Awards

BC Branch Honourary Lifetime Member: Richard Bosma

Every so often, the BC Branch recognizes one of its members for their outstanding contributions to the Holstein industry by presenting a recipient with an Honourary Lifetime Member award.

Richard Bosma has been a proud member of the dairy landscape in BC for many years. After returning to the home farm full-time in 1982, Richard has consistently been involved in our great industry.

Vedderlea Farm has been in operation since 1967 and at its present location in Abbotsford since 2004. Richard credits his father, Haye Bosma, for getting him started in dairy farming and encouraging his participation in the local Holstein Club as a young man. Over the years, more than 250 VG & EX cows have been bred by the Bosma family, and well over 45 Star Brood Cows. Vedderlea cows have also graced the cover of the esteemed Holstein Journal – not once, but twice!

Richard has been very active in agricultural organizations for many years. He has served as a director of the BC Holstein Branch since 1990 and was the Branch President in 1998-1999. Richard has also served on the Chilliwack Fair Board, the CanWest DHI board, Semex’s Genetic Advisory Committee, the Dairy Research Council and is a past president of the Fraser Valley Holstein Club.

In 2005, Richard was elected as the National Director for BC, which began a 10-year term with Holstein Canada. During this time, he sat on several different committee’s including Awards, Audit & Risk, Finance, Governance and Breed Advisory. In 2012 he became the Vice-President and in April of 2014, Richard was elected President of Holstein Canada.

Richard has always been incredibly passionate about the Holstein breed, both in BC and across the country and saw his tenure with Holstein Canada as a way to give back to the industry that has provided so much to him and his family.

It is hard to believe that only one short year ago, Richard, Judy and their family and cows had just been evacuated from their farm as flooding ravaged the Sumas Prairie in the worst agriculture disaster the province has ever seen. And yet, the Bosma’s – like so many other dairy families – persevered, humbled by the generosity of neighbours, friends and total strangers as they began the process of cleaning up and moving forward. 

Thank you, Richard, for all you have done for the dairy industry here in BC and in Canada, both as an ambassador and as an advocate, through the highs and lows the dairy business has experienced. It is our privilege to recognize you as the newest Honourary Lifetime Member of the BC Holstein Branch.

Congratulations Richard!

Congratulations to our Award winners!

The 2022 annual BC Gold Watch winners were awarded following the Maple Ridge Show to Champion, Hamming Moment Damsel shown by Elianah Rees and Reserve Champion to Lavender IP Screecher Roo shown by Celina Vaandrager.

The winner of the 9th annual “BC Cow of the Year” was announced at our recent AGM to be Vanvalley Epic Siiri EX-90-2E-Can5 (25/0).  Bred by Ben VanBoven and family in Duncan, BC.  Siiri was the ultimate package of functionality.  She produced 173,875 liters of milk in her lifetime.  She started her first lactation with a boy and 12 females naturally after that, the most recent being summer os 2022. 100% Good Plus or better with 9 classified so far and 2 still heifers ready to contribute once they grow up.  The 5 natural star brood points are surely to go up as her progeny continue to add lactations and classification.  Currently 1/3 of the VanValley herd is Progeny of VanBoven Epic Siiri.  Congratulations to Ben VanBoven and family from Duncan BC for developing her into BC 2022 Cow of the Year!   

Congratulations!

The 2022 Annual BC Youth  Bursary of $1000.00 was not awarded in 2022 due to no applications being received. 

During the 2022 AGM – The Board of Directors awarded Mr. Richard Bosma his Honorary Lifetime Membership following his career as an outstanding member and ambassador of the BC Branch and Holstein Canada.

Annually Holstein Canada members look forward to the announcement of the Master Breeders for the new year.   

BC Holsteins and Breeders earn many awards for superior conformation, production, and genetics from Holstein Canada, some of which are listed below. More production awards can be viewed using the Holstein Canada Award Search.

New Very Good and Excellent Cows in BC

High classified cows can be viewed using the Holstein Canada EX/VG Cow Search.