132nd Annual Meeting- Day 1

The first day of the Holstein Association USA’s Annual Meeting was full of excitement and energy for the Holstein breed. Starting off the meeting was an Early Bird session featuring a discussion with Dr. Dan Weigel of Zoetis. It has been over a year since Zoetis launched the CLARIFIDE^® Plus predictions for common disease outcomes (Mastitis, Lameness, Metritis, Retained Placenta, Displaced Abomasum, and Ketosis).  The presentation reviewed recent research that demonstrates how well the genetic predictions translate into actual performance in Holstein herds from across the US.

One of the more enjoyable activities that occurs during the National Convention are the various recognitions given to members with notable accomplishments. Presentations were made during the Annual Meeting recognizing the Herds of Excellence and Star of the Breed honorees, as well as acknowledging 175 40-year members.

2017 Herds of Excellence

2016 Star of the Breed

After lunch Michele Ruby presented a keynote titled, “A Story Worth Telling.” The keynote provided attendees with useful tips to sucessfully communicate with the general public, in a meaningful and memorable way. Core story techniques help us tell our story quickly and effectively, and will help tell a story that's as interesting to them, as it is to you. 

While Holstein Association USA’s Annual Business Meeting was underway, Junior members battled for a chance at the National Holstein Dairy Bowl championship! Finals will be held tomorrow morning, prior to the National Junior Forum. In the Junior division, teams from Pennsylvania and New York advanced to the finals! In the Senior division, the team from Illinois also made the finals, and they will battle it out with California for dairy knowledge supremacy!

  

Tomorrow will be an exciting day for Juniors all around, as results from many of the week's contests, including the coveted Distinguished Junior Member Finalists, will be announced. Stay tuned for complete results Saturday evening!

On the adult side, new officer and director candidates will be elected during tomorrow's continuation of the Business Meeting. Keep up to date by following us on Facebook, or check back on the blog for complete results!

Closing out the evening was the 2017 Holstein Convention Sale. During the sale, youth relaxed and enjoyed some competitive “Minute to Win It" games. The finale of the night will be drawings for five different amazing prizes.

Cattle being prepped to go into the sale arena. 

The sale had a full house.

There were 25 live lots during the Convention Sale.