National Director’s Message

By Bill Genasci

Holstein Association USA has released results of a research study called “A Million Reasons Why Confirmation Matters”. This study, conducted by Dr. Jeffrey Bewley, uses a data base of 1 million cows to show that first lactation energy c;orrected milk and lifetime ECM are directly correlated to functional type. Most of us already knew this, but certain traits such as rear udder height and width have a big influence on production. Using the classification program can identify areas that need improvement in your herd. Adding these areas to sire selection along with your current criteria could improve production and profit. There is more information, including a taped webinar, that I would recommend checking out on www.holsteinusa,com.

Holstein Marketplace Sires continues to add extremely deep pedigreed sires that transmit traits you can use to improve your herd. These sires are owned by breeders and marketed by the Holstein association. Contact Katharine Correia at (559) 556-1410 for more information or to place an order.

It has been a very busy and interesting year in California. Some things have been business as usual. The show season included two tremendous Junior Shows, multiple county fairs, the California State show, and a contingent that traveled to Utah for the Western National. The quality of the animals exhibited was outstanding, and the opportunity to fellowship with so many friends made the Covid days seem so far in the past. Congratulations to everyone involved.

I would also like to congratulate Kylie Konyn for being a Distinguished Junior Member semifinalist, and both Kiara Konyn and Mykei Mull as Young Distinguished Junior Member finalists. They, along with the dairy bowl teams and the rest of the California junior members competing at the National Convention in Lexington, will represent us well.

In California the record setting rain and snowfall levels were not so usual. On the plus side, most reservoirs are full and water availability is not a problem. The down side is the flooding, particularly in the Tulare area,that has caused extreme damage to the dairy industry. The Tulare Lake was once the largest body of fresh water west of the Mississippi. It has been dry for about 120 years, but the heavy storms and continuing runoff from snow melt have resurrected it to 180 square miles. Some projections say it could reach 260 square miles. 100,000 head of dairy cows had to be evacuated immediately, and much of the crop land that was used to grow feed is under water. How this will affect the total industry in California is uncertain, but for those in the middle of this disaster it has been devastating.

If you have any questions or comments I can be reached at (209) 7657111 or genace1@aol.com.