Bowers joins elite group of crème de la crème of dairy farming
By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
Gary Bowers, a long-time resident of the Eastern Townships, has been awarded the prestigious Dairy Cattle Improvement Industry Distinction Award by Lactanet Canada. This recognition highlights his nearly 40 years of dedication to advancing the dairy industry, particularly in the field of genetics, where his contributions have left an indelible mark.
Bowers, who grew up on Bowers Road near the Milby Golf Course, has been involved in dairy farming his entire life. “That was my grandfather’s farm,” he noted in a recent interview. Though the family sold the farm when he was only five years old, Bowers’ early exposure to dairy life left a lasting impression. He worked on various farms across Ontario before settling back into the Eastern Townships, where he has since become a well-known figure in the Canadian dairy scene.
A lifetime of leadership
Over the course of his career, Bowers has taken on numerous leadership roles, beginning locally but eventually extending to national and international platforms. His leadership roles began with Jersey Québec, where he served as president, and expanded to include Jersey Canada, the Canadian Dairy Network (CDN), Ciaq, and Semex Alliance. He also held a significant role with Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC), contributing to multiple projects aimed at improving dairy farming across the country.
According to a recent release provided by Bowers, his work with Semex, in particular, brought about significant changes in the industry. Under his leadership, bull housing, semen production, and distribution systems were streamlined, resulting in increased efficiency and reduced costs for dairy producers. These efforts were not only appreciated in Canada but also internationally, as Bowers became known for his innovative approach to dairy cattle genetics.
As president of Jersey Canada, Bowers played a key role in the establishment of the Multi-Breed Classification Program in 2005. This program remains one of the most important tools for dairy farmers in evaluating cattle quality and is offered as a service by Holstein Canada. It allows for a more accurate assessment of dairy cattle across various breeds, helping farmers make more informed decisions about breeding and herd management.
In addition to his administrative roles, Bowers was heavily involved in improving the genetic makeup of dairy cattle. His work on the CDN board was instrumental in the introduction of genomic evaluations in 2009. Genomics allows for the use of DNA to predict a cow’s future traits, such as milk production, health, and reproductive efficiency. Bowers’ leadership in this area helped bring this cutting-edge technology into the mainstream, revolutionizing the way dairy farmers select animals for breeding. He also contributed to the creation of Pro$ in 2015, a profit-based economic index that helps farmers maximize the profitability of their herds.
