By Connor Lynch
MAXVILLE — An Oct. 24 fire destroyed an 86-year-old barn, four silos and killed 148 of a 600-Holstein herd, causing about $1 million in damages. The fire destroyed 77 calves and 71 cows ready to calve.
Leducdale Farms Inc. owner Raymond Leduc, who farms with his son Sebastian just outside Maxville, told Farmers Forum that the barn was insured although not for its full value, they’re in talks with the insurance company, and the barn will definitely be rebuilt. The family owns two other barns which hold the rest of their herd.
“We’ll need a lot of cows to replace those we lost because they were calving, so to keep the wheel turning we’ll need to buy cows every few weeks,” he said.
The cause of the fire is unknown but Leduc said it was possible the fire started from a skid steer parked at the west end of the barn.
It’s been a tragic year for the Leducs. Raymond’s wife, Diane, died in August from cancer.
