121st National Holstein Annual Meeting Concludes
BRATTLEBORO, Vt., June 30, 2006–1,000 Holstein enthusiasts gathered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, June 23-24, and celebrated another highly successful year for their Association.
In his President’s address, Randolph “Randy” E. Gross of Valleyford, Washington spoke of the action behind the Association’s continued growth and sound financial status. “At all levels, staff is in close contact with members and potential customers, listening and responding to their needs. The Board and staff are committed to maintaining and growing the Association by investigating opportunities to diversify and expand. Programs and services will be designed to meet the needs of producers who will be in the dairy business well into the future, but our traditional customers will not be forgotten,” said Gross.
In Chief Executive Officer John M. Meyer’s membership address, he highlighted expanded participation in programs that took place in 2005, “Your Association’s emphasis on profit-oriented programs for members resulted in increased member participation and growth. Registrations are the bread and butter of any pedigreed livestock association. It is a pleasure to report that registration activity continues to grow with over 301,000 animals registered, representing an increase of 2.8 percent in 2005, from 2004. Classification activity continued at a brisk pace. 200,955 cows in 4,980 herds were linearly appraised in the regular classification representing an increase of 6 percent and 7 percent respectively.”
Meyer reported, “Our marquis program, Holstein COMPLETE, continues to grow by leaps and bounds! In 2005, 132,717 animals in 1,133 herds enrolled in COMPLETE, which is a 13 percent increase in animals, and a 15 percent increase in herds compared to 2004.”
The Holstein Association’s financial condition remains strong. Chief Financial Officer Barbara Casna reported that for the third consecutive year, the Association has shown a profit on operations. For the year ended December 31, 2005, the Association recognized consolidated net income before investment returns of $1,015,000.
During the meeting, Glen E. Brown, of Coalville Utah, was re-elected to a three-year term on the Board of Directors representing Region 8, and Thomas L. Thorbahn, of Vickery, Ohio, was re-elected to a three-year term as an At-Large Director. Two first-time Board members were elected at the Convention as Robert Nigh, of Viroqua, Wisconsin, was elected to represent Region 5, and Hank van Exel, of Lodi, California, will represent Region 9.
Spencer and Stacey Hackett of Rice, Minnesota were presented with the prestigious Distinguished Young Holstein Breeder Award. The Hacketts, along with their two sons, milk 135 Registered Holsteins. The Hackett’s herd averages over 25,000 pounds of milk, 900 pounds of butterfat, and 800 pounds of protein. According to Spencer, “Our philosophy is to breed cows with enough size and strength to produce 30,000 pounds of milk, along with good enough type to score Very Good or better.”
The Association’s members welcomed guest speaker U.S. Senator John R. Thune of South Dakota as he addressed agricultural issues. South Dakota is one of the nation’s leaders in the development of bio-fuels and ethanol plants, and the first-term Senator provided attendees with updates and recent developments. Additionally, he gave members his thoughts on the Senate and House versions of immigration bills, and next year’s Farm Bill.
Next year’s Holstein Association USA, Inc.’s Annual Meeting will take place June 25-26, 2007 at the Holiday Inn Select hotel at the Convention Center in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Holstein Association Members Enthused – Canadian Border Opened
BRATTLEBORO , Vt. , June 29, 2006 –Holstein Association USA, Inc. applauds Canada ’s decision to open its border to live cattle imports. This important announcement will have a positive effect on the nation’s Registered Holstein breeders.
Effective immediately, all classes of U.S. cattle, including those for breeding purposes born after 1999, are eligible for entry based on prescribed certification requirements. The Canadian border had been suspended since the 2003 confirmation of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in the state of Washington .
“The decision to re-open the Canadian border is significant news for Registered Holstein breeders,” said John M. Meyer, Holstein Association USA, Inc. CEO. “The free movement of U.S. genetics to Canada in the form of live animals born after 1999, embryos and semen, will have a large impact on our breeders’ marketing opportunities.”
The opening of the border is a science-based approach and moves Canada and the United States closer to fully normalizing trade within the North American cattle market, in accordance with international standards. United States and Canadian import controls will continue to provide the highest levels of public and animal health protection.
The Holstein Association USA, Inc. represents over 30,000 dairy farmers from across the country and provides them with products and services to enhance genetics and improve profitability.
Online Auction Opens – Offers Exclusive “Holstein Royalty” Prints
 The Holstein Foundation received top billing at the National Holstein Convention Sale in Sioux Falls, S.D. on Saturday, June 24, 2006. From left, Jodi Hoynoski, Holstein Foundation Programs Manager, Charles and Judy Iager, Fulton, Maryland, purchasers of the #1 giclee, Elmo Wendorf, Jr., Crescentmead Farm, Ixonia, Wisconsin, who purchased the artist’s proof, Larry Schultz, artist, Charles E. Worden, Holstein Foundation Vice Chairman and Beverly Long of Long Haven Farms, Clayton, Michigan, who, along with her husband, Douglas, purchased the original oil painting. |
BRATTLEBORO, Vt., June 29, 2006–Excitement abounds as the Holstein Foundation makes available to the public the new, must-have painting, “Holstein Royalty.” Beginning July 1, 2006, and ending September 1, 2006, at 4:00 p.m. EST, an online auction of exclusive giclee reproductions and prints will take place. Visit www.holsteinfoundation.org to bid on the #2-10 giclee reproductions on canvas, or the #1-10 signed and numbered prints
A special fundraising project of the Holstein Foundation, “Holstein Royalty,” was painted by renowned artist, Larry Schultz of Milton, Wis. He beautifully rendered the ten “Queen of the Breed II” contest finalists: C Glenridge Citation Roxy, Comestar Laurie Sheik-ET, Krull Broker Elegance, Markwell BStar E Raven, Rainyridge Tony Beauty, Robthom Ivory Mark, Shoremar S Alicia-ET, Snow-N-Denises Dellia, Stookey Elm Park Blackrose, and Tri-Day Ashlyn-ET.
The original oil painting sold with first billing at the South Dakota Nationals Sale during the National Holstein Convention. Purchased by Douglas and Beverly Long of Long Haven Farms, Clayton, Michigan, “Holstein Royalty” brought $11,000. In addition, the artist proof sold for $2,700 to Crescentmead Farm, Ixonia, Wisconsin.
The #1 giclee reproduction on canvas brought $5,000 at the South Dakota Nationals Sale, purchased by Charles and Judy Iager, Fulton, Maryland. A giclee involves the technology of digital printing and has become one of the most popular trends in printmaking today. Microscopic ink droplets positioned precisely onto a canvas surface provide greater depth of color and a brilliantly finished print. Each unframed, signed and numbered 30”x 40” giclee of “Holstein Royalty” in the online auction carries a minimum bid of $1,000. The series consists of ten prints, and the remaining nine will only be sold online.
The Holstein Foundation is also offering limited edition prints. Larry Schultz has numbered and signed each 18” x 24” print in the series of 300 prints. The first ten prints in the series will sell online, including print #1. Typically, the lower the print number, the higher the value of the print. Each limited edition print of “Holstein Royalty” is unframed and has a minimum bid of $100.
All proceeds from “Holstein Royalty” will benefit the Holstein Foundation’s work with dairy youth. Many generous supporters made the project possible: Kingsmill Farm II, Holstein World, Tom Morris Ltd. and Larry Schultz.
To go to the Art Sale, please visit the website, www.holsteinfoundation.org and click on “Art Sale.” For information, please contact Jessica Strout at 1-800-952-5200, ext. 4128.
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.
Gold Medal Olympian Rulon Gardner to Address National Junior Holstein Convention
 Olympic wrestler Rulon Gardner will give the keynote address at the National Junior Holstein Convention in Sioux Falls, South Dakota on June 24, 2006. |
BRATTLEBORO, Vt., June 14, 2006–The Holstein Association is pleased to announce Olympic wrestler Rulon Gardner will give the keynote address at the National Junior Holstein Convention. WestfaliaSurge, Inc., of Naperville, Illinois, will sponsor Gardner’s appearance to share his uplifting story of strength and spirit.
The National Junior Holstein Convention will be held June 21-24, 2006, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, with Gardner appearing on June 24 at the awards banquet. Gardner will no doubt inspire the attendees with his truly amazing story of turning from underdog to Olympic hero. Shortly after the 2000 Olympics, he nearly lost his life in a snowmobile accident, but returned to greatness at the Olympics in Athens. Gardner's keynote will focus on overcoming obstacles, including points on turning the negative into a positive, aiming high when you're feeling low, and enlisting others.
The South Dakota Holstein Association, host state to this year’s convention, can be credited with securing this high-profile speaker. “We are so excited to have Rulon Gardner speak to the Junior Holstein members at this year’s Junior Awards Banquet. Rulon was born and raised on a dairy farm very similar to our Junior Holstein members. He will tell an inspirational story of the ups and downs of his life and encourage Junior Holstein members to set goals and to never give up in trying to achieve them,” said Mike Frey, South Dakota Junior Convention Chair.
And that is not all South Dakota has to be excited about.
Twelve Distinguished Junior Member (DJM) semi-finalists will be narrowed down to six finalists. The twelve semi-finalists will be judged at Convention with formal interviews to accompany their impressive resumes of experience. The final six will be awarded a continuously renewed lifetime membership.
The National Dairy Bowl Contest, put on by the Holstein Foundation, is now in its 26th year. In the two age divisions, a total of 36 four-person teams are expected to compete from 22 states. Many of the teams had to qualify at their state level in order to compete in the National Contest.
Dairy Jeopardy, another Holstein Foundation contest, continues to grow. Eighty-five youth in three age divisions from 19 states are entered to compete. This contest is modeled after the popular television game show, and allows youth to compete individually.
Forty-five Speech Contest entrants are already practicing their prepared speeches. Some of the topics will include: Preserving our Dairy Farms, Anaerobic Digesters, Tractor Safety, Sexed Semen and Robotic Milking.
Young Junior Holstein breeders will receive recognition for breeding high producing cows or “Excellent” cows. The Isle of Champions will showcase the Junior Show Champions at State Shows from across the country. In addition, banner and scrapbook contests allow states to show off their pride and accomplishments from the past year.
During the National Junior Forum, Juniors will discuss business and current issues, in an annual meeting-like format. Two new Junior Advisory Committee (JAC) youth representatives will be elected in Area II and IV. Retiring JAC youth representatives, Michele Lahmers, Ohio, and Brandon Essau, Neb. and retiring adult representatives, Tim Perotti, New York, from Area I and Rissa Mitchell, Tenn., from Area II will be honored. Their successors will be announced at the Junior Forum.
Instead of the historic Penny Wars, this year the Distinguished Junior Member semi-finalists will hold a “Kiss the Cow” contest to raise funds for the Holstein Foundation youth programs. Each DJM will have a container to collect as much money as they can during Convention week, and the DJM with the least amount of money raised will have to kiss a cow.
For more information on attending this year’s National Junior Holstein Convention, visit www.holsteinusa.com. To inquire about any of the events or contests, contact Kelli Dunklee: phone 800-952-5200 ext. 4124 or e-mail kdunklee@holstein.com.
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.