The annual meeting of the BC Branch of the Holstein Association of Canada was held at The Vancouver Convention Centre, Vancouver, BC on December 02, 2014.
President Kevin Antonsen welcomed all and called the meeting to order at 2:35pm.
President Kevin thanked guests for attendance and specially welcomed: Mario Perreault, President of Holstein Canada, Ann Louise Carson, CEO, Holstein Canada; Past Presidents: Richard Bosma and National Director, John Blair, Ken Schwaerzle, Ridley Wikkerink, Darryl Woof. Also welcomed Dave and Tars Cheema
President’s Report – Mr. Kevin Antonsen
2014 has been an exciting year at the BC Holstein Branch. It’s a real pleasure for me to work with dedicated directors who volunteer their time on one or more committees. Great things can happen when we work as a team! Thank you also to our invaluable secretary, Joan Wikkerink, for helping train me over the past year, and keeping finances and our day to day business proceeding impeccably!
I’d also like to acknowledge all the agribusinesses that supported activities throughout the year. You are a valuable part of so many of our events. It’s great to see the involvement of so many sponsors and more than just financially. People in many of those businesses have been asked to help out at functions too. So, to the employers who let their staff step out of work for those days or for that afternoon, a huge thanks to you as well!
In February, the Branch with the help of a devoted team of individuals, hosted BC’s first ever Genetic Marketing Workshop. This was designed to educate farmers on ways to better market their herds and farms. Attendance was great and comments were very positive.
The Branch sees real value in supporting the youth in our province, so we stepped up sponsorship this year to the Western Canadian Classic (WCC) held in Abbotsford and Mission. WCC is a fantastic event that helps teach our youth several aspects of our industry. Competitions involving showing, judging, and general cow knowledge are done while at the same time creating bonds between kids in our own province and developing lasting relationships with people in the other western provinces. We also helped send two young adults to Manitoba’s “Dairy $ense” workshops in April. These workshops focus a little more on the financial side of the dairy industry rather than just the “Holstein” or breed side.
We continue to support Field Services across BC. Breeders have been happy to see Janet Walker on farm, from Holstein Canada. As herd numbers seem to steadily dwindle across our province we find it important to focus on membership “retention” as well as “recruitment”.
Priorities seem to have changed for many farmers with regards to local club activity, judging, and showing. So it has been great to see our Central Fraser Valley club getting involved again. The Branch, Lower, Central, and Upper Fraser Valley clubs combined to host the first ever Fraser Valley Breeders Cup. 63 animals were entered from 26 different farms. A pretty great success!
I’d like to acknowledge Darryl Woof who is stepping down as a director this year. Darryl has been involved in a few committees since 2003 and also served for 2 years as our President. Thanks for all your time you’ve contributed! Kevin presented Darryl with his Presidents pin. At the same time I’m excited to welcome Angela Hamming on board! Angela with her skills as an official Holstein Canada judge, her years of 4H leadership, and experience on many organizing committees, will be a great addition to the board!
Also, I’d like to offer a special word of recognition to our National Director Richard Bosma whose term runs out April 2015. Richard has been involved with the Branch for 24 years. He started in 1990 as a director, was president in 1997 and 1998, and then began as our National Director in 2005. He has taken his position seriously and has been a great representative for BC at the National Level over the past 10 years. Here in BC it’s rare that he misses an opportunity to attend club events, sales, meetings, or AGM’s, and is always ready to discuss the latest happenings at Holstein Canada. For me personally, Rich is a true friend whose knowledge in a wide array of areas has been a great help to me. Thank you Rich for your commitment and service to BC and the Holstein breed!
Show Committee Report- Mr. Matt Langelaan
The 2014 BC Spring Show was held at Chilliwack Heritage Park on Friday March 21. It was once again held with the BC Spring Sale managed by T&L Cattle and Brian Craswell Auctions Ltd. The sale was held on Thursday evening before the show which proved to work very well for attendance at the sale.
At 9:00 Friday morning Gerald Coughlin from Ontario began judging 127 animals. Jr. Champion was MS Sheridan Absolute Anna, exhibited by Westcoast Holsteins. Reserve Jr. Champion was Rietben Dude Candle, exhibited by T&L Cattle. Premier Jr Breeder was Hammingview Holsteins, with Premier Jr Exhibitor being awarded to Westcoast Holsteins. Intermediate Champion was Duckett P Lucy-Red exhibited by Westcoast Holsteins, the Reserve Intermediate Champion was Hamming Sid Darla exhibited by Stanhope-Wedgwood. Senior Champion of the day was Western Lite I Alexander Raja, exhibited by T&L Cattle. Reserve Senior Champion was Jacobs Goldwyn Ilora, exhibited by Westcoast Holsteins.
Grand Champion was the 4 year old class winner Western Lite I Alexander Raha. The Reserve Grand Champion was the Junior 3 year old Duckett P Lucy-Red. Premier Breeder went to Willswikk Holsteins, and Premier Exhibitor went T&L Cattle. Maximum Enforcement had monitored 2014 Spring Show
Nicole Tuytel, Jill Hoeppner, Kevin Antonsen, and Grant Bouwman , were all great members of the committee this year. Thanks need to go to the sponsors of our show. It’s a pleasure to work with Ag businesses that support our industry in ways other than just the on farm sales!
And, a final word of gratitude to all the exhibitors, some who come from further areas of the province to show at BC’s largest show of the year. Thanks for helping make it an exciting show!
Matt Langelaan, Co-Chair
Judging Committee Report – Mr. Darryl Woof
The Tier 1 Judging Day was held in Chilliwack at Heritage Park on March 20, 2014. The official judges for the day were: William Wikkerink, Ridley Wikkerink and Dave Hamming.
The committee presented three classes of 6 head per class. There were 14 participants altogether. Theo Stoker placed first, Nic Dewitt was second and the tie for third place was shared between Lorene Barnum and Carl Barclay. Thanks were given to the participants for coming, to the judges for their time, and to the breeders for the use of their animals. Thanks to the Richmond/Delta Club for organizing lunch and providing leadsmen. Special thanks to Lynda and Karen for tallying the points and to my assistant Thomas for helping to select the classes.
This year the BC Branch sent 2 delegates to the PEI National Judging Conference. They were Ridley Wikkerink and Carl Barclay. The reports were very positive on the way it was run.
Promotion/Public Relations Committee Report – Mr. Gary Brink
Our AGM was held on November 27, 2013 at the Vancouver Convention Center. Holstein Canada CEO, Ann Louise Carson was present and delivered a “good news” report featuring a record year. The winner of the 2nd annual “BC Cow of the Year” was announced Willswikk Outside Della EX95 – 3E.
Congratulations to owner Cindy Wikkerink, Cobble Hill, BC. Princess Bea Collier-Panda was thanked for her duties for the past year and introduced as her successor for 2014, Vanessa Romeyn. Gold watches were presented to the showman of BC’s Grand and Reserve Grand Champion 4H Holstein Calves at the Abbotsford Agri Fair 4H Show. The winner of the 2014 Grand Champion Holstein Calf was Westcoast Doorman Amber shown by Justin Kooyman and Reserve Grand Champion Calf was Benner Attic JoJo shown by Clayton Kooyman. Both winners are members of the Chilliwack Holstein Club.
The Branch was privileged to co-sponsor The BC Dairy Genetic Marketing Workshop in February. This one-day seminar highlighted the use of genomics, IVF technologies, and how to showcase and advertise your herd with photos, websites and social media. The workshop was well attended, and a lot of positive feedback was received. A new BC Holstein Branch logo was introduced, with new pens handed out, and the banner on display. Check us out on Facebook and Twitter, and our web site, to stay informed and look for up and coming activities.
March 21, was the BC Holstein Spring Show, held at Chilliwack Heritage Center. At a different venue, a large and appreciative audience gathered to watch BCs premier show. The show was dedicated to, Charlie and Lorraine Thomson, of CBS Holsteins in Chilliwack. BC’s new Holstein Princess, Vanessa Romeyn was introduced to the crowd.
A hot summer day at WestGen in Milner, was the setting for the Annual Picnic on July 16th. This was held in conjunction with their 70th anniversary celebrations. Tours of the Boviteq West facilities were offered, while children bounced in the inflatable castle and participated in games. A BBQ chicken lunch with anniversary cake and ice cream for dessert made for a sociable event.
This year the golf tournament happened at Cultus Lake Golf Course. The 57 golfers started off in rainy conditions, but it dried out at the end. Prizes were presented to everyone after a lunch.
The BC Holstein Branch proudly were a Diamond Sponsor for the Western Canadian Classic, hosted by B.C. at the Abbotsford Fairgrounds August 19-23. Judging clipboards with “BC Holsteins” logos on them were provided to the participants.
BC Holstein directories were again made available to visiting Holstein individuals or groups, as well as 150 copies sent to the Royal Winter Fair to be distributed through the Holstein Canada booth. Thank you to BC Holstein News, Gary and Karen Booy and their staff for producing a great publication and newspaper to help us promote B.C. Holsteins and communicate with our membership.
Contributions to the Holstein breed of those members who have passed away in 2014 has been gratefully appreciated and the BC Branch offers condolences to their families.
For the 2014-15 Holstein Princess, Lauren Kosol, from Maple Ridge was introduced. She is a member of the Golden Ears Community club and has shown a Holstein Calf for the past 4 years. Currently in Grade 12, Lauren plans to carry on her education for either veterinary art or psycology and has applied to at least 3 colleges and universities at this time.
Finance Report – Mr. Ridley Wikkerink
Enclosed please find the financial records for the past fiscal year along with the budget for the 2014-15 year. Thank you to all of the committees for their work and efforts to stay within their respective budgets.
Ridley was complimented on taking the leadership on investing funds on our young people. Luke Van Huizen and Pete Vanden Dungen attended Manitoba workshop.
Genetic Marketing Workshop Report – Jill Hoeppner
-Held Feb 12 in Abbotsford attended by 95 participants; major sponsors – Holstein Canada was thanked; a lot of topics were discussed; great reviews
– Feb 24, 2015 – for next workshop; watch social media for updates
Presentation of awards
-New princess for 2015 – Lauren Cozel; very suitable from Maple Ridge Community club; shown calf for 4 years; grade 12 student and looks forward to options beyond high school;
-Darryl Woof presented the BC Cow of the Year Award – Hamming Holsteins; Elmbridge Goldwyn Darlene
-Gold Watch award presented to Champion and reserve Champion Calves won by Kooyman boys from Chilliwack Holstein 4H clubs
-“Goldie” was introduced – as she completes her rounds in BC
-Post secondary bursary of $600 was announced by Ridley Wikkerink announced winner to be Mark Vanden Dungen in his 6th year in UBC obtaining his Masters degree in Landscape Architecture at UBC
Richard Bosma – National Director
-Thanked Kevin for leadership and Initiatives taken over the year
-Bittersweet in days ahead as Rich steps down as National Director – has worked hard and enjoyed position and opportunities given.
-Candidate who has agreed to let his name stand as a replacement is Ben Cuthbert;
-Richard introduced Mario Perreault, HC National President and Ann Louise Carson, HC CEO;
-Ann Louise showed Western Canadian photo which introduced Willswikk Holsteins – Bill & Gert Wikkerink as 2014 MB herd; reported that a great time was held by all at the 2014 HC AGM
-Ann Louise stated that Holstein Canada is a not for profit society, so currently bookkeepers are suggesting be careful and every once in a while a deficit is a good thing which is an encouragement to the BC Branch
CanWest DHI – Richard Cantin
– Thanked membership and greetings to our membership from management for speaking opportunity
– Herd enrollment is 311 in 2014 holding on stable although slightly lowering;
– Market share is 62.4 up from 61 in 2013
– Number of cows is 48,387 up from 46,592 in 2013
– Percent cows managed by Dairy Comp 305 – is 68.3 up from 62.3 in 2013
– Robotic herds – total of 257 herds in Canwest – 27 herds in 2014 in BC which is 8.7% of the DHI herds
– 13 new DHI herds enrolled to Sept 30/14 – only 15 new herds in 2013
– Strong growth of the recheck milk preg test;
– 24 new dairy comp herds – Sept 30’14; total of 163 herds and >68% of DHI cows
– In 2015 – standing on good financial stability; fees remain unchanged
– New – introducing a new service of “ketoscreen” – available on Dec 01 – 10cents per sample
– Mobile DHI app – will also be new available on both apple and android applications coming in February there will be a activation fee
– Goals for future include growing market share to 75%; introduce mobile app
Westgen – Chris Parry, GM
– Moving forward with Westgen – new proofs are out as of today – Dec 02, 2014
– Market share in BC has grown significantly
– A 10 year strategic plan was setup this past year
– Also started work on new Westgen home in Abbotsford
– AGM will be held at end of March 2015;
– Sponsors of Branch picnic and WCC program; Genetic marketing workshop; 4H program with calf and semen;
– Cryogen – liquid nitrogen delivery company launched in 2014 – about 14 months ahead of business plan
– Semex – 5th consecutive record growth in semen export in the world; Immunity + has been a huge part of the program;
– Boviteq West – expanded out of BC into AB; hugely successful and will continue to grow it;
– There will be an opening on the board of directors coming in March 2015; Chris encouraged everyone and anyone to be involved and be a part of.