A Farming Legacy with Deep Roots
Welcome to Narfa Farms...A Farming Legacy with Deep Roots
The Past...
Had Icelandic immigrant Magnus Narfason looked into a crystal ball in 1897, he would have seen a proud line of farming descendants: Erlendur and Gudmundur, founders of one of Manitoba’s longest-running fluid milk shipping companies; Oli, who started the NARFA prefix with Holstein Canada back in the 1950s; and Cliff who, with wife Shelley, purchased Oli’s shares in 1997. And, as they say, the rest is history. The History
The Present
Cliff and Shelley’s Holstein operation is managed by their son-in-law, Jason Porteous, a 16-year veteran of Narfa Farms Ltd., which has 140 head of Holstein cattle and 50 cows in milk on a 640-acre property with an extra 140 acres leased. Barley takes up 100 to 150 acres and 500 acres are in hayfield.
The Employees
Narfa Farms Ltd. has two full-time employees and the equivalent of 1.5 part-time workers. Shelley, the business’s financial coordinator, bookkeeper and payroll clerk, is the number-cruncher in the family.
Some Stats
The farm’s herd is classified 13 EX, 30 VG and 20 GP. Its official average production is 10,500 kg, with 3.55% butterfat and 3.3% protein. In the last 15 years, Narfa has bred one All-American, one reserve All-American and one HM All-American.
Up Close and Personal
Cliff and Shelley have four children (Krista, Amber, Tanis and Dustin) and six grandchildren (Austin, Melissa, Avery, Logan, Taylor and Callie). When Cliff and Shelley aren’t busy with the family or the farm, you just might find them on a cruise ship bound for... who knows where!
On the Rink
True to his Icelandic roots, Cliff doesn’t mind the frozen kind of water either, especially when it’s a rink. Both Cliff and Shelley are very actively involved in curling. In fact, Cliff has won one Manitoba Farmers Curling Championship and Shelley has competed in nine Manitoba Scotties Tournament of Hearts championships. When asked if there was any other profession he might have wanted, Cliff doesn’t think twice before answering: “Basketball or curling analyst".
It’s All in the Genes
Cliff comes by his love of Holsteins naturally. When he was very young, he started helping his dad with the cows. He soon realized he liked the breeding part of the Holstein industry.
Giving Back
Cliff was a member of the 4-H Club for 12 years and a leader for another 12. For her part, Shelley is the Executive Director of the Icelandic Festival of Manitoba and a member of the board of the Westshore Foundation.
Here Comes the Judge
Cliff enjoys sharing his expertise, and what better way than by sitting on judging panels for events such as the Provincial 4-H show and WCC. Cliff has extensive experience judging in Canada as well as in the USA, Chile and Australia.
Sources of Pride
Cliff glows when he talks about the two Master Breeder Awards that he and his father earned under the NARFA prefix from Holstein Canada. Now Cliff’s sights are set on a third Master Breeder Shield.
Advice at Its Best
Lindsay Bridge is Narfa’s dairy nutrition adviser. Cliff has nothing but praise for him: “Lindsay has been very friendly and obliging with his relationship with us. We don’t make too many ration changes but we’re kept well informed through his visits. We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend him to a friend.”
Feed Mill
Narfa is supplied by Landmark Feeds’ Otterburne mill. The family was introduced to Landmark Feeds by former mill owner Ron Arnason many years ago and wouldn’t even consider switching. As Cliff explains, “We’ve always been happy with its approach to feeding cows and calves. Optivia calfstarter and Optivia milk replacer are products that really set Landmark apart from other feed companies. And the staff is always very friendly and helpful. If there are any problems, they get on it immediately.” Sounds like a win-win situation.
The Past...
Had Icelandic immigrant Magnus Narfason looked into a crystal ball in 1897, he would have seen a proud line of farming descendants: Erlendur and Gudmundur, founders of one of Manitoba’s longest-running fluid milk shipping companies; Oli, who started the NARFA prefix with Holstein Canada back in the 1950s; and Cliff who, with wife Shelley, purchased Oli’s shares in 1997. And, as they say, the rest is history. The History
The Present
Cliff and Shelley’s Holstein operation is managed by their son-in-law, Jason Porteous, a 16-year veteran of Narfa Farms Ltd., which has 140 head of Holstein cattle and 50 cows in milk on a 640-acre property with an extra 140 acres leased. Barley takes up 100 to 150 acres and 500 acres are in hayfield.
The Employees
Narfa Farms Ltd. has two full-time employees and the equivalent of 1.5 part-time workers. Shelley, the business’s financial coordinator, bookkeeper and payroll clerk, is the number-cruncher in the family.
Some Stats
The farm’s herd is classified 13 EX, 30 VG and 20 GP. Its official average production is 10,500 kg, with 3.55% butterfat and 3.3% protein. In the last 15 years, Narfa has bred one All-American, one reserve All-American and one HM All-American.
Up Close and Personal
Cliff and Shelley have four children (Krista, Amber, Tanis and Dustin) and six grandchildren (Austin, Melissa, Avery, Logan, Taylor and Callie). When Cliff and Shelley aren’t busy with the family or the farm, you just might find them on a cruise ship bound for... who knows where!
On the Rink
True to his Icelandic roots, Cliff doesn’t mind the frozen kind of water either, especially when it’s a rink. Both Cliff and Shelley are very actively involved in curling. In fact, Cliff has won one Manitoba Farmers Curling Championship and Shelley has competed in nine Manitoba Scotties Tournament of Hearts championships. When asked if there was any other profession he might have wanted, Cliff doesn’t think twice before answering: “Basketball or curling analyst".
It’s All in the Genes
Cliff comes by his love of Holsteins naturally. When he was very young, he started helping his dad with the cows. He soon realized he liked the breeding part of the Holstein industry.
Giving Back
Cliff was a member of the 4-H Club for 12 years and a leader for another 12. For her part, Shelley is the Executive Director of the Icelandic Festival of Manitoba and a member of the board of the Westshore Foundation.
Here Comes the Judge
Cliff enjoys sharing his expertise, and what better way than by sitting on judging panels for events such as the Provincial 4-H show and WCC. Cliff has extensive experience judging in Canada as well as in the USA, Chile and Australia.
Sources of Pride
Cliff glows when he talks about the two Master Breeder Awards that he and his father earned under the NARFA prefix from Holstein Canada. Now Cliff’s sights are set on a third Master Breeder Shield.
Advice at Its Best
Lindsay Bridge is Narfa’s dairy nutrition adviser. Cliff has nothing but praise for him: “Lindsay has been very friendly and obliging with his relationship with us. We don’t make too many ration changes but we’re kept well informed through his visits. We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend him to a friend.”
Feed Mill
Narfa is supplied by Landmark Feeds’ Otterburne mill. The family was introduced to Landmark Feeds by former mill owner Ron Arnason many years ago and wouldn’t even consider switching. As Cliff explains, “We’ve always been happy with its approach to feeding cows and calves. Optivia calfstarter and Optivia milk replacer are products that really set Landmark apart from other feed companies. And the staff is always very friendly and helpful. If there are any problems, they get on it immediately.” Sounds like a win-win situation.
The Family
Clifford and Shelley Narfason
Krista, Jason, Austin, Avery, Melissa and Logan Porteous
Oli and Clifford receive their second Master Breeder Shield in 1997 in Halifax, NS. they are now working on their third shield.