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Early Bird Session - “Results and Applications of Wellness Traits – What We’ve Learned” Friday, June 30, 7:30 a.m.
Dr. Dan Weigel grew up in Iowa on the family farm, Weigeline Holsteins, and graduated from Iowa State University with a B.S. in Dairy Science. He received both his M.S. and PhD from Virginia Tech, with his dissertation focusing on the prediction of genetic merit for lifetime profitability in Holsteins. Before joining the R&D group of Zoetis (formerly Pfizer Animal Health) in 1995, Dr. Weigel served as a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Guelph working on the implementation of Multiple Across Country Evaluations (MACE) for conformation traits of Holstein sires. Dr. Weigel’s current role with Zoetis is in Outcomes Research and he also remains an active dairy cattle breeder.
Annual Meeting Keynote - "A Story Worth Telling" Friday, June 30, 1:35 p.m.
The keynote speaker for this year's Annual Meeting is Michele Ruby, communication consultant, Ruby-Do, Inc. Michele Ruby has worked in the communications field for over 20 years. She was the director of communications for Tillamook Cheese, and later, the Dairy Farmers of Oregon. In 2005, she launched Ruby-Do, Inc, a boutique communications firm in Portland, Oregon, focusing on image-building campaigns, along with issues and crisis management services. Ruby’s contributions to the communications field were recognized by National Milk Producers Federation when they honored her as Communicator of the Year. She is a proud alumna of Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and the Young Dairy Leaders Institute. Michele and her family have a longtime Registered Holstein farm in Oregon’s Willamette Valley.
Holstein Honors
Thirteen elite dairies will be recognized as Herds of Excellence and the distinguished Star of the Breed will be honored on Friday, June 30th as well as 40-year Members.
Officer and Director Elections
Delegates will elect officers and directors during the Annual Meeting on Saturday, July 1. Vice President Boyd Schaufelberger of Illinois is the candidate for president. Running for the vice president seat are John Bierbaum, Minn., Jim Burdette, Pa., and Corey Geiger, Wis.
In director elections, candidates include for Region 2, incumbent John Burket, Pa.; Region 3, Steve Moff, Ohio, and Jerry Smith, Ill.; Region 7, Dwight Rokey, Kan., and Larry Wright, Mo.; and At-Large, incumbent Dale Drendel, Ill. Retiring from the board this year include, President Gordie Cook, Mass., from Region 3, Mike Jones, Ind.; and Region 7, Roy Buessing, Kan.
Highest Recognitions at Awards Banquet
The culmination of the National Convention will occur at the awards banquet on Saturday, July 1, when the coveted Distinguished Young Holstein Breeder, Distinguished Leadership, and Elite Breeder award recipients will be honored.
National Holstein Youth
The National Junior Holstein Convention will run simultaneously. Tuesday, June 27, marks the official start of the convention with several Junior competitions. An educational workshop on genomics will be held Tuesday night. Throughout the week, Holstein youth will be competing in various contests that showcase their talents, including dairy bowl, dairy jeopardy, dairy knowledge exam, prepared public speaking and folding display. The Association will also name its esteemed National Distinguished Junior Member finalists and recognize Young Distinguished Junior Member finalists, among other honors.
Stay Up-to-Date
Holstein Association will be blogging throughout the week with updates and pictures from the convention. Follow Holstein Association USA on Facebook for updates, including youth competition results, award recipients, and election results.
For the complete schedule and lodging information, visit: www.2017holstein.com.
Holstein Association USA, Inc., www.holsteinusa.com, provides products and services to dairy producers to enhance genetics and improve profitability–ranging from registry processing to identification programs to consulting services.
Final preparations are underway for the 2017 National Holstein Convention and 132nd Annual Meeting, taking place June 27 to July 1 in Bellevue, Washington. The Annual Meeting will be held June 30 and July 1, focusing on Association business and featuring guest speakers.The Washington hosts have assembled a schedule highlighting the state's Registered Holstein® farms, historic sites and scenery. From their rugged coastlines, all the way to their snow-capped peaks, Washington is home to unique traditions that will offer Holstein enthusiasts of all ages an experience to remember.
Early Bird Session - “Results and Applications of Wellness Traits – What We’ve Learned” Friday, June 30, 7:30 a.m.
Dr. Dan Weigel grew up in Iowa on the family farm, Weigeline Holsteins, and graduated from Iowa State University with a B.S. in Dairy Science. He received both his M.S. and PhD from Virginia Tech, with his dissertation focusing on the prediction of genetic merit for lifetime profitability in Holsteins. Before joining the R&D group of Zoetis (formerly Pfizer Animal Health) in 1995, Dr. Weigel served as a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Guelph working on the implementation of Multiple Across Country Evaluations (MACE) for conformation traits of Holstein sires. Dr. Weigel’s current role with Zoetis is in Outcomes Research and he also remains an active dairy cattle breeder.
Annual Meeting Keynote - "A Story Worth Telling" Friday, June 30, 1:35 p.m.
The keynote speaker for this year's Annual Meeting is Michele Ruby, communication consultant, Ruby-Do, Inc. Michele Ruby has worked in the communications field for over 20 years. She was the director of communications for Tillamook Cheese, and later, the Dairy Farmers of Oregon. In 2005, she launched Ruby-Do, Inc, a boutique communications firm in Portland, Oregon, focusing on image-building campaigns, along with issues and crisis management services. Ruby’s contributions to the communications field were recognized by National Milk Producers Federation when they honored her as Communicator of the Year. She is a proud alumna of Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and the Young Dairy Leaders Institute. Michele and her family have a longtime Registered Holstein farm in Oregon’s Willamette Valley.
Holstein Honors
Thirteen elite dairies will be recognized as Herds of Excellence and the distinguished Star of the Breed will be honored on Friday, June 30th as well as 40-year Members.
Officer and Director Elections
Delegates will elect officers and directors during the Annual Meeting on Saturday, July 1. Vice President Boyd Schaufelberger of Illinois is the candidate for president. Running for the vice president seat are John Bierbaum, Minn., Jim Burdette, Pa., and Corey Geiger, Wis.
In director elections, candidates include for Region 2, incumbent John Burket, Pa.; Region 3, Steve Moff, Ohio, and Jerry Smith, Ill.; Region 7, Dwight Rokey, Kan., and Larry Wright, Mo.; and At-Large, incumbent Dale Drendel, Ill. Retiring from the board this year include, President Gordie Cook, Mass., from Region 3, Mike Jones, Ind.; and Region 7, Roy Buessing, Kan.
Highest Recognitions at Awards Banquet
The culmination of the National Convention will occur at the awards banquet on Saturday, July 1, when the coveted Distinguished Young Holstein Breeder, Distinguished Leadership, and Elite Breeder award recipients will be honored.
National Holstein Youth
The National Junior Holstein Convention will run simultaneously. Tuesday, June 27, marks the official start of the convention with several Junior competitions. An educational workshop on genomics will be held Tuesday night. Throughout the week, Holstein youth will be competing in various contests that showcase their talents, including dairy bowl, dairy jeopardy, dairy knowledge exam, prepared public speaking and folding display. The Association will also name its esteemed National Distinguished Junior Member finalists and recognize Young Distinguished Junior Member finalists, among other honors.
Stay Up-to-Date
Holstein Association will be blogging throughout the week with updates and pictures from the convention. Follow Holstein Association USA on Facebook for updates, including youth competition results, award recipients, and election results.
For the complete schedule and lodging information, visit: www.2017holstein.com.
Holstein Association USA, Inc., www.holsteinusa.com, provides products and services to dairy producers to enhance genetics and improve profitability–ranging from registry processing to identification programs to consulting services.
