Perth County Holstein breeders host spring open-house tour

The Zehr family of Hyden Holsteins Ltd., south of Poole, milks 130 Holsteins using robotic milking technology in a barn built in 2023. Gary West photo

By Gary West

Holstein breeders from across Perth County welcomed visitors to their farms Saturday as part of the annual Perth County Holstein Club open house car tour, offering fellow producers and visitors an opportunity to view dairy operations near Brunner, Poole, Topping, Atwood and Listowel.

Held each spring, the tour allows dairy producers, families and industry supporters from across the region to see how other farms manage their registered Holstein herds and facilities. Visitors were invited to travel between participating farms from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., gaining insight into herd management practices, housing systems, feeding programs and new barn technology.

Among the herds featured on this year’s tour were Waycrest Farms of Wayne and Amy Kuepfer and Legacy Holsteins of Steve and Karen Dolson, and Jeff and Sally McMullen, both near Atwood.

Two Listowel-area farms were also included: Royal Acres, operated by Jim, Heather, Natalie and Ben Robinson, and Maplevue Farms, operated by Dave and Doug Johnston and their families.

In total, eight farms participated in the tour, many of them multigenerational family operations that have built strong reputations for producing high-quality milk from registered Holstein cattle.

Producers highlighted the advantages of Canada’s supply-management system, noting production quotas and border controls help support stable farm incomes while maintaining high-quality Grade A milk production for domestic consumers.

Several farms on the tour showcased modern dairy facilities featuring robotic milking systems, sand-bedded free stalls, total mixed ration feeding programs and cow-comfort features such as automatic brushes.

The Cnossen family farm on Highway 119 east of Brunner has operated at its current location since 2009. Andrea and Symen Cnossen, along with their children Ryan, Ella and Ben, milk 95 Holsteins in a double-10 rapid-exit parlour. Their herd averages more than 13,000 kilograms of milk, with the family actively involved in 4-H and local sports.

At Hyden Holsteins Ltd., south of Poole on Perth Road 121, the Gerald Zehr family operates a herd of 130 milking Holsteins, including 14 cows classified excellent. The farm’s new dairy barn, built in 2023, features two Lely A5 robotic milking units and an average production of more than 12,000 kilograms of milk per cow.

Janholm Farms, operated by Larry and Beatrice Jantzi and family east of Brunner, milks 45 registered Holsteins using robotic milking technology. The multigenerational farm reports an average production of 12,700 kilograms of milk and features sand-bedded free stalls and feed supplied from three adjoining tower silos.

Also on the tour was Erbcrest Holsteins, operated by Dan and Ruthann Erb and family east of Topping between Milverton and Wellesley. Recognized by Holstein Canada as a two-time Master Breeder herd, the family milks 52 cows in a tie-stall barn and reports a herd average of more than 15,000 kilograms of milk, with multiple excellent and very good classifications.

Throughout the tour, visitors were able to see examples of cow-comfort practices such as automatic brushes, spacious dry-cow pens and well-bedded calving areas designed to promote herd health and productivity.

The annual tour continues to provide an opportunity for producers to exchange ideas, showcase improvements to their operations and celebrate the strong tradition of family dairy farming in Perth County.