The 2015 All-Canadian Holstein contest proved to be one of the most exciting competitions in recent years with several close races in class and a “changing of the guard” taking place in the sire division with Pine-Tree Sid-ET becoming the leading sire of All-Canadians for the first time.There was wide divergence of opinion among the judges on the 2015 All-Canadian Selection Committee as they cast their ballots in several of the classes. Asked to select the “best of the best”, judges had much to consider as they weighed each entrant’s merits and performance throughout the entire show season. There were just four classes where the judges unanimously agreed on the All-Canadian winner and only two where they were in total agreement for Reserve. In two classes, the mature cows and junior yearling heifers, just one point separated the Reserve and Honourable Mention. In three classes, five out of the six animals nominated in the class earned enough points to achieve an award. The mature cow class was one of the most thrilling classes to watch unfold as four highly regarded cows shared in the first place votes. With no senior yearling heifer class at the Royal Winter Fair in 2015, it was obvious the judges struggled making a decision in that class as well, with first place votes cast to four different heifers.
Charwill Attic Marcy, the “Attic” daughter who was grand champion at the Royal Winter Fair’s National Holstein Show in November, captured her third consecutive All-Canadian award in milking form in 2015. Repeating as All-Canadians for a second straight year were Cache-Valley Lheros 2331-ET and Claircrest Fever Tiki. Nine other animals who achieved an All-Canadian, Reserve or Honourable Mention award in 2014 returned to take another prize in 2015.
Far out in front as the leading exhibitor of All-Canadians in 2015 is MilkSource Genetics. This is the first time this Kaukauna, Wis., based herd has achieved this title and tops off what was simply a fabulous year in the showring last season for them. MilkSource had eight animals nominated for All-Canadian, two of whom they showed for only part of the year. When the ballots were all tallied, their entries had won an impressive three All-Canadian, two Reserve and two Honourable Mention awards.
Runner-up for leading exhibitor is Ferme Jean-Paul Petitclerc & Fils Inc., Saint-Basile, Que., who claimed two Reserve and two Honourable Mention designations on the five animals they had nominated. The Petitclercs also showed the Reserve All-Canadian Junior Breeder’s Herd. In third place for exhibitor is Kingsway Farms, Hastings, Ont., who took home one All-Canadian individual award, plus part of a Honourable Mention on an animal they showed part of the season.
The battle for leading breeder of All-Canadians came down to two breeders from Northumberland County in Ontario. Eventually having the edge, and securing the title, was Kingsway Farms, who previously were top breeder back in 2012 and 2010. Gord McMillan and family of Kingsway had five animals bearing their prefix in the 2015 open competition and they came away with one All-Canadian and one Honourable Mention award. Kingsway has much to be proud of this year as they also had the All-Canadian Junior Breeder’s Herd and Reserve All-Canadian Breeder’s Herd. Runner-up in the Breeder category is Clair E. Petherick of Claircrest Holsteins, Campbellford, Ont., who bred one All-Canadian and one Reserve winner in 2015.
After an eight year reign as the leading sire of All-Canadians, Braedale Goldwyn was overtaken this year by Pine-Tree Sid-ET. While “Goldwyn” had the most nominated daughters in the open competition at 17, “Sid” chalked up more points with nine out of his 10 nominated daughters earning a prize. In all, the “Sid” daughters claimed four All-Canadian awards, one Reserve and four Honourable Mentions, while “Goldwyn’s” offspring took one All-Canadian, two Reserves and three Honourable Mentions. Both of these respected bulls have been stars at Semex.
Finishing in third place in the sire category is Maple-Downs-I G W Atwood whose nine nominated daughters won two All-Canadian and two Reserve prizes. “Atwood” had the most nominated daughters in the 4-H classes at six and in that competition claimed two All-Canadian, one Reserve and one Honourable Mention award. Following closely behind in fourth place for sire is Gillette Windbrook whose six nominated daughters took two All-Canadian, one Reserve and one Honourable Mention designation. Other bulls doing well were Lirr Drew Dempsey, whose four nominated daughters achieved one All-Canadian, one Reserve and one Honourable Mention prize, and Val-Bisson Doorman, who had one Reserve and three Honourable Mention winners chosen from his nine nominated daughters.
The animals and groups nominated in the 22 All-Canadian Holstein classes were selected on December 2nd by a Nominating Committee composed of Brian Carscadden, Guelph, Ont., Carl Phoenix, Sunderland, Ont., and Bloyce Thompson, Frenchfort, P.E.I. Advance page proofs of the nominations were then e-mailed or mailed to 21 judges who served as the All-Canadian Selection Committee. Serving on the Selection Committee were the three members of the Nominating Committee along with Dale Bienert, Sherwood Park, Alta.; Jamie Black, Constable, N.Y.; Julien Chabot, Embrun, Ont.; Pete Coleman, Brantford, Ont.; Pat Conroy, Angola, Ind.; Gerald Coughlin Jr., Peterborough, Ont.; David Crack Jr., Richmond, Que.; Brian Craswell, Hunter River, P.E.I.; John Crowley, Hastings, Ont.; Michael Heath, Westminster, Md.; Thierry Jaton, Compton, Que.; Joël Lepage, Amqui, Que.; Callum McKinven, Canton-de-Hatley, Que.; Joel Phoenix, Cannington, Ont.; Molly Sloan, Columbus, Wis.; Jeff Stephens, Troy, Ont.; Nathan Thomas, North Lewisburg, Ohio; and Blair Weeks, Pleasant Valley, P.E.I.
By means of a ballot vote, these judges indicated their choice for first, second and third place in each class. No judge was permitted to vote in a class in which an animal he bred or owned was nominated. This will explain the variation in number of ballots cast in each class. A first place vote was worth 7 points, a second 3 points, and a third 1 point. The nominee with the highest point total is declared All-Canadian, second highest is Reserve, and 10 points or more is required for Honourable Mention.
The Holstein Journal has proudly sponsored and conducted the All-Canadian Holstein contest for 74 consecutive years, dating back to our first competition in 1942. We look forward to another great contest in 2016! Our sincere thanks to all of the exhibitors, livestock photographers, show organizers and Holstein Canada staff who help make the Canadian shows and our All-Canadian contest a success. Our sincere congratulations to all of the winners!
For the voting results of the 2015 All-Canadian Holsteins, click here:
