Brantford, ON– Holstein Canada is pleased to reveal the 2020-2021 Committees, ensuring the Board of Directors continues to receive input from its grassroots membership and industry partners. This year, Jason Rietveld and Tony van Lith have joined the Breed Advisory Committee. We also have added a new Data and Technology Committee.
Jason Rietveld (RIETBEN) is a past president of the Alberta Holstein Association and is currently a delegate for Alberta Milk. He currently milks 120 cows in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta with his wife Kristine and children Tyson, Troy, and Janaye. 60% of his herd is higher than VG, with herd statistics at 8ME 12EX 61VG 45GP 7G.
Tony van Lith (LANGEWEER) helps his family milk 290 cows on his home farm in Woodstock, Ontario. He also registers about 30 high-end Holsteins under the prefix VALIANT. As a young breeder with practical experience, Tony will bring great perspective to the Breed Advisory Committee.
The new Data and Technology Committee consists of Board Members Elyse Gendron, Nancy Beerwort, Benoît Turmel, and Doug Peart, as well as CEO Vincent Landry and Holstein Canada’s Manager of Business Technology Solutions Aaron Neely.
The Board thanks all committee members for their time, effort and dedication to the Association. Thank you to outgoing Breed Advisory Committee members Ian Crosbie and Josh Ireland. Special thanks also to Dr. Gord Atkins, who provided many years of expertise to guide the Classification Advisory Committee and is taking leave; Holstein Canada expresses much gratitude to Gord for his years serving on this Committee and for helping us improve the Canadian system.
Committee members represent all regions across Canada and are selected for their respective expertise relating to a committee’s area of concern. These individuals are selected by the Holstein Canada President, with consultation from the Board of Directors and Provincial Branches.
Each year, the newly elected Board reviews and updates the committees. Terms range from one to three years, with members eligible to be reappointed for second and third terms, depending on the committee. Board Directors serve on each committee and every committee is also supported by Management Advisors from Holstein Canada’s team. Ideas, comments and suggestions from all Holstein Canada members are always welcomed by committee members. One of the key roles of Committees is to provide recommendations to the Board of Directors on the follow up to the member resolutions presented at recent Holstein Canada AGMs. They also do the “leg work” to ensure Holstein Canada programs and services remain current in a rapidly changing industry.
Holstein Canada hosts eleven committees. The 2020 committees list and contact information can be found at the Holstein Canada website under: About Us > Governance > Committees.