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THE AYRSHIRE BREEDERS' ASSOCIATION OF CANADA
4865, boul. Laurier O, Saint-Hyacinthe
(Québec) Canada J2S 3V4
Tel. : 450 778-3535
Fax : 450 778-3531
info@ayrshire-canada.com
4865, boul. Laurier O, Saint-Hyacinthe
(Québec) Canada J2S 3V4
Tel. : 450 778-3535
Fax : 450 778-3531
info@ayrshire-canada.com
2009 Master breeder
Du Petit Lac Farm |
Few Ayrshire herds have a history such as Du Petit Lac Ayrshire. Over generations, this herd deserves its first Master Breeder title.
The story of the herd began in 1909 when Mr. Jacques Rousseau started a purebred Ayrshire herd he called Du Petit Lac. 33 years later, in 1942, his son Leo-Paul took over the farm and pursued with the herd. Seven years later, the business went up in flames, destroying all the buildings. The animals survived but Léo-Paul had to sell them because he had no more forage to feed them. He kept only a few calves. Loving cows, he does not let the ordeal discourage him; he rebuilds and buys crossbred cows, mainly Holsteins. However, Ayrshire breeding does not end, and the little calves he had kept remained to keep the breed on the farm.
In 1974, two years after Réal, of the new generation, took over the farm, he buys purebred Ayrshires - the first ones since the fire. Things happen fast with Réal. In 1975 many changes occur when the buildings are expanded and modernized. They also join Milk Recording. In 1987, the last crossbred animals are sold and the Du Petit Lac herd is once again 100% purebred Ayrshire.
Réal’s son, Frédéric and his wife join the farm in1997. A year latter, they invest in the construction of a new barn with natural ventilation as well as quota. Eight years later, Frédéric’s younger brother, Jean-François claims his place on the farm and the two brothers later bought back the shares from their parents, Réal and Hélène. Frederic’s wife, Caroline Couture, is co-owner with her parents of Ferme Coubert, a dairy farm in the Estrie region. Therefore, in 2005, another association occurs between Ferme Coubert and Frédéric. In July 2006, the cows from the Du Petit Lac herd were moved to Ferme Coubert and the calves vice versa. Today, the cows in milk, dry cows and calves up to 6 months are kept at the main farm in Compton. The calves are later transferred to Lingwick, where Jean-François manages and looks after the animals
Their breeding philosophy is passionate and simple. They want well-balanced cows that last a long time, animals that move on strong feet and legs preferably with well-attached udders.
Presently the herd consists of 210 head including 100 cows; 90 head of which 45 are Ayrshires with the Du Petit Lac prefix, the rest are Holsteins. The production average is at 8544 kg, with 4,4% fat and 3,5% protein for a BCA of 236-242-242. Regarding Classification of the Ayrshire herd, we find 3 EX, 20 VG, 16 BP and 2 G. Up to now, the Du Petit Lac prefix has raised 9 cows that became EX. The highest classification is however that of Du Petit Lac Sylvester Hamande who is EX 95 2E. With six titles of Grand Champion, three as Reserve Grand Champion, notably at the 2008 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto, two Junior Champion, two Tout-Québec, one Reserve Tout-Québec, as well as one All-Canadian and one Reserve All-Canadian, this cow is the pride and joy of her owners, with reason. She comes from one of the best families in the herd. Her dam, Du Petit Lac Hamanda is classified VG 88 and has a lifetime production of 88 474 kg of milk. She is still in the herd. Her grand-dam, Du Petit Lac Shine Colka, is the matriarch of 33% of the herd. This EX 4E cow is a 2 star brood cow.
Du Petit Lac Star Turene, is also an important part of this herd, her progeny accounts for 30% of the herd. To mention only a few daughters, Du Petit Lac Milkman Coquette EX 90 4E, has left her mark. She has a lifetime production of 112 736 kg of milk in 11 lactations, she had 7 daughters in 11 calvings and lived to 16 years of age. Her sister, Flacha 2, Excellent 90 3E, has a star and still produces in the herd at 13 years old. Finally, Du Petit Lac Machine Amy GP has 1 star for 12% of the herd. Notably, two daughters classified VG 86, of which Du Petit Lac Charlot Jamy who is still in the herd at 11 yrs old.
Many animals also made their mark in the show ring. It was in 1994 that we saw Ferme Du Petit Lac at the fairground for the first time. Since then, numerous banners and championship as well as performance awards have been won, at both, regional and provincial level. In 1997, even their milk production was honoured, having the best BCA, 26-35 records class at Canadian level, 2nd highest production average in Quebec and 6th Canadian.
For the Couture-Rousseau family, Ferme Du Petit Lac Ayrshire, their motto is to always continue to surpass themselves in order to leave a rich inheritance to the future generations, what they have been doing brilliantly to this day.
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Forever Schoon Farm |
Forever Schoon Farm is home to one of the best Ayrshire herds in Canada. Garnet Schellen purchased the farm from his father, Cornelius in 1985. Half of the cows and quota went to set up his brother Andy’s Lake Verde Farm next door. So, Garnet started off with 30 milk cows and the Forever Schoon prefix.
Twenty-five years later, there are 65 cows in milk with a total of 170 head. The herd classification is10 EX – 34 VG – 34 GP with an average production of 7658 kg of milk and BCA’s of 214-232-228. The farm crops 400 acres of barley, hay and silage with an additional 60 acres of pasture.
The cow that has had the most impact on the herd is Woodland View Prudent, a full-sister to Pardner, who was purchased from Allan Barr in 1994 as a 3 month old heifer. 30% of the milking herd is out of Prudent on the dam’s side and since bulls from her have been used about 65% of the herd is from that line.
One of the top brood cows is Forever Schoon BK Porcha ET, EX who is a BBK and a full-sister to BK Price, with 3 EX and 1 VG daughter already.
The other prominent family in the herd is the Sal family which has left many of the top producers. Forever Schoon Edith 2 and Forever Schoon Shirley are a combination of the two families.
Garnet started showing cows at Charlottetown Show when he was 15 and he knew he wanted to farm, he hasn’t missed a year since then. Showing remains part of the farms priorities despite the long distances that he has to travel to go to the big shows. Always willing to sell good animals, the herd has produced many show winners exhibited by other breeders. Forever Schoon Jessie 2, Wanda and Ping to name just a few.
Definitely a herd of tremendous quality when asked what has meant the most to him Mr. Schellen replies “The impact that Forever Schoon Cornelius has had on the breed and although every Champion means a lot, Pretty winning Grand Champion at the International Dairy Showcase meant the most.”
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Ridgewood Farm |
Maynard Angus is the founder of the Ridgewood herd. The first animal with that prefix was Ridgewood Sunny Maid, born in 1925.
In 1953, Albert Angus, Paul’s father, had 5 cows and 4 calves and cultivated 45 acres of land. He started delivering cream twice a week and raised meat-producing animals with the excess milk. Later, Albert purchased several Holsteins and for a few years he milked a mixed herd, Ayrshire-Holstein. He realized that his Ayrshires were producing milk at a lesser cost. It was then that the herd became totally of Ayrshire breed.
Albert and his wife, Mildred, had 9 children, 6 girls and 3 boys.
Paul became a partner with his father in 1990 and then in 2000, Paul and Wendy took ownership and became « Ridgewood Ayrshires Limited ». Since then, the Ridgewood herd has won many titles of Grand Champion, Junior Champion and Reserve Champion. The Angus also obtained many nominations in the All-Canadian Contest and collected a good number of Premier Breeder and Premier Exhibitor banners.
Embryo transplant is done at the farm since 1986. Embryos have been sold in other countries.
Today, the farm consists of 400 acres, 300 of cultivated land in barley, wheat, forage and pasture.
The herd consists of 160 head with 80 in milk. The classification shows 6 EX, 30 VG, 30 GP and 4 G.
Many cow families contributed to Ridgewood herd obtaining the title of Master Breeder; Ridgewood Dalmation and her two daughters, Ridgewood Dharma, 2nd 2 year old in Madison, and Ridgewood Dolan, 1st 4 year old and Honorable Mention in Halifax in 2009. Ridgewood Delegate, Ridgewood Cora and her daughter Ridgewood Corky with 3 lactations of over 11,000kg have also contributed to the award.
Ridgewood Myra, twice Grand Champion in Charlottetown and her daughter, Ridgewood Moonlight, are two well-known cows in the herd. Myre and Moonlight were both 2nd in their class at the Spring Show. This family has a big influence in the herd.
The Angus were never afraid of investing to improve their livestock, and here are a few examples: Strathburn Destiny Sarah, Woodland View J Star Natural, Mornglow Tuxedo Remix, Kildare BBK Judy, St-Martin Jane and Terrace Bank Magic Karla.
Paul and Wendy have 3 children; 22-year-old Melanie who has completed her studies in agriculture and is the 4th generation to work on the farm, Krista 20 and Daniel 16 ans. Paul is presently on the Board of Directors of Ayrshire Canada and sits on the Breed Improvement committee
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Silver Cedar Farm  |
Nestled in amongst 300 Holstein herds in Oxford County is a small little herd called Silver Cedar Ayrshires, in Thamesford Ontario. This herd was founded by George Mitchell in 1940, now since then is owned and operated by his son Brian. The farm consists of 100 acres and they also rent 200 acres more, and the farm has the large Thames River run through it to make this a beautiful setting.
In 1995 George received the honorary Ontario Appreciation award from Ayrshire Ontario. For his years of dedication and loyalty to the Ayrshire breed, and now to this day Brian is following in his footsteps.
Now here are some Cows that made this life long dedication worthwhile.
Ayrshire Acres Beulah VG – purchase her Dam in a dispersal sale that was in calf to Beulah – She went on to be Reserve All- Canadian in 2006
Silver Cedar Misfit Ex – Probably arguably the best Pardner daughter in the breed
1st Senior 2 at RAWF 2006 and later named All- Canadian 2006
2nd Senior 3 RAWF 2007 and Reserve All Canadian 2007
Milking at 8464kg Milk 4.0% F 3.2% P - BCA (227-223-220)
Silver Cedar Aurore VG 88 –All Ontario 4yr old 2009
10155kg Milk 4.8% F 3.8% P - BCA (278-255-275)
Silver Cedar Dainty Ex – 11000kg Milk 3.7%F 3.0% P -
BCA (282-258-258)
Silver Cedar Debbie Ex – 3rd Brood Cow Star
Lifetime 65168kg 4.22%F 3.35%P
The herd consists of 27 head milking and 65 head total
Herd Average is 7738kg 4.1% F 3.3% P - BCA (211-200-206)
SCC 197000
Classification - 6 EX , 13 VG , 8 GP a 70% VG or better herd at 86 pt average
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Rosayre Farm  |
In the Ayrshire breed, the “Rosayre” herd is well-known internationally for its Champions as well as its champion producers.
Therefore, it’s no surprise to see Ken and Shirley Rose of Mountain in Ontario being awarded the title of Master Breeder.
Ken and Shirley acquired the family farm in 1994. Ken is the 6th generation on the farm and the 2nd with Ayrshires.
In 1997, only 3 years after the acquisition, fire destroyed the buildings and most of the “Rosayre” herd, some 15 dry cows and heifers survived. Ken and Shirley rolled up their sleeves and began rebuilding the herd. With their expert eyes and exceptional talent in breeding, the Roses obtained remarkable results since that ordeal. Today, the herd consists of 120 head with 45 in milk. The herd average in 2009 was of 10,849kg at 4.1% fat and 3.3% protein for a BCA of 295-292-298. Classification shows 7 EX, 32 VG and 14 GP.
Ken and Shirley cultivate 300 acres, mainly in corn, soy and oats.
Over the years, successes multiplied, in the show ring as well as very high production. Here are a few cows that left their mark in the herd: Rosayre BB Riesling VG-89, Grand Champion at the Royal in 2004 and Intermediate Champion in 2003. Her sister, Rosayre BB Rebel VG-89 was Reserve Intermediate Champion at the Royal in 2009.
Cows such as Rosayre BB Babs, Rosayre Garth Lust and Rosayre BB Jannah and Rosayre heligo Jangles obtained many high production certificates for 13,000 to 16,000kg of milk.
Ken and Shirley sold a lot of embryos from their best cows, notably in Finland. They also never hesitate to consign quality animals at Ayrshire sales. In 2009, Rosayre Poker Mercedes obtained the best price at the Elite Sale in St-Hyacinthe. They’re always pleased to welcome visitors at the farm.
Purchases like Rainbow’s End Regan, Sunny Acres Maria and Glen Elm Finale have helped the Roses to rebuild a herd of high caliber.
Ken likes powerful cows, with good stature, good feet and legs and solid udders that produce a great quantity of milk. He always looks for this combination in his crossbreeding. Ken has also been a member of the Breed Improvement Committee for many years. He is a well-known and appreciated judge, having judged at all major exhibitions in Canada and also in Finland.
Receiving the Master Breeder award, Ken follows in his father’s footsteps; Donald had also been awarded the same title in the past.
Sincere congratulations to Ken and Shirley Rose of Rosayre Farm for the title of Master Breeder.
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