2008 MISSOURI NATIONAL DIRECTOR AND DELEGATES

National Director: Kate Geppert, Columbia, MO
Delegates: Tim Ewing, Cabool, MO
Jodi Wright, Clever, MO

We had a nice delegation attend Wisconsin Dells, WI from Missouri. Over 25 adults and juniors attended all or part of this years convention. We were well reprenented on all fronts with members attending different tours, competitions, and activities. We all were dilligent to take notes and critique events to help us better plan our convention.

We were welcomed with open arms in America's Dairyland. Farm tours and waterparks were the highlights of the convention. Over 2000 were in attendnce at the convention sale with an average of $12,800 on 85 lots. The culmination of the convention was the junior/adult banquet where the elite adult & junior awards were given.

Delegate Report:
Our Region 7 board member was again won by Missouri's Kate Geppert for a second term.

1. Proposed by-law change: The President of the Association proposes to amend the by-laws so that a person serving as a delegate for three (3) consecutive conventions is not eligible to serve as a delegate again until at least TWO annual conventions have passed. A member may make a written request to withdraw from nomination no later than SIXTY days after the annual convention. This currently reads they can't serve until at least ONE convention has passed. This amendment would count the years delegates are elected, whether or not they served, toward their three consecutive years of eligibility and increases the time before they are eligible again. It also increases the time period to withdraw from nomination. DEFEATED
   
   
2. Proposed amendment to the by-laws regarding changing animal names. Art. IV, Sec. 15. After an animal has been registered, its name, but not its prefix, may be changed upon terms and conditions established by the Board of Directors. Any name change that does not fall under Article IV, Section 14 must also have the written permission of the breeder of the animal. DEFEATED
   
   Comment: This amendment attempts to restrict AI organizations from changing the common names of their sires. This ammendment had several problems with it. AI companies would place a clause into contracts that would allow them to change the name. Then that would place Holstein USA at odds with the members wishes if this bylaw passed. There were numberous other small problems with this ammendment. It was decided the best way to handle this is to not buy semen or sell bulls to organizations that operate in a way contrary to your belief.
   
   OTHER AGENDA ITEMS:
   Resultions - ALL PASSED UNANIMOUSLY:
3. Mandatory ID
4. Johnnes Control
5. TB control
6. Country of Origin labeling
7. National Convention 2009 - Sacramento, California. There will be two nearby hotels for adults and juniors across from the state capitol. You are able to reserve your rooms now to make sure you are in the convention headquarters. Adult hotel: Hyatt Regency Sacramento 916-443-1234; Junior hotel: Sheraton Grand Sacramento 916-447-1700. Be sure to ask for the Holstein Convention rates.
   
   California will dazzel us with wine, cheese, and outstanding farm tours. So make plans to attend in 2009 to experience: California cheese, California wine, and California in 2009! The dates are June 27 - 30, 2009.
   
   
8. 3^1/2 million to update Holstein's IT system. This will take 4 years. After that hopefully Holstein will be better able to share information with Canada.
   
   
9. Genomic testing - Holstein USA committed 50K for ongoing study. All female testing can be done through Holstein starting in July 2008. Submit blood sample to evaluate 50,000 genetic markers at one time. There have been 6000 bulls tested. All information will be public and will feed into genetic evaluations to be eventually included on the pedigree.
   
   
10. Election of new officers: Directors for Region 2, 3, 7, and At-Large.
    
    

    Declared candidate for Region 2 Director:

    Jim Burdette, Mercersburg, Pennsylvania ~ ELECTED
    
    

    Declared candidates Region 3 Director:
    

    Thomas Atherton, Gaines, Michigan
    Ron Fuhrmann, Hoagland, Indiana ~ ELECTED
    
    

    Declared candidate for Region 7 Director:

    Doug Unruh, Walton, Kansas
    Kate Geppert, Columbia, Missouri ~ ELECTED
    
    

    Declared candidates for At-Large Director:
    

    Harlan Bohn, Twin Brooks, South Dakota
    Gale Hoese, Glencoe, Minnesota
    Boyd Schaufelberger, Greenville, Illinois ~ ELECTED
    
    

Actions & Discussions at the Summer Board Meeting
from your National Director - Kate Geppert
2008 Financial Highlights:

• Holstein Complete – 14% increase so far. 1788 herds and 215,610 animals enrolled
• Revenues for Performance Products (Redbook, Tristar, etc) up 3%
• Identification (registrations, transfers, ear tags (up 13%)
• Registrations are up 15% alone. Credit given to Holstein Complete
• Classification: # of herds up 14%; # of animals up 10%
• Operating Revenue for the Association up 1% through 5/31/2008
• Operating Expenses for the Association down 2% through 5/31/2008
• Association Net Revenues are positive for the year: + $789,063
• The Consolidated Results, including 189,189 for Agritech depreciation, are + $576,455
• Reserve Fund has lost 4.5% so far in 2008. Current balance $23,683,637
  
  Delegate Representation
  There has been much discussion on how the number of delegates for each state is established. There was discussion on various alternatives, for example using amount of business done, amount of milk produced, etc. In the future, the board and governance committee may look at the definition of an active member.
  
  Business Plan Updates
  
• Classification up 15%. The largest yr to yr increase and the highest Jan-May totals for the last 10 yrs.
• A Holstein type committee will meet in July to consider changing the type evaluation scorecard.
• Web tag ordering system should be available by the end of 2008.
• Updated Holstein web page should be online by end of 2008.
• Genomic information on selected females will be available June 30. Samples have been received from over 700 females and over 6000 bulls. The genomic information will increase the PTA reliabilities. Holstein will offer genomic tests for females later this year. Genomic tests for males can only be handled through AI cooperatives.
• Holstein is actively working in Macedonia, Russia and China marking US Holsteins.
• The Board agreed to update the Information Technology platform and systems. This will be a 3 year process.
• AgriTech Analytics has had 20 new herds through 2008. They expect to add 5 new herds and 15,000 cows in June.
  
  Annual Meeting Highlights
  
• Over 1500 were registered. Approximately 2000 attended the Convention Sale.
• Convention Sale averaged $12,785 on 86 lots. Top was Duchess Advent Divine-Red at $62,000. Consignor was Rick Frozene and John Steinhoff, WI. Purchased by Brooks Buchholz and Rick and Linda Frozene, WI.
• Wisconsin Futures Sale (choices and picks) averaged $10,403 on 35 lots. Top was choice of Ramos heifers from Larcrest Oside Champagne at $27,000. Consigned by Jon Larson, MN. Purchased by Klassic Holsteins, WI.
• The panel of young dairy producers was a highlight for many of the convention.
• 2008 Young Holstein Breeder: Mark & Angie Ulness, Valders, WI
• 2008 Elite Breeder: Kip Herzog, Petaluma, CA
• 2008 Distinguished Leadership Award: Dick Coyne, Avon, NY
• 2008 DJM Finalists: Andy Birch, VT; Julia Hudyncia, NY; Heather Petersheim, WI; Lucas Suostrum, MN; Michael Stewart, IA; David Wilson, PA
• New Junior Advisory Committee Members: Kate Probert, MO and Jason Miley, OH
• Other Junior News: Nancy Jackson, MO won the Intermediate Speech Contest; Missouri placed 3rd in the Banner Contest; California defeated Wisconsin in Junior Dairy Bowl; Pennsylvania defeated Iowa in Senior Dairy Bowl.