Dear INBA Membership,

By the time that you receive this newsletter, many of us will already be planning our breedings for the next season.  Kind of hard to believe that it’s that time again!  With being so busy milking, feeding babies, attending shows and stocking our barns with winter hay, the bucks may have taken a back seat to the summer activities.  Breeding season is just around the corner and this will be the most stressful time for our herdsires.  Please be sure that they have adequate weight, trimmed feet, are current on worming, vitamin and mineral supplementation.  It’s easy to forget them when they have spent the last several months being so calm, quiet and cooperative.  That’s all about to change over the next month, if not already!

It’s time to think about election of officers for the INBA.  Many of our terms are up and so please be sure to send your nominations to our new Election Committee Chairperson, Raspberry!  Thanks so much for volunteering (with a little help) to this very important committee.  Our volunteers are the basis for the INBA.  Each and every aspect of our association is the result of someone taking time out of their already busy lives and volunteering.  Sincere thanks to all of you!

Speaking of volunteers, I can’t help but to feel a little sad to inform everyone of Vicki McGaugh’s retirement from the “INBA Welcome Wagon” position.  She has provided a wonderful service to the INBA and new membership for many years.  Thank you Vicki!  For the meantime, Caroline Lawson has agreed to fill this position.

The 2011, INBA Annual Meeting will be held Tuesday, October 18^th at 5:00 P.M., in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  If you are able to attend, we would love to see you there!  We always welcome and encourage input and sharing of ideas from our membership.  You are also welcome to contact any of your INBA officers and committees by mail, email, phone or on the INBA Membership email list.

I can’t end this letter without thanking Caroline Lawson, Kathy Goodin, Leslie Diaz and Brent Deitrich for your continued dedication and hard work!  Secretary/Treasurer, Newsletters and the INBA Website are some of the things that make the INBA such a wonderful association.

In peace and thanks,

Marshall Losey

INBA President