QUALITY HOLSTEINS - PAUL & ARI EKSTEIN 8400 Huntington Rd., Vaughan
11ME, 36EX, 58VG RHA 235-240-234
Quality Holsteins started in the summer of 1980 and since that time have won three Master Breeder shields, have had Grand and Supreme at the Royal Winter Fair and have had three daughters of one cow (Gibson Finsco) named All-Canadian Breeders herd. They milk 72 cows and normally have around 250 head. Prominent cow families at Quality include the Frantisco family, including her daughters and granddaughters, the Astre Felice family, the Carlton Pam family, Rae Lynn Family and they are currently building around some younger cows like Bosdale Gold Luster, Keylas Sid Roaxanna and Leachland Atwood Megabyte. Paul and Ari are very particular on the bulls they choose and focus on High type genomics with good milk numbers and health traits. Perhaps the most unique part of Quality Holsteins is that they have managed to farm in the city for so long and that three of their employees have been there for over 30 years! Paul and Ari plan to continue to try to breed the best cows possible and say that with every breeding, their goal is to breed the next great homebred champion. They know that in the future they will eventually have to move their operation and when that time comes, they plan to relocate about six miles north to their heifer farm.
DANDYLAND HOLSTEINS - THE O’HARA FAMILY 17155 11th Concession, Schomberg
20ME, 12EX 49VG, 17GP RHA 230-232-236
At Dandyland Holsteins, two strong cow families contributed half of the Master Breeder Points for the herd: Dandyland Formation Ledger (VG-87-5*) and Dandyland Cherokee Alisa (VG-85-5*). Many strong descendants are in today’s herd. Ledger had three EX daughters, with the highest scored (Dandyland Leduc Legend (EX-93-5E-3*)) being a farm favourite. Legend won Ontario Holstein’s ‘Heart of the Herd’ Award in 2013 and was a true example of what the O’Hara’s work towards in their breeding program. She exemplified the good udders, feet and legs, balance and consistency found in this cow family. Cherokee Alisa was backed by two VG dams, made over 88,000 kgs of milk and had two EX and 1 VG daughters. These descendants are a true balance of type and production. The O’Hara’s believe in longevity and Dandyland Leader Rockie (EX-91-8E3*15) is a shining example. Now in her 11th lactation, Rockie has accomplished her 150,000 kg certificate and has 3 EX and 2 VG daughters, including Dandyland Gibson Razzle (EX-94-5E), who is owned by Quality Holsteins and was nominated for AllOntario Senior 3-Year-old in 2008. Dandyland strives for top-quality milk, keeping their somatic cell count under the 100,000 level, and each year it is their goal to receive a “Gold’ award for their quality. Dandyland has sold numerous homebred fresh heifers that have gone on to do well for other producers.
GORE RIDGE FARM - PAUL LIVINGSTON & KYMBERLY KNUFF 15625 8th Concession, Schomberg
3ME, 4EX, 35VG, 37GP, 2G RHA 186-190-187
Gore Ridge Holsteins is owned by Paul Livingston and Kymberly Knuff. Along with their children, Blake and Laela, and herdsman Steven Gallant they run this family farm. Paul started farming out of high school and formed a partnership with his parents, eventually buying his parents’ shares of the farm. Moving from the city of Brampton to Schomberg in 2015, Paul and Kymberly built a new 120 x 360 ft dairy barn that houses all animals under one roof. They are currently milking 55 cows with a GEA Mlone robot. Cows are housed on a composting pack and fed a TMR of Haylage, Corn silage, high moisture cobmeal and straw with pellets being fed in the robot. Feed is all homegrown from the 500 acres that the farm works. Calves are group housed with a GEA robotic calf feeder. Paul is breeding cows for strong families with an emphasis on robot-ready traits. Good udders with properly placed teats and great mobility are a must. Paul’s dad once housed bulls for Paul Ekstein before they were sold, with the agreement of them being used as herd sires. Quality Combination left the biggest impact on the herd. Gore Ridge Leader Tammy (EX-95) is a descendant of those Quality bulls that were used and went on to be Nominated AllOntario 5-Year-old in 2010, not before leaving VG daughters and granddaughters. The Jerseys in the herd all trace back to the Hostess family of Rexlea Jerseys. Paul is proud to have had the Highest Lifetime Record completed in York County in 2014 on Gore Ridge Outside Lyda.
EARINCLIFFE HOLSTEINS - SCOTT BRETHET & FAMILY 4831 6th Line, Tottenham
4ME, 8EX 32VG, 2GP RHA 227-230-226
Located in Simcoe County, Earincliffe Holsteins has been breeding Holsteins for four generations and almost 70 years. Although the milking cows were sold when he was young, Scott always had a passion and love for breeding and raising Holstein cattle. For years he raised heifers and sold them to surrounding dairy herds as replacements. In August 2012, Scott and his family began milking cows at Earincliffe again under the New Entrant Producer program. The Milking herd is housed in a new tie-stall dairy barn built in 2012. There they milk 38 -40 head and calve 60-65 animals per year, selling the excess as fresh replacements. There have been many highlights for the Brethet Family in recent years. Since 2012, Earincliffe has Scored 85 VG- 2-Year-olds, and 18 EX Cows, and has maintained a herd that is 96 per cent VG or EX during that time. Many of those high-scoring cows descend from herd favourite, Rainyridge Jed Dolorita EX-93 10* who produced 21 VG-2-Year-olds and four EX cows, including full sisters, Earincliff Aftershock Dolly and Earincliff Aftershock Darla, both Scored VG-87-2YR. Earincliffe Holsteins was Premier Exhibitor at the 2015 Simcoe County Holstein Show, and won both Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion Banners, but the real highlight came later that year when Earincliffe Redliner Sara captured the Junior Champion title at the World Dairy Expo’s Red and White show. Earincliffe added another Premier Exhibitor Banner to their Collection at the 2016 Simcoe County Holstein Show.
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Link WINTER 2017
www.ontario.holstein.ca