Glen and Sheila Burgess purchased their 1st farm near Harriston Ontario in 1986 with little money in their pockets but determination to turn their dreams into reality. In October of that year with 15 cows they made their 1st shipment of milk. Gradually over time herd size and quota holding increased and along the way Jerseys were added to the Cedarpatch herd taking on the Golden Jersey prefix. The herd now consists of half Jerseys and Holsteins. In 1993 the Burgess’s made the move to the Mildmay area and have not looked back, making extensive improvements over the years.
Truly a family farm, Glen and Sheila have raised their 6 children to have a passion for the dairy industry. Oldest daughter Jessica works for Canwest DHI and comes home whenever she can. Jackie pursued a career as a hairstylist and helps run a dairy farm with her husband Evan Blanchard. Alisha is studying to become a teacher, but moved her 4-H calf to a farm close to her school so she could continue to work with her while studying. Sarah is currently finishing her 2nd year of nursing. Greg spends a lot of time on the road clipping and fitting while youngest son Erik is finishing grade 12. All of the Burgess children have been active in 4-H and it isn’t uncommon to see the whole family out helping at the shows! Glen feels that showing is a great way to showcase your animals, “If you don’t take them out no one will know what you have”.
Cedarpatch Facts
Total # of animals: milking 55 (27 Holsteins, 27 Jerseys and 1 Brown Swiss)
Herd Classification: Holstein – 8EX, 21VG, 3GP, Jersey – 8EX, 20VG, 3GP
Herd Production BCA: 231-240-230
Acres: 100ac, and 65 rented
Feed: Cows are fed 4x a day – free choice corn silage in the morning. Also feed baleage and dry hay once a day. Dry cows and heifers are fed corn silage and free choice hay or baleage. Calves are feed milk until 3 months of age and a high protein calf starter. Calves 3-6 months are feed the high protein calf starter and then are switched to a 175 ration with free choice dry hay.
Farm improvements:
2002 – Naturally ventilated and naturally lite Heifer barn
2006 – Milking barn renovations – larger stalls with comfort mats and new mangers
2008 – Hay storage
2011 – Extension to original barn – adding 20 more stalls
Cedarpatch Wade Chocolate holds two honors – she is the Burgess 1st home bred cow and also contributed the most points in earning the Master Breeder Shield. She produced over 90,000 litres lifetime production and her strong genetics have carried through to a number of offspring. Chocolate has 1 Excellent, 3 Very Good and 2 good plus daughters. The Chocolate family is characterized by their strength and openness of rib along with wide and high rear udders. Her daughter Cedarpatch Shottle Cherie VG-86 2YR was 2nd Senior 2 year old, Best Bred and Owned at the Grey Bruce County Holstein show in 2012.
Another family that is influential in the Cedarpatch herd is the “J” family. Cedarpatch Nuclear Jolene VG-85 is the dam of 4 Very Good daughters in the herd and has produced 80,000 litres lifetime with 4.5 Fat, 3.8 Protein Milk. Jolene goes back to on e of the 1st cows that Geln & Sheila bought, Norwood Victory Jellybean. Cedarpatch Goldwyn Janeese EX-92 2E (Sold as a 2 year old) was Grand Champion at Rive-Nord Exposition in 2010. Janeese’s Pronto daughter, Hodglynn Pronto Jellybean VG-85 2YR was purchased back by Glen and his son in-law Evan Blanchard.
When making breeding decisions Glen looks for balanced proofs that excel in udder strength, good feet and leg numbers as well as high type and production and from strong cow families. Current bulls being used: Atwood, Aftershock, Fever, Lauthority, and Sanchez, as well as a few high genomic bulls from good cow families.
Glen and Sheila are not strangers to being recognized for their accomplishments in the agriculture industry, they were the recipients of the Ontario Outstanding Young Farmers award in 2001.
Looking to the future Glen and Sheila would like to increase their quota and land base and build a new milk house along with a barn office area. It is obvious that the Burgess children will be part of the future at Cedarpatch Holsteins and Golden Jerseys and with that Glen and Sheila hope that their children can continue on with the legacy that they have created.
