About Us

About our Association

With a rich and long-standing history in the Canadian dairy industry, the Holstein Association of Canada began in 1884. The Association was incorporated nationally in 1901 and remains the only organization authorized to register Holstein cattle in Canada.

As a non-profit organization, Holstein Canada exists to help improve the breed of Holstein cattle across Canada. Our Association is seen as a leader in dairy genetics domestically and around the world. With more than 10,500 members, we maintain the Holstein Herdbook under the Federal Animal Pedigree Act and provide many services to our members. This helps to assist them in evaluating, selecting, and improving their herds through genetic improvement programs that help to enhance the profitability for dairy producers in Canada.

Our Holstein Canada's Mission:

• Provide consolidated services and programs to meet the diverse needs of producers.
• Contribute to the management of data.
• Play a leadership role in the industry to create alignment or partnerships.

Our Core Values:

• Ask, listen, and stay connected to producers.
• Demonstrate the value of what we do.
• Actively track and anticipate changes in the industry.
• Respond to changes quickly and with agility.

Milestones at Holstein Canada:

1892:

Completed the first Canadian registrations (from 1884 to 1892 registrations were done working closely with the American Association)

1922:

The US introduced the first true Type Model and Canada adopted it as well

1925:

Launched the Classification program in Canada

1930:

Awarded the first Master Breeder Shield

1940:

Accepted registrations for calves born from Artificial Insemination (AI) and began certification of AI

1958:

Launched the Star Brood award program for cows

1973:

Registered the first ET calves

1973:

Accepted the first Red & White registration at the Association

1982:

Introduced computerized registrations at the Association and ear tagging also became mandatory

1989:

Held the first National Judging Conference

1993:

Created the bi-monthly publication InfoHolstein for all Association members

1995:

Presented the First Cow of the Year Award to Comestar Laurie Sheik

1996:

Launched the first website, including the Animal Information Sheet (AIS) tool that made pedigree information available online for free, 24 hours a day

2001:

Held the first National Young Adult Holstein Convention in Calgary & Edmonton

2002:

Built the new head office building at 20 Corporate Place in Brantford. Staff moved into their new home in January 2002.

2002:

Introduced Electronic Registration Application (ERA)

2005:

Established All-Breeds Classification to classify all seven dairy breeds across Canada

2005:

Presented the first Century of Holsteins Award to Hoskins Farms Ltd.

2007:

Introduced electronic transfers, allowing customers to electronically transfer the ownership of animals

2010:

Launched the national genomic testing service in partnership with Semex Alliance

2012:

Hosted the 2012 World Holstein Conference: the 13th World Conference and first to be held on Canadian soil

2013:

Started registering animals for other breeds: Canadienne in 2013, Ayrshire in 2014, and Brown Swiss, Guernsey and Milking Shorthorn in 2016

2015:

Awarded the 1,000th Master breeder Shield at the National Holstein Convention in Calgary, Alberta

2016:

Launched new, more efficient Herdbook software

2016:

Became the service provider for Animal Care Assessments as part of the DFC proAction® Initiative

2016:

Achieved a record year for new registrations completing 286,005 Holstein registrations