Throughout his career as a journalist, he worked with DHI data and organizations, especially in the purebred sector where dairy records provide essential pedigree and genetic information. More recently for more than ten years, Hastings has worked closely with NDHIA leadership to develop targeted communications packages in print and digital formats to highlight the value of DHI programs. He has provided public relations strategies for NDHIA and its members, and his media has continuously reported on DHI activities.
“As dairy media, we always believed we served the best interest of our readers and producers at large by informing them of the essential value and importance of DHI services for the success of their dairy farming businesses,” Hastings says.
National DHIA selected Hastings for the Outstanding Service Award due to his dedicated service, leadership and guidance in telling the DHI story. “Joel has been a crucial ally in our efforts to provide information to dairy producers that is accurate and helpful in making profitable management decisions,” says Jay Mattison, National DHIA CEO.
National Dairy Herd Information Association, a trade association for the dairy records industry, serves the best interests of its members and the dairy industry by maintaining the integrity of dairy records and advancing dairy information systems.
You can view the award presentation below:
A message from Joel Hastings:
I want to thank the officers, directors, and staff for this award. The list of those dedicated people who have been recognized before is truly impressive. So, I am flattered and grateful for this recognition. It certainly comes as a surprise.
My connection with DHI goes back a ways … back in the day when dairymen like the late Jim Egan of northern New York and Dick Popp, another New Yorker, were working to move the DHI system from a part of Land Grant University Extension systems to truly independent, dairy producer owned service organizations. The continuing support of Extension has been useful certainly, and many Extension Dairymen around the country provided valuable service. But the opportunity for dairy producers to take control of their organizations has allowed DHI to grow without regard to the challenges of defending Extension budgets.
That was then… where are we now? And where are we headed? From 42 DHI organizations in 1975 when Dick Sechrist became the first Executive Secretary of National DHIA, we now have the 16 member organizations. I won’t use the term “down to” 16, because back then, there were some 3 million cows on DHI. As we know today there are many more cows, over 4 million more, on DHI programs. Yes, DHI herds have reduced in number from 55,000 then to in just under 12,000 herds today. But this parallels the industry itself and the DHI system has consolidated to increase efficiencies, just as producers have.
As we look ahead, there will be continuing pressure on dairy farmers to operate cost effectively. Data and data analysis will be the keys. We’ve all heard that we are entering the era of big data all across our economy. What an opportunity for DHI, the source of so much critical data for dairy management. We will have to innovate and create new products and services. And we will have to adapt to the new technologies out there on dairy farms.
From my perspective as a communicator, I want to add one more thought in conclusion. I urge your individual organizations to work with National DHIA to show dairy producers now more than ever the business benefits provided by DHI. Use all the modern tools to share your message in both digital and yes, even print, media. Find successful dairy producers who are innovating with DHI programs to manage their herds more effectively. Then share their stories. Now is the time to do this as technologies emerge that provide new ways to manage cows. DHI can tie these tools together… show the industry how effective it can be.
I have been very fortunate to have a long list of family, friends and industry colleagues who have helped me along the way. Most recently, I’d like to acknowledge my successors as owners of DairyBusiness News, David & Julie Parker who do the digital work and take care of the business side. They have led the way with our innovative digital magazine, newsletters, videos and podcasts, which I have found challenging but rewarding. With that, I’ll say thank you very much once again for this award to the NDHIA leadership.
~ Joel Hastings, Editor Emeritus DairyBusiness News
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