E180 Legacy of Excellence: The Heart and Soul of Altona Lea Holsteins

Key Highlights: • 🚜 Generational Legacy: How the Barkey-Puterbough family built a dairy dynasty spanning 187 years, surviving land expropriation (1972) to breed Canada’s first 10-generation EX cows. • 🐮 Foundation Genetics: The story of Harriett EX-9* (purchased as “Roybrook Starlite’s bargain semen”), whose descendants make up 95% of today’s herd and birthed two historic 10-generation EX cows. • 🌟 Show Ring Dominance: From Cooper Puterbough’s 4-H calf (Unix Herminie EX-95) to back-to-back Ontario Summer Holstein Show Grand Championships in 2024. • 🇬🇧 Global Impact: Three Royal Highland Show Grand Champions (Scotland), and Altona Lea Broker Emma EX-96-UK, immortalized in British stained glass. • 🌱 Nurturing the Next Gen: 37 consecutive years providing TD Canadian 4-H Dairy Classic calves, mentoring 300+ youth annually.Notable Statistics: • Herd size: 60 milking cows | 1,350 acres (combined owned/rented) • Production: 11,158 kg milk/cow/year | BCA scores of 260-303-265 • Awards: 4 Master Breeder shields | 12 EX/8 ME cows | 37-year 4-H streakFeatured Cattle: • Altona Lea Classic Jazz EX-91-2E (1st Canadian 10G EX cow) • Altona Lea Cinderdoor Glitz EX-91 (2nd 10G EX cow) • Altona Lea Unix Herminie EX-95 (back-to-back Grand Champion)Key Quotes: • “We’ve provided calves to the 4-H Classic for 37 years. The teamwork those kids learn? It changes lives.” – Glenn Barkey • “Harriett wasn’t just a cow – she’s the backbone of a genetic revolution.” – Host Bellahttps://www.thebullvine.com/breeder-profiles/legacy-of-excellence-the-heart-and-soul-of-altona-lea-holsteins/