Holstein Association USA, Inc. officially identified an all-time record number of Holstein cattle in 2016 through their registration and Basic ID programs. In total, 690,553 Holsteins were identified in 2016, which is 108,867 more or 18 percent higher than 2015. Registrations totaled 377,305 and 313,248 head were enrolled in the Basic ID program.
The Basic ID program is a stepping stone to full registry status. Participation in Holstein Association USA identification programs has never been higher.
According to Holstein Association CEO John M. Meyer, “These statistics speak to the value dairy producers realize from Holstein Association identification programs. As we all know, the dairy economy was tough in 2016. Even so, dairymen across the country continued to increase their participation in our programs.”
When asked for the reason for the popularity of Holsteins, Meyer stated, “The market versatility of Holstein milk continues to pay dividends to Holstein breeders. Those looking to maximize Cheese Yield have 335 Holstein bulls to choose from with Cheese Merit Dollar indexes of 820 CM$ or higher. By comparison, no other breed has any bulls with a Cheese Merit Dollar index of 820 CM$ or higher.”
Meyer continues, “One of the great things about being in the Holstein business is that we have a bountiful array of diversified genetics to choose from that allows dairies to be the best in class in any dairy market they want to be in. The large volumes of high quality milk produced by Holsteins are coveted in all dairy markets.”
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Holstein Association USA, Inc., www.holsteinusa.com, provides products and services to dairy producers to enhance genetics and improve profitability–ranging from registry processing to identification programs to consulting services.
The Association, headquartered in Brattleboro, Vt., maintains the records for Registered Holsteins® and represents approximately 30,000 members throughout the United States.
