visiting with Midwest Dairy since June is dairy month. I am looking for good ideas to do in the month of June to promote dairy. If you have ideas, please let me know. If you're looking for ideas, visit http://www.midwestdairy.com/0t66p82/june-dairy-month/ which is a link to the dairy month page that has many helpful ideas.

Last off I want to wish everyone good luck and safe travels this summer.

Don’t forget to keep Mooo-ving Forward,
Abby Costello