The first day of the Holstein Association USA’s Annual Meeting was full of excitement and energy for the Holstein breed. Starting off the meeting was an Early Bird session featuring a discussion with Dr. Dan Weigel of Zoetis. It has been over a year since Zoetis launched the CLARIFIDE® Plus predictions for common disease outcomes (Mastitis, Lameness, Metritis, Retained Placenta, Displaced Abomasum, and Ketosis).  The presentation reviewed recent research that demonstrates how well the genetic predictions translate into actual performance in Holstein herds from across the US.

After lunch Michele Ruby presented a keynote titled, “A Story Worth Telling.” The keynote provided attendees with useful tips to sucessfully communicate with the general public, in a meaningful and memorable way. Core story techniques help us tell our story quickly and effectively, and will help tell a story that's as interesting to them, as it is to you.

 

While Holstein Association USA’s Annual Business Meeting was underway, Junior members battled for a chance at the National Holstein Dairy Bowl championship! Finals will be held this morning, prior to the National Junior Forum. In the Junior division, teams from Pennsylvania and New York advanced to the finals! In the Senior division, the team from Illinois also made the finals, and they will battle it out with California for dairy knowledge supremacy!

Today will be an exciting day for Juniors all around, as results from many of the week's contests, including the coveted Distinguished Junior Member Finalists, will be announced. Stay tuned for complete results Saturday evening! 

On the adult side, new officer and director candidates will be elected during today's continuation of the Business Meeting.

Closing out the evening was the 2017 Holstein Convention Sale. During the sale, youth relaxed and enjoyed some competitive “Minute to Win It" games. The finale of the night will be drawings for five different amazing prizes

There were 25 live lots during the Convention Sale.