2009 Commercial Breeder of the Year

Napanee area cattleman, Brian Windover (left) of Bayview Farms is presented with the 2009 Gelbvieh Commercial Breeder of the Year Award by Dave Londry (right), President, at the Eastern Canadian Gelbvieh Association Annual Meeting on March 13, 2010.

Brian Windover grew up on a dairy farm but after college took a job at the Goodyear Tire manufacturing facility in Napanee where he spent the next fifteen years. In 2003, Brian left Goodyear to take over the farm fulltime growing beef cattle to market directly to the consumer and producing and selling hay for the horse market.

Bayview Farms consists of 400 acres owned plus 150 acres rented. They have a mixed farming operation with beef, hay and soya beans. The land that is marginal and only suitable for pasture fits well with the beef operation. Windover runs a 50-head Gelbvieh influenced cow/calf operation. Brian uses a Gelbvieh herdsire to produce his replacement females and develop his Gelbvieh herd.

Brian has been involved with the Gelbvieh breed since 1998 when he leased his first Gelbvieh bull. He was impressed enough that he leased another Gelbvieh bull in 1999 and then purchased a bull from Jean and Ray West in Bath, Ontario, in 2000. In 2001, Brian purchased several Gelbvieh crossbred heifers and 5 purebred Gelbvieh heifers. Good temperament is what Brian appreciates most about Gelbvieh cattle and his number one reason for staying involved with the breed. Brian added, “They (Gelbvieh) are also great milkers which produces heavy calves at weaning.”

Over the years Brian has convinced other farmers to use Gelbvieh genetics and will continue to promote Gelbvieh cattle.