The Canadian Charolais Association Honor Roll 2004 - Recipients

Canadian Charolais Honor Roll Inductee

FERME LA CHAROLAISE L’ISLET INC

Jean-Thomas Pelletier is the second child of a family of 12 children, born at St-Rock-des Aulnaies, a small village on the south shore of the St-Laurent. He has been married to Louise Beaulieu for 47 years and they have 4 children: Suzanne, Louise, Jean-François and Marie-Claude and 8 grandchildren. The family have worked together on the farm raising and promoting Charolais since 1965.

“37 years in the Charolais Business”

January 1965 Jean-Thomas bought a dairy farm

May 1965 He stops the milk production and buys his first Charolais bull

1968 He expands his beef operation and buys his neighbour’s farm

1975 He sells his commercial cows and buys his first pure bred female

1980 Second expansion, Jean-Thomas buys 2 other neighbours’ farms expanding his farm to 275 acres

1982 Jean-Thomas begins to show his cattle at expositions

1986 During the winter, fire had destroyed his barn, which he rebuilt during the summer

1991 The Québec Charolais Association holds Family Day on his farm.

1993 Because of health problem, Jean-Thomas was forced to sell his entire herd of 125 head. His lot average was $4,085.00.

1994 With his health recovering, Jean-Thomas implemented an intensive transplant program, building a top herd of selected genetics from his award winning females and superior sires.

In order to compare the progress of his breeding program, he used a balanced combination of show ring exposure, performance testing and combined with a solid belief in the CHARM PROGRAM (in herd testing of all his offspring)

The herd he built was the result of MULTI-TRAIT selection as single trait selection is unacceptable for a breeding program. At FERME LA CHAROLAISE L’ISLET the program was based on complimentary blending of the strengths of pedigrees resulting in OPTIMIZED ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY.

2001 For a second time, he hosted the members of Québec Charolais Association for the annual Family Day followed by a sale

2002 After 37 years of raising Charolais, Jean-Thomas realized it was time to “turn a new page” and held a complete dispersal sale of the farm on August 31

Personal Contributions

1974-1989 Become a member of the Québec Charolais Association and is elected to the provincial board at the first AGM. He remained with the QCA for 15 years, serving as director and vice-president.

1990-1993 He represented Québec on the National Board for a 3 year term.

For more than 10 years, Jean-Thomas regularly assisted the AGM of the CCA, and helped out several times at the Royal Show of Toronto, Agribition and the Western Stock Show in Denver, Colorado. For 15 years, he showed his best Charolais cattle at the Quebec exposition, The Royal in Toronto and at Agribition.

Nominated by Christian de Ladurantaye and Chantal Raymond

Quebec Charolais Association

Back to the Top

Canadian Charolais Honor Roll Inductee

PATTON CHAROLAIS SHELBURNE, ONTARIO

Chester Patton, born in 1938, and his sisters Lynn, Linda and Barb live together on their family farm located just east of Shelburne, in Dufferin County. It is a joint effort by all family members in the operation of the farm. Lynn Patton is well recognized for her excellence in record keeping
and knowledge of the genetic make-up of each animal they own. Lynn is famous for being able to tell visitors the pedigree of animals off the top of her head, and Chester Patton will take time out of any day to discuss the Charolais breed with buyers or anyone inquiring.

The Patton family was first introduced to the Charolais breed in 1958 and imported their first animal from France in 1968. The Patton family has continued to promote Full French Charolais cattle across North America. As well, Patton Charolais is the largest Full French Charolais breeder in Ontario. Through experience the Pattons have gained the knowledge required to be successful in the cattle industry.

The Patton herd consists of 130 mature cows and 20 yearling replacement heifers. AI is used extensively which allows for use of the most current proven genetics from France. The Patton’s have been testing bulls since 1969, which has proven them to be leaders in producing top quality
bulls. An indication of this success was that in 2001, Patton Charolais had the 2nd and 3rd best bulls in the province for feed efficiency with 9 of their bulls in the top 30 of all breeds. As well, in 1998, they won the Breed Leader for Charolais bulls. Patton bulls consistently excel for growth, have good feed efficiency, and are well muscled and moderate for birth weight. The
“Patton Kind” has gained a reputation within the industry, so the demand for Patton genetics has grown province wide and beyond.

In the beginning stages of their operations, Patton Charolais endeavored and were very successful showing both live cattle and carcasses across Canada. Today, the Pattons no longer show their own herd, but are often spotted at local shows and sales, promoting and supporting the Charolais
breed.

In 1996, Patton Charolais took on an education role and invited Chester Tupling, a highschool student at the time, to co-op at their farm. Chester Tupling can often be quoted saying that he “learned more in four months at the Pattons than in four years at school”. The Pattons inspired
Chester Tupling and his brother Michael to pursue a career marketing Full French Charolais cattle under the title Rollin Acres Charolais. Rollin Acres has been carefully supported and guided by the Patton family.

The Patton family actively participates in Charolais sales, consistently increasing sale averages.The goal for the Patton herd has remained consistent over the years, to produce the kind of bulls that are profitable for cow-calf producers and the type of cattle that feedlot operator’s desire.

Not enough good things can be said about the Patton family and what they have done for the Charolais breed. In their own quiet way, the they have actively promoted the Charolais breed and are very deserving recipients of this recognition award.

Nominated by Chester Tupling
Ontario Charolais Association