IN BLACK & WHITE
The Uhr family, from l to r: Nadia, Jasmine, Christoph, Bobbi-Jo and Joshua. PHOTO SUBMITTED.
Knonaudale Farms Inc. NAME: CHRISTOPH AND BOBBI-JO UHR AND FAMILY HERD SIZE: 95 MILKING OPERATION TYPE: TIE-STALL LOCATION: CRYSLER, ON
1. What is your family’s history with Holsteins?
8. If you could have ANY cow standing in your barn, who would it be?
Laurie Sheik. She transmitted well on both the top and bottom side of the pedigree. 9. What is one thing you would tell a young farmer starting out that you wish you had been told?
If you consider yourself a breeder in the business, don’t be afraid to We moved to Canada in 1980 from Switzerland and started sell a good one. You’ve got the family in your barn, and chances are, registering through the NIP program. We continued to add a few you’ll breed another. purebreds along the way. In the early 2000’s, we started flushing and 10. How do you use genomic information in your herd and what are continued to build our herd from there. 2. What are your breeding goals?
Solid udders! Always breed for good udders. 3. What genetic tools are most important in your breeding program?
Percentage fat, resistant to mastitis. 4. Describe the ultimate/ideal cow for your operation.
your thoughts on the future of genomics?
It works to identify production potential, percentage of fat for example, but lags in type. We do not use many genomic bulls anymore. It’s a great tool to pick the best out of the litter so to speak. 11. How many cows do you flush each year? How do you market your embryos that are for sale?
The ideal cow for our operation is one with a great udder. In addition We flush about three to four cows throughout the year, as well as some heifers. Japan has been a good market for us. to that, she would have solid feet and legs with great bone quality. 5. What cow in your barn is currently the “Heart of the Herd”? Knonaudale Muddy EX-94 is the heart of our herd. She has 4 Excellent daughters currently in the herd and we have also sold some that scored Excellent elsewhere. Knonaudale Muddy is a direct descendant of Knonaudale Jasmine EX-96. 6. What are you most proud of in your herd/operation?
12. Being in the breeding business, what traits do you find sell the best? What trait do you value most?
A great udder and her pedigree. A great picture of an animal also goes a long way. 13. Which bulls do you feel has had the most impact on your herd over the years and today?
We’re proud of the offspring that we have been able to sell. It’s so Goldwyn and Doorman have worked well in the past. We are currently rewarding to see them go on and preform well for the buyers. We are working with high-type proven bulls such as Sidekick, Unix and Victor. happy with the way the Jasmine family is leaving a legacy. 7. If you could improve one thing in your operation, what would it be?
14. What are the management practices in place on your farm that you feel contribute the most to the success of your operation? Why?
We would like to increase the amount of loose housing we have for Doing what works in repetition – even if it might seem unconventional young stock. to others. Also be willing to put a price on or part with any animal in the barn. Both commercial and type cows.
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SPRING 2022
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