2011 Distinguished Service Award - Walter Goudy, Markdale, ON

The CMSS Board of Directors is proud to present Walter Goudy of Markdale, Ontario with a Distinguished Service Award this year. Walter is a true gentleman who has been breeding Milking Shorthorns for over 50 years and has a love for his hard-working Shorthorn cows.

Walter and wife Isobel purchased their farm in the hills of Grey County in 1951 and have been farming there ever since.  They started dairying with just some grade cattle, but, after a brief experiment with Holsteins, Walter purchased his first pedigreed Shorthorns from a breeder near Ayton in the late 1950s.  The Merrittview herd flourished and has been a source of purebred Shorthorns for many years.  His herd has been noted for many years as producing cows with great longevity, fertility and quiet temperament while having above average component production. 

When asked what cow he is most proud of, Walter rightly refers to “the Pepper cow”: Merrittview Pepper K 5A EX-90-2E. This outstanding cows holds the lifetime records for fat and protein production for Canadian Milking Shorthorns.  Pepper K still sits at #10 LPI, was a two time Class Leader and was a One Star Brood Cow.  The majority of the Merrittview herd has at least one cross to Pepper in their pedigree and she is also the third dam of Semex sire Oceanbrae Logic’s Plato.  When referring to his current herd, Walter is quite proud of Hutton Hills Misty EX-90, a Merrittview Nell's K Schie daughter that he bred but who was born at the farm of another breeder.

Walter served two terms as a Director of the CMSS in the late 1980s and early 1990s and has previously hosted the CMSS Field Day with his family in 1990.  He has a solid reputation for always consigning from the top of his herd to breed sales and has made quality animals available to many new breeders in recent years.  As Walter is easing into a gradual retirement, he will continue making animals available while retaining some of his favorite cows. 

Walter has farmed together with his son Bruce for many years.  Walter and Isobel have three other sons:  Terry (who works in ministry), Wayne (a dairy farmer near Markdale) and Dale (a crop farmer in Saskatchewan). 

The Board wishes to thank Walter for his steadfast commitment to the breed for many years.  In recognizing Walter with this award, he also becomes an Honourary Life Member of the CMSS.