The Rural Voice, 2019-03, Page 50shows interest, Keith’s energy
ignited his own father’s interest in
improving the herd. Woodbridge
Holsteins went back on Dairy Herd
Improvement milk testing in 1996
and started classifying cows again.
By 2000, Kevin had taken over
milking of the herd and was working
full-time in sales for an automotive
parts wholesaler. By 2008, he made
the commitment to farm full time and
purchased the farm. In 2013, a new
40-cow tie stall barn was built then
expanded in 2016.
“So I now have 50 cows and
generally milk around 40. My father
also deserves credit for the farm
achieving Master Breeder status.
Although I bred the majority of
cows, I had some great cows to work
with and a real good base from the
cows he previously bred.”
Kevin says he likes good-uddered
cows with adequate rib and good
legs. “They don’t need to be a super
high producer as a two year old
either. A youthful, uddered heifer
that will mature well and be around
for five or six lactations suits me just
fine as they improve with each
lactation and hopefully leave a few
heifers in the process.”
When choosing bulls, Kevin
says he likes bulls that
have the potential to
produce show cattle. He likes to
watch show results and check the
lineages of the winners to track ideal
crosses. He considers Goldwn X
Dundee, Sid X Goldwyn and
Doorman X Goldchip all great
crosses.
Genomics don’t interest him but
he does try to flush a few cows,
mostly for his own genetic gain.
Kevin thinks he is a bit old school
when it comes to management
strategies. Cows and heifers are out
on pasture during the summer
months. Exercise is particularly
important for heifers to manage their
weight and prevent fatty udders, he
says.
Kevin is also a proponent of
record keeping, using DHI and
classifying regularly. “Pick the
classifier’s brain while he is in your
barn,” advocates Kevin. “Ask them
what daughters they like and what
bulls they are from.”
46 The Rural Voice
The Klages family of Woodbridge Holsteins near Neustadt is (left to right)
Kevin, Aleece, Natalie and Mitchell. The cow featured is Woodbridge M
Stormy misty EX 6, the foundation to one of the prominent cow families in
the herd.