General Convention Meeting Begins
Monday, June 29th, 2009The General Session of the National Holstein Convention began this morning with a beautiful National Anthem performance by Kristin Natzke of Fond du Lac, WI. Jim Burdette gave the invocation. Convention goers had an early bird session this morning on Genomics, and now committee reports are underway.
Financial reports for the Association reveal that operating revenue was up from 2007 for registrations, classification, SET revenue, TriStar, pedigrees and genetic tests bringing the 2008 actual operating revenue total to 17,176,000. Operating expenses for the year were also up (to $16,931,000), due to expected increases in salaries, program costs, occupancy costs and legal/professional fees to name a few categories.
2009 Board of Election candidates include:
President – Larry Tande (MN)
Vice President – John Bierbaum (MN); Tom Thorbahn (OH); Chuck Worden (NY)
Region 5 Director – Robert Nigh (WI)
Region 8 Director – Bill Stoltzfus (ID); Bill Wright (UT)
Region 9 Director – Hank Van Exel (CA)
At-Large Director – Dennis Areias (CA); Thomas Atherton (MI); Jonathan Lamb (NY)
A speech by President Maddox covered many things, but in particular he talked about the current dairy economy. “We are seeing historic lows in milk prices. If it does not improve, a large number of dairy farmers will go out of business. It’s a ‘last man standing’ philosophy, and it’s not healthy for our industry.
It’s going to take teamwork. It’s time to rethink how we market our product. We need to produce for the market instead of trying to market all we produce.” He issued a “call to action” to those present to get involved – write your congressman, weigh in on the Holstein World website, sign up on the Holstein USA website to join the petition.
Holstein Association John Meyer CEO then followed with his State of the Association address. Meyer praised President Maddox for his service as President during the last four years, especially during a milk price roller coaster from $20.50 to $11.50. “The current system of milk pricing is directly affecting the prosperity of Holstein Association and its members. We will have more discussion later today on our proposed milk price stabilization program, but be assured that Holstein Association USA will do everything possible to get a fair and equitable price for the product you produce.”
New bylaw proposal (will be voted on tomorrow)
* The Board of Directors is authorized to establish rules for the revocation of the proprietor’s right to the prefix due to nonuse of the prefix. (Bylaw amendment to allow other breeders to use dormant prefixes already registered)
The morning session also included a five-minute introductory speech from each of the candidates running for election.
Herds of Excellence recognition
(being presented to 11 breeders in this second year of the program)
Qualifications
* must be 25% above breed average mature equivalent for milk, fat & protein
* Must have at least 70% of the herd homebred
* must be enrolled in the TriStar program
* must must have an actual averaged classification score of 83 points and higher and must have classified within the past year
Winners are:
Tim Baker – Star Summit Holsteins, Byron Center, MI
92.2% homebred
56 Reg. Holsteins
Avg. classification 87.8
32,000M
1170F
1005P
Hilrose Holsteins – Joe Brantmeier
Sherwood, WI
83.5% homebred
103 Reg. Holsteins
Avg. classification 85.5
32,827M
1265F
957P
Jeff & Kate Hendrickson – Jeffrey-Way Holsteins
Belleville, WI
97.4% homebred
61 Reg. Holsteins
Avg. classification 85.3
31,506M
1173F
953P
Penn-Dell Farms – The Houser Family (Jay & James)
Spring Mills, PA
96% homebred
64 Reg. Holsteins
Avg. classification 85.1
32,518M
1359F
972P
Jafral Holsteins – Allen Johnson
Hamptonville, NC
100% homebred
32 Reg. Holsteins
Avg. classification 84
34,354M
1301F
1009P
Spotlite-J Holsteins – Jan Jurbala
Orangeville, PA
79.6% homebred
56 Reg. Holsteins
Avg. classification 83.2
32,220M
1173F
995P
B-Long Holsteins – Burce & Brenda Long
New London, WI
96.2% homebred
52 Reg. Holsteins
Avg. classification 83.7
35,190M
1219F
1025P
Morningview Holsteins – Paul, Tom & Tim Schmitt
Durango, IA
83.8% homebred
81 Reg. Holsteins
Avg. classification 84.8
32,046M
1202F
948P
Ideal Holsteins – Jake & Sally Tanis
Centre Hall, PA
100% homebred
83 Reg. Holsteins
Avg. classification 83.4
33,725M
1247F
1004P
Maplelane-Manor Farm – Ben & Carolyn Turner
Apulia Station, NY
93.4% homebred
117 Reg. Holsteins
Avg. classification 83.2
32,558M
1278F
1053P
Ridge-Place Holsteins – Clint & Heidi Zank
Neillsville, WI
97.8% homebred
38 Reg. Holsteins
Avg. classification 85.4
32,851M
1155F
968P
Open Forum
Art West (MA)
President Maddox – a big problem is the amount of powdered milk that government is allowing to be imported that is creating a huge surplus. How do we get to the politicians to help control that? How do we stay in touch with politicians? Is there anything we can do to control those imports?
-Pres. Maddox – #1 concern is imports and it’s heavy on people’s minds. If we raise the price of milk to producers, it could be a problem. I don’t care whether we had $7 milk – we would still have import problems. We need to have a quota for imports. Can we get that done? I don’t know, but it’s a major question. Whether or not we have price stabilization, we will still have an import problem.
-John Meyer – Our legislative affairs committee has been working on this and it’s a huge problem. We have to stabilize our production in this country and we also have to work on amount of product that’s being brought in. The large processors are bringing in those imports. One of our biggest opponents to our stabilization plan is Kraft Foods and they’re also one of the biggest importers of MPCs in this country.
The meeting will resume at 1:30pm Pacific Time today. Check back for more details later!
Gordon Wood (PA)
The real problem we see is point of origination and what’s on the label….we need to hold that true. If they are going to import, the standards should be the same or higher than what we do. Can we do anything about that?
-John Meyer – Not trying to make a division between processors and producers, but it exists. There are companies that are trying to water down the definition of our products. We need to keep working on that as well. We have to work on all these areas, not just price and supply. But you need to know, they are trying to weaken existing standards.
-Pres. Maddox – First step may not just be to control the supply. We thought by focusing on supply management, we would take one step at a time and fix these problems.
Member from WA
There is a two million dollar withdraw from the reserve fund. What is the plan for that? What does the future hold?
-Pres. Maddox – We did invest heavily in our youth and youth programs. But in the last 5-6 years, we have not withdrawn any money from the reserve funds for standard operations.
-John Meyer – The Assocation went over 10 years without being profitable, but we have turned that around. We did have a wage freeze at the association, so there are no increases in wages, as well as a hiring freeze. We also have adjusted our 401k program and put a soft moratorium on travel. We’re trying to be smarter, travel smarter, but our representation and attention to the members will not waver.
Bob Schauf (WI)
We’ve had close relationships with the Canadians for many years. Is it appropriate for those Canadian officials present to talk to us about their quota system?
-Pres. Maddox – Hopefully we can get that done!
Bob Miller (IL)
Following WDE last year, one of the highest profile cows there was a subject of a rumor and illegal fitting practices. After 6-7 months, it appears it’s a rumor, but it was detrimental to the industry and people involved. Can the board do an official statement and press release that clarifies everything?
-Pres. Maddox – You need to know that we were equally concerned. We asked WDE to put out a statement to that affect. We have very little control over the WDE board as to what they do. We would agree it would be nice for them to release a statement confirming the legitimacy of any animal that is questioned.
Dan McGarr (NY)
Agri-Tech – we seem to lose more money every year. What are the plans to sell it?
-John Meyer – it’s good for everyone to understand about Agri-Tech. Depreciation schedule that we agreed to is that the bottom line would be in the red through 2012. We are not happy with how long it’s taken to launch the program and actively market it. Good news – all our regional representatives were in Vermont and we can now have them sell all the programs & services of Agri-Tech which would help us see our goals for this acquisition come into a reality. Major growth for the program is in the west right now. It’s really starting to come together the way we had originally planned for, but it’s been slow out of the gate.
Joe Duarte (CA)
I’m an old timer, but congratulations to Doug, the board and the staff for taking the pricing system by the horns and trying to get it fixed.
Jim Koebke (MA)
Thanks to the board for the vision that you are showing to get the pricing system stabilized. I think we’re on the fast track for vertical integration, so we need to be unified and get this support system in place.
Germain Lehoux (QC)
Thank you for receiving us so well! We support the idea that you wish to put in place. It’s really great – do what the market needs, not the reverse. You are on a good path, you have good leadership, we support you for sure.
