WEBVTT 00:00:10.889 --> 00:00:13.470 Welcome to the Bullvine Podcast. I'm your host, 00:00:13.529 --> 00:00:16.070 Bella, joined by my co -host, Douglas. Today, 00:00:16.149 --> 00:00:18.530 we're diving into a fascinating story about one 00:00:18.530 --> 00:00:20.649 of the most influential Holstein breeders you 00:00:20.649 --> 00:00:23.280 might never have heard of. How did one Canadian 00:00:23.280 --> 00:00:25.800 farmer's obsession with what he called breeding 00:00:25.800 --> 00:00:29.359 warm create maternal lines so powerful they still 00:00:29.359 --> 00:00:31.859 dominate Holstein genetics eight decades later? 00:00:32.299 --> 00:00:35.439 That's right, Bella. We're exploring the legacy 00:00:35.439 --> 00:00:38.460 of Douglas Dunton, a breeder whose methodical 00:00:38.460 --> 00:00:41.759 approach to developing maternal lines revolutionized 00:00:41.759 --> 00:00:45.039 Holstein genetics worldwide. His work connects 00:00:45.039 --> 00:00:47.679 directly to legendary sires like Pawnee Farm 00:00:47.679 --> 00:00:50.700 Arlinda Chief and Round Oak Rag Apple Elevation. 00:00:51.159 --> 00:00:53.399 bulls whose genetics appear in virtually every 00:00:53.399 --> 00:00:57.140 modern Holstein pedigree. This episode is packed 00:00:57.140 --> 00:00:59.859 with valuable lessons for today's breeders navigating 00:00:59.859 --> 00:01:03.100 the genomic era. We'll explore Dunton's journey, 00:01:03.280 --> 00:01:05.900 his breeding philosophy, the remarkable foundation 00:01:05.900 --> 00:01:08.459 females he developed, and how his principles 00:01:08.459 --> 00:01:11.920 remain relevant today. So let's dig into the 00:01:11.920 --> 00:01:16.079 story of a true maternal mastermind. Douglas 00:01:16.079 --> 00:01:19.359 Dunton's Holstein journey began in 1920. when 00:01:19.359 --> 00:01:21.599 he enrolled in a dairy short course offered by 00:01:21.599 --> 00:01:24.480 the Ontario Department of Agriculture. Until 00:01:24.480 --> 00:01:27.000 then, he and his father had been crossbreeding 00:01:27.000 --> 00:01:29.640 with dual -purpose shorthorns on their family 00:01:29.640 --> 00:01:32.680 farm in Brampton, Ontario, with limited success. 00:01:33.620 --> 00:01:37.060 Their farm had been established in 1828, when 00:01:37.060 --> 00:01:39.280 Dunton's grandfather James arrived in Canada 00:01:39.280 --> 00:01:43.120 as a United Empire Loyalist. So what sparked 00:01:43.120 --> 00:01:45.920 his transition to Holsteins? Was there a specific 00:01:45.920 --> 00:01:49.480 moment that changed his direction? There absolutely 00:01:49.480 --> 00:01:53.819 was. During that dairy course, Dunton visited 00:01:53.819 --> 00:01:56.719 several impressive Holstein herds that inspired 00:01:56.719 --> 00:02:00.700 him to purchase his first Holstein cow. When 00:02:00.700 --> 00:02:03.680 that cow produced 80 pounds of milk daily, twice 00:02:03.680 --> 00:02:06.359 what his shorthorns were giving, he was completely 00:02:06.359 --> 00:02:09.419 convinced. That dramatic production difference 00:02:09.419 --> 00:02:11.620 prompted him and his father to purchase four 00:02:11.620 --> 00:02:14.199 more Holsteins, with three coming from Lorne 00:02:14.199 --> 00:02:17.740 Davidson's Bruack farm at Meadowvale. Those initial 00:02:17.740 --> 00:02:20.879 purchases must have been important to his program? 00:02:21.659 --> 00:02:25.060 Incredibly important. Two of those cows, Bruac 00:02:25.060 --> 00:02:28.080 Noel and Bruac Luella Acme, became the foundation 00:02:28.080 --> 00:02:30.439 for what would become the legendary Glenview 00:02:30.439 --> 00:02:33.900 herd. All four of Dunton's most influential foundation 00:02:33.900 --> 00:02:36.300 females descended from those initial purchases. 00:02:37.080 --> 00:02:40.780 Talk about maximizing your investment. You know, 00:02:40.780 --> 00:02:43.300 we need to appreciate what breeding success meant 00:02:43.300 --> 00:02:46.949 in that era. When Dunton began breeding Holsteins, 00:02:46.949 --> 00:02:49.469 there was no classification system, no genomic 00:02:49.469 --> 00:02:53.509 testing, no production indices, none of the tools 00:02:53.509 --> 00:02:56.729 breeders rely on today. Without seeing an animal's 00:02:56.729 --> 00:02:59.610 ancestors directly to evaluate type and transmission 00:02:59.610 --> 00:03:02.629 patterns, breeders were essentially working blind. 00:03:03.569 --> 00:03:07.490 Impressed. Yet despite these limitations, Dunton 00:03:07.490 --> 00:03:10.030 developed a remarkably effective system for selecting 00:03:10.030 --> 00:03:12.469 breeding stock through careful observation and 00:03:12.469 --> 00:03:15.710 strategic matings. His early herd sires were 00:03:15.710 --> 00:03:19.110 grandsons of King Toitila Acme, followed by Inca 00:03:19.110 --> 00:03:21.729 Supreme Reflection, a spring farm Inca jewel 00:03:21.729 --> 00:03:23.909 sun that became central to his breeding program. 00:03:24.509 --> 00:03:27.090 Was this just a one -generation success story, 00:03:27.270 --> 00:03:31.210 or did the family continue his legacy? The Dunton 00:03:31.210 --> 00:03:34.030 family's commitment to Holstein breeding spanned 00:03:34.030 --> 00:03:37.409 generations. When sons Ralph and Earl joined 00:03:37.409 --> 00:03:40.409 as partners in the 1950s, they earned their second 00:03:40.409 --> 00:03:43.969 Master Breeder's Shield in 1964 as D .S. Dunton 00:03:43.969 --> 00:03:48.169 and Sons. Urban sprawl forced the dispersal of 00:03:48.169 --> 00:03:51.810 the original herd in 1966, but Ralph and his 00:03:51.810 --> 00:03:55.229 son Jim retained the Glenview prefix and relocated 00:03:55.229 --> 00:03:57.830 to Inglewood, Ontario. And they kept the success 00:03:57.830 --> 00:04:02.189 going even with a completely new herd. Absolutely. 00:04:03.510 --> 00:04:06.449 Starting with an entirely new foundation, they 00:04:06.449 --> 00:04:09.330 earned a third Master Breeder Shield in 1987, 00:04:09.909 --> 00:04:13.030 a record matched only by the chivalries of Forest 00:04:13.030 --> 00:04:16.110 Lee Farm. It's a testament to the strength of 00:04:16.110 --> 00:04:18.689 their breeding philosophy rather than just the 00:04:18.689 --> 00:04:21.870 specific animals they started with. Let's talk 00:04:21.870 --> 00:04:23.910 about what made Dunton's approach to breeding 00:04:23.910 --> 00:04:27.209 so unique. I've heard the term breeding warm. 00:04:27.610 --> 00:04:31.350 What exactly did that mean in his program? At 00:04:31.350 --> 00:04:33.910 the heart of Dunton's approach was his unwavering 00:04:33.910 --> 00:04:36.990 belief in what he called breeding warm, which 00:04:36.990 --> 00:04:40.189 was essentially strategic line breeding. This 00:04:40.189 --> 00:04:42.689 stands in fascinating contrast to the outcross 00:04:42.689 --> 00:04:45.129 mentality that often dominates commercial breeding 00:04:45.129 --> 00:04:48.689 today. From the outset, he focused intensely 00:04:48.689 --> 00:04:52.069 on the King Toitilla acme bloodline, methodically 00:04:52.069 --> 00:04:55.189 combining it with rag apple genetics to create 00:04:55.189 --> 00:04:57.730 intriguing genetic patterns throughout his herd. 00:04:58.040 --> 00:05:00.360 That's interesting because today we use sophisticated 00:05:00.360 --> 00:05:04.819 genomic mating programs with SNP markers to balance 00:05:04.819 --> 00:05:08.680 genetic gain with managing inbreeding. Dunton 00:05:08.680 --> 00:05:10.720 was doing something similar through observation 00:05:10.720 --> 00:05:15.579 and pedigree analysis, wasn't he? Exactly. When 00:05:15.579 --> 00:05:18.279 asked about outcrossing, Dunton famously stated 00:05:18.279 --> 00:05:20.899 that he had tried an outcross bull only once, 00:05:21.019 --> 00:05:23.660 and while he didn't do much harm, neither did 00:05:23.660 --> 00:05:27.060 he do much good. That pragmatic assessment still 00:05:27.060 --> 00:05:29.339 resonates with breeders evaluating complementary 00:05:29.339 --> 00:05:32.720 matings today. What I find particularly interesting 00:05:32.720 --> 00:05:35.519 is his approach to the balance between type and 00:05:35.519 --> 00:05:38.860 production. In an era when many breeders were 00:05:38.860 --> 00:05:41.899 chasing milk records above all else, Dutton took 00:05:41.899 --> 00:05:45.300 a different path. He certainly did. His conviction 00:05:45.300 --> 00:05:48.040 that it takes longer to breed type than production, 00:05:48.240 --> 00:05:50.920 but once you get type, it is not so difficult 00:05:50.920 --> 00:05:53.579 to get higher production. reveals his understanding 00:05:53.579 --> 00:05:55.639 of the genetic architecture underlying these 00:05:55.639 --> 00:05:59.240 traits. This philosophy anticipated today's balanced 00:05:59.240 --> 00:06:02.560 breeding approach using comprehensive merit indices 00:06:02.560 --> 00:06:06.540 by decades. It's striking how he prioritized 00:06:06.540 --> 00:06:09.240 traits that we now consider essential for lifetime 00:06:09.240 --> 00:06:11.600 profitability but weren't formally evaluated 00:06:11.600 --> 00:06:16.339 back then. Absolutely. Beyond classification 00:06:16.339 --> 00:06:19.300 traits, Dutton prioritized three practical factors 00:06:19.300 --> 00:06:22.959 often overlooked in pedigrees of his era. Temperament, 00:06:22.980 --> 00:06:26.360 milking ease, and longevity. These are precisely 00:06:26.360 --> 00:06:28.600 the functional traits modern breeding programs 00:06:28.600 --> 00:06:32.019 value for lifetime profitability. He was selecting 00:06:32.019 --> 00:06:34.720 for cow comfort, milkability, and productive 00:06:34.720 --> 00:06:37.540 life decades before these became formalized traits 00:06:37.540 --> 00:06:40.879 in our evaluation systems. Let me spell out the 00:06:40.879 --> 00:06:43.279 parallels between Dutton's approach and today's 00:06:43.279 --> 00:06:47.019 methods. In terms of genetic selection, his breeding 00:06:47.019 --> 00:06:50.540 warm strategy focused on King Toitilla Acme and 00:06:50.540 --> 00:06:54.120 Rag Apple bloodlines, while today we use genomic 00:06:54.120 --> 00:06:57.180 mating programs with SNP markers to optimize 00:06:57.180 --> 00:07:00.060 genetic gain while controlling inbreeding at 00:07:00.060 --> 00:07:02.819 the molecular level. For type versus production 00:07:02.819 --> 00:07:05.540 balance, his insight that developing type first 00:07:05.540 --> 00:07:08.500 would make production easier Parallels are modern 00:07:08.500 --> 00:07:12.019 balanced breeding indexes like TPI, LPI, and 00:07:12.019 --> 00:07:14.639 net merit dollars that weight both type and production 00:07:14.639 --> 00:07:18.160 traits. And when it comes to selection timeline, 00:07:18.639 --> 00:07:21.399 Dunton practiced patient development of females. 00:07:21.980 --> 00:07:25.220 Two -year -olds weren't pushed. If they produced 00:07:25.220 --> 00:07:28.279 1 ,000 pounds of milk monthly, that was considered 00:07:28.279 --> 00:07:31.740 satisfactory. Today, we've accelerated generation 00:07:31.740 --> 00:07:34.560 intervals with genomic selection of young animals. 00:07:35.370 --> 00:07:37.370 but perhaps we could learn from his patients. 00:07:38.089 --> 00:07:41.089 Finally, Dutton emphasized traits beyond the 00:07:41.089 --> 00:07:43.930 pedigree, temperament, milking ease, and longevity. 00:07:44.389 --> 00:07:47.129 Today we have comprehensive genomic evaluations 00:07:47.129 --> 00:07:49.750 for health, fertility, and functional traits. 00:07:50.009 --> 00:07:52.850 The tools have changed, but the goals remain 00:07:52.850 --> 00:07:56.430 remarkably similar. Every great breeding program 00:07:56.430 --> 00:08:00.800 starts with exceptional foundation females. Douglas, 00:08:00.899 --> 00:08:02.980 tell our listeners about the remarkable cows 00:08:02.980 --> 00:08:05.139 that form the cornerstones of Dunton's genetic 00:08:05.139 --> 00:08:09.019 program. Dunton's program centered around four 00:08:09.019 --> 00:08:12.959 extraordinary cows. ABC Inca May, Classified 00:08:12.959 --> 00:08:16.040 Excellent. Glenview Nettie Jemima, Classified 00:08:16.040 --> 00:08:20.040 Excellent, 13 Star. Glenview Noel Inca, Classified 00:08:20.040 --> 00:08:23.420 Excellent, 4. And Glenview Gene Inca B, Classified 00:08:23.420 --> 00:08:26.709 Very Good, 2. These weren't just show winners. 00:08:26.949 --> 00:08:29.069 They were genetic powerhouses whose influence 00:08:29.069 --> 00:08:31.350 continues to reverberate through Holstein breeding 00:08:31.350 --> 00:08:34.970 today. ABC Inca May has an unusual prefix for 00:08:34.970 --> 00:08:37.970 a Dunton -bred cow. What's the story there? It's 00:08:37.970 --> 00:08:41.649 quite the dairy cattle soap opera. In March 1943, 00:08:42.149 --> 00:08:44.429 Dunton purchased a pregnant cow named Temple 00:08:44.429 --> 00:08:47.610 Farm May, classified Very Good Too, from R .S. 00:08:47.629 --> 00:08:50.429 McKinnon. While Dunton was changing clothes, 00:08:51.039 --> 00:08:53.899 Elgin Armstrong of ABC Farm stopped by Glenview 00:08:53.899 --> 00:08:56.059 with his herdsmen Cliff Chant and Jack Fraser. 00:08:56.700 --> 00:08:59.340 Fraser spotted the pregnant May in a box stall 00:08:59.340 --> 00:09:02.240 and quickly purchased her from Dunton for $400, 00:09:02.360 --> 00:09:05.000 selling her to Armstrong before the day ended. 00:09:06.019 --> 00:09:09.500 Oh no! So he lost what would become one of his 00:09:09.500 --> 00:09:12.299 most influential females before she even calved? 00:09:12.580 --> 00:09:16.019 That's right. Dunton agreed to keep the cow through 00:09:16.019 --> 00:09:19.929 her calving, and on March 10, 1943, she delivered 00:09:19.929 --> 00:09:23.509 a heifer calf by Inca Supreme Reflection. Since 00:09:23.509 --> 00:09:26.389 Armstrong now owned May, the calf was registered 00:09:26.389 --> 00:09:30.690 as ABC Inca May under ABC Farms Prefix. This 00:09:30.690 --> 00:09:32.850 one that got away became an all -Canadian four 00:09:32.850 --> 00:09:38.190 -year -old in 1947 and produced 24 ,141 pounds 00:09:38.190 --> 00:09:42.490 of milk with 1 ,128 pounds of fat that same year. 00:09:43.009 --> 00:09:45.990 But even though he didn't own her, she still 00:09:45.990 --> 00:09:48.450 had a tremendous impact on his breeding program. 00:09:49.080 --> 00:09:52.179 Her most significant contribution was her son 00:09:52.179 --> 00:09:55.419 ABC, Reflection Sovereign, classified Excellent 00:09:55.419 --> 00:09:59.220 Extra by Montvick Rag Apple Sovereign. He became 00:09:59.220 --> 00:10:01.460 one of the most influential sires of all time 00:10:01.460 --> 00:10:03.960 for both type and production and had a major 00:10:03.960 --> 00:10:07.759 impact on the ABC breeding program. It reminds 00:10:07.759 --> 00:10:10.759 me of how sometimes our breeding program's most 00:10:10.759 --> 00:10:14.220 significant impact comes through unexpected channels. 00:10:15.000 --> 00:10:17.639 I've heard stories from producers who sold animals 00:10:17.639 --> 00:10:20.899 that went on to greatness elsewhere. Now let's 00:10:20.899 --> 00:10:23.360 talk about Glenview Nettie Jemima, who many consider 00:10:23.360 --> 00:10:26.559 the ultimate brood cow of her era. If you're 00:10:26.559 --> 00:10:29.279 looking for the ultimate brood cow, Glenview 00:10:29.279 --> 00:10:32.600 Nettie Jemima, excellent 13 -star deserves her 00:10:32.600 --> 00:10:35.600 own Hall of Fame wing. Tell us about her background. 00:10:36.700 --> 00:10:39.539 She was a daughter of Strathaven Top Grade, classified 00:10:39.539 --> 00:10:43.080 Very Good, from Glenview, Nancy Palmyra, classified 00:10:43.080 --> 00:10:45.639 Very Good, too. tracing back to Bruick Noel. 00:10:46.659 --> 00:10:50.500 She wasn't just good, she was spectacular. Nettie 00:10:50.500 --> 00:10:53.659 became an all -Canadian -aged cow in 1954, but 00:10:53.659 --> 00:10:55.919 her real legacy came through her offspring. And 00:10:55.919 --> 00:10:59.500 what offspring they were. She produced six excellent 00:10:59.500 --> 00:11:02.000 offspring, including perhaps the most illustrious 00:11:02.000 --> 00:11:14.899 list of sons in Holstein history. and Roseph, 00:11:15.019 --> 00:11:18.480 magic, excellent, superior type. That's not lucky 00:11:18.480 --> 00:11:21.200 breeding. That's a cow that consistently stamped 00:11:21.200 --> 00:11:24.600 her offspring with superior genetics. Through 00:11:24.600 --> 00:11:27.480 her son, Roseph Centurion, Nettie's bloodline 00:11:27.480 --> 00:11:31.159 reached round oak rag apple elevation. Centurion 00:11:31.159 --> 00:11:33.960 sired Glen Afton Gaiety, who in turn sired the 00:11:33.960 --> 00:11:38.080 maternal Grandam of elevation. This shows how 00:11:38.080 --> 00:11:40.340 great maternal genetics can travel through multiple 00:11:40.340 --> 00:11:43.419 generations without losing potency. A lesson 00:11:43.419 --> 00:11:45.799 worth considering when evaluating female lines 00:11:45.799 --> 00:11:48.080 in your herd today. Let's talk about the other 00:11:48.080 --> 00:11:50.399 two foundation females that had such an impact. 00:11:52.419 --> 00:11:56.320 Glenview Noel Inka, classified Excellent 4, another 00:11:56.320 --> 00:11:58.679 Inka Supreme Reflection daughter from the Bruax 00:11:58.679 --> 00:12:01.779 Noel family, achieved fame as Royal Winterfair 00:12:01.779 --> 00:12:05.059 Grand Champion in 1947 and both All -Canadian 00:12:05.059 --> 00:12:07.480 and All -American Age Cow the same year under 00:12:07.480 --> 00:12:11.379 the ownership of Solano Rios from Uruguay. When 00:12:11.379 --> 00:12:13.720 bred to Elmcroft herd sire Montvick Monogram, 00:12:13.980 --> 00:12:17.019 she produced Elmcroft Voyager M, who was used 00:12:17.019 --> 00:12:19.960 by both Dunton and Jack Fraser before being sold 00:12:19.960 --> 00:12:23.100 to Oxford Unit. And at Glenview, Voyager produced 00:12:23.100 --> 00:12:26.220 Glenview Colleen Monogram, who became the dam 00:12:26.220 --> 00:12:29.600 of Glenview Clipper, who would later sire the 00:12:29.600 --> 00:12:33.360 dam of Pawnee Farm Arlinda Chief. So we're seeing 00:12:33.360 --> 00:12:35.960 how these foundation females created genetic 00:12:35.960 --> 00:12:38.840 pathways to the breed's most influential sires. 00:12:39.039 --> 00:12:41.940 Completing the quartet. Finally, Glenview Jean 00:12:41.940 --> 00:12:45.240 Inca B., classified Very Good Too, was the Inca 00:12:45.240 --> 00:12:47.299 Supreme Reflection daughter of Glenview Inca 00:12:47.299 --> 00:12:50.379 Jewel, tracing to Bruac Luella Acme. She produced 00:12:50.379 --> 00:12:53.759 ABC Bonnie Renown and Rose of Shamrock Rosamund, 00:12:53.840 --> 00:12:55.779 further extending these influential maternal 00:12:55.779 --> 00:12:59.379 lines. The most concrete testimony to Dunton's 00:12:59.379 --> 00:13:01.779 breeding genius lies in his connection to two 00:13:01.779 --> 00:13:04.539 transformational Holstein sires of the 20th century, 00:13:05.039 --> 00:13:08.559 Pawnee Farm Arlinda Chief and Round Oak Rag Apple 00:13:08.559 --> 00:13:12.299 Elevation. These iconic bulls, whose genetics 00:13:12.299 --> 00:13:14.940 pervade virtually every modern Holstein pedigree, 00:13:15.059 --> 00:13:17.759 both trace significant genetic influence through 00:13:17.759 --> 00:13:21.000 Dunton's breeding program. Let's trace those 00:13:21.000 --> 00:13:23.919 genetic pathways. For Pawnee Farm Arlinda Chief, 00:13:24.159 --> 00:13:26.080 the connection runs through Glenview Clipper, 00:13:26.200 --> 00:13:29.539 classified Very Good, bred by Dunton. The pathway 00:13:29.539 --> 00:13:32.399 goes Glenview Clipper to Pawnee Farm, Glenview 00:13:32.399 --> 00:13:35.080 Beauty, classified Excellent, to Pawnee Farm 00:13:35.080 --> 00:13:37.620 Arlinda Chief, classified Excellent Gold Medal. 00:13:38.009 --> 00:13:41.149 and then to influential sons like SWD Valiant 00:13:41.149 --> 00:13:44.370 and Walkway Chief Mark. For Round Oak Rag Apple 00:13:44.370 --> 00:13:46.750 Elevation, the connection is through Rose of 00:13:46.750 --> 00:13:50.250 Centurion, classified Excellent Extra from Glenview 00:13:50.250 --> 00:13:54.389 Nettie Gemama. The pathway goes Rose of Centurion 00:13:54.389 --> 00:13:56.889 to Glen Afton Gaiety to the maternal Grand Dam 00:13:56.889 --> 00:13:59.190 of Round Oak Rag Apple Elevation, classified 00:13:59.190 --> 00:14:01.669 Excellent Gold Medal, and then to influential 00:14:01.669 --> 00:14:04.659 sons like Hanover Hill Starbuck. The story of 00:14:04.659 --> 00:14:06.980 how Clipper's genetics reached Chief is particularly 00:14:06.980 --> 00:14:10.659 fascinating and illustrates the sometimes serendipitous 00:14:10.659 --> 00:14:14.840 nature of genetic influence. Dunton bred Glenview 00:14:14.840 --> 00:14:17.960 Clipper, a son of Rosoff Prefect and Glenview 00:14:17.960 --> 00:14:20.860 Colleen Monogram, who would go on to sire Pawnee 00:14:20.860 --> 00:14:23.600 Farm Glenview Beauty, who became the dam of Pawnee 00:14:23.600 --> 00:14:26.740 Farm Arlinda Chief when bred to Pawnee Farm Reflection 00:14:26.740 --> 00:14:31.100 Admiral. Yes, but Clipper's own story had some 00:14:31.100 --> 00:14:33.679 twists and turns, didn't it? It certainly did. 00:14:34.860 --> 00:14:38.179 Lester Fischler, a Nebraska breeder focused on 00:14:38.179 --> 00:14:41.100 strictly rag apple genetics, purchased Clipper 00:14:41.100 --> 00:14:45.220 from Dunton in 1956. Despite Clipper's impressive 00:14:45.220 --> 00:14:48.200 physical stature, he eventually weighed a massive 00:14:48.200 --> 00:14:52.299 2 ,880 pounds at slaughter, so tall that his 00:14:52.299 --> 00:14:54.159 head touched the ground from the slaughterhouse 00:14:54.159 --> 00:14:57.080 rail. Fischler eventually sent him to slaughter 00:14:57.080 --> 00:15:00.759 because his daughters were low testers. Let's 00:15:00.759 --> 00:15:04.340 look at the data on Clipper's daughters. The 00:15:04.340 --> 00:15:08.740 eight measured daughters averaged 18 ,504 pounds 00:15:08.740 --> 00:15:13.980 of milk with 3 .40 % butterfat, totaling 629 00:15:13.980 --> 00:15:18.940 pounds of fat. Their dams averaged 15 ,403 pounds 00:15:18.940 --> 00:15:24.500 of milk with 3 .66 % butterfat, totaling 565 00:15:24.500 --> 00:15:27.899 pounds of fat. So his daughters showed a substantial 00:15:27.899 --> 00:15:32.759 milk increase of 3 ,101 pounds, but their butterfat 00:15:32.759 --> 00:15:37.159 percentage dropped by 0 .26%. In that era, when 00:15:37.159 --> 00:15:39.679 component percentages were prioritized over yield, 00:15:39.879 --> 00:15:42.679 this made him undesirable to AI organizations. 00:15:43.139 --> 00:15:45.799 But today's more comprehensive economic indices 00:15:45.799 --> 00:15:47.960 would likely have valued Clipper's milk volume 00:15:47.960 --> 00:15:50.720 boost and the structural correctness he transmitted. 00:15:52.009 --> 00:15:55.110 Despite Clipper's fate, his genetic legacy continued 00:15:55.110 --> 00:15:57.909 through an exceptional daughter, Pawnee Farm 00:15:57.909 --> 00:16:00.970 Glenview Beauty, classified Excellent, out of 00:16:00.970 --> 00:16:04.509 Pawnee Farm Man O' War Betty. When Fishler dispersed 00:16:04.509 --> 00:16:08.450 his herd in 1962, Beauty was pregnant to Pawnee 00:16:08.450 --> 00:16:11.289 Farm Reflection Admiral and was purchased for 00:16:11.289 --> 00:16:15.870 $4 ,300 by Wally Linskoog of Arlinda Farms in 00:16:15.870 --> 00:16:20.110 California. The resulting calf, born May 9, 1962. 00:16:21.149 --> 00:16:23.610 was Pawnee Farm Arlinda Chief, who would become 00:16:23.610 --> 00:16:25.629 one of the most influential production sires 00:16:25.629 --> 00:16:28.429 in Holstein history. His first summary showed 00:16:28.429 --> 00:16:32.549 a remarkable plus 1 ,982 pounds of milk, plus 00:16:32.549 --> 00:16:38.269 79 pounds of fat, and plus 0 .61 for type. Chief's 00:16:38.269 --> 00:16:40.450 influence spread through sons such as Walkway 00:16:40.450 --> 00:16:44.070 Chief Mark, SWD Valiant, Glendale Arlinda Chief, 00:16:44.309 --> 00:16:47.490 and Milu Betty Ivanhoe Chief, creating a genetic 00:16:47.490 --> 00:16:50.710 legacy that continues to influence modern bloodlines. 00:16:51.120 --> 00:16:53.500 When discussing extraordinary maternal line builders 00:16:53.500 --> 00:16:56.759 in Holstein history, a fascinating parallel emerges 00:16:56.759 --> 00:16:59.299 between Douglas Dutton's mid -century achievements 00:16:59.299 --> 00:17:02.299 and the more contemporary success of Marc Comtois 00:17:02.299 --> 00:17:06.680 and Commestar Holsteins. Douglas, how do these 00:17:06.680 --> 00:17:10.240 two Canadian breeders compare? Though separated 00:17:10.240 --> 00:17:12.619 by decades, these two Canadian breeders share 00:17:12.619 --> 00:17:15.220 a remarkably similar approach to developing influential 00:17:15.220 --> 00:17:18.359 cow families. albeit with distinct applications 00:17:18.359 --> 00:17:22.279 reflecting their respective eras. Like Dunton, 00:17:22.420 --> 00:17:24.900 Mark Comtois built his program around exceptional 00:17:24.900 --> 00:17:27.940 foundation females, most notably Commistar Lori 00:17:27.940 --> 00:17:32.859 Sheik, classified Very Good 88, 27 Star. The 00:17:32.859 --> 00:17:35.099 parallels between these two breeders' approaches 00:17:35.099 --> 00:17:38.819 are striking. Both demonstrated an uncanny ability 00:17:38.819 --> 00:17:41.660 to identify foundation females with extraordinary 00:17:41.660 --> 00:17:45.220 transmitting power. Just as Dutton's quartet 00:17:45.220 --> 00:17:47.819 of foundation cows revolutionized the breed through 00:17:47.819 --> 00:17:50.559 their descendants, Laurie Sheik's influence has 00:17:50.559 --> 00:17:53.579 been equally profound since her birth in 1986. 00:17:55.099 --> 00:17:57.880 Mark and France Comtois have always been firmly 00:17:57.880 --> 00:18:00.440 committed to a philosophy of logical, balanced 00:18:00.440 --> 00:18:03.579 breeding. This echoes Dutton's balanced approach 00:18:03.579 --> 00:18:06.680 to selection, with both breeders prioritizing 00:18:06.680 --> 00:18:09.619 confirmation while maintaining production, though 00:18:09.619 --> 00:18:11.900 their methodologies reflect their different eras. 00:18:13.450 --> 00:18:15.470 But there's a key difference in their approaches 00:18:15.470 --> 00:18:19.589 to genetic concentration, isn't there? Absolutely. 00:18:20.630 --> 00:18:23.329 While Dunton was a staunch advocate of strategic 00:18:23.329 --> 00:18:26.230 line breeding, his breeding warm philosophy, 00:18:26.910 --> 00:18:29.109 Comtois has taken a different approach with the 00:18:29.109 --> 00:18:32.490 Laurie Sheik family. Rather than intensifying 00:18:32.490 --> 00:18:35.789 specific bloodlines, Comistar has excelled at 00:18:35.789 --> 00:18:38.230 identifying complementary crosses that enhance 00:18:38.230 --> 00:18:40.690 the family's strengths while introducing new 00:18:40.690 --> 00:18:45.839 genetic diversity. Their golden cross moment 00:18:45.839 --> 00:18:48.559 came when Comtois bred Laurie Sheik to Blackstar, 00:18:48.720 --> 00:18:50.980 the number one bull in the United States at the 00:18:50.980 --> 00:18:53.940 time. This produced multiple exceptional animals, 00:18:54.079 --> 00:18:56.619 including Comistar Lore Black, dam of Outside, 00:18:56.980 --> 00:19:00.059 Comistar Lore Black, dam of Lee and Leros, and 00:19:00.059 --> 00:19:03.240 Comistar Lauzen Black, dam of Stormatic. This 00:19:03.240 --> 00:19:05.579 approach of seeking complementary outcrosses 00:19:05.579 --> 00:19:08.400 differs from Dunton's methodology, but achieves 00:19:08.400 --> 00:19:10.819 similar results regarding influential progeny. 00:19:11.529 --> 00:19:13.750 A trademark of these bulls was that they had 00:19:13.750 --> 00:19:16.609 strong conformation and good vitality with leader, 00:19:16.789 --> 00:19:20.150 lee, leros, and outside each producing over a 00:19:20.150 --> 00:19:23.509 million doses of semen. Four millionaire sires 00:19:23.509 --> 00:19:26.009 from the same family certainly distinguishes 00:19:26.009 --> 00:19:29.650 the lorry sheiks. This parallels the impact of 00:19:29.650 --> 00:19:32.410 Dunton's breeding program, which similarly produced 00:19:32.410 --> 00:19:35.690 influential sires that reshaped the breed. The 00:19:35.690 --> 00:19:38.109 most striking similarity between these breeders 00:19:38.109 --> 00:19:41.009 is the remarkable staying power of their maternal 00:19:41.009 --> 00:19:44.809 lines. Just as Glenview genetics continue to 00:19:44.809 --> 00:19:47.450 bubble through elite Holstein pedigrees decades 00:19:47.450 --> 00:19:50.529 after Dunton's original breeding work, the Laurie 00:19:50.529 --> 00:19:52.890 Sheik family remains at the forefront of the 00:19:52.890 --> 00:19:58.210 breed nearly four decades after her birth. Commistar 00:19:58.210 --> 00:20:01.930 Llamadona Dorman, classified Excellent 94, named 00:20:01.930 --> 00:20:05.160 Canada's Cow of the Year 2022. represents the 00:20:05.160 --> 00:20:07.519 Laurie Schick family's continuing evolution and 00:20:07.519 --> 00:20:11.119 influence. As one report notes, now the grandsons 00:20:11.119 --> 00:20:13.220 and great -grandsons of La Madonna are creating 00:20:13.220 --> 00:20:17.059 a new surge of excitement. Bulls like Commistar 00:20:17.059 --> 00:20:20.720 La Magic, by Chief from an Impression Dam, exemplify 00:20:20.720 --> 00:20:23.700 the family's continued relevance in today's genomic 00:20:23.700 --> 00:20:26.740 era, 12 generations after Laurie Schick herself. 00:20:27.200 --> 00:20:30.220 This generational persistence mirrors what we've 00:20:30.220 --> 00:20:33.839 seen with Dunton's influence. However, Comistar 00:20:33.839 --> 00:20:36.019 has had the advantage of modern breeding technologies, 00:20:36.559 --> 00:20:39.640 marketing opportunities, and global embryo distribution 00:20:39.640 --> 00:20:42.279 channels that weren't available during Dutton's 00:20:42.279 --> 00:20:45.380 era. Indeed, the spread of lorishiek genetics 00:20:45.380 --> 00:20:48.440 to leading herds worldwide, including developing 00:20:48.440 --> 00:20:50.559 a European branch through the Poussimier family 00:20:50.559 --> 00:20:53.640 in Belgium, showcases how modern reproductive 00:20:53.640 --> 00:20:56.279 technologies have expanded the potential reach 00:20:56.279 --> 00:20:59.920 of exceptional maternal lines. If Dutton were 00:20:59.920 --> 00:21:02.920 breeding today, he might appreciate the Comistar 00:21:02.920 --> 00:21:05.700 approach. Both breeders have shown a commitment 00:21:05.700 --> 00:21:08.400 to long -term vision and balanced breeding goals. 00:21:08.859 --> 00:21:11.640 Both recognize that chasing the latest trends 00:21:11.640 --> 00:21:14.440 or highest numbers isn't sufficient for creating 00:21:14.440 --> 00:21:17.700 lasting impact. Yet despite their differences 00:21:17.700 --> 00:21:20.660 in methodology, both breeders share a fundamental 00:21:20.660 --> 00:21:23.559 understanding that great maternal lines are the 00:21:23.559 --> 00:21:27.339 cornerstone of breed improvement. Whether through 00:21:27.339 --> 00:21:29.859 Dunton's strategic line breeding or Comtois' 00:21:30.000 --> 00:21:32.700 complementary outcrossing, both have demonstrated 00:21:32.700 --> 00:21:35.339 exceptional skill in developing cow families 00:21:35.339 --> 00:21:37.819 that reliably transmit their superior qualities 00:21:37.819 --> 00:21:42.339 across generations. Let's talk about how today's 00:21:42.339 --> 00:21:45.420 breeders might apply Dunton's principles in the 00:21:45.420 --> 00:21:48.559 genomic era. How might Douglas Dunton approach 00:21:48.559 --> 00:21:51.839 breeding if he were active today? While the technological 00:21:51.839 --> 00:21:54.220 landscape has transformed dramatically since 00:21:54.220 --> 00:21:57.339 Dunton's time, The fundamental genetic principles 00:21:57.339 --> 00:22:00.839 he intuitively understood remain unchanged. I 00:22:00.839 --> 00:22:03.240 think he'd balance technical tools with breeder 00:22:03.240 --> 00:22:07.539 intuition, valuing both. Connecting Dutton's 00:22:07.539 --> 00:22:10.319 emphasis on line breeding, carefully concentrating 00:22:10.319 --> 00:22:12.920 desirable genetics while managing inbreeding, 00:22:13.059 --> 00:22:16.140 finds modern expression in genomic mating programs 00:22:16.140 --> 00:22:19.759 that use SNP markers to optimize genetic gain 00:22:19.759 --> 00:22:21.920 while controlling inbreeding at the molecular 00:22:21.920 --> 00:22:25.339 level. The analytical tools have changed, but 00:22:25.339 --> 00:22:27.880 the genetic principles remain remarkably similar. 00:22:28.799 --> 00:22:31.779 Are you balancing the power of genomic data with 00:22:31.779 --> 00:22:35.380 breeder observation in your herd? Consider how 00:22:35.380 --> 00:22:37.420 Dunton would approach today's breeding landscape. 00:22:37.799 --> 00:22:40.559 He'd likely embrace genomics while maintaining 00:22:40.559 --> 00:22:43.539 his focus on seeing the whole animal and understanding 00:22:43.539 --> 00:22:47.559 family patterns. I think one of the most valuable 00:22:47.559 --> 00:22:50.299 lessons from Dunton is his patience in developing 00:22:50.299 --> 00:22:53.880 young animals. His two -year -olds were never 00:22:53.880 --> 00:22:56.819 pushed. If they produced 1 ,000 pounds of milk 00:22:56.819 --> 00:23:00.420 monthly, that satisfied him. This patience in 00:23:00.420 --> 00:23:03.339 developing his program, allowing slower -maturing 00:23:03.339 --> 00:23:06.119 animals time to express their full genetic potential, 00:23:06.519 --> 00:23:09.599 offers a valuable counterbalance to the acceleration 00:23:09.599 --> 00:23:13.299 of generation intervals in the genomic era. Are 00:23:13.299 --> 00:23:15.440 you giving promising young animals enough time 00:23:15.440 --> 00:23:18.000 to develop, or are you making culling decisions 00:23:18.000 --> 00:23:20.619 too quickly based on first lactation performance? 00:23:22.029 --> 00:23:24.869 Dunton's success suggests there's value in patients 00:23:24.869 --> 00:23:27.589 with genetically promising animals that may need 00:23:27.589 --> 00:23:31.269 time to express their full potential. Perhaps 00:23:31.269 --> 00:23:34.049 most relevant to your breeding strategy is Dunton's 00:23:34.049 --> 00:23:37.349 focus on building extraordinary maternal lines 00:23:37.349 --> 00:23:41.750 rather than chasing individual phenotypes. While 00:23:41.750 --> 00:23:44.470 genomic evaluations can identify elite individuals 00:23:44.470 --> 00:23:47.980 early in life, Developing consistently transmitting 00:23:47.980 --> 00:23:51.079 maternal families still requires the same patient, 00:23:51.319 --> 00:23:53.980 multi -generational approach that characterized 00:23:53.980 --> 00:23:57.339 Dunton's program. His success challenges you 00:23:57.339 --> 00:23:59.539 to look beyond individual genomic numbers to 00:23:59.539 --> 00:24:01.920 consider how animals perform as part of genetic 00:24:01.920 --> 00:24:04.880 lineages. Are you identifying and developing 00:24:04.880 --> 00:24:08.200 your best cow families, or are you focused solely 00:24:08.200 --> 00:24:11.779 on individual animal metrics? The Glenview legacy 00:24:11.779 --> 00:24:14.220 suggests that building strong maternal lines 00:24:14.220 --> 00:24:16.960 remains fundamental to sustainable genetic progress, 00:24:17.259 --> 00:24:21.240 even in the genomic era. So what can you apply 00:24:21.240 --> 00:24:25.059 from Dunton's approach today? First, develop 00:24:25.059 --> 00:24:27.640 a clear breeding philosophy and stick with it. 00:24:28.160 --> 00:24:30.779 Dunton's consistent application of line breeding 00:24:30.779 --> 00:24:33.619 principles, emphasis on balanced traits, and 00:24:33.619 --> 00:24:36.220 focus on maternal families created a coherent 00:24:36.220 --> 00:24:40.609 genetic direction. Second, Look beyond genomic 00:24:40.609 --> 00:24:44.309 numbers to evaluate family patterns. While genomics 00:24:44.309 --> 00:24:46.630 provides unprecedented insights into genetic 00:24:46.630 --> 00:24:49.309 potential, building sustainable genetic progress 00:24:49.309 --> 00:24:51.970 still requires attention to how genetics express 00:24:51.970 --> 00:24:56.650 themselves across generations. Third, balance 00:24:56.650 --> 00:24:59.089 type and production in your selection decisions. 00:24:59.769 --> 00:25:02.609 Dunton's insight that it takes longer to breed 00:25:02.609 --> 00:25:05.230 type than production. but once you get type, 00:25:05.430 --> 00:25:07.569 it is not so difficult to get higher production, 00:25:07.829 --> 00:25:11.029 remains relevant in an era of comprehensive selection 00:25:11.029 --> 00:25:15.230 indices. Fourth, value the practical traits that 00:25:15.230 --> 00:25:18.450 drive profitability. Dunton stressed temperament, 00:25:18.490 --> 00:25:21.369 milking ease, and longevity, factors directly 00:25:21.369 --> 00:25:23.970 impacting your bottom line through reduced labor, 00:25:24.230 --> 00:25:26.730 improved efficiency, and extended productive 00:25:26.730 --> 00:25:30.470 life. And finally, be patient with promising 00:25:30.470 --> 00:25:34.269 genetic lines. Dunton recognized that genetic 00:25:34.269 --> 00:25:36.930 expression takes time and was willing to allow 00:25:36.930 --> 00:25:40.410 promising animals to develop fully. In our rush 00:25:40.410 --> 00:25:43.190 to accelerate genetic progress, this patience 00:25:43.190 --> 00:25:46.150 may be the most countercultural yet valuable 00:25:46.150 --> 00:25:48.809 lesson we can learn from him. As we wrap up our 00:25:48.809 --> 00:25:50.789 discussion of Douglas Dunton's breeding legacy, 00:25:51.089 --> 00:25:54.190 I'm struck by how his methodical, patient approach 00:25:54.190 --> 00:25:57.150 to breeding offers a valuable framework for building 00:25:57.150 --> 00:26:00.009 a sustainable, profitable herd even in today's 00:26:00.009 --> 00:26:03.269 genomic era. The Glenview legacy, still evident 00:26:03.269 --> 00:26:06.210 in Holstein pedigrees worldwide, is testimony 00:26:06.210 --> 00:26:08.509 to the enduring power of thoughtful breeding 00:26:08.509 --> 00:26:12.609 built on fundamental genetic principles. What 00:26:12.609 --> 00:26:14.509 would Douglas Dutton think about today's dairy 00:26:14.509 --> 00:26:18.130 breeding landscape? He'd likely appreciate our 00:26:18.130 --> 00:26:20.490 technological advances while reminding us that 00:26:20.490 --> 00:26:22.569 the foundation of excellent breeding remains 00:26:22.569 --> 00:26:26.609 unchanged. Identify exceptional cow families. 00:26:27.150 --> 00:26:29.329 concentrate their best genetics through strategic 00:26:29.329 --> 00:26:32.190 matings, and select for balanced traits that 00:26:32.190 --> 00:26:35.450 create profitable, functional dairy cows. Some 00:26:35.450 --> 00:26:39.369 wisdom never goes out of style. Let's recap the 00:26:39.369 --> 00:26:42.569 key takeaways from today's discussion. First, 00:26:42.789 --> 00:26:46.240 line breeding with purpose works. Dunton's strategic 00:26:46.240 --> 00:26:48.859 breeding warm approach concentrated desirable 00:26:48.859 --> 00:26:51.980 genetics while managing inbreeding, showing that 00:26:51.980 --> 00:26:54.079 thoughtful line breeding can be more effective 00:26:54.079 --> 00:26:56.519 than indiscriminate outcrossing when building 00:26:56.519 --> 00:27:00.799 consistent family traits. Second, maternal power 00:27:00.799 --> 00:27:04.279 outweighs individual merit. The most enduring 00:27:04.279 --> 00:27:06.619 genetic contributions come through families, 00:27:06.700 --> 00:27:10.130 not individuals. Dunton's focus on developing 00:27:10.130 --> 00:27:13.089 transmitting maternal lines created a multi -generational 00:27:13.089 --> 00:27:16.250 impact that continues eight decades later, a 00:27:16.250 --> 00:27:18.630 blueprint for sustainable breeding programs. 00:27:19.730 --> 00:27:22.490 Third, balanced traits for lasting influence. 00:27:23.069 --> 00:27:25.730 Dunton prioritized balanced trait selection, 00:27:26.069 --> 00:27:28.650 believing it takes longer to breed type than 00:27:28.650 --> 00:27:31.049 production, but once you get type, it is not 00:27:31.049 --> 00:27:33.910 so difficult to get higher production, a philosophy 00:27:33.910 --> 00:27:36.329 that anticipated today's comprehensive selection 00:27:36.329 --> 00:27:40.250 indices. Fourth, patience yields greater rewards. 00:27:40.910 --> 00:27:44.009 Dunton never pushed young animals, allowing two 00:27:44.009 --> 00:27:46.730 -year -olds producing just 1 ,000 pounds monthly 00:27:46.730 --> 00:27:50.390 to remain in his program. This patience with 00:27:50.390 --> 00:27:53.150 promising genetics offers a valuable counterbalance 00:27:53.150 --> 00:27:55.910 to the accelerated generation intervals of the 00:27:55.910 --> 00:27:59.630 genomic era. And finally, a clear breeding philosophy 00:27:59.630 --> 00:28:03.289 creates coherent results. Whether through Dunton's 00:28:03.289 --> 00:28:06.190 line breeding or Commistar's complementary outcrossing, 00:28:06.230 --> 00:28:08.809 successful breeders develop and consistently 00:28:08.809 --> 00:28:11.730 apply a clear breeding philosophy rather than 00:28:11.730 --> 00:28:15.109 chasing trends. Is your breeding program building 00:28:15.109 --> 00:28:17.970 the maternal strength that will influence the 00:28:17.970 --> 00:28:21.170 breed for generations to come? That's the true 00:28:21.170 --> 00:28:24.069 measure of breeding success that Douglas Dunton's 00:28:24.069 --> 00:28:27.869 legacy challenges us to achieve. For the Bullvine 00:28:27.869 --> 00:28:31.099 Podcast, I'm Bella, along with Douglas. thanking 00:28:31.099 --> 00:28:34.440 you for joining us. Until next time, happy breeding. 00:28:34.660 --> 00:28:36.680 We'd love to hear your thoughts on maternal line 00:28:36.680 --> 00:28:39.480 breeding in the genomic era. Visit our website 00:28:39.480 --> 00:28:43.400 at www .thebullvine .com to leave a comment on 00:28:43.400 --> 00:28:45.960 this episode or to find our complete article 00:28:45.960 --> 00:28:48.960 on Douglas Dutton's breeding philosophy. Thanks 00:28:48.960 --> 00:28:49.420 for listening.