HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen Agriculture, 2003-03-19, Page 44THE CITIZEN. WEDNESDAY. MARCH 19. 2003. PAGE A-19.
Producer sees many positives with Brown Swiss
place for second summer yearling.
In 2001 they took home the
premier breeder and exhibitor
awards.
Though the family does indeed,
refer to this as their hobby, they
admit the wins help them promote
their breed and promote them as
breeders. “In the long run we hope to
sell some good genetics,” said Ernst.
“And make a name for ourselves,”
adds Stefan.
Breeding a winner, Ernst says
modestly, is probably as much about
luck as talent. “It is a challenge and
sometimes you are more fortunate
than not. “
Getting a Royal winner, he says is
like grooming for a beauty show.
“The best looking makes a winner.
Ask the judge. You have to breed the
right kind of cow.”
A well-tended animal is probably
the first step. “Certainly it’s about
how you look after them, but it’s not
just a good animal. They have to be
taught to walk right, which can be
quite a challenge in the spring.”
Though having a winner attached
to your name never hurts, awards
don’t pay the bills. “In dairy farming
the first priority is to make a living.
If you have a nice animal but it
doesn’t milk that’s obviously not
what you want. But often the good
cows are the ones that win and if we
have good animals we’ll show them.
It’s not just production at that point.”
The Gubelmanns also had six
animals up for 4-H showing. Stefan
has been a leader for the Huron dairy
club, so when a member has no calf
of their own they are loaned one. “It
helps us and it helps them,” says
Ernst. “Quite a few don’t have cattle
at home. This way they get started
and may like it. Maybe one of 10
will stay in the business.”
That type of public relations is
important to the industry, says Ernst.
“It’s also another aspect of the
Royal. We are getting the farm to the
people. It is important to the industry
that urban people and others who
don’t farm know what we do.”
Continued on A-20
Homestead
The Gubelmann name and its Brown Swiss cattle are proudly displayed at the roadside by their
McKillop home. The sign was painted by Yolanda, pictured with Ernst. (Bonnie Gropp photo)
By Bonnie Gropp
Citizen editor
Twelve years ago Ernst and
Yolanda Gubelmann brought their
young family to Canada to fulfill a
dream.
Having grown up on a farm, then
working as a farm manager in his
native Switzerland, Ernst knew the
reality. “There was no way we could
afford land there, so coming to
Canada gave us an opportunity to
farm.”
An opportunity of which they are
making the most. Now with son
Stefan and his wife living on a
neighbouring property, the two
families cash crop about 500 acres of
land, and operate a 60-cow dairy
operation in McKillop.
The herd has a few of the area’s
most popular breed, Holstein, but is
primarily comprised of Brown
Swiss, a favourite of Ernst’s. “The
first reason I like them is because I
grew up with them on our farm.
When I came here I took over some
Holsteins. They are a good cow, but
I think Brown Swiss have some
good alternatives. They are a tougher
animal, a stronger animal with a
higher percentage of protein in the
milk.”
Gubelmann says the animal’s
black hooves with higher heels are
like work boots, an advantage
anywhere, but particularly when the
cattle are walking on concrete in a
free-stall environment.
Noting that there aren’t that many
Brown Swiss producers in the
province now, Gubelmann sees that
number increasing in the future.
“Because of the points I just made.
Those are things dairymen are
looking for, good feet and legs, a
healthy, strong animal.”
Making the breed even more
attractive is its personality. “Brown
Swiss are docile, more calm.”
Gubelmann adds that they have
sold quite a few breeding bulls to
farmers who want to cross-breed
with Holsteins to improve quality.
Given the success the Gubelmann
operation has enjoyed, it would be
difficult to argue his points. In a test
herd of 60 two-year-olds, one of the
Gubelmanns’ two entries,
Gubelmann Gordon Dora had the
highest breed class average (BCA)
and was also the highest classifed
for all breeds.
In 2001 the Gubelmanns received
recognition for highest producing
herd in Huron and and highest
Brown Swiss average in Ontario.
Even their “hobby” does not stray
from the family business. The
Gubelmanhs have participated in the
past five Royal Winter Fairs and
have come home winners many
times. In 2002, having taken 11 head
to the Toronto show, they copped
reserve junior champion with a
senior heifer, first place with Dora in
the three-year-old class and second
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