Justin Wolfe leads Ruby, one of Ovaltop Holstein’s Red and Whites.

Mike Wolfe sets up his cow in the show ring at the New York State Fair.

Wil Rumavizh, left, helped the Wolfe family tend their animals at the fair.

Heifers from Ovaltop Holsteins relax at the New York State Fair.

Justin Wolfe leads Ruby, one of Ovaltop Holstein’s Red and Whites.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The New York State Fair barn exhibit for Ovaltop Holsteins was certainly eye-catching, with a red bunting hung over 14 stalls. The farm deserves some praise for its longstanding work in the industry. Mike Wolfe, his brother Doug, and parents Howard and Virginia come from a considerable line of dairy farmers.

“The family’s been milking cows for a couple hundred years, continuously,” Mike Wolfe said. “Originally, they put milk in a can in cold water and got it to market. Obviously, it’s evolved from that. As far as I know, there’s never been a day a cow hasn’t been milked by our family for a couple hundred years.”

The family originally farmed in New Jersey. Three generations have been at the Richfield Springs, New York, location since 1977, and there are no plans to stop. They milk 85 head of purebred Black and White and Red and White register Holsteins, along with raising some cash crops, oats, hay and straw on 300 rented acres and 300 leased acres.

Mike Wolfe sets up his cow in the show ring at the New York State Fair.

Bringing animals to exhibit at the state fair has been a longstanding tradition for the Wolfe family. This year included nine cows and five heifers.

“We think it’s a good idea to be able to educate the public a little on where their food comes from,” Wolfe said. “The large majority of people don’t know. We enjoy participating in the fair. It helps make our cattle better.”

Showing one of the farm’s Red and Whites, Wolfe was named premiere exhibitor and premier breeder of Red and Whites. He also won premier breeder of the Black and White show.

When selecting a show cow, Wolfe looks for an animal that is “tall dairy with an extremely good udder.”

All of the Ovaltop cows receive the same high-quality, day-to-day treatment, unlike farms that maintain a separate barn of pampered show cows.

“The dairy barn is set up to take extremely good care of all of them,” Wolfe said.

But before a show, the show cows do receive some extra attention.

“There’s a fair amount of work that goes into keeping the animals clean, hooves trimmed and clipped,” Wolfe said. “You have to spend a little extra time with the ones going to the show.”

Heifers from Ovaltop Holsteins relax at the New York State Fair.

The whole herd enjoys rubber matting, cross-ventilation and high-quality feed. The tie stall barn also features four box stalls. The animals are pastured during the summer at night in rotated pastures.

Wolfe prides himself on his show cows fairly representing the rest of the herd.

Although dairy cattle generally do not mind handling as much as beef cattle, Wolfe prepares his show animals for the ring by practicing with a halter and walking them around.

“They’re all worked with and somewhat used to a halter,” he said. “They’re in one from about the time they’re born.”

The farm breeds their livestock for both breed soundness and profitability. The farm employs only one full-timer, and the family performs the rest of the work, producing milk for Wooster Creamery in Roxbury, New York.

With careful attention to hygiene protocols, the farm keeps its somatic cell count between 150,000 and 180,000.

To have another pair of hands on site for the fair, the Wolfes hired Wil Rumavizh, a family friend, to help out. Wolfe’s wife, Monica, and three children — Justin, 16; Alexis, 15; and Deanna, 11 — also helped.

Wil Rumavizh, left, helped the Wolfe family tend their animals at the fair.

The family also shows at the Spring Dairy Carousel in Hamburg, New York, and the National Junior Show in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

“It makes all the cattle better,” Wolfe said. “It keeps you on your toes for keeping feet trimmed and taking the very best care of them you can. You could get lazy if you don’t go to the show and not take the time to trim hooves and clip them.”

He encourages people new to showing, “Don’t get frustrated. Everyone who goes to the fair brings the best. All the cattle there are very good from first to last. If you’re last, you should be proud of what you have because it’s a very good animal.”

Scootin’ Thru Farm shows Hereford beef at county fairs across North America as a good way to promote its beef business.

Angus, Charolais and Herefords continue to dominate the beef world, but unusual breeds, like Highland, are gaining popularity.

Erica Gansz believes that involving her daughter, Madeline Wunder, in showing livestock helps keep the family connected to agriculture.

Larry and Jeanette Lake of Lyons, New York, take pride in their grandchildren's livestock showing success. 

A Milking Shorthorn cow named Dream decided to go into labor with her calf before her due date at the Allentown Fair.

Lexie Casner set the record for winning overall showman in five species categories at the 2022 Mifflin County Youth Fair and was named fair queen.

The family behind Byma Dairy enjoys being able to show off what small farms can still do. 

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