Creeping across the pasture land. Got dirt on
the boots and a working hand. From the milk house
home to the auction call. These are the folks
standing strong and tall. Yeah, this is... Hey
there, dairy innovators. Welcome back to the
Bullvine Podcast. I'm your host, and today I've
got a story that's going to completely flip everything
you think you know about dairy genetics on its
head. Picture this. You're spending thousands,
maybe tens of thousands of dollars every year
buying the latest and greatest genetics from
the top farms around the world. Meanwhile, there's
a quiet operation in Drumbo. Ontario that hasn't
bought a single animal in over 60 years. And
guess what? They're absolutely crushing it with
13 ,100 kilogram averages and a wall full of
national awards. This is the story of Larenwood
Farms and Chris McLaren. A story that proves
the dairy industry's obsession with purchasing
elite genetics is fundamentally flawed. Imagine
that crisp morning scene at Larenwood Farms.
The sun hasn't even risen yet, but there's Chris
McLaren. already making his rounds through a
barn where 110 Holstein cows represent decades
of meticulous breeding decisions. Steam rises
from their breath in the cool air while the gentle
hum of milking machines creates this soothing
backdrop to a daily rhythm that's been playing
out here since 1852. This isn't just any farm,
folks. This is living history with cutting -edge
science folded into every corner. Now when you
walk into their farm office, You can't miss the
wall of awards. I'm talking plaques and shields
everywhere. Multiple National Herd Management
Awards. The coveted Holstein Canada Master Breeder
Shield. These aren't just decorations gathering
dust. They're milestones in a journey that perfectly
blends old -school farming wisdom with the kind
of innovation you'd expect from a tech startup.
Not a 163 -year -old family operation. So let
me tell you Chris's story. our family has been
on this farm site for 163 years he says with
the kind of smile that speaks volumes about his
connection to the land our relatives on my grandmother's
side moved here in 1852 and settled this property
and we've continuously had our family on this
site ever since i'm the sixth generation and
haley joel and dana are the seventh generation
to live on this farm site walking the property
with chris You can't help but feel the weight
of decisions made by farmers long gone. What
started as a typical mixed farm gradually evolved
into dairy specialization about 50 years ago.
Now it spans roughly 700 acres, producing all
the feed their livestock needs. But here's where
it gets interesting. The real game changer for
Larinwood came in 2012. That's when they built
their new milking facility. designed for 126
milking cows and 24 dry cows. Chris remembers
that transition like it was yesterday. The morning
after we moved the cows into the new barn, I
remember standing in the feed alley just watching
them, he recalls with the kind of enthusiasm
you'd expect from someone describing their first
sports car, not a dairy facility. They adapted
quickly to the sand bedding and free stalls.
Within hours, they were more comfortable than
ever. That moment reinforced everything we believed
about putting cow comfort first. Now what makes
Chris such an interesting character in the dairy
world? It's this rare combination of dirt under
the fingernails farming experience and serious
academic credentials. His path took him through
the University of Guelph's Ontario Agricultural
College and then to Ontario Veterinary College,
where he earned a master's degree working with
Dr. Ken Leslie's research group. That's not exactly
the typical resume you expect from someone driving
a feed truck at dawn, right? My time at the University
of Guelph opened my eyes to the vast knowledge
and understanding that research can have on improving
the dairy farm, Chris shared. My time at OVC
with Dr. Ken Leslie's research group allowed
me to see how important research is to our farm
and the industry. I am still in contact with
many of his students and faculty for advice or
to participate in research projects. This science
-forward approach is evident in everything at
Larenwood. Chris doesn't just review data. He
interprets it through the lens of those academic
foundations. Here's what's remarkable about their
approach. Science insights are used every day
in every decision we make, Chris emphasizes,
with the conviction of someone who's seen the
direct benefits. We're always looking to see
what research says about management decisions.
We always challenge salespeople to show us the
research. We won't buy products or make management
changes unless there's proof it works. Think
about that for a second. How many of us actually
challenge salespeople to show us the research?
Most of us just take their word for it. Now let's
talk about those awards. The Wall of Achievements
at Larenwood tells a story few farms can match.
They snagged the National DHI Herd Management
Award for three consecutive years, 2014, 2015,
and 2016. In 2021, they placed seventh among
Canada's best -managed dairy herds. But the crown
jewel? That 2019 Holstein Canada Master Breeder
Shield. That's dairy farming's equivalent of
an Oscar. When asked which award meant the most,
Chris didn't hesitate. It's hard to pick between
the Herd Management Award from Lactonet and Master
Breeder. Both have been our goals for many years.
To have accomplished both in such a short time
is extremely gratifying. This is especially true
since we are a closed herd and all improvements
have been made through good management and breeding
decisions over the long term. Let me put this
in perspective for you. Most farms need decades
to achieve just one of these recognitions. Larenwood
knocked out both in quick succession. That's
like winning a marathon and then immediately
acing a triathlon. The numbers behind these achievements
are just as impressive. They milk 110 to 115
cows with an average 305 -day milk production
of 13 ,100 kilograms. First lactation cows average
11 ,100 kilograms. Second lactation cows hit
13 ,600 kilograms. And third lactation cows reach
a whopping 14 ,200 kilograms. Fat content, 4
.5%. Protein, 3 .3%. And get this, their somatic
cell count is just 48 ,000. If you know dairy,
you know that's ridiculously low and speaks volumes
about their milk quality. Chris has this great
analogy for dairy farming. Managing a dairy herd
is like juggling many balls in the air simultaneously
and hoping not to drop any. If we drop a ball,
we want to know why and how we can improve next
time. That's the mindset that separates good
farms from great ones. Now, before building their
2012 facility, Chris became what I like to call
a barn tourist. He visited farms across North
America and internationally to cherry pick the
best ideas. I did a lot of touring nationally.
Locally and internationally, I went to many meetings
and events and learned from many great producers.
What strikes me about Chris's approach is how
he watches his cows. You can tell so much just
by watching, he says with the insight of someone
who truly understands these animals. Are they
comfortable in the stalls? Are they spending
enough time lying down? Are they eating aggressively
at the bunk? These observations tell me more
than any computer data could. One principle trumped
all others throughout the facility design process.
Cow comfort. Focusing on cow comfort and keeping
the cow as the center of the facility is important
and key to getting the most from those cows,
Chris emphasizes. This isn't just talk. Every
detail, from the 48 -inch stalls with sand bedding
to the ventilation system, was designed around
what makes cows happy. Chris's father Grant has
this brilliant philosophy. The best cow in the
barn is one you don't know you have. Isn't that
perfect? It captures their goal perfectly. Create
an environment where cows thrive without constant
intervention, freeing up the team to focus on
improvement rather than putting out fires. The
proof is in the pudding, or in this case, the
milk. Since moving to the new facility, Larenwood
has seen dramatic decreases in lameness and metabolic
disorders while production has soared. By mid
-morning at Larenwood, feed delivery takes center
stage. Chris's approach to nutrition reflects
the same scientific mindset he brings to everything
else. I treat the dairy cow like she's an athlete,
he explains. The athlete needs good genetics.
You need good feed, you need good management,
you need good prevention, and you need a good
team around you. And that's kind of the philosophy
we use when dealing with cows and everything
that we do. The daily dance between Chris and
Grant is something to behold. Grant typically
handles the feed mixing, drawing on decades of
experience, while Chris contributes insights
from milk production data and health observations.
It's a perfect blend of expertise and analysis.
Their nutritional program isn't complicated,
but it is precise. The total mixed ration uses
about 60 % corn silage and 40 % haylage on a
dry matter basis, plus high moisture corn, roasted
soybeans, and a specialized protein blend. Now
here's where things get really interesting. By
mid -morning, Chris often shifts to the most
fascinating aspect of Larinwood's operation,
their genomic breeding program. Despite being
a closed herd for over 60 years, meaning they
haven't purchased outside animals, they've achieved
remarkable genetic advancement through strategic
breeding decisions. A turning point in our farm's
genetics was when we started testing every animal
with genomics, Chris explains with the enthusiasm
of someone who's found a secret weapon. This
technology gives us another tool to find the
cows that will contribute to producing better
cattle. The improvement and consistency of the
herd has been incredible. Want proof? Let me
share their production data by Lifetime Profit
Index rankings. Cows with LPI values of 3447
averaged 11 ,636 kilograms of milk. Those with
LPI of 3236 averaged 11 ,639 kilograms. The 3069
group hit 11 ,786 kilograms, and even the lowest
group at 2808 LPI still averaged 11 ,574 kilograms.
What does this mean in plain English? Cows with
higher LPI consistently produce more milk with
better components while maintaining healthier
udders. For a commercial dairy, these differences
translate directly to the bottom line. Here's
how Chris balances technology with tradition.
Genomics is a tool just as pedigree knowledge
is, he explains. Genomics allows you to see animals
and pedigrees needing more improvement or focus.
However, having that knowledge of the pedigree
and what has worked in a family helps to select
bulls that complement cows. Their breeding philosophy
is refreshingly straightforward. Make the daughter
better than the mother. Each cow is bred by examining
the linear traits of both cow and bull to find
complementary matches. The results speak for
themselves. Take their H family progression.
Larenwood Air Intake Homer 903 scored 85 points
in 4th lactation with 2478 LPI and 14 ,770 kg.
Her daughter, Larenwood Alligator Homer 1123,
scored 91 points in third lactation with 3116
LPI and 15 ,130 kilograms. The next generation,
Larenwood Ranger Red Homer 1269, scored 85 points
in first lactation with 3 ,561 LPI and 11 ,830
kilograms. You should see Chris when he talks
about these cow families. His face lights up
as he points out subtle improvements in udder
texture, teat placement, and dairy strength that
would escape the casual observer but represent
decades of careful decisions. This focused breeding
work has also produced outstanding bulls, now
available through artificial insemination. Larinwood
Maximum with 35 -53 LPI and Larinwood PG Monumental
with 38 -39 LPI represent the culmination of
generations of careful breeding. Having bulls
in AI is a validation of our breeding philosophy,
Chris says with justifiable pride. But more importantly,
we know these bulls will create the kind of trouble
-free, productive cows that commercial dairy
farmers need to be profitable in today's challenging
environment. By afternoon, Chris typically focuses
on reproductive management, probably the least
glamorous but most crucial aspect of dairy farming.
Their move to the new facility in 2012 brought
unexpected benefits in this area. We noticed
when we came into the new barn that getting cows
pregnant was improved. Seeing cows move around
and technologies all helped. Through careful
analysis and consultation with advisors, they've
achieved a pregnancy rate of 28%. That's significantly
above the provincial average. Their breeding
strategy is surgical in its precision. 25 % of
heifers are bred with sex semen. 25 % are recipients,
and 50 % get conventional semen. The milking
herd gets 10 % sex to heifers, the bottom 20
% to beef, and the rest conventional semen. The
stats are impressive. 70 % insemination rate,
45 % conception rate, 41 % conception at first
breeding, and 83 % of cows pregnant by 150 days
in milk. These numbers put Larenwood an elite
company for reproductive performance. Chris describes
his late afternoon rounds through the dry cow
area. He examines each pregnant animal with the
care of an expectant father, mentally planning
their calving management and future breeding.
Each pregnant cow represents not just future
milk production, but the next step in our genetic
plan, he explains. I'm already thinking about
what bull might work best on her daughter before
she's born. Talk about planning ahead. As evening
approaches at Larenwood, Chris and Grant meet
again to review the day and plan for tomorrow.
Their collaborative management style exemplifies
what family farming should be. I am involved
in the overall management, genetics, and herd
health. My dad is focused on the feeding and
cropping, Chris explains. We both have input
into all aspects but have the area we are mostly
focused on. We talk each morning to set the day's
priorities. Chris's appreciation for his father's
mentorship shines through in every conversation.
My biggest mentor and advisor would be my dad.
He is supportive of all the changes we make.
He is very thoughtful and analytical of every
decision to ensure we make the correct choice.
The most fascinating thing about Larenwood might
be how they blend six generations of farming
wisdom with cutting -edge scientific knowledge.
As a 60 -plus year closed herd with such deep
family history, Tradition runs in their soil.
Yet they consistently embrace innovation that
many newer operations miss. We're always learning
from past experiences, which helps us learn and
grow as dairy herd managers, Chris reflects.
There's great value in listening to the past
and not repeating mistakes. However, we're always
open to new, well -researched ideas. You can
see this balance in action during breeding decisions.
Chris might be consulting genomic data on his
tablet while drawing on generational knowledge
of cow families. The genomics tell me the numbers,
but our family history with these cows tells
me how they'll likely respond to different management
approaches. You need both perspectives to make
the best decisions. Now, no farm reaches Larenwood's
level without facing serious challenges. When
asked how he maintains motivation through setbacks,
Chris's answer reveals the mindset that's propelled
their success. I always try to do my best in
everything that I do. There is always room for
improvement, and that is what motivates me. Failure
or an issue is a challenge to fix that problem
and be successful. The McLaren's approach to
challenges is methodical and research -driven.
By doing the proper research and asking lots
of questions before we change something, we believe
we make the correct decision at that moment,
and few mistakes are made. Chris explains. So
what's next for Larenwood? Here's what's fantastic
about this operation. They don't just talk about
improvements. They make them happen. That tie
stall barn renovation for automatic calf feeders?
They completed that project in 2022. That new
heifer facility? They built it in 2023. The combination
of the calf barn, the heifer barn, and better
genetics all contributed to almost 1 ,000 kilograms
per lactation more milk for the first lactation
animals, Chris says with well -deserved pride.
Can you imagine that kind of improvement? We're
talking about first calf heifers producing an
extra 1 ,000 kilograms of milk each. That's the
power of combining facility improvements with
genetic advancement. So what's actually on the
horizon for Larenwood now? Something even more
exciting. We are renovating our milking barn
for robotic milking, Chris explains. This is
the next evolution of Larenwood, from tie stall
to free stall, now robotic. The robotic milking
system isn't just fancy new technology, it fundamentally
changes the relationship between cow and caretaker.
This will allow for a more stress -free barn
that allows the cow to be milked as often as
she chooses. This will increase the milk production
per cow from the current twice -daily milking.
Think about what this means for the cows. Instead
of being herded to the parlor on a strict schedule,
they can decide when they want to be milked.
Some might go three or four times daily, especially
in peak lactation. It's cow -centered farming
taken to the next level. As the day winds down
at Larenwood, Chris makes his final barn check
under the soft night lighting. In these quiet
moments, he often reflects on the journey and
what wisdom he might pass along. His advice for
young farmers is worth its weight in gold. Learn
from as many people as you can. Don't be afraid
of asking questions from those that are better
than you. Learn from them and you will be surprised
by how many people are willing to answer all
your questions. He emphasizes patience and persistence.
Long -term consistent success does not happen
overnight. Stay patient and focused on your goals.
And his most important principle? But most of
all, always keep the cow at the forefront of
everything you do. This advice encapsulates the
Larenwood approach. Humble learning, long -term
vision, and unwavering commitment to animal welfare.
It's how six generations have built one of Canada's
most respected dairy operations. As darkness
settles over Larenwood farms, the barn lights
dim, and the rhythmic sound of contented cows
chewing their cud creates a peaceful backdrop
that belies the sophisticated operation behind
the scenes. This place, this remarkable blend
of heritage and innovation, stands as living
proof of what's possible when family wisdom meets
scientific precision. From genomic testing to
facility design, from their award -winning breeding
program to their meticulous attention to cow
health, every aspect of Larenwood reflects a
commitment to excellence that spans generations.
Those national awards aren't just decorations.
Their external validation of an approach that
puts cows first while embracing science and tradition.
What makes Larenwood's story so compelling isn't
just the impressive statistics or the wall of
awards. It's the values guiding their success
for over 160 years. Putting the cow first, embracing
continuous improvement, making data -driven decisions,
and maintaining that long -term perspective that
seems increasingly rare today. In an era of agricultural
consolidation and economic pressure, Larinwood
is a testament to the enduring power of thoughtful,
knowledge -based farming. Chris McLaren and his
family have created an award -winning dairy operation
by honoring their rich heritage while embracing
scientific advancement. So here's my challenge
to you, listeners. The next time someone tries
to sell you the latest and greatest genetics,
ask yourself this question. If a 60 -year closed
herd can achieve 13 ,100 kilogram averages through
internal breeding decisions, what's stopping
you from developing your own genetic powerhouse?
Maybe it's time we stopped buying our way to
genetic progress and started building it ourselves.
Just like Chris McLaren and the remarkable team
at Larenwood Farms. That's our show for today.
If this story challenged your thinking about
dairy genetics, I'd love to hear from you. Drop
us a line at the bullvine. And don't forget to
subscribe for more stories that challenge conventional
dairy wisdom. Until next time, keep questioning,
keep improving, and never forget to put the cow
first.