World Dairy Diary

The fee to attend is $50 for pre-registrants and $100 for late registrants. Pre-registration closes April 1, 2012, and is now available online. Online registrants may pay with a credit card through a secure online payment site. Late registration will be accepted from April 2, 2012, until the morning of the conference. Walk-ups may pay the $100 late registration fee by cash or check at the door, however, pre-registration is strongly encouraged. Tentative plans have been made for future conferences, including two in 2013, in California and Wisconsin, one in Ohio in 2014, and one in Utah in 2015.

A block of rooms has been reserved at the Inn at the Fairgrounds, 670 State Fair Blvd, Syracuse, N.Y., 13209. To make a reservation, call 315.484.0044, and ask for the “Holstein USA” block to receive a $79 per night rate. The cut-off date for the room block is March 31, 2012.

“An important benefit I took away from YDLI was the resources and networking opportunities,” said Mohr. “I think those are two very important things, contacts and ideas. There are people I met at YDLI that I would have never met otherwise.”

Mohr is a renowned dairy artist who has been involved with the dairy industry her entire life. Today, she, her husband, John, and their five children own and operate Glenmark Genetics, which is also the home of and provides inspiration for Bonnie’s art studio. The Mohr’s Registered Holstein farm provides numerous opportunities to reach consumers, seeing an average of 500 to 1,000 guests annually. She has had the honor of visiting with people from elementary school children to international visitors, and groups ranging from Teachers’ Associations and various community organizations, to the 3,000 dairy enthusiasts who attended a state June Dairy Day event held in 2000 on their farm. Bonnie and her family have been long time members of Holstein Association USA, the Minnesota Holstein Association, and the McLeod County Holstein Association.

Mohr has used her talents as an artist to reach those outside of agriculture, as well as for the benefit of agricultural organizations. She created a painting for the Holstein Foundation, “The Beautiful Cow,” which was sold at the 2010 National Holstein Convention and raised $80,000 for the Holstein Foundation’s Dairy Leaders for Tomorrow Campaign.

A block of rooms has been reserved at the Holiday Inn & Suites Phoenix Airport, 3220 S 48th St, Phoenix, AZ 85040, with a $119 rate, which is available until January 3, 2012; to make a reservation, visit the hotel’s web site and use the group code “HOL”. To RSVP for the lunch, contact Kelli Dunklee at 800.952.5200, ext. 4124, or kdunklee@holstein.com.

Agenda items include:

• “Introduction to Genomics and How It Can Be Useful to Commercial Dairymen,” Dr. Roger Shanks, Holstein Association USA Dairy Genetics Consultant.
• Update from Holstein Association USA, CEO John M. Meyer
• “What Can AgriTech Analytics Do For You?,” Bill VerBoort, General Manager of AgriTech Analytics. AgriTech Analytics (ATA) is a dairy records processing center owned by Holstein Association USA, based in Visalia, Calif., that offers a variety of services for dairy producers across the country.
• “Practical Applications for Genomics on a Large-Scale Dairy Operation,” John Andersen, Manager of Dairy Operations for the Aardema Group.

Competence in accurately evaluating dairy cattle conformation, the ability to maintain composure and self-confidence under pressure, excellent communication skills and the ability to work independently and effectively with little direct supervision are essential qualities. Participation in a collegiate dairy judging team is a plus. The position will be located in either New York or Pennsylvania. Extensive travel is required.

All individuals on the National and Qualified Judges lists are approved by the Holstein Association USA board of directors. In 2012, all National Holstein Shows are required to choose their judge from the National Judges List. Nationally-sanctioned Junior Holstein Show Judges and National Holstein Show associate judges must be selected from either the National or Qualified Lists.

Management is pleased to announce registrations through November 12 were 303,800, up 3 percent over 2010. Regular transfers, for the same period, were up over 7 percent.

Reporting through October, Holstein COMPLETE enrollment totaled 254,006 cows and 1,807 herds. This represents 6 percent more cows and 3 percent more herds since the end of 2010.

Holstein females used in the compilation of the data were those that placed in the top three in their respective age class at the 11 National Holstein Shows held in 2011. This year, that included 217 heifers and 279 cows.

The lists will be updated annually, following the last National Show of the year. Three main areas will be featured: Leading Sires of 2011 National Holstein Show Winners, Leading Maternal Grandsires of 2011 National Holstein Show Winners and Most Common Sire Stacks of 2011 National Holstein Show Winners. Each area features separate lists for heifers and cows, along with an overall ranked list of bulls for the category. In addition, viewers will find other information that may be of interest, such as average classification scores for each class.

For the second year running, Braedale Goldwyn receives the honor of being the 2011 Overall Leading Sire of National Holstein Show Winners, siring 31 heifers in the top three in their classes and 50 cows, making him the top sire in both of those categories.

Also repeating in the 2011 Overall Leading Maternal Grandsire of National Holstein Show Winners is Regancrest Elton Durham-ET. Durham was found on the bottom side of the pedigree of 20 heifers and 26 cows, making him the number one maternal grandsire of cows. In the heifer category, he was bypassed by his son, Regancrest Dundee-ET, who was the maternal grandsire of 33 heifers, and ranks second in the overall list.

Source: Holstein Association USA

Intern responsibilities will involve assisting with various communications projects and youth programs, including preparations for the National Holstein Convention. Specific tasks will include writing press releases, developing video presentations, preparing information for distribution to the media, photography, videography, feature story writing, working with the Holstein Foundation’s Dairy Jeopardy and Dairy Bowl programs, and a member relations project. The internship will include opportunities for some travel, including attending the 2012 National Holstein Convention in Springfield, Mo.

Qualified candidates will be enthusiastic, energetic and team-oriented individuals who have completed at least their sophomore year in college. Preference will be given to students taking a communications and/or dairy science course of study. Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential.

The comprehensive draft covers three main areas:

1. Replacing current dairy product price support and Milk Income Loss Contract programs with a program to protect dairy producer income when the difference between milk and feed prices is less than the specified amount,
2. Establishing a Dairy Market Stabilization Program, and
3. Amending Federal Milk Marketing Orders.

The Discussion Draft is based on proposals developed by the dairy industry in the original Foundation For The Future (FFTF) plan.

According to Holstein Association President Chuck Worden, “The Dairy Market Stabilization part of the program is key, and a major reason for the Association’s support of the program. We plan on continuing to work with Congressmen Peterson, Simpson, and others so that new dairy legislation can be written which will benefit all Holstein Association USA members and dairy producers nationwide.”

Webinar registrants will have the opportunity to submit questions in advance (at the time of registration), or ask them during the webinar. To register for the webinar, visit the Holstein USA website and click the button to “Register for Webinar.”

In the Junior division, first place honors went to Elisabeth Regusci from California. The Intermediate division winner was Tony Lopes from California, and in the Senior division contest, Nathan Ulmer of Pennsylvania bested the competition and was named champion.

Dairy Bowl
In the National Dairy Bowl contest, four-person teams compete within two age divisions – Junior, ages 9-15, and Senior, ages 16-21. Twenty Junior teams and 14 Senior teams competed this year.

The final round of the Junior division saw Indiana square off against Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania came out victorious in the championship match. Coaching the Pennsylvania team was Pat Kitchen, Amanda Wolfe and Randy Wolfe, and team members included Travis Holtzinger, Paula Holtzinger, Carrie Shuman and Taylor Wolfe. The runner-ups of Indiana were coached by Michelle Blough, with team members Annie Achen, Christy Achen, John Achen and Jennifer Fry.

Maryland claimed the national champion title in the Senior division with team members Carissa Doody, Mandi Ramsburg, Clayborne Zimmerman and Kristin Zimmerman. The team was coached by Clay Zimmerman. They defeated Indiana in the last round. The Indiana team was coached by David Blough, and competitors were Rachel Achen, Jason Fry, Jessica Fry and Joe Gardner.

Exemplary sportsmanship is also rewarded in each division to encourage courtesy and friendliness throughout the contest. The Missouri team received this honor in the Junior division. Team members were Austin Moreland, Steven Nelson, Jacob Peters and Lauren Whitehead, coached by Sherri Moreland Peters.

The Pennsylvania team was proud to be named the Senior division sportsmanship winners. Team members included Isaac Haagen, Tucker Hardy, Naomi Ulmer and Lisa Zimmerman, coached by Dr. Bob Cloninger.

Dairy Knowledge Exam
The Dairy Knowledge Exam is open to any youth attending that National Junior Holstein Convention who wants to test their skills. The top three in each age division were awarded with a plaque.

In the Junior division, first place went to Elisabeth Regusci, Calif.; second place was Tony Lopes, Calif.; and coming in third place was Travis Holtzinger, Pa.

Groves has taken a lifelong interest in genetics and worked to breed the best herd of Registered Holstein cattle that he can. Today he and his family are milking 160 cows twice a day. Their ME production averages last year were 34,250 pounds of milk, 1,272 pounds of fat and 1,037 pounds of protein. They have a 107.9 percent BAA, with 18 Excellent, 54 Very Good and 45 Good Plus cattle on their last classification. They have marketed embryos to foreign countries and across the U.S.

Brad and his wife, Gail, have two children, Taylor, age 12, and Kiera, age 10. He volunteers several groups, including serving as secretary/treasurer for his county DHIA for over 10 years. Groves is involved with planning the 2012 National Holstein Convention and was recently named to the Genetic Advancement board for KABA/Select Sires.

Elite Breeder
Frank Raymond Ruby, of Fir-Ridge Holsteins in Scio, Ore., was recognized as Holstein Association USA’s 2011 Elite Breeder. The Elite Breeder honor is given annually to a Holstein Association USA member who has bred quality Holstein cattle and made notable contributions to the breed and Association.

Ray passed away in March 2010, but his legacy lives on through his family, wife Ida, children Scott and Michele, and three grandchildren; and the sound breeding program he dedicated his life to. He bred over 100 Excellent cows in his lifetime and over 500 cows scored Very Good. Ruby’s herd also excelled in milk production, with over 1,200 cows carrying the Fir-Ridge prefix achieving over 100,000 pounds of lifetime milk, 88 of which went on to make over 200,000 pounds. The herd received Holstein Association USA’s Progressive Genetics HerdSM distinction numerous times.

Numerous organizations benefitted from Ray’s involvement through the years. He was a longtime active member of the Oregon Holstein Association and Holstein Association USA, and served two terms on the national board of directors from 1996 to 2003. He was involved as a director for the Farmers’ Cooperative Creamery, the Oregon Dairy Farmers Association and his county DHIA. Additionally, he served his community on the Scio School Board for several years, and was a member of the Lions Club.

Distinguished Leadership Award
Charles Iager of Fulton, Md., was announced as the 2011 Distinguished Leadership Award recipient. This award is given annually to an individual who has provided outstanding and unselfish leadership to the Holstein Association or dairy industry as a whole.

Iager’s Maple Lawn Farms has been in the family since 1939. Passed down through the years, they now have 350 Registered Holsteins and 1,000 acres of crops, along with a rapidly growing fresh retail turkey operation. He and his wife Judy have been married for 46 years, working tirelessly for the causes they’re involved with. They have three sons, Mike, Matt and Mark, and seven grandchildren.

Wednesday, June 22, marks the official start of the convention with several Junior competitions, including dairy jeopardy and prepared public speaking. Adults have the option of participating in a golf tournament, touring area farms, or enjoying a shuttle to various stops around the city of Richmond.

Thursday, June 23, is the ever-popular host day, showcasing various attractions around Virginia. Four tour options include Colonial Williamsburg, Busch Gardens theme park, tours of area Registered Holstein farms, and a bus tour of Richmond. Concluding a fun day of activities, Convention goers will come together for another annual favorite, Family Night, including a meal, fellowship, and entertainment by The Panic Squad Improv Comedy.

Friday, June 24 marks the first day of the 126th Holstein Association USA Annual Business Meeting. The Junior Convention also has a busy day planned with the annual dairy bowl competition. Those not attending the Annual Meeting or dairy bowl have the option to visit Monticello, home of Thomas Jefferson and known for its scenic beauty, with lunch at the historic Michie Tavern. The National Holstein Convention Sale will be held that evening, featuring elite Registered Holstein genetics.

Director and officer elections will be the main focus of Saturday morning, June 25, with four director and two officer positions on the board being filled. Declared candidates include, for president, Chuck Worden, N.Y.; for vice president, Glen E. Brown, Utah, and John C. Kalmey, Ky.; Region 2, incumbent Jim Burdette, Pa.; Region 3, Thomas F. Atherton, Mich., and Mike Jones, Ind.; Region 7, Roy R. Buessing, Kan.; and At-Large, incumbent Boyd Schaufelberger, Ill. Junior members have the chance to enjoy dairy bowl finals, followed by the National Junior Forum and Junior Awards Banquet.

The Convention will conclude on Saturday evening with the final Convention Banquet, where the Distinguished Young Holstein Breeder, Elite Breeder and Distinguished Leadership Award recipients will be announced and honored.

Gwendelyn, born December 6, 2004, is sired by STBVQ Rubens-ET, out of Mountainside Atomic Gwen, a daughter of Canyon-Breeze Atomic-ET, scored Very Good-85 as a seven year old. Gwen has a top milk record at 5-02, in 365 days, of 53,150 pounds of milk with 4.0 percent fat (2,126 pounds) and 2.7 percent protein (1,435 pounds), with almost 200,000 pounds of lifetime production.

Gwendelyn herself is scored Excellent-94 2E, with an EX-96 point udder. She has been turning heads this lactation, making a 365-day record of 58,270 pounds of milk, with 5.2 percent fat (3,004 pounds) and 2.9 percent protein (1,677 pounds).

While she was never fresh at the right time to be shown much as a young cow, calving in late December 2009 set Gwendelyn up for a great show season in 2010. She got the year off to an exciting start, being named Grand Champion at the Pennsylvania Spring Holstein Show, later going on to win Reserve Senior Champion honors at the Pennsylvania Fall Holstein Show, and was the fifth place Five-Year-Old at the Eastern Fall National Holstein Show in Harrisburg, Pa. in September. Capping off a fun year, Gwendelyn was the 2010 All-Pennsylvania Five-Year-Old Cow. The Burleighs have offspring and embryos out of Gwendelyn by Erbacres Damion, Regancrest Dundee-ET, KHW Kite Advent-ET and Markwell Kite-ET. Gwendelyn is pregnant, due in mid-November to Scarlet-Summer Shadowmaster, a Regancrest Dundee-ET son of a VG-88 Sunnylodge Linjet that goes back to Jarrod’s family’s breeding. The family hopes to show Gwendelyn throughout next year, starting in the spring, and is excited to see what kind of milk record she is capable of producing.

Timothy Baker
Star-Summit Holsteins, Byron Center, Mich.
92.2% Homebred
Average Classification Score: 87.5
ME Averages: 31,621M 1,198F 996P

Joseph Brantmeier
Hilrose Holsteins, Sherwood, Wis.
84.7% Homebred
Average Classification Score: 85.0
ME Averages: 34,508M 1,298F 998P

Allen Dent Johnson
Jafral Holsteins, Hamptonville, N.C.
100% Homebred
Average Classification Score: 86.1
ME Averages: 33,048M 1,249F 979P

Thomas J. Kestell
Ever-Green-View Farms, Waldo, Wis.
78.8% Homebred
Average Classification Score: 83.4
ME Averages: 32,557M 1,233F 973P

Steve & Amanda Killian
Dirt-Road Holsteins, Blair, Wis.
84.6% Homebred
Average Classification Score: 84.3
ME Averages: 32,440M 1,210F 1,032P

Rodger Koehn
K-Lane Farms, Peotone, Ill.
80.2% Homebred
Average Classification Score: 84.3
ME Averages: 33,551M 1,572F 967P

Bruce & Brenda Long
B-Long Holsteins, New London, Wis.
98.2% Homebred
Average Classification Score: 83.8
ME Averages: 34,358M 1,201F 998P

Merlin A. Rohm
See-More-View Holsteins, Seymour, Wis.
94.4% Homebred
Average Classification Score: 83.2
ME Averages: 33,052M 1,205F 993P

The twelve semifinalists are Philip Bachman, Ulysses, Pa.; Danae Bauer, Scandinavia, Wis.; Mandy Brazil, Petaluma, Calif.; Mitchell Kappelman, Two Rivers, Wis.; Kelly Lee, Johnson Creek, Wis.; Carl Lippert, Pittsville, Wis.; Aaron Mitchell, Winnebago, Ill.; Elizabeth Olson, Hutchinson, Minn.; Christopher Potts, Purcellville, Va.; Luke Rauen, Farley, Iowa; Kevin Shaffer, Beavertown, Pa.; and Dan Stewart, Oelwein, Iowa.

Each of the semifinalists completed an entry book, detailing their Junior Holstein project work, involvement with their cattle, program participation, and school and community activities.

Member participation in the programs and services provided by the Association demonstrate an encouraging start to the year. Management reported registrations through March 19th of 80,406, up 0.5 percent from 2010. Holstein COMPLETESM enrollments totaled 243,628 cows and 1,773 herds, an increase of 5 percent and 4 percent respectively over the same time last year.

The board approved a one-day annual business meeting format beginning at the 2014 National Holstein Convention in Iowa. The more efficient one-day format will make serving as a delegate less of a time commitment for members and ease some of the planning burden on host states, while still allowing ample time for discussion of Association business.

The board approved a proposed amendment to the Bylaws Article II, Section 1 by adding the following language:

“Candidates must submit a Conflict of Interest Disclosure Statement to the Nominating Committee prior to closing of nominations at Annual Meeting. Candidates will be screened by the Nominating Committee and a slate of candidates will be presented to the delegates.”

This proposal will be presented to Holstein Association USA delegates in 2011 and, if passed, will become effective in 2012.

Early genetic information resulting from genomic testing could create a situation wherein an animal could qualify for the Dam of Merit recognition without being a milking female. In order to maintain the integrity of this permanent recognition, the board approved criteria changes which state, “In order to be recognized as a Dam of Merit, a cow must have a GTPISM or CTPISM exceeding year of birth cutoff and at least three offspring with a PTA for production and type; the GTPI or CTPI must be calculated using a required classification score.”

The board approved a requirement that a bull must have at least 10 U.S. daughters in order to be eligible for inclusion on the domestic Top 100 TPI Bull List.

Also, the board approved the recommendation to declare Brachyspina as an undesirable recessive, and approve the recording of the testing results with the coding of BY for carrier and TY for tested free. Visit the Holstein Association USA website for more information about Brachyspina.

The board approved a policy requiring delegates who wish to propose a resolution to deliver it in writing to the Executive Secretary no later than 5:00 p.m. the night before the annual meeting.

The campaign’s success would not have been possible without the generous support of the Holstein Foundation board of trustees, the campaign’s honorary chairpersons, Judy and Charles Iager, and of course, the many donors listed below. The Holstein Foundation extends sincere thanks to all industry supporters and would like to recognize the following generous Dairy Leaders for Tomorrow Campaign donors:

Chairman Level
Hilmar Cheese Company, Inc., CA; Holstein Association USA, Inc., VT; Judy and Charles Iager/Maple Lawn Farms, MD

Executive Level
DairyBusiness Communications, NY, and Dean Foods, TX

Ambassador Level
Accelerated Genetics, WI; John and Nancy Bierbaum, MN; Mr. and Mrs. Frank E. P. Conyngham, PA; Calvin Covington, NC; Coldsprings Farms – Hoff Family, MD; Hoard’s Dairyman, WI; Doug and Matilda Maddox Family, CA; John M. and Vicki Meyer, VT; Bonnie Mohr Studio, MN; Pfizer Animal Health, NY; Tom, Linda and Ashley Thorbahn, OH; Wisconsin Junior Holstein Association, WI; Charles and Vanessa Worden, NY; World Dairy Expo, Inc., WI