In Black and White

IN BLACK & WHITE

Elmcroft Holsteins

NAMES: GARY & KERRI JEBSON, RACHEL JEBSON & PATRICK BAIRD HERD SIZE: APPROX. 40 MILKING COWS OPERATION TYPE: TIE STALL, NO TMR LOCATION: SUNDERLAND, ON

1. Describe your family’s history with Holsteins. The Elmcroft prefix has been around since the 40’s. My grandfather and father were both herdsmen for the farm. Dad became a partner in the 70’s. We became sole owners in the 80’s, with my wife Kerri and I joining later. Patrick and Rachel joined a few years ago. We are a 3x Master Breeder herd with a classification of 18 EX 25 VG 5 GP and a rolling herd average of 264-276-269.

2. What are your breeding goals? I like bigger cows than most today. They have to have good udders and mobility to go outside. They must milk and test well, and last several lactations.

3. What genetic tools are most important in your breeding program? We use classification and milk recording.

4. Describe the ultimate/ideal cow for your operation: I like large, framey cows. They need to produce above average, and score high VG or EX. They should have good pedigrees and transmit well.

5. What cow in your barn is currently the “Heart of the Herd”? Elmcroft Dundee Caria VG 6* isn’t here today but her daughters and their offspring are as “can’t miss” as any. A few years ago we purchased a Diamondback grand daughter of T-Triple-T Dundee Paige EX 96 4E. It’s early, but she appears to be making the right kind.

6. What are you most proud of in your herd/operation? The fact that we are a family farm is important. We have several cow families that breed really well, and cows that last a lot longer than the industry average. I would like to think we are recognized as good “cow people”.

7. If you could improve one thing in your herd/operation, what would it be? I would like to have better dry cow facilities. A few years ago we diversified into organic turkeys, and I would like to expand there as well.

8. If you could have ANY cow standing in your barn, who would it be and why? Starbrite Lyster Lyndsay EX 96 5E 6*. She was a great individual that aged incredibly well. She was from a really good breeding family and transmitted that to her offspring that produced well. A cow everyone wants to breed and own.

Elmcroft Dempsey Jackie EX 2E, Grand Champion at Ontario County Holstein Show 2019. PHOTO BY BARNGIRLS PHOTOGRAPHY.

9. What is one thing you would tell a young farmer starting out? Surround yourself with people who are concerned about your success and not just their own. Not everything will go as intended, have a plan B and learn from mistakes.

10. How do you use genomic information in your herd and what are your thoughts on the future of genomics? We use more young sires than I ever thought we would, otherwise we use genomics very little. We make breeding decisions using our eyes instead of the computer. Everyone has to use the tools available as they see fit.

11. How many cows do you flush each year? How do you market your embryos that are for sale? We flush two to three cows per year, mostly for ourselves. Embryos have never been a huge part of our income.

12. Being in the breeding business, what traits do you find sell the best? What trait do you value most? Everyone that comes in is still attracted to the higher type cows, which we prefer to have. People want young healthy cows with good udders.

13. Which bulls do you feel has had the most impact on your herd over the years and today? Our heifer pens are full of Master, Moment, Sidekick, and Dempsey daughters. Bulls like Dempsey, Jasper, Storm, and Rudolph have worked well for us in the past.

14. What are the management practices in place on your farm that you feel contribute the most to the success of your operation? Why? Being a small herd with a limited land base, we need to put up good quality feed to try and keep extra feed costs down. Kerri feeds the calves and gets them off to a tremendous start. After that, we try and use common sense raising them.

Do you know a producer or young person with a great story to tell? Or a suggestion for us to follow up on?

We are always on the look out for interesting features to share in our magazine! Call or text us today to share your idea: 519-209-5553. We would love to hear from you!

#1 CONFORMATION SIRES ON THE TOP 50 GPA LPI YOUNG SIRE LIST

(>11 months old with semen availability Dec. 2022)

ZOAR is an exciting A2A2 CONWAY son.

THE PERFECT BALANCE OF TYPE AND PRODUCTION. USA: +3062 GTPI® | +2.69 PTAT CAN: +3834 GPA LPI | $3421 PRO$ | +9 CONFORMATION | +11 DAIRY STRENGTH A2A2 | +1609KG M | +232KG CFP | 104 HERD LIFE

BLAKELY is an A2A2 GAMEDAY son.

THE PERFECT MATING FOR RENEGADE BLOODLINES. USA: +2992 GTPI® | +2.87 PTAT | +5.7 PL | 2.61 SCS CAN: +3794 GPA LPI | $3445 PRO$ | +9 CONFORMATION A2A2 | +1094KG M | +0.73 %F | 107 HERD LIFE

ZOAR & BLAKELY are the only two active sires available in the breed that are:

A2A2 | >3750 GPA LPI | +9 Conformation | >1000kgs Milk >104 Daughter Fertility | >100 Milking Speed

At far left: Dam of ZOAR: Claynook Zeeta Pursuit-ET (VG-85) At left: Dam of BLAKELY: Westcoast Popstr Sil6827 8977 (VG-85)