Holstein Canada, Brantford, Ont., has announced the four finalists for its 2015 “Cow of the Year” award. The four finalists are:
Gen-I-Beq Shottle Bombi (Ex-94-2E-USA-21*)
Breeder: Syndicat Gen-I-Beq, Saint-Patrice, Que.
Owner: Siemers Holstein Farms Inc., Newton, Wis.
Gen-I-Beq Shottle Bombi is among the most elite and unbelievable cows in the Holstein breed. A true brood cow, virtually every bull she has been crossed with has resulted in exceptional offspring, and to date, Bombi has hundreds of registered descendants in Canada and the US. With 28 classified daughters so far, Bombi currently stands with 21 stars to her name with many more surely to follow as her offspring continue to multiply and succeed. One of the most influential Shottle daughters to date, Bombi is backed by the infamous Braedale Baler Twine family on her maternal side. Combined with an incredibly influential sire stack, it is certainly no surprise Bombi has sons and grandsons in AI worldwide. She has nine EX sons and four scored VG – none lower. Topping the lists is Canada’s current #1 GLPI and #1 Pro$ bull, Mapel Wood Brewmaster EX-95 (Aug 2015), who is a class EXTRA sire. Brewmaster’s promising full brother, Oconnors Barometer EX-93, is on the rise and will receive his first proof early in 2016, while Oman brother, Mapel Wood Boulder EX-92 was recognized as a Superior Production sire in 2015. Mapel Wood Builder VG-85 is a 2015 Superior Type sire. Bombi’s ability to transmit her best qualities is also present on the female side, with 22 VG or EX daughters averaging 13,233 kg of milk and 4.1% fat and 3.1% protein respectively. She has proven her phenotypic and genetic transmitting ability within her offspring, which will continue to rise in reliability as her legacy grows exponentially. Bombi, with her incredibly impressive genetics and transmission power, is a shining example of the complete package and a real triple threat: High genomic numbers, high type and high production!
Idee Louis Luise (Ex-94-2E-8*)
Breeder and Owner: Idee Holsteins, South Rustico, P.E.I.
Idee Louis Luise is an outstanding cow who has proven herself both in the show ring and in the barn. Nominated All-Canadian Four-Year-Old in 2006, Luise was also named All-Atlantic Four-Year-Old that same year. Over the years, she has won many of her classes at various shows, and has won many awards such as a Superior Production award and the Atlantic Impact Cow of the Year in 2013. In addition to her own accomplishments, Luise has proven her ability to transmit her best qualities to her progeny. She has 18 classified daughters, 17 of which are classified VG or better and six are EX. Her daughters average over 12,200 kg of milk with 4.2% fat and 3.2% protein. Luise’s high-scoring, high-producing daughters have found homes in many different herds. Two of Luise’s notable daughters are Idee Goldwyn Lulu and Idee Goldwyn Lucia. Lulu is EX-95-CAN 3* and has been named Honourable Mention All-Canadian twice and was All-Ontario Jr. Two-Year-Old in 2009. She has been Grand Champion at a number of shows and has also been awarded a Superior Production Award. Lucia is scored EX-92-CAN and has made her mark in the show ring as well. She was named All-Atlantic Senior Three-Year Old in 2013 in addition to earning a Superior Lactation Award. Idee Louis Luise has proven herself in the show ring and in the milk tank, and she has proven her ability as a brood cow, transmitting her best qualities to her many daughters and their descendants. Luise is a true Holstein breed impact cow!
Quality Gibson Finsco (Ex-95-3E-10*)
Breeder and Owner: Quality Holsteins, Vaughan, Ont.
Named the 2008 Honourable Mention All-Ontario Five-Year-Old, Quality Gibson Finsco was scored EX-95 at seven years old in her fifth lactation, and has made her mark both in the ring and in the barn. An amazing individual from one of the breed’s greatest cow families, Finsco has proven herself an exceptional brood cow in her own right. One of her most unique accomplishments is her three daughters forming the first-place Breeder’s Herd at the RAWF Holstein Show and being named All-Canadian Breeder’s Herd in 2010. This was the first time that one cow’s offspring made up an All-Canadian Breeder’s Herd. Finsco and her mother, Quality BC Frantisco EX-96-3E-CAN 27*, are two of the most consistent brood cows at Quality. Currently at 10* brood status, Finsco already has 23 daughters with five EX, including Quality Goldwyn Flansco EX-95 and three VG-89 second calvers. With many scoring over VG-87 and more young daughters still to calve, Finsco is on track to surpass her mother’s amazing breeding accomplishments of 18 EX daughters! Finsco and her daughters are always the highlight for farm visitors and as a result, she has daughters calving around the world with excellent results. Her influence is also now being felt through the high genomic sons of her Snowman granddaughter in Italy. Toc Farm Fontaine and Toc Farm Fitz are among the highest rated Doorman genomic sires at Semex and Semenzoo Italy. At nearly 13 years old, and set to calve again in 2016, Quality Gibson Finsco, with her amazing personality, is a great cow to work with. This combined with her exceptional accomplishments makes her a true ambassador for Canadian Holsteins.
Val-Bisson Goldwyn Maya (VG-88-28*)
Breeder and Owner: Ferme Val-Bisson Inc., Saint-Polycarpe, Que.
Val-Bisson Goldwyn Maya is an exceptional brood cow. At almost 10 years old, Maya has attained 28* brood status and with more young daughters still to calve, her star count is sure to increase even more. Currently Maya has over 60 registered daughters by 19 different sires and out of her 42 classified daughters, 29 are VG – 17 VG as two-year-olds – and 13 are GP, all the while, producing an average of 14,556 kg of milk with 4.1% fat and 3.3% protein. In addition to her daughters, her son, Val-Bisson Morning was recently awarded Superior Type status. Maya has several notable daughters who prove her ability to transmit her superior qualities to the next generation. Val-Bisson Alexander Indira VG-88-3YR-CAN 1* was sold in the Sale of Stars and has several daughters throughout Ontario. Val-Bisson Shottle Imelda VG-89-4YR-CAN 2* has six sons in AI, including the renowned Val-Bisson Doorman. She was also the fourth place Four-Year-Old at Expo-Printemps in 2014. Another daughter, Val-Bisson Contrast Illarante VG-89-2YR-USA, now owned by Milk Source, is perhaps the best known of a group of five sisters scoring VG at two-yearolds. Val-Bisson Windbrook Icecream VG-87-2YR-CAN, one of the herd favourites, is +16 for conformation, ranking her amongst the 25 best of the breed. Maya’s granddaughter, Val-Bisson Meridian Doriane VG-88-2YR-CAN owned by Ferme Blondin was the third place Milking Yearling at the RAWF Holstein Show and was named Honourable Mention All-Canadian Milking Yearling in 2014. Additionally, she has served as the worldwide poster girl for Semex. Maya is appreciated by many breeders and her daughters can be found in nearly 20 herds. Through Morning and Doorman, Maya will surely leave a lasting impression on the breed!
The winner will be announced during Holstein Canada’s Annual Meeting on April 23, 2016 in Banff, Alta.
