E175 The Vision of Mount Victoria: T.B. Macaulay’s Holstein Legacy
The Bullvine · The Bullvine
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Show Notes
Episode Notes: The Legacy of Mount Victoria Farms
• Introduction to Mount Victoria Farms, founded by Thomas Bassett Macaulay in Quebec, Canada in 1899
• Macaulay’s background as an insurance executive and actuary
• Macaulay’s late start in Holstein breeding at age 69 in 1924
• The acquisition of key foundation animals, including Johanna Rag Apple Pabst for $15,000 in 1926
• Macaulay’s scientific approach to breeding, focusing on high butterfat production and good conformation
• The development of influential cow families like the Colanthas, Bonheurs, and Hartogs
• The impact of Johanna Rag Apple Pabst and his descendants on the Holstein breed globally
• Key sires discussed: Montvic Pathfinder, Montvic Rag Apple Colantha Abbekerk, Montvic Rag Apple Ajax
• The global influence of Mount Victoria genetics, with an estimated 90% of Canadian Holsteins tracing back to the herd by the 1950s
• The dispersal of the Mount Victoria herd in 1942 and the continued impact of its genetics
• Lessons for modern breeders from Macaulay’s methods, including the importance of clear goals, data-driven selection, and challenging conventional wisdom
• The enduring legacy of Mount Victoria Farms in shaping the modern Holstein breed