Theme for this year's Wisconsin Holstein Convention, scheduled for Feb. 21-22, is "Great Holsteins from the Great River Country in western Wisconsin." The event will be hosted by the Vernon, LaCrosse and Monroe County Holstein Breeders at the Cranberry Country Lodge in Tomah, Wisconsin.
The weekend's festivities will kick off at 11:30 a.m. Feb. 21 with registration, an update from Holstein Association USA regional directors and Wisconsin Holstein committee meetings. Dinner will include the presentation of production awards and the evening will conclude with the WHA Futures Sale, hosted by the Young Adult Committee.At 7:30 p.m., 32 choices from the state's best cow families will start selling. Following the sale, members of the Junior Activities Committee will be auctioned off for a day's work to raise funds for the Junior Holstein Association.
On the morning of Feb. 22, Frank Regan and Bob Miller will be featured on a breeder panel, with Corey Geiger serving as moderator. This session will begin at 8 a.m., with the past president's gathering and annual business meeting with elections also scheduled. Following the business meeting, recognition will be given to Wisconsin's newest Gold Medal Dams, Dams of Merit, 40- and 50-year members, as well as announcing the Wall of Fame inductees.
Three local farms will be featured on afternoon tours, including Hauve Farm (Tyrone and Barb Johnson) of Cashton; Johnson-Way Holsteins and Ar-Lor Holsteins (Tim Johnson and Brian Stremcha); and Pierce-Vale Farm (Larry, Dawn, Lee and Scott Pierce).
The WHA Service Award recipient, Distinguished Younger Dairy Breeder and Distinguished Breeder will be recognized Feb. 22 at the annual banquet, set to begin at 6:30 p.m. Advertising contest winners will be announced, and a dessert auction will be held to benefit the scholarship fund. In addition, Tom Thibodeau of Viterbo University will speak. Tom is a director of servant leadership and associate professor in religious studies. The evening will conclude with a DJ.
Holstein members that are first-time convention attendees or are 40 years of age and younger will receive a $25 rebate per night toward their convention costs. Members interested in attending should send in the registration form included in the January issue of the Wisconsin Holstein News or at the Wisconsin Holstein Association website.
Registration and payment must be postmarked by Jan. 30 and submitted to Kent and Anna Wendorf, E4210 State Hwy 56, Viroqua, WI 54665. Questions, call Jody Hoyer (608) 317-2299 or Steve Holte at (608) 632-1598. PD
—From Wisconsin Holstein Association news release
