Fischer Wins ’26 Pot O’Gold Production Contest
In 1958, visionary Registered Jersey breeders in the United States launched the Pot O’Gold Sale, a groundbreaking program created exclusively for youth ages 7 to 20. The sale gave young dairy enthusiasts the opportunity to purchase genetically superior heifers from some of the nation’s leading Jersey herds.
The name Pot O’Gold reflects a unique fund established to reward junior participants. Each year, 7% to 25% of the sale’s gross proceeds are set aside and held for three years before being distributed as cash awards to the youth whose heifers achieve the highest dollar-value production records.
The program celebrates both outstanding Jersey genetics and the dedication of the young people who develop them. More than six decades later, the Pot O’Gold Sale and Production Contest continues to invest in the next generation of Jersey breeders while promoting quality genetics and youth involvement in the dairy industry.
On November 3, 2023, the 66th program offered 24 heifers to juniors in the Pot O’Gold Sale in Louisville, Ky. From the sale of those heifers, $10,786.50, plus the proceeds from a heifer consigned by Buster Goff, Hobbs, N.M., brought the pot total to $12,498.50 to pay out this year’s contest.
It will be distributed as follows: first prize, 18%; second, 11.5%; third, 8%; fourth, 6.5%; fifth, 6%; sixth, 5.5%; seventh, 5%; eighth, 4.5%; ninth and 10th, 4%; 11th-13th, 3%; 14th-16th, 2.5% each; 17th-19th, 2.0%; and 20th-22nd, 1.5%.
To qualify for competition in the Pot O’Gold Production Contest, heifers must calve before they reach 30 months of age, be tested in a DHI herd owned by the purchaser or his or her family and have a Data Collection Rating (DCR) of 90 or higher for protein. Loss, death, or transfer of ownership of any purchase before the record is completed eliminates the heifer from competition.
In 2026, 23 entries met the qualifications to compete in the contest. The records had an average m.e. of 22,193–1,171–850 and an average value of $5,611.55.
The Pot O’Gold program is ultimately about more than genetics—it’s about giving young breeders an opportunity and watching what they do with it.
In 2026, that opportunity paid off for Hailey Fischer, Cecil, Wis., whose purchase, Kash-In Heritage 69287-ET, topped the contest with a first lactation record with a value of $7,080.69.
“Heritage” calved in early-April 2024 at 1-9 and had an impressive test of 71 lbs. at just 28 days fresh. She peaked on her second and fifth tests with 86 lbs. of milk.
“Heritage” completed a 287-day record of 20,670 lbs. milk, 1,037 lbs. fat and 798 lbs. protein with an m.e. of 28,669-1,422-1,116.
“Heritage” was appraised Very Good-84% for Fischer at 2-00. She is managed with the milking herd at Milk-n-More Farms and Harvesting, a dairy operation owned by Fischer’s aunt and uncle, Ron and Nicolle Wussow. “Heritage” has rewarded Fischer with two heifer calves to act as the foundation of her Registered Jersey herd.
Fischer purchased “Heritage” from Kash-In Jerseys, Tulare, Calif., in the 2023 Pot O’Gold Sale for $2,800. “Heritage” is a daughter of Kash-In Dazzler Jenny-ET, Excellent-93%. “Jenny” has been a prolific donor dam for the Kasbergen family, as “Heritage” is a maternal sister to JX Kash-In Got Jiggy {6}-ET, GJPI +95, at ST Genetics, among many other standout individuals.
Fischer will be receiving a cash prize of $2,249.73 for winning the contest.
Taking home second place for the second year in a row in the Pot O’Gold Production Contest is Sara Jane Bok, Defiance, Ohio. Her entry, MM Nicklaus Liberty 22243-ET, produced a record valued at $6,847.86. She will receive a check for $1,437.33.
“Liberty 22243” had a promising start from the time she calved in November 2025. On her first test at 46 days in milk, she gave 72 lbs. and later peaked at 109 days in milk with a test of 78 lbs. She completed an actual record of 22,080 lbs. milk, 1,069 lbs. fat and 768 lbs protein. The m.e. on the record is 29,305-1,408-1,027.
Sired by Victory Thrasher Nicklaus-ET, GJPI +109, she is appraised Very Good-82%. She comes from a strong maternal line of cows bred by Misty Meadow Dairy of Tillamook, Ore. On the day of the sale, “Liberty 22243” had a sister on the top GJPI heifer list, as well as her dam, JX MM Dashiell Liberty 14162 {6}, Very Good-87%, GJPI +144, who was ranked high on her respective list.
Bok purchased “Liberty 22243” for $3,000 from the David and Rita Hogan family of Misty Meadow Dairy.
Placing third in the contest was Dutch Hollow Tucker Melody-ET for her owner, Jilliann Rejman of Scipio Center, N.Y. She purchased the heifer from Melanie F. Chittenden, Schodack Landing, N.Y., for $2,500 and will receive a check for $999.88.
“Melody” began her first lactation at 2-00 with an actual production record of 19,620 lbs. milk, 1,405 lbs. fat and 780 lbs. protein. The m.e. on the record was 21,396-1,598-891. She peaked on her first test with 76 lbs. of milk at 39 days fresh. Her lactation’s MCP dollar value was $3,737.23.
Sired by Rowleys 1996 Daniel Tucker {6}-ET, GJPI +72, “Melody” has a GJPI of +85 and was appraised Very Good-88% for Rejman at 3-08. She is the daughter of Dutch Hollow Chief Melba, Excellent-91%, who ranked on the top GJPI lists at the time of the sale. “Melba’s” last two lactations have each seen production levels of over 23,000 lbs. milk, 1,250 lbs. fat and 850 lbs. protein.
Emalee Neal Stock, Newton, Wis., ranked fourth with Ky-Hi HoleInOne Honestly. She made a first lactation record with a value of $6,515.63. Stock will receive prize winnings of $812.40.
“Honestly” peaked at 43 days in milk with a test of 83 lbs. She completed a 2-03 record of 18,920 lbs. milk, 1,105 lbs. fat and 801 lbs. protein, with an m.e. of 23,626–1,367–1,003. “Honestly” was appraised Very Good-83% at 2-08.
Stock purchased “Honestly” from Kylie Lehr of Ki-Hi Jerseys in Canastota, N.Y. She is sired by Victory S-S-I Miami HoleInOne-ET, GJPI +68, and is the daughter of Dutch Hollow Dashiell Honest, Very Good-87%. “Honest” was the winner of the 2023 Pot O’Gold Production Contest for Lehr.
Stock’s animals are managed at D&D Jerseys, an operation owned and operated by her parents, Donna Phillps and Dan Stock.
Placing fifth in the Pot O’Gold Production Contest is Renee Bok of Defiance, Ohio, and her entry, Bohnerts Nicklaus Bland. “Bland” produced a 1-8 record with a value of $6,487.02 which will award Bok with a check for $749.91.
After calving with a heifer calf by JX CDF JLS Pilgrim Thrasher {6}-ET, GJPI +161, in July 2024, “Bland” completed an actual first lactation of 18,980 lbs. milk, 980 lbs. fat and 691 lbs. protein. The m.e. of the record is 26,618–1,356–965. In her first lactation, she peaked at an impressive 92 lbs. milk at 120 days in milk.
Bok purchased “Bland” from Bohnert Jerseys in East Moline, Ill., for $2,3000.
Both Sara and Renee’s animals are managed at Bok’s Jersey Farm, an operation owned and operated by their grandparents, mother and uncle.
Other juniors being recognized in the 2026 Pot O’Gold Production Contest are Kenley and Paisley Kessenich, DeForest, Wis.; Tara Knapp, Larchwood, Iowa; Erica Knapp, Larchwood, Iowa; Kamryn Kasbergen, Tulare, Calif.; Kate Kasbergen, Tulare, Calif.; Sawyer Paul, Milton, Wis.; Tyler Bohnert, East Moline, Ill.; Natalie Hogan, Tillamook, Ore.; Hansen Parreira, Pixley, Calif.; Ava and Ivy Hebgen, DeForest, Wis.; Erica Neal Stock, Newton, Wis.; Harper VanZyverden, Niangua, Mo.; Sophia Larson, Reedsburg, Wis.; Brenden Haywood, Hastings, Mich.; Colton Haywood, Hastings, Mich.; Noelle and Owen Vos, Maribel, Wis.; and Kayley Herrin, Carriere, Miss.
The 69th Pot O’Gold Sale is scheduled for November 7, 2026, in Louisville at 1:00 p.m. The animals purchased will compete in the 2029 Pot O’Gold Production Contest.
