Farms.com Home   Ag Industry News

The Canadian Milking Shorthorn Society names its Cow of the Year

The Canadian Milking Shorthorn Society names its Cow of the Year

Richford Pingerly Valentine, bred by Don Richardson, is the 2023 Canadian Milking Shorthorn Cow of the Year.

By Andrew Joseph, Farms.com; Image via Canadian Milking Shorthorn Society

Everybody loves a good-looking cow, especially the Canadian Milking Shorthorn Society.

Last month, Richford Pingerly Valentine was unveiled as the 2023 Cow of the Year at the Canadian Milking Shorthorn Society’s Field Day and Annual Meeting. The event was hosted by the Richardson family of St. Marys, Ontario.

The Society’s Cow of the Year Award is determined by votes registered by CMSS members.

Valentine, classified Excellent 92-2E, was bred by Don Richardson of Richford Farms. She was subsequently consigned to the 2016 National Milking Shorthorn Sale, where she was purchased by Oceanbrae Farms of Belmont, Prince Edward Island.

According to her breeder, Don Richardson, "Valentine was the sort of heifer that we thought would excel in any herd, so we were confident consigning her to the National Sale. We were glad to hear that the Oceanbrae herd had purchased her, as they had previously purchased cattle from us."

Fred Barrett of Oceanbrae Farms noted that "Valentine caught our attention, as she traced back to our Oceanbrae Lady cow family. As we had success in the past with cattle from the Richford herd, we felt comfortable purchasing her for our herd."

Richford Pingerly Valentine has produced 54,795 kg of milk in five completed lactations at 3.7% fat and 3.3% protein. In early 2023, she completed her best lactation to date, producing 13,118 kg of milk in 305 days, the third-largest All-Time milk record for Canadian Milking Shorthorns in the Mature Cow age class.

This is despite Valentine having to temporarily relocate to a foster herd while the Barrett family rebuilt their dairy barn following Hurricane Fiona in September 2022. Valentine was relocated to Red Oak Farms in Oyster Bed Bridge, PEI, where the Versteeg family cared for her and six of her herdmates until the Barretts resumed milking in March 2023.

Cow of the Year isn’t the only recent accolade Valentine has earned. She was also named Grand Champion of the 2022 CMSS Virtual Show in September 2022 after placing first in the Mature Cow Class. Valentine is sired by the Australian sire Treeton Pingerly, the No. 1 LPI sire marketed by Semex.

Runner-up for 2023 Cow of the Year was Emadale LSC Taco Maid EX-90-2E, bred by Doug Wherry of Oshawa, Ontario, and owned by Sheldon Richardson of St. Marys, Ontario.

Both Valentine and Taco Maid are excellent examples of balanced, productive Canadian Milking Shorthorns succeeding for dairy producers across Canada. For more information on the breed, visit the CMSS website at www.milkingshorthorn.ca.


Trending Video

Building Better Barns: Innovations in Hog Facility Design with PSI’s Tim Messinger

Video: Building Better Barns: Innovations in Hog Facility Design with PSI’s Tim Messinger

In this exclusive interview from the 2025 Iowa Pork Congress Rachel Fishback and Swineweb sit down with Tim Messinger, a seasoned expert from Precision Structures Inc. (PSI) of Wellman, Iowa, to delve into the latest trends and innovations in hog barn construction and remodeling.

With nearly two decades at PSI, Tim shares his journey from draftsman to sales, highlighting the company’s comprehensive services in building farrow-to-wean complexes, finishers, and nurseries. He emphasizes the critical role of proper site layout and grading in barn construction, ensuring long-term efficiency and scalability for pork producers.

Tim also discusses the increasing importance of advanced ventilation systems and smart controllers like Maximus and AP Edge, which offer producers enhanced monitoring and control over barn environments. As construction costs have risen, PSI has seen an uptick in remodeling projects, particularly in slat replacements, roof refurbishments and barn gating remodels to extend the lifespan of existing facilities.

A key takeaway from Tim is the value of partnering with reputable builders who offer robust post-sale support. PSI’s dedicated service team stands ready to assist clients 24/7, addressing emergencies and ensuring optimal barn performance.

For pork producers looking to build or upgrade their facilities, this conversation offers valuable insights into best practices and the latest industry developments.