Holstein Canada members are reacting with incredulity to news the association has purchased a $180,000 sculpture for its Brantford headquarters without discussing the purchase with the membership. The work portraying a cow gazing at her frolicking calf is expected to be placed this summer.

Funded from the 12,000 member strong organization’s reserves, the commission by Order of Canada member Joe Fafard has left some members "flabbergasted."

"I can’t believe they’d spend that much money without sending letters out. If there’s that much money in the reserve fund they should send letters out about what to do with it…. This is like government," Glenn McDonald of Breeze Hill Holsteins, at Winchester, said when told of the purchase.

He took exception to the concept of a dairy cow pasturing with her calf. "That was their first mistake… well maybe not."

Holstein Canada informed members of the purchase at the county annual meetings .

The association’s by-laws give full authority to make the purchase. Section 9.14.3 states "the Board of directors shall determine those investments to which surplus funds of the Association are applied."

"It’s not a great time to be spending that much money on a generic cow," John Fraser said in noting that the sculpture won’t be an identifiable Holstein.

"It’s more money than I would have spent," Fraser said, adding that he was late for Brian Sleeth’s presentation at his club meeting, so "I haven’t seen it."

The association plans to release details about the sculpture when it is placed, its communications manager said.

Other members feel the money could have been put to a better use.

"You have to have reserves. I don’t know how much is there but I would hope that it’s more than $180,000," Campbellford’s John Curle said, pointing out that a computer system crash could cost that much.

"You have to give your board some latitude," says Curle. "I don’t have time to micro-manage their offices."

In the by-laws the board of "duly elected directors… shall direct the affairs and business of the Association."

Still Curle didn’t think the purchase was wise. "It seems it wasn’t the most open process."

President Brian Leach said the purchase of the 67-in. sculpture had been included in plans for the new building which was opened in 2002. The association was negotiating with the Saskatchewan sculptor then, but didn’t move forward when BSE hit in 2003. Leach says at that time the commission was put on hold because of timing, but others say it was voted down.

The Holstein Canada board revisited the item last summer and passed it then. "I think there are better ways to spend $180,000," Curle said. "They could create a staff position or do some producer education."

He acknowledged that it’s "important for an organization to have a symbol or a logo. It’s part of marketing but I think a symbol could be had for less money than that."