National Dairy Herd Improvement Association Coordinating Group Report

Abstract

The first meeting of the National Dairy Herd Improvement Association ( D H I A ) Coordinating Group was held in Washington, D.C., February 23-24, 1966. All thirteen representatives were in attendance. Objectives. The broad objectives of the Coordinating Group are to bring about more complete and effective integration of the operational and administrative aspects of the National Cooperative Dairy Herd Improvement Program at the National, Regional, State, and County levels. I t provides direct representation from the segments of the dairy industry that depend heavily upon the use of the data produced. I t provides a stronger base for the formulation of policy, rules, and regulations and for administering their effective coordination and application to the D H I A Program. Strengthening DH[A. Much of the first meeting was devoted to the question of how can the Coordinating Group best act to assist in strengthening DHIA. These deliberations included discussions of such matters as: (1) defining the functions of the Coordinating Group ; (2) outlining its operating procedure; (3) defining the relationship of the Coordinating Group to other interested organizations; and (4) re-evaluating the existing Memorandum of Understanding which outlines the individual responsibilities of the Federal Extension Service, the Agricultural Research Service, and the State Extension Services, including County Agricultural Agents, and local associations. The existence of 18 active State D H I A associations, in addition to the recently formed National DHIA, Inc., and the desirability of having these strong organizations were noted. Some of these organizations are or can effectively serve in promoting, bringing about uniformity in rule enforcement, and in the conduct of business oriented service activities. Needs. The c1~tical need for a coordinated effort through which sound research results can be made available on the adequacies of existing and new weighing and sampling devices was discussed. The Coordinating Group agreed to establish a technical sub-group to be composed of research and dairy extension personnel who would develop interest and obtain research results in this important area. The technical subgroup will repor t their findings and make recommendations to the Coordinating Group for their evaluation. Uniformity of rules. In recognizing the ultimate need for greater uniformity in the use and enforcement of D H I A rules, the Coordinating Group requested that the Dairy Records Committee of the American Dairy Science Association thoroughly review the existing D H I A rules, realizing the need for standards that are practical, realistic, and enforceable under modem production systems, and yet rules that will provide the authentic and accurate production records and services needed. This Committee will report their findings and recommendations to the Coordinating Group. Agency responsibilities. Steps were taken which should lead to the re-defining of the responsibilities of cooperating agencies and groups who are involved in the overall conduct of dairy recordkeeping programs. The. chairman of each of the four regional extension subgroups was asked to work with their respective extension dairymen, extension directors, and state and local associations, in order to determine what is expected of local and state organizations in the conduct o£ D H I A recordkeeping. Attention will be given to the roles involved in promotion, rule enforcement, business activity, personnel management, educational activities and other related areas of work. The recommendations by the four regional sub-group chairmen, each of whom are members o£ the Coordinating Group, will be reported to the Coordinating Group at a future meeting. The responsibility and authority that the Coordinating Group may assume was outlined and discussed largely in terms of coordinating, evaluating, leadership, and influence. I t was felt that the influence of the Coordinating Group could be effectively used to bring about improvements in such troublesome areas as ru le enforcement at local levels without the necessity of direct enforcement action by individual extension specialists. I t was the hope of the Group that this could be effectively done through the broad industry support and representation in the Coordinating Group, and through its efforts in systematically and thoroughly evaluating such problem areas as rule establishment and enforcement, and weighing and sampling devices. The Coordinating Group will call upon competent individuals and technical sub-groups in its continuing efforts. Records program. In its first meeting, the Coordinating Group recognized that D H I A is and has been a strong and effective recordkeeping program. This is supported by the fact that (1) part icipat ion in D H I A has doubled since 1954 and currently approaches three million cows; (2) almost 19% of all milking cows are enrolled in the three plans of record-