Each year, Holstein Association USA holds a series of Regional Member meetings throughout the U.S. to discuss current topics and keep members informed about the programs and services of the Association.
In an effort to bring Regional Member meeting topics to a broader spectrum of members, we will be highlighting a few topics, where good discussions took place, in future issues of the Holstein Pulse and on the Association’s Web site. The first subject we are showcasing is the concept of showing heifers by height rather than age, as traditionally has been done.
For the past several years at Regional Member meetings, and through responses given in a recent survey of Association members, concerns have been raised over the credibility of the ages provided on some heifers that are shown. For the most part, the common complaint is that some heifers appear to be just too big for the classes in which they are being shown. One Wisconsin member stated in the survey that the Association’s biggest weakness was, “Not enforcing true birth dates of cattle at shows.” Another Wisconsinite provided a similar comment, indicating the Association’s biggest weakness was, “Age of calves in the show ring.”
During the Association’s Show Committee meetings last spring and fall, considerable discussions took place regarding the prospect of researching the concept of showing heifers by height instead of age. As any longtime show enthusiast will attest, the new concept is a real departure from the traditional system of showing heifers. Without question, some who have been successful under the current system of showing heifers do not embrace the idea of showing heifers under a new criterion. Such reaction is not unanticipated as oftentimes change of any kind results in unrest.
The alternative of showing heifers by height rather than age was first presented to Holstein Association membership by Larry Tande, Holstein Association USA Region 6 director from Medford, Minnesota and Show Committee Chairman, during last year’s Annual Meeting in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He explained, “We have been asked to look at it. We did, and the concept was recommended to the Board, who endorsed the concept, and your Show Committee will be looking at this in the next year or two. There is no timetable or recommendation on implementation at this time, but very seriously, the Show Committee is looking at what might be the pluses and minuses of showing heifers by height measurement.”
Holstein Association USA’s board of directors has directed staff to gather data on growth patterns of Holstein heifers and to develop guidelines for determining heifer classes by height.
Proposal
Based on research, the following proposal has been developed:
Heifers would be measured at the shoulder at show check-in. The seven calf/heifer classes would be set up as follows:
44" and under
Over 44" but not over 47"
Over 47" but not over 50"
Over 50" but not over 53"
Over 53" but not over 56"
Over 56" but not over 58"
Over 58", under two years old, and not in milk.
It is important to remember, however, that exhibitors will still provide the heifer’s birth date on show entry forms and in show catalogs. And judges may still ask the exhibitor when the animal was born.
Member Comments
One of the concerns raised at a Regional Member meeting was that, “Some heifers might show in different classes over the course of the show season.” Such a scenario is not unlikely and it could happen that a heifer could show in the spring in the 44" to 47" class and in the 48" to 50" class in fall competition. If such were the scenario, the member asked, “How would that affect the All-American contest?”
Realizing the Holstein World runs the All-American contest, it would be their decision. However, this is one way it could work. If an animal was shown in more than one class during the show season, the exhibitor would decide which class to enter in the All-American contest. For example, if a heifer won its class at a major show, that would likely be the All-American class she would be entered into. Placings in other classes could be listed as well to support the application.
One long-time member commented in the Region 1 meeting in Brattleboro, Vermont that, “Showing heifers by height would give an advantage to ‘runts’ that are older but are not as well grown.” In reality, most good judges are able to tell the difference between a well-grown heifer and one that is older and not as well grown.
One member asked, “Can’t the Association just do a better job enforcing birth dates so we do not have to change the system?” It should be comforting for those concerned to know the registration system has several integrity checks for date of birth. Among these are: 1) Birthdates on all registration applications are compared to the dam’s DHIA calving records; 2) Birthdates are compared to the dates of birth of any previously registered, non-ET offspring of the same dam to verify the dates of birth are not too close together; and 3) the dam’s service date is checked to be sure the gestation was of normal length.
Ron Fuhrmann, Holstein Association USA Region 3 director from Hoagland, Indiana and an Association Show Committee member, commented, “Are we judging for height or for quality? If all the heifers in a class are the same height, then they’ll be judged on their quality. That’s what I want to see.”
One member stated, “If judges were trained better and did not judge heifers primarily by height, we would not have to look at changing the system. Can’t you just train the judges better?” Recognizing this issue, the National Purebred Dairy Cattle Association (PDCA) has conducted three judges’ conferences in the last three years. Held in Columbus, Ohio, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and Madison, Wisconsin, one of the focuses of these conferences was that “bigger isn’t necessarily better.”
As member Kent Buttars from Lewiston, Utah stated at the Region 8 Member meeting in Denver, Colorado, “It could make heifers more valuable. In regard to personal integrity, this would be a huge step forward.”
Commenting on how the change could affect junior shows, UW-Madison Senior Outreach Specialist Ted Halbach said, “It could create a more level playing field. Every summer I get kids who approach me discouraged because they are unwilling to change birthdates to win and they see those they suspect do it take home the blue ribbons. These kids are left wondering where the reward is for being honest.”
Member Lisa Gibson, Eminence, Kentucky, agreed, saying, “Showing by height would level the playing field for Junior exhibitors and I’m sure we’d see increased participation as a result. The Georgia commercial heifer program, where they divide the classes by weight, is one of the biggest shows in the country, with nearly 200 kids competing. That’s what I’d like to see at our shows, and it would happen if the kids felt they could compete without having to cheat.”
Another of the positive comments made frequently about the concept of showing heifers by height rather than age is that it ultimately could put more money in members’ pockets. Glen Brown, Holstein Association USA Region 8 Director from Coalville, Utah, pointed out, “It will potentially add value to all your good heifers. They won’t have to be ‘born right’ to show.”
In an unprecedented decision, the board of directors of the Missouri Holstein Association recently voted to show heifers by height at the Missouri Spring Show on March 30. Other shows may do the same this year as part of researching the practicality of implementing such a system. The American Jersey Association is doing similar research on the concept and other National PDCA organizations are interested as well.
If you did not share your thoughts on this subject during your Regional Member meeting, feel free to call your director, or Holstein Association USA Show Committee liaison, Peter Cole, at 800-952-5200 ext. 4127 to offer your insight and opinions.
