The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair started Nov. 2 and runs until Nov. 11 at Exhibition Place in Toronto – famously claiming to bring the country to the city.
For exhibitors, it’s something more. It’s tradition, prestige - and the unmatched excitement of international competition.
“I love being down there – just being there,” said Doug Lloyd, a fourth-generation dairy farmer, and owner-operator of Sprucetone Holsteins, Brown Swiss and Jerseys in Bradford West Gwillimbury. “I love it. There’s just something about being down there.”
This year, Lloyd is “very involved” in the Royal. Not only has he provided two of his cows, a Brown Swiss and a Holstein, for a milking demonstration, he will be showing a Holstein that he co-owns, in the Holstein Show.
To top it off, daughter Brooklyn will be participating in the National Jersey Show, with her calf Taz.
It’s Brooklyn’s first year showing at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair – something that her dad never had an opportunity to do. He was in 4-H only until the age of 16 or 17, and never qualified before he decided to quit. “I regret it,” he said. “I should have continued.”
Brooklyn, now 16, has participated in 4-H for about six years, and did well showing her calf in 4-H Dairy this year, at local fairs - but she’s not competing in the Royal’s 4-H Dairy Show. Instead, she will be a participant in the National Jersey Show, taking place Nov. 9 and 10, competing in both Showmanship and Conformation.
Brooklyn owns the Summer Yearling that she’s been showing this summer and will bring to the Royal.
“The mother of my calf I got a few years ago, for Christmas,” she said. “When she had a calf, I decided it was the right age to show.”
“That’s all she asked for, for Christmas one year – a Jersey. So we bought it for her,” said her dad.
Why a Jersey, when Sprucetone was known for its Holsteins? “They’re cute,” said Brooklyn, and fun to handle. “They have some attitude, though. They can be bad-behaved or stubborn,” she warned.
She’s excited to be heading to the Royal with Taz, for the national competition – even if it means missing a day of school on Friday. The National Jersey Show takes place in the new Ring of Excellence, and the whole family will be there to watch.
Brooklyn is the fifth generation of the Lloyd family to farm in BWG. Sprucetone Holsteins was founded in 1896; in addition to its milking herd of 35 on the home farm on Line 5 Bradford West Gwillimbury, the family also operates a 121-hectare dairy farm in Creemore, with another herd of 65 cows.
It makes for a busy life – but, said Doug, “We always make time for the Royal!”
Look for other local competitors in various agricultural competitions – including honey, crops, giant vegetables, the TD Canadian 4-H Dairy Classic and National Junior. Beef Heifer Show. For more information, click here.
Whatever the result in competition, Brooklyn intends to keep up her membership in 4-H, and keep showing. “We may not have a Jersey for next year so I may go back to Holsteins,” she said. And in the long-term? “I want to do something with animals,” she said. “Maybe a vet.”
