The Origins of the Canadian Holstein

(Courtesy of the Holstein Association of Canada - Promotion Dept.)

The first Holstein-Friesian animals to arrive in North America came to the U.S. from Holland in 1881. There is some doubt however, as to whether the first Holstein cow in Canada was imported from the U.S. to Manitoba or Ontario. The American Herd Book reports the sale of a bull and cow in 1881 to Archibald Wright of Winnepeg. In 1882, the same book notes the transfer of one bull and nine cows to Michael Cook and Son of Aultsville, Ontario. Their sale bill in 1882 states that the “Pioneer Holstein-Friesian Herd of Canada” was thus established. It is possible that they bought the animals in 1881 with the transfer not being recorded until 1882.

Herman Bollert of Cassel, Ontario bought foundation stock from Cook in 1883. The vast majority of all Holsteins in Canada trace to two animals owned by Bollert. They were Tidy Abberkerk, bred by Bollert, the foundation dam of the Abberkerk family and Aaltje Posch 4th , imported by Bollert, the foundation cow of the Posch family. A depression forced Bollert to disperse his herd in 1896 and many fellow Holstein breeders were thus able to purchase his superior stock.

In 1924 T.B. Macauley of Mount Victoria Farms in Quebec purchased some of the Bollert animals from James Rettie and Alfred E. Hulet in Oxford County. The breeding emphasis oat Mount Victoria Farms was superior udders and a 4% fat test. The resulting progeny from these strains, known as the Rag Apple Line, is the most predominant in Canada today.

When Holsteins were first introduced into Canada, they were ridiculed and laughed at by many farmers. However through the depression years when money was minimal, the feed efficiency of the Holstein was noted, allowing the breed to gain popularity.