2004 Conservation Family Winners
Farm Name: Leaford Holsteins Ltd.
Family Members: Albert, Alyson, James and Laurel Wolfe
Farm Type: Dairy operation and Beef cattle
Farm Size: 160 milking cows, 40 beef cows, 1000 acres in forages and corn, and two full-time employees.
Background: Albert Wolfe has been involved in the dairy business since 1981, most of his working life. His father had a dairy operation in Cork, Ireland where he and his brother operated it up until 1996 when Albert and his wife Alyson decided to head for “greener pastures” in Canada. Today, his brother still operates the farm in Ireland while Albert and his new family have become successful at their dairy farm near La Broquerie.
When Albert and his wife Alyson arrived at their newly acquired farm operation, they experienced an above average snowfall that winter followed by an overwhelming spring flood. What a way to start a new life in Manitoba! They saw this period in their lives as a real challenge and knew that the weather could only get better from here. Even though they have continued to experience periods of wet weather each spring, they are adapting well, and striving to improve their farm operation and land.
Sustainable farming practices: Albert has implemented rotational grazing within all of his pastures. The intent with the rotational grazing system is to improve the efficiency of his pasture, maximize his cattle gains as well as improve the overall quality of the pasture land. The manure produced at Leaford Holsteins barns is applied to his farmland to provide additional nutrients to the forages. Albert received financial and technical assistance from PFRA in setting up his rotational grazing system effectively. Albert most recently added a solar powered off-site watering system to provide ample fresh water to his herd while out in pasture.
Albert rotates his cropland from forages to corn in order to make best use of his land. He generally plants corn for 2-3 years followed by forage for the next 3-4 years. He has found that this crop rotation practice works well in this area.
Albert has approached the SRRCD with a number of interesting projects that he would like to embark upon in future years. He has project site ideas for riparian protection and enhancement, tree plantation on marginal land, drainage improvements, and water retention. The SRRCD will encourage Albert and provide assistance to him as these project ideas become reality.
Through the application of sustainable farming practices, the Wolfe’s understand that the continued success of their farming operation is tied to the environmental health of the landscape. Due to their adaptation and commitment to sustainable agriculture, the SRRCD has chosen Leaford Holsteins Ltd as the 2004 Conservation Family of the Year.