Alumni News
Congratulations
Rachel Jebson
Jessica Wales
Colin Meulendyk
Each year, eight scholarships of $500 each are awarded to students enrolled at a college or university. Selection criteria is primarily based upon the applicant’s agricultural background. Key components are 4-H and Junior Farmer involvement, community activities and future goals. Youth from all six dairy breeds are eligible for this award which is funded by the Ontario Dairy Youth Trust Fund and administered by the Ontario Holstein Branch. Three of this years winners, Rachel Jebson, Jessica Wales and Colin Meulendyk are all Agriculture diploma students at Kemptville College.
DAIRY CENTRE OPEN HOUSE A SUCCESS
On September 30, the sign at the main campus entrance told the story.
As if by design, the visitors seemed to stagger their arrival throughout the day for the open house at the Kemptville Campus Dairy Education and Innovation Centre on Friday September 30.
Some 250 people did take the time to sign the guest book and the steady flow worked well, allowing Campus staff and supplier representatives to engage visitors, showing off the new facility and its equipment, and fielding questions.
Clearly the star of the show was the Lely A3 Next, which has made the campus the first Canadian teaching barn to feature a robotic milking system. Its closed circuit TV monitors improve the observation experience and put cows in the classroom.
The robot, production levels and how the cows have adjusted to the new free-stall environment were the most frequent subjects of questions from visitors.
A particular point of interest was the lower labour component of the voluntary milking system. We were informed that if a problem arises when there is not a worker on duty, the robot initiates a phone alert that describes the nature of the problem to an on-call worker.
We learned that since 30 cows moved in on July 5, the herd has successfully transitioned to life in the new barn, which is quite a change from the former tie-stall facility built in 1926. First-calf heifers have adjusted best, since the whole milking experience is new to them and they don’t have to change ingrained habits.
Herd expansion continues towards the target of 58-60 cows. Currently 37 are milking, with a total daily production of approximately 1,400 kg and a daily average of 39 kg per cow, with a butterfat rating of 3.87 per cent and a protein score of 3.32. The average number of milkings per cow per day has risen to 3.1, which is right on target.
Kemptville College Alumni Association and Kemptville College Foundation joined with the campus in a fundraising campaign that collected $390,000 and helped make possible the renovation of the former bull-test station and creation of the new facility.
Donors included farms, producer/grower groups, agri-business and businesses serving the ag sector, such as banks, veterinary practices and insurance firms, as well as grads and other individuals. Contributors are recognized on a donor board in the new facility.
Mac Johnston, Year 68.
Booties were issued to open house visitors.
Checking each other out are two dairy cows and Easton, six months old, son of 2005 grads Robyn and Kent Fraser of Richmond and grandchild number ten for Year 69 grad John and Barb Fraser.
Year 02 and 03 grads Lucas and Melanie Chisholm, with daughters Jailyn, 3, and Sadie, 4 weeks, are Lombardy dairy farmers.
Manager of Cost Recovery Programs Pat Remillard, Farm Manager Albert Koekkoek and Kemptville College Foundation President Dave Morrow of Perth were all smiles at the open house.
Photos courtesy of Mac Johnston, Year 68.
Producer of the Year Award
Kenora Farms of Spencerville was recognized as Producer of the Year along with Strom’s Farm of Guelph, and Stanton Farms of Ilderton. This Award crossed all agricultural sectors, while recognizing farm businesses that have demonstrated innovation and business practices that maximize productivity and profitability, shaping the future of Ontario’s thriving Agribusinesses.
The Producer of the Year Awards were presented at the exhibitor reception on the opening night of the Canadian International Farm Show, which bid tribute to a group or Agribusiness that has contributed to the betterment of the industry.The 2011 Canadian International Farm Show was held in February at the International Centre in Toronto.
Father and son team Paul and Andrew Henderson are both grads of Kemptville College. Kenora Farms, a dairy and cash crop operation has grown to include 150 milking cows, 660 acres, feed processing capabilities, and milk transport services.
Kenora Farms grew their vision for expansion in 2002 with the construction of a new free stall barn. This was an opportune time for them to participate in the Environmental Farm Plan Program to develop a detailed action plan to assess and improve numerous environmental concerns including better manure storage, waste water drainage, and quality of drinking water for the animals.
In 2010, the Hendersons built a new heifer barn, as well as installing their Energrow Pressing System. "We thought it would be a neat idea to start crushing soybeans and make feed for our cows," says Andrew, who represents the sixth generation of the family to operate their farm. The Energrow System allows the Hendersons to add value to their soybeans by extracting oil, while producing their own soybean meal.
The soybean meal is used for feed and reduces external feed costs, while the extracted oil is sold in the local markets or burned as fuel in the farm’s trucks and tractors. "Besides mineral supplements, we now produce and process all of our own feed and we also like that we can use natural fuel products in our tanks," says Andrew. Kenora Farms also runs a successful milk truck business and both Hendersons are very active in their local area and the Ontario dairy industry.
Food Network Series profiles Restaurant of ’84 Grad
Jeff Robertson in the middle with Chef Theo on the left and Chef Chris on the right.
Year ’84 Agriculture grad, Jeff Robertson got a call from the producers of a Food Network show You Gotta Eat Here. They wanted to showcase his business JR’s Restaurant & Downstairs Pub in Almonte. The restaurant recently created an exciting new menu, bringing together traditional offerings and new dishes that emphasize fresh local produce. The new 13 episode show is hosted by funny and food obsessed John Cattucci on a quest for Canada’s most delicious, mouthwatering over-the-top comfort food. JR’s is one of 39 eateries to be featured in the series. “This is so exciting!" said Jeff. "It’s not something I considered or dreamed. Not only is this a great opportunity for JR’s but it’s a great opportunity to promote the Almonte area.” The episode will most likely air in September.
Reprinted with permission from Business Today Vol. 8 No. 9
Two Kemptville Men Named to the Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame
Albert Maxwell Barr (1904-1979), former Principal of Kemptville Agricultural School and Kenneth Knox, Year 67 grad will be inducted into the Agricultural Hall of Fame at the Country Heritage Park in Milton on June 12. In order to quality for the Hall of Fame the candidates must have have demonstrated visionary leadership, innovation and entrepreneurship in the advancement of agriculture in Ontario.
Barr began his career as an Ag Rep in Huron, Grenville, Brant and Stormont counties gathering a wealth of knowledge about Ontario agriculture. He was an early advocate of tile drainage for farm fields. As an astute judge of cattle, especially of the Holstein-Friesan breed, he judged at the Royal Winter Fair. He coached the Junior Farmers judging team in England and Scotland in 1950. In 1948, he became the assistant director of extension in the Ontario Agricultural Department. He supervised the developing Boys and Girls Clubs, now 4-H.
Mr. Barr became principle of Kemptville Agricultural School in 1951. He helped the school provide practical knowledge of agriculture for the graduates to improve and expand Ontario agriculture. By his retirement in 1966, he established facilities for engineering, poultry science, home economics, the Regional Veterinary Services Lab, a dairy building which housed the Milk Laboratory and the cheese Research Centre, additional land for field crop trials and a bull testing station. With his knowledge of cattle, he was responsible for building an outstanding dairy herd. The number of students increased 200% during his tenure. From 1945 to 1965 he served as moderator of Farm Forum Radio. After his retirement, he became a CIDA advisor in animal husbandry in Uganda and Trinidad.
The Ottawa Valley Seed Growers Association and the Kemptville College Alumni Association put up the $750 nomination fee.
Ken Knox was raised on a dairy farm, which he later purchased from his parents. He graduated from Kemptville Agricultural School in 1967 then went on to OAC to graduate in 1972.
He had a 27 year career in the Ontario Government, working with the Youth Program, The Ontario Farm Adjustment Program, as Assistant Deputy Minister and six years as Deputy Minister.
He was instrumental in the establishment of the Advanced Agriculture Leadership Program (AALP) 26 years ago.
Ken was recognized by the University of Guelph and the Ontario Agricultural College with the creation of the Kenneth W. Knox Endowment Fund that will support future leaders at the university. The fund is currently sitting at just over $160,000 and will allow for three annual scholarships.
At the winter convocation of the University of Guelph, February 24, 2011, Ken Knox received an Honourary doctorate.
Bruce Munro Inducted into Glengarry Agriculture Hall of Fame
Bruce Munro was born in Cornwall, on August 8, 1949. He attended Lancaster Public School, Char-Lan High School, and graduated from Kemptville College in 1970. He began his career in agriculture in management, first at the UCO in Finch, and then in Ashton, Ontario, at an independent agricultural retail facility. In 1972, he married the former Rhona McDonell from Williamstown, and they became the parents of two children, Katie and Adam. With Rhona as his business partner, Bruce established Munro Agromart Ltd. in 1977, and it quickly became one of Glengarry’s most prominent agricultural supply enterprises. With its talented and committed staff, the company offers many farm services. It sells dairy supplements, offers ration balancing, supplies cropping inputs and advice, and provides grain drying facilities and marketing services.
In addition to his dedication and commitment to his business, Bruce has been a tireless community worker. From hockey and soccer sponsorships, to his participation in the work of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in South Lancaster, or his involvement with the Canadian Food Grains Bank, Bruce demonstrates his interest in, and concern for, others.
It is in times of trouble that Bruce often becomes involved. Many farm families have felt his generosity at devastating times such as a fire or personal tragedy. Gifts of his time, his moral support, donations of equipment and personnel, financial assistance (often in confidence), all have helped countless people during difficult times.
In retirement, Bruce hopes to spend more time with his boat and his snowmobile, as well as with his family and his wide circle of friends.
Reprinted with permission from The Review and the Glengarry Agriculture Wall of Fame.
Year 56 Reunion Held in Waterloo Region
From left Larry Rosevear, Jean Wright, Fran Chamberlain, Tom Haffie, Barb Haffie, Sigred Knudsen, Harvey Wright, and Bill Chamberlain.
From left Bob Brewster, Ron Murphy, Doris Murphy, Joan Graham, Harvey Graham, Annetta Tulloch and Harold Tulloch.
From left Sigfred Knudsen, John Graham, Fran Chamberlain, Larry Rosevear, Harold Tulloch, Annetta Tulloch and Doris Murphy.
From left Fran Chamberlain, Joan Graham, Bill Chamberlain and Harvey Wright.
The 54th annual reunion of KAS Year 56 was held on September 25 -26, 2010 in the Waterloo Region. Present were Bill and Fran Chamberlain, Harvey and Jean Wright, Tom and Barbara Haffie, Harold and Annetta Tulloch, Bob Brewster, Larry Rosevear, Ron and Doris Murphy, Harvey and Joan Graham and our host Sigfred Knudson. Replies with regrets were received from Walter Loates, Alvin Anderson, Ed Tobin, Ted Gillan, Sylvia Lovelock, Betty Humpfries, Jim Cruickshank, Bill Allington, Archie Kerr, Don Topps and Bill Lundy.
On Saturday afternoon we started with a visit to the St. Jacobs Farmers Market. We then gathered at the Destination Inn to renew acquaintances, visit and catch up on the past year. Supper was at the Crossroads Restaurant and Buffet in Elmira, featuring umpteen different kinds of pies from the Mennonite kitchens.
For the evening we attended a play in the St. Jacobs Schoolhouse Theatre. The play was “Separate Beds”, a comedy that Joan Graham described for everyone, “I’ve never before laughed so much at a play!”
Sunday morning some of us who stayed over met for breakfast at the Dearborn Restaurant in Waterloo, a family restaurant well known for their breakfasts. Goodbyes were said to conclude the 2010 KAS Year 56 reunion. Next year the 2011 edition will be held at the Kemptville Campus.
Volunteering in Rwanda
by Hans Vink, Year 68
Following previous experiences volunteering in the developing countries of Romania and the Philippines, I spent most of March 2010 in Rwanda, the tiny yet most densely populated country in Africa.
This ‘tiny dot’ of less than 25,000 sq. km, not even half the size of Nova Scotia, is home to 10.7 million people in eastern Central Africa. It’s bordered on the north by Uganda, in the south by Burundi, in the east by Tanzania and in the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Lake Kivu.
Being only two degrees below the equator, one would assume a very tropical climate, yet because of the elevation the climate borders on being quite temperate. The mountainous countryside is, by and large, quite lush, prompting Rwandans to claim a climate analogous to an ‘eternal spring’.
The country was decimated by more that 35 years of tribal strife that climaxed in a horrific 100-day genocide in 1994 killing more than 800,000 men, women, children, even unborn babies, mutilating thousands more and leaving the plight of thousands of orphans in the compassionate hands of survivors and international caregivers.
Canadians became particularly aware of that heart-rending situation because the small United Nations peacekeeping force in this troubled country was commanded by the Canadian general Romeo Dallaire, a man who put his own life in peril to hold murdering marauders at bay. I highly recommend reading his account of the world’s lethargy, Shake Hands With The Devil (Random House Canada, 2003).
It took essentially 10 years to bring the country back to a post-genocide general election in 2003. Rwanda created a joint task force with the DRC in 2009 to root out extremist insurgents still hiding in the Congo. I was going at the invitation of the Minister of Agriculture and although living there for a month appeared to be safe, there were still news reports of captures and, on the day I arrived, there was an isolated incident of exploding grenades in Kigali, the capital.
It is remarkable how this populous country is trying to overcome its raucous history by building unity within its borders. At one point after the genocide, some 120,000 prisoners overflowed the prisons, double their capacity. It was estimated that it would take 250 years to try all these prisoners through the courts.
As a solution, they developed a type of village-based justice system creating an environment of forgiveness and reconciliation between victims and perpetrators. Retribution could possibly be compared to community service in our court system. Today in conversation with residents, there are no tribal divisions. Their response is, ‘We are Rwandans!’
Umuganda was another incredible experience. This is the name used to designate a Village Work Day. On the last Saturday of each month, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., all able- bodied villagers, from the President down, are expected to assemble at a predetermined place to do work such as roadside cleanup, maintaining village property, helping handicapped or senior residents with property issues, or even neighbours with difficult tasks, etc. Participants have a card punched or stamped to validate participation. At 11 a.m. they re-assemble to decide the following month’s initiatives.
I happened to be in South Province planning to visit farms, but I was curtly told by my companion that I would have to stay inside my hotel. He did not want to explain his or my driver’s situation to the authorities. Highway traffic essentially became non-existent and police were seen pulling over violators. Buses were still running before 8 a.m., but only half full; after 8 they just seemed to disappear. Apparently those who choose to stay home, and therefore have an unmarked participation card, are not allowed various privileges.
The government leadership recognizes the limitations of its small, landlocked economy by leveraging regional trade. Rwanda joined the East African Community and is aligning its budget, trade, and immigration policies with its regional partners. It has embraced an expansionary fiscal policy to reduce poverty by improving education. I had a chance meeting with someone in charge of school computers. Today they are approaching 20,000 computers in schools. Their goal is 1,500,000 within the next five years.
Developing infrastructure, foreign and domestic investment and pursuing market-oriented reforms are all high priorities, although energy shortages, instability in neighbouring states, and lack of adequate transportation linkages to other countries continue to handicap growth. The global downturn hurt export demand and tourism while poor rains this year have lowered growth in agriculture. Development of animal agriculture has also been relatively slow since many of the oppressed Tutsi tribe were the animal farmers who prior to 1994 had exiled themselves in neighbouring countries. I was told that after the genocide the cattle population had been completely annihilated. Of course, production and processing infrastructure also suffered.
In 2004 the government began a program of ‘one cow per poor family’. If a poor family can show some ability to maintain a dairy cow, it is given one by the government. The first female offspring is returned at breeding age to perpetuate the program. I saw some remarkable results of this program. The thinking behind this was to bring viability to a household where the average family of seven would benefit greatly from the milk produced. The excess milk is sold for income and it has been shown that neighbourhood children benefit in decreased childhood mortality.
I was asked to come to Rwanda to assess the potential of the dairy industry, throughout production, processing and marketing. While that seemed like an overwhelming request, with the gracious help of my hosts I visited farms, collection centres, processing plants and retail outlets over a period of 3 ½ weeks.
One of the obvious attributes of Rwandans is that they generally love milk, hot milk that is, which is truly to their benefit. Most of the milk that is purchased is raw milk from the farm, milk vendor or milk kiosks. This milk is most commonly brought to the home to be boiled, which rids the product of most, if not all, harmful pathogens, but also some of the beneficial enzymes. The milk is then served hot as they like it and of necessity since refrigerators are commonly only found in larger cities. As a former dairy farmer and Dairy Farmers of Ontario board member, I could not have imagined promoting raw milk sales. I’ll explain later why I ‘flipped’!
Milk sold to processing plants is pasteurized for fluid consumption as well as processed fermented milk, yogurt and cheese. The problem is that milk often arrives at the plant with a recorded 1 and 2 million bacteria count. In comparison, our farm used to pride itself on a 3,000 bacteria count, the lowest possible, became very concerned at 20,000 and if something really went wrong a DFO penalty was issued at 100,000. In Rwanda under a million is virtually unheard of for a number of reasons.
Milk is produced in unsanitary conditions: cows were normally milked by hand and milk was transported warm by bicycle, sometimes a 1-3 hour ride, to collection stations where electric bulk coolers received the milk. These cooling compressors were not sized to the volume of milk arriving within the short receiving timeframe, causing a 4-6 hour delay in optimum cooling and allowing bacteria to reproduce exponentially.
Their second problem was securing enough milk to make processing viable. The plants that I visited, and others that I was told about, usually operated at a mere 5-20 per cent capacity. Farmers would rather sell milk in the raw retail market than the lower-priced processed market. Consumers also would rather purchase the cheaper raw milk from the farmer.
One must also understand the consumer’s plight. I’m told many people still live on less than $1.00 a day (CAD) or about 500 Rwandan Francs (Rwf) although I heard of minimum wages at about 1,500 Rwf per day. A litre of raw farm milk retails for about 350 Rwf and wholesales at 250 to the processor whose pasteurized product sells in excess of 500 Rwf.
So, the choice is obvious. If you have limited funds, you purchase raw milk that you can boil and know its quality. I had one American suggest that in two years of drinking boiled milk, the only time he got sick was from a litre of pasteurized milk. With that anecdote, I have changed my mind on raw milk for Rwandans who consistently boil it. Promoting the use of boiled milk allows a large segment of the low income population access to a highly nutritional product already exemplified in the ‘one cow per poor family’ program.
In terms of milk quality, much more focused attention is needed at the farm and collection centres. The farmers that we spoke with agreed that their regular hygiene could be improved significantly. Milk wasn’t strained into cans on any farm that was visited. Full cans of milk waited in the hot sun for delivery to the collection centres.
Animal nutrition is another area that can be developed. Most farms pastured their animals, but the nutrition in these pastures noticeably limited the potential for reasonable milk volumes. Dry hard grass is not conducive to milk production and, although the animals were not emaciated as we experienced in other developing countries, farmers didn’t understand that an animal first looks after itself before nutrition is applied to production and reproduction.
Rwandan culture also creates a production limiting factor. Eighty percent of Rwandans have some small or larger claim to land. Owning cattle is seen as prestige and an economic measurement of family wealth. Whether these animals were productive or unproductive was not considered an issue. Numbers are paramount, so improving production through selection or elimination is an unwelcome suggestion for many, although as progress is made these customs are also changing.
Rwanda needs to be commended for the tremendous transition it has made, particularly in this last decade. Much can still be done, of course, but consider Canadian dairy production in the early decades of the 20th century. It’s probably about the state of affairs in Rwanda today, but in the last decade they have introduced some of the technologies that we learned in the 1950s and perfected in the second half of the 20th century.
It was a rewarding month of March for me. To see how 10 million people can come through such a destructive ordeal striving to be united is just hard to comprehend, let alone portray. However, I do believe it is also why they have received such an outpouring of compassion from a world that essentially refused to accept their reality in 1994.
Gourmet Dinner
From the left is Steph Hill-Nicholls, Kim Link, Cathy Baldwin, Judy Kirby, Shirley Foster, Sandie Anderson, Barb Sproule, Sue Johnston and Donna Koeniger.
Our hostess Liz Forbes.
At the 2009 Alumni Weekend Auction, Greg Foster bid on and won the 7 course dinner donated by Liz Forbes. Greg very generously bought the dinner for his wife Shirley and her Kemptville friends. One summer later, date and time confirmed the dinner was to happen. We met at the Foster’s farm in North Gower, to board a 12 passenger van for the drive to the Forbes’ home in Kemptville.
We started with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres on the Forbes patio surrounded by gorgeous flowers and small darting hummingbirds. We moved indoors for the rest of the courses. Liz prepared the food. Her husband Alan and Greg served our food. A delicious blend of flavours made from local foods.
Thanks again Liz and Alan for wonderful food and hospitality. Thanks also to Greg and Shirley for sharing with us.
Year 69 Christmas Party
Our hostess Barb Sproule watches as Donna Koeniger cuts the tourtière.
The Year 69 annual Christmas party was held on January 2 at the home of Barb and Rob Sproule. Once again everyone brought a dish for a wonderful brunch. We celebrated Donna Koeniger’s retirement from the Civic Campus of the Ottawa Hospital. We had a good turn out, Kim and Graham Link, Donna and Mike Koeniger, Isabel and Don Kinnear, Shirley and Greg Foster, Sue and Mac Johnston, Steph Hill-Nicholls, Barb and Rob Sproule, Cathy and Jim Baldwin, and Rob’s cousin from Toronto.
Annual Cottage Weekend
From the top of the stairs we have Donna Koeniger, Barb Sproule, Isabel Kinnear, Shirley Foster, Kim Link, Sue Johnston, Steph Hill-Nicholls and Cathy Baldwin. Missing from the photo are Ellen Mooney and Judy Kirby.
The year ’69 women gathered at the cottage on a beautiful weekend in February. We met at the ferry in Cumberland and headed across the river and north to Lac Viceroy. We had one stop at a sheep cheese store on the way. We arrived the earliest ever around 11 AM. We quickly unpacked, so we could jump into the hot tub. The first time ever we watched a movie the “King’s Speech”. Followed by dinner and games. The highlight was a registered massage therapist who came on Saturday and Sunday to give deep tissue massage. I think this year was the best yet.
