2007 Master Breeder Award
Clark Woodmansee has been involved with Holsteins all his life. He is the third generation on the Preston farm and has been in the registered business for over 30 years. He enjoys working with good cows, developing cow families and showing cows. He believes that one reason for having registered animals is to merchandise them. This belief has led to two very successful dispersals, in 1987 and 1996.
Outstanding cows that he has bred include Woodmansees T Threat Lolita; Woodmansees Enhancer Holly 3E-94; Woodmansees Starbuck Caramel 2E-94; Woodmansees Mandingo Jillian 3E-92 and her daughter, Woodmansees Bstar Jinx 2E-94; Woodmansees Leader Paris 2E-91 and her daughter, Woodmansees Drhm Patty-ET EX-93. Clark is always looking for a good cow and he found a great addition in Lo-Pine Jet Bianca 4E-95 who was not only Grand Champion at the 1993 & 1994 NYS Fair, Grand Champion at this show in 1994, Reserve All-American in 1993 but a grand brood cow. At least 20 of her offspring have scored VG or better and her influence is still strong in the herd today. Clark won the Premier Breeder Banner at this show in 1989, 1990, 1992 and 2005. He has shown at Madison and had Grand Champion in Louisville in 2004 with Lew-Lin Highlight Hotstuff. Clark owns part of Quality Ridge Stormi Hazel who was Intermediate Champion at World Dairy Expo in 2006.
In 1999, Clark became involved in Raydongeo Farm in Hampton, CT, purchasing the farm in 2000. Wood Hill Farm evolved from this purchase with Allan Cahill as a partner. Since then Wood Hill has developed from a 150 cow herd to a 300 cow herd with facility renovations which include a slatted floor barn.
In 2006, it was time for another dispersal but before that materialized, Doug Nelson came down and bought 80 head including Drhm Patty, Maple Syrup, Gilda and Hotstuff. Clark kept the heifers which are the foundation of the 2007 herd along with group purchases of young cows from Howard Binder and Amerada Holsteins, Jim and Krisanne Koebke. Clark has continued to make select purchases from outstanding cow families including Alicia, Roxy and Elegance. His intent is to have a small select herd and he is currently milking 55 cows with son, Clark. He has also started a flush program in partnership with their veterinarian, Kevin Lindell.
And not to forget, the family…Clark and Lois have three children, Clark who is on the farm and getting married in October; Anne and her husband, Luke, who teaches school, Lauren who is currently working on her masters in social work and to round out the family, one grandson, Noah, 9 months.