19 Canadian dairy farms earn elite 2024 Master Breeder status—discover the secrets behind their balanced breeding success!
The Holstein Canada Master Breeder shield represents the pinnacle of achievement in dairy cattle breeding – a symbol of decades dedicated to developing exceptional cattle that balance production, conformation, health, fertility, and longevity. Since 1929, this prestigious award has recognized Canadian breeders who have mastered the complex art and science of breeding profitable, sustainable dairy cows. In 2024, Holstein Canada welcomed 19 new recipients into this elite fraternity, each embodying the breeding excellence that keeps Canadian Holsteins respected worldwide.
The Class of 2024: A Nationwide Showcase of Excellence
This year’s winners represent a cross-section of Canadian dairy expertise from coast to coast. Quebec leads with nine recipients, followed closely by Ontario with eight, while Saskatchewan and British Columbia each contributed one outstanding breeder to the 2024 class. The diversity of operations – from traditional tie-stall barns to modern robotic facilities, from multi-generational family farms to relatively recent establishments – demonstrates that breeding excellence takes many forms but shares standard foundations.
What makes this year’s class particularly notable is the mix of first-time recipients (13) alongside those earning their second shield (5) and even fourth shield (2). This blend of new and repeated excellence highlights the continuous emergence of new breeding talent and the remarkable consistency established programs achieve.
Quebec’s Genetic Architects: Nine Masters of Balance
Quebec’s nine Master Breeder recipients exemplify the province’s focus on breeding cows with excellent health and robust genetics, often leveraging genomics and astute management decisions to propel their herds forward.
Rotaly: Excellence Personified Through Allegria
Rock Hebert and Nathalie Dumais of Sainte-Hélène-de-Kamouraska earned their second Master Breeder shield, powered significantly by the remarkable Rotaly Goldwyn Allegria EX-96 5E 5*. This exceptional cow was crowned the 2024 Holstein Canada Cow of the Year, boasting lifetime production exceeding 103,500 kg milk, a flawless EX-96 type score (including 97 points for udder), and profound generational impact through high-performing daughters. Rotaly’s philosophy rejects sacrificing conformation for production, embracing instead a balanced approach that Allegria perfectly embodies.
Quecy: Family-Focused Excellence
Jacques Roy and his sons at Ferme Quecy in Saint-Isidore-de-Dorchester received their second shield, validating a breeding approach built-in 1987 when Jacques started with just six cows. Their philosophy emphasizes exceptional cow care to promote longevity and focuses on cow families that age well. The farm prioritizes conformation while strategically incorporating health traits into their sire selection process, creating a holistic breeding program that has now twice achieved the industry’s highest recognition.
Belfau: Building Excellence From Scratch
The Hudon family of Rivière-Ouelle, including Anne-Marie Bélanger, who joined in 2011, represents an inspiring journey built literally from zero in 2006 to Master Breeder status in 2024. Family involvement is central to their success, with Anne-Marie handling calf care and paperwork while her partner focuses on maintenance and milking. The next generation already shows promise, with their son Théo demonstrating a keen interest in classification and what makes a superior cow. Their achievement proves that excellence can be built relatively quickly when guided by clear breeding goals and family dedication.
Mebeck: Perseverance Rewarded
Simon Ménard and Yvonne Becker’s Ferme Mebeck earned its first Master Breeder shield, a recognition built on years of persistence and dedication. Their program has consistently produced high-classifying animals, with numerous Excellent and Very Good cows carrying the Mebeck prefix regularly appearing in classification reports. Their achievement represents the culmination of a long-term commitment to excellence in the Saint-Hyacinthe region.
Gaelande: Generational Success Takes Root
Benoît Gosselin and Katy Boutin’s first Master Breeder shield marks a significant milestone for their family operation in Plessisville. Benoît took over approximately two decades ago as a third-generation farmer, with Katy joining as co-owner more recently. Their operation, milking around 70 cows with a production quota of 125 kg/day, demonstrates how focused breeding can achieve elite recognition even at a moderate scale. The farm has previously ranked highly in Holstein Quebec’s “Honneur aux mérites” based on production and classification, indicating their consistent commitment to balanced breeding excellence.
Sartigan: Performance Index Champions
Martin and Renaud Boutin secured their first shield, building on a foundation of exceptional herd management. Ferme Sartigan has consistently ranked among Canada’s top herds for Lactanet’s Herd Performance Index (HPI), placing #13 in 2021 and an impressive #2 in 2018. This consistent high performance across multiple management indicators—milk value, udder health, age at first calving, herd efficiency, longevity, and calving interval—demonstrates a comprehensive commitment to the underlying factors that drive balanced breeding success.
Fleole: Portneuf Pride
As first-time recipients from the Portneuf club, Ferme Fleole demonstrates Holstein breeding prowess in their specific region of Quebec. Their success aligns with the broader Quebec trend among this year’s winners: leveraging genomics and informed decision-making to cultivate herds excelling in health and genetic potential.
Drahoka: Management Excellence Leads to Dual Honors
Francis and Sylvain Drapeau’s first Master Breeder shield came on the heels of another significant accomplishment: ranking #1 in Canada for the Herd Performance Index (HPI) in 2023. Their breeding philosophy focuses on “beaucoup de lait puis avoir des belles vaches” (lots of milk and beautiful cows) and continuous improvement. A key investment was a bedded pack for dry cows, which they credit for significantly improving cow health, calving ease, and longevity. This targeted improvement directly contributed the points needed to secure their top HPI ranking and Master Breeder recognition, showcasing how strategic management decisions can yield multiple national accolades.
Lactomont: Successful Generational Transition
Earning their second shield (the first came in 2003), Ferme Lactomont demonstrates enduring excellence across generations. Established in 1900, the farm recently transitioned to the sixth generation, brothers Benoît and Ghislain Montpetit, who took over from parents Daniel Montpetit and Jane Nieuwenhof. This transition coincided with modernization, including a free-stall barn with four robots. The brothers described the award timing as “bittersweet” but acknowledge it as a testament to their parents’ foundational work. Their philosophy focuses on building upon this legacy while leveraging strong genetics and genomics to advance quickly, concentrating on developing the herd’s best animals.
Ontario’s Powerhouses: Eight Pillars of Production and Type
Ontario’s winners are distinguished by success in breeding herds known for high milk production, strong body structure, excellent reproductive performance, and exceptional longevity.
Quality Holsteins: A Dynasty Continues
Achieving their fourth Master Breeder shield places Quality Holsteins in genuinely rarefied air, representing decades of sustained breeding brilliance. Founded in 1980 by the legendary Paul Ekstein and now involving his son Ari, Quality has become synonymous with elite type and show ring success. Paul Ekstein’s philosophy, “Attention to every minor detail can lead to major success,” combined with a blend of art, science, and a “good eye for cattle,” built the farm’s international reputation.
The purchase of Plushanski Valiant Fran established a cornerstone family, leading to numerous high-impact descendants like Quality BC Frantisco EX-96 (2005 Cow of the Year) and Quality Carlton Pam EX-97 (Canada’s first 97-point B&W cow). With accolades including the 2013 McKown Master Breeder Award for Paul, induction into the Canadian Ag Hall of Fame, eight All-Canadian Breeder’s Herd titles, four RAWF Premier Breeder banners, and nearly 300 Excellent cows bred, Quality’s fourth shield underscores their position as a global Holstein breeding powerhouse.
Heather Holme: Four Generations, Four Shields
Like Quality, Heather Holme also received its fourth Master Breeder shield, marking another incredible story of generational consistency. The farm, now operated by third-generation Curtis McNeil with his wife Cathy and parents Glen and Vanda, traces its roots to the 1930s. Integral to their success is herdsman Greg Seagan, who has had an astounding 43 years of service at the farm.
The Heather Holme herd is homebred and was Canada’s first CHAH Leucosis-free herd. Their breeding philosophy centers on functional traits – “Breeding the kind dairyman like to milk worldwide” – with focused attention on udders, feet and legs, high components, and milk volume. This practical approach echoes the balanced breeding strategy practiced by Curtis’s grandfather, Cliff McNeil, decades ago, who wisely alternated generational focus between milk and type to create long-term balance. Having bred over 130 Excellent cows while maintaining high production averages, Heather Holme demonstrates that a consistent, possibly closed-herd philosophy emphasizing generational balance is a remarkably successful path to repeated Master Breeder recognition.
Erbcrest: Fundamental Excellence at Moderate Scale
Dan and Ruthann Erb received their second Master Breeder shield, attributing their success to the foundational teachings of Dan’s parents, Delmer and Mary. Starting with purebreds in 1971, the Milverton farm focuses on good stewardship and “looking after the little things” – fundamental good husbandry that’s proven successful for decades.
Milking 50 cows in a tie-stall barn, Erbcrest demonstrates that elite breeding success is achievable without adopting large-scale operations or the latest housing systems. Breeding over 100 Excellent cows and achieving this second shield while maintaining a smaller herd size highlights that core principles of dedicated management and consistent breeding decisions remain paramount, regardless of scale. Their success extends beyond the farm gate, with co-owned animals like Erbcrest Doc Marilou making their mark in the show ring.
Kentville: A Dynasty Within a Dynasty
This second Master Breeder shield for Kentville Holsteins is deeply embedded in the family legacy. Representing the fourth and fifth generations, Kevin McGriskin and his family are part of a wider McGriskin Holstein dynasty that now boasts an incredible 10 Master Breeder shields among extended family members, including Kevin’s father (1995) and grandfather (two shields).
Recognized in 2023 for 100 consecutive years of Holstein registration, the farm embodies Holstein breeding as a multi-generational tradition. The passion for great cattle continues to flow through the generations, with Kevin and his wife passing their love of showing onto their children involved in 4-H. Their story highlights how shared knowledge, values, and potential genetics within a dedicated family network can create a powerful environment for sustained breeding excellence spanning over a century.
Cherry Crest: The Resilience Champions
Securing their third Master Breeder shield is a remarkable feat for the Johnston family, especially considering the farm has undergone three complete herd dispersals in its past. Operated by Don Johnston and Nancy Beerwort, with son Kevin and wife Tammy now taking leadership roles, the farm milks around 135 cows.
Their philosophy prioritizes animal well-being, balanced breeding, and community involvement. Don Johnston finds particular satisfaction in the shield as validation for making the “right decisions” throughout their breeding program. Achieving a third shield despite multiple dispersals demonstrates an exceptional, inherent ability within the family to identify superior genetics, rebuild effectively, and consistently apply a winning breeding strategy – showcasing remarkable resilience and cow sense that transcends physical herd continuity.
Oconnors: Genetic Legacy Extends Beyond Dispersal
Winning their first Master Breeder shield after dispersing their milking herd underscores the lasting impact of a breeding program’s genetic footprint. The award recognizes the cumulative performance of cows bred under the Oconnors prefix, wherever they may be now.
A key contributor to their success was the Oconnor’s Planet Lucia family; Lucia herself was Canada’s #1 genomic cow in 2013, achieving a rare combination of high type and production considered “unheard of back then.” The family expressed pride in the shield and ensuring their cows transitioned to other dairy herds rather than beef upon dispersal, preserving their genetic progress. Their genetic legacy continues to influence the breed, as evidenced by recent show entries that still carry the distinctive Oconnors prefix.
Aveline: From Unconventional Origins to Breeding Excellence
Tony and Char Martin and their sons celebrate their first Master Breeder shield, an achievement they’ve been striving towards for years. Milking in a 74-cow tie-stall barn, their philosophy emphasizes longevity, recognizing that later lactations are often the most profitable.
A cornerstone of their program, Aveline Master Amanda EX-93 5E 6*, remarkably descended from a “barnyard bull” yet became highly influential in the herd. This highlights that exceptional female lines and astute breeder judgment in developing them, even from unconventional origins, remain critical pathways to genetic progress and top-tier recognition like the Master Breeder Award.
Dutchdale: Huron County Excellence
As first-time recipients, Dutchdale Farms adds to the strong showing from the Huron County Holstein Club this year. Their success reflects the Ontario winners’ collective focus on breeding for high production, durable conformation, reliable reproduction, and cow longevity. Their achievement further solidifies the high breeding expertise concentrated within the Huron region.
Western Champions: Saskatchewan and British Columbia Show Their Strength
The winners are two exceptional herds from Canada’s western provinces, demonstrating that Holstein breeding excellence extends coast to coast.
Mil-En-Roy: Prairie Pioneer Reaches the Summit
This first Master Breeder shield marks a milestone in the Saskatchewan prairie’s long and storied family history. Lyle Pretty represents the second generation operating under the Mil-En-Roy prefix (established by parents Roy and Mildred), while the family homestead dates back to 1900.
From post-WWII cream shipping to the early adoption of electricity and purebred Holsteins in the 1950s, showing cattle since 1951, and now achieving Master Breeder status, Mil-En-Roy embodies the resilience, adaptation, and enduring “passion and love for dairy cattle” required for multi-generational success on the prairies. Having bred over 120 Excellent cows, their achievement brings well-deserved pride to Saskatchewan’s Holstein community.
Frueh: Island Excellence
The Frueh family operation earns its first Master Breeder shield, representing Vancouver Island with distinction. Their philosophy acknowledges the practical side of achieving the award: consciously managing cows to “reach thresholds” for production and classification points while implementing a breeding strategy that saw the Frueh Chesapeake Candy family contribute significantly through its many descendants.
They also emphasize the importance of the local club community, especially vital in smaller dairy regions like Vancouver Island, with only about 30 producers. Their love for the entire scope of dairy farming – embracing cows, crops, business, family, and lifestyle – reflects the holistic passion needed for sustained breeding success.
The Common Threads in Master Breeder Success
While each farm has its unique story, several common themes emerge from the Class of 2024 that provide valuable insights for all breeders aspiring to excellence:
The Bedrock of Balance
Almost universally, these breeders prioritize a balanced approach, refusing to chase extremes in either production or type alone. They seek synergy between conformation, yield, health, and longevity, recognizing this as the path to sustainable profitability. This isn’t merely about meeting award criteria; it’s a core principle from historical wisdom to modern practice.
The success of herds like Rotaly with Allegria, Heather Holme with its functional approach, and others underscores the power of this balanced vision. While different farms may emphasize specific traits to match their market and management, none sacrifice the fundamental balance needed for long-term success.
Generational Passion & The Family Farm
The prevalence of multi-generational farms is striking within this year‘s class (Kentville/McGriskin, Mil-En-Roy/Pretty, Lactomont/Montpetit, Heather Holme/McNeil, Erbcrest/Erb, Cherry Crest/Johnston, Gaelande/Gosselin). This structure nurtures the long-term vision, knowledge transfer, and deep-seated passion often required for breeding excellence.
The pride in family legacy and hope for future generations are palpable in many of these stories. Even when farms are not multi-generational, strong partnerships and mentorship relationships appear to foster similar environments for breeding success, suggesting that the transfer of knowledge and shared vision may be more important than bloodlines alone.
The Power of Cow Families & Longevity
Identifying and cultivating strong, long-lasting cow families provides a genetic bedrock for successful breeding programs. Examples like the Fran family at Quality, Allegria at Rotaly, Amanda at Aveline, Lucia at Oconnors, and Candy at Frueh demonstrate how exceptional maternal lines can consistently transmit the desired balance of traits, multiplying a herd’s potential over time.
Longevity isn’t merely survival; it’s extended productivity and breeding influence, a key component explicitly valued by these breeders and the award itself. The ability to identify females with the genetic capacity for longevity – and then manage them to realize that potential – emerges as a critical skill shared by these Master Breeders.
Adapting and Innovating While Honoring Tradition
While grounded in tradition, these top breeders strategically embrace innovation. The adoption of genomics (especially noted in Quebec operations and Lactomont), data management tools, targeted facility improvements (like Drahoka’s bedded pack), and robotics (Lactomont) demonstrates a forward-thinking approach.
Significantly, these tools aren’t replacing core breeding skills but enhancing the ability to achieve goals related to health, efficiency, and genetic progress. The most successful breeders appear to integrate new technologies within their established breeding philosophy rather than chasing trends that might divert from their core values.
The Torch of Holstein Excellence Burns Bright
The 19 herds honored as 2024 Holstein Canada Master Breeders represent the pinnacle of Canadian dairy cattle breeding achievement. Their success, spanning diverse regions and operational styles, is a testament to unwavering dedication, skillful management, and a profound understanding of the Holstein cow.
Collectively, they reinforce the high standards associated with Canadian Holsteins globally – a commitment to balanced performance, longevity, robust health, and efficient production. They embody the successful integration of time-honored breeding principles with modern tools like genomics and data analysis, paving the way for the breed’s future.
As these Master Breeders continue their journey of excellence, they not only elevate their operations but strengthen the entire Canadian Holstein industry through their genetic contributions, mentorship, and example. Congratulations to the Class of 2024 – true Masters of the Craft, carrying the torch of Holstein excellence with pride and distinction.
Key Takeaways:
- Balance is king: Winners refused to prioritize production over conformation, instead focusing on synergy between health, longevity, and efficiency.
- Generational wisdom matters: Over half the recipients were multi-generational farms, leveraging decades of knowledge transfer and long-term vision.
- Innovation fuels progress: Genomics, robotics, and targeted facility upgrades (e.g., bedded packs for dry cows) complemented traditional breeding skills.
- Regional diversity shines: Quebec’s health-focused herds and Ontario’s production powerhouses highlighted Canada’s geographic breeding strengths.
- Cow families leave legacies: Standout maternal lines like Rotaly’s Allegria and Quality’s Fran family drove genetic impact across generations.
Executive Summary:
Holstein Canada honored 19 dairy farms as 2024 Master Breeders, recognizing decades of excellence in breeding Holsteins that balance production, conformation, health, and longevity. Quebec and Ontario dominated the list, with winners showcasing generational expertise, strategic use of genomics, and robust cow families. Key themes included prioritizing longevity, multi-generational farm management, and blending tradition with innovation like robotics and data analytics. First-time recipients highlighted rising talent, while fourth-time winners like Quality Holsteins and Heather Holme underscored sustained excellence. These breeders exemplify Canada’s global leadership in Holstein genetics, proving that balanced breeding and adaptability drive enduring success.
Learn more:
- Meet the 2024 Holstein Canada Master Breeders
Explore the stories of 19 elite breeders recognized for their balanced approach to production, conformation, health, and longevity. - Top Strategies for Successful Dairy Cattle Breeding
Learn expert tips on genetic selection, health management, and modern technologies to improve herd productivity and profitability. - The Ultimate Guide to Breeding Dairy Cattle: Tips for Optimal Milk Production
Discover essential breeding methods and genetic principles that enhance milk yield, herd health, and economic returns.
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