Holstein Canada Announces 2012 Master Breeders

Jan 14, 2013

Twenty-One Recipients among Elite Holstein Breeders across Canada

It’s a dream that almost any dairy farmer would want – being named a Master Breeder; and that dream has turned into a reality for 21 dairy producers across Canada.

Holstein Canada was proud to announce its top Breeders, who will be honoured at their upcoming National Holstein Convention in Niagara Falls, Ontario.

It’s a millstone that one can win more than once too. There were seven previous winners, and 14 first-time winners. The following is the breakdown by province:

•Québec – Eight Winners
•Ontario – Eight Winners
•British Columbia – Three Winners
•Manitoba – One Winner
•Saskatchewan – One Winner

The prestigious award began in 1929 and since that time there have only been 924 Master Breeder shields presented and given to Holstein Canada members. The winners are selected based on having the best ratio for breeding cows that have the best traits, such as high milk production, outstanding confirmation, health and longevity.

Video: Finding a Balance of Innovation and Regulation - Dr. Peter Facchini

Regulations help markets and industry exist on level playing fields, keeping consumers safe and innovation from going too far. However, incredibly strict regulations can stunt innovation and cause entire industries to wither away. Dr. Peter James Facchini brings his perspective on how existing regulations have slowed the advancement of medical developments within Canada. Given the international concern of opium poppy’s illicit potential, Health Canada must abide by this global policy. But with modern technology pushing the development of many pharmaceuticals to being grown via fermentation, is it time to reconsider the rules?

Dr. Peter James Facchini leads research into the metabolic biochemistry in opium poppy at the University of Calgary. For more than 30 years, his work has contributed to the increased availability of benzylisoquinoline alkaloid biosynthetic genes to assist in the creation of morphine for pharmaceutical use. Dr. Facchini completed his B.Sc. and Ph.D. in Biological Sciences at the University of Toronto before completing Postdoctoral Fellowships in Biochemistry at the University of Kentucky in 1992 & Université de Montréal in 1995.