2012 Distinguished Service Award
James & Patricia Knott

Every year, the CMSS Board of Directors has the opportunity to recognize a past or current member who has advanced the breed through service and/or excellence in breeding Milking Shorthorns. This year’s recipients - James and Pat Knott - diligently served the breed for many years at the same time as breeding an internationally known herd of high quality Milking Shorthorns.

The Knottview dairy herd began in the fall of 1980 with the purchase of a three year old milking cow and 4 bred heifers from Jim’s parents, Audrey and Maurice. These were all of the remaining animals of the Dreymaur Herd established in 1956. A conversation with Bud Cunningham at the 1980 CNE in which Bud told Pat and Jim that the Ontario Cream Board was giving away free quota for the asking provided an opportunity to get into the dairy industry. The Knottview herd shipped cream for thirteen years and switched to shipping milk in 1993. The three year old cow that came from their Dad and Mom’s herd was Dreymaur Sally from which the Janine/Joslyn/Joelle cow family was established. This cow family gathered a significant number of All-Canadian awards and was a tremendous family for yielding heifers.

The milking herd was dispersed in 1996 due to Jim’s health, and Knottview livestock found new homes throughout North America. The herd continued to breed and show until 2006, culminating with the Grand Champion at the National Show with 15 year old Knottview Joslyn Joelle Ex 92-4E. Jim and Pat were very fortunate to market Milking Shorthorn genetics (primarily semen) and establishing markets in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and USA.

Jim and Pat note that their best memories of the more than 25 years of involvement in the breed was all the great people they have meet and done business with. A true world-wide family! Likewise, family is very important to them. They are quick to credit to their families, especially their parents, son Kene and daughter Angela.

In highlighting their service to the Society, Jim was first elected to the CMSS Board of Directors in the early 1980’s and served the Society through a time of great transition. Pat & Jim took over daily business operations and management of the CMSS in January 1989 from Bill and Lillian Fowler [1985 – 1989] who in turn had taken over from Audrey and Maurice Knott [1975 – 1985]. It was during the 1990’s when the breed found its true place and identity in the dairy industry. The Canadian Milking Shorthorn Society took on a name change which reflected its new identity in the dairy industry and the CMSS was invited to join the Joint Classification Board. Membership was also offered to the CMSS by the Canadian Joint Dairy Breeds to join with other dairy breed association in this national body. These ventures and involvement within the dairy industry would later give birth to genetic evaluations for the breed. In August 2004, Jim and Pat resigned from leadership and management of the CMSS as Jim had taken on studies to become an minister in the Presbyterian church. Jim has since accepted a charge in the heart of dairy capital of Canada [Oxford County], in Hickson, Ontario.

The CMSS Directors wish to thank Jim and Pat for their service to the breed and their enthusiasm for promoting and advancing the cause of Milking Shorthorns. Jim and Pat will be presented with their Distinguished Service Award, including an Honourary Life Membership, at the 2012 Field Day and AGM in St. Mary’s, Ontario.