On The Tanbark

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The farmstead where Hardys Holsteins calls home in Tipton, MI was the homestead of Ezara Simmons, Gregg’s great- great grandfather in 1831. The farm has been continually operated by the same family for 187 years with various agricultural enterprises from Percheron show horses to Suffock sheep to Hampshire hogs and since 1961 Registered Holstein dairy cattle.  Hardys Holsteins had a meager beginning in 1961 with the purchase of a single registered Holstein calf named Len-Dor Rainbow Canary Etta as a 4-H project for the sum of $170. From the point forward a passion for breeding registered Holstein cattle was born and continues today.  Over the years a countless number of friends and acquaintances have contributed to the success of the breeding herd including well know people such as Kent Mattson and Gene Vesley of ELV Apache Ranch, Ted Kruger (Curtiss breeding), Dick Chichester (Select Sires), Dr. Gerri Snyder, Bertram Stewart, Lowell Lindsey, Peter Heffering, Tom Morris, David Bachmann and countless less known leaders that helped us including Norman Ries (4-H leader), Richard Platt (Paragon Farms), Jim Lewis and Willard Behm (Eng-Amer Farms – Shelley’s father) to name a few. These great mentors along with partners and fitters such as Martin Unholzer, Bobby Binger, Jeff Stookey, Tim Kern and Heath & Terry Peenick, Pat Conroy, & Matt Oechsle have all made the business exciting, rewarding and memorable.  

Among the herds accomplishments are a number of show winners including past “greats” as Astro Jet Heather, Astro Jet Kay, Inspiration Tina and Counselor Pixie.  And now after a lengthy hiatus from the tanbark some stars have been added to the books such as Geno Goldwyn Lili (Nom. All-American & All-Canadian 2008), Whitaker Stormy Rae (Nom. All-American & All-Canadian), Hardy's Durham Dolly (Nom. Jr. All-American), Hardys Goldwyn Destiny (Nom. Jr. AA and AA, Supreme Champion Michigan State Shows several times, Supreme Champion World Dairy Expo Futurity), Stanhope Leah Goldwyn (Ex 94 - Honorable Mention Int. Champ. Royal)  Budjon-JK Sid Elyssa (EX 94- Supreme Jr. Champion Ohio Spring Show, Supreme Jr. Champion New York Spring Show and HM Grand Champion Open Show)  Hardys Holsteins have made contributions to A.I. genetics with bulls like Hardys Starwars. 

Today we continue to strive for success as we continue to develop our herd of deep pedigreed cattle.