Kevin & Cheryel Harvey, along with their children Ashley and Ryan, operate Harvdale Holsteins in Stayner, ON, where they have 120 head, including 48 milking in a tail-to-tail tie-stall barn. The herd consists of 22 Excellents, 34 Very Goods and 5 Good Plus, with a herd production average of 10,800kg 4.4%F 3.5%P and a BCA of 227-260-231.
The Harveys farm 450 acres of barley, winter wheat, corn, soybeans and hay. The milking herd is fed a TMR mix of hay, balage, corn silage, high moisture corn and barley, which is top-dressed with a protein pellet. The dry cows and youngstock are fed a grain ration and dry hay.
Joining the ranks of Master Breeder has always been a goal that the Harveys have worked toward. Prior to achieving that goal, they have breed multiple All-Canadian and All-Ontario nominations, including the 2003 All-Canadian Junior 2 Year Old.
They have several cow families that have been influential in their herd, including Harvdale Goldwyn Brittney EX92-2E and Harvdale Outside Kristy VG89-2YR, as well as Harvdale Charles Candice EX94 (UK), who was exported to the United Kingdom as a 2 Year Old. All three of the of these families have great type, production and longevity, and produce offspring with show appeal.
The Harvey’s usually flush two to three cows each year, conventionally. When they make a purchase of an individual, they look for deep pedigrees and strong cow families.
When choosing service sires, the Harveys select based on type, plus production and positive components. Sires that have worked well for them in the past include Comestar Outside, Shoremar Milan and Braedale Goldwyn.
In the future, the Harveys plan to stay the course, and continue breed good, sound cows with functional type and show appeal.
