The information below has been supplied by dairy marketers and other industry organizations. It has not been edited, verified or endorsed by Hoard’s Dairyman.
Update on 2018 Business Plan
Management reported registrations through November 3, 2018 totaled 307,812. Members continue to recognize the excellent value which the Holstein COMPLETE® program provides. Enrollment through October 2018 stood at 355,171 animals.
Holstein COMPLETE® offers dairy farmers the best value for their money by incorporating registration, mating information, classification, pedigrees, genetic reports, and production records into one convenient package. Those who participate in Holstein COMPLETE receive a 5% discount on all genomic tests ordered from Holstein Association USA.
General Manager Bill VerBoort of AgriTech Analytics (ATA), reported the highest enrollment at ATA in the past two years, and at the end of October stood at 964,137 cows in 542 herds. This is up 8,815 since the first of the year and is 13,308 more records when compared to October 2017.
Other Business
In 2014, the Holstein Association USA board approved that a portion of up to two and one-half percent of the reserve fund could be allocated for breed improvement and research. Last year, the board approved funding for a genetics research project, which is being led by Dr. Christian Maltecca of North Carolina State University. Results from the project, anticipated in the first half of next year, are expected to help members and Holstein breeders make better breeding decisions through a more thorough understanding of inbreeding.
The board approved moving forward with a three-year genetics research project which was submitted by Dr. Anna C. Denicol of the University of California-Davis. Dr. Denicol’s research focuses on breeding Holstein cows for heat tolerance using the SLICK gene. Funding for the research, over the three-year period, will be withdrawn from the reserve fund.
Recommendations from the Show Committee which the board approved include:
- Designation of twelve (12) 2019 National Holstein Shows; and
- 2019 Judges Lists which include 45 individuals on the National List and 71 on the Qualified List; both lists will be published on the Association’s website.
Each year since 2009, the board allows the release, for reuse by others, of a prefix after 20 years of non-use. This policy makes it easier for new members to acquire prefixes for their herds. At the meeting, the board approved the release of 1,590 prefixes, effective December 31, 2018.
The list of prefixes to be released will be posted on the Holstein Association’s website to give notice to membership. If someone wants to permanently retire his or her prefix prior to the release date, they may contact Customer Service at 800.952.5200 and request to do so for a $100 fee.
Upcoming Meetings
The next board meetings are:
· Spring board meeting – March 21-22, 2019, in New England.
· Summer board meeting – June 23-24, 2019, in conjunction with the 134th Annual Meeting in Wisconsin.
For more information about any of the Association’s programs and services, visit www.holsteinusa.com, or call Customer Service at 800.952.5200. For more information about ATA’s products and services, visit www.agritech.com.
