From left, Benjamin Nieuwenhof, Frances Moore, Debbie Dohmen and Justin Nieuwenhof on the stage of the Holstein Quebec Picnic hosted at Nieuwenhof & Associates Farm (Lareleve). Al-Rajab photo

Justin Nieuwenhof (left) and his brother Benjamin (right) at the barn of their farm Lareleve.
Al-Rajab photo

Dundee, QC – The 75th annual edition of the Holstein Quebec Picnic hosted at Nieuwenhof & Associates Farm (Lareleve) on Sat., July 20. Every July, members of Holstein Quebec and farmers gather with their families for the traditional Holstein Quebec picnic. The event moves into a new region every year to give an opportunity to discover different breeding. This is the first Holstein Quebec Picnic in free stabling.

Lots of activities for all ages were offered, including a dunk tank challenge, a sandcastle contest, inflatable games, a corn maize, cocktails and a barbecue, fireworks, dance and music. Despite the high temperature during the day, hundreds of people enjoyed the event and refreshments were offered by different exhibitors at their booths. During the event, guests were addressed by Ann Louise Carson, general director of Holstein Canada; Mariette Gagnon, president of Holstein Quebec, and Valerie Tremblay, general director of Holstein Quebec.

The presentation of the host family was given by Claudia Kessler from Holstein Quebec. Justin and Benjamin Nieuwenhof are the owners of Nieuwenhof & Associates Farm (Lareleve). The history of the Nieuwenhof family started in 1953 when Fred and Nelle Nieuwenhof immigrated from Holland to settle initially in Ontario before moving to Dundee in Quebec. In 1978, Fred offered land to his son Justin who started with some animals of prefix Stanedyke, which are currently the base of the herd (Lareleve). Benjamin graduated from Macdonald College in 2003 and is responsible for the herd. Currently, the herd at Lareleve counts 230 heads, from which 105 are milking cows, 196 kg of quota; Holstein production: 14,959 kg of milk at 3.8 per cent and 3.2 per cent with MCR 335-346-336. The herd classifications are 13EX, 59 TB, 53 BP and 3B. The culture surface at Lareleve Farm is 405 hectares, 48.5 of which are rented. The land is cultivated with corn, soy, and alfalfa.