Boonsboro

Kueffner Holsteins and Jerseys is the combined effort of Ernie Kueffner and Terri Packard. Our focus has always been on cattle care, with a goal of breeding and developing superior Holsteins and Jerseys. Many of our cows became well-known through show ring success. Since marketing nationally and internationally is a priority, we feel the combination of deep-pedigreed show families and outstanding index breeding offers something for every potential buyer.

Our 48-acre farm is located in a very historic area of Western Maryland. The house and barn were built in the 1830’s prior to the Civil War; the farm is only six miles from Antietam National Battlefield, the site of the deadliest battle of the Civil War. It is said that the house was one of several homes in the area used as a Civil War hospital.

The Boonsboro barn was remodeled to include four large box stalls and eight tie stalls. Currently, the barn houses dry donor cows that are involved in the IVF program at the TransOva facility in Sharpsburg – only 15 minutes away. Pregnant heifers also make use of the pastures when the pens are crowded in Connecticut. It is not unusual to see a group of Jersey heifers in the front pasture during the summer months.

Accomplishments

Over the years, our cattle have garnered numerous awards in the show ring. Five accomplishments stand-out above the rest:

1. Ernie was the first exhibitor to receive Supreme Champion honors in two different breeds at World Dairy Expo (1996 Jersey and 2001 Holstein). Under our management, Arethusa Farm equaled that feat (2004 Holstein and 2006 Jersey).
2. He is the only person to exhibit the champion cow in three different breeds at The Royal Winter Fair (1997 Jersey, 1999 Brown Swiss and 2001 Holstein).
3. In the 85-year history of The Royal, no other US exhibitor has ever shown both the Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion Holstein (2001).
4. Ernie owned the World Champion and Reserve World Champion cows as voted by the readers of Holstein International in 2001.
5. In 2009, Ernie exhibited the All-American Produce of Dam in both the Holsteins AND Jerseys. And they are daughters of Expo Supreme Champions – Ashlyn and Veronica! He also bred the All-American Holstein Senior Best Three Females.

We have had the honor to own some of the best-known “show cows” in the business. Ashlyn, Tina and Veronica are household names to breeders around the world. The biggest thrill for us is that they are proving to be tremendous brood cows that will have an impact on their breed for generations to come. We are now working with second, third and fourth generation offspring from these great cows and watching them develop is very fulfilling.

As long as we own registered cattle, no matter the location, our focus will be on cattle care. A sign hangs in the barn in Boonsboro that reads “Every cow in this barn is a lady, please treat her as such.” We took this philosophy with us to Arethusa Farm and now that same line greets visitors as they enter the milk barn. In order to be successful in the dairy business, whether showing, marketing or selling milk, the cows have to come first.

Ernie Wins Dairy Shrine 2022 Distinguished Dairy Cattle Breeder Award - Read Article

 

Philosophy

The breeding philosophy at Kueffner Holsteins is based on improving the faults of the individual while maintaining the positive type traits that exist.

Ernie likes to see several milking daughters of a bull before deciding to use him on certain cows. Matings are based on type evaluations with little regard for production indexes.

Ernie believes in breeding for type and feeding for production. Our show cattle are legitimate milk cows as evidenced by the production records in their pedigrees and the number of production awards they receive in the show ring each year.

Pedigrees and cow families are of utmost importance at Kueffner Holsteins.

When looking at cattle to purchase, Ernie is only interested in those with strong cow families.

When looking at a cow's future, Ernie knows that her value in the show ring and her ability to market offspring is totally dependent on her development.

A cow's pedigree plays a major role in her potential for developing into an outstanding individual. When it comes to the bottom line, pedigrees are essential for marketing. You must be able to sell sons, daughters, and embryos in order to make a return on your investment.