The Holstein Ontario Podcast (The HOPCast)

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James and Cole discuss farm life, Holstein shows, pop culture trends and life's many joys and stresses.A podcast largely based on Holsteins and farming in general, James and Cole don't shy away from ranting about just about anything.

Holstein Ontario


    • Nov 1, 2024 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 1h 14m AVG DURATION
    • 72 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from The Holstein Ontario Podcast (The HOPCast)

    Royal Preview with Russell Gammon

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2024 44:29


    The National Holstein Show at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair is just around the corner.  Here's a preview with Russell Gammon.

    Holstein History with Doug Blair

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2024 91:09


    Surprise! We recorded an episode!We're a little rusty, but it's like riding a  bike.  You never forget.  On this episode we interview Doug Blair about the beginning of LPI and genomics.  We talk about a lot of different sires and influential Holstein breeders.

    Q&A with Allison Fleming of Lactanet

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2023 85:31


    Allison Fleming of Lactanet joins Kyle to answer all of your questions

    Are Dairy Farmers Happy? Ft. Dr. Meagan King

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 8, 2023 70:45


    Dr. Meagan King from the University of Manitoba joins us to discuss mental health.  She is leading a research project about mental health in farming, and all Canadian farmers are invited to participate.  We also discuss some more lighthearted topics related to other research projects that Dr. Meagan has done."Are you a dairy or beef producer in Ontario or Western Canada? Help us understand how your well-being is related to farm management and mental health.Dairy farmers: Qualtrics Survey | Qualtrics Experience ManagementBeef farmers: Beef Producer Wellbeing Survey (qualtrics.com) "

    Only Cows

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 18, 2023 53:21


    Well.....not only cows, but mostly cows.  Classifier talk and bull talk.

    We Are Alive

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 21, 2023 59:34


    It's just us.  Talking....

    Kyle and James Throwdown Plus LIVE FROM CDX!

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2023 75:23


    Kyle and James get into it over using local judges.  This episode includes our two pieces from the lives shows from CDX.  We have merchandise! Check out our FB page.From Maine, With Love - An Allagash Brewing PodcastCome hear the ins and outs of beer and brewery life with Allagash Brewing Company.Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

    It All Comes Down to Pedigree ft Mark Nutsford

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2023 84:33


    Mark Nutsford joins us from near Manchester, England where he farms.  Mark is also an international judge and has a lot of wisdom to offer younger farmers and judges.

    Farm Boy Productions ft Bruce Sargent

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 25, 2023 82:34


    Listen in to hear our exciting announcement! Plus,  Bruce Sargent joins us to talk about how Farm Boy Productions got its start and the highs and lows of producing videos, live streams at shows and working with people.  

    productions farm boy bruce sargent
    Breeders' Cups, Autism, Special Diets and A2 Milk ft. Ian Verburg

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2023 68:48


    Judge Kyle MacLeod and Breeders' Cup organizer for Leeds/Grenville county Ian Verburg give us a lot of insight into the different ways that Breeders' Cups can be run, the different rules that different people use, and judge and farmer etiquette.  Ian also shares about when his son was diagnosed with autism, his diet challenges and how A2A2 milk has helped immensely.  

    Vegan Crap or Vegan Gold?

    Play Episode Play 22 sec Highlight Listen Later Feb 28, 2023 34:25


    We taste test 10 vegan products with a couple of our wives and give you individual reviews. 

    The Hutterite Way of Life ft. Luke Hofer

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 12, 2023 68:13


    Listen in as Luke Hofer from Swift Current Saskatchewan shares about the way life is as a member of a Hutterite colony. Luke is the assistant dairy manager in his colony and talks about what a typical day is for him. Luke shares about his faith, life in general and making business decisions. Thank-you Luke for joining us!

    Master Breeder Interviews ft. Vriesdale, Belmoral, Christhill and Breezy

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 28, 2023 98:06


    This episode contains some laughter and lots of smiles from the new Master Breeders.  We also have so much to learn through the words of wisdom from these accomplished breeders.  Thanks to Robert & Katherine Velthuis, Mitch Kieffer, Jim Christy and Roger Haag for joining us!

    Dann Brady Speaks His Mind

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 14, 2023 79:44


    The Holiday Episode ft Pastor Dan

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 2023 84:33


    Christmas has just come and gone, and the New Year is upon us.  Pastor Dan joins the boys to talk about Christmas, play some holiday trivia, and there is even some cow talk near the end of the episode.  Happy 2023!

    Beer For the Bulls ft David and Donny Schwartz (and other stories about the way the Royal used to be)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 29, 2022 88:06


    Donny Schwartz of Quality Holsteins and his brother David, formerly of Quality Holsteins, join with Adam Hunt, James and Cole to talk about how things used to be at the Royal.  The Schwartz brothers grew up going to the Royal every year and have countless stories to share.

    The Royal Wrap-Up

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 16, 2022 77:24


    Kyle and Cole are joined by surprise guests Russell and Dr. Tim to discuss the National Show, the livestream broadcast, the cows (of course) and the people.  Discussion also takes place about calving cows younger, reproduction and farm employees.  Dr. Tim lends some insight into the veterinary proceedings at the Royal.

    Are Big Cows Bad? Featuring Russell Gammon

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 14, 2022 88:14


    Russell Gammon joins the boys for the entire episode to talk about cow size, mobility, the World Dairy Expo and much much more.

    Old Bulls Are Back and Other Cow Talk

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 2, 2022 76:25


    The three guys go guestless to wrap up the dog days of summer.  Weather, shows, old bulls, and so much more.

    Milk Marketing Ads, A2 Milk and Managing Quota and Incentive Days with DFO Board Member Bart Rijke

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 17, 2022 89:41


    DFO board member Bart Rijke of Eastern Ontario joins Kyle and Cole to discuss the ins and outs of the DFO board, how marketing and incentive days decisions are made, and the logistics vs the demand of promoting and producing A2 milk.

    AI talk with Adam Hunt from Select Sires

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2022 89:02


    Adam responds to the bull contract buzz from the last episode.  He also discusses many bulls and some great cow families.

    Bulls and Bull(sh*t) Contracts ft Tony van Lith

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 1, 2022 88:29


    On this episode Kyle and Cole welcome Tony van Lith to talk about how he got into genetics, built his genetics program and landed bulls in AI units.  The discussion continues into the world of bulls that don't get claimed by units that are sired by bulls from the elite genetics programs that AI units offer.  Tony doesn't hold back when discussing his experience with one company.

    Crops! Fertilizer, soil nutrition, crop rotation and more ft. Bryan Cook of Cropland Consulting

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 3, 2022 57:28


    Bryan Cook of Cropland Consulting joins Cole and Kyle to talk about crops and soil.  They discuss the benefits of manure, solid vs liquid and timing of application.  They discuss the difference between livestock farms and cash croppers.  They discuss the benefits and drawbacks of planting soybeans in 30" rows, and much more!

    National Convention and Ontario Spring Show Wrap-Ups

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2022 78:45


    The boys discuss the highlights of the national convention including somewhat of a breakdown of the national show.  Some meetings with fans

    Rising Feed Costs ft Kristin Thompson & Sara Harper from NLM and Vaccinations ft Dr. Jeff Sleeth

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2022 80:29


    Thank-You to our new sponsor NEW LIFE MILLS!  We are joined on this episode by Sara and Kristin who chat about the rising cost of feed and how we can manage our feed to bring input costs down.  Dr. Sleeth discusses vaccine protocols and rare diseases and injuries.

    Dylan Stewardson (#1 Herd Mgmt Score in CAN) Talks Herd Management

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 25, 2022 80:19


    Dylan Stewardson, owner and manager of Stewardson Dairy Farms which recently earned the #1 Herd Management Score in Canada award joins Kyle and Cole to discuss the best ways to manage your herd.  Calving interval, age at first calving, etc... the guys leave no stone unturned.

    The Cows Are Out! & New GM Pam Charlton

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2022 70:54


    Ikea trivia, stories about cows getting out and an interview with the new GM- Pam Charlton!

    Elaine Froese on Working With Family and Mental Health in Farming

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 23, 2022 55:55


    Elain Froese,  CSP (Certified Speaking Professional) and Award-winning Author & Coach, recipient of the 2018 Wilson Loree Award for Excellence in Farm Management joins Kyle, James and Cole on this episode to talk about working with family, managing personalities, and mental health in farming.Folks can get free gifts at https://elainefroese.com/farm-family-coach/Mental Health First aid is at www.mhfa.caThe link for LARA Webinar on March 15 is https://laraonline.ca/event/finding-fairness-in-farm-transitions/The link for Farming's In Law Factor on March 26 is https://www.iowafarmerswife.com/eventsFolks can book time for a discovery call after they go to my contact page. https://elainefroese.com/contact/

    Freedom Convoy ft. MP Michael Barrett and What Age Should You Breed Your Heifers ft. Justin and Ryan Crowley

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 10, 2022 104:03


    Kyle, James and Cole are joined by Conservative MP Michael Barrett who discusses the Freedom Convoy, supply management and the CUSMA trade agreement.Kyle and Cole are then joined by the Crovalley owners and management team: Justin and Ryan Crowley.  They discuss age at first calving, using genomic bulls vs proven bulls, the new show classes, and much more.

    Changes to Show Classes and the Best Vet Products For Your Herd

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 26, 2022 80:08


    The boys go guestless due to an unexpected illness.  They chat about the NFL, which veterinary products have changed herd management the most, the recent changes that Holstein Canada made to show classes, and whether Holstein USA has made the same changes, as well as some talk about State Fairs.  A little more on down cows rounds out the episode. 

    Repro Tips ft. Dr. Jeff Sleeth

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 13, 2022 82:42


    Kyle and Cole interview Dr. Jeff Sleeth (50:00) who may just become the HOPCast's resident veterinarian.  Jeff gives out repro tips, and advice about treating cows with mastitis.  Before the interview gets started the 3 hosts discuss New Year's Resolutions for personal life and for their farms.  **We're still adjusting to our new audio equipment so forgive the inconsistencies.

    Too Much Paperwork and Christmas with Pastor Dan

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2021 74:59


    Pastor Dan (Dave) joins us to talk about everything related to Christmas.  Traditions, gifts, bad theology and of course the truth.  Then the boys discuss the apparent evils of paperwork, ProAction and DFO's Dairy Code of Practice.  Are these good or bad programs?Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Seasons Greetings....love to all you HOPTarts!

    Canadian vs US Proofs with Dann Brady

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 14, 2021 94:14


    Friend of the show, Dann Brady, joins the boys as they discuss the new proof releases, the differences between Canadian and US proofs and how some bulls do well in one country but not the other.  

    Millionaire Sires: the Good, the Bad and the Ugly

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2021 98:16


    Cole, James and Kyle analyze the millionaire sires and try to determine whether they deserve the prestige of having sold a million doses.  What impact did these sires have on the breed? It's all in this episode of the HOPCast.

    How Bad is Inbreeding? ft. Kyle MacLeod

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 21, 2021 78:48


    James, Cole and Kyle discuss heifer shows, inbreeding, some the millionaire sires and have some fun with Holstein trivia

    Regenerative Ag Methods ft Sean Smith of Clanman Jerseys

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2021 74:03


    Sean Smith of Clanman Jerseys from Manitoba joins the pod to enlighten James and Cole and the rest of the world regenerative agriculture practices.  On this episode the guys discuss "everything but the kitchen sink"

    Ban Sexed Semen with Kyle MacLeod

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 18, 2021 88:16


    Holstein Ontario director Kyle MacLeod joins Cole and James for the entire episode.  Kyle is owner and manager of Darcroft Farms - recent Master Breeder Shield winner.  Kyle has also done a lot of work picturing cows and shares some of his experiences doing that, ranks the breeds of dairy cattle and solves the world's low cattle market prices issue.  

    Feed Efficiency based on Feed Intakes with Doug Savage

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2021 88:45


        After a long summer break James and Cole bring you their usual banter with tinges of the dog days of summer.     Cole interviews Doug Savage of Holstein International, former sire analyst for Eastern Breeders.  Doug tells tales of growing up in Australia, and travelling and judging throughout Australia, South Africa and North America.  Doug also dives deep into heat resistance genetics.

    The Canadian Kind feat. Brad Eggink of Holstein Canada

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 8, 2021 83:22


    James and Cole rant about Hydro One and 4 way stops.  There was a comical manure episode in Cole's barn, and a funny but frustrating clash with DFO at James' barn.  An interview with Brad Eggink (39:45) - head of classification, field service and animal care at Holstein Canada provides you with everything you need to know about the new classification program.  (Connexxion) This episode is sponsored by KyVision.

    The HOPCast Highlights

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2021 65:32


    Some memorable sound bytes from the last two years of podcasting

    The Surge of Robots ft. Neil Petreny - CEO of Lactanet

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 8, 2021 75:52


    James and Cole talk about Leafs vs Habs, (yes, this is a little outdated) sign wars, "oat milk" more labelling shenanigans and playing music to your cows.(33:15) Neil Petreney, CEO of Lactanet joins us for an informative interview about Lactanet, it's role in Canadian Dairy Farming, the changes that are brought on by the surge of robotic milkers, and much more.  Here is your link to the Lactanet Open Industry Sessionhttps://tryglobal.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_OLD3No8PRbGuFbUeIykzyA

    Worldwide Judging and Donating Milk ft. John Werry

    Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2021 73:26


    NHL playoffs, playoff beards, Joe Thornton and how to donate milk are the topics of the day with nationally acclaimed dairy farmer and Leafs player announcer John Werry.James and Cole also discuss pedestrian etiquette, Tim Hortons (of course) and terrible business names.Old Bulls - brought to you by KyVision - is a deep dive into bulls born in 1998

    Online Sales and Marketing Your Genetics With Kim Rae

    Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2021 86:39


         James and Cole interview Kim Rae of Unique Design and Marketing. (33:00) Kim also farms with her husband, and they have bred many well known cows under the prefix Unique Holsteins.      During the Old Bulls segment, brought to you by KyVision, the boys discuss bulls from 1999 including Jasper, Mr. Sam and Astronomical.     The New Guy segment features a high school student who is tasked with weed whacking under electric fences.

    Dr. Tim Henshaw

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2021 92:37


    James and Cole discuss the new proofs, which bulls look good right now, and how can AI companies claim that an unproven bull is the best sire of sons this country has ever seen?Old bulls brought to you by KyVision covers bulls born in 2012 which was a pretty thin draft year.This episode is wrapped up with an entertaining, informative interview with Dr. Tim Henshaw. (31:51)  Dr. Tim works as a vet for EastGen, is on the cusp of retirement, and has many stories to share.  He also gives reproduction advice, and shares about his mission work.Dr. Tim also has created a number of parody videos, two of which are about the signs of heat.https://youtu.be/pw0ZcOpjJYYhttps://youtu.be/19JSsYQNj48

    Nutrition and Palm Fat With Mark Schokking

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2021 90:49


    Mark talks feed, palm fats, palm oils and nutritoin.  

    Changes to Canadian Proofs with Dann Brady

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 23, 2021 96:21


    Dann Brady joins the boys as the first repeat guest on the HOPCast.  A very in-depth and informative interview about the lack of accessibility of DGVs and the changes coming in April to the way Canadian proofs are calculated.Calf Care Corner with Dr. Tim Henshaw - sponsored by PMTOld Bulls - sponsored by KyVision

    Dairy Carrie, Palm Fat, MMS and Vegans

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2021 90:45


    The boys dig into palm fat, interview Dairy Carrie during which they discuss veganism, animal activists and the differences between Canada and US dairy farms, they also get into the new MMS (DFO website) and the Mars Land Rover.

    Unfiltered February Blues and Owl Fights

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 23, 2021 86:21


    Time to kick back with a couple of adult beverages and talk about farming, country living, and moving Christmas.  Congratulations to the winner of the semen giveaway.  The old bulls segment brought to you by KyVision features bulls from the year 2000.

    Peeing In Public and A COVID Survivor

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 9, 2021 91:42


    James has COVID! He's ok and he's here to share about the struggles.Old bulls brought to you by KyVision and Calf Care Corner brought to you by PMTJames rants about another country music starCole has a couple of funny public urination storiesNew technology on the horizon for farmers

    My Kinfolk - ft. Dann Brady

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 26, 2021 84:15


    Special guest Dann Brady! (12:00)Make sure you listen to the end of the episode for 2 exciting announcements.A rant by James about country music (again)Old bulls (BoltonXBaxter) - brought to you by Kyvision Clipper Blades and Repairs.

    I Left You a Present & Meet Our New Sponsors

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 13, 2021 98:19


    A funny story about a vet leaving a present, a heartwarming story about an unexpected podcast host nailing a Christmas present......and we present our 2 new sponsors: Kyvision and PMT!

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