BRATTLEBORO, Vt. — Excitement for U.S. Registered Holsteins and their owners abounded as 1,800 Holstein enthusiasts participated in the national convention of Holstein Association USA, held at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells, Wis., recently.
Sign of the times
“Our year was highlighted by considerable increases in key areas that measure breed interest and the strength of a dairy breed association. In 2007, your Association registered 317,128 of your animals, a four percent increase over the previous year’s total,” reported Holstein Association USA Chief Executive Officer John M. Meyer.
“It is interesting to note that well over three times as many Holsteins were registered in 2007 than the combined total of all other dairy breeds.”
Meyer pointed out “the unprecedented growth the association has seen in program participation, not only in the past year, but over the last five years, is an excellent indication of the value dairy producers see in U.S. Registered Holsteins.”
Registrations
Meyer indicated that over the last five years, registrations have increased by 10 percent, the number of cows classified have increased by 16 percent and the number of Holsteins on official production test increased by 20 percent.
The number of herds enrolled in the association’s hallmark program, Holstein COMPLETE, increased 123 percent, while the number of cows enrolled in COMPLETE increased 120 percent.
“These illustrations detail how we have successfully increased our market share in an industry that is getting smaller every day.”
Dollars
The demand for U.S. Registered Holsteins continues to soar.
The Wisconsin Nationals Sale, managed by Tom Morris LTD, averaged $12,831 on 86 lots.
The association’s financial strength continues as the year ending Dec. 31, 2007, recognized revenues of $18,064,000, an increase of 4 percent over 2006.
The association recognized net income of $1,259,000 and an increase in net assets of $499,000.
Elections
During the convention, John Bierbaum of Burnsville, Minn., director at-large, and Jay Houser of Spring Mills, Pa., director representing Region II, retired from the Holstein Association board of directors.
Elected to replace them are James Burdette of Mercersburg, Pa., in Region II, and Boyd Schaufelberger of Greenville, Ill., as director at-large.
Next year’s Holstein Association USA national convention and annual meeting will be held in Sacramento, Calif., June 26-30.
