Maine Dairy Industry makes awards to prominent farmers

SKOWHEGAN — Three Dairy Shrine awards were presented at the 1991 Maine Dairy Shrine Awards in Waterville on March 13. The presentations were made by Judith Bailey, assistant vice president of the University of Maine, and Gary Anderson of the Extension Service. Recipients were selected by their peers, the directors of the Maine Dairy Industry Association.

Honored as Maine Dairy Cattle Breeder was Michael Wilson of Wilsondale Farms in Gray. Wilsondale Farms has been premier breeder 14 times at the State Dairy Show and has exhibited winners at the Eastern States Exposition.

The herd is 95 percent home bred and ranks 32nd in the nation on the breed age average for its type. Wilson has served several years on the Pine Tree Holstein show and sale committees and was a delegate to three national conventions. The Wilsons are strong supporters of 4-H dairy youth work and promote dairy cattle.

Embryo transplants are sold worldwide with most sales to the United Kingdom and Germany.

Colby and Lois Whitcomb of Springdale Farms in Waldo were named Industry Leader Award recipients. The Whitcombs have been innovative for introducing technological advances over the years such as the use of no-till corn and sod seedings.

The Maine Dairy Pioneer Award which is awarded posthumously was presented in the name of Bane Higgins of Winslow, and was accepted by his wife Laura.

Bane and Laura Higgins operated the Willowglen Farm. The Higgins herd has been one of the top herds in Kennebec County. He was active in many farm organizations but he is best known for his work with the Kennebec Soil and Water Conservation District.