Welcome to the Bullvine Podcast, where we dig
deep into the stories shaping dairy's future.
Today, we're stepping into the elite world of
Canada's 2024 Holstein Master Breeders, 19 visionary
farms rewriting the rules of genetic excellence.
From Quebec's genomic pioneers to Ontario's multi
-generational dynasties, these breeders are mastering
the art of balance. High milk yields, flawless
conformation, and cows that thrive for years.
Ever wondered how a cow named Allegria produced
over 100 ,000 kilograms of milk? Or what four
master breeder shields in a single family really
means? We're breaking down the strategies, legacies,
and innovations behind this year's most prestigious
honor. Let's dive in. Welcome to the Deep Dive.
Today, we're really digging into something special.
Not just an award, but what's behind it? Decades
of work. That's right. We're talking about the
2024 Holstein Canada Master Breeders. Exactly.
It represents, well, the absolute pinnacle of
achievement in Canadian dairy genetics, doesn't
it? It really does. That Master Breeder shield.
It's the ultimate recognition. It signifies that
lifelong pursuit, that dedication to breeding
truly exceptional cattle, you know, the perfect
blend. Production, confirmation that lasts, health,
fertility. And longevity. That crucial piece
for profitability. Absolutely. Think about it.
Since 1929, this award, it's been the gold standard.
A long time. A real testament to breeders who've
mastered the science, but also have that intuition,
that eye for cows that work. Productive and built
to last no matter the system. And this year's
group, the 19 recipients, they really embody
that mix, that art and science. 19 outstanding
farms. And look at the spread. Four provinces.
Quebec leading the way with nine. Ontario close
behind with eight and then Saskatchewan and British
Columbia each with one winner. A truly nationwide
showcase. What really jumps out though is the
variety, the types of operations. Yeah, you see
everything. Traditional tie stalls where that
individual cow care is just meticulous. All the
way to, you know, state -of -the -art robotic
setups leveraging all the latest tech. Plus you've
got multi -generational legacies right alongside
farms that are... relatively speaking, newer
success stories. It really drives home the point,
doesn't it? Excellence isn't confined to one
kind of barn or one scale of operation. Such
a vital point. It shows that those core principles,
sound genetics, smart management, they work everywhere.
It's about knowing your goals, using your resources
effectively. And making those informed choices
with your genetics. Absolutely. The mix of experience
levels is fascinating too. 13 first -time winners.
That's fantastic news, right? Shows real innovation,
new talent rising. But then you also have five
farms getting their second shield. That's sustained
excellence. Building on past success. And then
quality Holsteins and Heather Holm achieving
their fourth shield. That's just extraordinary.
Incredible consistency. It paints this picture
of an industry that's, well, rooted in tradition
but always pushing forward. Those repeat wins
really show it's not a one -off thing, is it?
Not at all. It takes continuous commitment, adapting,
staying at that high level year after year. And
for the first timers, what a validation, a huge
nod to their vision and hard work. Exactly. So
for everyone listening, whether you're managing
a herd day to day or you're involved in the wider
industry, our mission today is to sort of unpack
what makes these 19 breeders tick. We want to
find those common threads, maybe some unique
tactics. And hopefully provide some valuable
insights, maybe those aha moments you can think
about for your own operation or breeding program.
Okay, let's dive in. Starting in Quebec, nine
winners there. A really strong showing. And a
theme seems to emerge, doesn't it? A dedication
to health and fundamentally sound genetics. Yes,
and often leveraging genomics pretty effectively
combined with just really sharp management. That's
a keen observation. Kwebit breeders often seem
to grasp that long -term value. It's not just
about the milk check today. Healthy, robust animals
that thrive. And using genomics lets them zero
in on traits for productivity and sustainability.
Yeah. Disease resistance, fertility, things like
that. Good example, rotali, their second shield.
And you can't talk about them without mentioning
Rodalee Goldwyn -Alegria EX96 5E5. What a cow.
Truly legendary. 2024 cow of the year. Over 103
,500 kilos lifetime milk, EX96 type, 97 point
udder. I mean, wow. She perfectly shows their
philosophy, right? You don't have to sacrifice
type for production. They found that balance.
Alegria is that balance. High production, but
the structure holds up. And she passes it on.
that intergenerational influence, that's the
mark of a great breeding program. Makes you think,
doesn't it? What traits are key for building
that lasting influence in your own herd? Then
there's Kweisi, also their second shield, the
Roy family. Started with just six cows back in
87. Meticulously built on exceptional cow care.
Their focus is longevity, cow families that get
better with age. They prioritize confirmation,
but they're strategic about health traits too.
Again, that holistic view. You really can't overstate
the importance they place on care and longevity.
Cows lasting longer. That's just more profitable.
And more chances to use those superior genetics.
Exactly. It shows how fundamental good husbandry
is. It supports everything else. Now, Belfow.
That's an inspiring one. First shield, and they
started from scratch in 2006. A relatively quick
rise. The Hudon family, deeply involved. Calf
care, paperwork, milking. Shows what dedication
and clear goals can do. And their son, Theo,
already interested in classification. That speaks
volumes. Yeah, that passion is being passed down.
Likely ensures excellence for the future. It
really demonstrates how focus and commitment
can fast track you to elite status, even starting
more recently. Me back another first timer. Their
story highlights persistence, doesn't it? Simon
Menard, Yvonne Becker. Yeah. Consistently producing
those high -classifying animals. You see their
names often in the classification reports. Lots
of EX and VG cows. It's that long -term commitment,
that steady focus on quality over years that
earns this kind of recognition. It's a marathon,
like you said earlier, not a sprint. Accumulating
those good decisions. Precisely. Ben Galand.
Third generation farm. Benoit Gosselin, Katie
Boutin. Yeah. Milking around 70 cows. So moderate
scale. But consistently ranking high in Holstein
-Quebec's on neuromerit production and classification.
Shows you don't need massive scale to reach elite
status. It's about the intensity of focus, the
clarity of your goals, and how will you execute
that genetic plan. Their rankings prove it. Sardigan,
first shield. Their strength seems to be exceptional
overall herd management. Their rankings in Lactinus
Herd Performance Index, the HPI, really stand
out. Number two in Canada back in 2018. Across
everything, milk value, udder health, longevity,
calving interval. It shows a really comprehensive
commitment to all the drivers of balance breeding
and profit. For listeners, it really highlights
using those kinds of metrics, right? Tracking
that performance data. Absolutely. Sardigan's
success with HPI shows the power of a data -driven
approach. It's holistic, strategic, understanding
how everything connects. Flea Olay from the Portneuf
Club. They seem to fit that Quebec pattern too.
Leveraging genomics, making informed decisions
for health and genetic potential. It seems like
a cornerstone strategy in the province. Yeah,
the strong showing from Quebec and that consistent
emphasis on genomics. It points to a really proactive,
forward -thinking approach to genetic improvement,
especially on those crucial health traits. Drahoka's
story is really something. First shield and number
one in Canada for HPI in 2023. Remarkable achievement.
Their philosophy is pretty straightforward. Lots
of milk and beautiful cows and boy bomb. Capture
that balance perfectly. And they credit a specific
management change, a bedded pack for dry cows
with big improvements. Better health, easier
calving, longevity. Which directly feeds into
both their HPI rank and this Master Breeder Award.
Shows how management and breeding success link
up. It's a perfect example of synergy. That investment
wasn't just comfort. It had tangible benefits
for performance, unlocking genetic potential.
Okay, last one for Quebec. Lactamont. Their second
shield. The first was way back in 2003. Incredible
continuity. Sixth generation now. Established
in 1900. And they've recently modernized Freestall
robots. But still respecting that foundation.
Fanois and Ghislaine Montpetit. Yeah. Adapting
while staying true to core principles. Strong
genetics. Focusing on their best animals. The
timing being bittersweet. Acknowledging the parents'
work. That really highlights the generational
effort. Lactamon's story -long history. Embracing
technology. Honoring legacy. It's a powerful
narrative of sustainable success. Evolving while
keeping that focus on genetic excellence. Right.
Let's shift gears. Ontario. Eight master breeders
here. A different flavor maybe? but equally impressive.
The emphasis seems to be on high milk production,
strong, durable cows, classic type good reproduction,
and again, that exceptional longevity. Ontario
definitely has that long history of breeding
high -performing, well -conformed Holsteins.
These winners are prime examples. And leading
the charge? Well, it has to be quality Holsteins,
their fourth master breeder shield. Unprecedented.
It's truly a dynasty. Paul Eckstein, now with
his son Ari. The quality prefix is known worldwide
for elite type. Show ring dominance. Paul Eckstein's
philosophy sticks with you. Attention to every
minor detail can lead to major success. You see
it in their results. Four shields. It's incredibly
rare. Decades of commitment to the absolute highest
standards. That meticulous approach matters.
And their influence through families like Plushansky,
Valiant, Frankis. Undeniable. Just huge. Think
of cows like Quality BC Francisco EX96, Quality
Carlton Pan EX97. Plus, what, nearly 300 excellent
cows bred, eight All -Canadian Breeders Herd
titles. McCown Master Breeder Award for Paul,
Canadian Ag Hall of Fame. The list goes on. A
global powerhouse, no question. And matching
that incredible four -shield achievement, Heather
Holm. Another multi -generational story, roots
back in the 1930s. Third generation now, Curtis
McNeil and family. The consistency is remarkable.
And their herdsman, Greg Segan, 43 years. That
speaks volumes about stability, shared vision,
doesn't it? Absolutely. Heather Holm's success
comes from a clear philosophy adhered to rigorously
across generations. Functional traits. Their
motto, breeding the kind dairymen like to milk
worldwide. So practical. Utters, feet and legs,
high components, good milk volume. Things that
work. And they were Canada's first certified
leucosis -free herd, too. Shows that focus on
health. Foundational to success, their approach
mirrors the grandfather's, balancing milk and
type. And it's worked. Over 130 EX cows, high
production averages, a testament to that long
-term, consistent vision. Exactly. Understanding
the end user, the commercial dairyman and breeding
cattle that meet those practical needs. That's
driven their success. Great crest. Second shield,
they show you don't need the biggest, newest
setup, right? Smoking 50 cows? Tie stall. Focus
on good stewardship, looking after the little
things. Dan Erb learned from his parents, purebred
since 71. And they've bred over 100 excellent
cows doing it that way. It powerfully underscores
the dedicated husbandry and consistent breeding
decisions are paramount, whatever the scale.
Really inspiring. Shows core principles are key.
Kentville Holsteins, also their second shield.
part of that incredible Magriscan Holstein dynasty.
Ten master breeder shields in the extended family.
That's amazing. And they were recognized just
last year for 100 consecutive years of registering
Holsteins. Wow. That passion for great cattle
is just deeply ingrained, passed down generation
after generation. That shared knowledge, those
family values centered on the cattle. It creates
such a... powerful environment for sustained
excellence. Cherry crest, their third shield.
And this is despite three complete herd dispersals
over the years. Incredible resilience. Don Johnston,
Nancy Beerwart, now son Kevin, and wife Tammy
take in the lead. Milking about 135 cows, their
philosophy, animal well -being first, balanced
breeding, community involvement. Don Johnston
talks about the satisfaction of validating the
right decisions. It shows an exceptional ability
to spot superior genetics. Rebuild effectively.
Apply that winning strategy again and again.
Truly remarkable. To hit that level three times
with those disruptions speaks to a deep understanding
of the cow and sound principles. O 'Connor's
first shield, and this is after dispersing a
milking herd, shows the lasting impact of genetics,
doesn't it? The award recognizes the cumulative
performance of cows with the O 'Connor's prefix.
Key contributor, the O 'Connor's Planet Lucia
family. Included Canada's hashtag one genomic
cow in 2013. High type, high production. And
their pride in seeing those cows thrive in other
herds. That's a real testament to their breeding
legacy. It's a potent reminder, isn't it? A good
breeding program's impact goes beyond your own
farm gate. The Lucia family highlights finding
those individuals with real breed -influencing
genetic merit. Aveline, first -timer. Said before
cows, tie stall. Their focus, longevity. They
see later lactations as the most profitable.
Makes sense. And their foundation cow, Avaline
Master Amanda EX93, descended from a barnyard
bull. Yet she became hugely influential. Shows
exceptional female lines and breeder judgment
can come from unexpected places. It's a great
reminder you don't always need the most famous
pedigree to breed great cattle. Absolutely. It's
about identifying and developing those strong
maternal lines wherever they start. Their focus
on longevity is smart and practical too. And
rounding out Ontario, Dutchdale Farms First Shield.
Adds to the strength of the Huron County Holstein
Club. Their success reflects those Ontario themes.
High production, durable type, good reproduction,
longevity. Solidifies that breeding expertise
in the Huron region. Definitely. Huron County
is a real hub for quality Holsteins. Okay, let's
head west. Saskatchewan first. Mill and Roy Holsteins.
A first shield and a real milestone for the prairies.
Lyle Pretty, second generation. Prefix established
by his parents, Roy and Mildred. Family homestead
since 1900. Talk about resilience adaptation.
Post -WWII cream shipping, early electricity,
purebreds in the 50s, showing since 51. It's
that enduring passion and love for dairy cattle.
Over 120 excellent cows bred. A well -deserved
point of pride for the Saskatchewan Holstein
community. Then British Columbia. Fruit farms
from Vancouver Island, also a first shield. Their
philosophy, manage cows to hit those thresholds
for production and classification. Strategic
breeding. They mentioned the fruit, Chesapeake,
candy family as important. And they highlighted
the importance of their local club community.
Especially vital in smaller regions, right? Absolutely.
That network matters. They talked about loving
the whole scope of dairy, farming, cows, crops,
business, family. A passion for the entire lifestyle.
So, stepping back, looking at all 19, these incredible
farms, the people behind them. some common threads
really start to stand out, don't they? They really
do. While each path is unique, there are definitely
shared principles underpinning this level of
success. One of the clearest, that commitment
to balance. Absolutely. But most all of them
avoided extremes, not just chasing milk, not
just chasing type. They understand that synergy,
confirmation, yield, health, longevity, it all
works together for sustainable profit. Rodally
with Allegria, Heather Holm with their functional
focus. Perfect examples. You just can't neglect
one area for another and expect long -term success.
They're all interconnected. Another big one.
The prevalence of multi -generational family
farms over half the winters. That's significant.
It suggests real value in that long -term vision,
the knowledge transfer. And that deep -seated
passion that gets passed down. It seems key to
achieving and maintaining this level of excellence
over time. That continuity provides a huge advantage.
allows for strategies that take years, decades
sometimes, to pay off. And helps weather the
inevitable ups and downs. Even in farms that
aren't multi -generational, you often see strong
partnerships, good mentorship, fostering that
same kind of shared vision. Then there's the
power of cow families. Identifying, cultivating,
leveraging those strong maternal lines. Absolutely
key. We saw it with Fran at Quality, Allegri
at Rodalee, Amanda at Avaline, Lucia at O 'Connor's,
Candy at Frew. They're the genetic bedrock, providing
predictability, consistency. Amplifying the herd's
potential over generations. And longevity in
those families isn't just about living long.
It's extended productivity, a continued breeding
influence. Exactly. Strong eternal lines are
the foundation. They let you build reliably on
desirable traits. Longevity is crucial for profit
and genetic impact. And finally, it's fascinating
how they blend innovation with tradition. Adapting,
integrating new tools. Genomics, data management,
facility upgrades like Drohoka's Bitted Pack,
robotics like Atlactamont. It shows a progressive
approach, but crucially. These tools aren't replacing
fundamental skills, they're enhancing them. That's
the critical distinction. Technology augments
knowledge, skill, intuition. It doesn't replace
it. They use it strategically. within their existing
philosophies. To get better health, more efficiency,
faster genetic progress. Precisely. Smarter,
not just newer. So when we reflect on this 2024
class, they truly represent the peak of Canadian
dairy breeding. Absolutely. Their success across
different regions and systems is a testament
to dedication, skill, and that deep understanding
of the Holstein cow. They're lifting their own
operations, but also strengthening the whole
Canadian Holstein industry. Through genetics,
mentorship, just setting that incredibly high
bar. They are masters of their craft, carrying
that torch of Holstein excellence. Their commitment
to balanced performance, longevity, health, efficiency.
It reinforces that global reputation for Canadian
Holsteins. And blending tradition with modern
tools. That paves the way for the future. Definitely.
So for you listening, the key takeaway from this
deep dive. Achieving this top tier of success,
it hinges on that unwavering dedication to balanced
breeding. It's appreciating the power of long
-term vision, often seen in family farms, but
achievable through focus. It's strategically
integrating innovation, but always built on that
foundation of exceptional cow families. Which
leads to a question for you to mull over. Reflecting
on these master breeders, what specific part
of their approach resonates most with your goals?
Is it their focus on a certain trait? how they
use technology, their emphasis on a cow family.
What element could you potentially integrate
into your own operation for better long -term
success and sustainability? We really encourage
you to look deeper. Explore the profiles on places
like the bullvine. Get into their individual
stories. There's always more to learn from their
journeys. Ultimately, it's the hard work and
dedication of all dairy farmers and industry
pros that drives things forward. These master
breeders are truly inspiring examples within
that community. Showing what's possible with
passion, knowledge, and that relentless commitment
to the art and the science of breeding great
dairy cattle. Whether it's a fourth -generation
farm or a first -time winner, the 2024 master
breeders prove that greatness in dairy isn't
about chasing trends. It's about crafting cows
that last. Huge thanks to our listeners for joining
us. Want to meet these legendary breeders? Visit
thebullvine .com for the full feature. Until
next time, keep your eyes on the cows and your
goals on the horizon.