About us

The Latvian Holstein Association (LHA) was founded on February 13, 1998, in Valmiera. Today, the association unites around 140 members, including both individuals and legal entities who own dairy herds. These members are committed to developing competitive and profitable Holstein herds with high productivity and functional conformation aligned with the needs of today’s and tomorrow’s markets.

In 2002, LHA developed the first Holstein breed improvement program, which was approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and granted LHA the status of a recognized breeding organization. Since May 2019, LHA has been implementing its updated breeding program for Holstein cows, since October 2024 also for Red breed group and Brown swiss cows.

Our Mission

  • Unite Holstein breeders and promote the development of dairy farming in Latvia

  • Improve and advance the Holstein breed according to breeders' interests

  • Engage in international Holstein development efforts

  • Maintain the Latvian Holstein herdbook in accordance with national regulations

  • Provide access to international Holstein data and information for members

  • Advocate for policies and regulations that support dairy farming, including access to national and EU funding

  • Represent member interests at the national, municipal, and institutional levels

Activities

  • Collaboration with Holstein breeder organizations worldwide

  • Distribution of bull evaluation data and breeding offers

  • Participation in events organized by the European Holstein and Red Holstein Federation and the World Holstein-Friesian Federation

  • Certification of genetic material in line with the breeding program

  • Organization of seminars with local and international experts on animal welfare, nutrition, reproduction, conformation scoring, feeding strategies, milk quality, calf rearing, and housing systems

  • Gathering and sharing information about Holstein cattle sales in Latvia

  • Active cooperation with industry organizations such as LOSP and Farmer's Parliament

Our Board

The LHA Board is elected by the General Assembly for a three-year term. The Board appoints its Chair from among its members and is responsible for overseeing the implementation of General Assembly decisions, managing LHA's finances, approving contracts and internal regulations, and making decisions outside the General Assembly’s competence.

The current Board was elected on February 28, 2025:

Aldis Kļaviņš, ZS "Ceriņi" – Chair of the Board
Jānis Grasbergs, ZS "Zilūži"
Inguna Liepiņa, ZS "Rijaskalni"
Emīls Censonis, ZS "Ozolkalni"
Agnese Jēgere, ZS "Lejas Zosēni"
Daiga Pūce, ZS "Kalna-Putni"
Zane Višņevska, SIA "Zemturu piens"

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