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40th Annual General Meeting Recap
Year in Review 2021 106,189 -8.5% 85,950 CLASSIFICATIONS 10,802 TRANSFERS +11.5%
REGISTRATIONS
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-2.9% 3,372
MEMBERS
36
CLUBS
Wilf Strenzke presents Tara Bullock with a Past President’s pin.
Although we had high hopes of holding our Annual General Meeting in person at the newly renovated GrandWay Events Center in Elora this year, the COVID-19 pandemic had other plans. Like many others in 2021, Holstein Ontario’s Board of Directors made the decision to move our meeting online. This had several A unforeseen benefits, the biggest of which was that members from all parts of the province were easily able to participate. We saw record participation, with almost 70 individuals logging onto the call. Our meeting took place on February 23rd from 10:00 – 11:40 a.m. and was recorded live out of the Holstein Canada offices in
Brantford, Ontario.
As President Wilf Strenzke noted, we will have lots to celebrate when we meet at the Branch’s Summer Social in June. Our four
Master Breeders from Ontario were announced at the meeting, and we look forward to highlighting their accomplishments in person in
June. Additionally, several Gay Lea Combined Component Award winners for 2021 were recognized for highest fat and protein in each age group (see page 34 for these top-placing cows). Our 2021 Heart of the Herd winner will also be announced at our Summer Social.
Congratulations to all winners on their significant achievements!
Vice-President James Cranston presented the financials, noting that the Branch was in a positive financial position, with strong reserves. To review the full Financial Statements of the Branch, please view the Annual Report on our website. Holstein Canada President Elyse Gendron and CEO Vincent Landry presented a report and unveiled plans for an exciting year ahead. They encouraged everyone to attend Holstein Canada’s Convention, which took place in Saskatchewan April 20th to 23rd. We look forward to seeing everyone at our Summer Social, taking place June 22nd and 23rd in Wellington County (for more details, see pages 18-22). Join us to celebrate award winners, staff milestones, and the 40th anniversary of the Branch!
Merina after her final AGM with (l to r), Mary Poirier, Andrea Emond and Molly McMillan.
RESOLUTIONS & BY-LAW CHANGES
James presented two submitted resolutions, with member voting as follows:
PROMOTING CANADIAN DAIRY Whereas the promotion of Canadian dairy and the Canadian milk symbol is integral to the success and financial stability of Canadian dairy farmers, and; Whereas the sale of milk is important to the membership, services, and programs of Holstein Canada and Holstein Ontario, and; Whereas Holstein Canada and Holstein Ontario have strong visible presences through social media, print media, events, and programs; Therefore, be it resolved that Holstein Canada and Holstein Ontario identify opportunities to promote Canadian dairy and the Canadian milk symbol wherever possible.
CARRIED. Approved 100% • Object 0% • Abstain 0% This resolution will move forward to Holstein Canada’s Annual General Meeting, to be presented and voted on by Holstein Canada members.
RESOLUTION SUBMITTED BY STORMONT COUNTY – EASTERN DISTRICT CLASSIFICATION ON REGISTRATION PAPERS Whereas
historically Holstein Canada stamped classification results on registration papers, and; Whereas breeders relied on these updated registration papers for recordkeeping and marketing purposes, and; Whereas registration papers are currently updated to reflect genomic details as they become available, allowing the owner to reprint the updated version of the registration paper if they choose to; Therefore, be it resolved that Holstein Canada investigate means to provide updated classification results on registration papers, including the option of updating the electronic registration papers following a classification scoring, to enable members to print updated registration papers if preferred. CARRIED. Approved 92% • Object 8% • Abstain 0% This resolution will move forward to Holstein Canada’s Annual General Meeting to be presented and voted on by Holstein Canada members.
