Holstein Association honors breeders for excellence in 2025
Holstein Association USA has released its 2025 Top Breed Age Average (BAA%) lists, recognizing outstanding Registered Holstein breeders across the country. These lists highlight herds that participate in the association’s classification program and demonstrate consistent excellence in dairy cattle quality.
“By factoring in age and stage of lactation, Breed Age Average (BAA) values help provide a fair comparison across all animals,” says Amy Fletcher, Senior Manager of Classification Operations. “Congratulations to all Registered Holstein breeders earning a spot on the Top BAA lists—an outstanding accomplishment.”
Breed Age Average values are calculated by adjusting scores based on the age and stage of lactation of cows, allowing for fair comparisons across herds. According to Amy Fletcher, Senior Manager of Classification Operations, BAA helps evaluate animals accurately while accounting for biological differences. She congratulated all breeders who earned recognition, calling it a significant achievement.
To qualify for a whole herd BAA score, herds must include at least ten cows and participate in either the Classic or Standard classification options. In 2025, a total of 878 herds met the eligibility requirements. On average, each herd included 66 cows in the calculation, with an overall average BAA score of 108.3 percent.
Leading the nation in 2025 was Matthew T. Mitchell of Tennessee, who earned the highest overall BAA score of 116.4. Other top five honorees included Jeffrey Jet Butler of Illinois with a BAA of 115.9 and Juniper Farm Inc. of Maine with a score of 115.6.
Three herds tied with a BAA of 115.5, including Triple-T Holsteins of Ohio, Milk Source LLC of Wisconsin, and Currie Holsteins of New York. These results reflect strong genetic programs, careful herd management, and long term commitment to quality improvement.
Holstein Association USA also released additional rankings, including the Overall Top 200 BAA Herds, Top 25 Herds by Herd Size, and Top 10 BAA Herds for Colleges and Universities. These lists are available on the association’s website.
The BAA recognition program continues to highlight the dedication of dairy producers who invest in genetics, animal care, and performance standards. Holstein Association USA congratulated all recognized herds for their success and contribution to the dairy industry.
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