BRATTLEBORO, Vt., July 10, 2018 - The Holstein Association USA, Inc. (HAUSA) board of directors met June 30, 2018 in Acme, Michigan. The meeting, chaired by President Boyd Schaufelberger, was held in conjunction with the 133rd Annual Meeting and convention at the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa. Program activity Through June 23rd, registrations totaled 176,412 Holsteins, which is an increase of four percent over the same time last year. The Association processed 33,173 transfers through the same time period, ten percent lower when compared to 2017. Holstein COMPLETE® enrollment through June 30th stood at 351,408 animals. Members continue to recognize excellent value for all herd sizes enrolled in Holstein COMPLETE, with participation up three percent, representing an additional 9,361 cows, since the first of the year. Management reported AgriTech Analytics (ATA) enrollment stood at 949,640 through May. This represents an increase of 2,779 more records when compared to the previous month. AgriTech Analytics, a subsidiary of the Holstein Association, is located in Visalia, California. In December 2017, the American Guernsey Association (AGA) and Holstein Association USA (HAUSA) formed an agreement whereby HAUSA classifiers will appraise Guernsey cattle throughout the United States. The project got off the ground in January when HAUSA’s classification team began scoring Guernseys. HAUSA’s entire classification staff are fully trained to score Guernsey cattle along with Holsteins, and staff will renew their skills annually during the classification conference. Research grant program The HAUSA-funded inbreeding research project on Holstein cattle being conducted by Dr. Christian Maltecca of North Carolina State University is ongoing, with a final report expected during the first quarter of 2019. The inaugural grant funding program, announced by the Holstein Association USA, Inc. a year ago in June, invites research proposals with expected outcomes to benefit the profitability of Holstein cattle. Research may involve traditional production disciplines of genetics, nutrition, or reproduction as well as dairy foods or economics. The submission deadline for 2018 grant proposals is August 15, 2018. Applications for funding will be reviewed, ranked, and the successful project announced later in the year. Committee reports The board heard reports from the Audit, Genetic Advancement, International, and Type Advisory committees. One recommendation came from the Type Advisory Committee, which the board approved, making the linear trait Rear Teat Placement a two-way trait, with intermediate being optimum. Additionally, recommendations came from the Genetic Advancement Committee, which the board approved, to support the industry strengthening the accuracy of the haplotype calls by adding the causative variant to the SNP chips, and reaffirming HAUSA's usage of the term "haplotypes" when referring to these embryonic conditions. The board reaffirmed its policy to welcome the introduction of new beneficial genes into the Holstein breed by means of natural introgression. Board related activity During a special dinner on June 30th, the board honored retiring Directors R. Paul Buhr of Wisconsin (Region 5) and Patrick Maddox of California (Region 9). A reorganization meeting of the Board, led by President Schaufelberger on July 3rd, welcomed returning Directors John Andersen of Idaho and John Marshman of New York, and newly-elected Directors Robert Webb of Wisconsin and Bill Genasci of California. Directors serve three year terms.
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