Saskalta 12 in 1973; $21,500 Bluebird Anne 119 in 1973; $7,000 Willabar Countess 15Y in 1974; $9,100 Pride of Southolm 39C in 1974; $6,100 Willabar Ina 87B in 1975; $10,600 Delia of Heatherbrook 67’72 in 1976; also Stampede Lassie 379’72 in 1975 and she would have four progeny average of $10,375 by auction and then be sold for $35,000 in 1981 to Canus Ranch in Texas. All of those, whether bought or sold, had first been acquired from CrossCountry Sale. When females of such calibre were pasturing alongside others of near-equal status at Double Four, a succession of herdsires came into play with varying degrees of success. The first to survive the test was of course Lawnwood Chance, he followed by Coralta Eston 2’71 who had most illustrious lineage and co-shared duties for two seasons. Two older but well-proven sires appeared about 1975, those being the highly rated Bardolier of A L F 25T, and Camilla Chance 38Y who was a son of ‘Colossal’ and a full brother to ‘46W’. A.I. services from ‘Colossal’, ‘Trailblazer’, Diamond Legs Ranger’, ‘Q-Bar’ and ‘Massive of Kaharau’ were all used about his period. Semen from ‘Great Northern’ was also used in 1976 and from which came $25,000 valuation Double Four North Star, whose dam was the $10,600 Delia of Heatherbrook 67’72; record selling female in Canada, 1976.Chance of Double Four 40C had come back by 1976 for field service duties as well. Also, Skillymarno Super Event had been purchased for $21,000 at the 1976 CrossCountry Sale and his services were in high demand, with his first calf crop producing Double Four Super Blend who was sold for $16,500 and his first nine progeny averaged $3,272 at auction. Most regretfully, bloodtyping stated the ‘Super Event’ showed as being “non-traditional” and he was done away with. Later, with more data accumulating, the same official Lab confirmed their earlier reading was incorrect, but by then the damage had been done. It was in 1977 when Prospect Adventure 43G and Happyvale Grand Cap 46E ‘Big Sam’ came to service at Double Four. Progeny by ‘Big Sam’ at Happyvale had received an astounding reception, with his first nineteen bull calves and eight heifer calves averaging $4,512 a round. His first Double Four progeny at auction received a sensational $6,958 average in 1979, however in spite of that he was an unpredictable sire when working on unrelated females, and was gradually phased out. Not so with Prospect Adventure 43G however, for he proved to be a dominant “across the board” sire of stylish, look-alike females from every crop. Several were sold a five figure prices, and it is doubtful if there would be any Canadian sire who would have so many progeny sell so consistently well over any 5-year period. Since 1982, “43G” has been in service for the Skillymarno and Spruce View herds at Killam, Alberta. Next on the proving line came
Jo Jo Beau Jack and Sir Wms Excalibur, both being co-owned by and in service with Torro Negro Farms where some mention to both appears. The current senior sire at Double Four as of 1983 is Sir Wms Wetonka 5979, born in 1979 and he is bred to fit into the Double Four program remarkably well. His dam is a paternal sister to Prospect Adventure 43G, and her dam is a maternal sister to ‘Great Northern’. That line-breeding has already shown to be highly successful, for to the end 1982, a total of 31 heifer calves sired by ‘Wetonka’ had averaged $2,335 at auction. Most recent in the herdsire parade is $51,000 (2/3) Premier High Rise, purchased from the 1982 Cross-Country Sale and who had been Junior and Grand Champion at Agribition ‘81. He too is bred to perfection for the Double Four program, being sired by the fabled ‘Sky High’, from dam who is topped through to the ‘Big Ben’ son of ‘Colossal’ and with her dam being a daughter of ‘great Northern’. The first calves by ‘High Rise’ in several herds are deemed sensational, and he surely seems headed for a brilliant siring career. More important than all of the acclaimed herdsires and great females who have come and gone at Double Four however, has been the involvements by every member of the family. Daughter Marjorie was Secretary of the Alberta Association during busy years and with husband Bob Blacklock maintain a fine herd of mainly Double Four derivation in Saskatchewan. Daughter Lynne owns a small unit and rode the backs of several of those through a University education. Sons Lee and Neil each have their own highly important herd units. Even prior to the days of the exotic-cross Progeny Testing, Lee grew up with every phase of the enterprise although probably with more love of the cattle than the land. His own unit produced the much heralded Eileenmere’s Paradise 44’80 herdsire by Sir William farms and most recently the $13,600 LLB High Times, sale top bull calf at the 1982 Double Four Sale. Many premium selling animals have been bought and sold by Lee as well. Younger son Neil has been highly successful with several entries at the Bashaw National Junior Heifer Show and he has a great rapport with big machinery units which are in high evidence and well used at the Double Four Ranch . . . a high gear operation in every respect.
Angus World
Helen Buttimer
Helen (Susie) Beryl Buttimer passed away at Bethany Meadow Lodge, Camrose Alberta, Saturday, February 20th, 2010. Helen was born June 19, 1921 at Peebles, Saskatchewan to Thomas and Annie Fisher. Helen married Willie Buttimer, June 24th, 1949 and they enjoyed 44 years of marriage before Willie’s passing June 25th, 1993. They began married life at Aylesbury, Saskatchewan, moving to Melfort, Saskatchewan in 1963, then to Morrin Alberta in 1973 and finally to Edberg, Alberta in 1981. After Willie’s passing she remained on the farm with George and Val until failing health necessitated a move to Camrose in November, 2003. Helen enjoyed being involved with farming, gardening and Angus cattle at Clonabreem Angus Farm until the end. Helen leaves to mourn her passing one daughter Florrie and John MacDougall of Pincher Creek, Alberta and one son George and Val Buttimer of Red Deer. She also has 2 grandchildren; Darryn (and Sarah) MacDougall of Fife, Washington, and Christiana MacDougall of Calgary. Helen was predeceased by her parents Thomas and Annie Fisher, brothers George, Albert, Jim and Robert (in infancy); and one sister Grace Johnson; Brothers-in-law Harold Johnson, John Buttimer and Robert Pryor; Sisters-in-law Gladys Buttimer and May Pryor. She is survived by three sisters-in-law Evelyn Fisher, Mabel Fisher and Helen Fisher. She also leaves to mourn many nephews and nieces, extended family and friends.
Spring Edition 2010*
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