Dale Vista Farm

The Dale Vista prefix began in 1980 when Harris Shufelt registered his first Ayrshires. The Ayrshire breed was however not new to him, having grown up with them on his father’s and uncle’s farms. Harris returned to breeding Ayrshires due to his passion for the shows. He is a visionary, a risk taker and, like all dairy farmers, has a deep love of the land and animals. He has passed these qualities on to his children. His wish has always been for his children to carry on to be the 5th generation on the Shufelt farm. His son Kevin returned to the farm after university in 1996. He had new ideas and was motivated to increase the farm’s profitability. With the two partners on a full time basis, more was accomplished. Emphasis was put on production through improved feeding and herd management. Andrew returned to the farm in 2002 on a part time basis while also working part time as a feed representative for the local cooperative. His passion for the Ayrshire breed brought more emphasis on complementary genetic crosses. He started working full time in 2007 as the herdsman and was an official full partner in 2012. Andrew and his wife, Martine, share Harris’ passion for showing cattle. They enjoy it as a challenge, as well as a family activity. Selection at Dale Vista, as is on most contemporary farms, is made on productivity and health. The cows are fed a high corn silage diet which allows for high production of total solids. Cows must produce well, maintain proper body condition and have low somatic cells to remain in the herd. This selection process has made the herd competitive in today’s market. The herd averages roughly 8,500 kg (per 305 days) of milk at 4.2% fat and 3.55% protein. The dairy farm consists 300 acres (200 tillable) and a total of a 135 head with 60-66 milking. The three partners also own a 500-acre (300 tillable) farm 45 km away. Most of this land is cash cropped with some forage grown. This is also where Kevin has his winery, “Pigeon Hill”. Dale Vista is very proud of our first Master Breeder title and we will strive to breed highly profitable Ayrshires for future generations… whatever their needs may be!