Wood's Donated Heifer Raises $20,000 for Holstein Foundation
BRATTLEBORO, Vt., April 24, 2006–Clayton Wood, a seventeen-year-old Holstein Association USA, Inc. Junior member from Littlestown, Pa., helped raise over $20,000 for the Holstein Foundation. Wood donated a Registered Holstein heifer that was auctioned at the Pennsylvania State Holstein Convention Sale on February 18, 2006 in York, Pa., with all proceeds benefiting the Foundation.
The spring yearling heifer, Penn-Gate Lucifer Mandy F 136186577, 100% RHA-NA, was born March 2005 and hails from the heart of the Penn-Gate “Finesse” cow family. Mandy’s sire is Lylehaven Lucifer from the acclaimed “Laura” cow family and her dam is a 2E-93 Mandel.
The Pennsylvania Holstein Association formed a syndicate which sold shares in the heifer for $100 each. The syndicate purchased Mandy F for $17,200 and then donated her back to the sale. She was purchased by Pennsylvania Junior Holstein member, Robert Hershey, Cochranville, Pa., for $2,800, bringing the total donation to the Holstein Foundation to $20,000.
“The overwhelming success of this sale, on the heels of similarly successful sales in California and Minnesota, is the third in recognition of the 25th anniversary of National Dairy Bowl competition,” said Bob Heilman, Holstein Foundation Fund Drive Chairman. “We are encouraging consignors and buyers at any state, regional, county or private sale to participate in a similar sale to benefit the Foundation’s most popular Junior program, the Dairy Bowl competition.”
Pennsylvania readily accepted the challenge. The state has won more National Championship Dairy Bowl titles than any other state in the country, with a total of 13.
“We were extremely pleased with the response of our membership and friends to this program. The Dairy Bowl Contest has been a big reason for the continued interest in our Junior Association, so we were pleased to give something back,” said Pennsylvania Holstein Association Executive Director Ken Raney.
Clayton Wood joins John Bierbaum and Tom Nunes, sponsors of the first two Dairy Bowl Sales, in issuing a challenge to other areas of the country to hold their own Foundation sale. For more details about running a “25 More National Dairy Bowls Sale” event in your local area, contact Jodi Hoynoski at 800.952.5200 ext. 4261 or jhoynoski@holstein.com or Bob Heilman at 804.474.8678 or bob.heilman@comcast.net.
The Holstein Foundation is a nonprofit organization, supported by generous individual and corporate donors. Through its premier leadership programs, the Holstein Foundation is growing the future of the dairy industry.
Holstein Association Board Holds Successful Spring Meeting in Brattleboro
BRATTLEBORO, Vt., April 10, 2006–The Board of Directors of the Holstein Association USA, Inc. held its annual spring meeting in Brattleboro, Vermont on March 24 and 25. During the successful meeting, led by President Randy Gross, several significant actions were taken, along with productive discussions and exchange of ideas.
Chief Financial Officer Barbara Casna presented the year-end financial report for 2005 and financial results for the first two months of this year. Total Holstein Association revenues increased two percent to $14,296,000 in 2005. This was mainly attributed to increased revenues from Holstein COMPLETE and increased ear tag sales. The Association’s profit on operations for the year was $447,000 and consolidated net income was $1,103,000.
Board members heard from several committees including: Milk Marketing, Breed of the Future, Nominating, International and Audit. The approved Audit Committee report included a thorough review of the Association’s and Foundation’s 2005 audited financial statements as presented by auditors, Gallagher, Flynn & Co. and a review of the Association’s investments by Grantham, Mayo and Van Otterloo & Co. (GMO). The Board also approved the following recommendations from the International committee: that the Association develop a full-fledged campaign to promote U.S. Registered Holsteins domestically and internationally as the world’s elite Holstein genetics and to aggressively promote National FAIR for use by any and all producers interested in identifying their animals.
Staff reviewed results of the 2005 Management-by-Objectives Business Plan and gave a year-to-date update on the 2006 Business Plan for the Association. Staff also reviewed several ongoing research projects.
The Board was updated on the Holstein Association’s initiative with the McDonald’s Corporation. Started in 2005, the joint project in California continues to see an increase in participation. The objective of the program is to identify and provide point-of-origin information for animals used in McDonald’s consumer products.
The Board approved changing the rule governing the calculation of 40-year memberships. The current rule requires the completion of 40 years of continuous membership in one account number. The new rule states: whenever there is evidence someone has been a member of the Holstein Association for any combination of 40 years, he or she is eligible to receive 40-year membership recognition. The Board also approved the recommendation of the Foundation Board to amend the Foundation’s Bylaws reducing the terms for Trustees from three three-year terms to two three-year terms.
The Board reconfirmed the following host states for upcoming National Conventions: Tennessee – 2007, Wisconsin – 2008, California – 2009, Minnesota – 2010, Virginia – 2011 and Missouri – 2012.
The Board will hold its next meeting in Sioux Falls, S.D. June 20-21, 2006.
New Classifier Joins Holstein Association USA Team
BRATTLEBORO, Vt., April 10, 2006–Holstein Association USA, Inc. welcomes Richard Wright to their Classification team.
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| Richard Wright, Stanley, N.Y., joins the Holstein Association USA, Inc. as a Classifier. |
Wright, of Stanley, N.Y. is a lifelong dairy farmer, Registered Holstein breeder, and owner/partner of Ellbank Farm. He holds an associate degree in Dairy Science from SUNY Cobleskill and after college, went into partnership with his parents, Alton and Jean.
Wright has been a judge of dairy cattle shows across New York State, New England and New Jersey. He has been on the All-New York Holstein judging panel seven times and was a judge at the National Holstein Show held in Argentina. Wright is a past president of the New York Holstein Association.
“I’ve always had a keen interest in the Holstein Association classification program, so I was excited when the opportunity came to me. I hope to help fellow breeders bred a better Holstein cow through my work,” said Wright.
Wright’s Ellbank Farm herd has been listed on the Holstein Association’s Progressive Breeders Registry for 18 continuous years, and most recently, Wright was named New York State Holstein Association Master Breeder of 2004. His father, Alton earned the same title in 1980, making them the first father and son in N.Y. to be named Master Breeder. The Ellbank prefix is known for breeding the “K family,” most notably, the bull, Ellbank Airliner.
“The Holstein Association was fortunate to bring Wright on our team. His background and experience as a Registered Holstein breeder will be a benefit to our classification program,” said Dan Meihak, Holstein Association USA, Inc. Executive Director, Herd Advancement Services.
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Holstein Association Receives
Centennial Award
The Holstein Association USA was recognized on March 20, 2006, with a Vermont Centennial Business Award. The award, sponsored by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, the Vermont Business Magazine and Deborah Markowitz, Vermont Secretary of State, acknowledges Vermont’s oldest businesses for enriching the state’s economic heritage and enhancing local community life during the business’s 100 years of operation.
Pictured are Deborah Markowitz, Vermont Secretary of State, at left, and from right, Vermont Governor Jim Douglas, Karen Albrecht, Holstein Association USA Executive Assistant to the CEO and Lisa Perrin, Holstein Association USA Communications Manager.
In the photo, seated from left: Melissa Kietzman, Mary Cull and Kelli Cull.
Standing from left: Director Elmo Wendorf, Jr., Jeremy Nitz, Joel Kietzman, John Cull, Thomas Cull, John M. Meyer, Joe Casper and Pat Sonnetag.
Holstein Association Honors Budjon Farms
Holstein Association USA recently honored one of its premier breeders, Budjon Farms and Budjon-JK of Lomira, Wis.
The Budjon prefix is the first in the country to have three different animals named Grand Champion, Best Bred & Owned and Best Udder at three National Holstein Shows in one year. This remarkable accomplishment was recognized at the 2006 Wisconsin Holstein Association Annual Meeting.
In making the presentation, Holstein Association CEO John Meyer said, “The dedication of these families to the Holstein breed is commendable. It is a pleasure to see three homebred animals take home such prestigious titles. It shows the art of breeding is alive and strong.”
The three animals honored were: Budjon-JK Linjet Eileen EX-96, Midwest Spring National Show, Madison, Wis., April 23, 2005; Budjon Redmarker Desire EX-95 International Holstein Show, Madison, Wis., October 8, 2005; and Budjon Stardust Anisa EX-96, Mideast Fall National Show, Louisville, Ky., November 7, 2005.
Peter Waterman, chairman of the 2005 National Holstein Convention held in Portland, Maine, will be accepting an award from the Portland Chamber of Commerce on behalf of the New England Holstein Association. Last year’s National Convention was the number one economic impact convention for 2005 in Portland.
Holstein Association USA, Inc. Recognizes Winners in Junior Member Contests
BRATTLEBORO, Vt., April 6, 2006– Holstein Association USA, Inc., the world’s largest dairy breed organization, is proud to announce 12 semifinalists in its 84th annual Distinguished Junior Member (DJM) Contest, and eight finalists in the third 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 21 – June 24, 2006 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, 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 as a whole.
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 2006 Distinguished Junior Member contest are: Julie Drendel, Hampshire, Ill.; T. Jason Ewing, Fordland, Mo.; Sonja Galley, Garrattsville, N.Y.; Ryan Haines, Taneytown, Md.; Laura Leazer, Wilton, Iowa; Gretchen Mast, Goshen, Ind.; Glen Meier, Ridott, Ill.; Katherine Meier, Ridott, Ill.; Casey Rickeman, Hutchinson, Minn.; Joseph Sarbacker, Verona, Wis.; Krista Sheehan, Rochester, Minn.; and Hannah Smith, Clear Spring, Md.
“Holstein Junior members are among the most dedicated and involved youth in the industry,” said Kelli Dunklee, Junior Programs Specialist, Holstein Association USA, Inc. “Each year brings to our attention another group of outstanding young people that 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 2006 are: Alissa Arata, Chowchilla, Calif.; Danielle Brown, Dodgeville, Wis.; Maureen Lee, Johnson Creek, Wis.; Patrick Lundy, Granville, N.Y.; Christopher Potts, Purcellville, Va.; Jarrett Remsberg, Middletown, Md.; Kevin Shaffer, Beavertown, Pa.; and Mark Simon, Farley, Iowa.
“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, and the contest at the younger age division helps them prepare for the senior level.”
Holstein Association USA, Inc. Announces Pedigree Planner
BRATTLEBORO, Vt., April 3, 2006–Holstein Association USA, Inc. is pleased to offer a new service to dairymen – the Pedigree Planner. The online program allows breeders to order pedigrees for embryos or planned matings.
The Pedigree Planner gives dairymen the opportunity to see the pedigree of a planned mating. Users can enter up to five different sires for the planned mating, choosing from the top 100 TPI list, or by entering the sire’s registration or NAAB number. For $1 per mating, the Pedigree Planner will list the unborn animal’s projected TPI and parent averages. For an additional $4, users can print a three-generation pedigree immediately.
“The Pedigree Planner is a great management and marketing tool for dairymen,” said Peter Cole, Executive Director, Association and Processing Services. “Receiving the projected TPI and parent averages of different mating scenarios will assist producers in making more informed breeding decisions, and having a printed pedigree of an unborn animal will be a valuable tool for anyone marketing embryos.”
The Holstein Association’s Pedigree Planner is available on www.holsteinusa.com by clicking on “Online Ordering” and “Pedigree Planner.” For more information, please contact your regional representative or the Customer Service department at 800.952.5200.
Rumler Scholarship Applications Available
BRATTLEBORO, Vt., April 3, 2006–Holstein Association USA, Inc. is now accepting applications for the prestigious Robert H. Rumler Scholarship.
Established in 1984 in honor of Robert H. Rumler, former Executive Secretary of the Holstein Association, the scholarship is intended to encourage outstanding college graduates in dairy production studies to pursue a degree in business administration at the advanced level. The $3,000 scholarship is available for first or second year MBA students.
Applicants must have graduated from an accredited agricultural college or university with a bachelor’s degree in dairy production or its equivalent, should have ranked in the upper one-third of agricultural graduates and should have exhibited qualities of personal leadership recognized by both faculty and peer students. While not a requirement, preference will be given to applicants having had several years of work experience following receipt of a bachelor’s degree. Evaluation of leadership qualities, management aptitude, executive intuition and personal traits evidenced during this period will weigh heavily in the selection process.
All applicants, including previous winners, may re-apply annually as long as they meet other eligibility requirements. The application deadline is May 1, 2006. Forms are available through the office of the dean of agriculture at each of the agricultural colleges and universities or through the Holstein Association by calling 800-952-5200 or visiting their website at www.holsteinusa.com.
Completed applications and supporting documentation, including a current photograph, should be sent to: Attn: John M. Meyer, Chief Executive Officer, Holstein Association USA, Inc., 1 Holstein Place, Brattleboro, VT 05302. Those individuals or organizations wishing to make tax deductible contributions to the Rumler Scholarship to support additional scholarships may do so by sending a check, made payable to the Robert H. Rumler Scholarship, to the Holstein Association USA, Inc. at the address above.
Holstein Association Completes Successful Regional Member Meetings
BRATTLEBORO, Vt., April 3, 2006– Holstein Association USA, Inc. has completed its series of Regional Member Meetings. The nine meetings were held December 2005 to March 2006 throughout the country. Meetings addressed several key issues important to Holstein Association members.
Finances
Each meeting started with a State of the Association Address and Financial Update. Members heard about the success of the Holstein COMPLETE program and how it was a large contributing factor to a positive bottom line. For the third year in a row, the Holstein Association USA, Inc. achieved a profit on operations, resulting from continued member loyalty and patronage, and good business decisions made by the Association Board of Directors and staff.
Director Elections
Four seats are up for election in the 2006 Director Elections. Region 5 Director Elmo Wendorf, Jr. and Region 9 Director Marvin L. Nunes are ineligible for re-election and are retiring from the Holstein Association Board. In Region 8, Director Glen E. Brown is running for re-election, and for Director-at-Large, Thomas L. Thorbahn is running for re-election.
Bylaw Proposal
A bylaw change proposal will be presented to Holstein Association Delegates at the 2006 Annual Meeting in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The proposal shifts the delegate election process one month later, from June-October to July-November. If passed, the resolution would be effective for delegates elected for the 2008 Annual Meeting.
Delegate Policy Change
The Delegate Reimbursement Policy has changed effective for the 2006 Annual Meeting. All delegates attending the entire Holstein Association Annual Meeting will be reimbursed a flat rate of $400. Checks will be dispersed upon adjournment of the meeting – Delegates must be present to receive their reimbursement.
IDairy
The Holstein Association is a founding member of IDairy, a group of six organizations formed to bring the dairy industry together and move animal identification forward. IDairy promotes action steps for dairy producers to become compliant with upcoming national animal ID standards.
Resolution
Holstein Association staff responded to a resolution passed at the 2005 Annual Meeting, calling for a new naming system for animals not 100% RHA to more easily differentiate them. Staff and Board members presented the current situation, considerations and examples of how easy it is today to find RHA% on any animal. The final conclusion was that having “less than 100% RHA” in official Holstein Association names would not eliminate errors in non-Holstein Association publications.
Holstein Foundation
Ending each meeting on a high note, a Holstein Foundation update was presented. The “Dairy Dreams” video, sponsored by Dairymaster USA, Inc., was shown. The 12-minute educational video highlights youth and young adult programs offered by the Holstein Foundation.
The purpose of the Regional Member Meetings each year is to update members and Delegates on Association happenings and receive feedback from members. The 2006 Holstein Association Annual Meeting will be held June 23-24, 2006 in Sioux Falls, S.D. For more information, visit www.holsteinusa.com.
Distinguished Young Holstein Breeder Award Applications Available
BRATTLEBORO, Vt., April 3, 2006–Holstein Association USA, Inc. is encouraging applications for the coveted Distinguished Young Holstein Breeder Award.
The Distinguished Young Holstein Breeder Award is open to young dairy breeders who have made significant accomplishments with Registered Holsteins. Applicants should be National Holstein members between the ages of 21 to 40 who own or manage a Holstein herd. The award winner will receive a paid trip to Sioux Falls, S.D. for the 2006 National Holstein Convention, along with $500.
Award applications are due April 17, 2006. For more information or to obtain an application, please visit www.holsteinusa.com or call Lisa Perrin at 800.952.5200.
Holstein Association USA, Inc., www.holsteinusa.com, provides products and services to dairy producers to enhance genetics and improve profitability–ranging from registry processing to identification programs to consulting services. The Association, headquartered in Brattleboro, Vt., maintains the records for Registered Holsteins and represents approximately 30,000 dairy farmers from across the United States. The Association is also leading the initiative for national animal identification through the National FAIR program.