DeForest Junior Wins ’25 Pot O’Gold Production Contest

Each year, a percentage of the sale’s gross—ranging from 17% to 25%—is set aside and held for three years. The fund is then distributed as cash awards to the youth whose heifers achieve the highest dollar value production records, recognizing both the quality of the genetics and the dedication of the young breeders.

On November 4, 2022, the 65th program offered 23 heifers to juniors in the Pot O’Gold Sale in Louisville, Ky. From the sale of those heifers, $12,945.50 was set aside 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 parents and have a Data Collection Rating (DCR) of 85 or higher for protein. Loss, death, or transfer of ownership of any purchase before the record is complete eliminates the heifer from competition.

This year, 19 of the entries met the qualifications to compete in the 2025 edition of the contest. The records had an average m.e. of 22,443–1,175–838 and an average value of $6,114.10.

Taking this year’s contest by storm was Paisley Kessenich from DeForest, Wis., with her entry, JX Avi Lanche Archie Diane {6}. In her first lactation, the daughter of JX Jer Bel Maldini Archie {5}-ET, GJPI +66, produced a record with a value of $8,048.64 to win the contest. Paisley will receive a cash prize of $2,439.99.

“Diane {6}” calved in early-April 2024 at 2-1 and had an impressive test of 66 lbs. at just 15 days fresh. She peaked on her fifth test with 91 lbs. of milk and was still averaging 60 lbs. per day at 329 days in milk. She completed a 305-day record of 21,192 lbs. milk, 1,284 lbs. fat and 824 lbs. protein with an m.e. of 26,616–1,606–1,045.

“Diane {6}” was appraised Very Good-84% for Paisely at 2-5. She is managed with the milking herd at Kessenich Farms LLC, an operation owned by Paisely’s father, Wade, and his family.

Paisley purchased “Diane {6}” from Sophia Larson in the sale for $3,500. Sophia had purchased her dam, JX Avi-Lanche Jiggy Dede 31144 {5}, Very Good-83%, in the 2021 Pot O’Gold Sale.

A familiar face in the Pot O’Gold Production Contest, Sara Bok of Defiance, Ohio, was back to compete for 2025. Her entry, MM Popcorn Shelby 17874-P-ET, earned second place laurels with her record valued at $7,260.38. She will receive a check for $1,558.88.

“Shelby 17874-P” had a promising start from the time she calved in June 2023. On her first test at 73 days in milk, she gave 68 lbs. and later peaked at 185 days in milk with a test of 89.4 lbs. She completed an actual record of 20,860 lbs. milk, 945 lbs. fat and 725 lbs protein. The m.e. on the record is 29,583–1,346–1,034.

Sired by Pine-Tree Popcorn-PP-ET, GJPI +63, she is appraised Very Good-84%. Her grandam, Rog-Al Chrome Shelby, Excellent-90%, ranked on the top genetic lists sale day and today has a GJPI of +97. She has a top record of 2-11 305 23,020 5.5% 1,255 3.8% 869 97DCR. The consignor of “Shelby 17874-P”, Misty Meadow Dairy of Tillamook, Ore., purchased “Chrome Shelby” at the 2019 All American Jersey Sale and enrolled her in their donor dam program. She has 67 registered progeny to date.

Sara purchased “Shelby 17874-P” for $4,250.

Ranking third in the contest was H&S Castro Velvet for her owners Reagan Tompkins and Madeline Branch of Ennice, N.C. They purchased the heifer from the H&S Partners in Reynoldsburg, Ohio, for $3,800 and will receive a check for $1,084.44.

“Velvet” began her first lactation at 1-10 with an actual production record of 19,246 lbs. milk, 938 lbs. fat and 693 lbs. protein. The m.e. on the record was 27,714–1,313–970. She peaked on her second test with 73 lbs. of milk at 86 days fresh.

Reagan and Madeline were able to build a foundation for their herd with the birth of “Velvet’s” daughter, NC-MTN Velvet Overalls. This legacy includes a legend in the Jersey breed, as her great-grandam is Oakfield TBone Vivianne-ET, Excellent-96%. “Vivianne” produced over 200,000 lbs. of milk in just 6 ½ lactations and has a long list of daughters and granddaughters that continue both compete in the show ring and provide in the milking string.

Renee Bok, also of Defiance, Ohio, and Sara’s sister, ranked fourth with Evans Farm Caliban April. She made a first lactation record with a value of $6,687.64. Renee will receive a cash prize of $881.11.

“April” peaked at 128 days in milk with a test of 84 lbs. She completed a 1-11 record of 21,388 lbs. milk, 929 lbs. fat and 722 lbs. protein, with an m.e. of 28,731–1,221–962. “April” rewarded Renee with a heifer calf sired by River Valley Thrasher Midway-ET, GJPI +157.

“April” settled on her first service and calved again almost exactly a year later at 2-11. During that lactation, she earned an appraisal score of Very Good-81%. Even more exciting, “April” recently started her third lactation.

Both Sara and Renee’s animals are managed at Bok’s Jersey Farm, an operation owned and operated by their grandparents, mother and uncle.

Placing fifth in the Pot O’Gold Production Contest is another DeForest junior—and winner Paisley’s cousin—Ava Hebgen with her entry, JX Primus Tucker Carly 60832 {6}-ET. “Carly 60832 {6}” is also managed within the herd at Kessenich Farms, LLC. She produced a 1-8 record with a value of $6,681.66 which will award Ava a check for $813.33.

After calving with twin heifers sired by River Valley Tucker Maverick-ET, GJPI +81, “Carly 60832 {6}” completed an actual first lactation of 19,380 lbs. milk, 1,134 lbs. fat and 698 lbs. protein. The m.e. of the record is 22,758–1,342–842. In her first lactation, she peaked at an impressive 103 lbs. milk at 58 days fresh.

She is appraised Very Good-85% and has added two more heifers to Ava’s herd by natural calf and embryo transfer sired by JX CDF JLS Pilgrim Thrasher {6}-ET, GJPI +169, and Ahlem Dimitri Seismic-PP-ET, GJPI +90.

Ava purchased “Carly 60832 {6}” from Jerseyland Sires, Hilmar, Calif., for $4,100.

Other juniors being recognized in the 2025 Pot O’Gold Production Contest are Henry Dizek, Hadley, Mass.; Brenden Haywood, Hastings, Mich.; Kamryn Kasbergen, Tulare, Calif.; Ava and Ella Hughes, Rio, Wis.; Colton Haywood, Hastings, Mich.; Ivy Jo Hebgen, DeForest, Wis.; Nathan Knapp, Larchwood, Iowa; Jack Barlass, Janesville, Wis.; Clayton Kirchdoerfer, Cape Girardeau, Mo.; Kate Kasbergen, Tulare, Calif.; Elaina Hodge, Norwich, Ohio; Olivia Cast, Beaver Crossing, Neb.; Jason King, Fremont, Ohio; Madline Branch, Mount Airy, N.C.; and Noelle and Emma Vos, Maribel, Wis.

The 68th Pot O’Gold Sale is scheduled for November 8, 2025, in Louisville. The animals purchased from this sale will complete in the 2028 Pot O’Gold Production Contest. The sale will begin at 1:00 p.m.