Brigeen Farms produces record-breaking dairy cow in Turner

By Bev Rand
Special to the Pioneer Times
    The Briggs family began farming these farms in Turner, Maine in 1775. It is the ninth and tenth generation operating the farm today, father and wife, daughter and her husband and the second daughter.
Contributed photo
    The author, Bev Rand, of Sherman, poses with a young member of the well-known Briggs family and their record-setting dairy cow at the Brigeen Farm in Turner.
    The first Mr. Briggs that I know about milked cows for a living along with dealing with them. As his son grew old enough to take an interest, he did not like selling off the good milking cows. Hugh (Bill) Briggs III became the next operator. His father was a dealer in cows and brought anything that looked like a milking cow. Bill, however, when ever he had any money, which was might scarce in the years of the early 40’s, would buy a register Holstein. At this time he took on the farm and named it Brigeen and started promoting Holsteins.
    Bill married Alice Prince in 1941 and raised six children on the farm. They were involved with the Holstein breed at an early age as all of the children were in a 4-H Club with a calf as one of their projects. In 4-H showing cattle was a major part in the 4-H program. Bill was very supportive of this and carried showing cattle in his own herd. He believed it was a good way to promote the breed and show the importance of a good type. In 1959, he trucked his ROSA cow to Chicago and showed her in an International Dairy Show. In this stiff competition, she took first place for 5-year-olds. Bill developed many other marketing and sales techniques that are practiced and use in the purebred industry. These reasons and his enthusiasm for the breed he was awarded the dairy Shiner’s award in March 2004.
    Next cam Bill’s oldest son, Steve and his wife Mary to operate the farm. Both are excellent cow people and dedicate to the breeding of excellent cattle. So much so that they went to a Distinguish cattle breeder, Bob Miller of Orangeville, Ill. There they brought into the famous Roxie family. They had difficult times for awhile in making the farm run economically.
    Along came the next generations of Betsey and her husband along with sister Vivian. Katie, the other sister, chose to stay in California and worked for the Holstein Association. Bill’s philosophy “Grower or go home” which they did – grow. From a 100-cow milking herd to a 450 milking herd with above average in milk production. They are also focusing on breeding cow families.
    Planning went on for a year to have a Brigeen Blast, a pure breed cattle sale of the highest caliber. They would feature but not sell their Grand Champion Brigeen Convincer Rhonda (EX.95) at 4-40 2×365 66,420 4.3 2839 which is the first in Milk Production and protein in the United States. Her 2-year-old granddaughter sold at this sale topped the sale record of $123,000 and her 4-month-old calf sold for $8,000.
    The 2-year-old was brought by Quebec Canada dairyman. Now the calf has a new home in Michigan. Ten of the cattle that was sold at this sale were sold to buyers in California. This all indicates a high appreciation of Maine bred Holsteins. Championship in national completion have been won, first in national milk production has been established by Holstein from a Maine Farm.