 BRATTLEBORO, Vt. June 1, 2023 — Holstein Association USA’s Research Grant Program has been providing funding to universities and non-profits in the United States performing research studies that potentially enhance the profitability of Holstein cows since 2017. Researchers are now invited to submit applications for research proposals with expected outcomes that benefit Holstein cattle.
Holstein Association USA is interested in research projects designed to advance the profitability and health of Registered Holstein® cattle. Research projects covering a wide variety of topics, such as genetics, nutrition, physiology, dairy foods, or economics, are welcome. The applications must include expected outcomes benefiting the profitability of Holstein cattle.
Executive summaries of each proposal should highlight how profit and well-being of Holstein cattle might be increased. The goal is that the research supported will benefit Registered Holsteins and the greater dairy industry.
“We are investing this money in a particular research project, because down the road when a project gets applied to the national herd, all Holstein Association USA members will benefit from it,” says Dr. Roger Shanks, Dairy Genetic Consultant, responsible for managing Holstein Association USA’s Research Grant Program.
Applications are due on or before August 15, 2023 and can be found on Holstein Association USA’s website. Grants are expected to be funded within the range of $10,000 to $80,000 per year and grant durations are expected to be one to three years.
Six research projects have been funded since the program began. A diversity of projects have been funded over the years with topics including inbreeding, twinning, the genomic evaluation of diet digestibility in Holsteins, heat tolerance, and beef on dairy.
More information about the grant guidelines and process, current projects, and applications can be found at https://www.holsteinusa.com/programs_services/research_grant.html. Contact Dr. Roger Shanks at researchgrants@holstein.com with questions or for more information about Holstein USA’s Research Grant Program.
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BRATTLEBORO, Vt. May 26, 2023 — Today, Holstein Association USA, Inc. Chief Executive Officer John M. Meyer stated, “I’m excited and happy to announce ten promotions that will have a positive influence on the Holstein Association USA, Inc. well into the future.”
Lindsey Worden has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer. In this role, Lindsey will manage and direct the daily, ongoing business operations of the Holstein Association, ensuring alignment with current goals and policies throughout the organization. She has been with the Holstein Association for over 16 years, starting as Holstein Foundation youth programs intern during the summer of 2006, and later joining the HAUSA team full-time in the communications department in 2007. For the last nine years, Lindsey has led the Holstein Genetic Services department.
Meyer states, “Lindsey has an impeccable track record and I’m excited to promote her to this new position within the Association. Lindsey and I will continue to work closely together as she evaluates current internal practices and policies and works with others to help create and streamline internal processes as appropriate. Her vast history with the Association, and her dairy experience bode well for Lindsey and the Association as she assumes these new responsibilities.”
Dr. Jeffrey Bewley is assuming new responsibilities administering HAUSA’s international efforts, responding to inquiries, ensuring the Association is appropriately represented at international activities, managing usage of USLGE-allocated funding, and serving as staff liaison to the International Marketing Committee. This will be in addition to his current role as Dairy Analytics and Innovation Scientist, a position which he has held since 2020.
Jenna Brown has been promoted to Senior Manager, Customer Service. Jenna is responsible for leading the Customer Service team to provide exceptional service to HAUSA’s members and other customers, and maintaining strong relationships to ensure that our members’ needs are met. Jenna brings over six years of HAUSA service to this position.
Bridget Cummings has been advanced to Senior Manager, Identification Services. Bridget has been a dedicated HAUSA colleague for over 18 years, working in various departments and roles within the organization. In this position, she manages all procedures and policies related to registering and transferring Holstein cattle, ensuring work is maximized for efficiency and accuracy, while providing excellent member service. She also provides field support for our members in the state of Maine.
Kelli Dunklee is assuming the role of Holstein Association Event and Program Lead. In this role, she is responsible for directing, implementing, and administering youth programs and policies, and continues to serve as the staff liaison for the Junior Advisory Committee. In addition, Kelli plays a leading role in planning our annual National Holstein Conventions and provides management and administrative support for Holstein Foundation and Association activities, including state association communications, National Holstein Shows, and the delegate election process. Kelli brings over 28 years of experience to this position.
Amy Fletcher has been promoted to Senior Manager, Classification Operations. Amy has been with the Holstein Association for almost 13 years and has led the day-to-day responsibilities of ensuring our multi-breed classification program is conducted in an efficient and fair manner for the last several years. She has played a leading role in the implementation of our new classification handheld software, and onboarding three new breeds (Guernsey, and more recently Milking Shorthorn and Ayrshire) into our classification program.
Darin Johnson has been advanced to Senior Manager, Identification Programs. Darin has been with the Association for 13 years, in both field and office-based roles. In this capacity, he manages HAUSA’s prominent identification programs, including our ear tag program and identification software.
Jenifer Levisee has been elevated to Senior Manager, Quality Assurance. In this role, Jen is responsible for providing leadership and direction regarding HAUSA’s genomic and genetic testing programs, parentage discovery and conflict resolution, genetic conditions, export documentation, and maintaining relationships with allied organizations. She brings over 25 years of experience working for the Holstein Association to this role.
Daren Sheffield is assuming new responsibilities as the Director, Holstein Performance Programs, Governance and Policy. Daren will provide oversight and guidance to several core functions of the Genetic Services department, including software, production records programs, pedigrees, herd reports and award programs. In addition, he will be a key resource in questions related to HAUSA’s bylaws and policies, provide leadership to governance procedures including the Annual Meeting delegate process, and serve as staff liaison for the Nominating Committee and Legislative and Industry Affairs Committee. Daren has been with the Holstein Association for over 18 years.
Tim Ziemba is taking on additional responsibilities as HAUSA’s National Show Coordinator, in addition to his role as Manager of Holstein Marketplace Sires. As National Show Coordinator, Tim will manage the approved National and Junior Holstein Shows, ensuring that HAUSA polices and rules are adhered to and that each show receives appropriate support from the National office, as well as managing the Show Judges List and serving as staff liaison for the Show Committee.
According to Meyer, “Those being promoted today represent a combined 143 years of dedicated service to the Holstein Association USA and its members. Every one of these team members are experts in their field, and I’m excited to continue working with them as they grow in their positions, and the success of the Holstein Association continues to grow into the future!”
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| Lindsey Worden |
Dr. Jeffrey Bewley |
Jenna Brown |
Bridget Cummings |
Kelli Dunklee |
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| Amy Fletcher |
Darin Johnson |
Jenifer Levisee |
Daren Sheffield |
Tim Ziemba |
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BRATTLEBORO, Vt. May 17, 2023 — Annually, Holstein Association USA recognizes breeders who have developed herds with incredible production and type with the Herds of Excellence award. Ten outstanding Registered Holstein® herds have achieved this honor with their 2022 records. The award is a testament to the hard work, attention to detail, and consistency these dairy farm families put into caring for their cows.
“We’re thrilled to recognize these excellent Registered Holstein cows and their breeders,” Holstein Association USA CEO John Meyer says. “These herds are shining examples of how Registered Holstein cows can excel in both production and type.”
The award is broken down into three divisions based on herd size, including the Large Herd Division (500+ cows), Medium Herd Division (100-499 cows), and Small Herd Division (10-99 cows).
This year’s honorees are:
Large Herd Size Division (500+ Cows)
Bomaz Inc. — The Zwald Family, Hammond, Wis.
94.6% homebred; Age Adjusted Classification Score (AACS) — 85.3 points
ME Production Averages — 32,546M 1,323F 1,055P
Five Year Honoree
Siemers Holstein Farms Inc. — The Siemers Family, Newton, Wis.
79.8% homebred; AACS — 84.3 points
ME Production Averages — 35,673M 1,553F 1,101P
Seven Year Honoree
Medium Herd Size Division (100-499 Cows)
Koepke Farms Inc. — The Koepke Family, Oconomowoc, Wis.
100% homebred; AACS — 85.0 points
ME Production Averages — 35,245M 1,406F 1,070P
Six Year Honoree
Koester Dairy Inc. — The Koester Family, Dakota, Ill.
99.5% homebred; AACS — 85.3 points
ME Production Averages — 35,283M 1,518F 1,114P
Seven Year Honoree
Hilrose Dairy, LLC. — The Brantmeier Family, Sherwood, Wis.
100% homebred; AACS — 88.8 points
ME Production Averages — 36,735M 1,410F 1,081P
Eleven Year Honoree
Pollack-Vu Dairy LLC — The Pollack Family, Ripon, Wis.
99.4% homebred; AACS — 85.3 points
ME Production Averages — 34,589M 1,406F 1,094P
One Year Honoree
Small Herd Size Division (10-99 Cows)
B-Long Holsteins — Bruce, Brenda & Bret Long, New London, Wis.
100% homebred; AACS — 88.4 points
ME Production Averages — 36,168M 1,452F 1,166P
Twelve Year Honoree
Doorco Holsteins — Dan, Julie, and Austin Vandertie, Brussels, Wis.
100% homebred; AACS — 88.7 points
ME Production Averages — 36,491M 1,425F 1,117P
Six Year Honoree
Ever-Green-View Holsteins, LLC — The Kestell Family, Waldo, Wis.
97.8% homebred; AACS — 88.3 points
ME Production Averages — 40,822M 1,705F 1,288P
Thirteen Year Honoree
Show-Mar Holsteins — The Brantner Family, Evans City, Pa.
100% homebred; AACS — 89.5 points
ME Production Averages — 38,394M 1,562F 1,181P
Three Year Honoree
The awards will be presented during Holstein Association USA’s 137th Annual Meeting in Lexington, Kentucky. To register for convention or learn more, visit www.2023nationalholsteinconvention.com.
Read more about the 2022 Herds of Excellence in the Spring 2023 issue of The Pulse. Select pages of The Pulse are available at www.holsteinusa.com under the Latest News tab.
About the Award
The Herd of Excellence designation honors Registered Holstein breeders who have developed Holsteins herds excelling in both production and type. To be recognized with this accolade, herds must have classified within the last year and have an age-adjusted classification score of 83 points or higher; have at least 70 percent of the herd homebred; and be inrolled in Holstein Association USA’s TriStarSM production records program.
Additionally, qualifying herds must meet the following production criteria:
• Large Herd Division - 15 percent above breed average ME for milk, fat and protein
• Medium Herd Division - 20 percent above breed average ME for milk, fat and protein
• Small Herd Division - 25 percent above breed average ME for milk, fat and protein
Congratulations to the 2022 Herds of Excellence!
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 BRATTLEBORO, Vt. May 16, 2023 — Holstein Association USA’s Star of the Breed award is an elite accolade designed to recognize a Registered Holstein® cow with outstanding production and exceptional type. This year’s recipient, Show-Mar Crush Everyone, has eye-catching dairy character, an incredible udder, and impressive milk production. To top it off, her owners say she has the style and personality to match.
Crush Everyone is owned by Wesley Brantner of Saegertown, Pennsylvania. Wesley works on his family’s farm, Show-Mar Holsteins. The 70-cow herd is owned by his parents, Mark and Jelena Brantner. To the Junior Holstein member, the award holds special significance.
“Winning the award means a lot because it shows you are on the right track to better cows,” Wesley explains. “I appreciate that the Star of the Breed award looks at both the way she is classified and the way she’s milking.”
Show-Mar Crush Everyone qualified for the award with her fourth-place finish in the Four-Year-Old cow class at the Northeast Spring National Show in 2022. She has a lifetime production record of 108,990 pounds of milk with 4,165 pounds of fat (3.8%) and 3,421 pounds of protein (3.1%). She’s also classified Excellent 92.
“Crush Everyone has an incredible udder, with a high, wide rear udder, a good tight seam, and it attaches really well,” Wesley shares. “She’s got a lot of style, and is really dairy with a nice pretty head, wide pins, and good feet and legs.”
The 2022 Star of the Breed will be recognized during Holstein Association USA’s 137th Annual Meeting at the 2023 National Holstein Convention in Lexington, Kentucky this summer. To learn more or register for convention, visit www.2023nationalhoslteinconvention.com.
For the full story on Show-Mar Crush Everyone, see the Spring 2023 issue of The Pulse. Select pages, including the Star of the Breed article, are now available online at www.holsteinusa.com under the Latest News tab.
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BRATTLEBORO, Vt. May 4, 2023 — A new U.S. Registered Holstein cow recently broke the record for most lifetime milk. Nor-Bert Colby Connie achieved this incredible feat with her lifetime milk production record of 486,300 pounds through her latest completed lactation. Connie has calved again and is continuing to add to the record total.
Connie has equally impressive numbers for components, with a lifetime record of 27,062 pounds of fat and 17,737 pounds of protein through her last completed lactation. These tremendous fat and protein totals are currently the highest lifetime totals for fat and protein in the Holstein Association USA database.
This new record comes in quick succession to the one set by Chrome-View Charles 3044, who achieved the record earlier this year with a total of 478,200 pounds of lifetime milk, 14,447 pounds of fat, and 12,576 pounds of protein. Having two cows break the lifetime milk production record within a matter of a few months is a testament to all that’s possible with U.S. Registered Holstein cows.
Connie is owned by Nor-Bert Farm in Bremen, Indiana. Roger and Deb Dankert farm alongside their son Jeremy Dankert and daughter and son-in-law Jennifer and Monty Freeman. Jennifer and Monty also have three children, Dalton, Dillon and Breanne, who are involved in the multigenerational farm.
The team at Nor-Bert Farm say Connie is a low maintenance cow, who prefers being alone and doing her thing — making lots of high-quality milk. With a classification score of Excellent 94 3E, Connie is easy to pick out in the barn.
“She has open ribs, a big frame, and impressive width, with a really good udder on her,” Jeremy shares. He believes these physical traits, along with good feet and legs, have also had a positive impact on Connie’s ability to produce so much milk. The 14-year-old cow has also achieved Holstein Association USA’s National Elite Performer status.
Connie’s sire is Solid-Gold Colby-ET. The Dankerts say her dam, Nor-Bert Buckeye Christy-ET, was also a good cow with solid production. “Connie’s out of a really milky family that has good records on them,” Jeremy says.
Connie’s granddam, Nordic-Haven Formation Cara, was bought by Nor-Bert Farms many years ago. Cara is also a sister to Nordic-Haven Mtoto Calico, who was a high TPI cow, and the dam of AI bull Nor-Bert Calypso. Connie herself has had nine calves, including four daughters who have been high-producing cows in the Nor-Bert herd.
For many years, the Registered Holstein cow has been known as the most efficient producer of high-quality milk. Nor-Bert Colby Connie has fed an impressive amount of people in her lifetime. These calculations help put her lifetime milk production total into perspective.
Nor-Bert Colby Connie’s 486,300 pound lifetime milk production record total is equivalent to:
• 56,547 gallons of milk
• 904,744 cups of milk
• 48,630 pounds of cheese1
• Enough cheese for 129,680 twelve-inch pizzas2
• 603,168 scoops of ice cream3
• 22,939 pounds of butter4
Her lifetime milk production total would also feed 10 people for over 80 years, if each person had the daily requirement of 3 servings of milk per day. Connie could also provide the daily dairy requirements for 301,581 people for one day.5
1 Flores, Nancy C. “Making Homemade Cheese: New Mexico State University - Be Bold. Shape the Future.” Making Homemade Cheese, College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, New Mexico State University, Feb. 2022, https://pubs.nmsu.edu/_e/E216/.
2 Staff, Wisconsin Cheese. “How to Host the Ultimate Pizza Party.” Wisconsin Cheese, Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin, 12 Oct. 2022, https://www.wisconsincheese.com/the-cheese-life/article/26/perfect-pizza-party.
3 Staff, The Dairy Alliance. “10 Crazy Facts About Ice Cream You Didn't Know.” The Dairy Alliance Blog, The Dairy Alliance , 22 Oct. 2020, https://thedairyalliance.com/blog/10-crazy-facts-about-ice-cream-you-didnt-know/.
4 Dairy-Cattle. “How Many Pounds of Whole Milk Does It Take to Make a Pound of Butter?” DAIReXNET, Cooperative Extension, USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. , 16 Aug. 2019, https://dairy-cattle.extension.org/how-many-pounds-of-whole-milk-does-it-take-to-make-a-pound-of-butter/.
5 Ragalie-Carr, Jean. “How Many Servings of Dairy Do We Need a Day?” How Many Servings of Dairy Do We Need a Day? | U.S. Dairy, National Dairy Council, 21 Dec. 2018, https://www.usdairy.com/news-articles/do-we-really-need-three-daily-servings-of-dairy.
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BRATTLEBORO, Vt. April 25, 2023 — How important is the physical conformation of cattle in today’s dairy industry? How does the way a cow looks relate to economically important traits? Dr. Jeffrey Bewley will answer these questions in an upcoming webinar, titled “A Million Reasons Why Conformation Matters.”
Join Holstein Association USA on Wednesday, May 10 at noon CST for the free, half-hour webinar. Dr. Bewley, Dairy Analytics and Innovation Scientist at Holstein USA, will share insights from a recent study showing the relationship between desirable functional conformation and economically important traits.
“The study shows the physical conformation of dairy cattle remains an important factor for dairy profitability,” Dr. Bewley shares. “For example, cows with more functionally correct physical conformation produced more lifetime energy correct milk and stayed in the herd longer.”
Holstein Association USA staff analyzed a dataset with over 1 million cows to quantify how conformation related to milk production and longevity. The large dataset used matching data from official linear classification evaluations and DHIA production records. Learn more about the study at www.holsteinusa.com/typematters.
Click here to register for the webinar. Contact Dr. Bewley at jbewley@holstein.com with questions or for more information about the webinar.
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BRATTLEBORO, Vt. April 12, 2023 — Eight Junior Holstein Members have been selected for Holstein Association USA’s annual Young Distinguished Junior Member (YDJM) competition. The Young Distinguished Junior Member award is the highest honor given to members of the National Junior Holstein Association, ages 9 to 16.
Launched in 2004, the award recognizes the accomplishments of these young, aspiring dairy leaders. Youth members are selected based on their dedication to working with Registered Holsteins, achievements and leadership in Holstein activities, and school and community involvement.
The 2023 Young Distinguished Junior Member Finalists are:
- Sarah Craun, Mount Crawford, Virginia
- Cathryn Gunst, Pine River, Wisconsin
- Christopher Gunst, Pine River, Wisconsin
- Kiara Konyn, Escondido, California
- Mykel Mull, Chowchilla, California
- Jesslyn Risser, Lebanon, Pennsylvania
- Dylan Ryan, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
- Alexis Schultz, Marion, New York
The eight finalists were chosen by a panel of judges based on their knowledge of the dairy industry and participation in Holstein, dairy, and other activities. Their ability to be a good role model for other youth and positive spokesperson for the dairy industry were also taken into consideration.
The YDJM finalists will be honored at the National Holstein Convention being held June 23 to June 27, 2023, in Lexington, Kentucky.
For more information or to register for the 2023 National Holstein Convention visit www.2023nationalholsteinconvention.com. To learn more about the Young Distinguished Junior Members or Junior Holstein Association visit www.holsteinusa.com/juniors.
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BRATTLEBORO, Vt. April 11, 2023 — Holstein Association USA has named twelve individuals as semifinalists for the 2023 Distinguished Junior Member (DJM) awards. The Distinguished Junior Member award is the highest achievement for National Junior Holstein Association members and has been recognizing deserving young adults for over a century.
The Distinguished Junior Member award was established in 1922 and is the longest-running Holstein Youth Program. The honor recognizes individuals’ commitment to the Holstein breed, involvement in the dairy industry, and related activities. Twelve young adults were selected as semifinalists based on an application process including a resume, story of their Junior Holstein work, essay questions, video elements, and more.
The 2023 Distinguished Junior Member Semifinalists are:
- Caroline Arrowsmith, Peach Bottom, Pennsylvania
- Emory Bewley, Susquehanna, Pennsylvania
- Molly Cessna, Clearville, Pennsylvania
- Quinn Dum, Elliottsburg, Pennsylvania
- Madeline Hensel, Pittsville, Wisconsin
- Kylie Konyn, Escondido, California
- Ainsley Noble, Lancaster, Wisconsin
- Jacob Schaefer, Little Falls, Minnesota
- Lauren Siemers, Kiel, Wisconsin
- Abigail Stoltzfus, Berlin, Pennsylvania
- Gary Young, Chehalis, Washington
- Kelsey Zepp, New Windsor, Maryland
The DJM semifinalists will be interviewed at the National Holstein Convention being held June 23 to 27, 2023, in Lexington, Kentucky. Six DJM finalists will be announced during the Junior Awards Banquet on Tuesday, June 27.
For more information or to register for the 2023 National Holstein Convention visit www.2023nationalholsteinconvention.com. To learn more about the Distinguished Junior Members or Junior Holstein Association visit www.holsteinusa.com/juniors.
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Brattleboro, Vt., February 27, 2023 — Chrome-View Charles 3044 recently topped the record for the most lifetime milk produced by a U.S Holstein cow. The record-breaking cow is owned by Mason’s Chrome View farm in Nottingham, Pennsylvania.
The 13-year-old Registered Holstein® cow is in her tenth lactation and broke the record with her lifetime milk production record of 478,200 pounds of milk, 14,447 pounds of fat, and 12,576 pounds of protein and counting.
“As is typical of dairy cows, she prefers to spend her time eating, chewing her cud, being milked, or resting in one of her three favorite stalls,” the farm’s herd manager Sarah Cady shares. “She vocally protests her dry period and is notably more content once she freshens and resumes her place in the lactating herd.”
Alan and Pamela Mason own Mason’s Chrome View and manage it along with their son Paul Mason. Together with their employees, they focus on providing the highest standard of care possible to their herd of 500 Registered Holstein cows.
“It is not one or two main things, but rather diligence in a multitude of small things that were key to her success,” Paul explains.
Chrome-View Charles 3044’s monumental milk production record surpasses the total of the record of 460,720 pounds of lifetime milk, set by Stone-Front Leader Hilda in 2020. Prior to Hilda, Koepke K0017229-1660 broke the record in 2003 with a lifetime milk total of 458,616. The record was established in 1978 by Breezewood Patsy Bar Pontiac with her final lifetime total of 425,769.
The Mason family says 3044 requires very little attention beyond routine animal husbandry practices. Now in her 10th lactation, she has consistently bred back on her first or second service. The rockstar cow also has sound conformation.
“Her build is classic Holstein of average size, open rib, excellent dairy character, remarkable feet and legs, and an udder still beautifully attached as a tenth lactation dairy cow,” Cady says. “These features have undoubtedly contributed to her longevity.”
The impressive production cow is classified Very Good 88 as a four-year-old and is a Holstein Association USA Region 2 Elite Performer. Her maternal line has the Chrome-View prefix tracing back to an animal born in 1958. She is sired by Cee-Whit Shottle Charles-ET.
For many years, the Registered Holstein cow has been known as the most efficient producer of high-quality milk. Chrome-View Charles 3044 has fed an incredible amount of people in her lifetime. These calculations help put her lifetime milk production total into perspective.
Chrome-View Charles 3044’s 478,200 pound lifetime milk production record total is equivalent to:
• 55,605 gallons of milk
• 889,674 cups of milk
• 47,820 pounds of cheese1
• Enough cheese for 127,520 twelve-inch pizzas2
• 593,120 scoops of ice cream3
• 22,557 pounds of butter4
Her lifetime milk production total would also feed 10 people for over 80 years, if each person had the daily requirement of 3 servings of milk per day.5
Taking the average milk price over CHROME-VIEW CHARLES 3044’s ten lactations, and the amount of milk she produced, her lifetime milk production has a value of $92,402.50.6
With her extreme longevity, milk production, reproductive efficiency, and health traits, Chrome-View Charles 3044 is an incredible testament to what is possible with U.S. Registered Holsteins!
1 Flores, Nancy C. “Making Homemade Cheese: New Mexico State University - Be Bold. Shape the Future.” Making Homemade Cheese, College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, New Mexico State University, Feb. 2022, https://pubs.nmsu.edu/_e/E216/.
2 Staff, Wisconsin Cheese. “How to Host the Ultimate Pizza Party.” Wisconsin Cheese, Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin, 12 Oct. 2022, https://www.wisconsincheese.com/the-cheese-life/article/26/perfect-pizza-party.
3 Staff, The Dairy Alliance. “10 Crazy Facts About Ice Cream You Didn't Know.” The Dairy Alliance Blog, The Dairy Alliance , 22 Oct. 2020, https://thedairyalliance.com/blog/10-crazy-facts-about-ice-cream-you-didnt-know/.
4 Dairy-Cattle. “How Many Pounds of Whole Milk Does It Take to Make a Pound of Butter?” DAIReXNET, Cooperative Extension, USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. , 16 Aug. 2019, https://dairy-cattle.extension.org/how-many-pounds-of-whole-milk-does-it-take-to-make-a-pound-of-butter/.
5 Ragalie-Carr, Jean. “How Many Servings of Dairy Do We Need a Day?” How Many Servings of Dairy Do We Need a Day? | U.S. Dairy, National Dairy Council, 21 Dec. 2018, https://www.usdairy.com/news-articles/do-we-really-need-three-daily-servings-of-dairy.
6 USDA. “United States Department of Agriculture.” USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, United States Department of Agriculture, 31 Jan. 2023, https://www.nass.usda.gov/Charts_and_Maps/Agricultural_Prices/pricemk.php.
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Brattleboro, Vt., February 10, 2023 — Registration is open for the 2023 Holstein Association USA Judges Conference. This year’s conference will be held on Thursday, April 27 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., in conjunction with the Wisconsin Dairy Showcase in Madison, Wisconsin.
The Judges Conference will start with a classroom session, where topics like why conformation matters, current showring trends, managing a showring, and common dilemmas will be discussed. In the afternoon session, participants will place classes of heifers and cows, hear placings and reasons from fellow participants and officials, and take part in group discussion.
Interested participants can register for the conference on the Holstein Association USA website with a credit card. The pre-registration fee is $50 and late registrants and walk-ins will pay a $100 fee. Pre-registration will close two weeks before the conference, on Thursday, April 13.
If individuals want to participate in the Judges Conference and not receive an official rating, they have the option to do so to gain experience, but will not be eligible to apply for the Judges List.
Participants must be 22 years old by the day of the conference to attend. To register online, visit www.holsteinusa.com/shows/judges_preregister.html. For more information contact Jodi Hoynoski at 800.952.5200 ext. 4261 or by email.
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Brattleboro, Vt., February 7, 2023 — Allflex has announced a price increase on ear tags, “due to the rising cost of doing business in today’s economy.” As a result, Holstein Association USA is updating pricing on ear tags, ear tag accessories and TSU’s.
Holstein Association USA has offered Allflex ear tags for more than 25 years. During that time, Holstein Association USA has typically absorbed the increased costs, and has not passed them onto our customers. This will be only the second price increase across all tag products in more than 25 years. We continue to offer a variety of products and product combinations to meet the ear tag needs of our customers, at a competitive price.
Submit new ear tag orders before 5 pm EST, February 17 to receive current pricing. Orders received after 5 pm EST, February 17 will be subject to new pricing.
New pricing can be viewed here.
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Brattleboro, Vt., February 2, 2023 — Every dairy has a story, and for six years, Holstein America has shared modern-day farm life with audiences around the world. The documentary series, produced by Holstein Association USA, pays tribute to U.S. Registered Holsteins®, the world’s perfect cow, and the people who raise them.
Tune in to the next episode of Holstein America at 7 p.m. CST/8 p.m. EST, Monday, February 13, on RFD-TV.
In 2022, 970 herds had a BAA value eligible for inclusion in these lists. The average number of cows included in the BAA calculation for the entire group was 68, and the average BAA% was 107.7. Herds must have a minimum of 10 cows to be included for calculation on the list.
“As the nation’s leading television program devoted to the dairy community, we are honored to tell these important stories,” says John Meyer, CEO of Holstein Association USA. “This next episode of Holstein America is a wonderful example of the diverse reaches of the Registered Holstein cow.”
At the heart of the program are Holstein breeders, who ensure an abundance of dairy products are produced efficiently, sustainably and at the highest quality in the world. Holstein America visits a dairy in southwest Missouri, where two brothers are continuing a family tradition generations in the making. The show also spotlights an industry trailblazer from Pennsylvania, who helped pioneer early genetic innovations for dairy producers.
The upcoming Holstein America will also showcase work at colleges and universities to grow an even brighter dairy future. From the Midwest to the East Coast, student-run dairy farms are inspiring students to dream big in the dairy industry. At Western Kentucky University, see how the one-of-a-kind WKU SmartHolstein Lab sparks curiosity and future technology for dairy producers around the world.
Opportunities for careers in the dairy industry expand far beyond the barn. Hear the story of how a longtime cheesemaker in New England works to engage the next generation about where their food comes from.
The hour-long program, sponsored by Merck Animal Health, also explores programs and services offered by Holstein Association USA, including a look at genetic offerings through Holstein Marketplace Sires, and research into how dairy conformation plays a role in overall productivity and performance.
Join us for Holstein America at 7 p.m. CST, Monday, February 13, on RFD-TV.
RFD-TV is a leading independent cable channel available on DISH Network, DIRECTV®, AT&T U-Verse, Charter Spectrum, Cox, Comcast, Mediacom, Suddenlink and many other rural cable systems. Reference local listings for more information.
After the show, visit www.holsteinusa.com to find a complete collection of the Holstein America series. Also stay tuned to Holstein Association USA on Facebook and Instagram for more information.
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Brattleboro, Vt., January 9, 2023 — Holstein Association USA recently released the lists of top Holstein Breed Age Average (BAA%) herds for 2022 classifications. Members utilizing the Classic or Standard options of the Holstein classification program receive an overall BAA for their herd. The BAA value provides a way to compare an animal’s score to breed average, taking into account the age of the animal and their stage of lactation. The calculation puts cows of all ages on the same playing field.
"Providing recognition to breeders of outstanding Registered Holstein cattle across the country is one of the more enjoyable activities we perform at Holstein Association,” said Lindsey Worden, Executive Director, Holstein Genetic Services. “Earning recognition as a high BAA herd on any of the various lists is a notable achievement. It shows a commitment to breeding quality Holstein cattle, paired with outstanding animal husbandry and management that allows those cattle to express their genetic potential."
In 2022, 970 herds had a BAA value eligible for inclusion in these lists. The average number of cows included in the BAA calculation for the entire group was 68, and the average BAA% was 107.7. Herds must have a minimum of 10 cows to be included for calculation on the list.
Topping the 2022 highest overall BAA list are Delbert W. and Heather D. Yoder from West Salem, Ohio, with a BAA of 116.3. Also earning honors in the top five spots on the list are Matthew T. Mitchell, Tennessee; Juniper Farm, Inc., Maine; Conant Acres, Maine; and G. Alpheaus Stoltzfus, Pennsylvania.
Lists are broken down in several different ways to recognize members across the country with herds of all sizes. Lists of the Overall Top 200 BAA Herds, Top 25 BAA Herds by Region, Top 25 BAA Herds by Herd Size, and Top 15 BAA Herds for Colleges & Universities can be viewed at www.holsteinusa.com. Find the page under the Popular List section on the homepage or directly at www.holsteinusa.com/programs_services/baa_lists_2022.html. Congratulations to all herds on these lists!
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Brattleboro, Vt., January 5, 2023 — Junior Holstein Association members put their interviewing skills to the test during the 2022 Virtual Interview Contest. The program was created in 2020 to help prepare youth for real world opportunities by sharpening their resume writing and interview skills.
Applicants submitted cover letters and resumes based on a mock interview scenario and were selected to move on to the second phase of the contest based on their combined cover letter and resume scores. During the second phase contestants were interviewed by a panel of three judges. Final scores were calculated based on each applicant’s cover letter, resume, and interview. All youth received feedback from the judges to help further prepare them for future interviews.
“The National Junior Holstein Association Virtual Interview Contest allowed me to sharpen my interview skills, particularly strengthening my ability to respond to impromptu questions,” says contest participant Sarah Craun from Virginia. “I enjoyed the interaction with the interview panel and I am grateful for the real world learning experience that will certainly benefit me in my future career endeavors.”
Congratulations to the following 2022 Virtual Interview Contest winners!
Junior Division (ages 12-14 as of January 1)
1st place: Lauren Silveira, California
2nd place: Alison Gartman, Wisconsin
3rd place: Chloe Chapman, California
Intermediate Division (ages 15-17 as of January 1)
1st place: Elsie Donlick, New York
2nd place: Sarah Craun, Virginia
3rd place: Salem Sifford, Virginia
Senior Division (ages 18-21 as of January 1)
1st place: Emily Syme, Connecticut
2nd place: Madison Sifford, Virginia
3rd place: Jon Chapman, California
Cash prizes of $250 for first place, $100 for second place, and $50 for third place will be awarded in the junior and intermediate divisions. In the senior division, youth will be given cash prizes of $500 for first place, $250 for second place, and $100 for third place.
For more information about the Virtual Interview Contest, or other Holstein Association USA youth programs, visit www.holstein usa.com/juniors/.
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