Big Time Genetics

  • Owned Laura Holtzinger and Matt Linehan
  • River Falls Wis.
  • of Jerseys: 20 cows and 20 heifers
  • of other dairy cattle breeds: 13 cows and 15 heifers including Holstein, red and white Holsteins, and an All American nominated Milking Shorthorn

Matt Linehan is originally from River Falls, Wis., and while working only left for an elite dairy sale near Syracuse, N.Y. in March 2016, he met Laura Holtzinger. She was originally from Pennsylvania, but not long after falling in love with Matt less than a year into meeting she decided move herself and her herd to be with Matt in River Falls. With both halves of the herd already having high quality cows, their herd is now appraised  exclusively Excellent and Very Good. Matt and Laura are so thankful for the breed, the people they have met, lessons and skills they have learned, and of course for creating the “dairytale” of how they got together.

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A recent success story occurred during appraisal last August. They had a dam and a daughter standing side by side. While being appraised, the daughter was complimented on her beautiful and smoothly blending fore udder. After the compliment, the appraiser looked at the mother. One of his notes was that he wished she had the trait that was found on the daughter cow. This was a significant moment because breeding can be hard work, knowing when it pays off and the difference between dam and daughter is noticeable.

It is not possible to talk about success without mentioning the awards that have been earned by the herd. The team’s 2022 included three homebred All American nominations HolsteinEX94 2E Linehan Prin Fahrenheit-Red was HM All American Aged Cow. Her and her daughter were also HM All American Dam and Daughter. The farm’s milking Shorthorn, Big Time Ricochet Macarena, was also nominated.

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Linehan Jerseys- Big Time Genetics use the AJCA’s REAP Program for their registration, equity, appraisal, and performance. The success of their breeding relies on the bulls who have pedigrees they admire. The farm believes “When a bull is backed by a strong sire stack and incredible udders, you can’t go very wrong”. When it comes to evaluating their breeding, they focus on eliminating weaknesses and prioritize udder traits, high type, current feet and legs, and a pretty and functional frame and rump. They have a list of sires that have been influential in their herd including; River Valley Venus VIP-ET, KCJF Hired Magician, KCJF One in a Million, Tower Vine Prime Tequila, MM Victorious Frank-ET, Chilli action Colton-ET, St-Lo Nuance-ET, Rapid Bay Indiana Gentry-ET.

The farm is also proud of Broyden Tequila Vidalia who won Junior Champion of the Wisconsin Spring Spectacular, then finished second Milking Yearling at World Dairy Expo in 2014. Charlyn Tequila Ember is also part of the herd. She is significant because she was Reserve Junior Champion at New York Spring Show. With her new owners, she went on to win first at the North American Institutional Livestock Expo and second at the World Dairy Expo as a milking yearling, and max-scored as a two-year-old and three-year-old. There are big plans for these Jerseys in the near future.

There is always the need to top your last success, so the farm wants to continue breeding and developing their pedigree and high style show cattle. The farm is also ready for expansion. They are searching for a new location for their herd where they can pursue their dreams of marketing their own products, educate the public, and offer farm tours.