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Moo-therhood 101: Unearthing the Art of Parenting from Dairy Cows

Sunday, May 12th, 2024

Discover unconventional motherhood lessons from dairy cows. Learn how their nurturing instincts can inspire better parenting. Are you ready to moo-ve your skills up a notch?

Growing up on a dairy farm, I’ve always marveled at dairy cows’ beauty and resilience, determination, and elegance, particularly in their mothering skills. Over the years, I’ve observed quite a few traits that not only serve these cows well but could also provide invaluable lessons for us humans in terms of parenthood. Pull up a hay bale, and let’s dive into some motherhood lessons that these admirable creatures can teach us.

“A dairy cow embodies a profound level of maternal wisdom; a wisdom that is both inspirational and enlightening for human mothers.”

Understanding the Maternal Instincts of Dairy Cows

Just like humans, dairy cows have strong maternal instincts and display nuanced behaviors associated with motherhood. These behaviors are shaped by the cow’s unique genetic fabric and environment. However, it is crucial to understand that any change in these factors can significantly disturb their mothering skills, underscoring the delicate balance that governs maternal instinct.

Although dairy and beef cattle are both cattle, they show markedly different maternal behaviors. That’s because their breeds have been developed for entirely separate purposes, influencing their genetic and instinctual behaviors. Over time, these behaviors have been engendered and reinforced, resulting in species-specific unique maternal instincts.

Interestingly, olfaction or the sense of smell, plays a vital role in maternal behavior among cows. The birth fluids, surprisingly attractive to cows, are eagerly consumed by them before calving. This, fascinatingly, facilitates a bonding process, supporting the seamless transition into their new roles as mothers. In fact, it’s a poignant reminder of the intricate rituals that exist in nature, even in the most unexpected of circumstances and species.

Speaking of environments, dairy cows, in particular, experience a range of housing conditions. Regrettably, high stocking densities and barren environments can significantly affect their motherly instincts. The presence of unfamiliar offspring also disrupts their typical maternal behaviors. As such, their environments must be managed well to ensure they provide the right conditions for these mother-cow relationships to flourish.

While we’ve gleaned insight into cow’s maternal instincts, it’s worth noting that further research is necessary. Understanding the motivations behind prepartum behavior observed in cows across commercial production systems could be invaluable. This is especially so, given the symbiotic relationship that exists between humans and cows, particularly within the dairy industry.

Drawing Parallels: Motherhood in Humans and Dairy Cows

The similarities between human and dairy cow motherhood don’t end at their shared instinctual drive to protect and nourish their offspring. It extends to their robust bond with their young ones, juggling multiple roles and dealing with similar challenges.

“One notable similarity between dairy cows and human mothers is their meticulous attention to offspring’s needs and care.”

This care usually begins at birth, with both dairy cows and human mothers displaying immediate attachment to their newborns. Regardless of the species, the presence of an alien offspring can disrupt this bonding process, suggesting that both human mothers and dairy cows possess the ability to discern their own progeny from others. This displays a level of intuition and intellect that is quite profound.

Another similarity is the nurturing behavior demonstrated in response to external stimuli. Maternal behavior can be influenced by genetic variants and the external environment in both species. In dairy cows, housing conditions and isolation can greatly impact maternal behavior, similar to how external factors such as stress, social support, or the lack thereof can influence human motherhood.

The defensive aggression observed in both human mothers and dairy cows when they perceive a threat to their offspring is also worth mentioning. This maternal protective behavior underscores the fierce protective instincts that mothers of all species possess, an innate drive that goes above and beyond ensuring the survival of their offspring.

These intriguing parallels remind us of the universal nature of motherhood, suggesting that there’s more commonality than difference when it comes to the fundamentals of raising offspring. This connection between motherhood across different species is fascinating, providing a deeper understanding of our shared experiences and challenges.

Lessons from Dairy Cows

The Basics of Bonding: The First Lesson in Moo-therhood

The bonding process between a cow and her newborn calf is a lesson we can take to heart. Just as you might cradle your newborn, a dairy cow’s immediate connection with her calf is crucial to its survival and growth. Observing this and taking it as our first lesson in ‘moo-therhood’, we see how the mother cow gently licks her newborn calf clean immediately after birth.

This seemingly simple act stimulates the calf’s circulation and encourages it to stand and nurse. It’s a real-time demonstration of how nurturing behavior impacts the physical skills and strength of the young.

This mirrors the human parenting process in some amazing ways. We underscore the importance of immediate bonding after birth through skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding. These early interactions are crucial for our children’s emotional and physical development.

In the intricate dance of maternal and infant bonding, we can indeed learn much from these bovine mothers.

The Importance of Nourishment: A Lesson from Dairy Cows

Proper nutrition stands as a cornerstone in the development of offspring, whether human or animal. The parallels in this regard between human motherhood and dairy cows are certainly striking.

Moms are always advised to breastfeed their babies as it ensures the newborns receive all the critical nutrients for optimal growth and development. This advice draws a parallel with our bovine counterparts: dairy cows. Like human mothers, dairy cows nurse their young with potent first milk, colloquially known as colostrum.

Chock-full of essential nutrients and antibodies, this uniquely composed first milk is a life-giving elixir, integral in setting a robust foundation for a calf’s health. Apart from delivering crucial nutrients, this colostrum is unequivocally instrumental in establishing the newborn calf’s immune system, proverbially acting as the first line of defense against potential health risks.

This lesson amplifies the importance of solid nutrition right from the start, promoting stronger and healthier development in the early days of an infant or calf’s life. The principles here evidently extend far beyond species-specific behaviors, offering a universal lesson in the significance of appropriate nourishment from birth.

Embracing the Lessons of Patience from Dairy Cows

One of the most significant lessons we can glean from observing dairy cows is the virtue of patience. Patience, after all, is an essential ingredient for successful motherhood, and dairy cows embody this in abundant measure. It is an attribute that anyone, regardless of their maternal status, can learn and assimilate into their everyday lives.

Studies conducted by Kiley-Worthington and De La Plain observed that cows would move as far as 10380 m away from the herd, patiently searching for a secure location to give birth – a testament to their diligent preparation for motherhood. In contrast, restlessness and frustration in cows nearing calving may suggest their struggle to adapt to confined environments rather than physical discomfort imposed by parturition.

Delving deeper, the difference in maternal behavior between beef cattle production and dairy cattle production demonstrates the resilience and adaptability of these magnificent creatures. Even under the artificial conditions of commercial dairy cow housing, which can influence their maternal habits, dairy cows maintain unwavering patience and steadfastness. They persistently strive to provide comfort and protection for their calves, even within individual pens where they’re separated from the herd.

Much like human mothers, the cows’ behaviors before and after calving are dramatically affected by environmental factors. Studies on lying behavior in cows have revealed fascinating insights into these changes. However, further research is needed to effectively comprehend the motivational elements behind the cows’ prepartum behaviors in commercial production systems.

Regardless of their conditions, cows undeniably demonstrate a strength and patience that is nothing short of inspiring. They wait for their turn at the feeder, calmly endure the trials of pregnancy and calving, and then, without missing a beat, begin the cycle all over again. We have a lot to learn from these unsung heroes. However, perhaps the most significant of these lessons is that patience is a virtue that reaps massive rewards in the long run.

Adopting a Flexible Parenting Approach: A Lesson from Bovine Mothers

Dairy cows are not just milk producers but role models of careful and harmonious parenting. Their behavior significantly varies based on environmental factors, much like humans, adapting their maternal style to suit the changing surroundings. An adaptable parenting style, as observed in these bovine mothers, is beneficial in child development and provides a wonderful lesson for us. Adapting our child-rearing practices to our child’s unique temperament, health, and societal dynamics can lead to successful parenting.

Maternal Motivation and Nature-Nurture Interplay in Dairy Cows

Researchers have uncovered a noteworthy concept around the delicate interplay between nature and nurture when observing bovine motherhood. Genetic changes and disturbances in the environment can influence a cow’s maternal behavior. From these beautiful creatures, we learn the importance of staying motivated and focused on our parenting despite the challenges and changing circumstances we face.

Bovine Wisdom: The Significance of a Secure Environment

A secure space for a child’s growth and development is just as important in human parenting as it is in the animal kingdom. Dairy cows, housed in individual pens, reinforce this lesson. Like calves, growing children require a safe environment to explore, learn, and grow without fear. As we continue to understand more about the maternal behavior of dairy cows, we also enhance our understanding of meaningful parenting.

Honing Maternal Sacrifice: Dairy Cows Leading the Way

Continuing to observe the behavior of dairy cows, we see their readiness to sacrifice for their offspring. They prioritize the welfare of their calves above everything else. This invaluable lesson in maternal sacrifice mirrors human mothers’ devotion to their children. Moreover, they teach us the significance of immediate interactions and prompt attention after birth, delivering a lesson in immediate and focused action that can serve prospective human mothers well.

Unyielding Resilience: Motherhood in the Animal Kingdom

Despite disturbances in confined environments, especially present in commercial setups, dairy cattle mothers soldier on, showcasing the universal maternal trait of unwavering dedication towards their offspring. This resilience in the face of adversity is a powerful testament of perseverance, providing yet another lesson for human mothers navigating parenting challenges.

Primal Protection: Dairy Cows Guarding their Calves

The safety of offspring is a primary concern that contributes to the captivating display of protective instincts in dairy cows. Maternal behavior, defensive aggression, and fear of handling combine to ensure the survival and well-being of their calves. These protective traits, especially evident when threatened, show unrivaled dedication and underscore the primal instinct of shielding offspring—at all costs.

Wrapping Up: Celebrating Lessons from our Bovine Friends

In conclusion, dairy cows teach us compelling lessons on motherhood—bonding, sacrifice, protection, and more. Further studies on bovine behavior can enhance our understanding and reinforce these lessons. By drawing insights from the maternal behavior of dairy cows, we can enrich our role as parents and foster a deeper appreciation for these wonderful creatures. Let us continue to explore and celebrate this interspecies commonality, cherishing what they teach us about motherhood. After all, even the act of calving, an essential part of animal production, holds profound life lessons for us.

Dairy cows’ motherhood practices offer practical lessons for humans, enriching our understanding of bonding, sacrifice, and protection.
The behaviors of dairy cows are influenced by their specific genetic makeup and environment, and changes in these factors can significantly disrupt their maternal instincts.
Motherhood in both dairy cows and humans involves juggling multiple roles, facing similar challenges, and forming a robust bond with their offspring.
Dairy cows demonstrate remarkable resilience and adaptation, traveling considerable distances to a safer location, away from their herd, to give birth.
Understanding the prepartum behavior of dairy cows in commercial production systems requires more research. Such studies could uncover additional motivational backgrounds essential for effective motherhood.
By carefully managing the housing conditions of dairy cows, we can create an ideal environment for mother-cow relationships to flourish, reducing the risk of mismothering.
Continuing to explore and celebrate the parallels and commonalities in motherhood practices across species can lead to fresh insights and foster deeper empathy towards these animals.
Learning and applying lessons from the animal kingdom, specifically dairy cows, can enhance our parenting approaches and deepen our appreciation for life’s fundamental processes.

Summary: Dairy cows, like humans, have strong maternal instincts and exhibit nuanced behaviors associated with motherhood. These behaviors are influenced by the cow’s unique genetic fabric and environment, but can be significantly disturbed by changes in these factors. Dairy and beef cattle show distinct maternal behaviors due to their breeds being developed for separate purposes. Olfaction plays a crucial role in maternal behavior, as cows eagerly consume birth fluids before calving, facilitating a bonding process and supporting the seamless transition into their new roles as mothers. Housing conditions and the presence of unfamiliar offspring also disrupt typical maternal behaviors, so their environments need to be managed well to ensure the right conditions for these mother-cow relationships to flourish. Both dairy cows and humans form a robust bond with their young ones, juggling multiple roles, and dealing with similar challenges. Dairy cows teach the virtue of patience, moving as far as 10380 meters away from their herd to give birth. They prioritize the welfare of their calves and display protective instincts to ensure their survival and well-being.

Categories : Uncategorized

Has the Show Ring Lost Its Function?

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Friday, June 27th, 2014

Over the past year, I have found myself wondering, “What is the function of the show ring?” Attendance at shows has gone down, and there are fewer animals coming out. But more concerning than anything else is that it seems that too many of the winners at the major shows have had significant flaws and do not truly represent the most productive, long-lived cows that were at the show. This has me wondering if the show ring still has a function in today’s dairy industry.

Long have I listened to the three functions of showing dairy cattle: breed improvement, merchandising and marketability. So as I am now pondering show ring relevance, I figured I would look at each of these three areas and see how well each one actually performs.

Breed Improvement

For years, there has been an ongoing debate about how well a top show cow would last in a commercial environment. Over the past eight months, pretty much every cow that I have seen named Grand Champion at a Holstein show has had a significant functional flaw. This definitely raises an issue for me because, if the show ring is supposed to be the best of the best, shouldn’t the Grand Champion be a great example of that? For me, the question now becomes, “What is it that we are looking for?” For that, I turn to the Dairy Cow Unified Score Card (US) and Holstein Cow Score Card (Canada), and I find myself looking at the relative emphasis of each major category. I question the relative weightings in relation to what a long-lived productive cow truly looks like. (Read more: She Ain’t Pretty – She Just Milks That Way!). This became very evident to me at a judging school I recently attended. On that day, the official panel (which was two representatives from AI) placed a cow at the top of the class who had a major rump problem which is usually associated with reproductive issues. Something you would expect someone who worked in the AI industry to be cognizant of. At the bottom of the class was a very sound cow, placed there because she was not as “deep bodied and dairy as the other cows in the class.” This caused me extreme concern. Not only did it kill my score/performance for the day, but also on a more significant scale, what does it say about us as an industry, if we are selecting these animals to represent the best of the best.

Ideal Show/Classification 2 year old

genomic 2 year old - composite background

Typical High Index 2 year old

efficient 2 year old - composite background

High productive and efficient production 2 year old.

For me, the issue here is not just a show ring problem. It is also a classification issue. The weighting on the score card is the same for both classification and show ring. If we look at the score card and compare the correlations between production and productive life, we see significant issues arising around what should be benchmarks for a long-lived productive cow.

*Performance based score developed by using weights of correlations for productive life and production to each of the four major trait areas.

By looking at the correlations between actual performance data and the breed scorecards, two glaring issues come to light:

Too much emphasis on Mammary System

For years I have heard it said, again and again, it all begins with the cow’s udder. Naturally, that makes sense, since we are talking about milk production. What is interesting is that, while the correlation between Mammary System and Productive Life are very high, the correlation between Mammary System and actual milk production is actually negative. My belief on this matter is that, since we have put so much emphasis on udders over the past 30 years, the Mammary Systems on most cows are to the point where they are more than sound for productive reasons. In other words, we have done such a good job at breeding for strong well-attached udders that are well above the hock that we now have taken it to the extreme, where even cows with average udders are still correct enough to last several lactations and be productive cows. Furthermore, and this is where the problem lies, the sires who provide the greatest udder improvement don’t actually sire enough milk.

Top 10 Proven UDC Proven Sires April 2014

Name	Milk	Fat	Prot	SCS	Conf	Stature	Body Depth
DE-SU OBSERVER-ET	2336	91	83	2.71	12	-2	-4
BADGER-BLUFF FANNY FREDDIE	1717	66	59	2.74	5	-3	-6
DE-SU CIMARRON-ET	2895	99	88	2.69	10	0	0
LONG-LANGS OMAN OMAN	1490	83	82	3.11	12	6	-2
DE-SU HISTORY-ET	2083	101	81	2.72	8	0	2
MORNINGVIEW LEVI	1321	86	74	2.57	3	0	-3
DE-SU ALTAGOALMAN-ET	2856	107	89	2.77	3	-2	-3
CO-OP BOSSIDE MASSEY-ET	1151	75	66	2.52	6	0	0
ENSENADA TABOO PLANET	2497	89	82	2.88	8	-6	1
WELCOME BOL LATHAM-ET	1797	78	81	2.94	7	2	2
KINGS-RANSOM B RUBLE	3078	87	92	2.98	7	-2	-2

In looking at the top 10 proven sires for Udder Composite you will notice that only 5 sires have a positive value for milk (PTAM) and only two sires (Buxton and Golf) are over 1000 lbs. of milk. The top 100 UDC proven sires from the April 2014 Genetic Evaluations average a very low 551 lbs of milk (PTAM).

Top 10 Proven Production (PTAM) Sires April 2014

Name	Milk	Fat	Prot	SCS	Conf	Stature	Body Depth
DE-SU MUCHO 11209-ET	1319	102	85	2.63	9	2	0
MR CHARTROI ELOQUENT-ET	1740	106	86	2.79	12	3	1
PARILE LOCARNO	1774	86	84	2.67	12	2	-3
SANDY-VALLEY PANAMA-ET	1841	108	74	2.49	11	-1	-2
BUTZ-HILL LETTERS-ET	1999	86	85	2.71	10	-2	-1
DE-SU THUNDER-ET	1339	100	60	2.63	16	4	-2
WELCOME ARMITAGE PESKY-ET	1088	101	71	2.72	9	4	-5
DE-SU PHOENIX 588-ET	2659	113	95	2.76	8	-1	-3
DE-SU SKYMONT 11195-ET	1631	94	74	2.74	12	-1	-3
CHAMPION ALTABOOKEL	1963	94	79	2.81	15	-1	-1

Conversely, if you look at the top 10 proven sires for milk (PTAM) you will notice that there are two sires (Ruble and Jigsaw) that are over +2.00 for UDC in fact the top 100 milk sires have an average UDC of 1.16. In the top 100 proven Productive Life sires average +1.44 for UDC and +1.48 for PTAT. Therefore it’s very clear that the top sires for milk do not always have the best udders, and the top udder sires are not typically you high production sires. Interestingly this leads to the conclusion that a high UDC is not as strong an indicator of either production or the ability to have high production over a cows lifetime as many believe.

Not enough emphasis on Functional Rumps

There certainly has been a strong positive trend over recent years to breed and select cattle with greater emphasis on reproduction. With that has come a greater focus on rump angle. This is an area where I am noticing the greatest discrepancy between the show ring and what it truly takes to be a long-lived functional cow. It has been generally accepted that a level wide rump was a show ring rump and a high rump angle rump was a calving ease rump. The challenge is that, over the past year, I have seen cows with extremely high pins being made Grand Champion. While I love a nice boxcar rump as much as the next person does, it still needs to be at least level and not have a severe tilt from back to front.

Merchandising

There used to be a time that you could take a heifer to a spring show with the expectation that, if she did well, you would be able to sell her for significant dollars. That has changed to such an extent that not nearly as many breeders are even sending animals to the spring shows anymore. In fact, those that are looking to sell their animals are opting to send them to a Tag Sale instead. Lately, that is proving to be a better avenue for merchandising your show animals. For a couple of hundred dollars you can have your heifer clipped, fitted and worked with. That is a fraction of the cost of taking them to a show yourself. (Read more: TAG – You are it! How and Why TAG Dairy Sales Are Successful)

One thing that came to light for me, as I was sitting watching the Best of Both World’s sale this week, hosted by St. Jacobs ABC, Ferme Blondin, and Crasdale Auctions, was that there is still a market for “show cattle.” (Read more: Best of Both Worlds – Sale Report) Now I am not saying that they are topping the major sales or bringing the highest revenue (Read more: An Insider’s Guide to What Sells at the Big Dairy Cattle Auctions 2013). What I am saying is that a cow that has had some success in the show ring and that can produce desirable type calves reliably is still very profitable. An example of this was Ernest-Anthony Aphrodite-ET 2E 95 who sold for $21,000 at the sale. While her show days are long behind her, she still carries significant value. That is because she is able to reliably produce nice cut calves. She also flushes well, as was evident at the sale with many of those nicely cut daughters selling for $5,000 to $10,000. (Read more: KUEFFNER DAIRY TEAMWORK “2 Dream the Impossible Dream!”) While the price of genomic animals has certainly fluctuated, a well-bred, nice pedigreed calf from a fairly well known show cow family continues to be one of the most stable markets. (Read more: The Judge’s Choice – Investment advice from Tim Abbott)

Ernest-Anthony Aphrodite-ET 2E 95 the Member 2009 All-American Produce of Dam, Member 2009 All-American Senior Best 3 Females, Member of 2007 Unanimous All-American Senior Best Three Females and Reserve All-American Produce of Dam sold for $21,000 at the Best of Both Worlds Sale. Of course Aphrodite is from the great Tri-Day Ashlyn-ET EX 96, the Supreme Champion from the 2001 World Dairy Expo and Royal Winter Fair.

Marketability

Over the past two years, I have noticed a drastic decrease in the number of people attending cattle shows. This has gotten to the point where many have started openly raising concerns about what is happening. Take for example the recent Maxville Holstein Show (Read more: Maxville Holstein Show Results 2014) where it would have been generous to say there were 100 spectators in the crowd. Furthermore, the average age of those spectators was well over 60. If you were evaluating marketability by that attendance at the show, you would certainly have been disappointed. However, here again, times have changed. Today, due to the Internet, more and more people are watching from home. Especially if they live a significant distance away. (Read more: Who is going to the show? Why attendance is down at the dairy cattle shows). The statistics from our own coverage tell a very different story than does the attendance at the show. We had over 10,000 people view the show results on our website on show day alone. Over 1,300 people shared our webpage on Facebook and another 3,000 people liked or shared our pictures on Facebook. Therefore, what has really happened? The answer is that the marketability of a show has gone from being that of a local attendance market to a worldwide market, where you can merchandise to people from around the globe (as long as the right dairy publications attend). If the dairy publications don’t choose to attend your local show, there is still an opportunity to snap your own pictures, get them liked and shared around the world and produce your own viral marketing. I have often seen a quick selfie by breeders at a show far outperform a professional side photograph on Facebook.

The Bulvine Bottom Line

When all is said and done, the viral nature of show results, pictures, and videos on the Internet prove that the show ring still serves a relevant position in today’s dairy industry. There are certainly opportunities to further enhance the relevance of the show ring to the rest of the industry. The best way to do that is in the type of cattle that we select at the shows. For years, the show ring and type classification led the charge on the need to focus more on mammary system improvement. Today we are at the point where cows’ udders in most herds in the world are very sound. It’s now time for the show ring and type classification to again lead the charge when selecting for long-lived productive cows. This will mean putting greater emphasis on functional rumps and functional cows.

Let`s ensure that the show ring has a relevant function in the dairy industry for years to come.

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Do We Speak the Same Language?

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Friday, April 5th, 2013

I always love heading to Quebec. From seeing Patrice Biron, the former Holstein Canada President that I spent summers trying to learn French from, to the memories of St. Huberts and my trip with my father, sister and David Houck, the legendary manager from Rommandale Farms, where I would pull the seat release causing his chair to go flying back, earning me the nickname “my worst enemy” from David (I guess some things never change…read more: The Bullvine- Wanted Dead or Alive), I just loved making those memories. . While my French still is not as good as it could be, and David is no longer with us, my enjoyment of Quebec will never change. One thing that is for sure a constant is how great the Quebec people are and the passion they have for the dairy breed.

There is something to be said about how Quebecer’s can put on a show. Just like Cirque de Soleil and the Montreal Canadiens award ceremonies for former greats, Quebecer’s put on a show like none other. Their hospitality and friendliness comes through no matter what language you speak.

The one thing that seems to unify them all is their passion for great dairy cattle. And man do they have some great cattle. Even as we walked through the barns before the show, previewing the sale consignments you knew that all this does not happen by accident. It takes time, dedication and more importantly passion. Passion that unites all, regardless of language

TAG You`re IT!

One place where there was no question that passion drives it all was attending the Trans America Genetics’ Genomic Giants sale. This amazing sale averaged an outstanding $38,472 ((Read more: Genomic Giants Sale Averages an Outstanding $38,472). With many of the top TPI and LPI animals in the world set to be offered you knew it was going to be very special (Read more: The Dairy Cattle Investor’s Guide to Spring Show Madness). And while this may be a tamed down version of the show they put on in the fall sale, there was no question that it too was a great one. One of the things I learned in speaking with Patrice and Natalie Simard, the passionate couple that helps drive TAG`s success, is that 3 of the top sellers were a result of their breeding programs. As we talked more, I learned about just how well thought out their strategy is and how they are really thinking about how to take things to new level. It`s passion and attention to detail that has helped them to attract new investors, the most recent of which are not from the dairy industry, but rather people who see the great business plan combined with the passion and have decided to invest in TAG. Outstanding!!!! Love to see new money coming into the industry.

Grand Champion: Wendon Goldwyn Allie, 1st mature cow, Ferme Rayon d’Or
Res. Grand Champion: Ms Goldwyn Alana, 1st 5-year-old, Pierre Boulet
HM Grand Champion: Desnette Alexia Roseplex, 1st Sr. 3-year-old, Yvon Sicard, Desnette Holstein

Great Cattle Unite Us All

Donald Dubois showing Ms Pride Gold Invite 761 1st 4yr old

There is just something special about attending a dairy cattle show in Quebec. The quality of cattle is always outstanding and the people truly passionate. This guarantees that the experience something you will never forget. From the Red and White show on Wednesday that made up for its small classes with outstanding quality (Read more: Quebec Spring Red & White Show Results) to the Holstein Show on Thursday (Read more: Quebec Spring Holstein Show Results) that had milking cow classes in excess of 25 animals , the heart of dairy cattle showing in Canada is certainly in Quebec. One great thing to see was Donald Dubois, winner of the showman Breeder’s Choice awards (Read more: The Winners of the 2012 Breeder’s Choice Awards are…) in the ring. Donald is truly one of the greats and was in fine form at the show.

From the first class of the day, highlighted by Pierstein Gold Chip Rockstar who won the Sr. Calf class and went on to become Honorable Junior Champion and who will sell in the Canadian National Convention Sale (Read more: National Convention Sale), you knew the classes were going to be deep and have tons of quality. Handling this was none other than the living legend Marc Comtois. While there isn’t anything Marc has not accomplished in the industry, it was great to see Marc working in the ring, passing on his considerable experience to his son Steve, who has now become a partner in Comestar. Holsteins.

Great uncle Carl Saucier and the 3rd generation ferme Jacobs having fun at Quebec Spring Show.

Speaking of passing it on to the next generation, anyone attending the show had to be touched by some of the special moments from young ferme Jacobs these cute kids. And if the picture from the Premier Breeders presentation is any indication, it is certainly a family affair (Read more: Ferme Jacobs – Success is all in the family!).

Watching Marc handle the mature cow class that came down to a battle between two greats Wendon Goldwyn Allie and Boulet Goldwyn Chalou reminded me of when Marc judged the Royal and had to choose between two legends Acme Star Lily and Rainyridge Tony Beauty. Just like on that November back in 1999, Marc handled the situation with class and diligence, thoroughly going over them and ultimately choosing Allie for the win. Just like 1999 the mature cow class winner went on to be Grand, the same way Lily had.

The Bottom Line

We all face many challenges in the dairy industry and there is a great deal of uncertainty in some areas these days. A quick visit to Quebec will show you that as long as you have passion for cattle, it doesn’t matter what language you speak or problems you face. Let your heart drive you and your head guide you and success is sure to follow.