October 2013
www.holsteinquebec.com
The family of Cotopierre Lindy Bertha
PP40005044
Star-spangled cows, mothers and daughters alike
Desnette Holstein Knowing how to work one’s way to the top
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FEATURE
By Michel Dostie Editor Translation by Nicole De Rouin
Cotopierre Lindy Bertha, EX-2E 25*
A favourite on the Jacobs farm
W
hen invited to speak in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region, Jean Jacobs took advantage of the opportunity to visit the St-Pierre family, where a young cow named Cotopierre Lindy Bertha caught his eye. He learned that the animal would be up for auction at the National Spring Sale. He was quite taken with the cow, a case of love at first sight, so to speak. In attendance at the auction, he was the last to raise his hand. Bertha thus set off for Cap-Santé to become one of the leading lights of the Jacobs herd. That was in April 1994, when Bertha was two years old and had calved a few months prior.
Breeder Yvon St-Pierre remembers that visit. He also remembers that Marc Comtois (manager of the National Spring Sale in 1994) had pointed out to him only a short time earlier that Bertha would certainly make a good impression at the Sale and that he hoped to see her consigned to auction. Yvon St-Pierre, whose herd included a number of other good young cows, decided to respond affirmatively to that request.
better. One of her descendants, Cotopierre Goldwyn Eloise, VG-87, was second Senior Three-Year-Old and Reserve Intermediate Champion at the Rimouski show in 2013.
On the Jacobs farm
Purchased when she was only two years old, Bertha has given most of her descendants to the Jacobs farm, with all but one bearing the Jacobs prefix. Like Bertha, many of these descendants have It was with good reason that the Sale the ability to pass their sought-after manager and the buyer were impressed qualities on to their offspring. Many of Cotopierre Lindy Bertha, EX 2E 25*, is the dam by the merits of this young cow. First her 46 classified daughters (including of 46 classified daughters, a group that includes 4 EX and foremost, Bertha drew attention to and 20 VG, and the progenitor of a myriad of second- and 4 EX and 20 VG) and her granddaughters third-generation descendants, including some that already herself because of her family roots. already have stars in their pedigrees. have a number of stars to their name. Indeed, she is the daughter of Such is the case of Jacobs Storm Bette, Cotopierre Starbuck Bine, EX 4*, and EX-91 2E 6*, dam to 11 daughters all the granddaughter of Cotopierre Tempo brilliant future. And finally, it would be hard classified GP or better, including Jacobs Binette, EX, both daughters of strong sires to remain indifferent to her top-quality Jasper Best, VG-88 4*, herself the dam of that were popular at the time. Binette conformation, as can be seen with her first Jacobs Goldwyn Britany, EX-96 2E, a manyproduced two daughters, one EX and one VG, classification, VG-87, at three years. time leader in the show ring who, in 2011, and showed good longevity, starting her last won, among other titles, Reserve Alllactation at the age of 9 years and 9 months. Yvon St-Pierre also remembers that CIAQ had Canadian and Reserve Tout-Québec FourHer daughter Bine followed the same trend, shown an interest in Bertha. It was in fact on Year-Old, as well as Grand Champion at the earning two Superior Lactations and the insemination centre’s recommendation QIHS and first Four-Year-Old in Toronto. producing four daughters, all classified GP or that she was bred with Leadership. That better, before calving for the last time at the mating produced Bertha’s first heifer, Jacobs Progress Betty, VG-88-3yr 5*, is also age of 11 years and 3 months. As Yvon Cotopierre Leadership Berthe, VG-88 5*. As attracting attention. Purchased by Ferme St-Pierre explains, it’s easy to see where the dam of 19 classified daughters, including Drolet et fils as an embryo, this first Junior such longevity comes from because all the 2 EX and 4 TB, Berthe has had a tremendous Three-Year-Old at the Portneuf show in 2003 animals in this family have always been in influence on the Cotopierre herd. One of her is the dam of 8 daughters, including 4 EX and good health, particularly where udders are daughters, Cotopierre Rud Belina, EX-92 3E, 4 VG. Among them, Drolie Stormatic Bentley, concerned. It is for all these reasons, is the dam of the bull Cotopierre J R Belero, EX-93 2E 3*, second Senior Two-Year-Old in underlines Mr. St-Pierre, that about 30 per by James, a sire recognized as Superior Type. Portneuf in 2006, is the dam of 13 daughters cent of the animals in the Cotopierre herd all classified GP or better. Cotopierre Rudolph Estelle, VG-87 4*, third stem from this family. Junior Three-Year-Old in Rimouski, in 2001, is Jacobs Champion Bianca, EX-91 4*, the Another strong point in Bertha’s pedigree is another of Bertha’s granddaughters that Portneuf Holstein Club’s candidate for My that she is the daughter of Lindy, a then newly contributed to the development of this family Favourite Cow this year, is another of Bertha’s proven bull with scores that predicted a with eight daughters all classified GP or daughters who has made her mark with 14
On the Cotopierre farm, Estelle, another of Berthe’s daughters, is the holder of one Superior Lactation and, in five lactations, has produced over 70 000 kg of milk, earning herself BCAs of 250-267-260. Her daughter Estelise, VG-88-2yr 5*, also earned a Superior Lactation award for her third lactation, recording BCAs of 298-290-292. Her daughter Elsie, VG-87-3yr, by Bolton, is carrying on the line with a Super 3 award and a yield of 53 135 kg in three lactations, for BCAs of 293-325-303, while her full sister Ella, VG-86-2yr, is also the holder of a Superior Lactation certificate. Ella’s daughter Eloise is following in her footsteps, producing 11 341 kg of milk in her first lactation, at 2 years and 3 months, for BCAs of 267-279-270. And milk flows aplenty on Ferme Jacobs as well. Jacobs Aerolien Barb, EX-92 2E, holds a Superior Lactation and
Jacobs Goldwyn Britany, EX-96 2E, a great-granddaughter of Bertha, was centre of attention in the show ring in 2011 when she was crowned Grand Champion at the QIHS and first Four-Year-Old in Toronto. It was with good reason that she finished the year with the titles of Reserve All-Canadian and Reserve Tout-Québec Four-Year-Old.
daughters all classified GP or better. Nominated Tout-Québec Senior ThreeYear-Old in 2006, she is the dam of Jacobs Goldwyn Blacka, VG-89, nominated Tout-Québec Junior Heifer Calf in 2007 and Junior Two-Year-Old in 2009, in addition to winning second Junior Yearling, in Portneuf, in 2008, and first Junior Two-Year-Old at Expo Québec, in 2009. Finally, another of Bertha’s daughters, Jacobs Rudolph Bella, VG-3yr 6*, second Junior Three-Year-Old in Portneuf, in 2000, is the dam of 12 daughters, a group that includes 2 EX and 4 VG.
And now for milk In addition to their excellent reputation for type, the descendants of this family are also known for their milk production. Bertha herself is the holder of three Superior Lactation certificates, and has produced, in four lactations, 54 501 kg of milk, with 4.4% fat and 3.7% protein, thus earning BCAs of 255-306-302. Not to be outdone, her first daughter, Berthe, has two Superior Lactations, one for her second lactation, at 3 years and 4 months, that yielded 11 331 kg, with 4.7% fat and 3.6% protein, for BCAs of 249-314-279. The trend continues in the third generation as well with Belina, who in three lactations, has produced over 42 000 kg of milk, recording BCAs of 234-289-259.
Family Tree of Cotopierre Lindy Bertha, EX 2E 25* A TOWNSON LINDY ET EX-CAN EXTRA
S-W-D VALIANT EX-USA
PAWNEE FARM ARLINDA CHIEF EX-USA ALLIED ADMIRAL ROSE VIVIAN TB-85-5YR-USA
TOWNSON ELEVATION LINDY EX-93-4E-USA
ROUND OAK RAG APPLE ELEVATION EX-96-10YR-USA TOWNSON CHIEF LINDA EX-90-4E-USA
COTOPIERRE STARBUCK BINE EX-CAN 4*
HANOVERHILL STARBUCK EX-CAN EXTRA
COTOPIERRE TEMPO BINETTE EX-CAN
ROUND OAK RAG APPLE ELEVATION EX-96-10YR-USA A ANACRES ASTRONAUT IVANHOE TB-85-4YR-CAN TB-88-3YR-USA ROYBROOK TEMPO EX-CAN EXTRA COTOPIERRE TINO BISQUETTE TB-86-3YR-CAN 2*
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FEATURE
recorded BCAs of 232-295-256 with a yield of 56 752 kg of milk in five lactations, with 4.8% fat and 3.5% protein. Another of Bertha’s daughters, Jacobs Rudolph Beaute, EX-91 2E, showed good longevity by producing 91 703 kg of milk in eight lactations. Yet another daughter, Bette, has earned three Superior Lactations and recorded BCAs of 273-324-300 after four lactations. Her 10 daughters enrolled in milk recording have a projected mature equivalent yield of 12 650 kg, with 3.8% fat and 3.2% protein. Of that group, Best has a Superior Lactation and, among her seven VG or EX daughters, Britany and Brillance have two Superior Lactations and Brandy has one.
As for the future It is now time for the younger generations to continue developing this family. As a case in point, Ysabel Jacobs underlines the performance of Jacobs Observer Bethany, VG-2yr, destined to play a role in the genomics market, particularly the embryo market given her GPA LPI of 2908. She is already the dam of 5 heifers born in 2013. Jacobs Jasper Boucle is another cow that will likely ensure the family’s continuity. Classified VG-88 2*, she is the dam of 5 classified daughters, 1 EX and 4VG, in addition to 14 heifers under the age of two. Jacobs Alexander Blacky, VG-86-2yr, has a GPA LPI of 2161 and is also in an embryo transfer program.
Jacobs Champion Bianca, EX-91 4*, is a daughter of Bertha who brought credit to her family with a Tout-Québec Senior Three-Year-Old nomination in 2006. She also made her mark with 14 daughters all classified GP or better.
As well, adds Ysabel, Jacobs Sid Bamba, third Senior Heifer Calf at the Spring Show last April, will undoubtedly be a credit to the family thanks to her GPA LPI of 2353. Indeed, Bamba brought the bidding up to $50 000 at the Intrigue International Sale last July. She is now coowned by Ferme Jacobs and Martin Veilleux (Market-Gen). As for Yan Jacobs, he points to Jacobs Goldwyn Berla, VG-88, full sister to Britany, an excellent milk producer with a yield of over 48 000 kg of milk in four lactations (and BCAs of 282-310-289) and an LPI of 2749. He also mentions one of Bertha’s granddaughters, Jacobs Roy Betta, classified EX-92 2E, who represents the family’s fifth generation of EX cows and is already the dam of five heifers by Goldwyn. Finally, Jacobs Windbrook Bally, Junior Champion at the provincial final in Montmagny last August and now owned by the Gillette farm, should also be able to uphold the family’s reputation thanks to her GPA LPI of 2585.
Drolie Stormatic Bentley, EX-93 2E 3*, a granddaughter of Bertha, was second Senior Two-Year-Old in Portneuf, in 2006, and is the dam of 13 daughters all classified GP or better.
Selling and buying Jean Jacobs had a keen eye in 1994 when he recognized the potential in Cotopierre Linfy Bertha. For a breeder whose herd already included an abundance of high quality animals, a purchase such as this might seem unwarranted. On the other hand, what followed clearly showed that all breeders can sometimes benefit from a newly purchased animal. As for Yvon St-Pierre, he says that he is thankful that the Jacobs family believed in Bertha and was able to make best use of her. As far as the Cotopierre herd is concerned, he explains: “We’re not losing out, not at all. Selling good animals certainly doesn’t prevent us from developing our herd.” ■
Cotopierre Goldwyn Eloise, VG-87, Reserve Intermediate Champion in Rimouski in 2013, produced 11 341 kg of milk in her first lactation, at 2 years and 3 months, for BCAs of 267-279-270.
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BREEDER PROFILE
By Michel Dostie Editor Translation by Nicole De Rouin
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Desnette Holstein
Top of the list in Victoriaville Don’t hire anybody new, I’m on my way.” Those were the words of Carl Desrochers, a few months shy of obtaining his diploma, when he confirmed to his parents that he had decided on his career path. Henceforth, the herd and the farm would be his life environment. Carl represents the fourth generation of Desrochers to farm the land on Rang 4 Ouest near Warwick.
Carl had learned the ropes at an early age through his involvement with the young farmers’ group in Warwick. “A large group that offered a multitude of activities and opened the doors to the show world for me,” he recalls with pleasure. And so it was that he realized early on in his life just how interested he was in breeding and farm work. But there was no question of him working full time for the moment. If Carl wanted to get involved and eventually take over the farm, his parents insisted that he study agriculture. So, in 1990, Carl registered at the ITA, SaintHyacinthe campus, in the zootechnology program (now animal production technology).
Sandra Verville and Carl Desrochers have two daughters: Laurie, aged 17, and Marianne, 13. They are photographed here in the reception room the family fixed up over the milkroom to receive visitors.
It was during that time, while doing his compulsory internships, that Carl realized that he really didn’t want to work for someone else. So upon graduating in 1993, Carl acquired 20 per cent of the shares in the family farm, which was already registered under the Companies Act. Moreover, because he was familiar with insemination techniques and interested in breeding, his father put him in charge of the herd. Not because his father wasn’t interested any longer, Carl explains. On the contrary, his father was very devoted to the herd but wanted to give his son a chance to gain some experience.
A successful farm transfer At the same time, it was important to prepare for the farm to be handed down to the next generation. Carl continued to increase his shareholding each year and, in 1999, took over the operation and became president. His father, who no longer wanted the responsibility of managing the farm, decided to retire from the business. But he certainly went out
on top, earning a Master Breeder title at the same time. Although he no longer wanted to run the operation, he continued to take an interest in the farm work and today still works on the farm on a daily basis. Carl’s mother, Ginette Laroche, is no longer involved on the farm, but formerly took an active interest in the operation and was a member of the board of directors of Holstein Canada, from 1988 to 1995. The buildings that house the herd on the Desnette farm are clean, spacious and well designed.
Prior to transferring the farm from one generation to the next, father and son, although on good terms, decided together with their spouses to take two courses offered specifically to producers involved in farm transfers. The first course focused on the farm transfer itself, while the second dealt with operating a farm in coownership. Carl recalls that these courses really enabled them to set things out clearly. He emphasizes that the courses “were very helpful and much appreciated,” an opinion evidently shared by his spouse, Sandra Verville, who has since joined the operation and become a coowner.
Sandra, who describes herself as a “city girl”, gradually became more involved in the farm work. Although trained as an esthetician, she abandoned that career path in 1995 to stay on the farm and start a family. It was at that time as well that she began helping Ginette Laroche, who was then in charge of various administrative duties. Sandra slowly began to take an interest in the herd and learned how to do the milking, a responsibility she
Brianne is currently expecting a calf by Reginald. Brianne is the daughter of Desnette Britney Mr Sam, VG-88 1*, holder of a Super 3 award and a descendant of Desnette Bianca Leader, EX 5*, holder of a Superior Lactation, nominated All-Canadian Senior Two-Year-Old in 1999, and named Reserve Tout-Québec Senior Three-Year-Old the following year. Bianca was first sold to Pierre Boulet and Simon Lalande and later acquired by the Belfontaine farm. She is the dam of 15 daughters classified GP or better, including Belfontaine Dundee Shania, EX-91 2E. Buying her daughter Desnette Bianca Cousteau, VG89-3yr, gave Carl the opportunity to breed descendants of this family. Desnette Alexia Roseplex, VG-89-3yr, the daughter of a cow purchased as an embryo, produced 10 892 kg of milk in her first lactation, at 2 years and 2 months, for BCAs of 260-256-266.
assumes entirely today and one that she very much enjoys. In 2008, after successfully completing an Attestation of College Studies (ACS) in Accounting and Management, she was able to obtain an establishment grant and acquire her first shares in the operation. In addition to the milking, Sandra also handles the accounting and takes part in the field work.
The Desnette herd As soon as Jean Desrochers took over the family farm in 1967, he turned his attention to breeding, selling a few crossbreds when he could to replace them with a Holstein animal. Thus the herd quickly evolved into an entirely purebred outfit. Looking to give free expression to his passion for shows, Carl focused on conformation. The occasional purchase of a good cow made it easier to reach his goal.
Desnette Alexia Roseplex, VG-89-3yr, is currently one of the herd’s top cows. Coowned with Ferme Yvon Sicard, Alexia is the daughter of Bulstrode Amanda James, VG-88, a cow that Carl acquired as an embryo. In 2013 alone, she won first Senior Three-YearOld, Intermediate Champion and Honourable Mention Grand Champion at the Spring Show, as well as Reserve Grand Champion in Maxville, and first Senior Three-Year-Old, Reserve Intermediate Champion and Reserve Champion Bred and Owned at the Victoriaville show. In her first lactation, at 2 years and 2 months, she produced 10 892 kg of milk in
305 days, for BCAs of 260-256-266. She has two daughters by Windhammer and one by Goldsun, born in 2012 and 2013.
Desnette Brianne Shottle, VG-88-3yr, is another sure bet for the owners of Desnette Holstein. In her first lactation, at 2 years and 2 months, she had a 305-day yield of 12 158 kg of milk, with 3.9% fat and 3.0% protein, for BCAs of 291-305-277, giving her a composite deviation of +131. She is the dam of seven heifers, including Desnette Brielle Lauthority, Junior Champion in Victoriaville in 2012 and also shown with the young farmers’ group by Marianne, the family’s youngest child.
With a yield of more than 73 000 kg of milk in five lactations (273-248-268), Desnette Carella Champion, EX-92 2E, is at the head of another influential family. Notably, she is the dam of three daughters by G W Atwood that classified VG at 2 years: Charlie, 87 points, and Canelle, 86 points, both in an embryo transfer program on the Desnette farm, and Carmen, 86 points, sold last January to Ferme R. Therrien et fils inc. (Raypien) at the Vente Mentorat, during the Holstein Québec Convention. The herd’s future also rests on the family of Desnette Lexis Sanchez, VG-89-3yr, coowned with JM Valley Holstein, Ferme Jendro and Jean-Philippe Proulx. In 2010 and 2011, Lexis was not only nominated All-Canadian
Desnette Holstein in figures The Desnette herd now comprises 140 head, including 65 milking cows (8 EX, 36 VG and 11 GP), each with an annual production of 10 968 kg of milk, with 4.1% fat and 3.3% protein, for BCAs of 240-262-247. The Desrochers had 110 ha under cultivation in 2013 and plan to add 18 more next year. The 13 ha seeded to barley, 15 to grain corn and 9 to corn silage this year were used to feed a TMR to the herd, which is divided into 3 groups. An additional 16 ha were devoted to soybeans. Of the remaining 57 ha, 47 were used to produce an alfalfa-timothy mix harvested as silage or hay, while the last 10 were reserved for pasture. In addition to being used to graze their heifers, yearlings and dry cows, the pastures allow the cows some freedom during the night, particularly the show cows. To manage the field operations, Carl and Sandra count on Carl’s father, Jean, and one full-time employee, in addition to their daughter Marianne, who enjoys helping out.
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BREEDER PROFILE
Intermediate Heifer Calf and Intermediate Yearling but also won Reserve Tout-Québec in the same categories. In 2012, she won Reserve Intermediate Champion in Rimouski, Honourable Mention in Victoriaville, and first Senior Two-Year-Old and Grand Champion in Amqui.
Des-Y-Gen Holstein
Breeding Although Carl has always focused his breeding decisions on conformation, principally to satisfy his passion for superb animals and shows, he also strives to develop good cow families. The approach he adopts is a cautious one. Accordingly, the majority of the sires he uses are proven bulls that must necessarily present a wellbalanced profile and score at least +12 for conformation and positive for milk.
While Carl Desrochers is particularly interested in conformation and strives to breed outstanding cows from wellYoung sires nevertheless account for known families, he nonetheless gives 30 per cent of the herd’s matings, and attention to genomics and good scores. Desnette Brianne Shottle, VG-88-3yr, produced 12 158 kg of Carl is increasingly interested in young He is refining that interest with Des-Y- milk in her first lactation, at 2 years and 2 months, for BCAs of bulls endowed with good genomic Gen Holstein, a group composed of four 291-305-277, earning herself a composite deviation of +131. She is the dam of 7 heifers, including Desnette Brielle indexes. In addition to the scores of enthusiastic breeders, namely, Yvon Lauthority, Junior Champion in Victoriaville in 2012. these young sires however, the Chabot, Stéphane Tourigny, Yves breeder also analyses the strengths of Desaulniers and himself. The group is their families, particularly the bulls. developing a worthwhile market, their sires based on the most recent genomic Val-Bisson Doorman (GLPI 3209 - 08/13) is one particularly for embryos and bulls. Working proofs. of the most recently used sires. with the group allows him to make good investments while sharing the risks, explains One of the group’s outstanding cows is DesAll of these efforts have paid off over the Carl, and it opens doors for him in terms of Y-Gen Planet Silky, VG-86-2yr, with a GLPI of years. In fact, 2012 was especially gratifying high indexes and genomics, a sector that he 2905 and a first-lactation yield of 11 331 kg of with the Desnette herd winning both finds increasingly interesting. He adds that he milk, for BCAs of 278-303-292. Silky is already Breeder’s Herd and the Breeder Banner at is particularly surprised by the level of the dam of 12 heifers and is a full sister to the the Victoriaville show. This victory was interest in their animals among potential renowned Des-Y-Gen Planet Silk, VG-87-2yr, particularly motivating, says Carl, “in a region buyers. The animals that belong to the group a red factor carrier sold at the age of where there is a great deal of camaraderie, are housed on the Deslacs and Desnette 9 months to Sébastien Dion and David R. but where the milieu is nonetheless highfarms. Not surprisingly, the breeders select Dyment. calibre and very competitive.” ■ Thanks to the Desnette herd, Carl and Sandra’s dairy operation, Ferme Desnette, won both Breeder’s Herd and the Breeder Banner at the Victoriaville show in 2012.