E175 The Vision of Mount Victoria: T.B. Macaulay’s Holstein Legacy

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 breedhttps://www.thebullvine.com/breeder-profiles/the-vision-of-mount-victoria-t-b-macaulays-holstein-legacy/