4865, boul. Laurier O, Saint-Hyacinthe
(Québec) Canada J2S 3V4
Tel. : 450 778-3535
Fax : 450 778-3531
info@ayrshire-canada.com
2006 Master breeder
Ferme Lagacé |
The Lagacé prefix is surely one of the most renowned and respected in the Ayrshire Breed. This prefix has always been synonymous with excellence for production as well as conformation. Richard Lagacé represents the fourth generation of Ayrshire breeders. He joined the family business in 1986 as an associate and became owner of the farm in 1994. By being awarded the title of Master-Breeder, Richard becomes the third generation to have accomplished this feat, following in his grandfather Jean-Paul and his father Jean-Guy's footsteps. Continuing the tradition implemented by his predecessors on the farm, Richard has always aimed for balance in his breeding program, never using one bull on a large scale. This allowed him to develop cow families that stand out in production and conformation. The most influential were the Mode, Mandy and Blanche families. This last family won numerous championships at shows for the Lagacé herd, and it's not over. Many bulls from the Mode and Mandy families were selected by AI units. Among them, Lagacé Billy, Lagacé Marathon and more recently Lagacé Modem are the most famous. Richard understands the importance of promoting his animals and his herd's genetics, this is why he takes part in many exhibitions and is always available to greet visitors at his farm. Over the years, many embryos from the best animals in the Lagacé herd have been sold worldwide. Richard is always ready to consign a good animal at large-scale sales. After many years of effort, the hard work has paid off, allowing the Lagacé herd to be awarded the title of Master Breeder. Ayrshire Canada offers the Ferme Lagacé & Fils, its sincere congratulations. |
Ferme Margot |
Arriving from Switzerland in 1976, the Grandjean family settled on a dairy farm in Ste-Perpétue in the center of Québec. The herd was of the Ayrshire breed, mostly purebred. That's when the « Margot » prefix began. After completing his studies at the ITA in Saint-Hyacinthe, Philippe returned to the farm in 1989. He then took over the herd management , his talent and knowledge allowed the herd to achieve remarkable progress. Today, Marcel and Philippe Grandjean's herd consists of 210 head with 105 cows in milk. The classification shows 9 Excellent (all with the Margot prefix) and 45 VG (90% with the Margot prefix). Therefore, one can say that 50% of the herd is classified VG and better. Many cow families helped the farm to obtain the title of Master Breeder. Cows like Margot Cookie S, Margot Lottie and Margot Luciolle are among the best known in the herd. The son of Lottie, Margot Lorenzo and the two sons of Cookie S, Margot Calimero and Margot Colargol are very popular sires and very much appreciated in the breed at the moment. Many embryos from these cows have been sold in foreign countries. Everyone who has visited the Margot herd will tell you that what is most impressive in the herd is the dept and uniformity of the animals present at the farm. For that, we must give credit to the owners of the farm. Ayrshire Canada is proud to award the title of Master Breeder to Marcel and Philippe Grandjean of Ferme Margot. Congratulations. |
SUNNYMEAD FARMS  |
The Cotton Family - 1860 to 2007. The Cotton family came to Navan, Ontario, in 1860. The James Cotton's great-grandfather, also named James Cotton, started with a herd of grade Ayrshires in and around 1880. The barn that stands today was built by James's grandfather, James Jr. in 1907. In 1921 the herd was wiped out by tuberculosis and was started back and has been purebred Ayrshires ever since. James Jr. had a family of 5 boys and 4 girls. When he passed away in 1946, his sons George, Sidney and Ed took over Sunnymead. There are production certificates hanging in the farm house that date back to 1929. Ed Cotton also became an electrician to help raise his family of quatre, his wife Edith and two children Ruth (Cotton) Powell and yes, a son who he named James, the James Cotton we know today. The year 1946 would bring more hardship to Sunnymead; Uncle George would fall from the roof of the barn and become paralyzed and confined to a wheel chair for the rest of his life. But yes, Sunnymead farm and the Cotton Bros. would carry-on. With George, being cared for by his lovely wife Reta, Sidney, Ed, with the help of many hired hands from around town, Sunnymead and its Ayrshires evolved into what they are today "The Home of Good Ayrshires". James's father Ed passed away in 1965 and his mother Edith shortly there after in 1968. James and Ruth where cared for by uncle George and aunt Reta. In 1970, James became a partner in Sunnymead with Uncle George and Uncle Sidney. In 1974 James would marry Roberta Hill from near by Cumberland and eventually become sole proprietor of Sunnymead. James and Roberta have raised 3 children on Sunnymead, Jaron, Jeff and Shelly. Jeff became and electrician, Shelley works with children in a Daycare. In 2006, Jaron and his wife Kim joined Sunnymead in partnership with his father to continue the deep tradition of farming with the Ayrshire cow. The Sunnymead show string dates back to the 40's attending several shows throughout the Ottawa Valley and always with a full string - one in every class! One notable Sunnymead cow that was be sold to Stanley Mount and Allan Barr as a 2 yr old would go on to win two Grand Championships at the World Dairy Expo in Madison, one at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair and three at the Quebec Spring Show. Sunnymead Jade's Silk EX 95 became a household name in the Ayrshire breed. Knowing that she needed to be developed to her full potential, selling her to Woodland View was the thing to do. We could go on for hours about the accomplishments of the Sunnymead herd but it is simply the love of the Ayrshire cow, the commitment to a way of life, his family and the people around him that has made James Cotton the Master Breeder that he is. |
George Ofield  |
The Geminaecho herd of George Ofield was established by his father Leroy in 1943 at Dundas Ontario. In 1989, after the passing of his father, George and his mother Velma moved to Embro, one of the most fertile regions of Oxford County in Ontario. They have maintained a high producing herd of 75% Ayrshires and 25% Jerseys since that time. George has won the high BCA Award in Canada for his herd size on two different occasions. The cow that has contributed largely to his Master Breeder Award is Geminaecho Meagan, a Milk Machine daughter. A purchased cow, Creek Home Red, a Marathon daughter, has also had a great influence. The Red cow, by the way, is the dam of the well known sire Creek Home Zorro. This is a great honour for George and his mother and he has done the Ayrshire breed in Oxford County proud as being one of two breeders to achieve this award in the same year. Congratulations to the Ofields from Ayrshire Canada. |
Shady Walnut Farm  |
Shady Walnut Farm, an attractive setting in the south half of Oxford County Ontario has been home to the Bertrand family since 1923. The first pure bred Ayrshires were purchased by Aubrey and Wayne's father Carl about 20 years later. The cow that has contributed the most points to the prestigious Master Breeder Award is Shady Walnut Constance, a Cornelius daughter from a Blue Bell's Triumph dam. It has often been said that the test of a great breeder is passed when one develops bulls that contribute to breed improvement. Shady Walnut Conn has done just that with high producing daughters and a good number making the show ring. The herd has been highly influenced over the years by Blackaddar blood lines. The Bertrand family is well known for being generous hosts at annual meetings with their banquet-like settings provided at a price an Ayrshire member appreciates. They are probably the only dairymen of any breed in Canada that have their own personal golf course. A splendid, well manicured, seven hole course right on their home farm. If there is ever an event called the Ayrshire Open we are certain the Bertrand brothers would carry the same level of handicap as golfing icons McKell and Descoteaux. For many years they have hosted a community “Syrup and Pancake Day”, when over 300 people attend every year to sample their maple syrup which they take great pride in producing. As Wayne and Aubrey are now exiting the dairy business, they will have more time to devote to their hobby of restoring antique tractors and horse drawn vehicles. Ayrshire Canada congratulates Shady Walnut on their Master Breeder Award and is most appreciative for their contribution to the breed. |
| Island Brook Ayrshire  |
To become a Master Breeder requires dedication, persistence with a clear view of the goals to achieve. This is clearly evident in the Island Brook Ayrshire herd of the Burns family. This is truly a family farm in every sense of the word. Neil and his wife Marlene along with their sons Matthew and Cameron are currently running this 6 th generation farm established in 1873. The first purebreds were purchased in 1927 by Neil's grandfather. Neil's father Fred continued on the work and provided a solid foundation for Neil. He developed cow families that featured superb udders and standing on good feet and legs. Neil became a partner in 1986 and in 1992 the sole owner. The year 2000 saw Marlene become a partner in the farm. Neil has continued on his father's work and strives to breed profitable, functional cows like Island Brook Crystal Krisp V.G. 88 with over 100,000 kg to date in nine lactations. Neil's cows have received many production awards at the St-Francis Ayrshire Club banquets and there are many Premier Breeder banners hanging in the barn from the local fairs. Always one to lend a helping hand Neil works hard for the St-Francis Ayrshire Club, the Cookshire Fair and the Sawyerville 4-H club for whom he has hosted many a barn day. Matthew and Cameron are already taking a great interest in the farm. Besides their daily chores they are already showing their calves with the Sawyerville 4-H club and are helping Neil with the show string at the fairs. Neil is a great promoter of the Ayrshire breed who enjoys working with cows with a great depth of pedigree. A Master Breeder in every sense of the word. |
Ferme Labrie |
It was in 1965 that the Labrie family bought a herd of purebred Ayrshires that were not registered.. The animals were then registered with the National Identification Program (NIP), which allowed them to gradually reach the purebred status. In 1969, officially joining the PATLQ was another step that improved production. We must emphasize that from the beginning, artificial insemination was used with a strong percentage of young sires. Classification is another tool used to improve genetics. This is how that in the '70's, Labrie Welcome Doris VG, a NIP cow, obtained the sought after CIAQ trophy for 4 consecutive years. And everyone remembers the famous Labrie Jeannot Wilma EX 6 * who broke numerous production records. Dam of sires, the most well-known being Labrie Charlot and Labrie Wilton, she still influences the herd with active descendents of close to 40 animals. There is also the family of Labrie BB Kellogg Félicia EX 2*, winner of the All-Canadian title in 1997, who contributes to the herd's performance. At Ferme Labrie, milk production is the most important thing and that is why they obtained the highest herd average in Canada in 1992. Their numerous successes are attributed to hard work by the whole family, not forgetting the contribution of the co-owner, Ghislain Gagnon. Paul's enthusiasm for the Ayrshire breed goes back to the 60's when he attended the Rimouski Agricultural School . Over the years, the many awards he obtained for his animals are his pride. This enthusiasm and pride are important values he passed on to his daughters, Marie-Hélène and Caroline. |
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