The New England Green Pastures Committee has announced its selection of Jerry and Mary Smith’s Smithson Holsteins in North Brookfield as the 2005 Outstanding Dairy Farm. The Smiths will be honored at an awards banquet to be held in conjunction with the Big E on September 16 along with the honorees from the other New England States. The Green Pastures Award Program is in its 57th year and recognizes outstanding dairy farm management, forage crop management, and leadership in the industry.
Located in the picturesque hills of Worcester County, the farm is celebrating this year its 80th year in business. Jerry Smith is the sixth generation to farm the property and his parents Vern and Sally still help out on the farm.
The Smiths pride themselves on their 100% homebred registered Holstein herd which originates from one foundation cow family. The most recent classification resulted in a 110% BAA. Jerry and Mary milk 34 cows that average 23,000 pounds of milk and raise 25 replacement heifers. One of their cows, Smithson Odin Raisinette (3E-94) still holds the Massachusetts state record for milk, she produced at 6-10 2x 365D 43,370M 1415F 1263P.
Jerry is the past President of the Massachusetts Holstein Association, the Massachusetts Purebred Dairy Cattle Association and a former 4-H dairy project leader. The Smiths have provided many 4-H youth with calves to use as their heifer project. At the recent National Holstein Convention, Jerry and Mary bred the Junior Champion Youth Heifer – Smithson Rubens Fashion. The future looks bright at Smithson Holsteins, Jerry and Mary’s oldest granddaughter Lexie has started showing her heifer at youth shows.
The cropping system consists of rotational grazing, alfalfa hay and corn silage. The Smiths take pride in their farm operation and are well deserving of this award.