How a dairy family bred 415 EX cows through 50+ years of grit, faith & precision breeding. Meet Canada’s cow-crafting legends.
When you think about the ultimate achievement in dairy breeding, having the most Excellent-classified cows in an entire country must be near the top of the list. That’s exactly what Bosdale Farms has accomplished in Canada, with a staggering 415 cows that have achieved the coveted EX classification. This remarkable achievement represents decades of careful breeding decisions, an unwavering commitment to quality, and a genuine passion for creating exceptional dairy cattle.
Behind this success stands the Bos family – a multi-generational team whose dedication has placed them among the elite in Canadian dairy circles. Let’s take you through their incredible journey.
From Humble Beginnings to Breeding Excellence: The Bosdale Story
Do you know how some success stories happen overnight? This isn’t one of them. Bosdale’s story began in December 1972, when Bastiaan Bos and his four sons – John, Gerald, Ed, and Pete – started with an unclassified commercial herd of 80 milking cows. Nothing fancy, nothing extraordinary.
When they first classified their herd in 1976, the results were modest: 45 Good, 45 Good Plus, and just 2 Very Good animals. Not a single Excellent cow in sight.
Their first Excellent classification didn’t come until November 7, 1980 – a huge milestone for the operation. But here’s where their perseverance shows: they didn’t achieve their second EX classification until July 23, 1991, nearly eleven years later! Most people would have given up, but not the Bos family.
Their patience eventually paid off in a big way when Bosdale earned their first Master Breeder shield in 1993, with two more following in later years. That’s like winning the Stanley Cup of dairy breeding – they’ve done it three times.
Today, Bosdale has grown into something awe-inspiring. They milk 250 cows across two locations and have diversified with a 900-sow farrowing barn, two finishing barns, and 1,700 acres growing corn, beans, wheat, and alfalfa. The operation employs 15 people and has become one of the world’s most respected breeding programs.
The Secret Behind 415 Excellent Cows: Bosdale’s Breeding Philosophy
So, what’s their secret? How does a farm end up with 415 Excellent-classified cows? It’s all about their breeding philosophy, which centers on conformation excellence but always with practical economic considerations in mind.
They explain it: “We have always believed that breeding for a well-balanced high type cow achieves the highest profitability. An excellent cow is a good benchmark for longevity. We see our profitability per cow being maximized with cows that continue to keep themselves in the herd.”
This focus on conformation isn’t just about winning ribbons in the show ring – though they’ve certainly done that too. It’s about creating functional, long-lasting cows that deliver returns over many lactations. Their breeding decisions revolve around three critical traits: udders, feet, legs, and rumps.
Strategic Breeding Decisions That Drive Results
The Bos family’s approach to genetic selection is methodical and personalized. “When selecting sire matings, we begin by analyzing each cow, including her breakdowns, strengths, and weaknesses,” they explain. “Then we select a sire that will most adequately produce progeny that will see genetic improvement over the Dam in these areas.”
They don’t chase after the latest genetic fads. Instead, they focus on proven performers. “Stay current, always using the best proven bulls,” they advise. This steady approach has allowed them to make consistent genetic progress while avoiding the rollercoaster that can come with less proven genetics.
The Family Behind the Farm: How Teamwork Drives Success
Do you know how some family businesses struggle with succession? Not Bosdale. Ed and John Bos have been with the operation since day one, while the next generation – including Josh, Justin, Peter, and Ben – each bring their unique talents to the table.
Peter manages a secondary dairy the family recently acquired while helping with shows, marketing, sales, and fieldwork. Justin focuses on day-to-day herd management and works with his father on breeding strategies. Ben oversees calf raising, research profitable dairy practices, and handles equipment and cropping responsibilities. Josh has been key in bringing new technologies into the operation, finding that sweet spot between innovation and tradition.
The brothers describe working together: “Working together as brothers comes with a greater responsibility towards each other in facing life’s challenges. We have enjoyed that mentality of being there for each other in challenging situations as well as other things like a late-night filling silo or calving cows.”
That’s the kind of family bond that builds something lasting.
Foundational Cow Families: The Backbone of Bosdale’s Success
Every great breeding operation has its cornerstone cow families; Bosdale is no exception. The Portrait and Barbie lines have been particularly influential for them. These families haven’t achieved their status by accident – they’ve earned it through consistent performance across generations.
“They are successful because they continue to breed high type productive cows that repeatedly transmit good genetics from generation to generation,” the family notes.
The story of the Portrait family perfectly illustrates the blend of strategic thinking and timely decision-making that has characterized Bosdale’s breeding program. Ed shares a pivotal moment: “We had a really exciting young Counselor, a 2-year-old, and while she was going through her health test, we decided to take a single flush because she had to be culled open. This resulted in the ‘Bosdale Stardust Portrait,’ the second dam of Outside Portrait. Without doing that, the Portrait family would not have been nearly as big a part of Bosdale as they are today.”
One decision to flush a promising but ultimately open cow created a genetic line that would become central to their entire breeding program. It shows how foresight and recognizing opportunities can make all the difference.
Traditional Values Meet Modern Technology: Bosdale’s Balanced Approach
Bosdale approaches new technologies with thoughtful consideration. They deeply respect traditional breeding methods but have incorporated new technologies to enhance their operation. Their approach to genomic testing is a perfect example of this balanced perspective.
“Genomic testing can provide a baseline for genetic selection across a herd,” they acknowledge. “However, we believe a much higher degree of reliability can be seen through knowing and understanding individual cows, knowing how cow families and bulls transmit, using bulls with proven numbers, and using that information to pinpoint your sire selection.”
They don’t dismiss genomics entirely – they use it selectively “for a baseline measure on certain traits where data may be inadequately measured.” However, they maintain that “nothing should override good common cow sense with proven cow families.”
Embracing Robotic Milking While Preserving Tradition
Perhaps the most significant technological advancement at Bosdale has been the incorporation of robotic milking systems. The decision to expand with robots came from a desire to grow the operation without substantially increasing labor requirements.
“We decided to expand with robots because we wanted to continue to grow the farm and still be able to manage it without adding to our labor,” the family explains. “We continue to work with both systems to maximize the herd’s potential.”
This combination of traditional tie-stall facilities with modern robotic systems shows how practical they are – embracing innovation where it makes sense while maintaining practices that have proven successful over decades.
“Life Is Too Short to Milk Ugly Cows”: The Passion That Drives Bosdale
When asked what drives their passion for dairy breeding, the family gives an answer that makes you smile: “Life is too short to milk ugly cows.” Behind this quip lies a deeper truth about what motivates the Bos family – the continuous pursuit of improvement and excellence.
“Our desire to work with good cows and the constant challenge of trying to improve” keeps their enthusiasm strong, they explain. The family describes their work as farming and “the pursuit of excellence.”
“Farming is hard work,” they acknowledge, “but when every new calf has the opportunity to become your next big show cow, your next star brood cow, or lifetime production cow, it makes farming a passion and not just a job.”
Each calf represents possibility, potential, and promise, which keeps the fire burning.
The Journey to 415 Excellent Cows: A Closer Look
The path to becoming Canada’s leader in Excellent cow classifications wasn’t a straight line. It required decades of consistent focus on breeding goals, careful selection, and a commitment to the long game. When you consider that their second Excellent cow didn’t come until 11 years after their first, you begin to appreciate the patience required.
What makes this achievement even more remarkable is understanding the Holstein classification system. A cow must demonstrate exceptional conformation across multiple trait categories to achieve an Excellent score. These aren’t just pretty cows – they’re functionally superior animals built to produce and last.
For context, in most herds, only a small percentage of cows achieve Excellent status. Having 415 animals reach this benchmark speaks to the consistency of Bosdale’s breeding program and their unwavering commitment to type while maintaining production.
Building Excellence One Generation at a Time
The Bosdale approach to building their herd has been methodical and patient. They’ve focused on steady improvement across generations rather than chasing quick results or following trends. This approach is evident in how they select matings, always looking to address specific weaknesses while building on strengths.
Their success with cow families like Portrait demonstrates this generational thinking. By making strategic decisions – like taking that single flush from a promising young cow that needed to be culled – they’ve built genetic lines that continue to produce exceptional animals’ generation after generation.
This long-term perspective extends to their bull selection as well. While many breeders might chase after the newest genomic young sires, Bosdale has maintained their focus on proven bulls with daughter performance they can trust. This doesn’t mean they’re stuck in the past – they simply prefer reliability over potential when making breeding decisions.
Managing a Multi-Generational Family Operation
One of the most impressive aspects of Bosdale’s success is how they’ve navigated the challenges of running a multi-generational family business. With multiple family members involved, they’ve found ways to leverage everyone’s strengths while maintaining a unified vision.
Their approach to management is straightforward but effective: each family member has specific roles and responsibilities, with breeding decisions typically managed by a smaller group within the family. This structure clarifies while ensuring everyone contributes to the farm’s success.
The involvement of the next generation – Josh, Justin, Peter, and Ben – has brought new perspectives and skills to the operation. Josh’s focus on technology integration, Justin’s involvement in herd management and breeding, Peter’s management of their second dairy location, and Ben’s work with calf raising and research all contribute to the farm’s continued evolution.
This successful integration of multiple generations is something many family farms struggle with, making Bosdale’s accomplishment in this area as noteworthy as their breeding success.
Overcoming Challenges: The Heart Behind the Excellence
Like all family operations, Bosdale has faced significant challenges. None was more devastating than the loss of my son and brother Timothy on May 1, 2020. This profound loss reinforced for the family “how precious life is, that every day is a gift from our heavenly Father and that we must be forever thankful for what he has given us.”
They’ve also navigated the universal challenge of “growing the operation and incorporating the next generation so that everyone can feel that they are a part of the farm’s success.” Their approach to management helps address this challenge – each family member has specific roles and responsibilities, with breeding decisions typically managed by a smaller group within the family.
The dairy industry presents ongoing challenges – volatile milk prices, rising input costs, labor shortages, and evolving consumer preferences. Bosdale has responded by diversifying their operation while remaining focused on what they do best: breeding exceptional dairy cattle.
Their ability to weather these challenges while continuing to excel speaks to their resilience, adaptability, and unwavering commitment to their core values.
The Spiritual Foundation of Bosdale’s Success
The Bos family’s faith is central to discussing what drives them. They view their work not just as a business but as stewardship of resources entrusted to them by God. This perspective shapes how they approach breeding, farm management, and family relationships.
Their hope for how Bosdale will be remembered reflects this spiritual foundation: “If we were to be remembered, hopefully, it would not simply be for achievements but that those achievements would reflect on our commitment to working hard, the importance of family and our commitment to serving our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as we attempt to wisely steward the animals, land, and people that we have been given for the time we are here.”
This spiritual perspective provides a purpose beyond profit and achievement, giving meaning to the daily work of farming and breeding. It also helps explain their long-term approach – they’re building something meant to last beyond their lifetimes, a legacy of excellence and stewardship.
Wisdom For the Next Generation of Breeders
For those looking to achieve similar success in dairy breeding, the Bos family offers practical advice grounded in their decades of experience: “Be patient, success in breeding takes time and hard work. Don’t be afraid to set your goals high and work towards them. Always remember you work together with each other as a team.”
This counsel captures what has made Bosdale successful – patience, perseverance, ambition tempered with realism, and the strength of family unity.
Their emphasis on patience is particularly noteworthy in today’s fast-paced world. Breeding exceptional dairy cattle takes time – no shortcuts or overnight successes exist. The 11-year gap between their first and second Excellent cows illustrates this reality. Yet their persistence eventually paid off, leading to three Master Breeder shields and those 415 Excellent classifications.
Their advice to “set your goals high and work towards them” speaks to the importance of vision. Without a clear picture of what you’re working toward, getting distracted or discouraged is easy. Bosdale’s unwavering focus on breeding well-balanced, high-type cows has guided their decisions for decades, providing direction through changing times and trends.
Finally, their reminder about teamwork highlights the collaborative nature of successful dairy breeding. No person can do it all – it takes a team working together toward shared goals. This is especially true in family operations, where aligning multiple perspectives and priorities can be challenging but rewarding.
The Future of Excellence: What’s Next for Bosdale
Looking to the future, the Bos family maintains their commitment to strategic growth: “We will continue to grow where opportunities arise.” Their focus remains on breeding exceptional cattle and maintaining their position as leaders in Canadian dairy genetics.
With the next generation actively involved in the operation, Bosdale is well-positioned for continued success. The combination of experienced leadership from Ed and John with the fresh perspectives and specialized skills of Josh, Justin, Peter, and Ben creates a powerful foundation for future growth.
Their balanced approach to technology adoption suggests they’ll continue to embrace innovations that enhance their operation while staying true to the breeding principles that have served them well. The successful integration of robotic milking alongside traditional facilities demonstrates their ability to evolve while preserving what works.
As the dairy industry continues to change, Bosdale’s commitment to breeding functional, long-lasting cows positions them well for whatever challenges and opportunities lie ahead. Their focus on conformation excellence and practical economic considerations has proven successful through decades of industry evolution.
A Legacy of Excellence That Transcends Numbers
By consistently attending to small details while keeping sight of the bigger picture, Bosdale has achieved what few breeding operations ever accomplish. Their 415 Excellent cows represent not just classification scores but the culmination of patient breeding work across multiple generations – cattle and the Bos family itself.
In an industry that increasingly embraces technological solutions and data-driven decision making, Bosdale reminds us that successful breeding still requires the human elements of experience, intuition, and direct animal observation. Their story demonstrates that excellence isn’t achieved through shortcuts or quick fixes but through consistent application of sound principles over time.
Perhaps most importantly, the Bosdale story reminds us that the most meaningful success transcends numbers and achievements. Their legacy isn’t just about 415 Excellent cows or three Master Breeder shields – it’s about a family working together to steward resources wisely, create something of lasting value, and honor their faith through excellence in their daily work.
As we look at the Canadian dairy landscape, few operations have made a mark as significant as Bosdale Farms. Their journey from an unclassified commercial herd to the breeder of the most Excellent cows in Canada inspires and teaches anyone passionate about dairy breeding. Their story reminds us that remarkable achievements are possible with patience, persistence, and unwavering commitment to excellence – even if they take decades to realize.
Key Takeaways:
- Patience pays: 11 years between 1st and 2nd EX cow → 415 EX cows today.
- Breeding ≠ guesswork: Targeted traits (udders/feet/rumps) + proven bulls = $$$ longevity.
- Family-first resilience: 4 generations collaborating through loss and industry shifts.
- Tech with purpose: Robots for growth, genomics for gaps-never replacing cow sense.
- Legacy > trophies: “We steward God’s gifts” – a 415-strong EX herd built on faith.
Executive Summary:
Bosdale Farms revolutionized Canadian dairy breeding by producing 415 Excellent-classified Holsteins through multi-generational teamwork and a disciplined focus on functional conformation. The Bos family’s 50-year journey blended traditional breeding wisdom with strategic tech adoption, prioritizing longevity and udder/feet health over short-term trends. Their success stems from patient generational planning, resilient family collaboration through personal tragedies, and a stewardship mindset rooted in faith. By balancing proven genetics with robotics and genomics, they’ve maintained elite status while diversifying their operation. This legacy underscores that sustainable excellence requires vision beyond profit-a commitment to animals, land, and community.
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