2013 Holstein Association USA Convention and 128th Annual Meeting Preview

Final preparations are being made to welcome hundreds of Registered Holstein enthusiasts to Indianapolis, Ind., for the 2013 National Holstein Convention and Holstein Association USA’s 128th Annual Business Meeting.  Holstein Association USA and the Indiana Holstein Convention Planning Committee have worked to assemble a schedule of activities that will allow plenty of fellowship with other breeders and discussion about important topics facing our breed and Association. The 2013 National Holstein Convention takes place July 7-11 at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown and Convention Center. Below are some highlights of the agenda; the complete schedule can be found at the Indiana Holstein Association web site.

Featured Speakers
Holstein Association USA is pleased to have two informative guest speakers on Wednesday, July 10. Both presentations will take place in the Marriott Ballrooms 5 & 6.

Dr. Gerard Cramer, associate professor at the University of Minnesota, will be talking about “The Role of Genetics in Foot Health Programs,” during the Early Bird session, from 7:30-8:30 a.m. Prior to joining the University of Minnesota faculty, Dr. Cramer operated his own veterinary practice in Ontario, focused solely on providing hoof trimming services, monitoring foot health on dairies, consulting on lameness problems and conducting trimming courses and research. Before starting his practice, Dr. Cramer owned and operated his family’s dairy farm.

Dr. Nate Dorshorst will provide the Annual Meeting Keynote at 1:45 p.m., speaking on “Added Value Opportunities with Advanced Reproduction in Registered Holsteins.” Dr. Dorshorst was raised on his family’s 50-cow Registered Holstein dairy in Wisconsin, and is currently a full-time ET practitioner with Lodi Veterinary Care. He helped to form the practice’s Bovine Advanced Reproduction division, which includes a donor boarding program, beef recipient program, USDA-certified collection facility and an IVF program. Dr. Dorshorst became a partner in the practice in 2010.

Director Elections
Delegates will vote on a number of officer and director elections during the Annual Meeting on Thursday morning, July 11. Vice President Glen E. Brown, Utah, is the sole candidate for president, and running for the vice president seat are John Bierbaum, Minn.; Gordie Cook, Mass.; John C. Kalmey, Ky.; Robert Nigh, Wis.; and Hank van Exel, Calif.

In the director elections, candidates include incumbent Peter B. Waterman, Maine, for Region 1 and incumbent Gayle Carson, Tenn., for Region 4. For Region 6 director, declared candidates are Gale Hoese, Minn.; Mark Kerndt, Iowa; Phil Specht, Iowa; and Chuck Will, Minn. Incumbent Corey Geiger, Wis., is the lone candidate for the open at-large director seat.

Annual Award Recipients Announced
A perennial Convention highlight is the announcement of Holstein Association USA’s annual award recipients. The 2013 Distinguished Young Holstein Breeder, Elite Breeder, and Distinguished Leadership honorees will be unveiled during the final Convention banquet, taking place this year on Thursday evening, July 11.

Holstein Association USA staff will be blogging throughout the week with updates, pictures and video live from Indianapolis! If you cannot make it to the Convention this year, be sure to follow Holstein Association USA on Facebook, or bookmark this blog for the latest updates, including junior competition results, award recipients, and election results. For complete schedule and lodging information, visit the Indiana Holstein Association web site.