There is an open call for nominations for National Directors in the Electoral Districts listed to the right. Clubs located in these districts received official notification of the call in November, and nominations will close December 8, 2024. Ballots will be mailed out to all voting members in the districts with more than one candidate by January 8, 2025 and voting closes on February 8, 2025. The criteria for the National Director Eligibility can be found in the Association's By-laws at www.holstein.ca; nomination forms can be obtained from your local Holstein Club, Provincial Branch or by contacting Jodi Zettler at jzettler@holstein.ca or 1-855-756-8300 ext. 229.
Holstein Canada Board of Directors
Holstein Canada members are represented by a twelve person member-elected
Board of Directors that guide, direct, and represent the membership in all
decisions at Holstein Canada.
Feel free to contact any of the following Directors if you have any
comments, questions, inquiries, or feedback you'd like to provide:
*Click on images to view Director profiles.
National Director
Vernon, British Columbia
Representing:
British Columbia
Farm:
- Prefix: Hamming
- Milking 215 cows in a free stall barn
- 74 EX, 184 VG
- Breeding for high type show cattle that milk
- Farming 500 acres, mainly alfalfa/corn
- Family farm with two part-time employees
Family:
- Continuing a generational family farm
- Moved to Okanagan in 2003 to expand farm
- Works with wife, Jill, and eldest son
- Brian and Jill have three sons
Holstein Canada Experience:
Related Agricultural Experience:
- President of BC Holstein for four years
- 4-H Leader and Regional Council President
- Director of Interior Provincial Exhibition
- President of Western Canadian Classic
Personal Vision for Holstein Canada:
To bring the voice of breeders in British Columbia to Holstein Canada. Also, to maintain open communication, promote the industry, and encourage youth and young breeders to stay active and get involved.
- Brian Hamming
Vice-president and Chair
Hagersville, Ontario
Representing:
Western Ontario
Farm:
- Prefix: PEARTOME
- Milking 70 head
- Tie-stall setup with a coverall free-stall barn for dry cows
& heifers
- Three time Master Breeder Herd
- Current herd classification: 10 EX, 42VG, 32GP
- Cash crop 700 acres in Haldimand County with crop rotation of
corn, hay, wheat, rye
Family:
Partnership with wife Mary-Ann and daughters, Jennifer &
Heather.
Holstein Canada Experience:
- On the board since 2014
- Served on Awards Committee, Audit, Risk Management &
Finance, Governance Committees
Related Agricultural Experience:
- Served as Chairman of the 2013 National Holstein Convention in
Niagara Falls
Personal Vision for Holstein Canada:
"Keep Holstein Canada relevant for our members in the dairy
industry.
Topics to be investigated in the future:
- Bull proofs containing calcium information
- Research on resilience
- The need for minimum and maximum SCC scores
- Include rump in the LPI
- Investigate the high reliability of genomic young sires
- Strive for more accuracy in genomic information”
- Doug Peart
National Director
Coaticook, Quebec
Representing:
Quebec at large
Farm:
- Prefix: BUCKLAND
- Milking 150 cows, including 18 VG and 85 GP, with his brother
Peter. They farm 1200 acres of which 800 are in crops.
Family:
Married to Jennifer Mungham; they have four daughters.
Holstein Canada Experience:
- On the Board since 2015
- Served on Awards, Governance, Young Leaders, Joint National
Branch Committees
- Co-chair of the 2014 National Holstein Convention
Related Agricultural Experience:
- President of Sherbrooke Holstein Club 2006 – 2009
- Chair of Holstein Québec Picnic 2010 at Lookout
Personal Vision for Holstein Canada:
"Holstein Canada’s first responsibility is to its members. We
must provide the tools and promote efficient dairy management
practices, while also promoting the advantages of the high
producing Holstein cow. We must work with industry partners for
the advancement of clear and useable information delivered
directly to our members. We play an important role in shaping
the cow of the future and her impact on the world.”
- Angus MacKinnon
National Director
Lacombe, Alberta
Representing:
Alberta and Northwest Territories
Farm:
- Prefix: LUCKY
- Milking 230 cows in a free-stall barn
- Breeding for longevity
- Farming 1,000 acres
- Family farm with 2 employees
Family:
- Immigrated to Canada to fulfill dream of being a dairy
farmer
- Along with wife and partner bought a farm of 60 cows in 1997
- Willem and wife Joanne have 5 children
Holstein Canada Experience:
- On the Board since 2019
- Served on Young Leaders and Joint National Branch committees
Related Agricultural Experience:
- Board member of the Central Alberta Holstein Club
- President of the Alberta Holstein Association
- Delegate for Alberta Milk since 2012
Personal Vision for Holstein Canada:
"Maintain communication between Holstein Canada and Branches.
Expand cooperation between industry partners and Holstein
Canada.”
- Willem Vanderlinde
National Director
Winkler, Manitoba
Representing:
Saskatchewan and Manitoba
Farm:
- Prefix: SWEETRIDGE
- Milking 350 cows 3X in a free-stall /bedding pack facility
- Farming 1200 acres
Family:
- Immigrated to Canada in 2000 to La Broquerie, Manitoba
- Farming with wife Miriam, son Mark and Team "Sweetridge”
- Daughter Tara studying Veterinary Medicine at the University
of Saskatchewan
- Moved to current location in 2006
Holstein Canada Experience:
Related Agricultural Experience:
- Former President of Manitoba Holstein Branch
- Branch representative of Central Manitoba Holstein Club
2012-2019
- Official Judge in Ireland 1981-2000
- Judged 2015 National Dairy Show, Ireland
Personal Vision for Holstein Canada:
"My vision firstly is that Holstein Canada in collaboration with
industry partners promote and provide services which will
enhance the management efficiency of all dairy farmers and
secondly that Holstein Canada continues to support programs
which encourage youth engagement.”
- Harold Sweetnam
National Director
Oshawa, Ontario
Representing:
Central & Northern Ontario
Farm:
- Prefix: LOA-DE-MEDE
- Milking 80 head
- GEA Robotic compost pack barn
- 4th generation dairy farm
- Partnership with wife, Cindy, and son and daughter-in-law,
John and Heather Werry
- Current herd classification: 21 EX, 50 VG, 17 GP
- Farm size: 550 acres
Family:
Dennis and his wife Cindy have 2 sons, both married, and 3
granddaughters and 2 grandsons.
Holstein Canada Experience:
- On the Board since 2016
- Served on Joint National Branch, Show & Judging, Classification Advisory and Cow of the Year
Related Agricultural Experience:
- President of the Ontario Holstein Branch, 2009
- Director on the Ontario Holstein Branch Board of Directors
from 2002-2010
- Ontario Summer Show Committee Member since its conception
Personal Vision for Holstein Canada:
"My vision for Holstein Canada is to maintain communication
between Holstein Canada and its provincial Branches and, in
turn, the member producers across the country. Additionally, I
feel I can bring perspective as a producer operating with
robots; insight that will be increasingly important as our
industry continues to change quickly, as more and more dairy
producers are installing robotic equipment in their
operations.”
- Dennis Werry
President
Martintown, Ontario
Representing:
Eastern Ontario
Farm:
- Prefix: CHERRY CREST
- Milks 120 cows with 11EX, 62VG, 42GP; the remainder good or
not classified
- Grows hay, corn and soybeans on 405 owned and 115 rented
acres
Family:
Nancy farms with her husband, Don Johnston, son Kevin, and
daughter-in-law Tammy. Her daughter Merina is the General
Manager of Holstein Ontario and lives with her partner Matt
McEwen in Kingston, Ontario.
Holstein Canada Experience:
- On the Board since 2015
- Served on Awards, Show & Judging, Audit, Risk Management
and Finance, Governance Committees
Related Agricultural Experience:
- Past Glengarry Holstein Club Director, Secretary and
President
- Past 4-H leader
- Past Glengarry Holstein Club
- Representative on the Eastern Ontario Council for the
Ontario Holstein Branch
Personal Vision for Holstein Canada:
"I believe Holstein Canada should be relevant and responsive
to all dairy producers.”
- Nancy Beerwort
National Director
Warwick, Ontario
Representing:
Western Ontario
Farm:
- Prefix: WILLOWLANE HOLSTEINS
- Milking 38 head
- Total of 105 cows in a tie stall operation
- First generation dairy farm
- Current herd classification: 15 EX, 24 VG, 12 GP
- Farm size: owns 100 acres and rents 38
Family:
- Brian and his wife Judy have two children, Kyle and
Michelle.
Holstein Canada Experience:
- Chair of the 2008 National Convention Sponsorship Committee
- Participated in two Joint National Branch workshops
representing Holstein Ontario
- Sat on Classification and the Goverance committes
- Currently sitting on Show and Judging and Audit and Finance committees
Related Agricultural Experience:
- Past President of Holstein Ontario, 2010-2012. On the Branch
Board 2006-2013
- 4-H leader for over 25 years
- Past President of the Forest Fall Fair, 2013-2016 and
Director for over 25 years
- 25 years plus as Director of the Lambton Holstein Club, also
a Past President
- TD Dairy Classic Committee member since 2015
- Past President of the Ontario Association of Agricultural
Societies 2020-2021
- Ontario Dairy Youth Award winner, 2004
- Judging for over 14 years
Personal Vision for Holstein Canada:
My personal Vision for Holstein Canada is to retain membership
through transparency and open communication with members.
Promoting collaboration to ensure sustainability will be top
of mind, especially considering the challenges 2020 has
brought to our industry. I believe that working in concert
with our Sister Breeds will contribute to the Association’s
Vision of a "Healthy Dairy Industry For All”.
- Brian Slaughter
Representing:
Quebec at Large
Farm:
- Prefix: JEANRI
- Ferme Lacnor
- Milking 160 cows
- Operates 1400 Acre farm with his two brothers Daniel and
Dominic
Family:
Married to Helene Gagnon; they have two daughters, Anne Sophie
and Alice.
Holstein Canada Experience:
- On the Board since 2014
- Served on Breed Advisory, National / Branch Joint Meeting,
and Audit, Risk Management and Finance Committee
Related Agricultural Experience:
- Lactanet Board
- CDN Forum & Board
- Holstein Québec Genetics Committee
- Holstein Québec Judge
- Past Club President (five years)
Personal Vision for Holstein Canada:
"Holstein Canada needs to focus on the following:
- Retaining members through new technology
- Maintaining leadership in Dairy Genetics and continuing to
promote the Canadian kind internationally
- Working with members to develop an even more productive
Holstein with greater longevity"
- Gilles Côté
National Director
Sainte-Marie, Québec
Representing:
Quebec At Large
Farm:
- Prefix: BEAUÇOISE
- 600 head housed in free-stall facility
- Milking 250 cows
- 1,100 cropped acres
Family:
Benoît co-owns the farm with his brother and cousin. He is
married and a father to two sons.
Holstein Canada Experience:
- On the Board since 2019
- Served on Breed Advisory and Classification Advisory
Related Agricultural Experience:
- College Diploma in Animal Sciences
- BA in Ag. Business from Laval University
- Worked for animal feed company before rejoining family
farming business in 2007
Personal Vision for Holstein Canada:
"The herd is the most important asset on a dairy farm. My
objective is for Holstein Canada to become a vital tool for
all Holstein dairy producers in Canada and to help them
succeed and promote this asset.”
- Benoît Turmel
National Director
Saint-Télesphore, QC
Representing:
Western Québec
Farm:
- Prefix: SOULANGES
- Ferme Holstein Soulanges Inc.
- Born and raised in the Eastern Township of Quebec, on a
Dairy Farm, with the prefix Mahvhays.
- 2000 was a return to the farm with my husband. He was also
born and raised on a Dairy Farm in the Vaudreuil-Soulanges
area, in the small town of Saint-Télésphore, Quebec with the
prefix Soulanges. He is the third generation on the farm
with his parents. The farm was transferred to us in 2003.
- Milk 80 cows in a tie-stall barn and have 70 replacement
heifers.
- Breed for conformation and milk.
- 350 acres of land.
- Cash crops such as corn, soybeans, and wheat.
- Self-sufficient in corn silage and haylage.
Family:
- 4 beautiful children.
- Laurie is 20, Jackob 18, Ulrick 16 and Yannick 15.
- They all work hard and enjoy going to fairs and showing
their calves.
Related Agricultural Experience:
- Grew up in the local 4-H Club of Cowansville.
- Provincial Coordinator of the Quebec Young Farmers.
- Sat on the National 4-H Canada Board.
- Coordinator of the World Ayrshire Canada Conference Tour in
1996.
- Quebec Farmers Association
- Graduated from Saskatoon University in the Canadian
Agricultural Leadership Program
- Held and still hold position as Secretary and Publicist of
our local Holstein Club.
Personal Vision for Holstein Canada:
"I would like to better understand the ongoing challenges
other Provinces face in the Dairy Industry, and find a way to
work hand in hand to further our passion and help the world
understand what we do.”
- Sylvie Mahannah
3rd Member to the Executive
Keswick Ridge, New Brunswick
Representing:
Atlantic Canada
Farm:
- Prefix: COMBINATION
- Milks 80 cows in a single-12 parallel parlor with 33EX 45 VG
16GP. BCA 200 215 208
- 2X Master Breeder
Family:
Karen farms with her husband Paul Gaunce and she has 4
children who are involved with the farm.
Holstein Canada Experience:
- Over 6 years as a Director on the New Brunswick Holstein
Branch
- On the Convention Committee in 2003 and co-chaired the 2015
Convention
- Attended National Joint Branch meetings
Related Agricultural Experience:
- Secretary of local Milk Committee
- Director on the Fredericton Holstein Club for about 25 years
- One of the organizers of the New Brunswick Holstein Show
- Director on the New Brunswick 4-H Council
Personal Vision for Holstein Canada:
"I would love to see more involvement from members at Holstein
events and for all breeders across the country to see the
value in HC services to make their herd more profitable.”
- Karen Versloot
National Director
Saint-Placide, Québec
Representing:
Québec at large
Farm:
- Prefix: BLONDIN
- 320 kg of quota, 1700 acres farmed
Holstein Canada Experience:
- On the Board since (2024)
- Young Leaders Advisory Committee (2024)
Related Agricultural Experience:
Personal Vision for Holstein Canada:
"Holstein Canada should be focused on improving the breed, and should market the Holstein breed to farmers by providing tools, services and education to help them improve their Holstein herds.”
- Nicholas Lalande
National Director
Gananoque, Ontario.
Representing:
Eastern Ontario
Farm:
- Prefix: STONEDEN
- Received Master Breeder Shield - 2004
Holstein Canada Experience:
- On the Board since 2024
- Holstein Canada member for 54 years
Related Agricultural Experience:
- 4-H Leader for 25 years
- Chairman, The Eastern Ontario Champion Show Committee for 2 years
- Past President, Leeds-Grenville Holstein Club
- Former Director of Eastern Breeders
- Currently sits on Eastern Ontario Invitational Show Committee
- Current Secretary-Treasurer of Leeds-Grenville Holstein Club
- Current Director at EastGen