US National Holstein Convention - Cowsmo

US National Holstein Convention

The catalog is now available for the sale at the US National Holstein Convention 2017, which will take place June 27th-July 1st in Bellevue, WA.


US National Holstein Convention

Registration Information

  • Registration deadline is June 1 (midnight Pacific Daylight Time).
  • Online ticket sales close June 10 (midnight Pacific Daylight Time).
  • Online registrations with ticket purchases after June 1 will incur the required $50 late fee.
  • Mailed registrations postmarked after June 1 must include the required $50 late fee.
  • Tickets are non-refundable.

Visit the US National Holstein Convention Website
Visit the US National Holstein Convention Facebook Page

View the US National Holstein Convention Sale Page & Catalog

Pre-Convention Tour: Claquato Farms

Pre-Convention Tour: Hol-Star Holsteins
The Portmann family was 90 days into the retrofitted robotic milking facility.  We enjoyed visiting with the family, touring thru the farm and then sat down for a delicious oyster dinner before getting back on the bus and heading back to Bellevue

Whale Watching
230 attendees went out on the water for some whale watching …

Around the Convention

2017 Holstein Association USA 132nd Annual Meeting

and Convention Preview
BRATTLEBORO, Vt.- Final preparations are underway for the 2017 National Holstein Convention and 132nd Annual Meeting, taking place June 27 to July 1 in Bellevue, Washington. The Annual Meeting will be held June 30 and July 1, focusing on Association business and featuring guest speakers.

The Washington hosts have assembled a schedule highlighting the state’s Registered Holstein® farms, historic sites and scenery. From their rugged coastlines, all the way to their snow-capped peaks, Washington is home to unique traditions that will offer Holstein enthusiasts of all ages an experience to remember.

Early Bird Session – “Results and Applications of Wellness Traits – What We’ve Learned”
Friday, June 30, 7:30 a.m.

Dr. Dan Weigel grew up in Iowa on the family farm, Weigeline Holsteins, and graduated from Iowa State University with a B.S. in Dairy Science. He received both his M.S. and PhD from Virginia Tech, with his dissertation focusing on the prediction of genetic merit for lifetime profitability in Holsteins. Before joining the R&D group of Zoetis (formerly Pfizer Animal Health) in 1995, Dr. Weigel served as a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Guelph working on the implementation of Multiple Across Country Evaluations (MACE) for conformation traits of Holstein sires. Dr. Weigel’s current role with Zoetis is in Outcomes Research and he also remains an active dairy cattle breeder.

Annual Meeting Keynote – “A Story Worth Telling” Friday, June 30, 1:35 p.m.

The keynote speaker for this year’s Annual Meeting is Michele Ruby, communication consultant, Ruby-Do, Inc. Michele Ruby has worked in the communications field for over 20 years. She was the director of communications for Tillamook Cheese, and later, the Dairy Farmers of Oregon. In 2005, she launched Ruby-Do, Inc, a boutique communications firm in Portland, Oregon, focusing on image-building campaigns, along with issues and crisis management services. Ruby’s contributions to the communications field were recognized by National Milk Producers Federation when they honored her as Communicator of the Year. She is a proud alumna of Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and the Young Dairy Leaders Institute. Michele and her family have a longtime Registered Holstein farm in Oregon’s Willamette Valley.

Holstein Honors

Thirteen elite dairies will be recognized as Herds of Excellence and the distinguished Star of the Breed will be honored on Friday, June 30th as well as 40-year Members.

Officer and Director Elections

Delegates will elect officers and directors during the Annual Meeting on Saturday, July 1. Vice President Boyd Schaufelberger of Illinois is the candidate for president. Running for the vice president seat are John Bierbaum, Minn., Jim Burdette, Pa., and Corey Geiger, Wis.

In director elections, candidates include for Region 2, incumbent John Burket, Pa.; Region 3, Steve Moff, Ohio, and Jerry Smith, Ill.; Region 7, Dwight Rokey, Kan., and Larry Wright, Mo.; and At-Large, incumbent Dale Drendel, Ill. Retiring from the board this year include, President Gordie Cook, Mass., from Region 3, Mike Jones, Ind.; and Region 7, Roy Buessing, Kan.

Highest Recognitions at Awards Banquet

The culmination of the National Convention will occur at the awards banquet on Saturday, July 1, when the coveted Distinguished Young Holstein Breeder, Distinguished Leadership, and Elite Breeder award recipients will be honored.

National Holstein Youth

The National Junior Holstein Convention will run simultaneously. Tuesday, June 27, marks the official start of the convention with several Junior competitions. An educational workshop on genomics will be held Tuesday night. Throughout the week, Holstein youth will be competing in various contests that showcase their talents, including dairy bowl, dairy jeopardy, dairy knowledge exam, prepared public speaking and folding display. The Association will also name its esteemed National Distinguished Junior Member finalists and recognize Young Distinguished Junior Member finalists, among other honors.

Hotel Information:
Hyatt Regency Bellevue
900 Bellevue Way NE
Bellevue, WA 98004
425.462.1234
(Holstein Association Room Rate Available until June 5th)

Overflow:
Courtyard Bellevue Downtown
11010 NE 8th Street
Bellevue, WA 98004
425.454.5888
(Holstein Association Rate until May 26th)

Tentative Schedule of Events
Tuesday, June 27

Registration opens

Wednesday, June 28
Pre-convention tour to Claquato and Hol-Star (Portman’s)

Thursday, June 29
Host Day includes three tour options to choose from (includes lunch):
• Whale Watching around the San Juan islands
• Head north to tour Sildahl Farms, followed by lunch and a tour Ronelee Farms before heading to Markwell Raspberries where there will be a showcase of cow families from around Washington
• Explore downtown Seattle
The day finishes with Family Night at the Museum of Flight (dinner included)

Friday, June 30
• Let the Annual Meeting commence!
• Or choose the non-delegate tour and head to Woodinville to sip some of Washington’s best wines
• Finish out the day at the National Convention Sale
Both lunch and dinner will be available

Saturday, July 1
The final day wraps up with:
• Annual meeting
• Junior Awards Luncheon
• Finale banquet

JUNIOR CONVENTION INFORMATION
February 2017 Youth Showcase

 

 

 

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