03/26/2020
Dear Holstein Association Friends:
Vermont Governor Phil Scott has ordered the vast majority of all Vermont businesses and non-profits to close effective 5:00 p.m. March 25 and remain closed through April 15, 2020. On April 15th, the Governor will assess the COVID-19 emergency and determine whether to amend or extend his Executive Order.
As a result of this mandate, the Holstein Association USA office is now closed.
We do want you to know that prior to closing the office as directed by the Governor, we submitted a Request for Continuation of Business Operations for Vermont to the Agency of Commerce and Community Development in Vermont. Our request is currently under review, and we are awaiting results as of this writing.
Consequently, a small subset of the Holstein Team is working remotely from home to continue as many Association services as we can to the extent of which we are able.
This situation is creating some challenges and circumstances none of us have ever experienced before. Even so, with patience, empathy, and determination, the dairy community will get through this cumbersome time.
Our classification schedule for April has been cancelled, and our Holstein Association Regional Sales Representatives Team will not be working during this time.
Obviously, for the time being, it won’t be business as usual for us or most businesses in the State of Vermont and many other states across the country.
Following is some more information that you will find helpful.
For now, the best way to reach the Holstein Association is to send an email to [email protected].
Online services such as ear tag ordering, animal search, online pedigrees, online transfer applications and software such as Enlight® and Red Book Plus™ Online will remain available 24/7.
Registration applications may still be submitted via EASY. We will handle the registration applications and any accompanying custom ear tag and genomic test orders, as we can, though we will temporarily stop mailing registration certificates. This includes updated certificates when a transfer is processed.
Paper registration and transfer applications that are mailed in will not be processed until the office is reopened.
Rest assured, all systems are go for the April genetic evaluation. Our team is prepared to carry on with their responsibilities as expected.
We’re extremely sorry for any inconvenience this situation may create and ask for your patience and understanding as we all work through this challenging time.
If any of you would like to visit with me, feel free to reach out to me directly.
Please take care of yourselves and do everything you can to stay well,
John
John M. Meyer
Chief Executive Officer
