Editor
MIDDLETON
Under the theme “2010: Destination Dane, Good Cows – Good Times – Good People, the Dane County Holstein Breeders hosted this year’s Wisconsin Holstein Association annual convention where over 150 registered Holstein enthusiasts witnessed the first-ever Wisconsin Convention Futures Sale. Sponsored by the WHA Young Adult Committee, the sale averaged $5,055 on 38 first-choice females that included consignments from some of the most prominent cow families located throughout the U.S. (see related article).
During his outgoing address, President Mark Gilbertson highlighted the many activities WHA participated in this past year and praised the juniors for their youth and enthusiasm. He reflected upon how WHA has changed since he was elected to the board in 2004 – particularly today’s day and age of the Internet with its Web sites, Facebook and blogs. He mentioned when he started on the board, they were conservative with their finances, something still practiced today. He stressed volunteers are invaluable, as evidenced when it came to Wisconsin organizing the 2008 National Holstein Association USA Convention.
Turning to the financial outlook, WHA showed net assets worth $598,799.67 through Dec. 31, 2009. Due to the turbulent economic times experienced throughout 2009, especially the depressed milk prices, the Wisconsin Holstein News recording a $9,588 loss, after having been profitable for the past three to five years. On a more positive note, the Association showed a net operating profit of $28,835.30. In addition, WHA awarded $11,250 in scholarships to deserving juniors this past year, a number that has tripled in the last six years.
A highlight of the Saturday evening banquet was the announcement of this year’s Younger Distinguished Breeder, Distinguished Service and Distinguished Breeder award winners. This year’s Younger Distinguished Breeder was Todd Borgwardt, of Sunnyside Dairy in Valders. Recognized as the Distinguished Service Award recipient was Mike Snyder, of Baraboo. Receiving the prestigious Distinguished Breeder honors were Allen and Pat Rippchen, of Ripvalley Holsteins, Ithaca.
This year’s Wall of Fame inductees were Elis Knutson, the cow D-R-A August, and the bull Life-O-Riley Marquis King.
Breeders recognized for their 2009 Wisconsin Top Performer cows were Gary and Mary Housner and Ron Suhr, of Elroy; Tom Kestell, of Waldo; Austin Weir and Dodge Sampair, of Elmwood; Joe Brantmeier, of Sherwood; Aaron Hass, of Evansville; and Craig Carncross, of Lodi. Receiving the overall Top Performer Award was the recent record-setting Wisconsin cow, Ever-Green-View My 1326-ET, owned by Tom Kestell. Also recognized were owners of cows that have produced 300,000 pounds of milk lifetime. In addition, 72 Holstein breeders were recognized with Progressive Breeder awards, with Dan Vandertie having earned the award for 35 years. Progressive Genetics awards were presented to 113 breeders. Nineteen-year winners of this award included Brian and Wendy Fust; Chuck Jinkins; Floyd and Lloyd Baumann, and Fred Lang; Garvey Homestead, Rick and Kris Garvey; Gary Housner; Jeff Henschel; Jo-Wal Farms; Lirr Farm; R. Paul Buhr Jr.; Scott Seward; and Steven Holte. Owners of Dam of Merit and Gold Medal Dams were also listed in the annual meeting report.
WHA paid tribute to its 40- and 50-year members. Daryl A. Alexander, Rice Lake; Deanna Barth, Whitewater; Gerald G. Brown, Belleville; Leland Gunst, Hartford; Delbert W. Haack, Fond du Lac; Kenneth Kohlwey, Germantown; Raymond Kuehl, Waunakee; Charles V. Stockfish, Lake Mills; Donald H. Timm, Monroe; and Donald Wendlandt, Randolph were acknowledged for their 50 years of consecutive membership. Forty-year members included Thomas B. Barrett, Camp Douglas; Kerwin and Marilyn M. Cordes, Comstock; Dennis Duddeck, Watertown; David Gibbs, Fox Lake; Hill-Bluff Farms Inc., Bristol; Roger Heeg, Marshfield; Koepke Farms Inc., Oconomowoc; Ken Lonning, Neillsville; Alan and Carolene Martalock, Ontario; Selz Farm Inc., Humbird; Charles Westphal, Byron; Carson Wackershauser, Lancaster; and John F. Zook, Eden.
Four new board members were welcomed to the WHA board of directors: Marci Walker, of Wisconsin Dells; Chris McCullough, of Juda; Todd Borgwardt, of Valders; and Paula Bovre, of Fond du Lac. They replace outgoing board members Robert Gates, Poy Sippi; Brian Herr, Valders; Doug Hodorff, Eden; and Gilbertson.
Upon conclusion of the convention, WHA board of directors met to elect officers for the upcoming year. Leading the way for 2010 are President Jim Rickert, of Eldorado; Vice President Corey Geiger, of Mukwanago; and Secretary Angela Brown, of Dodgeville; with Todd Stanek, of Fall Creek, and Bob Traynor, of Spring Valley, serving as executive committee members. Geiger will also represent Wisconsin as the at-large national board of directors nominee at the summer Holstein USA annual meeting in June in Minnesota.
Several resolutions were passed during the annual business meeting, including pursuing the involvement of producers in educating consumers of the wholesomeness of products produced using approved technology and practices; strongly supporting and encouraging the Wisconsin state veterinarian and his staff to do everything in their power to protect our borders from animal diseases such as bovine tuberculosis; getting on board with the Holstein USA’s effort to seek a national milk supply management program where their goal is to stabilize prices at a profitable level; and recommending that Holstein USA re-evaluate the TPI formula and raise the type contribution to a level that more accurately reflects what breeders desire for a balance of type and production, and encouraging WHA and its members to be proactive in rebutting false accusations and misinformation regarding animal agriculture practices.
Following the annual business meeting, farm tours headed to Opsal’s Ridge, the Lyle and Deanna Opsal, and Troy Opsal families, as well as Kellercrest Registered Holsteins Inc., the Tim and Sandy, and Mark Keller family.
Of special note are several upcoming WHA-sponsored events as follows:
• The 2010 Wisconsin barn meetings – noon Tuesday, March 16, Rabur Holsteins, Viroqua; 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 23, Hilrose Holsteins, Sherwood; and 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 24, Budjon Farms, Lomira.
• 2010 Midwest Spring Show – April 17, Jefferson County Fairgrounds, Jefferson.
• 2010 Wisconsin Championship Show – July 12-13, Manitowoc County.
• 2010 Wisconsin Holstein Futurity held in conjunction with the Wisconsin State Fair.
• 2010 WHA State Picnic – Sept. 11, hosted by Cycle Farm, the Brey family, Sturgeon Bay.
For more information, check out the WHA Web site at www.wisholsteins.com, or 800-223-4269.
WHA is a membership organization with the purpose of promoting the Wisconsin Holstein registered breed and its breeders and owners.
