The speaker for the afternoon was Mr. Don Bennink of North Florida Holsteins. Mr. Bennink moved from New York to Florida in 1980 and now has a 2400 acre operation and milks over 4500 Registered Holsteins. He speaks from a commercial perspective but may have the most registered cattle on one site in the United States. The cows are all classified and and the farm has developed more than 750 Excellent cows. His goals are top production, genetics, herd health, and making money.

Mr. Bennink projected numerous facts and figures on his screen that currently influence the Holstein breed and are very important to the direction of the Holstein breed in the future. There is information available to all breeders that allows us to breed the kind of cows and heifers that we need and want in the future. However, the information needs to be used correctly. A mere three per cent (3%) of the herds in the United States produce half of the milk. There are herds of up to 30,000 cows and many are converting to the Jersey breed. It is Mr. Bennink’s opinion that Holstein breeders need to be asking why and changing their ideas for breeding to produce the kind of cow that works well in and is desired by the larger dairies.

Breeders need to look at feed efficiency. Those dairymen can save $219 per cow per year on the cost of dry matter with cows that weigh three hundred (300) pounds less. In large herds that figure adds up to several dollars! Productive life is very important and the first sixty (60) days after calving are most important. Cows need to be able to hold their body condition. Those with poor body condition have a longer calving interval. Cows with good body condition will also have healthier feet. Cows with moderate frame traits stay in herds longer. It is Mr. Bennink’s opinion that we need to breed cows that will make more money not only for those dairymen breeding and milking them, but also for the customers who are buying breeding stock from us. A question and answer session followed the presentation, with numerous of those in attendance participating.