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The Rural Voice, 1981-03, Page 14NIP or not? Ho/stein-Friesian Association conducts a vote by mail BY DONNA THIEL The Holstein -Friesian Association held a controversial referendum late last year to determine whether or not it s members wanted to register National Identification Program (NIP) grades. In the final tally, 63 per cent voted in favor of the move. "This vote shows clearly that the members across Canada want this change," Allan Bain, one of three Perth County directors of the association. said at the time. Bain, along with his son Bob. milks 40 Holstein cows at his farm in Downie township. The Holstein -Friesian Association was; first petitioned by the Dairy Herd Improvement Association (DHIA) to con- sider registering NIP grades. Bain explained an animal on the NIP. program is a grade which has positive identification as to the sire, the dam and the cow's actual birth and records of production. This is carried out with the co-operation of the owner, the DHIA and The Holstein -Friesian vote breeds controversy In some families, members aren't speaking to one another and animosity between friends is often a common result of the Holstein -Friesian Referendum controversy. The NIP grades were approved in a very close vote at the national meeting of the Holstein -Friesian Association recent- ly and have now been entered into the herd book. "There is unrest among the members of the Association," said retired farmer Floyd Willows. secretary of the organization. "In the counties of Perth, Oxford and Middlesex most of the members are against the idea contained in the referendum to register NIP (National Identification Program) grade cows." He added there was some resentment from members who felt they should have been consulted before the Association decided to use $1500 to promote the referendum. "The origin of the referendum began with a petition frorn the Dairy Herd Improvement Association (DHIA) from Manitoba," explained Gordon Bell of R.R. 3, St. Marys. "The resolutions were assembled by the planning committee after an intensive three-year study. The petition was presented to the members as a referendum so all members could vote." David Packham, from R.R. 2, St. Marys questions the wisdom of the Associatio n's decision to use the money to promote the natter, especially when so many purebred breeders are opposed to the idea. "We seem to have put the cart before the horse," said Packham. "Before we include NIP grades perhaps we should get all the pure breeds under ROP testing and be type classified. First we should improve what we have. "The red and white Holsteins and the alternates (which have freak markings such as a black tail, black leg to hoof, black stomach) are in the book now. After all the controversy they worked out well. The NIP grades would probably be a credit to the breed, but let's clean up what we have to do first." In the provincial tally of the reterendum vote, Quebec's 82.4 per cent was highest. "The vote clearly shows what Quebec wants", noted John McIntosh of R.R. 7, St. Marys." I'm tired of what Quebec wants, but the majority rules. The feelings of John Avery, R.R. 6, St. Marys, are more moderate. "The referendum was a good idea for farmers who want to keep production records and register the calves," he explained. "There are many NIP cows that could pass the qualifications." Another Perth farmer, Ken Stahlke of R.R. 2, St. Pauls, thinks the referendum could benefit him. Stahlke milks 50 cows, 30 per cent of which are NIPs. .PG. 12 THE RURAL VOICE/MARCH 1981 the Holstein Friesian Association. There are now 70,000 NIPs tested and identified in Canada. Of the 117.000 purebred Holsteins, only half are tested and classified. The vote on the referendum concerning the NIP question was conducted by mail. "Express your opinion in the Holstein - Friesian Association's first referendum" was the heading on the pamphlet mailed to members. The pros and cons of allowing the registration of NIP grades were outlined under headings of purity, equity, tradition, performance, finance, sire proving, membership and exports. Each topic consisted of a condensed explanation of all the material gathered by the planning committee over a three-year period. The minimum requirement for a quali- fied dam under NIP is good plus or better along with one record with milk or fat either 120 BCA with a 20 -herd deviation or 160 BCA. The fees will be $200 for the designation of a qualified dam, and a regular fee would be applied for register- ing the daughters. In Perth County, dairy cows were recently classified. There were 1,168 purebred Holsteins tested and 50 per cent were good plus or better. Of the 125 NIP grade cows classified, 35 per cent were good plus or better. The NIP breeders seemed more conscientious about culling out the poorer cows than the average purebred breeders. "The purpose of using the grades would be to improve the breed," said Bain. "If the NIPs meet the production and classification requirements, they would be an asset to the breed as a_ whole." Across Canada there were many com- plaints from members who did not receive their ballots in time to return their votes. The deadline was December 1. But, according to Bain, "as in all referendums, the majority rules and the board hopes the members will accept the results." A count of the late ballots, in fact, showed the number in, favor of the NIP grades climbed to 66.1 per cent.