News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Saturday, October 8, 2011
CONTACT: JANET KELLER, 608-224-6455
OR VIA EMAIL AT: jkeller@wdexpo.com
LARRY KRUSE WINS A.C. “WHITIE” THOMSON MEMORIAL AWARD
MADISON, WISCONSIN – Larry Kruse, Petersburg, Iowa, received the 2011 A.C. “Whitie” Thomson Memorial Award presented by the Whitie Thomson family during the 45th World Dairy Expo. The award honors the herdsman/showman who exhibits the exemplary leadership and sportsmanship throughout the show. Kruse was selected because of the manner in which he treats his fellow Expo exhibitors with friendliness and integrity, resembles that of Whitie Thomson.
Kruse, his wife Julie, and son Rick, own Kruse Swiss Farm, located near Petersbug, Iowa and own 44 Brown Swiss cows and 50 head of replacements. The herd average is 19,953 pounds of milk with 4.2%fat and 3.4% protein. Several donor cows are in the permanent flush program. The majority of embryos are sold with the remainder implanted in their own stock.
Larry began showing at the World Dairy Expo in 1974. More than one 100 animals from their herd have been represented at World Dairy Expo over the past decades. Besides four Grand Champion Brown Swiss titles, they have numerous other show victories and All-Americans. Larry’s earned the Premier Breeder award in 2005.
Larry’s showing accomplishments include Grand Champion of the World Dairy Expo National Brown Swiss Show in 1980 and 1981 with Kruse’s Beautician Vixie and then again in 1993 and 1995 with Kruse’s GK Jade Fantasy Vix ET, They are the only mother/daughter duo ever to be Grand Champion of any breed at World Dairy Expo. Larry has also bred four 94 point cows including Fantasy Vix and Kruses Jetway Fashion ET…the only mother/daughter 94 point cows in the Brown Swiss breed.
This year’s honoree has had a love for the Brown Swiss breed since his first cow was purchased in 1969, which evolved to his showing and judging cattle. This passion can be found in his years of judging cattle across the world and includes Brazil, Austria, Mexico and the Dominican Republic. He has also judged many national, state and 4-H shows.
Larry served on the National Brown Swiss Association board of directors for six years and is now a volunteer coordinator for the Brown Swiss “Progressive Sires” program. Larry has also bred many breed-influencing sires, most recently Kruse’s Jade Vision.
His dedication to dairy cattle is only matched by his dedication to his wife and seven children. Loras and Julie, Gary and Karen, Peg and Mike, Joe and Wendy, Lisa and Carl, Daryl and Robin and Rick. The family that also includes 17 grandchildren and one great grandchild contribute in some way to the dairy operation and showing. Larry is also very active in his community and church.
Larry Kruse’s concern for youth and fellow exhibitors, and the quality care afforded his animals has earned Larry Kruse the 2011 A.C. “Whitie” Thompson Memorial Award.
World Dairy Expo is a global dairy focused event that features over 2,400 head of the most elite dairy cattle in North America, a large commercial trade show, educational seminars and dairy-related contests. Visit www.worlddairyexpo.com for more details or call 608-224-9275.