Brian Knutson of Otorohanga was appointed Patron of Holstein Friesian New Zealand at the Centennial launch of the Association in Feilding today. Mr Knutson is only the second person to be appointed as Patron, the first being Mr JCN Grigg who was the first person to import and breed Holstein Friesian cattle in New Zealand.
Tony O’Connor, President of Holstein Friesian New Zealand, announced the decision made by the Council of Holstein Friesian New Zealand to appoint a patron and how Mr Knutson was appointed, “The Knutson name has had a long association with Holstein Friesians in New Zealand,” Mr O’Connor said, “Brian’s father Cedric founded the Turepo Stud and earned the accolade of ‘Master Breeder.’” Cedric Knutson was a Councillor for the Association from 1953 to his untimely death in 1978. He was President in 1966 and 1967 and was awarded an Honorary Life Membership in 1977.
Brian Knutson established his own Ranui stud in 1971, founded on bloodlines from his father’s Turepo herd. Brian was a Senior Judge from 1970 to 2001. He was elected for Council in 1978 against four other candidates for the vacancy created by his father’s death. “During his term as a Councillor or more particularly when he was Vice President, the National Herd Improvement Database was created. He was also Chairman of Classification Committee when the linear classification system and TOP scheme was adopted,” Mr O’Connor explained that the linear system is still in place today.
Brian was President of the Association in 1987 and 1988. He retired from Council in 1992 due to ill health. During his term as a Councillor he spent time as Chairman of the NZ Dairy Breeds Federation and was on the Dairy Breeds Advisory Committee. In 1992 Brian received an Honorary Life Membership for his service to the Association. He remained a classifier up until 2009 and received recognition for 25 years service at the 2009 Annual Conference.
“Brian, you have always been prepared to help, at whatever level is requested of you and I am sure that along with the Association, the Waipa Club, Waikato Branch and our Classification Chairmen have all appreciated this. Thank you for accepting the position of Patron of Holstein Friesian New Zealand.”
Brian, on accepting his new role thanked the Council very much for considering him for the position. He thanked his wife Val for the support she had given over the many years he had been involved with Holstein Friesian New Zealand and acknowledged that he would be where he is today without the help of past breeders and staff of the Association. In particular he acknowledged prominent breeders including his father, John Murray (Athol Stud) and Merton Leslie (Lenslea Stud) as well as previous members of staff Buster Burton and Bill Scoltock.
"I congratulate the Association on the class of cattle today but would like to remind you that we make sure that the Holstein Friesian breed remain the breed of choice," he challenged the membership.
In his first role as patron, Brian Knutson declared the Centennial Year open.
