A leading attraction to the Holmes Round Barn is its situation in one of the most scenic areas of Canada. The Eastern Townships are known for magnificent panoramic views around every corner. There is a perfect balance between farming, forest, mountains, and water. I thought I would feature some photos of the land surrounding the barn and close proximity to the farm.   

Holmhurst farm still pastures its dairy herd.  Some might consider this “old fashioned” but perhaps they have retained the value and knowledge of experience to successfully operate a dairy farm in this country. There certainly is a movement towards organically produced foods (that require pasture feeding). No doubt, the smaller family farm is more labour intensive, but it also creates employment for people.   

Ontario and Quebec are Canada’s largest dairy producers with significant differences. The trend in Ontario, for various reasons, has been for larger herds, kept indoors with daily exercise yards, fed nutritious balanced diets, and housed in huge buildings with the use of parlours and robot milking systems.  Quebec, however, has a large number of smaller farms with milking pipelines and daily pasture access.

Quebec enjoys several advantages for pasture production due to its climate, soil, and rainfall conditions. This allows for a long grazing season and the ability to produce high-quality forage, particularly in regions like the Eastern Townships. They provide a valuable source of forage for livestock, offering both nutritional benefits and a natural environment for animals. Access to pasture can be beneficial for animal welfare, allowing cows to exercise and engage in natural behaviours.

The grazing season in Quebec can last for 4 to 6 months, and even longer in some areas, which is beneficial for dairy production. The pastures can produce high-quality forage that meets the nutritional needs of lactating cows, even at high production levels. The abundant and quality forage supply in Quebec is a significant asset for the dairy industry.

Quebec is the leading milk producer in Canada and pastures play a crucial role in supporting their dairy farms.