Brattleboro, Vermont (July 10, 2007)…Over 500 Junior Holstein members from across the country attended the 2007 National Holstein Convention, hosted by the Tennessee Junior Holstein Association. The week kicked off with the Dairy Jeopardy competition and concluded with the Junior Awards Banquet. Junior members participated in a wide variety of activities throughout the week, including contests and tours, and received awards from Holstein Association USA, Inc.
Elections to select new Junior Advisory Committee (JAC) representatives for Area I and Area III were held during the National Junior Forum on Tuesday, June 26. The newly elected youth committee members are: David Wilson, Port Royal, Pa., Area I, and Linda Behling, Fox Lake, Wis., Area III. Connie Kuber from Clovis, Calif. Was appointed the Area IV adult representative. The JAC consists of four youth and four adult members who represent areas across the nation. The committee serves as a liaison between the National Junior Holstein Association and its members, with the purpose of introducing and promoting new and existing Holstein youth programs.
The Prepared Public Speaking Contest gives youth the opportunity to take the stage and present a speech on a topic relating to Registered Holsteins and the dairy industry. This year, 45 Juniors participated in the contest. Winners in the Junior Division were: first place, Mandee Bloodworth, Ga., “Mastitis in the Holstein Dairy Cow”; second place, Elizabeth Davis, Md.; and third place, Bailee Whitehead, Mo. Winners in the Intermediate Division were: first place, Kevin Shaffer, Pa., “Is Your Milk Safe to Drink?”; second place, Carolyn Braun, N.Y.; and third place, Corbin Wood, Pa. Winners in the Senior Division were: first place, Sonja Galley, N.Y., “Bovine Somatotropin”; second place, Heidi Scapanski, Minn.; and third place, Jenna Smith, Pa.
All states competed in the same division for the annual state scrapbook contest's eighth year history. Twelve states entered, with first place awarded to Virginia, second place to North Carolina, third place, New York, fourth place, Missouri, and fifth place, Pennsylvania. State banners lined the hallway at the Knoxville Convention Center during National Junior Holstein Convention, proving that each state takes great pride in their Holstein activities. Twelve entries were received in this year's contest. The first place banner award went to California, second to Washington and third to Missouri.
This was the first year for the new Folding Display contest. Fourteen entries were proudly displayed the entire week of
 |
| (photo courtesy of the Holstein World) |
the Junior convention. Exhibits were judged on content, organization, neatness and originality. Monetary prizes were awarded for first through third place in three age divisions. Winners in the Junior Division were: first place, Devon Suiter, N.J., “What do Milk and Baseball Teams Have in Common”; second place, Rachel Scott, Iowa.; and third place, David Digivanni, Ohio. Winners in the Intermediate Division were: first place, Luke Rauen, Iowa, “National Junior Holstein Membership”; second place, Andrea Smaciarz, Wash.; and third place, Elizabeth Fienhold, Mo. Winners in the Senior Division were: first place, Matt Henkes, Iowa, “10 Reasons Not to Crossbreed”; and second place, Emily Achen, Minn.
“Kiss the Cow,” a fundraiser for the Holstein Foundation, raised over $500 to support youth programs. Each of the twelve Distinguished Junior Member (DJM) Semifinalists competed to collect the most money in their container. The DJM that raised the least amount of money had to kiss a cow at the Junior Awards Banquet. Tim Rauen, Farley, Iowa, raised the most money, bringing in a total of $182.00.
“The participation of the many Juniors during our annual convention shows that the excitement and energy of our nation's dairy youth is strong,” said Kelli Dunklee, Holstein Association's Youth Programs Specialist. “Each year, more youth get involved in the tremendous youth programs offered by the Holstein Association.
^ back to top ^
 |
| (photo courtesy of the Holstein World) |
Brattleboro, Vermont (July 10, 2007)…The National Holstein Women's Scholarship Organization has announced the 2007 recipients of their annual scholarships. Six scholarships totaling $7,500 were awarded to youth at the 2007 National Junior Holstein Convention in Knoxville, Tenn.
Seventeen applicants were interviewed and judged on their poise, knowledge of the dairy industry and involvement on their farm and in their community. The 2007 recipients are: Linda Behling, Fox Lake, Wis.; Ryan Haines, Taneytown, Md.; Greta Koebel, Three Oaks, Mich.; Lana Olson, Hutchinson, Minn; Hannah Smith, Clear Spring, Md. and Elizabeth Wagner, Pendelton, S.C.
^ back to top ^
Brattleboro, Vermont (July 10, 2007)…Holstein Association USA has recognized Junior Holstein members who own and breed exceptional Holstein animals. Presented at the National Junior Holstein Convention in Knoxville, Tenn., the awards reward and encourage Junior members to continue their excellent breeding programs.
The Breeder of an Excellent Cow award is presented to Junior members who have bred and owned a cow officially type classified “Excellent” on or after January 1, 2005. 2007 recipients are: Nathan Arnold, N.Y.; Jessica Berg, S.D.; Kevin Berg, S.D.; Riley Bricco, Wis.; Kristen Davenport, N.Y.; Megan DeHart, Penn.; Amber Elliott, Wis.; Casey George, Kan.; Emily Getty, N.Y.; Luke Getty, N.Y.; Greta Koebel, Mich.; Eric Lawrence, Pa.; Jacob Leach, Tenn.; Ashley Martin, Maine; Heidi Moff, Ohio; Kristin Natzke, Wis.; Kyle Natzke, Wis.; Shawn Nehls, Wis.; Tyler Nell, Pa.; Amanda Nelson, N.Y.; Travis Nelson, N.Y.; Daniel Puzo, Pa.; Malorie Rhoderick, Md.; Davis Schwartzbeck, Md.; Craig Slattery, Wis.; Callie Unruh, Kan.; Clayton Wood, Pa.; and Zakary Woodruff, N.Y.
The National Breeder of a Multiple “E” Excellent Cow Award was received by Junior members who have bred and owned a cow classified Multiple E “Excellent”. The breeders who received this award were: Thomas J. Ewing, Mo.; Kelly Lee, Wis.; Brenda Nelson, Minn.; Chris Potts, Va.; Kelly Reist, Penn.; Brent Schuler, Pa.; Amanda Shaffer, Pa.; and Zakary Woodruff, N.Y.
The National Progressive Breeder Award recognizes cattle bred by Junior members that meet high production and classification standards for her age group. A cow may qualify the breeder for a star on only one occasion. Every cow qualifying receives a star and an accumulation five stars or more over the Junior's career enables the member to be recognized at National Convention.
One star winners were: Emily Achen, Minn.; Jacob Achen, Minn.; Jessica Achen, Minn.; Charlene Barlieb, Pa.; Linda Behling, Wis.; Sean Brown, Wis.; Jessica Currie, N.Y.; Kayla Currie, N.Y.; Taylor Currie, N.Y.; Kristen Davenport, N.Y.; Annie Dell, Md.; Amber Elliott, Wis.; Jenna Fox, Pa.; Casey Gillis, N.Y.; Lana Goessling, Wis.; Kathryn Liskey, Va.; Gregory Lloyd, N.Y.; Jill McWilliams, Penn.; Zach Nell, Pa.; Anthony Sharp, Pa.; Kyle Shuey, Pa.; Riley Welker, N.Y.; Zack Welker, N.Y.; Steven Woodruff, N.Y.; Nicole Wright, Wis.; Alex Yager, Wis.; and Amber Yager, Wis.
Two star winners were: Brittany George, Kan.; Brett Hildebrandt, Wis.; Tera Koebel, Mich.; Laurel Moore, Md.; Megan Opperman, Ill.; Kathryn Osborne, Pan.; Mark Simon, Iowa; Jenna Smith, Pa.; Clayton Wohlk, Wis.; and Corbin Wood, Pa.
Three star winners were: Nathan Arnold, N.Y.; Brent Bricco, Wis.; Jordan London, Pa.; Tyler Nelson, N.Y.; and Jessica Rose, Pa.
Four star winners were: Thomas J. Ewing, Mo.; Ashley Martin, Maine; Amanda Nelson, N.Y.; Davis Schwartzbeck, Md.; Jason Troutman, Pa.; Bethany Wohlk, Wis.; Alyssa Yager, Wis.; and Hannah Young, N.Y.
Five star winners were: Sonja Galley, N.Y.; Eric Lawrence, Pa.; Kyle Natzke, Wis.; and Melissa Schuler, Pa.
Six star winners were: Rosemary Liskey, Va.; Brenda Nelson, Minn.; and Zakary Woodruff, N.Y.
Nine star winner was: Krysty Kepler, Wis.
Ten star winners were: Kristin Natzke, Wis. and Brent Schuler, Pa.
Eleven star winners were: Casey George, Kan.; Ava Koebel, Mich.; and David Wilson, Pa.
Fourteen star winner was Samantha Foster, Pa.
Sixteen star winner was: Greta Koebel, Mich.
The National 30,000 Pound Cow Award was received by youth members who own a cow producing over 30,000 pounds of milk in 305 days or less between the dates of May 2005 and May 2007. The cow must be under the ownership of the Junior member applying for the award during the entire milk record. This year's recipients are: Charlene Barlieb, Pa.; Robyn Betchel, Pa.; Brent Bricco, Wis; Jason Cooper, Pa.; Drew Duncan, Ohio; Neil Duncan, Ohio; Daniel Durfee, N.Y,; Samantha Foster, Pa.; Sean Galley, N.Y.; Sonja Galley, N.Y..; Casey Gillis, N.Y.; Alisa Hartle, Pa.; Leah Henkes, Iowa; Matt Henkes, Iowa; Luther Hillegass, Pa.; Jennifer Hula, N.Y.; Brian Keene, Maine; Krysty Kepler, Wis.; Ava Koebel, Mich.; Greta Koebel, Mich.; Tera Koebel, Mich.; Katherine Larson, Wis.; Thomas Larson, Wis.; Eric Lawrence, Wis., Kelly Lee, Wis.; Allen Lehman, Pa.; Bret Long, Wis.; Bryant Long, Wis.; Patrick Lundy, N.Y.; Brenda Nelson, Minn.; Michelle Parmiter, Wis.; Derek Petersheim, Wis.; Chris Potts, Va.; Jocelyn Riser, Pa.; Matthew Schantz, Pa.; Nathan Schantz, Pa.; Davis Schwartzbeck, Md.; Jenna Smith, Pa.; Addie Snyder, Pa.; Evan Snyder, Pa.; Nicole Snyder, Pa.; Eric Troutman, Pa.; Jason Troutman, Pa.; Matt Ulmer, Pa.; Riley Welker, N.Y.; Zack Welker, N.Y.; Brittany Westendorp, Mich.; Kurt Wolf, Iowa; Clayton Wood, Pa.; Steven Woodruff, N.Y.; Zakary Woodruff, N.Y.; Alyssa Yager, Wis.; Hannah Young, N.Y.; and Mark Zimmerman, Pa.
The National 150,000 Pound Cow Award was received by Junior members who own a cow who has produced over 150,000 pounds of milk in her lifetime. The cow must be under the ownership of the youth applying for the award during the entire milk record. Winners were: Charlene Barlieb, Pa.; Brent Bricco, Wis.; Aaron Doll, Pa.; Ty Hildebrant, Wis.; Luther Hillegass, Pa.; Krysty Kepler, Wis.; Ava Koebel, Mich.; Bryant Long, Wis.; Jill McWilliams, Pa.; Brenda Nelson, Minn.; Heather Petersheim, Wis.; Chris Potts, Va.; Brent Schuler, Pa.; Melissa Schuler, Pa.; and Holly Todd.
The National 200,000 Pound Cow Award was received by Junior members who own a cow who has produced over 200,000 pounds in her lifetime. The cow must be under the ownership of the Junior member applying for the award during the entire milk record. Winners were: Dakota Barrett, Vt.; Samantha Foster, Pa.; Krysty Kepler, Wis.; Alex Kerr, Va.; Kyle Mitchell, Ill.; and Miranda Ulmer, Pa.
^ back to top ^
Brattleboro, Vermont (July 9, 2007)…Lindsey Worden has been named Public Relations Specialist for Holstein Association USA, headquartered in Brattleboro, Vt. In her position, Worden will divide her time between projects for the Holstein Association and the Holstein Foundation. Her responsibilities include developing and organizing trade show booths, coordinating promotional projects and assisting with Holstein Foundation programs like the Young Dairy Leaders Institute (YDLI) and junior programs.
A May 2007 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison with Bachelor of Science degrees in Dairy Science and Life Science Communications, Worden served as a summer intern for Youth Programs and Education for the Holstein Foundation in 2006 and was a Dairy Youth Programs intern for the University of Wisconsin-Extension in 2005.
While in college, Worden was a member of the Badger Dairy Club, the Association of Women in Agriculture and the UW dairy cattle judging team. In her senior year, she was a top ten finalist in National Dairy Shrine's Student Recognition Contest.
Growing up, Worden was involved in her family's Registered Holstein operations in New Mexico and New York.
“I'm very excited to be a part of the Holstein team again,” Worden said. “My internship last summer was a great experience and I am eager to become more involved with serving the Association
and its members.”
^ back to top ^
Brattleboro, Vermont (July 6, 2007)…Knoxville, Tennessee proved to be the perfect spot for a successful National Holstein Convention and annual meeting June 24-26. A total of 117 official delegates representing the Association's 43 election districts were in attendance, along with over 500 junior members and more than 200 other adults. International guests in attendance included Holstein Canada President John Iverson, Vice President Brian Leach, former President Dale Bienert and Secretary-Manager Keith Flaman. Representing Holstein-Friesian de Mexico in Queretaro, Mexico was President Elias Torres.
Highlighting the event was the election of Doug Maddox, Riverdale, Calif. as the Association's president, Larry Tande, Medford, Minn. as vice president, and Leroy Eggink, Sibley, Iowa, as a new member of the board of directors. Re-elected to their second three-year terms on the board were Gordie Cook, Hadley, Mass., John Kalmey, Shelbyville, Ky., and William Peck, Schuylerville, N.Y.
In other highlights, William McKarns, Hanoverton, Ohio, was announced as the first recipient of the Association's new Distinguished Leadership award, Marvin Nunes, Ocean View Farms, Windsor, California, was named the first recipient of the new Elite Breeder Award, and Bruce and Brenda Long, New London, Wis., were presented as this year's Distinguished Young Breeders. In addition, Nik Sutter, Madison, Wis., was announced as this year's recipient of the Robert H. Rumler Scholarship.
In his last official address to membership as president, Randolph E. “Randy” Gross said, “This convention marks the completion of my 11 years as a board member and officer of Holstein Association USA. Serving on behalf of Holstein breeders throughout the country has been a privilege and an honor.
“When I ran for vice president in 2003, I shared several objectives in a letter to delegates and others. They included continued improvement in member services, financial stability to allow Holstein Association USA to offer expanded services based on member identified needs, and positioning the Association to take advantage of opportunities that may arise.
“Positive results have been achieved in all three areas, due to a total team effort. I am grateful to the many people on the team for the opportunities with which I have been presented. They include the Holstein members throughout the country. Your support, counsel and friendship are greatly appreciated. I am also very grateful to fellow board members with whom I've served. Each has been a key part of the success we have had. Enter John Meyer and the entire Holstein staff. You won't find a better team of quality people anywhere.”
In his address, CEO John Meyer presented members with history from long ago as well as recent history, which helped lay the strong foundation on which the Holstein Association stands today.
“It was visionaries like Holstein executive secretaries Thomas B. Wales, Jr., F.L. Houghton and H.W. "Hod" Norton, who deserve credit for outlining the framework for many of our current programs, including production records testing, classification and sire recognition programs,” Meyer said. “In addition, the True Type Model Cow developed in 1922-23 was, in the words of Norton, ‘One of the most important projects ever undertaken by a purebred livestock breeders' organization.'”
Turning to more recent history, Meyer pointed to the fall 2001 board of directors' meeting in Madison, Wis. “At that meeting, the board came to the conclusion that the Association could not stay in business using yesterday's methods,” Meyer said, “so the board adopted a Management-by-Objective business plan to direct the organization. The plan, with its clear-cut objectives and concise courses of action to meet those objectives, has been incorporated every year since and has been a key component in turning around the finances of your Association and has been a catalyst in increasing member participation in programs and services offered.”
Referencing 2006 activities, Meyer pointed out, “One of the highlights was a survey that was developed and sent to members in an effort to provide the board of directors and management staff with an in-depth understanding of the wants, needs and expectations members have of the Association.
“Survey data signal we should be optimistic about the future of the Registered Holstein business. Statistics that might be surprising to some include: 31 percent of the respondents expect to be dairying for at least the next 21 years. The future of the Registered Holstein business looks bright as 84 percent expect to register as many or more animals in five years as they do today.
“2006 was a banner year,” Meyer said. “Registrations increased by 3,291, totaling 305,143, and transfers were up 776 and totaled 57,835.
“Enthusiasm for Holstein Association USA is running high as evidenced by increases in new adult and junior memberships. We welcomed 809 new adult members, up 101 from 2005, and 700 new junior members, an increase of 127.”
A total of 104 members reached the 40-year mark for membership in 2007. This year, a special medallion was presented to each new 40-year member, provided by Gerald and Janice Albrecht, Watertown, Minn. New 40-year members in attendance at the convention were Glen Brown, Coalville, Utah, Richard Wright, Stanley, N.Y., Genie Lorenzo Roberts, Newton, N.J., and Frank Bracco, Jr., Farmington, Calif.
In an “early bird” session that kicked off the meeting, Dr. Chad Dechow of Penn State presented a program on “Challenges and Opportunities for Selecting a Healthier Cow.”
“We have seen trends in herdlife and fertility that are unfavorable due partly to genetic selection and partly to management changes from a need to be more efficient at the farm level,” Dechow said. “We have created a genotype environment mismatch where we have selected Holsteins for more production but haven't put as much emphasis on fitness traits. Health traits have a low heritability which means we worry about low reliabilities. To spread the risk, dairymen need to use a variety of bulls as service sires.
“We have selected for health traits through improved udder conformation, which has helped prevent rising levels of mastitis,” Dechow added. “But on the negative side, we have selected for thin cows and now need to put more emphasis on breeding cows with more condition.
“On another positive note,” Dechow said, “we are recording health and fitness trait information that has the potential to generate evaluations for heath traits. I'm glad to see that the TPI formula has put some emphasis on traits related to health,” Dechow concluded.
Several bylaw amendments were approved by the delegates. They included one authorizing the Executive Secretary to approve applications for membership and another redefining an active member to include those members who have had cattle transferred into their ownership. The delegates defeated a proposal that would have provided for all 12 directors to be elected at large.
Chief Financial Officer Barbara Casna reported that the Association had operating revenues in 2006 of $15,590,000, an increase of 10 percent over the previous year. “The increase can mainly be attributed to increased participation in Holstein COMPLETE and increased sales of ear tags,” Casna said. “At the same time, total operating expenses increased 12 percent to $15,232,000 over 2005, giving the Association a profit on operations of $358,000.”
Dr. Nate Zwald of Alta Genetics was the guest speaker on the first afternoon of the annual meeting, discussing “The Future of the Dairy Industry from an Artificial Insemination Perspective.” Zwald told the audience that dairymen today are more reproduction focused, stressing traits that will give them healthier cows. Other points Zwald made included:
- Accurate identification is essential for progress to be made. “We can only show the value of our products with accurate identification,” he said.
- Inbreeding is a concern, but crossbreeding is not necessary. “We have the tools within the breed to get where we want to go without crossbreeding,” Zwald said.
Several resolutions were adopted by the delegate body.
- Support the grassroots coalition “Voices for Choices” campaign designed to create industry support for producers' opportunities to use safe and approved technologies and safeguard milk's image as a natural and wholesome product.
- Support the formation of a Political Action Committee (PAC) which would serve as an advocate for the best interests of all dairy producers in the development of federal laws and regulations. The committee would be funded by contributions from the Association and dairy producers.
- Thank the Tennessee Holstein Association for hosting the convention.
More than 500 Holstein Junior members participated in the National Convention, in dairy jeopardy, dairy bowl and prepared speaking competitions.
In the 27 th Dairy Bowl competition, 15 junior teams and 16 senior teams participated. In the junior finals, Pennsylvania's team of Isaac Haagen, Naomi Ulmer, Nathan Ulmer and Mark Zimmerman, coached by Dr. Bob Cloninger, defeated the team from California. In the senior division, Illinois claimed the title over Washington. Illinois team members, coached by Becky Meier and Amy Shanks, included Luke Brinkmeier, Brent Koester, Kyle Koester and Adam Watkins.
The 12 semi-finalists in the annual Distinguished Junior Member program were: Linda Behling, Fox Lake, Wis., Greta Koebel, Three Oaks, Mich., Paul Lippert, Marshfield, Wis., John Mitchell, Winnebago, Ill., Brenda Nelson, Winthrop, Minn., Lana Olson, Hutchinson, Minn., Tim Rauen, Farley, Iowa, Malorie Rhoderick, Mt. Airy, Md., Brent Schuler, Fleetwood, Pa., Matt Simon, Farley, Iowa, Chrissy Wendorf, Viroqua, Wis. and Clayton Wood, Littlestown, Pa.
The eight Young Distinguished Junior Member finalists were: Jacob Brey, Sturgeon Bay, Wis., Katie Hanehan, Stillwater, N.Y., Kelly Lee, Johnson Creek, Wis., Amanda Mohr, Glencoe, Minn., Elizabeth Olson, Hutchinson, Minn., Luke Rauen, Farley, Iowa, Austin Schwartzbeck, Union Bridge, Md., and Corbin Wood, Littlestown, Pa.
Winners in the dairy jeopardy competition were: junior division – Justin Bopp, California; intermediate division – Elizabeth Gaul, Iowa; and senior division – Elizabeth Smith, Pennsylvania.
A new competition, called Mission Membership, was a challenge to all state junior organizations to increase junior Holstein memberships. The contest ran from January 1, 2007 through June 1, 2007 and included two categories: increase memberships by the greatest percentage and increase membership by the greatest number. The Iowa Junior Association won both categories, increasing their membership by 39 members and 25 percent. They were treated to a pizza party during the convention.
^ back to top ^
Brattleboro, Vermont (July 2, 2007)…The Holstein Association USA board of directors, representing nearly 30,000 members nationwide, has gone on record opposing Section 102 of Title 1 within the Livestock, Dairy and Poultry subcommittee mark that makes the dairy forward pricing pilot program permanent.
At its meeting in Knoxville, Tennessee on June 22 and 23, the Association's board of directors approved a report of its Milk Marketing Committee which recommended the opposition of including in the 2007 Farm Bill a permanent forward contracting program for producers who sell milk in Classes II, III and IV.
The Milk Marketing Committee, chaired by Gordie Cook, a member of the Holstein Association USA board of directors from Hadley, Mass., went on record to ask the House Agriculture Committee to remove the permanent forward contracting program from the Farm Bill. The reasons included:
- Dairy Forward Contracting is not like forward contracting of other agricultural commodities.
- Many elected officials think dairy forward contracting is a risk management tool for dairy producers. The key difference between forward contracting of corn, wheat, beef, etc., and forward contracting of milk is that the Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) system was established more than 70 years ago to guarantee producers a minimum price for their perishable product. The goal of processors and proponents of forward contracting is to pay the producer less than the minimum price established in the FMMO.
- Today, dairy processors and producers have the ability to utilize futures contracts and options on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) without violating the minimum producer price requirements.
- Proponents of this policy change are not concerned with what will happen if forward contracting regulated milk is allowed. Increased consolidation of the dairy industry, lower prices paid to producers and significant numbers of producers going out of business will be the consequences if Section 102 is carried through the House of Representatives' 2007 Farm Bill.
If forward contracting goes through as proposed, dairy producers will have no choice but to enter into forward contracts due to pressure from milk handlers. As has occurred in other sectors, processors will cherry pick the largest operations to offer favorable forward contracts, thereby jeopardizing the future of smaller operations. In time, with little competition, even the prices paid to large producers would be inadequate.
“The decision to oppose forward contracting is an effort on the part of the Association to protect producer interests,” Cook said. “We are trying to help all producers and, in doing so, we need to make sure that when we support or oppose an issue, we recognize the implications it could have on different regions or different size farms.”
Realizing dairy producers need a united voice when informing members of Congress about issues critical to the dairy industry, official delegates at the Holstein Association USA annual meeting on June 25 and 26 approved a resolution supporting the formation of a Political Action Committee (PAC).
The resolution stated: Be it resolved that the Holstein Association USA board of directors establish a political action committee to advocate for the best interests of all dairy producers in the development of federal laws and regulations. The Political Action Committee is to be funded by contributions from the Association and dairy producers.
Holstein Association USA members are urged to contact their elected officials, asking them to vote against forward contracting being a part of the 2007 Farm Bill. For information to include in a letter to Congress, contact Adam Griffin, Manager, ID Programs at Holstein headquarters in Brattleboro, Vermont at 802-451-4277.
^ back to top ^
Brattleboro, Vermont (July 2, 2007)…Marvin Nunes of Ocean View Farms, Windsor, Calif., has been named the first recipient of Holstein Association USA's new Elite Breeder award. The award was presented at the Association's annual meeting in Knoxville, Tennessee on June 25.
Commenting on receiving the award, Nunes said, “There are many great Holstein breeders throughout the United States who are deserving of this award, so to be the first recipient is certainly very humbling and a great honor.”
The 375-cow Ocean View Registered Holstein herd has been on official production test for 47 years and currently averages over 25,000 pounds of milk, 1,000 pounds of butterfat and 780 pounds of protein. Nearly 600 Ocean View-bred cows have produced over 100,000 pounds of milk in their lifetimes and three have produced over 300,000 pounds.
“I've always tried to breed cows with tremendous conformation and the will to give large volumes of milk year after year,” Nunes said. “I established breeding goals a long time ago and have tried to maintain a straight line toward them.”
During its latest classification, the herd had 83 cows scored Excellent, 194 Very Good, 82 Good Plus and 3 Good, with none lower. A total of 195 Ocean View-bred cows have been scored Excellent and 75 have been designated Gold Medal Dams. At last count, Ocean View had 16 plus-proven sires on record at USDA including Ocean View Zenith, one of the breed's most popular bulls. Another, Ocean View Sexation, is regarded as one of the all-time great sires of the breed.
Nunes served on the Holstein Association USA board of directors from 2000 to 2006, chairing the Genetic Advancement Committee. In 2005, he was named Dairyman of the Year by World Dairy Expo.
Perhaps Whitey McKown, former editor of the Holstein World, said it best: “Marvin Nunes fulfills in spades all the criteria necessary to earn the Holstein Association Elite Breeder award. His selection will set a high benchmark for others to meet in the years ahead.”
^ back to top ^
Brattleboro, Vermont (July 2, 2007)…William McKarns, Hanoverton, Ohio, who describes himself as “a common dairyman who milked cows and presented an idea that happened to take root,” has been named the first recipient of Holstein Association USA's new Distinguished Leadership Award. The “idea” McKarns referred to was one he proposed at the Holstein Association USA annual meeting in Ohio in 1986 for the Association to study the idea of opening the herdbook to animals less than 100 percent pure that met performance criteria. In 1987, a committee was appointed to study the proposal, which was presented and voted on, but defeated at the 1988 annual meeting.
The idea was debated again in 1991, and passed in 1992. “As gratifying as it was for me to have the idea finally get passed, there were many others who stuck their neck out too,” McKarns related. “I started the fire, but many others carried wood to keep it going.”
After receiving the Distinguished Leadership award at the Holstein Association USA annual meeting in Knoxville, Tennessee on June 25, McKarns said the most meaningful thing about the qualified herdbook is what it has done for the Association, and even more importantly, the way it has allowed new dairymen to become members of the Association and take part in Association programs. “A young dairyman told me the open herdbook allowed him to get started in dairying, and that's pretty special.” McKarns said it was hard to express what receiving the award meant, but that “it will undoubtedly be the greatest honor I'll ever receive.”
Former Holstein director James Spreng of Ohio wrote, “Bill McKarns recognized the need, worked incredibly hard to gather the necessary documentation and persuaded a less than supportive delegate body that the time was right for a radical change.” Today, about 30 percent of the total registrations recorded by the Association annually, totaling over 90,000 animals, are enrolled in the open herdbook, and have undoubtedly contributed positively to breed progress and the economic progress of the Association.
Retired Select Sires General Manager Dick Chichester said, “Leadership is characterized by surfacing a good idea, not necessarily popular at the time, and shepherding it through opposition, criticism and debate to its ultimate adoption as policy. Such leadership was clearly exhibited by Bill McKarns regarding the open herdbook issue.”
McKarns' involvement with the Holstein Association was broader than the qualified herdbook, however. He started a Registered Holstein herd in the 1950s, developing many high producing cows with excellent type. He dispersed the herd in 1990, with 93 head averaging $2,374.
According to Florida member Don Bennink, when the Association was tight on funds and short on field staff, McKarns volunteered to fill the void. As a result, many Ohio members got caught up on registrations or began their initial membership. Anyone can join in and help when it is to their personal benefit. It is a rare individual like Bill McKarns who continues to contribute long after his retirement who makes a difference.
^ back to top ^
Brattleboro, Vermont (June 29, 2007)….The Board of Directors of the Holstein Association USA met in Knoxville, Tenn. on June 22-23. The meeting marked the last for President Randy Gross as his two-year term as President expired at the end of the annual meeting on June 26 th. 
The well-respected leader from Washington was complimented for the outstanding leadership provided as the Association's highest officer.
Management staff provided updates to the Board on the 2007 Business Plan. Some highlights include:
- Registrations through June 2 nd totaled 135,109, up 1,290 from the same time frame last year which represented the highest level in the past five years.
- Transfers for the same time period were also at the highest level in the past five years at 32,853, up 3% from last year's levels.
- The number of cows and herds enrolled in Holstein Complete are both up 5%.
During the two-day session, the following committee reports were provided. Key points of each report included:
The major discussion of the Board relating to the Milk Marketing Committee report revolved around the proposed inclusion, in the 2007 Farm Bill, of a permanent forward contracting program for producers who sell milk in Classes II, III, and IV.
The Milk Marketing Committee went on record to ask the House Agriculture Committee to remove the permanent forward contracting program from the Farm Bill because:
Dairy forward contracting is not like forward contracting of other agricultural commodities.
Many of our elected officials in Washington misunderstand dairy forward contracting to be a risk management tool for producers. The key difference between forward contracting of corn, wheat, beef, etc. and forward contracting of milk is that the Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) system was established more than 70 years ago to guarantee producers a minimum price for their perishable product. The goal of processors and proponents of forward contracting is to pay the producer less than the minimum price established in the FMMO.
Today, dairy processors and producers have the ability to utilize futures contracts and options on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME), without violating the minimum producer price requirements.
Proponents of this policy change are not concerned with what will happen if forward contracting regulated milk is allowed. Increased consolidation of the dairy industry, lower prices paid to producers, and significant numbers of producers going out of business will be the consequences if Section 102 is carried through the House of Representatives 2007 Farm Bill.
The Board also discussed during the Committee report the possibility of proposing the formation of a Political Action Committee (PAC) to the delegates. Subsequently, the delegates approved a resolution during the Annual Meeting to support the formation of a PAC as follows:
“Be it resolved that the Holstein Association USA Board of Directors establish a political action committee to advocate for the best interests of all dairy producers in the development of federal laws and regulations. The political action committee is to be funded by contributions from the Association and dairy producers.”
- The Board adopted the recommendation of the Committee not to change to showing heifers by height, but that the Association should encourage any interested local, state, or regional shows to do so.
- The Board adopted the Committee's recommendation to amend the National Show Ring Policy by including uniform premier breeder and premier exhibitor rules and by requiring a maximum length of 1 1/2” of topline hair for show animals.
During the meeting, the Board approved the following actions:
- To fund $50,000 to participate in a genome selection project at USDA by submitting, with the oversight of the Genetic Advancement Committee, DNA on Holstein cows for the study.
- To contribute up to $150,000 from reserve fund earnings to the operating funds of the Holstein Foundation for fiscal year 2007.
- To support the organization “Voices for Choices”, a grassroots producer coalition to safeguard the image of all milk and dairy products as pure and wholesome and to protect producers' opportunities to use safe and approved technologies.
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer Barbara Casna presented to the Directors the Association's consolidated financial statements as of May 31, 2007 and reviewed the reserve fund report for the same time period.
The Association and its subsidiaries showed year-to-date profit on operations of $481,000 which is $60,000 more than May 2006. Through the end of May, operating revenues have increased 12% to $7,420,000 compared to the previous year. For the same period, total operating expenses increased 13% over the same time last year to $6,864,000.
As of May 31, the reserve fund was valued at $26,328,000.
The next meeting of the Holstein Association USA Board of Directors will be held November 15-16, 2007 in Chicago, Illinois.
^ back to top ^
 Brattleboro, Vermont (June 12, 2007)….Holstein Association USA has announced that Nikolaus Sutter of Madison, Wisconsin is the recipient of the 2007 Robert H. Rumler Scholarship. Sutter received his Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and plans to enroll in the MBA Program at the UW-Madison in the near future.
Sutter is currently a marketing executive for Filament Marketing in Madison. In his role, Sutter has led Web site development and a public relations campaign for a bovine reproductive research and services company. He has conducted market research for a European dairy supply company and worked on promotion and sales for an online livestock and dairy management photography resource company.
Previously, Sutter was senior loan processor and assistant vice president of an independent mortgage corporation. Of his responsibilities there, Sutter said, “It taught me how an effective leader provides teammates with the most well rounded education possible to ensure they are able to successfully achieve both individual and team goals.”
Sutter is the 2007 recipient of the Brian Howell Memorial Scholarship, awarded to the outstanding agricultural journalism and communications student at UW-Madison. In 1999, he was chosen the U.S. student representative for the Semex Royal Winter Fair “Walk of Fame” and, in 1998, he received the gold medal in the Wisconsin State FFA Dairy Proficiency. In 1996, Sutter was the Wisconsin State 4-H Dairy Judging Champion, placing first overall and in oral reasons.
Among his activities and hobbies, Sutter enjoys his role as assistant youth basketball coach, feeding heifers at the 450-cow family dairy operation, and attending real estate investment and dairy production seminars. Sutter is convinced that his childhood-instilled work ethic, positive attitude, desire to learn from his peers will light his path to success in the UW-Madison MBA Program.
One of Sutter's professors, Larry Meiller of Life Sciences Communication at UW-Madison wrote, “Nik approaches his coursework with a zeal I find extraordinary. He is a pleasure to teach.” Sutter said whenever his full-time career and full-time school schedule got tough, he drew on a saying his grandfather told him a few years before he died, “There's no easy road to any place worth going.”
The Robert H. Rumler scholarship is presented in honor of Robert H. Rumler, who led the Association as Executive Secretary for 25 years. The scholarship was established in 1984 by Holstein Association USA to encourage deserving and qualified individuals with a bachelor's degree in dairy production to obtain a master's degree in Business Administration. Rumler believed U.S. agribusiness needed and deserved the best trained, most highly qualified leaders the nation's educational system and practical experience could provide.
^ back to top ^
Brattleboro, Vermont (June 5, 2007)…Plans are now final for the 122nd annual meeting of Holstein Association USA, Inc. Hosted by the Tennessee Holstein Association, the meeting will be held in Knoxville, Tenn. on Monday, June 25 and Tuesday, June 26.
In addition to hearing reports from President Randy Gross and Chief Executive Officer John M. Meyer, official delegates will elect officers and directors for the Association. Running unopposed for president is Doug Maddox, Riverdale, Calif. Candidates for a two-year term as vice president are Larry Tande, Medford, Minn. and Elmo Wendorf, Jr., Ixonia, Wis.
Running for three-year terms on the board of directors are: Region 1-William H. Peck, Schuylerville, N.Y., Region 4-John C. Kalmey, Shelbyville, Ky., Region 6- Harlan Bohn, Twin Brooks, S.D. and Leroy C. Eggink, Sibley, Iowa, and for director-at-large Gordon M. Cook, Jr., Hadley, Mass.
Prior to convening the annual meeting on Monday, June 25, a 7:30 a.m. Early Bird session will be held featuring Dr. Chad Dechow. Dechow, Assistant Professor of Dairy Genetics at Penn State University and a member of the Association's Genetic Advancement Committee, will present “Challenges and Opportunities for Selecting a Healthier Cow.”
During the Monday, June 25 business session, the first annual Distinguished Leadership Award will be presented to William T. McKarns, Hanoverton, Ohio, and the first annual Elite Breeder Award to Marvin L. Nunes, Ocean View Farms, Windsor, Calif.
The guest speaker on Monday at 1:30 p.m. will be Dr. Nate Zwald, Senior Sales Manager for Alta Genetics, Inc., whose presentation is entitled, “The Future of the Dairy Industry from an Artificial Insemination Perspective.” Following Dr. Zwald will be a presentation of the Voices for Choices initiative designed to create industry support for producers' opportunities to use safe and approved technologies and safeguard milk's image as a natural and wholesome product.
New 40-year members of the Association will be presented, and regional member meetings will be held.
During the Tuesday business session, the annual Distinguished Young Holstein Breeder award will be presented to Bruce and Brenda Long, New London, Wis. Officer and director elections will also be held.
The National Convention Sale will be held on Monday evening at the University of Tennessee Brehm Animal Science Arena starting at 6:00 p.m. The convention will conclude on Tuesday evening with the convention banquet starting at 7:00 p.m.
Running concurrently with the adult convention will be a full schedule of activities for junior Holstein members. Activities will include a Dairy Bowl contest, Dairy Jeopardy, Prepared Public Speaking competition and selection of the Distinguished Junior Members.
^ back to top ^
 Brattleboro, Vermont (May 24, 2007)…Bill McKarns, Hanoverton, Ohio, has been selected as the Holstein Association USA's first Distinguished Leadership Award winner. The prestigious award will be presented during the Holstein Association USA's annual meeting in Knoxville, Tenn. on June 25.
The Distinguished Leadership Award, the first of its kind for the Association, will be presented annually to an individual who, in the opinion of an anonymous selection committee, has provided outstanding and unselfish leadership to the Association and/or the U.S. dairy industry.
McKarns grew up in Ohio and, after high school, served his country in the U.S. Army. After his military career, he returned to Ohio and started a Registered Holstein herd in the 1950s, developing many high producing cows with excellent type. He dispersed the herd in 1990, with 93 head averaging $2,374.
In addition to dairying, McKarns worked as a National Holstein Association Assistant Field Representative and for the Ohio Agriculture Statistics Service. He and his wife, Pauline, have been married 48 years and have 11 children, one deceased, and 13 grandchildren.
In his letter of support for McKarns, Select Sires Retired General Manager said, “Leadership is characterized by surfacing a good idea, not necessarily popular at the time and shepherding it through opposition, criticism and debate to its ultimate adoption as policy. Such leadership was clearly exhibited by Bill McKarns regarding the open herdbook issue in the late 1980s and early 1990s that was being considered by the Holstein Association.”
Chichester continued, “Bill thought non-100% purebred Holsteins, called ‘grades' but otherwise performing well should qualify for inclusion in Holstein's herdbook. He expressed his ideas to his local and state Holstein organizations and, after consideration, led them to adopt favorable resolutions. The proposal then went to the national scene where it met considerable resistance. In an op-ed in the January 1988 Holstein World, Bill addressed each concern head-on in a gentlemanly but convincing manner.”
According to Chichester, “Bill contacted many people through phone calls, letters, etc. I remember, at Bill's urging, speaking at open forum on the Holstein convention floor favoring what came to be known as the ‘Qualified' herdbook. The idea eventually passed in 1992 and, as they say, the rest is history. Over 90,000 animals, some 30 percent of total registrations in 2005, were less than 100 percent ‘pure'. These animals have undoubtedly contributed to breed and economic progress.”
In his supporting letter, Holstein member James Spreng said, “In an organization that prides itself on being a membership organization, a member was able to personally gather the support and then to write the bylaw to be placed before the delegates for its eventual approval. This is grassroots membership at its very best. Bill McKarns recognized the need, worked incredibly hard to gather the necessary documentation and to persuade a less than supportive delegate body that the time was appropriate for a radical change.”
Former Holstein Association USA President Richard Keene commented, “Bill McKarns spent a lot of time and energy promoting, explaining and pleading to get people to see the virtue of expanding the horizons of the Holstein Association to include excellent dairymen who had outstanding herds of cattle (some all grades and some with a mixture of grades and registered) to become active participants in the Holstein Association.” Keen referred to the congenial Ohioan as “The Father of the Qualified Herdbook.”
McKarns' involvement with the Holstein Association, however, is broader than the Qualified Herdbook and milking good Registered Holsteins. As Holstein breeder Don Bennink explained, “At a time when the Holstein Association was tight on funds and short on field staff, Bill McKarns came forward as a volunteer to fill the void. As a result of his efforts, many Ohio members got caught up on registrations or began their initial membership.”
Bennink continued, “Bill has put together programs to help both the national and statewide programs as demonstrated by his volunteering to help when a set of speakers is put together to inform members of potential to succeed with their farms and their Registered Holsteins. Many of us join in and help when it is to our personal benefit. It is a rare individual like Bill McKarns who continues to contribute long after his retirement who makes a huge difference.”
^ back to top ^
 Brattleboro, Vermont (May 24, 2007)…Marvin Nunes, of Ocean View Farms, a Registered Holstein dairy near Windsor, Calif., has been named the recipient of the Holstein Association USA's first Elite Breeder Award. The award, the first of its kind for the Association, will be presented annually to a living Holstein Association USA member, family, partnership or corporation who, in the opinion of the anonymous selection committee, has bred outstanding Registered Holsteins for many years and thereby has made a notable contribution to the advancement of the Holstein breed in the United States. Nunes will be presented with his award during the Holstein Association USA's annual meeting on June 25 in Knoxville, Tenn.
The Ocean View prefix is known and respected throughout the national and international Holstein communities. Many Registered animals bred at Ocean View, both male and female, have had a positive impact on the Holstein breed.
At last count, Nunes had 16 plus proven sires on record at USDA including Ocean View Zenith-TW-ET, one of the Holstein breed's most popular bulls. Another, Ocean View Sexation VG-88, an Elevation son, is regarded as one of the all-time great sires of the breed.
The 375-cow Registered Holstein Ocean View herd has been on DHIR test for 47 years and averages over 25,000 pounds of milk, 1,000 pounds of butterfat and 780 pounds of protein. Nearly 600 Ocean View-bred cows have produced over 100,000 pounds of milk in their lifetimes. According to Nunes, “If a cow doesn't produce over 100,000 pounds of milk, we feel she is a disappointment.”
In its last classification, the herd had 83 cows scored Excellent, 194 Very Good, 82 Good Plus and 3 Good, with none lower. A total of 195 Ocean View-bred cows have been scored Excellent and 75 have been designated Gold Medal Dams. And, what Marvin says he is most proud of is that three Ocean View-bred cows have produced over 300,000 pounds of milk in their lifetimes. “I like long-living, high-producing cows,” Marvin said.
Showing and judging Holsteins have always been Marvin's passions. Ocean View has been named Premier Breeder at many California black-and-white shows and, in 1990, the California Holstein Association honored Nunes with its Senior Breeder award. In 2005, the personable breeder was named Dairyman of the Year by World Dairy Expo. A well known dairy cattle judge, Nunes has traveled widely, including judging shows in Australia and Brazil.
As Robert M. “Whitey” McKown, former editor of the Holstein World stated, “Marvin Nunes fulfills in spades all the criteria necessary to earn the Holstein Association Elite Breeder Award. His selection will set a high benchmark for others to meet in the years to come.”
Fellow Holstein breeder and Holstein Association USA Vice President Doug Maddox said of Nunes, “If you were to survey all the Holstein breeders in California, Marvin Nunes would be recognized as the most successful and elite breeder in California Holstein history.”
^ back to top ^
 Brattleboro, Vermont (May 24, 2007)…Bruce and Brenda Long, owners and operators of B-Long Holsteins, New London, Wis., are this year's Distinguished Young Holstein Breeders by Holstein Association USA. They will be honored at the National Holstein Convention in Knoxville, Tenn., June 25-26.
Bruce and Brenda, along with their sons Bryant-17, Bret-16 and Brandon-16, started B-Long Holsteins in 1990 with 45 cows that had a rolling herd average of 18,000 pounds of milk and a BAA of 101. Today, they milk 55 Registered Holsteins that average 32,741 pounds of milk, 1,186 pounds of butterfat and 989 pounds of protein on twice daily milking. The herd's BAA on 39 cows is 107.9.
Two factors made this major improvement in production and type possible. “We really concentrated on improving our management and breeding programs,” Bruce said.
Management practices revolve around keeping cows comfortable to maximize feed intake. Tie stalls have mattresses for comfort and a raised tile manger makes it easy for the cows to eat. Large exhaust fans keep air fresh throughout the day, although cows are outside on pasture as much as weather permits.
Cows are fed a total mixed ration supplemented with dry hay. The TMR is mixed fresh twice a day and is fed in the barn and in an outside bunk. The ration is balanced specifically for rumen microbes by using metabolized amino acids and bacterial protein. The same ration is fed year round and the feeding of extra dry hay helps maintain rumen health and keeps the cows healthy and on feed.
The Longs' breeding decisions are based on a balance of production and type. The Holstein Red Book is used to help identify and sort bulls to be used as service sires. “We look at the top 100 TPI bulls,” Bruce said, “and sort from them based on their pedigree, positive production and favorable type traits.” The Longs also like to talk to the various AI sire analysts about what bulls are currently popular and are being used for contract matings.
Although the Longs' main breeding emphasis is on improving type and components, they are also breeding for better overall type, strength and width while protecting udder and leg traits. They also consider health traits like productive life, somatic cell score and daughter pregnancy rate. “Hopefully, this approach will improve the longevity of our cows and will help our merchandising program too,” Bruce said.
The Long herd consists of three main cow families, with 65 percent of the herd tracing back to the “Triscuit” family. B-Long Laban Triscuit VG-87 was a granddaughter of one of the two original cows in the herd, Belleview Barrett Ibis. The majority of the herd originated from Ibis and Belleview L-H Mars Happy, two of Bruce's 4-H project calves, and Sleepy View Simon Lilly, that came from Brenda's herd. Ninety percent of the herd traces back to these three cows.
Triscuit was a Gold Medal Dam and Dam of Merit and had a top record over 37,000 pounds of milk. Her daughter, B-Long Adan Chiscuit VG-89 was also GMD and DOM and had a top record over 39,000 pounds of milk and 150,000 pounds lifetime.
The top genetic cows are flushed each year to fill AI bull and embryo contracts and to breed the next generation of top females in the herd. Embryos are implanted in the Longs' own heifers and cows, keeping the extra work for synchronizing heats at a minimum.
Overall, the Longs have bred 15 Gold Medal Dams and nine Dams of Merit, have 15 cows with over 200,000 pounds of milk lifetime and four over 300,000 pounds.
The Longs' merchandising program consists mainly of selling breeding stock and genetics. No outside genetics have been brought into the herd for several years.
Investing in Registered Holsteins has been very beneficial to the Longs financially. Animals consigned to sales have brought excellent prices and bulls and embryos have sold well too. “Merchandising Registered Holsteins has allowed us to stay a true family farm with 55 cows,” Bruce said, “and the extra income has allowed us to continue dairying without expanding or hiring help.”
The Longs' Web site, www.b-longholsteins.com, features the herd's prominent cow families, including photographs, production records, offspring and other important information. “The Web site has been helpful for buyers to see the photos and information before they visit our farm,” Brenda said. B-Long genetics have been sold to Japan, Germany, France, Great Britain and the Netherlands, and 15 bulls have been sold to U.S. AI companies.
Bruce and Brenda, both graduates of UW-River Falls, have been members of the Outagamie County, Wisconsin Holstein and National Holstein Associations since they started dairying in 1990. They have served on numerous committees and Bruce was on the Outagamie County board of directors for nine years, including four as president.
Brenda was named the Outagamie County Dairy Woman of the Year in 1998 and both she and Bruce have been 4-H dairy leaders for ten years. In 2006, they were named the Wisconsin Holstein Association Distinguished Young Breeders.
Bruce and Brenda have chaperoned youth to the Wisconsin State Fair and State Holstein Convention and have hosted 4-H youth dairy judging workshops and contests. “These activities give us a chance to help younger members understand type traits of cows and lets us show off our cows as well,” Brenda said.
They have also worked with their county dairy promotion board, assisted with the dairy breakfast on the farm, and attended career day at their local grade school, all ways to help educate and expose the public to dairy farming and the importance of dairy products. “Volunteering in these ways is essential for the next generation and to keep the community aware of what is happening in agriculture and with Registered Holsteins,” Brenda said.
As for the future, the Longs have simple goals. “Basically, we want to maintain our production while improving the overall type of our herd,” they said. “We also plan to continue with Registered Holsteins and breed from our main cow families. If we can choose the right sires and invest in registering, classification, advertising and showing, we should be able to continue to market our genetics and have a long, successful dairy career.”
^ back to top ^
Brattleboro, Vermont (May 1, 2007)…The Young Dairy Leaders Institute (YDLI) is inviting dairy producers and industry professionals ages 22 to 45 to apply for the sixth class of YDLI, which will be held February 27 – March 1, 2008 and February 25 – 28, 2009 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
“The move to Albuquerque is very exciting,” said Jodi Hoynoski, Holstein Foundation Programs Manager and YDLI director. “The city offers unique culture, traditions, food, music, art, dress and attitude. It has something for everyone, but I fell in love with its breathtaking beauty and southwestern hospitality. I also enjoy that Albuquerque is a more central location given today's dairy climate.” The YDLI program had been held in Tampa, Fla. since its inception.
The YDLI experience includes a focused three-phase leadership and communication skills development program sponsored by the Holstein Foundation. Past YDLI graduates have become significant contributors to the dairy industry as progressive producers, breed association leaders, and corporate executives.
Using pertinent issues facing the dairy industry, Phase I, a four-day conference, focuses on developing participants' individual leadership skills, enhancing communication and media relation skills, understanding personality styles, and developing effective meeting skills.
Phase II requires participants' involvement in outreach activities and active leadership roles in their communities.
Phase III brings participants together for a second four-day conference focusing on team development and group leadership skills, affecting the public policy process, and advanced media relation skills.
To join a growing group of young dairy industry professionals who credit this program for teaching them valuable professional skills and making life-long friendships, contact Jodi Hoynoski 800.952.5200 ext. 4261. Due August 1, 2007, applications for YDLI are available to download at www.holsteinfoundation.org.
^ back to top ^
Brattleboro, Vermont (April 3, 2007)…The board of directors of Holstein Association USA, Inc. held its spring meeting March 22 and 23 in Brattleboro, Vt. A large portion of the meeting was spent on strategic planning and developing strong vision and mission statements for the Association.
Building on the knowledge and experience of its own leadership and management staff, the expertise of allied dairy leaders, and the Association's member survey, the board spent the majority of its meeting on strategic planning. They reviewed in detail the strengths and weaknesses of the Association as well as the opportunities and challenges for the future of the U.S. dairy industry.
The board approved the following as the vision statement for the Association: “Holstein Association USA will lead a vibrant dairy industry.”
The new mission statement approved by the board for the Association is: “Provide leadership, information and services to help members and dairy producers worldwide be successful.”
Chief Financial Officer Barbara Casna presented the audited December 31, 2006 Holstein Association financial statements to the board. Total Holstein Association revenues increased ten percent to $15,714,000 in 2006. The increase was mainly attributed to increased revenues from Holstein COMPLETE and increased ear tag sales. Operating expenses grew 11 percent to $15,430,000. 2006 ended on a positive note with the Holstein Association USA recognizing consolidated income from operations of $1,000.
Director John Bierbaum, chairman of the Audit Committee, presented the Committee's report, which was approved by the board.
The board approved five recommendations that came from the Genetic Advancement Committee's February 19 meeting as presented by director and chair Glen Brown. They were:
- A new Udder Composite formula will be implemented starting with the May 2007 genetic evaluations. (The new UDC formula increases udder depth from 30 to 35 %, reduces udder cleft from 10 to 9%, reduces front teat placement from 16 to 5% and adds 7% for rear teat placement). The goal is to incorporate rear teat placement into the formula while improving the relationship of somatic cell score and productive life.
- The genetic evaluations for PTA Type will be modified according to recommendations from research conducted at the University of Georgia. An additional 1.7 million cows were added to the genetic evaluation system to obtain a more accurate estimate of an animal's ancestral contribution. This resulted in our estimate of genetic improvement of the last 20 years increasing to slightly over five points. As a consequence, many present-day animals will see an increase in their PTATs. For example, the average proof of the top 400 TPI bulls will increase by +0.4. The main advantage of the new genetic evaluations is that there will be much greater stability as a bull goes from his first crop to second crop daughters.
- The TPI formula will be changed to incorporate more emphasis on health and fertility traits beginning with the May 2007 genetic evaluations. In the new formula, type receives the same emphasis while production emphasis is reduced from 50 to 45%. The objective of the changes is to get higher daughter pregnancy rates, longer productive life, lower SCS, less calving difficulty and fewer stillbirths.
- The acronym TPI will be changed from Type and Production Index to Total Performance Index to more accurately express the objective of the index.
- A new Top 50 bull list will be created of those bulls with the lowest Expected Future Inbreeding value and having a TPI value that meets or exceeds the Top 400 TPI cut-off value for inclusion into Section 1 of the Red Book.
The board reviewed a proposal from several members to amend the Bylaws of the Association. The proposed amendment, which will be presented at the Annual Meeting, is to discontinue the election of directors of the Association by the presently designated nine regions and return to election of directors on an at-large basis without regard to geographic location. Currently, nine directors are elected by region and three at large.
Director and Milk Marketing Committee chair Gordie Cook updated the board on a recent trip to Washington D.C. made by Milk Marketing Committee members Steve Maddox of California and Bill Brey of Wisconsin, along with CEO John Meyer and Holstein staffer Jodi Hoynoski. The group met with 14 elected officials, Under Secretary of Agriculture Bruce Knight along with staff members of USDA. The purpose of the trip was to communicate members' support for the Dairy Price Support Program, legislation calling for complete component labeling of dairy products that incorporate any imitation or foreign produced ingredients, including casein and milk protein concentrate in a manner as to permit quick and easy identification, and a Johne's indemnification program with a goal of eradication of the disease from the national herd.
After director and committee chair John Kalmey presented his report, the board voted to support a nationwide mandatory uniform premises identification system in addition to continuing to promote a national mandatory animal ID program.
The board approved the Membership report that showed, as of February 28, 2007, there were 23,611 adult members of the Association and 8,527 junior members, for a total of 32,138.
The Holstein Foundation board of trustees met March 20-21, during which considerable time was spent on strategic planning.
The Foundation board adopted as its vision: “A dairy industry with vibrant leadership.” The trustees also approved a new mission statement: “To promote and support programs that develop leaders for the dairy industry.”
Trustees re-elected to three-year terms were John Bierbaum, Calvin Covington and Frank Conyngham. Charles “Chuck” E. Worden was elected chairman, Bierbaum vice chairman and Covington secretary. Past chairman Elmo Wendorf Jr. will serve the remaining year of his term, which ends in 2008.
The next meeting of the board of directors will be held June 22 and 23 in Knoxville, Tenn., just prior to the Annual Meeting. The board will also meet November 15 and 16 in Chicago.
The board approved Richmond, Virginia as the site of the 2011 National Convention and Indiana as the host state for the 2013 National Convention.
^ back to top ^
BRATTLEBORO, Vt., March 29, 2007– Holstein Association USA, the world's largest dairy breed registry organization, is proud to announce 12 semifinalists in its 85th annual Distinguished Junior Member (DJM) Contest, and eight finalists in the fourth Young Distinguished Junior Member (YDJM) Contest.
The Distinguished Junior Member semifinalists all have won the similar contest at their state level and will compete at the National Holstein Convention, June 23 – June 26, 2007 in Knoxville, Tennessee, to be named one of six National Finalists. The Distinguished Junior Member award is the highest honor the Association bestows upon its junior members. The contest, held since 1922, has honored more than 300 outstanding dairy youth for their contributions to the Association and the dairy industry.
Applicants are judged on an entry book highlighting their Junior Holstein work, activities and projects, breeding program and personal views. Entry books include four categories:
- “Story of Junior Holstein Work” – summarizing the applicant's participation and experiences on home farm/operation and what has been learned;
- Summary of Activities – the applicant's participation and leadership in Holstein youth activities, school, community and other organizations;
- Presentation of Herd Management Practices and Herd Health Knowledge;
- Personal View Essays – concerning the applicant's understanding of the Holstein, dairy and agricultural industries.
The semifinalists in the 2007 Distinguished Junior Member contest are: Linda Behling, Fox Lake, Wis.; Greta Koebel, Three Oaks, Mich.; Paul Lippert, Pittsville, Wis.; John Mitchell, Winnebago, Ill.; Brenda Nelson, Winthrop, Minn.; Lana Olson, Hutchinson, Minn.; Tim Rauen, Farley, Iowa; Malorie Rhoderick, Mt. Airy, Md.; Brent Schuler, Fleetwood, Penn.; Matt Simon, Farley, Iowa; Chrissy Wendorf, Viroqua, Wis.; and Clayton Wood, Littlestown, Penn.
“Holstein Junior members are among the most dedicated and involved youth in the industry,” said Kelli Dunklee, Junior Programs Specialist, Holstein Association USA. “Each year brings another group of outstanding young people who are the future leaders of the dairy community.”
The Young Distinguished Junior Member Contest selected eight Junior members as finalists who will be recognized at the National Convention. The YDJM winners were judged on similar criteria to the Distinguished Junior Member Contest.
The Young Distinguished Junior Members for 2007 are: Jacob Brey, Sturgeon Bay, Wis.; Katie Hanehan, Stillwater, N.Y.; Kelly Lee, Johnson Creek, Wis.; Amanda Mohr, Glencoe, Minn.; Elizabeth Olson, Hutchinson, Minn.; Luke Rauen, Farley, Iowa; Austin Schwartzbeck, Union Bridge, Md.; and Corbin Wood, Littlestown, Penn.
“The YDJM Contest is a chance for the Holstein Association to recognize the achievements of our younger members,” said Dunklee. “These members will be eligible to compete in the Distinguished Junior Member Contest in the future. The contest at the younger age division helps them prepare for the senior level.”
^ back to top ^
 Brattleboro, Vt. (February 8, 2007)…Clayton Wood, Littlestown, Pa., has been named the 2006 Overall Judi Collinsworth Outstanding Junior Exhibitor Award winner by Holstein Association USA. Wood is the third Junior Holstein member to win this prestigious honor, competing with four others for the title. The semi-finalists included: Linda Behling, Fox Lake, Wis.; Craig Blough, Goshen, Ind.; Brian Coyne, Spring Valley, Wis.; and Maureen Lee, Johnson Creek, Wis.
Wood is the 20-year-old son of Steve and Chrissy Wood of Littlestown, Pa. He was awarded the Collinsworth Award at the Premier National Junior Holstein Show at the All-American Dairy Show, Harrisburg, Pa., September 18, 2006. Wood has received many awards, including being named a 2004 Young Distinguished Junior Member Finalist and being the only national member to place in the top three of the prepared public speaking contest in all three age divisions. Currently a sophomore at Cornell University majoring in animal science, Wood has definite plans to stay involved with the dairy industry and Registered Holsteins.
"I am absolutely blessed to be the Overall Judi Collinsworth Award winner,” Wood said. “Judi Collinsworth did so much for the Holstein youth activities that we have come to enjoy. These Holstein activities have helped mold me into the person I am today, and the same is true for every other Holstein Junior member who has participated in this great organization. This organization has prepared me more than any other program I have been a part of. Other organizations can not give you the same experience you can receive by being a Holstein Junior member."
The Judi Collinsworth Outstanding Junior Exhibitor Memorial Award was presented to deserving applicants at each of the seven 2006 National Junior Holstein Shows. Each winner was selected based on sportsmanship, herdsmanship and level of participation in Holstein activities and awarded $100. The seven winners were invited to apply for the Overall Judi Collinsworth Outstanding Junior Exhibitor Award, a $500 scholarship.
Since 1994, 115 outstanding Junior Holstein members have been presented the award named for Judi Collinsworth, the former Holstein Association Executive Director of Member and Industry Services who passed away in 1993 of cancer. Collinsworth was dedicated to improving and expanding Holstein youth programs and was a driving force behind increasing support for those programs.
Applications for the Judi Collinsworth Outstanding Junior Exhibitor Memorial Award are available online at www.holsteinusa.com or at each of the eight 2007 National Junior Holstein Shows. For more information on Holstein Association Junior activities, please contact Kelli Dunklee at 800-952-5200, ext. 4124.
^ back to top ^
|
