Gleann Holsteins
119 Lower West River Road B2G 0B4 Antigonish, NS, Canada

Off to the races again. Number 7. Gleann Destry Reminder EX91-3E 6 year average BCA: 223-255-238 +11 +38 +29 over herdmates. On pasture for first half of every lactation ... Over 70000kg 4.2F 3.4P Fresh with a red Jordy heifer on May 1,2021. That’s exactly one month past her 9th birthday. Super well proven pedigree. Tongue is even black. Lol. See more

Iain MacLellan: Online sales consultant for Gleann Nutreco rep New graduate from STFX University ... Congratulations Iain! We’re really proud of you.

What a wonderful sale. Thanks everyone! More later. But here’s one happy buyer that happened to buy one of the best. Congratulations to Twinroad and Celtic. Gleann Unix Paradigm on her way to the future.....down the road about a half mile. Pretty sure we’ve all done it. Lol.

These are the main sale contacts: They have all seen the animals. They don’t just think they know what a good one needs to look like, they KNOW. They are all very very easy to talk to. Brian Masters (902-890-8712) One of the very few semen sales people that likes the kind of cows that I do. Husband of Angela Masters, knows Jerseys, fitted and showed with Cobequid for many years. If I have a cow that needs to be managed at a show, he’s the man. ... Luke MacLellan (902-957-0306) Farms with his parents ( Lellavan ). Very well connected guy. They have bred some great young or old cows in recent years such as Lellavan Avalanche Fuji among others. Recent Master Breeder. Corey Charlton (902-824-3797) Farms with his father at Charmine Holsteins. A ton of experience for his age with big name cows. One of the regular fitters for Westcoast at shows big and small. Occasionally for Weeksdale. Without question one of the best. Because of COVID, I was lucky enough to get him. Showed up here last weekend with a few sets of clippers, one extension cord with a single plug, sharpening wheel, beat up brush. His finishing clippers sounded like they were about to die. Don’t have to be fancy to be good. Total gentleman. Sandy Cole (902-890-6799) Well known. A lot of experience with good cattle anywhere. Farms with his wife at Eloc/Colstein. Will be one of the most successful breeders ever in this province someday IMO. Emma Macmillan married into a family with two of the best cow men in the country; Sandy and Dean Cole. Jerome McCarron (cell: 902-863-8515)(home: 902-863-4217) Poor cell service at his house. Lives closest to me. The most experienced person in Atlantic Canada in sourcing many kinds of Holsteins. Has an extremely good eye for the great ones in the rough. Extremely good reputation. If he calls you about a cow that could be top 5 at the Royal or Madison, you should listen. Many very big names have done so. The list of cows he has been involved with is more than impressive. Should write a book. Iain MacLellan(902-863-9670) Younger guy but extremely keen. Did most of the videos and photos. Very honest. Knows the pedigrees here better than I do most likely. None of these people will push you to buy. I’ve just told them to be honest about what they think. The animals can do the rest. Bruce Thomson (902-870-3818)

Wow. Two weeks ago I really didn’t think this sale would ever happen. There were some pretty serious labor issues here. However, as we do here, we help each other out when we really need to. I really have to thank a few people for helping to get things rolling: Brian Masters, Sandy Cole, Luke MacLellan, Ryan Porter, Riley Masters and Jeanette VanDerLinden. This weekend Iain MacLellan, Kelly Thomson, Sarah Macdonald, Corey Charlton and I pictured practically all of the lots. Things look great. This week I’ll start posting some details and photos/videos. There will be an online catalogue soon with Unique Designs and Marketing. If you can’t find a few heifers in this sale that you find exciting you may want to check your pulse. Here are a random few.

Gleann Doorman Gossip Winter yearling from Windbrook Gracious Ex-92(Vg89-3yr) x Ex Goldwyn x Ex95 Integrity x Ex96 Outside. Gossip is a carbon copy of her mother at this age.

Everyone loves these kind of cows. Huge capacity, great udder, extreme width, flawless legs, tall enough, very consistent production, 5 calves/4heifers, almost 60K lifetime, 1* brood cow from 2 milking daughters by average bulls. I buy very few animals but she’s probably one of my best buys. I paid very little for her as a young calf. At that time nobody liked her sire and grand sire. But as it turns out she’s from the best cow family in the world in my opinion. I really did...n’t like her a whole lot as a heifer but she and her daughters and now granddaughters have become extremely good cows. Heifers from 3 generations of this cow by High Octane, Artist, and Unix sell in our upcoming sale. And what’s with her name? Lexis Lauthority Quinn (Ex91-3E-1*). Who names a family with Q names?? I guess at some point everyone runs out of L’s. Dam: Lexis Pronto Lyssa VG 2nd dam is Lydia’s highest star brood cow daughter, Larrisa at 21*. Cow family power. See more

Recently I was told I should have, at most, 12 heifers under 12 months old. Yes, I know the economics but THAT’S JUST NO FUN AT ALL! This 45 cow herd has 50 years of very solid breeding behind it. It has always been the goal at Gleann to breed long lasting quality cows with high lifetime production without special care. But unlike many other herds that do the same, our other goal is to breed, then sell cows that are EXCITING. Isn’t it time for you to get a big headstart on a great family of your own, get to the top in the fall, or both? Our future will be yours when you bid last on our best 25 show age heifers at the very first Gleann sale!

Finally a article about a genomic breeder with very high production that is actually questioning the system.

Zero snow anywhere 12 hours ago.

There are 3 farms on our 5km road. I'm so proud to call Clare and Kenny our neighbors! She is an absolute genious with a horse and I doubt anyone works harder at it anywhere. Great people! Great story.

She just heard that she was chosen reserve All New Canadian Champion summer yearling. She’s wondering why she’s being treated like just another heifer and not a celebrity. lol! Congratulations to Ferme Blondin and Blondin Sires on the win.

One of the most satisfying things around here is seeing one of your best cows get up after being down for a time and then have a calf that you thought for sure was not alive 10 minutes earlier. I had to reach in for this one because of a twisted uterus. With Maria’s help it ended up being a great day. Gleann CL Breakaway and her leggy long necked Crown Royal calf.