The fairy-tale ending was a lifelong dream for all the Jacob’s family members. “Driving thirty hours with your bred cow to go to try to get this banner at the most popular show on earth is something that we always dreamed of.” To achieve their dream only seven years after entering the show ring for the first time marks the peak of their goals but it is only the beginning says Ysabel Jacobs who is in charge of calf raising, paperwork and promotion for the herd. More than twelve members of the family share her passion for detail when it comes to breeding and showing cattle. “To get a show cow ready every detail is important. It starts from the breeding program and continues until she dies. We had a great time at World Dairy Expo this year and it gave us such good exposure.”
FAMILY TEAMWORK
This family farm is strong on family whether it is their own family team or the cow families that they have built their herd around. There are different ways to build a show and breeding program. Ferme Jacobs Inc., Cap-Santé, Que. has had tremendous success at doing both:
- 2011 PREMIER BREEDER’S HERD WORLD DAIRY EXPO
- 2011 1st 4-Year-Old Royal Agricultural Winter Fair
- 2011 Grand Champion EIHQ
- 2011 All Canadian Breeders Herd
- 36 VG, 18 VG first lactation. 10 new EX, 6 multiple EX
“The marketplace is really strong right now. Everyone is looking for the great one.” Wanting to breed that special cow means that there is a tremendous market out there for Holsteins.”
A FAMILY PREPARED TO WIN
JACOBS GOLDWYN BRITANY EX-95-CAN
A tremendous amount of planning goes on behind the scenes at Ferme Jacob. “We look for every detail that is important at the show and at the farm. We start 4-H at 4 years-old and never stop after that.” The next generation is starting young too. Yan’s two daughters and Ysabel’s daughter showed their first calves last summer at the county show. ”I think they like it is as much as we do.” We could see it at the EIHQ! Last fall when Britany was named Grand Champion. They ran up to the ring to get in on the action!” And the teamwork extends beyond the family to the extended work team. Ysabel points out. “I have to thank our crew that works with us at the farm and at shows. It is always great to work with people who have the same passion for cows as we do. We have been working with some of them for a long time.”
FAMILY STYLE ALL THE WAY
Ferme Jacob knows what they are looking for in dairy cattle and they feel their customers agree. “We breed for type. We love good udders with nice texture and great feet and legs. Usually when they have those characteristics, they continue on in a good way.” Of course, it isn’t easy and there are lots of decisions and challenges along the way. Ysabel sums up the family philosophy, “There is nothing more fun than working with great animals day to day!”
WELL BRED FAMILY SUCCESS
This family’s path to success always comes back to the foundation that has been built on strong cow families. “We bred Valsie that was All-Canadian 4-Year-Old in 2004 and 4 years later her daughter Jacobs Dundee Voltage was All-Canadian Milking yearling. That was a really good accomplishment for us and now Voltage has a Goldwyn daughter that looks interesting for the future. Once she wins, we will have a market for her until she produces and also a good market for her family.”
JACOBS DUNDEE VOLTAGE VG-89-3YR-CAN
SUCCESS GROWS THE FAMILY BUSINESS
Ferme Jacobs knows their market. “We have a really good embryo market around the world right now, stronger for us since we won World Dairy Expo. When a cow has a good flush we keep some available for the market. We have done that for many years and our clients like to follow us that way. We use a lot of Gillette Jordan, Sid, Alexander and Goldwyn. Those are the ones that sort out the most right now.” Returning customers are the measure of success for Ferme Jacobs. “If the cross is good enough for us than it will be good enough for them. We sell a few of the family after she wins and we try to keep some for our own embryo market.”
FAMILY PATIENCE and HARD WORK
Ysabel also has a clear idea of what is needed to achieve success in the show ring. “You need a lot of patience. For us it has always been an ambition to get this title. We never thought it would come this fast. `Now there is more pressure because people expect more. At the same time, we like pressure and we will try to handle it.” Obviously, it takes a lot of hard work to achieve the goals Ferme Jacobs has set for themselves and they thank their parents for getting them started.
THE BULLVINE BOTTOM LINE
“Our mom and dad have always supported and encouraged us. Hard work always pays off one day and nothing is impossible, if you believe in something you will accomplish it one day” That is something they taught us. “Ysabel Jacobs
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