From the President’s Pen
Michigan Holstein Association Hello All, As I sit here writing this, it is currently raining and a balmy 43 degrees. Yesterday at this time it was a generous 31 degrees and snowing so hard it made travel difficult. I really do not know where to start --2020 is one for the record and probably history books. Nothing is what it was, I am starting to wonder if it ever will be what it was! The last year we saw a lot of dairy related events cancelled. I am optimistic that they will happen in 2021, but I do believe that depends on our country’s leadership. The one thing I am very certain of and most of you are as well, is no matter what virus is out there our dairies have to run, cows need fed, milked and cared for, so while the rest of the world wants to hide behind a closed door that really won’t protect them from this virus, we will let them pretend and will go on with our daily lives. Some of you reading this may not agree with me at all, however that is one great freedom of this country, FREEDOM OF SPEECH, and we are each entitled to our own opinion. I do hope that if you do not agree, we can agree to disagree. Michigan Holstein is moving forward with making plans to have all the things we missed in 2020. Our show committee is diligently working at putting together plans for our annual Great Lakes Spring Show, granted it will more than likely not be at MSU, nor will it likely be in March but rest assured they are working on that. They will then work on putting together our annual All-Michigan
Holstein Show, with all the other details TBA as things are finalized. It is my belief that we will work at making these All Breed Shows, since most of the Holstein Breeders are also breeders of other breeds as well. Our annual meeting is tentatively planned for February. Depending on the current requirements for meetings, we will host the meeting at a centrally located location, or we will do one of the fancy “virtual” meetings or gatherings that they all talk about. As we know more, and more develops, we will pass that information on to the membership. Our sale committee is again working with Ravenna Livestock Auction to have a Late Fall/ Early Winter Sale at the Ravenna Livestock Sale arena. We are also moving ahead with plans for a smaller tie up sale that may go one of many different directions, Tag sale on someone’s farm, online sale, or possibly a small tie up sale at our Spring Show. One of the other things the Board and Executive Committee of the Association will be working on this winter and spring is the culmination of an ALL BREEDS organization. This is not going to be an easy task, but with the current board, I feel we will be ready to unveil this later this Summer. Our magazine has done extremely well this year with the current state of our industry and country. I want to thank all the breeders and members who support the magazine through ads or subscriptions. I would like to also state that the magazines past few years of success are all due the wonderful abilities of our one and only Editor, Melissa Hart. Thank you! I would like to end by saying, I am always available to discuss any matters or issues with the association with any one of you. If there is something you would like to discuss please reach out, my phone, and computer are always on. With that, stay safe, happy, healthy, and most importantly positive! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to each, and everyone of you and your families! Until Next time… Brent Brent Moyer President, Michigan Holstein Association 989-553-4333 • bren_haven@yahoo.com
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Michigan Dairy Cattle News
Winter 2020
