CRATER HOLSTEINS
Conformation, Efficiency, Success
T
here may be lots of trees, rocks, hills, a lake and even a meteorite crater on their farm, but it is the outstanding Holstein herd of Tom and Karen Babcook and family of Crater Farm, Hartington, Ont., that truly takes centre stage at this Frontenac County dairy operation. A family farm where keeping things simple and efficient is key, the Babcooks’ success in breeding Holsteins with great conformation has kept the rewards coming.
STORY BY BONNIE COOPER
now 49, and Karen, 48, bought the farm in 2013. They have three children. Dylan, 19, is now working here full-time, while his sisters, Katie, 21, a full-time nurse, and Stella, 15, also help out with the 140-head Holstein herd. Alfalfa and grass hay and corn for silage are grown on the 500-acre farm. Tom’s Dad and brother Vince, plus the occasional part-time student, help out with fieldwork and relief milking. A work-life balance is important to the Babcooks. “Our kids are involved in a lot of sports and activities like 4-H and we try not to miss those events,” says Karen. Tom is a long-time Frontenac County Holstein Club Director and Karen was a 4-H leader for 10 years. Tom, Dylan and Irwin all play on a farmers’ pick-up hockey team. In the summer, the family enjoys spending time at their cottage just a few minutes away on Knowlton Lake.
Five generations of Babcooks have owned Crater Farm since it was established in the 1860s by George Babcook. Purebred Holsteins were introduced in the 1950s by Tom’s grandfather and greatgrandfather, Ray and Gerald. They took the prefix “Crater” after the Holleford Crater located on the farm. Scientists estimate that the crater, revealed in aerial photos in 1955, was created when a meteorite, travelling 55,000 km/hour, smashed into the earth THE INDIANA FAMILY eons ago blasting a hole 244 metres deep and 2.5 km wide. The site, which is now marked by a commemorative plaque, has drawn Crater Indiana Goldwyn EX-93-4E 5* is the cow who will forever hold a special place in the Babcooks’ hearts. Not only did Indiana geology professors, students and visitors. put Crater Farm on the map with her show winnings, but she and Tom’s parents, Irwin and Jerry, took over Crater Farm in 1986. Tom, her family have, and continue to play, a major role here. Born in FAMILY PHOTO The Babcook family of Crater Farm, Hartington, ON, from left, Tom, Katie, Dylan, Karen and Stella are pictured with some of the current favourites in this Frontenac County herd. In the foreground is Crater Magda Doorman EX-93-3E, a third generation homebred EX, while the calves in the back are Crater Camomile Lambda and Crater Camri Lambda, a pair of high GPA Conformation daughters of Crater Camilina Sidekick. . PHOTO BY DARLENE GRAHAM. W W W. O N TA R I O. H O L ST E I N . C A
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