A Message From the Executive Director, Tom Thorbahn

From the Executive Director

By Tom Thorbahn

We have had a few nice days in the last week... tractors are moving across drier fields... this must mean spring will arrive soon. I look forward to the warmer weather along with crocuses and tulips in the garden, birds singing in the trees, and that special new heifer from one of our wonderful Holsteins.

Since the Ohio Holstein Association did not have an Annual Meeting this past winter, we will be announcing the All- Ohio award winners during the show, and also Buckeye Breed Builder awards. The Association would like to thank Kalmbach Feeds, Upper Sandusky, for donating the awards for the All-Ohio winners this year.

The Ohio Spring Sale is scheduled for April 17, Wayne County Fairgrounds, Wooster, Ohio. We will be selling about 70 head of Registered Holsteins. There will be show calves and heifers, springers, and fresh cows, something for everyone. We will be having a drawing for all junior members for $300 vouchers towards a purchase of a consignment. Juniors must be a state or national junior member to qualify for the drawings. Ken Janes says there are some very nice consignments for junior dairy projects. Mark April 17th on your calendar and make sure to check over all the ads in this issue for those sale consignments.

The National Holstein Convention this year is in Pennsylvania, in mid-June. Our fellow breeders in Pennsylvania have been hard at work making final plans for convention attendees. I’m sure there have been many protocols to follow with the Covid-19 pandemic. The National Convention is a great opportunity to voice your opinion to the National Board as well as meet with Holstein breeders across the nation.

The Ohio board is working on getting final estimates to repair or replace the roof in the office. There are places where it has leaked this past winter, so it needs our attention.

Have a safe and productive spring, enjoy the warmer weather, and all the little joys that spring brings!

CORRECTION

We regretfully omitted Plainfield Farms from the Best BAA in the Nation article in the January-February issue. Out of the top 200 herds in the nation, Plainfield Farms ranked 108 with a BAA of 110.4. Congrats to the Simpson family of Belmont, Ohio!

Ad deadline for the May/June issue of Ohio Holstein News is May 5