The Lynmark herd was very active on the show circuit for many years, numerous times taking home Premier Breeder and Exhibitor honours at the National Show in Lindsay, Ontario alongside numerous Junior and Grand Championship ribbons. Since joining the Milking Shorthorn breed, Lynmark Farms has bred 40 Excellent cows, with 24 of those achieving Multiple Excellent classifications.
Both Tim and Irene have previously served as Directors of the Canadian Milking Shorthorn Society. Tim would serve as President for several years in the early to mid 2000’s, assuming the post after the untimely passing of Society President Barry Haggett, breeder of the very cow (Pearl) that started Lynmark in the breed. Tim would help lead the Society during the uncertain years following the BSE crisis, when several long-time Milking Shorthorn herds would disperse, only to be replaced with even more new breeders, many of whom have leading roles in the breed today. Irene would also serve multiple terms as CMSS Director, completing her most recent term in 2024.
Two years ago, the majority of the Lynmark Milking Shorthorn herd was sold to Sheldon Richardson, a young breeder at Richford Farms in St. Mary’s, Ontario, where Lynmark-bred cows are continuing to excel. Tim and Irene still have a few of their “old girls” with them in Norwood as they slowly wind down their milking career.
When asked for their comments, Tim and Irene shared that “our success with the breed was only possible with the help we've had from Doug Wherry in different partnerships over the years, as well as the many years that Scott Stewart cared for our heifers, bringing them to their genetic potential. The Milking Shorthorn fraternity in Canada has always been welcoming and supportive to new breeders. Being able to sell embryos throughout North America as well as Great Britain, Ireland and Japan has allowed us to share Milking Shorthorn genetics and foster connections with new and old friends.”
The Society would like to thank Tim Shearer and Irene Vietinghoff for their years of service to the Milking Shorthorn breed while recognizing their success in breeding high-quality, balanced cattle with the 2025 CMSS Master Breeder Award.
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