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 Vision:
A healthy Canadian dairy industry for all
Our Holstein Canada's Mission:
Delivering progressive services and programs for dairy herd management.
Our Core Values:
- Service Excellence
- Integrity
- Accountability
- Business Sense
- Passion
- Innovation
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