LITCHFIELD, Conn. -- The Visions of Veronica Sale was simultaneously a celebration. Several hundred people were in attendance with some coming to bid and others just wanting to be a part of history.
History is what Veronica is all about. She has “written” the book and is still not done. Now 10 years old and classified EX-97, she has over 90 offspring worldwide and 15 sons in active A.I. She stood as supreme champion of both the World  Dairy Expo and All American Dairy Show in 2006 and as recently as this past spring was reserve grand champion of the New York Spring Show. At 10 years of age! She’s revered as one of the greatest cows that ever lived, regardless of breed.
The sale catalog told the story. Unlike most sale catalogs, this one had the first 20 ages devoted to the history Veronica has made and the legend she has become. Filled with pictures and letters from her admirers, the full-color pages were a tribute to the cow that had earned the respect of people across North America and around the world.
“We felt the need to do something special in her honor,” noted Arethusa Farm Manager Terri Packard. “Planning this celebration has been a true labor of love for everyone involved. She (Veronica) has been a true blessing in our lives.”
Russell Gammon from Jersey Canada, had the honor of introducing Veronica to the estimated 200 people seated under the tent and upon doing so asked people to rise.
“How wonderful to bring together Canadians and Americans between July 1st -- Canada Day and July 4th -- Independence Day here at Arethusa. Terri is to be commended for hanging Canadian and USA flags over Veronica's stall.
“Veronica was born in September of 1999 at Huronia Farm in the village of Auburn in Western Ontario. The farm is owned by the Armstrong Family and it is so great that Fred and Ruth are here today to be part of celebrating this cow! Veronica's dam is owned with Murray and Pat Mellow of the former Kenkare Jerseys in Bolton, Ontario. Six months after Veronica was born Fred and Ruth were honored with Jersey Canada's Master Breeder award.
“Early in life Veronica went to live with the Brian and Donna Sayles Family at Bridon Farms near Paris, Ontario. Brian was Jersey Canada's 1986 Master Breeder recipient. A couple of years later Veronica became American. All of her life she has been cared for and managed and developed by highly talented cattle men and women.
“Today we are neither Canadian or American or even North American but simply dairy people who love great cows regardless of breed and enjoy being with each other. And in truth this great cow in front of us is why we are here today.
“Yes, Veronica is sired by Sooner Centurion bred in Alabama and proven by Select Sires. And yes, her maternal line has been developed in Canada for over 50 years. Veronica's sixth dam Belmont Jester Virginia was born in 1958 in Union City, Michigan. So yes, she is a North American Jersey!
“The six dams behind her and Veronica have a total of 54 lactations to date or an average of almost 8 lactations each. They have been high testers. Six of the seven cows are scored Excellent and all have multiple Excellent daughters. Over the years the Wick and then Kaehli families at Swissbell and then the Warwicks at genesis (Yes, lower case g genesis) and then Armstrongs and Mellows have developed this family.
“In composite this cow has done what no other cow in history has ever done:
• High production records with high test for the breed and industry
• Twice supreme champion All American Dairy Show
• Once supreme champion World Dairy Expo and once reserve supreme champion
• Three times grand champion Jersey and twice reserve at World Dairy Expo
• U.S. national grand champion Jersey
• Twice grand at New York Spring Show and once reserve
• 17 Excellent daughters and over a dozen Very Good daughters
“Tony Yurgaitis, one of the owners of Veronica and Arethusa Farm, hit on exactly the one word which perfectly defines Veronica and her impact on the breed and the industry: Timeless!
“As much as Fred Armstrong likes the Huronia in her name and Select Sires like the Centurion in her name she is known the world over, with close relatives on at least four continents, as simply: Veronica!
“When royalty enters a room it is appropriate to rise therefore I would ask that you "all rise" and recognize Veronica with the adoration she so much deserves.”
Topping the sale was South Mountain Voltage Spice-ET, a 2-year old out of South Mountain Santana (EX-92) and sired by Elliotts Golden Voltage-ET, a son of Veronica. Ben Sauder of River Valley Dairy in Illinois took her home for $25,000.
Arethusa Action Dominique, a yearling that topped her class at the New York Spring Show, was the high selling heifer of the sale. The gavel fell at $22,000 with Greg Mortson of Canada having the winning bid.
Arethusa Veronica’s Dasher-ET, an Excellent 4-year old, was the choice of Jon Prokop of Middleburgh, N.Y. Sired by Piedmont Nadine Furor, she sold for $15,000.