Brantford, ON March 4, 2013— The Holstein Canada Board of Directors is pleased to welcome Gerald Schipper to the Board, as the result of the recent election in Western Ontario. The vacancy in this geographical area was due to the ‘retirement’ of Glen McNeil, current President of Holstein Canada, who will wrap up 9 years of involvement with the Holstein Canada Board at the Annual General Meeting to be held in Niagara Falls – the moment Gerald’s mandate will start.
President McNeil has very supportive words of welcome for his incumbent, “Gerald, who farms under the prefix of Skipwell with his family in Aylmer ON (Elgin County), brings both great expertise and experience within Holstein Canada and from other sectors of our industry to the Holstein Canada Board. He will do members in Western Ontario and from across Canada proud.” Gerald’s biography is most impressive – highlights include:
– Milking 320 cows, with a classification of 15 EX, 178 VG and 164 GP and Herd BCA 220-221-219
– Currently farming 1100 acres
– Has marketed genetics domestically (including sires to A.I.), internationally, and bred or owned 2 All Canadian nominations
– Long standing involvement in his County Holstein Club, including being a regular participant at the Elgin Holstein Show
– Recipient of the Dairy Youth Award from Holstein Ontario
– Speaker at meetings in the Netherlands representing Holstein Canada and A.I.
Gerald has been very involved in many facets of the dairy industry. His Holstein Canada involvement includes being a past member of the ‘National Branch Study Team Visions Report’ and the ‘Breed Advisory Committee’. From an industry point of view, Gerald has been Chair of University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus Dairy Advisory Committee and is currently a delegate with Gay Lea Foods Co- Operative Ltd., taking part in their Advance Leadership Training Program.
As the new director for Western Ontario, Gerald is very excited to get down to business with his colleagues from across Canada. He states his priorities are to “Promote Canadian Holsteins and help create export markets for genetics, to increase producer participation in milk recording, registration and classification and to focus on national dairy identification, traceability and food safety.”
Gerald concludes by thanking his supporters in Western Ontario and states very clearly “I am here to work for the best interest of all Western Ontario members – and for the betterment of Holstein breeders from all regions of Canada. Holstein Canada has a legacy and a leadership role which is unique.” The ‘director elect’ of Holstein Canada can be contacted at [email protected]
Contact: Alain Lajeunesse
Tel: 519-756-8300 ext. 280
[email protected]