Translated content from La Revue Holstein Québec

March 2013
For Serge, Michel, Steeve and Régis Hudon, the owners of Ferme Hudon et fils inc., it is quite an honour to receive this first Master Breeder shield. Indeed, the Desdeuxlacs herd, in Saint-Anaclet, in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region, is an excellent example of family success.

Dulet: Success in the pursuit of excellence

March 2013
In 1995, Francis Dumais, then working as a chartered appraiser after earning a bachelor’s degree in finance, and Suzanne Ouellet, an employee of the Coop in Saint-Vallier, purchased the Ouellet family farm, in Saint-Pascal, in the county of Kamouraska. At that time, the farm covered 73 ha, 49 of which were under cultivation, and had a herd of 40 crossbred animals that included 25 milking cows, producing a quota 13 kg/day.

Ferme Gepaquette: Determined to excel

March 2013
Éric Paquette and Chantal Clément have owned Ferme Gepaquette since 2009. They are the third generation to set themselves up on this Saint-Paul-d’Abbotsford farm since 1938.

Jacobs: Three generations... three titles

March 2013
Never mind that this is their third shield, the title brings no less pleasure to Ferme Jacobs inc., in Cap-Santé. The owners are proud to have achieved something that only four other herds in Quebec have done, namely, winning a third Master Breeder shield in as many generations.

Ferme Lison inc.: A course of action and no deviations allowed

March 2013
When talking about the importance of setting goals, Ferme Lison is an apt example of the principle. For André, Sylvie and Steve Grenier, acquiring the Master Breeder title has always been a part of their life. That goal represents a way of living, a reason to get up in the morning and do the work that has to been done everyday. The course of action they embarked on many years ago has now come to a happy ending.

Val-Bisson: Where efficiency and profitability go hand in hand

March 2013
Behind Ferme Val-Bisson are Jean Bisonnette, a native of Saint-Polycarpe, and Élyse Gendron, who hails from Saint-Antoine-sur-Richelieu. For these owners, the Master Breeder title had always seemed somewhat inaccessible – until they received their first reports, that is.

Vaudal: a model of passion and excellence

March 2013
Although the Vaudal herd is the keystone of the Boyer family farm, near Vaudreuil, the master craftsmen behind this prestigious title are Alain Boyer and his spouse, Suzanne Dufresne.

Social networks: a new marketing tool

March 2013
Social network services are Internet-based systems that enable users to post information, such as news or photos, make comments, and get opinions and feedback from other Internet users. The networks are open to anyone willing to sign up. What makes them so useful for breeders is that almost everyone does sign up, especially on Facebook, which is by far the most popular network.

Consignment Sales: Truly a first-rate selection tool

December 2012
Sales – be they club, production, dispersion or elite animal sales – are opportunities for breeders to find the animals they need to improve their herds or simply produce the milk allowed by their quotas. But can breeders invest with confidence at all these sales?

Tinber Holstein inc.: Conformation in Support of Production

December 2012
At a very young age, Pascal Martin had already adopted the sire catalogue as bedside reading. And because his parents gave him a lot of leeway, he was able to develop his talent for genetic improvement. His passion for breeding led him to the ITA in Saint-Hyacinthe, where he graduated, in 1992, with a diploma in zootechnology. After nine years of dividing his time between working on the family farm and various jobs as a technologist, including with the PATLQ, Pascal decided to pursue a career as a breeder.

Who will take over the farm? Looking beyond the family to find someone right for the job

July 2012
Dairy farm transfers certainly cause a lot of ink to flow, and the conditions for success don’t always materialize. Even within a family, it sometimes happens that boys and girls interested in taking over the farm are unable to do so due to various insoluble issues.

Ferme Léothé Indexes and shows – two sound values

July 2012
“We’re proud of our farm and the way it’s progressing,” exclaims Denis Tremblay, as his brother Jean directs a knowing look his way. Looking to share their satisfaction, the brothers will be hosting the annual Holstein Québec Picnic on 14 July. Hence Holstein breeders and their families will convene in Jonquière, in the Saguenay region, for this summer’s event.

A breeder as well as an exhibitor

April 2012
From the time he was 16 years old, Pierre Dubeau worked on the family farm with his father, Gérard, and his mother, Claire Grégoire. In 1990, he became the sole owner of the Dubeau farm, where management, work and perseverance are the guiding principles. In the early 1980s, the Dubeau family acquired a number of animals, in particular from the Granby and Deslacs herds. Two generations later, in 1989, Dubeau Starbuck Kashmir distinguished herself by winning Reserve Junior Champion, in Madison (Central National), as well as All-American and Reserve All-Canadian Senior Heifer Calf. In 1990, she was crowned Junior Champion at Expo Québec and in Trois-Rivières, before being sold to the United States.

A second shield confirms solid foundations

April 2012
It is with great pleasure that the owners of Fermes Turmel inc., Louis and Clément Turmel, accept the honour of this second Master Breeder title. Located in Sainte-Marie-de-Beauce, their farm, which owns the Beauçoise prefix, began its operations in 1972 and has been breeding purebred Holsteins since 1977.

Animals reared under contract: An economic benefit that comes with conditions

April 2012
The economic benefits associated with animals, mainly heifers, reared under contract are clear. But the heifers must be in the top category to draw attention. With the exception of certain animals renowned for their tremendous success in the showering, it is genomics, rather than performance and good cow families, that gives reason for all the choices available now.

Determination and a passion for Holsteins

April 2012
"Determination and a passion for Holsteins" is undoubtedly the most accurate description of the attitude of Luc Desrosiers, Jacinthe Lafleur and their children in working towards obtaining this Master Breeder shield. The story of the Rosiers prefix began in 1987, when Jacinthe and Luc acquired the farm from Luc’s family. The operation took a new turn in 2010, when Pier-Luc joined his parents after obtaining his diploma of vocational studies.

Each and every one a descendent of the Canado prefix