Holstein association members, including junior members, from across the United States are invited to attend the 2022 National Holstein Convention “Progress on the Plains” in Sioux Falls, South Dakota at the Sioux Falls Convention Center June 27 to July 1. This event is organized and hosted by the Minnesota Holstein Association(MHA). The convention will also include Holstein Association USA’s 136th Annual Meeting.
“Our association is excited to host the National Holstein Convention this year in Sioux Falls. We invite all members to participate in all aspects of the convention including the farm tours, the convention sale, the junior events, the first of its kind Data & Innovations Summit and more!,” stated Darrel Rennich of Bruce, SD and chair of the 2022 National Holstein Convention Committee. “The committee has worked hard to organize an outstanding convention for all to enjoy while featuring our members who are making progressive strides as leaders in the dairy industry.”
In line with the convention theme, “Progress on the Plains,” those in attendance will have the opportunity to attend farm tours in the Sioux Falls region and learn more about the progress MHA members are making within the Holstein breed, the dairy industry, and on their farms. Tours will be held on Wednesday, June 29 at Ash Grove Dairy, Lake Benton, MN; Da-Bru Dairy, Parker, SD; Farm Life Creamery, Ethan, SD; HydroGreen, Sioux Falls, SD; Mat-Ar-Dor Holsteins, Ellsworth, MN; Boadwine Farms, Baltic, SD; Newalta Dairy, Pipestone, MN; Royalwood Dairy, Brandon, SD; South Dakota State University Davis Dairy Plant, Brookings, SD; Shannon Hutterite Colony, Winfred, SD; Stensland Family Farm, Larchwood, IA; and Trans-Ova Genetics, Sioux Center, IA.
The accomplishments of Junior Holstein members from around the nation will be highlighted throughout the convention as well. Junior Holstein members will represent their home states competing in the dairy jeopardy, dairy bowl, and speech contests; interviewing for the selection of Distinguished Junior Member and Young Distinguished Junior Member, and have their banners, display boards, and scrapbooks judged. Junior members will also participate in fun activities including a dance, a Junior Fun Night, and a Junior Awards Banquet.
The featured speaker at this year’s national convention will be Chris Koch with his message “If I Can.” Koch, born and raised on a farm in a small rural community in Alberta, Canada, speaks about living a “normal” life even though he was born without his arms and legs. He believes if he can live his life to the fullest with his limitations, others can too! Koch will speak to the convention assembly on June 29.
A first of its kind Data & Innovations Summit (DIS) is set for Thursday, June 30. The DIS will showcase the power of data as a tool for the dairy industry. Industry-leading speakers and panelists will share ideas to utilize today’s dairy data technologies and systems to maximize efficiency and profitability on dairies of all sizes. Relevant data and technology innovations currently available—or coming in the future—will be addressed, plus how to use individual cow data for herd-based decisions. There will be many practical take-home ideas presented to help keep today’s dairy producers remain progressive.
Dairy farmers with any size and any type of herd can attend the summit, but pre-registration is required. A membership to the Holstein association is NOT needed to attend this one-day event. This program has been approved for six hours of continuing education credit in jurisdictions that recognize RACE approval and by the ARPAS (American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists) for five CEU credits.
The 2022 National Convention Sale will be held on June 30 at the Military Heritage Alliance. The evening will start with a steak sandwich dinner followed by a sale of approximately 60 lots of top-notch consignments for a variety of breeding programs and buyers including genomic selections, outstanding type animals, and fresh cows. The event will be a video sale with a live auction and online bidding through Cowbuyer.
No dairy event can be complete without a dairy bar. A fully stocked dairy bar will be available at various times during the convention. The dairy bar will feature dairy products from creameries and homestead creameries from across Minnesota, South Dakota, and the region.
Registration is open using the Whova App upon downloading it to your smart phone or visiting the convention website (noted below) and using the drop-down link under “schedule.” Ticket sales are non-refundable and will close June 1. Space for some events may be limited, so be sure to sign-up early to reserve a spot.
For more information about the 2022 National Holstein Convention, including lodging, registration, and a complete schedule of events, please visit https://www.2022nationalholsteinconvention.com/. Follow the convention on Facebook using the 2022 National Holstein Convention page.
