By Tom Collins
Philip Prinzen was surprised to find out he had the province’s top breed class average for Holsteins.
CanWest DHI said Prinzen, who runs Prinzhaven Farms in Prince Edward County with his wife Selena, had Ontario’s top BCA (breed class average) in 2016 with a score of 327.7. BCA measures milk, fat and protein. Last year the farm was tied for fourth for Holsteins at 311.7.
Prinzen guessed part of the reason for the top spot might have been a switch to three-times-a-day milking last August, which has resulted in a 15-20 per cent production increase.
Eastern Ontario was also home to the top BCA for Jersey and Milking Shorthorn herds. Hollylane Jerseys, owned by R & D Jarrell Ray at Hastings, had the highest 2016 BCA average for Jerseys with 309, while Prinsville Dairy Farms Inc., owned by B & D Prinzen in Prince Edward County, had the highest BCA average for Milking Shorthorn with 273.3.
Here are the top-ranked dairy farms for highest BCA average for each Eastern and East-Central county.
• Carleton County (average BCA of 231); Alexerin Dairy Inc., owned by Ron and Todd Nixon of Manotick: 297
• City of Kawartha Lakes (average BCA of 216); Thursthill Farms, owned by Keith, Sandra, Jeff and Nicole Thurston of Lindsay: 250.7
• Dundas County (average BCA of 227); Ricrodreg Holsteins, owned by Dwight Gilmer & Sons Ltd of South Mountain: 273.3
• Durham County (average BCA of 211); Ruti Farms, owned by Werner and Nicolas Renggli of Seagrave: 284.3
• Frontenac County (average BCA of 204); Groenway Farms Inc., owned by M & D Groenewegen of Harrowsmith: 240.3
• Glengarry County (average BCA of 221); Glenhaven Farms, owned by Tom Pasco of Williamstown: 279.3
• Grenville County (average BCA of 216); Rideauside Farms Inc., owned by Charles and James Bennett of Kemptville: 260.3
• Hastings County (average BCA of 225); Hollylane Jerseys, owned by Roger and Diane Jarrell Ray of Corbyville: 312
• Lanark County (average BCA of 216); Sunol Farms, owned by Jason and Amanda O’Connell of Carleton Place: 294
• Leeds County (average BCA of 220); Lillies Dale Holsteins, owned by Leo Baumann of Lyn: 314.3
• Lennox and Addington (average BCA of 223); MacLaughlin Farm Inc., owned by John MacLaughlin in Tamworth: 284
• Northumberland County (average BCA of 219); Sunnybrooke, owned by Ronald Watson at Campbellford: 291
• Peterborough County (average BCA of 211); Embrdale Farm owned by David, Cathy, Steven, Cameron, Brett, and Rebecca Stockdale of Norwood: 265.7
• Prescott County (average BCA of 232); Ontario Inc 1024248, owned by Andy Senn of St. Bernardin: 322.7
• Prince Edward County (average BCA of 250); Prinzhaven Farms, owned by Philip & Selena Prinzen of Bloomfield: 329.3
• Renfrew County (average BCA of 217); Gouldhaven Farms, owned by Barry Gould at Foresters Falls: 285.7
• Russell County (average BCA of 241); Bertom Farm, owned by F & T Vanmunsteren at Sarsfield: 307.7
• Stormont County (average BCA of 220); Murrayholm Farms, owned by Campbell Murray of Martintown: 262.3
Seven of the top 12 Holstein farms for top BCA came from Eastern Ontario, with three located in Russell County. The top 12 are:
1. Prinzhaven Farms, owned by Philip and Selena Prinzen in Prince Edward County with a score of 327.7.
2. Albadon Farms Ltd., owned by Mark and Josh Ireland in Bruce County with a score of 326.
3. Ontario Inc. 1024248, owned by Andy Senn in Prescott County with a score of 322.7.
4. Lillies Dale Holsteins, owned by Leo Baumann in Leeds County with a score of 314.3.
5. Larenwood Farms Ltd., owned by Chris McLaren in Oxford County with a score of 312.
6. Paradigm Holsteins, owned by Steve Vandendool in Oxford County with a score of 309.7.
6. Bertom Farm, owned by F & T Vanmunsteren in Russell County with a score of 307.7.
8. Bellwin Farms Inc., owned by Jim Bell in Wellington County with a score of 307.7.
9. Brabantdale Farms Ltd., owned by Chris and John Nooyen in Russell County with a score of 305.3
9. Jubilee Farm, owned by Cecil and Nathan Siebenga in Perth County with a score of 305.3.
11. Ferme Serheal, owned by Claude and Tyler Seguin in Prescott County with a score of 303.3.
12. Ferme Prospere Inc., owned by Luc and Sylvie Dutrisac in Russell County with a score of 299.7.
