Black and white now in the black

BRATTLEBORO, Vt. – Members of the Holstein Association USA gathered in Omaha, Neb., June 30 through July 3 for the association’s annual meeting and national convention.

In his annual meeting address, President Tom Nunes commented on the momentum the association has been gaining: the decision to implement tag ID, changes in type evaluation, the redesigned herd book, National Farm Animal Identification and Records, hiring a new CEO, and removing business decisions from the bylaws.

“Holstein has been a good company for well over 100 years. Let’s band together and give it a strong push toward greatness for the next 100 years,” Nunes said.

In the black. During Chief Executive Officer John M. Meyer’s state of the association speech, he recalled the board of directors charging him in 2001 to ensure that the association would be profitable on operations within five years.

“It is a pleasure to report that in 2003, the association had a profit on operations in excess of $200,000,” Meyer said. “This is the first time since 1988 that your association has made an operational profit.”

Animal ID. Meyer continued by emphasizing the importance of National FAIR, and how the association has laid the groundwork for a national ID program.

“The National FAIR program is currently the only national system in our country that has the capabilities to identify both beef and dairy cattle, from birth to slaughter, in an uncontrolled environment,” said Meyer.

Meyer also updated members on the teamwork between the Holstein association and American Guernsey Association.

The Holstein Association developed a Web-based registration system for the American Guernsey Association.

Member growth. Meyer said new adult membership rose by 8 percent last year, and new junior memberships grew by 12 percent in 2003.

In director elections, delegates elected William Peck, Schuylerville, N.Y., for a three-year term as director from Region 1; John C. Kalmey of Shelbyville, Ky. for a three-year term as director from Region 4; and Larry A. Tande, Medford, Minn., was re-elected in Region 6.

Gordon M. Cook Jr. of Hadley, Mass., was elected to the board as a director at-large.

Bylaw amendments. The most significant bylaw amendment delegates approved at this year’s convention allows animals with non-Holstein genetics to be registered if they are at least 87 percent RHA (Registered Holstein Ancestry).

Three resolutions were passed by the delegate body and move to the board of directors for its consideration.

The most notable resolution which would require all newly registered animals to be enrolled in the National FAIR program, and that they be ear tagged with some acceptable form of visible National FAIR identification.

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Fund honors Obie Snider, longtime Pa. Holstein breeder

BRATTLEBORO, Vt. – The Obie Snider Holstein Foundation Fund was launched at this year’s National Holstein Convention in Omaha, Neb.

The fund is a tribute to Pa. Holstein breeder Obie Snider, who died last December in a car crash at age 77.

Money raised by the fund will be used to sponsor youth and young adult programs offered by the Holstein Foundation.

Leadership. As one of the longest serving Holstein Foundation trustees, Snider was president of the Holstein Foundation board of trustees from 1993 to 1999. In addition, he served on the Holstein Association USA board of directors from 1968 to 1976.

Snider served on several boards and committees with Pennsylvania Holstein Association, All-American Dairy Show Committee, Pennsylvania Dairy and Allied Industries Association and on the American Farmland Trust, and Pennsylvania State University.

Snider, along with his son, Bruce, owned and operated Singing Brook Farm located in Imler, Pa.,, which is home to nearly 400 Registered Holsteins. Snider was especially known for being the owner and breeder of Singing Brook Mascot.

To donate to the Obie Snider Holstein Foundation Fund, or for more information, contact Bob Heilman, 804- 474-8678 or e-mail rdhnjh@worldnet.att.net or Jodi Luttropp, 800-952-5200 ext. 4261 or e-mail jluttropp@holstein.com.