Welcome, dairy enthusiasts, to another exciting episode of the Bull Vine Podcast.
I'm Bella, and with me is my co-host Douglas.
In our 179th episode, we're diving into an incredible story of Holstein excellence that
spans seven generations.
That's right, Bella.
We're exploring the legacy of Altoona Lay Holsteins, a family operation that's been
breeding history since 1837, from 10 generation excellent cows to global genetics and community
impact.
This is a story you won't want to miss.
Let's start by painting a picture for our listeners.
Imagine stepping into the warm barn at Altoona Lay, where the sweet scent of hay mingles
with the gentle sounds of contented cows.
It's more than just a dairy operation.
It's a family sanctuary where love, dedication, and passion have created something truly
special.
Absolutely, Bella.
The Barkey and Puterbo families have woven together a tapestry that enriches not just
their lives, but the entire Canadian dairy community.
Let's dive into their remarkable journey.
First, let's look at some key statistics about Altoona Lay Holsteins.
They're located in Blackstock, Ontario, with 60 milking cows.
Their land base includes 350 owned acres and 1,000 rented acres.
The herd classification is impressive, with 12 multiple excellent, 8 excellent, 35 very
good, and 13 good plus cows.
Those are some stellar numbers, Bella, and their production stats are equally impressive.
The herd averages 11,158 kilograms of milk, 498 kilograms of fat, and 365 kilograms of
protein annually.
Their breed class average scores are 260 for milk, 303 for fat, and 265 for protein.
You're clearly doing something right, Douglas.
Now let's talk about their feeding system.
They use a total mixed ration, or TMR, with balage, corn silage, and ground corn.
They also have a grazing program, with cows having pasture access for five months each
year.
That's a great balance of modern feeding techniques and traditional grazing.
Now, Bella, let's delve into the history of this remarkable operation.
Absolutely, Douglas.
The Altoona Leah story begins in the early 1800s, when the Barkey family made the journey
from Pennsylvania to Ontario.
They were seeking a better life, and carried with them a vision of building a lasting agricultural
legacy.
And what a legacy it's become.
In 1837, they acquired their first farm in Altoona, Ontario.
Through generations of hard work and dedication, they laid the foundation for what would become
one of Canada's most respected Holstein breeding programs.
But it wasn't always smooth sailing, was it, Douglas?
You're right, Bella.
In 1972, Frank and Donna Barkey faced a significant challenge.
The federal government expropriated their beloved family farm as part of a proposed
airport project northeast of Toronto.
It must have seemed like an insurmountable obstacle at the time.
But as we often see in agriculture, adversity can lead to opportunity.
Frank and Donna chose to see this challenge as a chance for a fresh start.
In 1978, they purchased a new farm near Blackstock, Ontario.
That's right, Bella.
And while the buildings needed work and establishing a new operation wasn't easy, their determination
never wavered.
Even today, you can see the fruits of their labor in the roses and clematis that Donna
and Frank planted around the farm, living testaments to their pride and vision for the
future.
That's a beautiful example of the resilience we see so often in farming families, isn't
it, Douglas?
Now, let's talk about the current generation running Alto'Naleah Holsteins.
Absolutely, Bella.
Today, the farm is managed by Glenn Barkey, his wife Karen, Glenn's sister Carolyn, and
her husband Fraser Pewterbaugh.
Each brings their own expertise to the operation.
Glenn leads the breeding program, drawing on wisdom passed down from his father, Frank.
He's both a Holstein Canada judge and an East Gen director.
Karen manages the books and is involved with several agricultural organizations in the
community.
Carolyn works full-time off the farm, but brings her skills in event planning and public
relations to the operation.
Fraser's expertise is in crop management, ensuring their 1,350 acres produce quality
feed for their exceptional herd.
It's truly a family affair, isn't it, Douglas?
And speaking of family, we can't talk about Alto'Naleah without mentioning their foundation
cow Harriet.
Can you tell us more about her?
Absolutely, Bella.
Alto'Naleah Starlight Harriet EX9 Star was born in 1971.
She was the result of a practical decision by Frank Barkey to use Roybrook Starlight
Semen instead of the more expensive Roybrook Telstar.
Sometimes the best decisions are the practical ones, aren't they?
What made Harriet so special?
Well, Bella, Harriet's achievements were extraordinary for her time.
She produced an astounding 95,530 kilograms of milk at 3.9% fat in her lifetime.
She became the farm's first excellent cow in 1977.
Those are impressive numbers, Douglas, but I understand her impact goes far beyond her
own production.
You're absolutely right, Bella.
Today, 95% of Alto'Naleah's herd traces back to Harriet.
Her genetic excellence culminated in two historic achievements.
In December 2021, her descendant Alto'Naleah Classic Jazzy X91-2E became Canada's first
homebred 10-generation excellent cow.
That's an incredible achievement, and I believe there's more, isn't there?
Indeed, Bella.
Less than a year later, in November 2022, another of Harriet's descendants, Alto'Naleah
Classic Zyndardor Glitzy X91, became Canada's second 10-generation excellent cow.
Two 10-generation excellent cows in less than a year.
That's a testament to the power of careful breeding decisions and the impact of a truly
remarkable foundation cow.
Absolutely, Bella.
And the story doesn't end there.
Both Jaz and Glitz have very good daughters who could potentially become the first 11th-generation
excellent cows in history.
That's exciting, Douglas.
It really shows the long-term impact of good breeding decisions.
Now let's talk about Alto'Naleah's show ring achievements.
I understand they've had some impressive results?
They certainly have, Bella.
Their current star is Alto'Naleah Unix Hermione EX95.
She started as Cooper Puterbo's 4H calf and has gone on to achieve remarkable success.
Tell us more about Hermione's achievements, Douglas.
Well in 2024, Hermione did something no cow had done before.
She captured back-to-back grand champion titles at the Ontario Summer Holstein Show.
In her 2023 show season, she achieved All-Ontario, Reserve All-Canadian, and Honorable Mention
All-American 4-year-old honors.
Those are some impressive accolades.
And I believe the success continues with Hermione's daughter.
That's right, Bella.
Alto'Naleah Doc Helena V.G., 86, 2-year-old, was Reed Barkie's 4H project.
She's already made her mark, claiming intermediate champion at the Atlantic Dairy Championship
Show and first-place spring 2-year-old at Ontario Spring Discovery 2023.
It's clear that Alto'Naleah has a knack for breeding show-stopping cattle.
But their influence extends beyond Canadian borders, doesn't it, Douglas?
Absolutely, Bella.
Alto'Naleah's genetics have made significant waves across the Atlantic, particularly in
the United Kingdom.
Can you give us some examples of their international impact?
Certainly, Bella.
One of their most impressive achievements is breeding three grand champions at the Royal
Highland Show in Scotland within a decade.
These were Alto'Naleah broker Emma, Alto'Naleah thread amethyst, and Alto'Naleah Rudolph
summer.
Quite a feat, especially considering the Royal Highland Show is one of the UK's premier
agricultural events.
Indeed it is, Bella.
And among their most celebrated exports is Alto'Naleah broker Emma X96 UK 9-star.
She didn't just excel in the show ring, she became a living legend in British Holstein
circles.
I've heard about Emma.
Didn't her owner do something special to commemorate her impact?
He did, Bella.
Emma's impact on her owner Alistair Laird was so profound that he commissioned a permanent
tribute, immortalizing her image in a stained glass door in his home.
That's a beautiful testament to Emma's impact.
Now Douglas, let's talk about how Alto'Naleah is nurturing the next generation of dairy
leaders.
This is one of the most inspiring aspects of Alto'Naleah's story, Bella.
They have seven young men who are carrying on the legacy of excellence with the same
passion that fueled their grandparents decades ago.
Can you tell us more about these young men and their achievements?
Absolutely, Bella.
Cameron Barkey at 23 has already established himself as a force in the show ring.
He was part of the Ontario 4-H judging team at the World Dairy Expo in 2023.
His brother Grant, 20, shares this competitive spirit and recently won coveted embryos at
the TD Canadian 4-H Dairy Classic.
That's impressive, Douglas.
What about the younger members of the family?
Well Ian 17 and Reed 15 are already showing remarkable promise in herd management.
Reed's 4-H calf, Alto'Naleah Doc Helena, became intermediate champion at the Atlantic
Dairy Championship show.
The pewterbub boys are also making their mark.
Cooper 18 worked with Alto'Naleah Unix Hermony, who became a two-time grand champion at the
Ontario Summer Show.
It's clear that the future of Alto'Naleah is in good hands, but their impact goes beyond
just their own family, doesn't it?
Absolutely, Bella.
For 37 consecutive years, Alto'Naleah has provided calves to the TD Canadian 4-H Dairy
Classic, helping shape over 300 young minds annually.
That's an incredible commitment to nurturing the next generation of dairy farmers.
Now Douglas, let's talk about Alto'Naleah's plans for the future.
So Bella, they're not resting on their laurels.
Glenn Barkey has spoken about their plans to build a new barn that will improve cow
care and make their operation more efficient.
That sounds exciting, Douglas, and I understand their location gives them some unique opportunities?
That's right, Bella.
Alto'Naleah is strategically located just 40 minutes from Toronto, which opens up exciting
possibilities for innovation.
We're looking at following the successful model of Glenn and Carolyn's sister Sharon
at Ennis Killen Jerseys and Sergeant Family Dairy.
It's clear that Alto'Naleah is always looking to the future while honoring their past.
As we wrap up, Douglas, what would you say are the key takeaways from Alto'Naleah's
story?
Well, Bella, I think there are several important points.
First, their generational legacy.
Ten generations of the Barkey and Puterbo families have built this Holstein dynasty
since 1837, overcoming challenges like land expropriation to breed Canada's first ten
generation excellent cows.
That's truly remarkable, Douglas.
What else stands out to you?
Their foundation genetics are incredibly impressive.
The fact that 95% of their herd traces back to Harriet, born in 1971, shows the power
of a great foundation cow.
And of course, their global impact can't be overstated, with three Royal Highland Show
Grand Champions in the UK and genetics exported worldwide.
Those are all excellent points, Douglas.
And we can't forget their commitment to community stewardship with their 37-year streak of 4-H
mentorship.
Absolutely, Bella.
And finally, their accolades speak for themselves.
Four master breeder shields, 12 excellent and eight multiple excellent cows, and a herd
average of 11,158 kilograms of milk per year.
Thank you, Douglas, for helping us explore the incredible story of Altoona Le Holstein's.
To our listeners, we hope you've been inspired by this tale of dedication, excellence, and
family unity in the dairy industry.
Indeed, Bella.
Altoona Leah's story shows us that with vision, hard work, and a commitment to excellence,
a family farm can have a truly global impact.
It's a testament to the power of great genetics, careful management, and a passion for dairy
farming.
That's absolutely right, Douglas.
And to our listeners, we encourage you to take inspiration from the Altoona Leah story.
Whether you're running a dairy farm, breeding cattle, or just passionate about agriculture,
there's something we can all learn from their commitment to excellence and community.
And remember, if you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the Bull Vine Podcast
and leave us a review.
Your support helps us continue to bring you these inspiring stories from the world of
dairy farming.
That's all for today's episode.
Until next time, keep breeding for excellence and building your own legacy in the dairy
industry.
This is Bella.
And Douglas, signing off from the Bull Vine Podcast.
Thanks for listening.