World Dairy Diary

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

Dates and locations for the three 2011 Holstein Judges Conferences are May 17, 2011 in Richmond, Utah; August 16, 2011 in Fond du Lac, Wis.; and September 20, 2011 in Harrisburg, Pa. The conferences will run from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and include placing heifer and cow classes, as well as classroom time. The fee to attend will be $50 for pre-registrants and $100 for late registrants. Pre-registration will close two weeks prior to each conference 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 the pre-registration closing date 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.

The Judges Conferences are open to anyone 22 years of age or older who is interested in judging U.S. Holstein shows and/or applying to be included on a Holstein Association USA Judges List, including international judges. As a reminder, starting in 2012, all National Holstein Show judges will only be selected from Holstein Association USA’s National Judges List, and all associate judges or nationally-sanctioned Junior Show judges must be on the National or Qualified Judges Lists.

“It is truly an honor to receive this award as a Junior member who enjoys all aspects of the showring; the competition, sportsmanship, herdsmanship, and marketing opportunities,” said Wood. “Being a Junior Holstein member has taught each of us, as dairy youth, many valuable lessons as we exhibit cattle, attend conventions, and participate in youth contests. The Junior Holstein Association has a lot to offer all of us in our lives.”

Corbin is the 20-year-old son of Steve and Chris Wood, and is working towards his degree in Building Construction Technology and Management at the Pennsylvania College of Technology. He enjoys being very involved in their home operation, Penn Gate Farm, caring for their 100 Registered Holsteins. He received the Judi Collinsworth Award at the Premier National Junior Holstein Show in Harrisburg, Pa. in September.

Wood has been an active member of the Pennsylvania and National Junior Holstein Associations for the past 12 years. He annually attends Holstein Conventions and has competed successfully in several activities, including dairy jeopardy, the folding display contest and prepared public speaking at state and National levels. In 2007, Corbin was named a state and National Young Distinguished Junior Member (YDJM). Showing his Holsteins is another favorite activity, and through the years, Wood has received several National Junior Breeder awards, All-Pennsylvania, Junior All-Pennsylvania and Junior All-American nominations and awards. He has won several fitting and showmanship competitions, and recently, after placing in the top ten several times, Corbin placed second in the All-American Youth Fitting and Showmanship Contest in Harrisburg, Pa.

In addition to that, strong growth was seen in transfer activity, with 70,335 animals changing hands last year, which is a 13 percent increase over 2009 totals.

Meyer added, “Members’ appreciation of the Holstein COMPLETESM program is evidenced by the enrollment of 239,703 cows, which is a 3 percent increase over 2009, and 1,759 herds which is a 2 percent increase.”

Holstein COMPLETE is a program which integrates registration, pedigrees, classification, production records, genetic reports and mating information into one convenient, economic package.

The Association’s team of classifiers evaluated 217,996 cows through the regular classification program in 2010, representing a 3 percent increase over the previous year. On the other hand, 15 percent fewer animals through the Sire Evaluation for Type (SET) SM program, which is performed for the A.I. industry.

Participation in the TriStarSM Premier program participation continues to rise, with a total of 300,083 cows enrolled, which is a 1 percent increase over a year ago.

“The Holstein Association’s program growth is particularly significant when one considers the contraction of the dairy industry in recent years,” stated Meyer. “For example, in 2009, there were 9.09 million cows and 65,000 herds in the United States, which is 240,000 fewer cows and 2,000 fewer herds than were in the U.S. in 2008. Gaining market share in this economic environment is challenging, but the numbers reveal the value dairy producers place on the Association’s programs and services.”

“Denise’s previous experience with ATA will make her a real asset to the organization, as she knows the customers and knows the system,” said ATA General Manager Bill ver Boort. “We are looking forward to having a fulltime person to promote ATA services on the farm, and Denise brings a lot of enthusiasm to the job.”

Athy obtained her B.S. from California Polytechnic State University – San Luis Obispo, were she studied agribusiness. Prior to accepting the ATA marketing representative position, Athy worked as a sales representative for the Wilbur-Ellis Company since 2007, and previously served as a dairy records processing technician with ATA from 2001 to 2007.

Geppert has been involved in the dairy industry her entire life. Her experiences have given her numerous opportunities to educate the public about the dairy industry. With their farm located close to a local elementary school, as well as the University of Missouri, the Geppert family has had the opportunity to tell dairy’s story to hundreds of people through the years, from young school children to local businessmen and international visitors. Kate is the current dairy superintendent at the Missouri State Fair, a role that has allowed her to communicate extensively with the general public, answering questions and resolving misconceptions about the dairy industry. Additionally, she has had the opportunity to interact with elected officials to help bring dairy issues to their attention.

Kate lends her time freely to numerous dairy and agricultural organizations. She is currently a member of the Holstein Association USA board of directors, and has served on several committees, including the Junior Advisory, Genetic Advancement, National FAIR committees. She has also been a long-time member of the Missouri Holstein Association. Other groups Geppert is involved with include the Missouri Dairy Hall of Honors, the University of Missouri Ag Alumni Association, where she has held the office of president, Missouri State Milk board, serving as one of four dairy producers appointed by the Governor, and the Missouri Dairy Association.

Region 1: Brattleboro, Vt.
December 2, 2010
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Holstein Association USA headquarters
RSVP by 11/29/10 to Kelli Dunklee at kdunklee@holstein.com

Region 8: Grand Ronde, Ore.
December 4, 2010
9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Spirit Mountain Casino
In conjunction with the Oregon Holstein Convention

Region 4: Staunton, Va.
December 10, 2010
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Holiday Inn Staunton Golf & Conference Center
In conjunction with the Virginia Holstein Convention

Region 9: Bass Lake, Calif.
January 28, 2011
9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
The Pines Resort on Bass Lake
In conjunction with the California Holstein Convention

Region 7: Springfield, Mo.
January 28, 2011
3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
University Plaza Hotel
In conjunction with the Missouri Holstein Convention

Region 3: Indianapolis, Ind.
January 29, 2011
2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Park 100-NW Ag Complex
In conjunction with the Indiana Holstein Convention

Region 2: Scranton, Pa.
February 17, 2011
2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
In conjunction with the Pennsylvania Holstein Convention

Region 5: Beaver Dam, Wis.
February 18, 2011
1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Best Western
In conjunction with the Wisconsin Holstein Convention

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.

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.

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

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.

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.