The finest animals from all over the province were on display at the 2010Expo Québec Holstein Show, held on August 28. With 161 animals of outstanding quality taking part, this event, meant to be the culmination of the regional shows, bodes well for the success of Quebec breeders this fall. The judge, Mr. Rock Hébert of Sainte-Hélène-de-Kamouraska, underlined that fact a number of times during the day. He was particularly impressed by the Senior Three-Year-Old class: “This is the strongest class that I have ever had the privilege of judging, and that’s true from the first to the last animal.” He especially favoured the winner of that class, Idee Goldwyn Lynley, owned by Gen-Com Holstein Ltd, a cow he described as both “special” and “spectacular”. He went on to award her with the titles of Intermediate Champion and Honourable Mention Grand Champion later in the day. The title of Reserve Intermediate Champion went to Windcroft Drake Cosmo, owned by Ferme Blondin and second in this same class. Honourable Mention Intermediate Champion was awarded to Sudview Nordale Gold Liberty, first Junior Three-Year-Old, also owned by Ferme Blondin. Ferme Blondin’s overall performance was rewarded with the Exhibitor Banner. The 2010 Breeder Banner was presented to the Jacobs herd, with 12 animals entered in the show, including 11 owned and bred, and 15 animals bearing the farm’s prefix. 

Nor could the judge stop singing his praises for the Four-Year-Old class, which was “extremely strong, with cows with exceptional dairy strength and very desirable udders.” It was from among the animals in this class that he selected the day’s Grand Champion, RF Goldwyn Hailey, owned by Gen-Com Holstein Ltd. He described her as a “superb, impeccable cow, with open ribs and dairy strength at its best.” As for the title of Reserve Grand Champion, that honour went to the winner of the admirable Mature Cow class, Flechedor Stormatic Zita, owned by Annie Lecours and Luc Boisvert.

Quality was also in evidence among the juniors, with 89 calves making an appearance in the showring. The judge called attention to the preparation and remarkable quality of the animals, notably in the Senior Calf class, which comprised 12 animals of incredible quality, including the Junior Champion, Augure Reine Laramie, owned by Ferme Augure, Ferme Gilnor enr. and Mario Urbain. Putting up a good show in the Junior Championship as well, Gen-Com Holstein Ltd presented Fontenoise Jasper Penelope, first Junior Yearling, who won her class with ease thanks to her length, style and dairy character, and Comestar Alie Jasper, first Senior Yearling Calf, named Reserve Junior Champion and Honourable Mention Junior Champion respectively. The banners for both Junior Exhibitor and Junior Breeder were awarded to Ferme Jean-Paul Petitclerc et fils inc. and their herd, with 10 owned and bred animals, including the winner of the Junior Calf class, Petitclerc Goldwyn Ariel. 

The day wrapped up with the presentation of the Supreme Championship, bringing together the Grand Champions of each of the dairy breed shows. That sought-after title was won by Lookout Sweet Baby J, Grand Champion Jersey, owned by Lookout Holsteins & Jerseys, Gary Vance, Nancy Suitor and Brooke McKinven. The Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Minister of State (Agriculture) addressed the crowd again this year at the championship, underlining his commitment to supporting young farmers. 

The Expo Québec Holstein Show – as well as the other dairy shows – was presented online thanks to the collaboration of the Conseil québécois des races laitières (CQRL) and the Centre d’insémination artificielle du Québec (CIAQ). Hundreds of people in eight different countries went online to take advantage of this service. Among them were France, the United States, Ireland, Switzerland, Australia, Austria and Germany.