An Alberta couple was named co-winners in the Outstanding Young Farmers competition.
Patrick and Cherylynn Bos of Ponoka, Alta., were chosen western winners at the national competition in Edmonton Nov. 21.
The Bos family raises 1,400 dairy goats in a milk and cheese processing business, Rock Ridge Dairy. The couple processes their own milk from their operation into milk and cheese. They also process milk other producers.
During peak production, the couple makes one and a half tons of cheese each week, which is sold in specialty stores across Western Canada.
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The couple is putting the final touches on a new rotary goat milking parlour and will increase production from 180 goats an hour to 900 goats an hour and cut milking labour from nine hours to two hours a day.
They also host 400 to 500 visitors each year in an effort to increase awareness of life on the farm.
The other co-winners were Amy and Mike Cronin from Ontario, who operate a 17,000 sow hog operation in Ontario and the United States on 50 hog sites.
The Outstanding Young Farmers program recognizes excellence in agriculture of farmers between 19 and 39.
Contact mary.macarthur@producer.com
