Erbcrest Holsteins recognized for long-lived, high-producing dairy cattle

Dan Erb receives recognition for the herd’s lifetime production award winner, Erbcrest Kerrigan Marica. From left are past president Sjoerd Kemmere, Dan Erb and Perth County Holstein Club president Luis Velazquez. Contributed photo

By Gary West

Dan Erb of Brunner is continuing a strong family tradition of breeding high-production Holstein cows known for both longevity and strong type.

The Erb family’s Erbcrest Holsteins herd was recognized last year with a Master Breeder Shield in Perth County, an honour that reflects years of careful breeding focused on productive cows that remain healthy and profitable over the long term.

Erb is following in the footsteps of his father, Delmer, whose work helped establish the family’s reputation for developing cows that combine strong conformation with high milk production.

During a recent visit to the Erbcrest herd, located east of Topping and south of Milverton, the quality of the long-established, homebred Holstein herd was evident. The multi-generational dairy operation continues to build on decades of breeding decisions aimed at producing cows that perform consistently and remain productive throughout long lifespans.

Longtime Holstein master breeder Murray McGonigle of Hill Pond Holsteins near Amulree also praised the herd following a recent visit, noting it is among the top herds produced in North Easthope Township in recent years.

Recognition for the herd’s breeding program continued this year through the Perth County Holstein Breeders’ Association’s Breeders Cup in-barn competition.

One of the herd’s mature cows, Erbcrest Kerrigan Marica, received the 60,000-plus kilogram lifetime production award, highlighting the kind of long-term performance the Erb family aims to achieve through its breeding program.