Welcome, dairy enthusiasts, to another exciting episode of the Bull Vine Podcast.
I'm your host, Bella, and today we have an incredible story that's going to milk your emotions dry.
And I'm Douglas, ready to steer you through this tale of courage,
innovation, and utter determination. We're diving into the extraordinary journey of the
Eckstein and Lowith families, from fleeing Nazi Europe to revolutionizing Canadian dairy farming.
Douglas, I've got to say, this story sounds like it's straight out of a Hollywood movie.
But it's all true, isn't it? Absolutely, Bella. It's a testament to the human spirit and the power
of new beginnings. Let's start at the beginning, shall we? Yeah, let's do it. Take us back to 1938,
Douglas. Picture this. It's 1938 in Czechoslovakia's Sudetenland. The Eckstein, Lowith,
and Abel's families are living peaceful lives, tending their farms in the rolling Bohemian
countryside. But storm clouds are gathering over Europe. I can only imagine how terrifying that
must have been. What happened next? In March 1938, Hitler annexed the Sudetenland. Suddenly,
these Jewish families, who had considered themselves Czech for generations, found themselves
branded as outcasts. The wave of anti-Semitism that followed was devastating. It's hard to fathom how
quickly their lives changed. How did they manage to escape? It all started with a fateful discovery.
Joe Lowith, a Czech army serviceman, was translating documents at the local police
station when he stumbled upon a list for Nazi roundups. At the top of that list was a name he
recognized, Carl Abel's. Oh my goodness, what did Joe do? In a moment of incredible bravery,
Joe made a decision that would echo through generations. At three o'clock in the morning,
he stood beneath Carl Abel's window, throwing pebbles to warn him of the impending danger.
Talk about a high-stakes game of ding-dong ditch. That must have been terrifying.
It was incredibly risky. But that act of courage ultimately led 39 souls to safety
and remarkable success in Canada. It's amazing how one small act can have such far-reaching
consequences. So, how did they end up in Canada? Well, Carl and Hugo Abel's made the wrenching
decision to leave their homeland. They purchased a farm near Mount Hope, Ontario, and then made the
perilous journey back to Czechoslovakia to convince others to join them. They went back? That must have
been so dangerous. It was, but their words must have been convincing because 39 people, including
members of the Eckstein, Lowith, and Abel's families, chose to follow their lead. That's quite a group.
How did they manage to get to Canada? It was a harrowing journey. In the autumn of 1938,
they flew from Czechoslovakia to Liverpool, England. They chose to fly rather than take
the train through Nazi Germany out of desperate necessity. Yes. I bet that was their first time
on a plane for many of them. Likely so, Bella. From Liverpool, they boarded a ship called the
Duchess of Athol bound for Canada. But their challenges weren't over yet. What do you mean?
Fortunately, no. Whether through divine providence, bureaucratic oversight, or a moment of human
compassion, they were allowed entry. Some speculate it was because officials didn't realize they were
Jewish. So they made it to Canada. What happened next? They were admitted with a condition, a five
year commitment to farming, a profession most had never practiced. They arrived at a brick farmhouse
on highway number six near Mount Hope, Ontario in November 1938. That must have been quite a
culture shock. How did they adapt? Remarkably well, actually. The local Jewish community rallied
around them with incredible speed and generosity. The Canadian Jewish Congress even offered $1,000
loans to each family to help them get started. Now, that's wonderful. Community support can make
such a difference. Absolutely. And these families made the most of their opportunity. Over the
following decades, they transformed from desperate survivors into pioneering farmers. I can't wait to
hear about their success in the dairy industry. Can you tell us more about that? Of course.
Let's start with the Lowith family and their Summit Home Farm. Joe Lowith, the same man who
warned Carl Abels back in Czechoslovakia, established this farm. Tried from window dresser
to dairy farmer. That's quite a career change. Indeed it is, Bella. Joe started by purchasing
his first cows from Carl Abels. By 1951, his herd had grown to 30 head and he bought 30 more females
before moving to a 100 acre property south of Copetown. That's significant growth in just a few
years. Absolutely. And Joe's success in breeding was evident early on. His first herd sire,
Trout Creek Finner Pontiac, came from a respected herd and had a pedigree rich with high producing
bloodlines. How did the farm progress from there? Well, Joe's sons, Harry, Carl, and David, later
took over the operation, expanding it into one of Canada's most respected Holstein breeding programs.
Under Carl and David's management, Summit Home Farm became synonymous with high producing,
long lasting cows. That sounds like a successful strategy. How has it paid off? Tremendously.
As of 2025, Summit Home Farm has over 119 cows with a lifetime production exceeding 100,000
kilograms. They've consistently ranked first in DHI management scores, winning the highest
score in Canada for nine out of 10 years. Those are impressive numbers. It seems like they've
really focused on efficiency and longevity. Exactly right, Bella. Ben Lowith, who now shares
management responsibilities with his father Carl and Uncle Dave, emphasizes their systematic
approach to everything from calf care to milking procedures. How has their breeding strategy
evolved over time? Great question. As of 2025, all heifers are bred to sexed genomic semen.
80% of the mature cows are bred to Angus and the remaining 20% are bred to sexed genomic sires.
This balance allows them to benefit from the latest genetic advancements while relying on
proven performance. It's fascinating to see how they've adapted to new technologies and breeding
strategies. Now, what about the Eckstein family? I'm curious to hear their story. Ah, the Ecksteins.
Their story is equally impressive. Paul Eckstein, born in 1934 in Czechoslovakia,
developed an early interest in Holstein cattle through visits to his uncle's Mount Hope dairy
farm. So he had a passion for dairy from a young age. Absolutely. After graduating from Ontario
Agricultural College in 1954, Eckstein worked as a herdsman before starting his own business,
Quality Seeds. He began assembling his herd in the late 1960s. And how has the farm progressed
since then? Well, Paul's son Ari Eckstein took over the reins of Quality Holstein's about 20 years
ago. Under Ari's management, the farm has maintained its status as a powerhouse in the industry.
Winning their fourth Master Breeder Shield in 2025. Four Master Breeder Shields? That's incredible.
It's amazing to see how these families have built such lasting legacies from such difficult
beginnings. What do you think we can learn from their story, Douglas? I think their story teaches
us so much about resilience, adaptability, and the power of determination. These families didn't just
survive, they thrived. They took a five-year farming commitment and turned it into a multi-generational
legacy that has influenced Holstein breeding for decades. Absolutely. It's a powerful reminder
that even in the darkest times, there's hope for a brighter future. And speaking of the future,
Bella, did you know that the Lowith family has recently branched out into direct-to-consumer
products? No, I didn't. Tell me more about that. Well, they've established Summit Station Dairy and
Creamery. Ben Lowith now oversees the farm operation at Summit Home, and his wife Jen has joined the
business as General Manager of Summit Station Dairy. Their son Will is the fourth generation of the
family to be working at the farm. That's fantastic. It's great to see them adapting to changes in the
consumer trends. Absolutely. And it's not just these two families pushing for excellence.
The Canadian dairy industry as a whole continues to strive for improvement. In fact, Holstein Canada
just announced the 2024 Master Breeder Awards. Oh, tell me more about that. Well, 19 breeders from
across the country were honored this year. It's a real testament to the strength of Canadian dairy
farming. Since the awards inception in 1929, more than 1,100 Master Breeder Shields have been
awarded. And I believe Lac-Tenet just made a big announcement as well. Summit Home was just ranked
ninth in Canada and third in Ontario for their performance awards. That's incredible. It really
shows the depth of talent in our industry. Indeed it does, Bella. As we see the world's
biggest dairy farm in the world, we see the legacy of those 39 souls who fled Nazi Europe
continue to flourish in ways they could never have imagined. From Joe Lowith transforming from a
window dresser into a master dairyman to Paul Eckstein devouring Holstein literature as a
17-year-old refugee and his family going on to earn four Master Breeder Shields, their story stands
as a testament to the extraordinary heights that human determination can reach. It's truly inspiring.
These families didn't just survive, they revolutionized Canadian dairy farming. From the
ashes of their lost homes in Czechoslovakia, they built not just farms, but dynasties. Exactly,
Bella. Their achievements, from the Lowith's world record number of lifetime producers to Eckstein's
breed-defining cow families, stand as monuments to the power of human resilience and the opportunities
Canada provided to those seeking refuge. It just goes to show that excellence can rise from despair.
Achievement can emerge from persecution and the human spirit, when nurtured, knows no bounds.
That's right, Bella. And on that note, we'll wrap up this episode of the Bull Vine podcast.
We hope this story has inspired you as much as it has us. Thanks for listening, everyone.
If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe and leave us a review. Until next time,
keep those udders swinging. And remember, in the world of dairy farming, the cream always rises to
the top.