In our March issue of HI we reported on the versatility of our young breeders. Here we would like to present some more very interesting countries and clubs.

MEINHARD HUBER, CHRISTINE MASSFELLER

HHH YOUNG BREEDERS

Many will associate the Dutch countryside with idyllic windmills and colourful fields of tulips, but for one group of motivated young people it is primarily representative of something else: fascination with Holsteins. In 2003, HHH Young Breeders was brought into existence, explains the president Jasper Van`t Oever. ‘With 275 members, HHH Young Breeders is more than just an association, it is a lively community of like-minded members who share an excitement for the Holstein breed,’ says Van`t Oever. The highlight of the year is doubtlessly the young breeder show, which is organized by the young breeders themselves. On the Friday before the HHH Show, over 140 young breeders gather to demonstrate their skills in competitions for clipping, showmanship and type. And their passion is not limited by the country’s border. Many Dutch young breeders take their abilities to international competitions. Regardless of whether at the HHH Show or other events, the HHH Young Breeders are fully engaged. The highlight of the Young Breeder Days is an auction organized by the board of directors. With auction lots from generous businesses in the industry, the auction generates impressive profits year after year. In 2023 it generated over 24,000€ - a new record which directly benefits the young breeders. And yet the HHH Young Breeders are more than just shows and auctions. Clipping workshops, trips and yearly Young Breeders Day are also on the program. This not only sharpens the technical skills, but promotes team spirit. Games, a social BBQ and a rousing Young Breeders Party round out the day, which mirrors the warmth and passion of the Dutch Holstein young breeders.

GERMANY

Many young talents form the future of the German dairy industry. As in other countries, Germany has a national umbrella association. The association of German young breeders (VdJ) is an important contact partner for the many regional young breeder clubs and plays an important role in the development of emerging talent. The regional young breeder clubs from the various associations build the base for the VdJ. The chairwoman Jessia Pionke tells us about the many activities of the VdJ. The umbrella association organises a wide range of events, including the national young breeders meeting, which happens every two years and features competitions in the disciplines of type animals, showmanship, clipping, animal scoring, judging and team competitions. There are judging workshops, seminars, young breeder educational trips and participation in international competitions. The national young breeder’s competition within the framework of the German Dairy Show is an important event, elaborates Pionke. ‘These activities offer the young breeders not only a platform for competition, but also room to learn, exchange information and create social networks,’ says Pionke. With clear age groups, including Young (16-20 years) and Old (21-25 years), the association offers a wide variety of competitions and courses for young breeders of various ages. The VdJ is supported by the national Cattle and Swine Association (BRS), particularly through Dorothee Warder in the dairy department. Financially, the association relies on sponsorships, membership fees and subsidies made available by the BRS.

The VdJ is passionately engaged in shaping the future of the German dairy industry. Through balanced programming, diverse events and the use of modern means of communication, the VdJ encourages young talents to become the next generation of dairy industry experts. ‘We make sure that we put together a balanced program for everybody and try to also vary the location of events to involve as many young breeders as possible,’ states Pionke.

POLAND

In recent years, a remarkable movement of young breeders has developed in Poland, which is carrying forward the legacy of cattle breeding with passion and devotion. It started in 2008 with the founding of a “fitting team” through the employees of the Polish association for cattle breeders and dairy farmers. The commitment started with an initiative by which the employees and international professionals would share their knowledge with young breeders who showed particular interest in showing and animal fitting. These courses were enriched by renowned instructors like Michael Halliwell of Great Britain, who made a meaningful contribution to the start of this training, as reported by Roman Januszewski of the Polish breeding association. Since 2010, young breeders have regularly participated in the well-known young breeder school in Battice. Furthermore, they have successfully represented Poland at international Holstein competitions like the European shows in Cremona, Colmar and Libramont.

‘A noteworthy milestone for us was the year 2023,’ says Januszewski. ‘Three young breeders from Poland were in the ring for the first time at the Open Junior Show in Italy. This marked an important step for the Polish breeding community and shows its growing presence on the international stage.’ Currently, young breeders participate at events regardless of whether they are affiliated with a formal club. The breeding association is still actively working on the development of guidelines for the founding of a Polish Young Breeders Club. This initiative is supposed to promote the cooperation and exchange between young breeders and build a solid base for the future of Holstein breeding in Poland.

YOUNG BREEDERS SCHOOL

For two decades, the Young Breeders School in Belgium has played an important role in the development of young talents in cattle breeding. The 22nd edition in 2024 marks not only another milestone, but also underscores the international appeal of this engaging training program. What began in 1999 as a regional initiative has developed into a global meeting point for Holstein enthusiasts. Initially, the school attracted young people from Belgium, the Netherlands, France and Germany. Today, participants come from all around the world (23 countries), from Australia to Canada to Italy. Every edition is a real cultural exchange for more than 150 young people from across the globe. Over 2,000 young people have by now benefited from the practical days and the exciting show. The young breeder school distinguishes itself through its multilingualism. With course content in French, German, English and Dutch, it offers comprehensive training for young people between the ages of 13 and 25. On the teaching guide there are not only practical aspects in the preparation of animals for shows, but also theoretical training for marketing and animal assessment. After a three-day training program led by internationally renowned speakers, the young people spend two days presenting the animals entrusted to them for the five days to a judge. This school is an international challenge at which the young breeders who have achieved the best results at national events go up against one another with vigor and excitement. During the event, the young breeders are billeted with families of breeders in the region. This hospitality often results in friendships that last for years. The school is organised by the Association Wallonne des Eleveurs (Elevéo and Inovéo) within the framework of the Battice Agriculture Fair. Thanks to the support of the Battice Agriculture Fair, Holstein Quebec and other partners, the school is able to develop new talents year after year. The program is funded by grants from public institutions and entry fees from participating teams. The young breeder school is not only a place for teaching, but also a symbol of international cooperation and excellence in cattle breeding. The school will continue to set benchmarks and inspire young people to embark in the world of cattle breeding. Its success is not only a celebration of the past, but also a promise of a successful future in the world of agriculture.

TRENTINO

The Junior Club Trentino is a focal point for young breeders in northern Italy. With its 240 members ranging in age from 6 to 30, this club is an important force in the region for cattle breeding. The region, which is shaped by 700 small farms with around 20-30 dairy cows, is home to a multitube of breeds. The breeding traditions in Trentino are celebrated through annual fall shows, at which up to 1,200 animals are exhibited and the young breeders actively participate in the show competitions. Since its founding in 2007, the association has achieved important advancements, including courses for dairy herd management and the participation in national and international competitions. A high point on the event calendar is the three-day Junior Show in Trentino, which gives young people the opportunity to meet, train and take on responsibility, in terms of both animals and their personal development. The last edition in 2023 had a record attendance of 130 young breeders from across Italy. This event is an important contributor to the development of cattle breeding and strengthens the community of young, motivated breeders, regardless of which breed.