Wisconsin Holstein Announces Support of Holstein USA Dairy Price Program

The Wisconsin Holstein Association Board of Directors voted unanimously at a recent December board meeting to lend their support to Holstein USA’s Dairy Price Stabilization Program (DPSP).

This program was formed by the Holstein Association USA, Inc. board of directors after no action was taken during the milk price crisis in early 2009. The DPSP proposal creates a real, tangible, financial incentive for dairy producers to watch and manage the amount of milk that goes into their tanks.

WHA Board of Director President Mark Gilbertson is excited to announce the support of the board and Wisconsin Holstein Association. “Holstein USA has taken the initiative to put together a program that has the foresight for the future. With no good plan in effect today, band-aid fixes are not doing the job. We need to support something that we feel could have long-term success.”

“Obviously, the dairy industry has worked itself into a situation where supply and demand are not in sync. The price volatilities that have plagued the industry forever are getting sharper and more frequent. Holstein USA’s DPSP gives dairy farmers a chance to regulate their supply to more closely match demand and make a better living,” WHA Board of Director Vice President Bob Traynor adds.

The Wisconsin Holstein Board of Directors invites Wisconsin dairy industry members, as well as others from across the nation to join in the support for this price stabilization program. To sign Holstein USA’s official petition, visit www.holsteinusa.com. The petition can be signed electronically by visiting the DPSP information page.

A note on Scholarship information - from WHA Director of Operations Chris Williams

Wisconsin Holstein Association Scholarship program – for Juniors and Adults!!

WHA Scholarship Fund Mission Statement -
The WHA Scholarship fund is to fund various levels of scholarships to the members of the WHA and/or JUNIOR WHA to further their education, either post secondary or various educational events. The WHA Scholarship Committee will oversee the distribution of these funds. The WHA Scholarship Committee will also fund raise for the funding of this account.

Within this fund is funding for scholarships to be given in the names of the Elroy Borgwardt Memorial Scholarship and new this year is the Doris Morris Memorial Scholarship.

Gordon Berg Memorial Scholarship
Wisconsin Holstein Association was given funds by the Gordon Berg family to support a scholarship each year in Gordon Berg’s name. This scholarship is given to a student who has applied and been accepted to the 2-year short course program at UW-Madison.

Last year Wisconsin Holstein Association (WHA) gave out $10,000 and this year will give out $11,000 in scholarships to various students. This year twelve deserving students were awarded scholarships, with the possibility of four other scholarships to be determined at the WHA Junior Convention. We try to help as many deserving students as possible while keeping the fund strong for future applicants to receive scholarships.

Fundraising for these various scholarships are done over the year at various Wisconsin Holstein Association events, Junior Convention, Adult Convention, and one Treasure Quest ticket auctioned off. WHA also receive memorial contributions to be placed in the WHA Scholarship account from many members in memory of our past members.

This year we have a wonderful line up of items for the WHA Junior Convention Scholarship auction to be held on Saturday evening at the banquet (Jan. 2, 2010 at the Kalahari).

- 2-Tickets UW-Badger Mens Basketball vs. Purdue 1/9/09
- 2-Tickets UW-Badger Mens Basketball vs. Penn State 1/24/09
- 2-Tickets UW-Badger Mens Hockey game
- Case-IH Pink Farmall Petal Tractor
- Andis Progress Clipper, Andis Company
- Show package with show halters, Clear Magic, Black Magic, & Magic
Remover
- The Doctor’s House - one week of summer lodging or four nights
midweek of winter lodging donated by Dr. Rick Daluge. More info at
dalugetravel.com
- Voucher for 2-Club Level Seats to 2010 Milwaukee Brewer Game
- 4 - Mount Olympus Passes for 2010
- 1 - Night stay at Kalahari Resort for 4 guests in a Desert Room
- 8” x 10” signed Matt Kenseth poster
- Worn & signed sneakers from Aaron Kampman, Green Bay Packers

Now if you are unable to attend the WHA Junior Convention to bid on these items you may always email chrisw@wisholsteins.com or call the WHA office 800 223 4269 and leave your bid with one of us.

Wisconsin Holstein Association gives out scholarships for 4 year students and 2 year and short course students and adult educational classes or educational events. We ask that those that apply be a member of the Wisconsin Holstein Association at least one year prior to awarding of the scholarship. For more information in regards to our WHA Scholarship program you may look on our website www.wisholsteins.com or call our WHA office 800 223 4269.

From Your WHA Princess - Laura Elliott

Hello Fellow Holstein Enthusiasts!

Winter is fast approaching and so are some very important deadlines for the Wisconsin Holstein Junior members. Just a reminder to all juniors the WHY Friend and Jr Trip award forms are due on December 1. Don’t forget to nominate those important leaders and mentors from your county. They help you with so much through out the year, its time to give them that well deserved recognition. Also, all members who are old enough consider applying for the Jr. Trip, it’s a great experience to travel across an area of the state and see different Holstein farms.

Finally, an important reminder to all juniors who are interested in running for the Wisconsin Holstein Royalty position. This application deadline is December 1st. Serving as the Wisconsin Holstein Royalty gives you a great opportunity to learn about the Holstein association, the Holstein breed, the dairy industry, network, gain public speaking skills, and most of all have an enjoyable summer traveling across the state. I would like to encourage everyone to apply for this position, it is truly my best Jr. Holstein experience I have had thus far. If anyone has any questions or is interested in the position please feel free to contact me any time at lrelliot@wisc.edu or 608-513-9701.

Sincerely,
Laura Elliott

Video Footage of Friday's Forum Posted

Please visit Youtube to check out the video footage from Friday's meeting. There are 12 clips total, and the first can be found via this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vosE37O0yHI

Breed Improvement, Membership & Promotional Committee Meets 11/10/09

The Breed Improvement, Membership and Promotional (BIMP) Committee met Tuesday, November 10 at 10:30 a.m. at the Wisconsin Holstein Office. Committee members in attendance included Brian Herr, Matt Lippert (via conference call), Willis Gunst, and office staff Christianne Williams.

First was discussion on the WHA Treasure Quest - this fundraiser pays for our State Picnic. The WHA Financial Committee and Board supported the idea of the BIMP Committee members receiving TQ tickets to help sell to all areas of the state. The 2010 picnic will be held in the central part of Wisconsin, with the location still pending. The WHA staff will try to get some photos of past picnics on the website and in the News to help promote both the TQ and State Picnic events for 2010.

The 2010 March Barn Meetings will feature the topics "Calf Care" and "Hoof Care." Locations and topics will be confirmed at the December board meeting, with dates and farms to be confirmed by December 15 of this year. Each farm is given $100 to go towards snacks or a lunch at the farms discretion.

The 2010-2011 Farm Tour Map was discussed. Farms who want to be on the map will need to submit $25/location. It was discussed to raise the fee to $30/location. A new map will be purchased with updated roads at the cost of approximately $125. The 2010-2012 Farm Tour map should be a good investment with the MN 2010 National Convention in our backyard.

The Committee discussed All-American nominee recognition and will recommend to the WHA Board that a power point presentation should be used in place of certificates at Adult Convention. The nominees will be asked to stand at convention to be recognized.

The 300,000# Lifetime recipients will receive a certificate and a pen to be given at the WHA Adult Convention. The 400,000# Lifetime recognitions will receive a certificate and a memorable item at a cost of $20 or under each. For the 400,000# Lifetime recognition we are looking at etched milk bottles with a disc. There will be a 3 ring binder put together to show the past and present listing of these Lifetime records.

The BIMP Committee suggested that the WHA website list our committees, what each is responsible for, and that the meeting minutes be summarized and put on the website and/or blog for more input from the membership.


**Feel free to post questions/comments on the meeting notes! Member input is always appreciated.

Question 6: I would like to know if the other gentlemen support the Holstein Association or Foremost Farms? As far as I'm concerned, the Holstein USA is the only one that cares about us.

David C: Our board has met multiple times, I've sat down with John Meyer and Gordy Cook, we continue to have dialogue with them - while we have not officially come on board, there are many concepts I think we can support. I'm very interested in having something on the front edge that gives us the ability to manage production, but understand world market opportunities. Looking at a two prong approach, you have the ability to be on the leading edge, but know that opportunities could disappear. While we like a lot of things and will continue to have dialogue, I think there's some other things we'd like to bring to the table and continue working with them on. Any new producer in this business is excited, but for them to get access is a lot of money. I think we will continue to be at the table with them.

Lucas: Its important to remember its the farmers responsibility to keep talking to their board members

David W: As we have more conflict, we have better participation at meetings. Our organization is a member driven one, but we are in the process of information gathering right now.

Dairy Price Stabilization Q&A

Question 5: I was disappointed Mr Furhmann that you don't show more support of the Holstein USA program. When pricing any product its based on supply and demand. You hang your hat on CWT and that was only half a solution. While you retire that many cows, you didn't protect those new animals coming in. I'm interested in protecting those that are alive today. I think the Holstein USA program addresses a part that yours needs to - maybe its not even enough and I don't like a quota either, but something nees to be done.

CWT - short term removal of cows from the herd. Farmers today want to be in it long term. I will say that CWT cannot continue to exist as it is today - with sexed semen and replacement cows, you can't kill cows fast enough so long term its not a good option on a stand alone basis. Our board of directors has chosen not to put all of our support behind Holstein USA - we don't think its a good time to restrict the growth of people's business. I dont know anyone thats gone through an expansion that has any extra cash - We have the infrastructure and I don't think we should do anything

Lucas - I think we can all be alot happier if we can make farmers profitable as they are - you can't just add another ten percent of the market and expect no one to go out of business. Feed dealers, schools in rural areas, theres more affected than just dairy farmers themselves.

Dairy Price Stabilization Q&A

Question 4: With everyone making money except the farmer, the dairy industry is the most crooked business in the US right now. Where I ship my milk, the guy built two cabins up north and he made the mistake of telling someone he made more money last year than he ever made in his life. Why aren't the farmers getting some of these profits?

David F: I hear you loud and clear. I'm not going to defend anyone, but pricing mechanisms in place mean we have to have something in place. No matter what kind of farmer you are, all commodity businesses are at the bottom of the food chain. Being at the bottom is very difficult.

David C: We market milk for our members and the uniqueness of that is to be able to market to a variety of markets. Many industries suffer because consumers are not buying their products. Its very troubling for us as a marketing agency because you lose the market and have someone else fill it - truckloads coming in daily from California and the coast. Its been frustrating for us as we found we had two buyers, which later merged creating less leverage with just one buyer. As an org marketing milk, we've endured losses in our market/milk program because we can't service our members in a way we like to, which has been dictated by the individuals who sell.

Dairy Price Stabilization Q&A

Question 3: As a member of Foremost Farms/National Milk Producers, I don't feel my opinion is represented on the milk pricing issue.

David F: NMPF has a board of cooperative members, employees, and dairy farmers from across the country. Dairy farmers are represented. National milk has a strategic task force working on the current situation - that force continues to work and evaluate options and propose a plan with legislative action and move forward.

David C: We have delegates that are elected - its important for producers to be sure they're holding their delegates responsible for their representation - talk to your folks and let them know how you feel. There's a lot of information available, but many farmers are unaware of the programs available. We need to provide that information in a meaningful form - we have to find a way for them to become educated so that when questions are asked theres an informed response that people can be satisfied with.

Dairy Price Stabilization Q&A

Question 2: If there is a supply management plan implemented, how would it come about? Would all the nations dairy farms have to agree? What is the likelihood?

Lucas: Many different ways to do something like this - start with getting a bill introduced to congress with a signature by the president. Three years in, have a producer review and vote. The plan would be implemented, and after year three, an outside source would review it. Don't want to wait for farm bill - need something done immediately.

David F: Any proposals would take legislative action and would not be a farmer decision. To be honest, the program national milk is working on now, by the time you get it enacted it would probably be a few years.

Dairy Price Stabilization Q&A

Question 1: Is there room for the small, traditional family farm? It seems that a lot of the blame for the current situation is blamed on larger operations, but is their room both short and long term?

Answer: David F - definitely, number of cows doesn't matter as long as they can make a profit and survive. There are many small dairies that have been successful.

David W - Room for success, and WI is growing at both ends - there is a lot of diversity and growth and change in industry. Without number and mass of farms all sizes to implement equipment dealers, vets etc. we lose our infrastructure

David C - Unique thing with small operations is that they can diversify themselves with genetics, products & processing - something a large scale operation has troubles doing. A small cheese operation has the opportunity to make many different types of products and make something that's unique - consumers want local product.

Lucas - Every farm is like a poker hand - you never know until someone goes out of business whether or not their making a profit - our goal at Holstein USA is to keep our farmers profitable, and keep dairies of all size in business.

From the WHA Board President

Greetings Wisconsin Holstein members,

For those of you who missed the 2009 World Dairy Expo - too bad, you missed a great show with beautiful animals and great people. As the theme of World Dairy Expo was Legendary Cows, Legendary People and Legendary Trade Show, all that attended agree that this year’s can be added to all the great dairy events of the past. Congratulations to Harvue Roy Frosty exhibited by Mike and Julie Duckett, Jim and Nancy Junemann and Dr. Scott Armbrust.

Throughout the year I have encouraged everyone to become involved at some level in Wisconsin Holstein events. In the near future you could become involved in Top Performer, Treasure Quest and the 2011 and 2012 Futurities which all have deadlines approaching. The entry forms can be found on our website or by calling the WHA office. Become involved and participate in some of our various contests and events, it’s a great way to meet other dairy enthusiasts and maybe even gather a prize.

The 2011 WHA Futurity has been re-opened for all to enter. The 2011 event marks the 25th WHA Futurity and we are looking forward to a great celebration at the WI State Fair Park. The re-opened entry fee is $50 per head and is due in the office no later than November 30, 2009. The 2012 WHA Futurity entries are due January 1, 2010 in the WHA office and the entry fee is $35 per head.

The WHA Top Performer entry deadline is January 15, 2010 with awards being given to each of the Top Performers in eight different age categories, and the TOP Top Performer will receive a gift certificate from St. Joseph Equipment of La Crosse, who will ship parts anywhere.

The WHA Treasure Quest has been an outstanding event for our membership. Your entry may garner you a check for $7500 for that wonderful calf you entered for $50. The profit earned from the Treasure Quest has enabled Wisconsin Holstein Association to hold and help pay for the Wisconsin Holstein State Picnic. 2010 will be our 5th year of the picnic and yes, we are looking for a host farm. The entry deadline for entering calves in the Treasure Quest is February 1, 2010 at $50 per head.

Now, if your county or district wants to get involved, we are looking for hosts for upcoming events - the 2011 and 2012 Junior and Adult Conventions; the 2012 State Championship Show and a host farm for our 2010, 2011 and 2012 State Picnics. If you call or email the WHA office they will be pleased to answer any questions or send you information in regards to hosting any of these events.

In my last column I had touched on getting involved as an individual and running for the WHA State Board of Directors. With the hunting and the holidays coming up, now is the time to put together your biography and submit it to Laura for publication in the January isue of the News. I really encourage anyone that is interested to put your name in the “hat” for the WHA Board of Directors. I have met people on the WHA Board which I may never have gotten to know and have made some lasting friendships which would have been a shame to miss in the “dance through life.”

Leaves are turning brown, the temperature is a little colder and the wind is blowing from the northwest... Hey Marty, get your orange jacket out - it’s time!!

As the Duke would say - let’s make a little noise Colorado!

WHA Board President - Mark Gilbertson

Getting our feet wet in the blogging world!

Greetings Holstein enthusiasts!

We are always trying to catch up with the times it seems, and we have finally made the decision to start a blog. Our hope is to keep all members informed of our events, as well as write on sales and events as we travel through the state of Wisconsin. Our organization is about our members - we conduct a variety of activities, from shows, to conventions, barn meetings and picnics, with the ultimate goal of promoting our members and their animals to the best of our ability. Please check out our website for a better feel of what we are all about!

An important event coming up on the WHA calendar is our gathering at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells on November 6. For nearly a year, low milk prices have hampered dairy farm families. Throughout these financially trying times, numerous producer groups have come together to propose solutions for this challenging situation. On November 6, we will be hosting a forum to discuss remedies for this pressing matter. The town hall meeting will take place on Friday, November 6, 2009, at 1 p.m. at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells. The four invited milk marketing and pricing specialists will provide the opportunity for dairy producers throughout the Midwest to ask questions and get answers regarding the proposed guidelines for dairy product pricing. All concerned dairy industry members are welcome to attend.

The panel will involve four industry professionals, and it will be moderated by Hoard’s Dairyman associate editor, Corey Geiger. Industry specialists will be given the opportunity to speak briefly before opening the floor to questions submitted from dairy producers attending the meeting. The panel will include Lucas Sjostrom, Holstein USA’s Government Relations Specialist and Communications Assistant; David Cooper, General Manager for Family Dairies USA; David Fuhrmann, President of Foremost Farms USA; and David Ward, Dairy Director, Cooperative Network.

We sincerely hope that people will take the time to attend this very important meeting. Please do not hesitate to email with questions - we want to be sure its a great learning experience and hope to have a productive discussion with these industry members.

Remember to check out our website - www.wisholsteins.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, via the Wisconsin Holstein Association fan page.

Until next time...