Posted: August 4, 2010 at 3:13 pm
By News Editor
Congratulations to John R. Tauzel, Schenevus, N.Y., for being named the recipient of the 2010 Robert H. Rumler MBA Scholarship, administered by Holstein Association USA. The $3,000 scholarship is awarded annually to an individual pursuing their Master’s degree of Business Administration. Tauzel will begin working towards his degree at the S.C. Johnson School of Management at Cornell University in August.
Tauzel has been involved his entire life with his family’s dairy operation, J&J Tauzel Farms, in Worcester, N.Y., and was named a Holstein Association USA Distinguished Junior Member in 2000. He received his degree in Animal Science from Cornell University in May 2003. While in college he was involved with the Dairy Science Club, Cornell Lightweight Crew Team, and was both a Dairy Management Fellow and Farm Credit Fellow. While not employed at his family’s farm full-time, John is still involved on a frequent basis, assisting with management decisions and lending his expertise to the operation.
For the past seven years, John has worked with New York Farm Bureau, Inc., most recently as a Senior Associate Director of Public Policy. In his capacity there, he severed as a member of the lobbying team, testifying before the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee regarding water policy approaches related to agriculture, represented New York dairy farms in CAFO permit negotiations, and advocated for property tax changes.
The Robert H. Rumler MBA Scholarship program was established to honor the former Holstein Association USA Executive Secretary at the time of his retirement after 36 years of service. Rumler believed that U.S. agribusiness, including production agriculture, needed and deserved the best trained, most highly qualified leader that the nation’s educational system and practical experience could provide.
Source: Holstein Association USA
Posted: July 2, 2010 at 3:24 pm
By News Editor
Holstein Association USA recently recognized three distinguished individuals at the recent National Holstein Convention in Bloomington, Minn. To learn more about each individual, visit the Association’s website.
Ida B. Ruby, Scio, Ore., was awarded Holstein Association USA’s 2010 Distinguished Leadership Award. This award recognizes an individual who has made a career of providing outstanding and unselfish leadership for the betterment of the dairy industry.
A third generation dairy farmer, Ida was born and raised on her parents’ Registered Holstein farm in West Linn, Ore. She married Ray Ruby in 1965, and the couple began breeding Registered Holsteins under the Fir-Ridge prefix, after purchasing several cows from her parents’ herd. They purchased Ray’s father’s farm in 1967, naming it Fir-Ridge Holstein Farm, and grew their business together over the next 40 years to its current size, milking over 1,000 Holsteins and farming 1,300 acres of land.
Tim Baker, of Star-Summit Holsteins in Byron Center, Mich. is the the 2009 Distinguished Young Holstein Breeder.
Tim has worked with Registered Holsteins his entire life, and their family has a rich history in the dairy industry. This fall will mark the centennial anniversary for their farm, which was purchased by Tim’s grandfather in October 1910. Baker’s father, Henry, took over the dairy in 1957, and purchased his first Registered Holstein in 1959.
Tim’s herd began in 1980, when his father gave him is first Registered calf for a 4-H project. That first calf went on to score VG-86 and produced over 230,000 pounds of milk, and many offspring can be found in Tim’s current herd. He says, “My criteria then and still today for purchasing cows includes good quality cow families, top production, high type and components.” Tim took over management of the farm himself in 1997. Today, he is milking 60 cows twice a day.
Doug Maddox, Riverdale, Calif., is the 2010 recipient of Holstein Association USA’s Elite Breeder Award. The award recognizes a Holstein breeder who has bred outstanding animals, making a notable contribution to the Holstein breed in the United States.
Maddox is known around the world as a good businessman, a mentor for younger dairy producers, and someone with a deep respect for the Holstein breed and dairymen worldwide. While his family did not operate a dairy farm, his Registered Holstein career began early. At the age of 14, a neighbor gave him a bull calf to show in FFA. Later, with the promise that if he accepted the gift he would attend college, he was given a heifer calf. Doug kept that promise, and by the time he graduated from California Polytechnic Institute, Maddox had grown his herd to 14 cows and 14 heifers.
RuAnn Dairy was established in 1957, when Maddox purchased the 500-acre ranch for $200 an acre. The RuAnn prefix is a combination of his parents’ names – Rufus and Annie. He has grown his enterprise over the past 53 years, and today, between RuAnn and Maddox Dairies, there are over 5,000 Registered Holstein cows, with over 12,000 total animals. Marketing Registered Holstein genetics has always played an important role in the Maddox business plan. Doug describes their philosophy as, “A commercial herd with breeder quality.” Today, they are averaging over 26,000 pounds of milk and 1,000 pounds of fat, with over 200 Excellent and over 1,500 Very Good cows in the herd.
Source: Holstein Association USA
Posted: June 30, 2010 at 4:53 pm
By News Editor
The annual Holstein Association USA convention and annual meeting wrapped up on Tuesday, June 29 in Minnesota. New board members and Junior Distinguished Members were chosen. To find more highlights, visit the Association’s website.
Board Elections:
Re-elected to his second three-year term on the Holstein Association USA board of directors was Leroy Eggink, representing Region 6. Elected to their first three-year term on the board are Peter B. Waterman, Maine, for Region 1; Gayle M. Carson, Tennessee, in Region 4; and Corey Geiger, Wisconsin, for the At-Large position. Retiring from the board of directors this year are Gordon M. Cook, Jr., At-Large Director; John C. Kalmey, Ky., from Region 4; and William H. Peck, N.Y., of Region 1.
The six Distinguished Junior Member (DJM) finalists were named:
Jacob Brey, Wisconsin
Katie Hanehan, New York
Leah Henkes, Iowa
Megan Herberg, Minnesota
Benjamin Kinnard, Wisconsin
Maureen Lee, Wisconsin
California defeated Minnesota in the Junior Dairy Bowl finals. In the Senior Dairy Bowl competition, Pennsylvania bested the team from Washington to claim the title.
Source: Holstein Association USA
Posted: June 7, 2010 at 7:12 pm
By News Editor
Congratulations to the ten dairy farmers who have qualified for the Holstein Association USA’s 2010 Herd of Excellence recognition. These herds have all met the stringent criteria to qualify for the award: Must be 25 percent above breed average Mature Equivalent (ME) for milk, fat, and protein; must have classified within the last year and have an actual average classification score of 83 points or higher; must have at least 70 percent of the herd homebred; and must be enrolled in the Association’s TriStar program.
Click here to read more about each farm and see photos.
Joseph Brantmeier; Hilrose Holsteins, Sherwood, Wis.
Charles Duncan; Duncan Farm, Warsaw, Ohio
Allen Dent Johnson; Jafral Holsteins, Hamptonville, N.C.
Steve & Amanda Killian; Dirt-Road Holsteins, Blair, Wis.
Randy W. Kortus; Mainstream Holsteins, Lynden, Wash.
Bruce & Brenda Long; B-Long Holsteins, New London, Wis.
Lloyd & Denise Pease; Sweet-Peas Holsteins, Susquehanna, Pa.
Jake & Sallianne Tanis; Ideal Holsteins, Centre Hall, Pa.
Benjamin & Carolyn Turner; Maplelane-Manor Farm, Apulia Station, N.Y.
Daniel Vandertie; Doorco Holsteins, Brussels, Wis.
Source: Holstein Association USA
Posted: June 2, 2010 at 6:03 pm
By News Editor
The 2010 National Holstein Convention and 125th Holstein Association USA Annual Meeting will be held June 26-29, 2010 in Bloomington, Minn. and is being hosted by the Minnesota Holstein Association.
Events will kick off on Saturday, June 26. Juniors will get right down to business with a variety of competitions; Distinguished Junior Member (DJM) and National Holstein Women’s Scholarship Organization (NHWSO) interviews will take place, along with the Dairy Jeopardy and Prepared Public Speaking competitions, and wrapping up the evening with the new Dairy Knowledge Exam. Adults will have a more leisurely start to the Convention, with the option of attending a fishing trip to Lake Mille Lacs or touring Holstein farms in central Minnesota.
On Sunday morning, June 27, a non-denominational devotion service will be offered, followed by two options for Host Day tours that will give Convention-goers a taste of Minnesota hospitality. The Mississippi River tour option will take participants to Sapa-Ska Holsteins, followed by a riverboat ride and a visit to the National Eagle Center. The Tour West option will showcase four Holstein herds: Flower-Brook Holsteins, Floralawn Holsteins, and Raylore Farm, with lunch hosted at Glenmark Genetics/Bonnie Mohr Studio. Everyone will come together on Sunday evening for Family Night at the beautiful Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. With the theme of “Experience Minnesota,” a barbecue dinner including Minnesota products will be served, followed by a variety of activities and music provided by the Trouble Shooter Band.
The Holstein Association USA Annual Meeting will begin on Monday, June 28. An Early Bird session will be available, featuring Michael T. Collins, DVM, PhD, DACVM with his talk, “Johne’s Disease: The Ostrich Approach Just Isn’t Working!” Members will hear reports from CEO John M. Meyer and President Larry Tande on Association affairs, and Dr. Tom Lawlor will speak during the meeting on “Genetic Evaluations: What Happened in April and What We Can Expect in the Future.” Those not attending the Annual Meeting may enjoy watching a few rounds of the youth Dairy Bowl competition, or go on a guided boat tour of scenic Lake Minnetonka. Monday evening will culminate with the National Convention Sale and Fish Fry at the Scott County Fairgrounds.
Board of directors elections will be the main focus of the Annual Meeting on Tuesday, June 29, with four positions on the board being filled. Several members have declared their candidacy. Running for the Region 1 seat are Thomas Kugler, N.Y.; Martha Seifert, Vt.; and Peter B. Waterman, Maine. Seeking election in Region 4 are Gayle M. Carson, Tenn., and Walter V. McClure, Sr., Va. Incumbent Leroy Eggink is seeking re-election in Region 6, and declared candidates for the At-Large position are Corey Geiger, Wis., and Mike Jones, Ind.
The Convention will conclude on Tuesday evening with the “Roaring 20′s” themed Convention Banquet, where the Distinguished Young Holstein Breeder, Elite Breeder and Distinguished Leadership Award recipients will be announced and honored.
Source: Holstein Association USA
Posted: May 25, 2010 at 5:19 pm
By News Editor
Happy 125th Anniversary to the Holstein Association USA! And many more! Visit their website to see several old photos chronicling the Association.
On May 25, 1885, the Holstein-Friesian Association of America was formed, with 284 charter members from 26 states (of the 38 that existed at that time).
Source: Holstein Association USA
Posted: May 18, 2010 at 7:16 pm
By News Editor
Congratulations to Siemers Holstein Farms, Inc. of Newton, Wis., for owning the Holstein Association USA’s 2009 Star of the Breed. The newest star, Eskdale Dundee Marcia Mona was awarded the title because she is a Holstein cow that excels in both the showring and milking barn.
Siemers Holstein Farms is a family operation, consisting of Sherry Siemers-Peterman and daughter Crystal, Dan and Janina Siemers with their children Jordan and Connor, and Paul and Jenny Siemers, with children Josh, Jacob and Lauren. They make up the fifth and sixth generations to operate the family farm.
Sired by Regancrest Dundee-ET, Mona was born on June 21, 2005, and classified Excellent-92 at three years and eight months of age. She has an exceptional show record, having been the first place Junior Two-Year-Old at the 2007 International Holstein Show and the fifth place Four-Year-Old at the Midwest Spring National Holstein Show in 2009. Mona has a best record at 365 days, calving in at three years of age, of 46,490 pounds of milk, with 3.8 percent fat (1,760 pounds) and 3.3 percent protein (1,519 pounds).
Acquired at the 2008 Global Glamour sale (consigned by Arethusa Farm, LLC), Mona was bred by Eskdale Dairy of Eskdale, Utah. She completes nine generations of Very Good or Excellent cows. Her dam is a VG-87 daughter of Stouder Morty-ET who has a three-year-old record over 30,000 pounds of milk.
Mona is currently bred, with plans to calve her in this winter. She has flushed very well in the past with pregnancies by Maple-Downs-I G W Atwood and Braedale Goldwyn and calves by bulls such as KHW Kite Advent-Red-ET, Mr Atlees Sht Aftershock-ET, Erbacres Damion, Den-K Marshall LL Laurin and Gen-Mark Stmatic Sanchez. With an in vitro fertilization (IVF) lab on the dairy, Siemers’ hope to use this technology on Mona in the future to obtain more heifer calves from her.
To be eligible for the Star of the Breed award, a cow must place in the top five in her class at a National Holstein Show, be in a herd enrolled in the TriStar program and have an official classification score. Once the eligible cows are determined, the following calculation is used to decide the award recipient: Combined ME Fat and Protein + Age Adjusted Classification Score x (Breed Average ME CFP/Breed Average Age Adjusted Score).
Source: Holstein Association USA
Posted: May 12, 2010 at 6:51 pm
By News Editor
Holstein Association USA Juniors – have you gotten your unique advertisement entry in? The deadline is quickly approaching!
Entries must be received by June 1, 2010 to be considered. The contest is open to any Junior Holstein member, and entries will be split into three age divisions. The grand prize winner will have their ad printed in the August 2010 issue of Holstein World magazine!
The ad must be the original work of a Junior member. Prizes will be awarded in the following divisions (all ages are as of January 1, 2010): Junior (ages 9 to 13), Intermediate (ages 14-17) and Senior (ages 18-21). Entries will be judged on organization and clarity, layout and deign, appropriateness, as well as a brief essay describing the target audience and intended purpose of the ad.
Source: Holstein Association USA
Posted: April 27, 2010 at 4:23 pm
By News Editor
Young dairy farmers and professionals are urged to apply to the Young Dairy Leaders Institute (YDLI). A program of the Holstein Foundation, YDLI is an innovative leadership and communication skills development program that has touched the lives of over 400 young adults since the program’s inception.
The next class, Class 7, will begin in March 2011. Applications can be downloaded from the Holstein Foundation Web site and must be postmarked by August 2, 2010 to be eligible for consideration. The class will meet in Albuquerque, N.M. for Phase I, March 2-5, 2011 and for Phase III, February 29-March 3, 2012.
YDLI is a three-phase program that takes place over thirteen months, and is open to young adults (ages 22-45) with an interest in the dairy industry. The class will meet in Albuquerque, N.M. for Phases I and III, with a series of projects to complete in the months between meetings. The program is designed to be both relevant and edgy, covering the hot topics facing today’s industry.
“YDLI is a program that is all-encompassing,” said Kathryn Walker, Class 6 graduate from Oregon. “It is so much more than learning how to be an advocate for the dairy industry. It taught me how to be a better member of the organizations I belong to and has allowed me to create a national network of colleagues.”
Phase I focuses on individual leadership and personal development. Workshops cover topics such as working with different personality types, developing an understanding of consumer relations and building media communication skills through hands-on practice.
During Phase II, participants complete a series of assignments in their community, which emphasizes the advocacy and outreach skills gained during Phase I.
The final on-site training, Phase III, features sessions on advanced media training, meeting and board skills, influencing public policy and continued advocacy. Throughout the program, an emphasis is placed on communication and networking amongst peers, a benefit that carries on long after a YDLI class is complete.
Source: Holstein Foundation
Posted: April 8, 2010 at 6:27 pm
By News Editor
Holstein Association USA is pleased to announce twelve semifinalists in the annual Distinguished Junior Member (DJM) competition. Open to any National Junior member ages 17 to 21, the DJM award is the highest honor that can be given to a Holstein Junior member.
This year’s semifinalists are: Abigail Andrew, Newark, N.Y.; Jacob Brey, Sturgeon Bay, Wis.; Elizabeth Cloninger, Centre Hall, Pa.; Laura Elliot, Marshall, Wis.; Jenna Fox, Rockwood, Pa.; Katie Hanehan, Stillwater, N.Y.; Leah Henkes, Luana, Iowa; Megan Herberg, St. Peter, Minn.; Benjamin Kinnard, Sturgeon Bay, Wis.; Maureen Lee, Johnson Creek, Wis.; Austin Schwartzbeck, Union Bridge, Md.; and Mark Simon, Farley, Iowa.
“The amount of leadership and personal development skills, and overall knowledge that I have gained from this organization [the Junior Holstein Association] makes me so grateful to have grown up in the dairy industry,” said Jacob Brey in his Story of Junior Holstein Work.
Katie Hanehan explained in her Junior Project Story, “I am so thankful for all the opportunities that owning Registered Holsteins has brought me and I will continue to give back to the industry that has given me so much. I know I will use these skills in the future as I develop into the businesswoman, entrepreneur and leader I want to be.”
These twelve outstanding young people have shown a strong commitment to not only the Holstein breed, but also their communities and agriculture in general. Contestants are judged on an entry book highlighting their Junior Holstein project work and involvement with activities, both in the Holstein and dairy industries, and their schools and communities. They will participate in interviews at the National Junior Holstein Convention, June 26-29 in Bloomington, Minn., to compete for six spots as finalists. All finalists receive annual renewed membership to Holstein Association USA.
Source: Holstein Association USA
Posted: March 31, 2010 at 7:25 pm
By News Editor
The Board of Directors of the Holstein Association USA, Inc. held its Spring meeting in Brattleboro, Vermont on March 25-26. President Larry A. Tande of Medford, Minnesota presided over the two-day session.
The Business Plan portion included updates on all 2010 objectives. The Board also heard reports from the Audit, Association Nominating, and Legislative Affairs committees as well as presentations on National FAIR and the Holstein Foundation. Over the last year, the Holstein Association developed and promoted its Dairy Price Stabilization Program (DPSP) from coast to coast. The plan continues to gain recognition and support.
Recognizing the need to stabilize milk prices long term, the Holstein Association Board formally acted to continue milk marketing efforts. The Association plans to keep working with Congressional leaders to introduce legislation for the DPSP. Responding to members’ requests to improve the Association’s Cattle Merchandising and Advertising Policy, the Board approved significant changes to the policy and Terms and Conditions for Public Sales. The revised policy and terms and conditions will replace the current versions. The revisions bring new focus to major issues of concern to Association members.
In another member-driven move, the Board approved the release of more than 30,000 prefixes which have not been used for more than 20 years. This release makes it easier for new members to select prefixes for their herds. If a member wishes to request the use of a specific prefix being released on March 31st, please contact C. Peter Cole at the office: 802.451.4127, via email at pcole@holstein.com, or via fax at 802.254.8251 beginning on April 1st. Specific requests will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis.
The next Board of Directors meeting will be held June 25-26, in Bloomington, Minnesota, in conjunction with the Association’s 125th Annual Meeting and Convention. The Fall Board meeting will take place in Chicago, Illinois, November 18-19.
Source: Holstein Association USA
Posted: February 18, 2010 at 5:26 pm
By News Editor
The Holstein Foundation has released a new Dairy Judging workbook, provided free of charge to download. Connect with the Foundation online, at their Facebook page.
For beginners, the Dairy Judging workbook starts with fundamentals such as the parts of a dairy cow and the four major breakdowns of the PDCA Unified Scorecard. Comparative dairy terminology is covered with pictures showing structural variations of cattle. Preparing and presenting oral reasons is a featured section, with several examples, as well as tips for both beginners and more advanced youth. An introduction to linear evaluation is also provided. Several interactive exercises and resources for both youth and judging coaches are available in the workbook, including worksheets to teach the parts of a cow, oral reasons vocabulary and note-taking skills, as well as placing cards that can be copied off and used in practices.
For those interested in learning more about Registered Holstein pedigrees, the Pedigree Questions and Answers workbook has also been updated, with information on many of the changes that have taken place in recent months.
These workbooks come along with the launch of a completely redesigned Holstein Foundation Web site, which highlights the organization’s dairy leadership development programs. Along with Dairy Judging are several other free, educational workbooks covering topics from genetics and pedigrees to nutrition and general dairy cattle care.
Source: The Holstein Foundation
Posted: February 15, 2010 at 4:53 pm
By News Editor
Congratulations to Thomas J. Kestell of Waldo, Wis. for his record breaking Holstein cow – Ever-Green-View My 1326-ET. Ever-Green-View is the new national milk production record holder, at four years and five months of age, she has produced a 365-day record of 72,170 pounds of milk, with 2,787 pounds of fat and 2,142 pounds of protein.
Sired by Stouder Morty-ET, 1326-ET hails from Ever-Green-View’s prolific “Elsie” family. She is scored EX-92, and also holds the national Junior Four-Year-Old records for milk and fat production in both the 305 and 365-day categories. She produced almost 37,000 pounds of milk as a two-year-old and over 46,000 pounds as a three-year-old.
This record breaks the previous 365-day record of 67,914 pounds of milk, set by Muranda Oscar Lucinda-ET VG-86. As a frame of reference, the 2008 actual production average for all U.S. Holstein herds enrolled in production-testing programs was 23,022 pounds of milk, 840 pounds of butterfat and 709 pounds of protein.
1326-ET’s exceptional record is backed by several generations of impressive performance. Her dam is a VG-85 GMD daughter of Ricecrest Lantz-ET, with two 305-day records over 30,000 pounds of milk. Behind that is Ever-Green-View Elsie-ET (by Emprise Bell Elton), scored EX-92 2E GMD DOM, who has a best record at 4-09 of 52,580 pounds of milk, with 4.4 percent fat and 3.3 percent protein. Elsie’s dam is an EX-90 2E GMD DOM daughter of Drendel Melvin Grant-Twin with a four-year-old record over 50,000 pounds of milk, out of a Stardell Valiant Winken-ET daughter, scored EX-91 2E GMD DOM with multiple records over 40,000 pounds of milk.
Ever-Green-View Holsteins is owned by Tom and Gin Kestell, with son Chris involved in the operation on a day-to-day basis as well. They have 130 cows with a BAA of 109.7 percent, and a Rolling Herd Average of 35,151 pounds of milk, 1,351 pounds of fat, and 1,083 pounds of protein.
Source: Holstein Association USA
Posted: January 13, 2010 at 12:27 pm
By News Editor
The Holstein Association USA has announced a a new Total Performance Index (TPI) formula to help recognize the needs, strengths and opportunities in the Holstein breed. The new formula has slight modifications from its last updated in May 2007. TPI is used to rank Holstein cattle and assist dairy producers worldwide in identifying superior cattle with a combination of high production, sound conformation and desirable health and fertility.
“The Genetic Advancement Committee recommended the update to the TPI formula to reflect the wants and needs of today’s dairymen,” said Dr. Tom Lawlor, Holstein Association USA Director of Research and Development. “The opportunity to improve the lower heritability health and fertility traits is greater now than ever before with the information provided by genomic evaluations.”
The updated TPI formula includes an increased emphasis on Productive Life (PL) and Daughter Pregnancy Rate (DPR); maintains the current emphasis on udders and feet and legs; aims to slow the increase in body size; and slightly reduces the emphasis on production. New weights for the major categories include: 42 percent on production (down from 45 percent), 33 percent on health and fertility (up from 27 percent), and 25 percent on conformation (down from 28 percent).
This change comes along with the updating of the genetic base, which occurs every five years, to ensure the genetic evaluations are being compared to a current and up-to-date population. The new base now reflects cows born in 2005, whereby the average PTA of those cows equals zero. Some adjustments to the major traits include:
Milk - 415
Fat - 15
Protein - 14
PTAT - 0.87
UDC - 0.85
FLC - 0.65
Source: Holstein Association USA
Posted: January 11, 2010 at 9:15 pm
By News Editor
Hoard’s Dairyman and the Holstein World have reported that former Executive Secretary of Holstein Association USA Robert H. Rumler has passed away. We are very saddened to hear the loss of such a prominent figure of the dairy world, and will pass along more information as it becomes available.
Robert Rumler, long-time Holstein Executive Secretary and dedicated dairy industry leader passed away on January 10, 2010; he was 93 years old. Rumler served as Executive Secretary of the Holstein Friesian Association (now Holstein USA) from 1952 to 1975. During his tenure with the Association, Rumler guided the Association to prominence as the world’s largest and most prestigious dairy breed organization, becoming an internationally recognized dairy leader in the process.
He has served in many leadership capacities in addition to those with the Association including Chairman of the U.S. Agricultural Export Development Council, National Advisory Committee on International Agricultural Trade, US/USSR Joint Commission on Agricultural Cooperation, Joint Commissions on Commercial Development with several Eastern European Countries, Director and Board Chairman of Vermont National Bank, to name a few. In retirement, he serves as Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Commonwealth Campus of Penn State University at Mont Alto.
Born and raised on a Pennsylvania dairy farm, Rumler graduated with honors from Penn State University in 1936. Honored by Penn State as a Distinguished Alumnus, Rumler is also the recipient of the Distinguished Service Award of the Holstein Association, The American Dairy Science Association, National DHIA, National Agricultural Marketing Offi cials. He is in the Dairy Shrine “Hall of Fame,” and the International Livestock Hall of Fame. Other similar recognitions have been accorded him.
Source: Hoard’s Dairyman and Holstein World
Posted: November 30, 2009 at 7:32 pm
By News Editor
Registered Holstein show management across the U.S. can now access new lists of national and qualified judges. Created by the Holstein Association USA, the list will help in the selection of judges for shows.
“These lists were developed to showcase the best judges the United States has to offer,” says James Burdette, Holstein Association USA director from Mercersburg, Pa. and Show Committee chairman. “We encourage all shows to pick their judges from this highly talented group.”
Individuals on the National Judges List are approved by Holstein Association USA to serve as judges at National Holstein Shows. Beginning with the 2010 show season, all National Holstein Shows will be required to select their judges from this list if selecting a judge from the United States. Nationally-sanctioned Junior Holstein Shows must select their judge from either the National Judges List or the Holstein Association USA Qualified Judges List.
Nationally-sanctioned Junior Holstein Shows must select their judge from either the National Judges List or the Holstein Association USA Qualified Judges List.
Source: Holstein Association USA and Dairy Herd Management
Posted: October 1, 2009 at 3:03 pm
By Cindy Zimmerman
World Dairy Expo Photo Album
World Dairy Diary coverage of World Dairy Expo is sponsored by:
This edition of the Milking Parlor podcast focuses on the Dairy Price Stabilization Program proposed by Holstein Association USA as a way to address the current dairy industry economic situation and minimize milk price volatility for the long term.
I spoke with John Meyer, executive secretary and CEO of Holstein Association USA, about the plan during an interview at World Dairy Expo. “One of the beauties of this program is that nothing has to be affected,” Meyer says. “The Dairy Price Stabilization Program does not require the Farm Bill to be opened, nor does it affect any of the current dairy programs. It’s a very simple thing to be implemented and it can be done very quickly.”
Meyer says they are getting good industry support for the plan and hope to get a bill written and considered by Congress, possibly as early as the end of this year.
Listen to this podcast here:
milking-parlor-wdx09.mp3
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Posted: September 30, 2009 at 11:23 am
By Cindy Zimmerman
World Dairy Expo Photo Album
World Dairy Diary coverage of World Dairy Expo is sponsored by:
Holstein dairy cattle continue to be the leading breed in the dairy industry and the Holstein industry has also been breeding leaders in the agribusiness industry as well through the Holstein Foundation’s Young Dairy Leaders Institute (YDLI).
Jodi Hoynoski with Holstein Foundation and Holstein Association USA says they are planning for the seventh YDLI class. “It is a two year, intense leadership training program,” Jodi told me. “There’s three phases for the program. The first phase is dedicated to developing individual skills, learning more about who you are, a bit media training to help them speak up more for agriculture.”
Phase two is a year of “homework projects” promoting the dairy industry and agriculture. Phase three, everyone gets back together for more advanced teamwork skills, board member training, more media training and affecting public policy. She says that graduates of the program have gone on to become influential movers and shakers in the agribusiness industry – like Mike Opperman with Charleston Orwig who was in the very first graduating class!
Jodi says applications are due next summer for the next class that begins in February of 2011. Sign up to receive an application from a link on the front page of the Holstein Foundation website.
Listen to or download an interview with Jodi from World Dairy Expo here:
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Posted: August 20, 2009 at 7:36 pm
By News Editor
The Holstein Association USA has honored Robert Schauf, Barron, Wis. with the 2009 Elite Breeder Award. The award recognizes a Holstein breeder who bred outstanding animals, making a notable contribution to the advancement of the Holstein breed in the United States.
Through his early years working with Registered cattle, Schauf developed a breeding philosophy based on strong cow families, striving to breed powerful cows that consistently transmit a balance of both superior type and production. He and his wife, Karen, began their own farm, milking cattle under the Alpine-Haven prefix in Southern Wisconsin. In 1981, they purchased her grandparent’s farm in Northwest Wisconsin, founding Indianhead Holsteins, where the family has been ever since.
Schauf’s consistent breeding philosophy shows through in his impressive herd statistics. Indianhead has a Rolling Herd Average of 27,298 pounds of milk, 1,073 pounds of fat, and 826 pounds of protein. After their most recent classification, the herd’s BAA stands at 112%, with 39 cows scored Excellent, 43 Very Good, and one Good Plus. Through the years, under the Indianhead prefix, Schauf has bred over 180 Excellent cows and over 370 cows scored Very Good.
Indianhead cattle are in demand both domestically and internationally. Schauf has merchandised cattle to several countries, including Japan, Germany, Canada, Italy and the United Kingdom, just to name a few. In 2007, he was recognized with the Wisconsin Governor’s Export Achievement Award for his successful international cattle marketing efforts. Over the years, Indianhead has sent over 60 bulls into AI, including legends such as Indianhead Red-marker-ET, a former #1 Type bull and sire of many show ring champions across the country.
(more…)
Posted: July 20, 2009 at 4:44 pm
By News Editor
Congratulations to Jan and Jeff King of Kings-Ransom Farm, LLC, Schuylerville, N.Y., for being named Holstein Association USA’s 2009 Distinguished Young Holstein Breeders! You can see a video presentation about the farm on the Holstein website.
Growing up on a farm, Jan and Jeff have been actively involved in the Registered Holstein business their entire lives. Participating in several Junior Holstein programs when they were younger, their love of working with dairy cattle stayed with them through college. After graduating from Cornell University in 1990 and 1993, respectively, Jan and Jeff returned to their home operation – Kings-Ransom Farm.
The brothers began managing the day-to-day operations of the farm, with major decisions being made jointly with their parents, Edgar and Carolyn. In 1996, the family set up a long-term buyout agreement, which allowed Jan and Jeff to steadily gain ownership of the operation.
Today, Kings-Ransom Farm has expanded and diversified. The Kings are milking 900 Registered Holsteins and farming 2,450 acres. Milking three times per day, their herd currently averages 27,132 pounds of milk, 988 pounds of fat and 844 pounds of protein.
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