Holstein Juniors Receive Awards at National Junior Holstein Convention
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 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.
(photo courtesy of the Holstein World)
National Holstein Women’s Organization Awards Scholarships
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.
(photo courtesy of the Holstein World)
Outstanding Junior Holstein Breeders Recognized
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.
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.”
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.
President’s Address
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.”
State of the Association Address
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.”
New 40-Year Members
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.
Early Bird Session
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.
Bylaw Amendments
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.
Financial Report
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.”
Guest Speaker
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.
Resolutions
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.
Junior Convention Highlights
More than 500 Holstein Junior members participated in the National Convention, in dairy jeopardy, dairy bowl and prepared speaking competitions.
Dairy Bowl
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.
Distinguished Junior Members
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.
Dairy Jeopardy
Winners in the dairy jeopardy competition were: junior division – Justin Bopp, California; intermediate division – Elizabeth Gaul, Iowa; and senior division – Elizabeth Smith, Pennsylvania.
Mission Membership
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.
Holstein Association Goes on Record Opposing Forward Contracting of Regulated Milk
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.”
Political Action Committee
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.
Contacting Elected Officials
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 or email Adam Griffin.
Nunes Named Elite Holstein Breeder
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.”
McKarns Named Distinguished Leader
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.
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 HolsteinsSM and represents more than 30,000 members throughout the United States. The Association is also leading the initiative for national animal identification through the National FAIR program.