FROM THE FIELD By Sarah Trapp, Holstein USA Regional Field Rep After a busy summer of shows and sales it is easy to see how an $8 investment can affect your herd. Registering your animal unlocks so many avenues that we sometimes all overlook. Registered animals increase the value of your herd just by having good identification information. Proper identification results in improved breeding and milk records. Registered animals can be marketed in your backyard or exported all over the world. With genomic information there is an opportunity for anyone to market females or for selling sons through AI. Our youth really benefit from Holstein activities as well. I have heard so many stories at farms about experiences with little britches, cow camp, showmanship and friends at fairs, as well as Holstein convention with the many activities and contests. Besides being such a great activity for our youth, showing, meetings and conventions are an excellent way for adults to meet other registered breeders and to promote their genetics. So if you are involved with Registered Holsteins, be sure to take advantage of the many offerings the Registered Cow has, and pass on the word that we have a start-up program that allows all Holstein Breeders the chance to register their grade herd. So if you have friends or neighbors with the great Holstein cow, tell them about them many opportunities for them and their family. If you have questions about Holstein’s Start-up program give Chris, Dennis or I a call and we will stop out to visit.
Yager joins Wisconsin Holstein in Public Relations Role
Ashley Yager has joined the Wisconsin Holstein Association as Public Relations Associate in a parttime capacity. “We are excited to have Ashley on staff, and are looking forward to utilizing her experience in marketing as we create more value for members of our association,” said Larry Nelson, executive director. “Ashley will have a vital role in enhancing the brand of the Wisconsin Holstein Association.” Yager is no stranger to the dairy industry, as she grew up on her parents’ Registered Holstein farm and obtained her bachelor’s degree in dairy science and life sciences communication from UW-Madison in 2007. She served WHA in a similar capacity following graduation before taking a role at ABS Global in advertising and promotions in 2011. While at ABS Global, Yager was responsible for the development and production of marketing materials, press releases and trade show event needs, as well as development of communication plans to meet marketing objectives of the ABS North America business. In the public relations associate role, Yager will be responsible for the writing and distribution of press releases, implementation of an annual marketing calendar, development of collateral materials, and creating and managing content for the Wisconsin Holstein website and all social media channels. Yager will be based from the Baraboo office 20 hours a week, and is looking forward to the extra time at home with husband, Mike, and 9-month-old son, Aidan.
Sarah Trapp
Northern Wisconsin & UP Michigan
Sponsor Spotlight: Accelerated Genetics When you hear the word “brand” what comes to mind? The color of a specific brand of tractor, a name of your favorite yummy candy bar, a phrase that immediately reminds you why you wear those jeans, “Levis. Original Jeans. Original People?” If you said yes to any of these options, you’d be absolutely correct! An effective brand speaks to the consumer without “saying” anything. Accelerated Genetics recently went through the process of establishing its new brand promise... PEOPLE. PRODUCTS. PRIDE. It’s a promise the cooperative makes to its customers - and everyone else with whom it interacts. At a minimum, a successful brand makes the following commitment - This is what we value (PEOPLE), these are our priorities (PRODUCTS), and this is how we behave (PRIDE). • What WE Value: PEOPLE Accelerated Genetics will always put a high value on the people who interact with the organization, whether those people are employees, customers or those in the industry. • Our Priorities: PRODUCTS Another essential part of the Accelerated Genetics brand promise is that we back up our words with exceptional products - the ones our customers want, the ones that will help move our entire industry forward. • How We Behave: PRIDE Every day in everything we do, Accelerated Genetics is characterized by pride. Not arrogance - but a dedicated resolve to look ourselves in the mirror at the end of the day knowing we’ve done everything we could for our customers and the industry. Now that the promise has been crafted, it needed to be translated into a supporting brand identity, a new logo to reflect the essential elements of the rebranded cooperative. The red triangle, part of the cooperative’s logo since the beginning, represents the company’s history. The logo now also features three distinctive black stripes, one for each of the brand promises the cooperative is making: People, Products and Pride. Accelerated Genetics has also established a new vision for its future: To Be The Producer’s Trusted First Choice. This statement clearly identifies that Accelerated Genetics is focus on each and every producer. It wants to provide the tools to help your business grow, allowing us to be your trusted first choice. A brand is only as effective as those who are committed to live by it daily. You can be assured the more than 250 employees who represent Accelerated Genetics in over 96 different countries worldwide have accepted that challenge. They are more than ready to continue the 70-year legacy that has now evolved into Accelerated Genetics, where it’s all about PEOPLE. PRODUCTS. PRIDE. wisconsin HOLSTEIN news/October 2013-13