Farm Tours

62 Route 236, St-Louis-de-Gonzague, Québec J0S 1T0

• Owners: Daniel, Benoit et Ghislain Monpetit, et Jane Nieuwenhof
• Herd: 375 heads and 150 lactating cows
• Production: 13 300 kg, 3.8%F, 3.3%P
• BCA: 294-305-307
• Classification: 15 EX 53 VG and 62 GP
• Master Breeders in 2003

Influential Cows in the Herd:

• LACTOMONT NIKOTO SARGEANT EX-92 5E
• LACTOMONT DORY BRODIE EX 2E
• LACTOMONT LOLO RAPID TB 2 ANS
• LACTOMONT HOLY BOURBON TB-87 2E

In 1983, Daniel Montpetit joined his father in managing the family farm. In 1989, Jane joined them. In 2003, together, they were awarded the title of Master Breeder. And, in 2014, Benoit and Ghislain, the 6th generation, joined the company.

The 375-head herd, including 150 milking cows, has 15 EX, 53 VG, 62 GP, and 2 Bs that annually produce 13 300 kg of milk at 3,8% fat and 3,3% protein. In 2018, they built a new cross-ventilated robotic barn on recycled bedding. This new build promotes a comfortable environment conducive to genetic expression. With the arrival of genomics in 2010, Ferme 236 indeed changed its strategy and relied on high genetic animals to advance their herd. They invested in genomic bulls, as well as a few distinguished high genetic females. Today, the LACTOMONT herd stands out with an average of 3042 LPI and 1701 in Pro$, ranking 6th in Canada for LPI and 9th for Pro$. In addition, thanks to their genetic performance, they sell approximately 100 animals a year, this includes 4 heifers to Stgenetics as well as a few bulls to artificial insemination centres.

 

1107 Rang St-Antoine, Vaudreuil-Dorion, Québec J7V 8P2

• Owners: Alain Boyer et Suzanne Dufresne
• Herd: 59 head (52 Holstein) and 43 cows (38 Holstein)
• Production: 11 638 kg, 3.9%G, 3.3P
• BCA: 252-267-258
• Classification: 11EX 18 VG et 5GP
• Master Breeders in 2012

Influential Cows in the Herd:

• VAUDAL STORM JAMIE EX 2E 6* (lifetime production of 175 974 kg)
• VAUDAL MAJESTY LISANNE VG-86 5* (lifetime production of 126 224 kg)
• VAUDAL MASON FLORE EX 7E 5* (lifetime production of 130 178 kg)
• VAUDAL CARDINALS LISANNE EX-91 4 years old (Grand Champion at the MVS Club Breeders Cup in 2021)
• VAUDAL DUMBLEDORE LOUNA VG 2 years old (Honourable Mention at the MVS Breeders Cup in 2022)
• Sisters: VAUDAL DEMPSEY LANA EX-94 5E and VAUDAL DEMPSEY LIBERTÉ EX (1st progeny of dam at the 2022 MVS Breeders Cup)

Ferme Vaudal Inc. was purchased by Alain Boyer and Suzanne Dufresne in 1991 representing the 3rd generation of Boyer’s on the current site.

The herd earned its first Master Breeder Shield in 2012, just 30 years after purchasing their first purebred Holstein in 1980. It is also among the top classified herds, in their category, in Quebec. Today, the Vaudal herd includes 11 EX, 18 VG and 5 G cows that produce 11,638 kg of milk annually at 3.9% fat and 3.26% protein.

Several of the herd’s influential cow families are still in the barn, including the descendants of VAUDAL STORM JAMIE EX 2E 6*. Jamie produced 175,974 kg of milk in 12 lactations. One of the stars of that family is VAUDAL GLAUCO JACOBIE EX-93 4E, who was Junior Champion at the 2015 Expo Champêtre MVS as well as the 2015 Huntingdon Expo. The Vaudal herd won the Breeder Banner at the last four editions of the MVS Holstein Cup Breeders’ Cup (2018, 2019, 2021, 2022).

With cow welfare at heart, this small dairy farm is proud to offer their cows a comfortable little oasis by allowing them to stretch their legs in the pasture. Their cows thank them by producing quality milk. In 2020 and 2021, they finished third in the region for milk quality at the PLQ competition.

2020 was a milestone year for the company, with the addition of new shareholders, Véronique and Jérémie! The fourth generation of the family has thus been added to the farm’s history!

 

21111 Lakeshore Rd, Sainte-Anne-De-Bellevue, Quebec H9X 3V9

• Managed by a team of technicians led by Coordinator Natasha Lapointe
• Herd: 165 heads, 75 of which are lactating cows
• Holstein Herd’s Production: 11,982kg, 4.0%F, 3.4%P
• BCA: 270-293-284
• Classification: : 6 EX, 26 VG and 50 GP
• Master Breeders in 1959

Influential Cows in the Herd:

• MCF ASHLAR HELENA EX-92 6E (124,085kg in 10 lactations)
• MCF S MEGA WIN EX-92 3E
• MCF EXACTLY GOLDEN GIRL EX-90
• MCF CARDINALS GENEVIEVE EX-90

McGill University’s Macdonald Campus Farm is an experimental and demonstration farm dedicated to research, teaching and educating the public. Located on the Western tip of the Island of Montreal, the Macdonald Campus Farm is the last dairy farm on the island. The farm has been home to registered Holsteins for 110 years, demonstrating exemplary animal care, and providing hands-on work experience for students. Macdonald Campus Farm prides itself on producing high quality, award-winning milk. They have been awarded the title of Regional Champion 7 times since 2008. The current SCC of the herd is 67,000.

Milking an average of 75 cows, the farm’s herd is mostly Holsteins with a few Jerseys, Brown Swiss and Ayrshires that are meant to illustrate each breed’s differences for the public. Current research focuses on reproduction, cow comfort and longevity, mastitis prevention, and understanding the molecular mechanism of how milk is made. The Macdonald Campus Farm is looking forward to showing you their herd, and the contributions they make to dairy research and teaching.

 

620 Rang St-Vincent, St-Placide, Québec J0V 2B0

• Owner: Simon Lalande
• Herd: 1000 head, including 220 cows in milk
• Production: 11 000 kg, 4.5%F, 3.2%P
• BCA: 258-298-277
• Classification: 40 EX 180 VG and 30 GP
• Master Breeders in 2002 and 2016

Influential Cows in the Herd:

• BLONDIN SKYCHIEF SUPRA EX-93 3E 35* (Holstein Canada Cow of the Year 2009)
• REGANCREST G CELEBRITY EX-94 2E 39*
• ROCKYMOUNTAIN TALENT LICORICE EX-95 8* (All-Canadian and All-American 2011)
• BLONDIN LISTER BEAUTY EX-92 5* (All-Canadian 2007)
• BLONDIN REDMAN SEISME EX-97 2E USA 4*
• BLONDIN GOLDWYN SUBLIMINALE EX-97-4E-USA

The Ferme Blondin, owned by Simon Lalande who has 1000 head including 220 cows. Milking is done twice a day in a milking parlour and the average annual milk production is 11,000 kg of milk with 4.5% fat and3.2% protein. He also grows soybeans, corn, corn silage and hay on 1500 acres. Simon has 4 children: Olivier, who owns his own dairy farm with his partner Honorine; Nicolas, who partners with them in Blondin Sires; and twins Thomas and Anthony, who are very involved on the farm and are anxiously waiting to finish their studies to join the family business.

Legends in the Show Ring as well as in breeding, these 7th generation producers have earned six exhibitor banners at The Royal and have bred several internationally known cows, not to mention their two EX-97 cows: BLONDIN REDMAN SEISME EX-97 2E USA 4* and BLONDIN GOLDWYN SUBLIMINALE EX-97-4E-USA. At Ferme Blondin, titles are multiplying; Grand Champion, All-Quebec, All-Canadian, All-American, and Cow of the Year. They also received their first Master Breeder Shield in 2002, then another in 2016 - the same year they launched Blondin Sires with their partner Dann Brady. Breeders at heart, they started their business with the goal of offering sires with deep pedigrees and good bloodlines. They focus on sires that combine high conformation genetics with production and balanced health & fertility traits to produce durable cows.

 

1790 Coteau-des-Hêtres Road, Saint-André-d’Argenteuil, Quebec J0V 1X0

• Owners: Yvan and Sylvain Cloutier
• Herd: 210 heads, 95 of which are lactating cows
• Production: 10,869kg, 4.32%F, 3.11%P
• BCA: 243-259-252
• Classification: 16 EX, 38 VG, 26 GP
• Master Breeders in 2021

Influential Cows in the Herd:

• SUNNYLODGE SKYCHIEF ALEXIS VG-88 32*
• COTI LEADER ADORABLE EX 15*
• COTI SEAVER DEVOUE EX-93 3E 2*
• DOHBELL LEDUC CYRENA VG 9*
• COTI LITTORAL CLOCLO EX 5*
• COTI BRAWLER GITANE EX-90 2E 4*

Founded in Saint-André-d’Argenteuil in 1994, the Coti herd has continued to improve ever since.

Ferme Cloutier et Frères welcomed its first cow to classify EX in 2007, and a second, Coti Stormatic Abby (EX-91 3E) in 2009. Since then, their number of Excellent cows has never ceased to increase. Today, the Coti herd boasts 47 Excellent cows, nearly half of them being descendants of the prestigious family of Sunnylodge Skychief Alexis, VG-88 32*. Purchased in 2001 at the age of 6, this Matriarch has been the Herd’s most influential cow: 43% of all the points accumulated for the Farm’s first Master Breeder title come from this family, whose descendants still make up a quarter of the herd today!

Yvan’s wise decisions didn’t stop there. In 2002, he started the ‘’C’’ family by purchasing Dohbell Leduc Cyrena VG 9*, who was responsible for 14% of the points accumulated for the title. Her most influential descendant was Coti Littoral Cloclo EX *5, 8th generation of VG or EX, with a lifetime production of 102,420kg and several Excellent daughters. Many Excellent cows from this family are still part of the herd today.

Investing in several other cow families, the Cloutiers raise beautiful animals that are a real feast for the eyes!

 

6601 Rang St-Vincent, Mirabel, Quebec J7N 2T5

• Owners: François Paiement, Nadine Lalande
• Herd: 270 head and 115 cows in milk
• Production: 12 505 kg, 4.6%F, 3.55%P
• BCA: 276-308-303
• Classification: 29 EX 70 VG et 25 GP
• Master Breeders in 2002 and 2016

Influential Cows in the Herd:

• MYSTIQUE INTEGRITY AMELIE EX-94 10*
• HIGH POINT MARY LEE EX 15*
• REGANCREST S CELEBRITY EX-94 2E 39*
• MYSTIQUE EXTREME ABRICOT EX-94 2E 2*

La Ferme Mystique, owned by François Payment and Nadine Lalande, has a nice herd of brood cows, including Mystique Integrity Amelie, EX-94 10* who is responsible for a large part of the herd’s outstanding animals. They also purchased several breeding cows, including High Point Mary Lee, EX 15*, the leader of a bloodline that is distinguished by productivity and longevity of its descendants. The Mystique herd has already produced 30 cows with a lifetime production of over 100 000 kgs of milk, 15 of which are Excellent. This young herd has earned two Master Breeder Shields in its 30 years of breeding. The Mystique herd has also made a name for itself in its region, notably as the 3rd best BCA herd of the Club Holstein des Laurentides in 2021, with a BCA of 276-308-303.

On the sire side, this herd also put its stamp on Mystique Avenger from the herd's brood line: Mystique Integrity Amelie, EX-94 10*. Several of their other sires can be found at Blondin Sires and Semex.

Maxence, their son, is currently working full time on the farm and sharing some decision-making with his parents while waiting to become the owner of this flourishing business!

 

(Only open from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.)

7590 Dundee Centre Road, Saint-Anicet, Quebec J0S 1L0

• Owners: Martin and Regula Estermann
• Herd: 400 heads, 250 of which are cows
• Production: 15,587kg, 3.9%F, 3.14%P
• BCA: 345-358-357
• Classification:
• Master Breeders in

Influential Cows in the Herd:

• RAINHOLM WIZARD 742 (super 2) daughter of RAINHOLM MOGUL 8219
• RAINHOLM MOGUL 1295 (super 5)
• RAINHOLM MONDAY 1416 (super 5) and RAINHOLM WIZARD 4810 (super 2) daughters of RAINHOLM SARGEANT 8060 (super 5, lifetime 120,000)
• RAINHOLM RANSOM 8173 (super 6)
• RAINHOLM SARGEANT 690 (lifetime production of 120,000kg, currently pregnant)

Originally from Central Switzerland, Thomas Estermann, his wife Rita and their two kids Martin and Regula moved to Dundee, Quebec in 1997, fulfilling a childhood dream when new environment regulations made their traditional 10-hectare farm too small to provide for the family. Arriving in early Spring to find empty farm buildings, the Estermanns acquired their first 15 cows and started to work the land. Thanks to hard work, great neighbours and a bit of luck the dairy was able to steadily expand over the years. In the summer of 2009, their 100 milking cows were moved to a new free-stall facility on a new site. The main barn was extended in 2018.

Today, the farm has been transferred to Martin and Regula, son and daughter of Thomas and Rita Estermann. Their goal is to produce quality milk in the most efficient way possible, while keeping cow comfort and working-ease as a central focus of their decision making. Breeding for a modern commercial Holstein cow, the farm uses top genomic bulls focusing on milk production and health traits.

The family is now milking 210 cows three times a day with the help of employees. Averaging 47kg of milk per cow per day with 3.9% fat and 3.14% protein, this state-of-the-art farm has received several awards for their cows’ Lifetime Production as well as several consecutive awards for Superior Production. A lot of young promising cows with even more potential are expected to match those performances in the next few years.

The herd has earned the Best Herd Management score in Canada in 2018-2019-2020 as well as Second Best Herd Management score in Canada in 2021!

Come and join the tour to discover this top management farm!

 

7937 Ridge Road, Sainte-Agnès-De-Dundee, Quebec J0S 1L0

• Owners: Christopher, Nickolas, Jenna and John Soesbergen
• Herd: : 260 heads, 114 of which are lactating cows
• Production: : 11,850kg, 4.06%G, 3.08%P
• BCA: 273-294-281
• Classification: 8 EX, 40 VG and 57 GP

Influential Cows in the Herd:

• BLUEAIR PARK VENESSA VG 3*
• BLUEAIR BRAXTON VAL EX-91 4E 5*
• BLUEAIR GLEN JAM EX-92 5E 4*
• BLUEAIR RUDOLPH KIM EX-90 3*
• BLUEAIR GOLDWYN KAMELLIA VG-88 5yr old 6*

Now on its 3rd generation, the Soesbergen Inc. farm is owned by Christopher, Nickolas, Jenna and John Soesbergen. Brothers John and William bough the family farm from their father in 1988. Today, William passed his shares to his son Christopher and John is in the process of finishing the transfer of his shares to his son Nickolas and daughter Jenna. Both brothers remain fully active on the farm.

Under John’s guidance, the cousins manage a herd of 260 heads including 114 cows. Doing 2 milkings a day, the BLUEAIR herd produces more than 1.5kg of fat per cow per day with an average of 11,850kg of milk at 4.06% fat and 3.08% protein. Not only does the company excel in production, but they also maintain a calving interval of 375 days and really stand out in terms of milk quality, for which they have been awarded a "Very Great Distinction” Certificate for each of the last 5 years and have ranked 3rd in 2019 and 2nd in 2021 regionally.

The Soesbergens have also been able to raise several outstanding cows, most notably BLUEAIR PARK VENESSA VG 4 years old 3*, which was the first cow in the herd to receive an embryo transplant, and BLUEAIR GLEN JAM EX-92 5E 4*, whose daughters are all VG or more.

 

8268 Hwy 132, Dundee, Quebec, J0S 1L0

• Owners: 200 heads, of which 110 are lactating cows
• Herd: 17,061kg, 3.9%F, 3.2%P
• Production: 375-393-378
• BCA: 22 EX, 48 VG and 32 GP
• Classification:
• Master Breeders in 2009

Influential Cows in the Herd:

• LARELEVE REDESIGN SEVEN EX-94 6E 9* (super 4 and 179,000kg produced to date)
• LARELEVE GIBSON SKYE EX-93 6E 18* (two super 3 and lifetime production of 122,000kg)
• LARELEVE SHOTGLASS 479 EX-93 3E 11* (lifetime production of 110,000kg)

Since the Nieuwenhofs bought their farm in 1978, it has always been their philosophy to have cows that balance high production with conformation and longevity.

Today, the farm has a 305-day average production of 17,062kg of milk at 3.9%F and 3.2%P, reaching the 2kg mark of fat per cow per day! So far, 3 of their cows have peaked at 100kg milk per day. Additionally, 36-37% of cows in their 2nd lactation or more are projected at above 20,000kg of milk in 305 days. In 2021 alone, 9 of the herd’s cows reached 100,000kg of milk!

Highly-persistent cows are certainly the farm’s signature. Achieving high persistency and production allows the farm to delay the cows’ first breeding.

On the Nieuwenhof farm, a cow’s first breeding happens when her milk production drops 10-15% below her peak production and her body condition score is good. Now that the farm has worked on improving lactation persistency for nearly 3 decades, first breedings based on persistency are done as follows:

• 10-15% of the herd are first bred at 85-100 days in milk
• 60% of the herd are first bred at 100-120 days in milk
• 25% of the herd are first bred at 300+ days in milk

The Nieuwenhofs are not afraid to do things differently and so far, this seems to have worked in their favour.