It was the glint of the gilded cow figures atop the sign in front of this building that caught my eye.The Holstein Association USA headquarters is Brattleboro, Vermont. This is the largest breed organization in the world, with more than 30,000 members. Their mission is to identify desirable qualities and distinguishing characteristics of the best of the Holstein breed, and to promote and communicate these to other dairymen to help increase their business success.
According to the association, they "have maintained records and ancestry that trace back to the original 8,800 Holstein animals that were imported to the U.S. from the Netherlands during the period of 1852-1905."
The Holstein Association USA employs more than 140 people in the office and the field. More than 19 million animals are registered in the Holstein Association's herdbook. Holsteins identified with the association account for nearly 20 percent of all U.S. dairy cattle.
For more information call (800) 952-5200.
Top image, courtesy USDA.
