In the world of farming and cattle breeding there are many groups of young, passionate breeders that bring new wind to the sails of Holstein breeding around the world. The young breeders, spread around the entire globe, build a dynamic community of innovators that not only maintain tradition but also set new precedents. They are the ones who will shape agriculture in the future, take leadership roles and become the stakeholders for our profession. From the endless fields in the USA to the picturesque farms in Europe, these young breeders are leaving their fingerprints everywhere. But who are they, what drives them and where will they take the Holstein breed in the future? Dive into the fascinating world of young Holstein breeders with us and discover how their passion and expertise is revolutionizing agriculture.

MEINHARD HUBER

In the broad farming landscapes of the USA there is a generation of young breeders who are passionately working on the future of the dairy industry. The National Junior Holstein Association (NJHA) offers these engaged young people a platform to develop their abilities, share information and further their appreciation for the Holstein breed. The NJHA supports breeders under the age of 21 in a structured network. With more than 7,300 members across 48 states, it is a main driver in the promotion of education and solidarity in dairy breeding. Across the country there are Junior Holstein organizations at state or regional levels which provide a strong basis for the exchange of ideas with their own leadership teams and structures. The organizations offer far more than cattle shows. Through a broad array of competitions, workshops and events they make it possible for young breeders to improve their skills in various areas. Whether it be a virtual interview competition, preparing speeches or putting together creative presentations, the talents of the young members are supported and further developed. Particularly outstanding young breeders are given the “Distinguished Junior Member” (DJM) award. This recognition honours 17 to 20-year-olds for their exceptional engagement with registered Holstein cows. This competition, which has been a tradition since 1922, shows the deep connection between young people and the Holstein cow and their contribution to the dairy industry. The cooperation between the Holstein Association USA and the Holstein Foundation extends beyond the organization of the competition to the financial support of young breeders. Stipends are awarded to encourage the development of young talents in the dairy industry. The National Junior Holstein Association plays a decisive role in making young people aware of the challenges and opportunities in the dairy business. Through its structured organization, various competitions and strong community, it is contributing by furthering the next generation of leaders.

PASSIONATE SWITZERLAND

In picturesque Switzerland there is a lively community of young breeders that are organization by canton clubs within the Holstein breed. These organize events and shows. Many clubs invite other cantons to their young breeder shows, which give rise to shows of national level. The Freiburger Young Breeders Club is one of the active clubs. In a conversation with Xavier Vallélian, the president of the Freiburger Young Breeders Club, he reports on the many activities: ‘Our club has over 400 members with an age range of 12 to 35 years. We are not the biggest club in Switzerland, but we are proud that we organize the Junior Bulle Expo so successfully.’ This expo is not only a show, but a meeting point for Holstein enthusiasts where their passion for the breed is celebrated. It has been held 33 times. Over 500 young people from across Switzerland participate and compete against one another with their nicest animals. Vallélian continues: ‘We have also been organizing the Swiss Young Breeders School for many years. This school is not dependant on breed and is open to all young breeders in Switzerland between the ages of 15 to 25. We train about 40 young people every two years and are very proud that the Swiss graduates from our program regularly receive very good results at the European Young Breeders School in Battice.’ The Swiss Young Breeders School is not only an educational institution but also a breeding ground for talented young people where they can prove their abilities and further develop their love for breeding. It not only trains breeders, but it nourishes and develops their dreams. The Swiss Alps may be high, but the passion of these young breeders for their Holsteins and the future of the breed is even higher. Es nehmen über 500 Tiere aus der ganzen Schweiz teil und treten mit ihren schönsten Tieren gegeneinander an.

YOUNG LEADERS CANADA

‘We can’t predict the future, but we can work towards it.’ This is a quote from the Young Leaders in Canada. Support, networking and life-changing experiences: the Young Leaders Program from Holstein Canada offers these young breeders a platform to kindle their passion for the Holstein breed while building up an engaged and knowledgeable community. Members between the ages of 19 to 30 are encouraged to be part of this program which offers far more than just a membership. The concept seems to be working, as there are now over 1,000 members. It makes room for networking, offers generous stipends and provides employment opportunities on farms across the country. Participation in events like the Young Breeders School in Belgium, the national convention and virtual competitions offer young breeders not only a chance to improve their skills but also to collect unforgettable memories. Cynthia Campbell is the president of the Young Leaders Advisory Committee. She highlights the many different possibilities with the program. ‘There are many words that could be used to describe this program of many opportunities,’ she says. ‘The Young Leaders Program is not only investing in young Holstein breeders of today, but also makes the path for the industry leaders of tomorrow. It is an investment in the future of the Holstein breed and a commitment to create a strong, well-connected community of breeders that will work towards the sustainability of the dairy industry.’ The generation of tomorrow has big challenges ahead of it, but the Young Leaders Program shows that they can still benefit from the experiences of the pioneers and the trailblazers to meet not just the challenges of the day, but the ones to come as well with competent young leadership that are not only ambassadors for Holstein Canada but have the necessary perspective for the long-term interests of the dairy industry.

FAITH IN THE YOUNG

The development of young farmers also plays a decisive role in Italy. These projects were developed under the umbrella of ANAFIBJ through the AGAFI. AGAFI was founded in 2005 and promotes the association of young breeders with the clear goal of supporting the cultural, professional and entrepreneurial development of young people. AGAFI is divided into regional clubs, whereby the dairy clubs in Piemont and Trentino stand out. Every year there is a national congress where all the young breeders from across Italy gather to collect new experiences. They are also able to participate in various competitions at the national young breeder shows where they can display their competencies in clipping, styling, presenting and judging. They also collect a lot of information from visiting various farms and during the yearly AGAFI school they work through various thematic topics and discussions.

The them for 2024 is “Animal Innovation 4.0” and was introduced through an additional apprenticeship year in different regions in Italy. ANAFIBJ firmly believes in the AGAFI project and supports it both economically and technically with local contact through the breed administrators.

YOUNG BREEDER SCHOOLS

Erica Rijneveld: ‘Fitting is simply in my blood’

For over 20 years, Erica Rijneveld was at shows or auctions around the world almost daily. She has travelled across all the countries in Europe, Canada and the USA to not only fit animals, but to educate many young, motivated breeders. ‘In my younger years I had the luck to learn the skills required for fitting from a wonderful man, Giuseppe Quaini (Castelverde Holstein),’ Erica tells us. ‘I travelled to many countries and worked with many international experts and was able to get to know so many cool cow people, which was an endless blessing.’ Erica thinks it is important to motivate young people to perfectly prepare animals. In this regard they learn about conformation and how to properly assess and judge strengths and weaknesses. It is also important to learn how a show works and how to deal with successes and defeats. ‘Teamwork and communication also play a big part and they learn something that is useful on a daily basis later in life,’ Erica is sure. ‘For me personally it is very important that the young people learn through practice and are not satisfied after the fifth top line. A lot of practice makes them better and that is something they will never forget. It is also important to be critical of their own work, as well as that of their colleagues, to be honest in their evaluations and to own up to mistakes. An animal cannot look artificial and should be fitted and presented in such a way that it looks “natural.”’

I love working with young people, to develop a passion together, and clipping is simply in my blood.

Part 2 will appear in the May issue of HI.