Jersey Canada 2016 AGM Barn Tours

Friday March 18th brought together a large group of Jersey Breeder enthusiasts for Jersey Canadas 2016 Barn Tours as part of the Annual AGM.

A total of 6 farms in Woodstock area (Oxford Jersey Club) opened up their barns.

Nick and Trudy Groot
Jos Heinsbroek
Ingersoll, ON

-160 head of Jerseys (85 Cows) 10 VG, 46 GP, 19 G and 10 n/c
BCA 236-228-244 5.13 F & 3.98 P
-170 Acres  – growing wheat, Corn silage, beans and hay
-Flat parlour with 72 Freestall Coverall barn addition
-Heifer pack barn built in 2012

John and Jo-Ann Claessens
Matt Hannah, Makayla, Madison and Hazel Claessans
Ingersoll, ON

The Claessens started in 1991 milking 15 grade Holsteins in a rented facility. The Holsteins were eventually replaced with Jerseys – which suited the old tie stall barn better.

In 1996 the they moved to Jo-Anns parents farm and the herd was expanded. In 2006 a addition to the tie stall barn was added along with a Heifer facility.

Now in 2016 they have built a new Compost barn and parlour and are milking 80 cows.

Herd Classification – 4 ME, 6 EX, 26 VG, 38 GP, 4 G

RHA 264-235-259

Nathan, Kate, Heidi, Lexi, Tessa and Quinn Wade
Woodstock, ON

3rd Generation farm that has been breeding Jerseys for 70 years. In 2010 Nathan and Kate Wade took over the operation  and put a strong emphasis on breeding cows with high production and high type.

Recent success has come with the sale of a Cow that went on to place 1st at the Ohio Spring Expo and 3rd at the All-American as a Sr 3 Year old.

Current BCA 245-222-255

Jim, Cathy, Sarah and George Mason
Woodstock, ON

Established in 1991 with 7 cows and gradually increased to 55-60 cows.

Cows recieve a total mixed ration 2x daily with the DMI at 21.50/kg/cow/day. Current production is 23kg avg with 5.53%F and 3.83%P

Current Classification
2ME, 3EX, 30 VG, 19 GP

Bryan, Linda and Rylee Weldrick
Tavistock, ON

The Weldricks started milking on 2012 with the help of DFOs new entrant program with 35kg of Quota and are now at aprox 50kgs.

Currently they rent a tie stall facility from Bryans parents (the dispersed in 2005). Jerseys were incorporated in to the new herd as stalls in the older part of tie stall barn were smaller.

Herd Classification 3 ME (1 is 5E), 1 EX, 29 VG, and 14 GP.

Notable breeding to date is breeding WDE Junior Champion 2009 – Perennial Justice Natasha. She was also their first Perennial Bred Jersey and 1st Homebred EX.

Brian ad Linda Raymer
Jordan and Luke Raymer Bright, ON

Celebrating their 40th year in the dairy business and 28th year with Jerseys! Brian was the President of Jersey Canada this previous year.

The family farms on 100 acres, which supplies 95% of the feed for the herd. The herd is fed a TMR ration of Corn silage, Haylage, High moisture corn and balage.

They are currently milking 35-40 cows with at herd classification of 14EX, 25 VG and 8GP. The JL prefix is owned by sons Jordan and Luke. Between the two prefixes the herd is entirely homebred. The nucleus of the herd goes back to Bri-Lin Imperial Snow 11 star brood cow. In 2006 the Raymers achieved a Master Breeder Award.

Current BCA 231-214-230