The 32nd Ontario Holstein Branch Meeting was held on Tuesday, February 25th in Elgin County Place at the Best Western Plus Stoneridge Inn. See details and pictures here.
All attendee’s enjoyed the Wine & Cheese Reception sponsored by EastGen. During the reception entertainment was provided by 24 yr old country/western singer Conner Wilson from Elgin County.
The awards were given out to the 9 Master Breeders of Ontario
BRISTAL – Brian and Crystal Betts & Family, Flesherton
CRAIGCREST – Elgin & Joan Craig – Arthur
DANDYLAND – Dennis & Sandy O’Hara & Family Dan O’Hara – Schomberg
FIELDHOUSE – Rick Fieldhouse – Ariss
JOREN – Valerie & Shayne Jones – Woodstock
MCINTOSH – Bill & Eleanor McIntosh – Embro
PARADIGM – Steven Vanderdool – Woodstock
RIVER DALE – Lloyd B. Martin – St. Jacobs
ULMAR – Hans, Marlis, Marco, Sandra & Martina Pfister – Mitchell
After the award ceremony the entertainment started with a fun auction. With 33 lots up for auction the club made $12,750.00.
On Wednesday, February 26th the annual meeting was held and these topics were discussed.
President’s Message from Elvin Petherick
General Manager’s Message from Jason French.
Minutes of the 31st annual meeting were read and passed.
Branch and National reports were read and passed.
5 resolutions were presented from the various county Holstein clubs. Questions and discussions followed. All 5 resolutions were passed, All in favor.
Next on the agenda was Holstein Breed Strategy.
In 2013 there were 102,587 registrations in Ontario. This was an Increase of 2,805. or 13% in January 2013.
Holstein Canada’s President, Richard Bosma delivered a speech titled “2013 What a Year: A record year on many fronts”.
Next speaker was Ann Louise Carson, CEO Holstein Canada. She went through pillars of Holstein Canada.
1. Policy
2. Technology
3. Breed improvement & strategy
4. Leader of Tomorrow.
Opinion Matters was a question/answer period. Ann Louise presented these questions.
1. How can (or should we) Holstein Canada assist DFC to complete a national traceability system & why should we care about this initiative?
2. How do you feel knowing that a majority of the young bulls currently being considered for entry into A.I. have unproven sires themselves?
3.The great debate: LPI vs TPI or is it a debate? What index do you use & why?
4. Is our classification system identifying profitable cows?
5.How do you suggest industry partners to collaborate more to increase efficiencies?Or are we fine?
LPI Modification (51-34-16)
-Every Breed is being consulted by CDN.
-Main driving force – new proofs for Mastitis Resistance (coming August 2014),
-Strong support to increase the Health & Fertility component to 20% (from 15%).
-Where should the 5% be removed from?
* From the Production component?
*From the Durability (Type) component?
*Equally from both?
*Or do we leave H&F at 15%
Chairperson Tara Bullock spoke about the Outstanding Dairy Woman’s Service Award and presented this year’s recipient Sandy O’Hara, Dandyland Holsteins with the award.
Heart of the Herd Award was given to DANDYLAND LEDUC LEGEND. Ex-93 5E3, 1 Ex & 3 VG Daughters, 7 lactations with 80,000 KG.
Ontario Dairy Youth Awards were presented to Dan Dykxhoorn, Kevin Klages, Cameron Graham, Amber Kilgour.
Last but not least, for all his hard work as President of Ontario Holstein Branch, Elvin Petherick received a gift of appreciation. We welcome Gary Cain as our new President of 2014.
New members of the Board of Directors:
Replacing Ron Greaves is Brad Lowry of Penlow Holsteins from Almonte Ontario.
Replacing Elvin Petherick is Tara Bullock of Cedarvilla Holsteins, Peterborough County, Lakefield Ontario.
Elvin Petherick will remain on the Board as Past President. We welcome Brad and Tara, both dynamic young members and former Dairy Youth Award winners to the Board.
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Provided by the Ontario Holstein Branch