World Youth Conference

Sidney Crosby Tour - Monday, November 5th, 2012

VISIT #1: CRANHOLME
Ancaster, Ontario is home to Cranholme Holsteins, a third genertion purebred Holstein operation, owned and operated by Doug & Joan Cranston, along with Doug’s parents, Howard & Bernice and their son, James. The Master Breeder herd is currently milking over 80 purebred Holsteins and Jerseys in a double eight herring bone parlour and the cattle are housed in a composting bedded pack barn built in 2007. The Cranstons bed with recycled drywall crumbles and sawdust shavings, both essentially waste products of the constuction industry. The bedded pack has enhanced the cow comfort, reproductive health, feet & legs and the production of the herd. The Cranston’s have hosted both Canadian and international visitors to their facility and in 2009 were awarded the Premier’s Award for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence. The Cranston’s are also known locally for their fresh sweet corn market located on their farm as well as their 6 horse hitch of Clydesdales which they show locally and as far away as Florida and Mass. Cattle and embryos from the Cranholme herd have been exported to over 18 different countries over the past thirty years. In 1995, Doug and Joan were named Ontario’s Outstanding Young Farmers.

VISIT #2: SUMMITHOLM
The large commercial operation of Summitholm Holsteins includes brothers David and Carl Loewith, and Carl’s son, Ben. This long-standing Holstein Canada member houses cows in a newer sand-bedded, drive-through, free-stall barn with 320 stalls. Heifers are also housed in free-stall facilities with all animals, two months and up, fed Total Mixed Ration (TMR). The herd achieved their Master Breeder status in 2002 and works to achieve their goal of breeding efficient milk producing cows. Using top LPI sires has helped to influence the development of the Summitholm herd.

VISIT #3: BOSDALE
This two-time Master Breeder herd is operated by the four Bos brothers, and their six sons who are now involved in both full-time and part-time capacity. The Bos family has established a highly-valued genetic 150-cow herd which is milked in a newly-built tie-stall facility with 16 automatic take-off machines. The herd classification consists of over 50 Excellent cows with an additional 100 Very Good, and 30 Good Plus animals. Founded in 1972, the farm consists of 1,200 acres of worked land. The family enjoys exhibiting animals at local shows where they have been named Premier Breeder and Exhibitor at the Perth-Waterloo County show. In addition to the dairy operation, the Bos’ operate a 350 sow, farrow-to-finish hog farm.

Lunch is sponsored by Holstein Canada

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