Farm Tours

Pierre Elliott Trudeau Tour - Friday, November 2nd, 2012

VISIT #1: ASTONIC
Astonic has grown from a 45-cow operation in 1974 when they first purchased the farm, to 650-cow milking operation in present day. They milk three times daily in a free-stall facility with 80 animals housed in a tie-stall facility for various reasons. Another free-stall barn was resurrected in the fall of 2010 where dry cows and heifers are kept. The Gauthier family’s mission on the farm—is to produce milk. While they value genetics and classify twice a year, producing quality milk will continue to be their main goal.

VISIT #2: GEN-COM
Founded in May 2009, Gen-Com Holsteins is owned and operated by Mario Comtois and Lison Laroche. After building a successful exporting business, Comtois Export International, the Comtois family decided to build new facilities to specialize in elite dairy genetics, located in Notre-Dame-du-Bon-Conseil, Quebec. A highlight for Gen-Com was being named the 2010 Premier Exhibitor of the Junior show at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair.

VISIT #3: CIAQ
Established in 1948, The Centre d’insémination artificelle du Québec (CIAQ) is located in the historic city of Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec. Owned by Québec breeders, CIAQ is a partner in the Semex Alliance, Guelph, Ontario along with fellow partner companies, EastGen and Westgen. With 8,600 customers and 320 employees, this stud houses 850 bulls and is the headquarters for the Semex Alliance’s genetic operations. CIAQ accounts for 45% of the artificial insemination (A.I.) market in Canada with approximately 800,000 doses of semen from CIAQ sires used each year by Québec breeders.

VISIT #4: LA PRÉSENTATION
The Blanchette family of Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec own and operate La Présentation— a registered Holstein Canada member since 1915. The three-time Master Breeder, achieved in 1957, 1993, and 2005, is a four generation farm family. 175 kilograms of quota are owned for 145 milking cows with milk production totaling 11,750 kilograms. La Présentation is one of Canada’s highest-genetically ranked herds due to their use of high-end genetics, and embryo transfer. 25% of total farm revenue is made through the sale of embryos worldwide. One key figure in the La Présentation herd is La Présentation Daurel EX-54*, a cow that has earned more stars than any other cow in the Holstein breed.

Lunch is sponsored by CIAQ