Salers Magazine - Feb 2012

Salers Magazine The Balanced, Maternal Breed...

Salers Association of Canada 2011/12 Board of Directors

Contents:

President: Gerald McGee.......................OF RICHMOND, QC PHONE: 819-826-2918

• President’s Message............................................................................................... 2

Vice-President: Ken Sweetland ...........................OF LUNDAR, MB PHONE: 204-762-5512

• Going Forward ......................................................................................................2 • Salers Optimizer Program......................................................................................3

Treasurer: Brian Jones ......................OF OKOTOKS, ALBERTA PHONE: 403-938-6367

• Crossbreeding........................................................................................................3 • Top 10 Reasons to Use Salers ................................................................................6 • Weiss Ranch ..........................................................................................................8 • Ray Custeau ........................................................................................................12 • The Salers Cow ..........................................................................................................................19

Directors: Brad Dunn ..................................OF OGEMA, SK PHONE: 306-459-2523 Tammi McGee ........................OF GATINEAU, QC PHONE: 819-561-7789

• Around the Rings.....................................................................................................................20 • Provincial Reports ...............................................................................................23 • Announcements ..................................................................................................25 • Calendar of Events ..............................................................................................28

PROVINCIAL ASSOCIATIONS SASKATCHEWAN SALERS ASSOCIATION c/o Garfield Williams Box 33, Borden SK, S0K 0N0 PHONE: 306-997-4909 FAX: 306-997-2242

ALBERTA SALERS ASSOCIATION c/o Carol Eigner, Box 209, Thorhild, AB T0A 3J0 780-398-2494

Salers Magazine

SALERSASSOCIATION OF CANADA Mailing Address: P.O. Box 879 Carstairs, AB

T0M 0N0

SALERS ONTARIO

MARITIME SALERS ASSOCIATION

c/o Dale Butler 1253 Huff ’s Corners Rd, RR3 Croton, ON N0P 1K0 PHONE: 519-692-4145

c/o Steve Parrish Waterville, RR #1 Kings County,NS B0P 1V0 PHONE: 902-538-9174

SALERS ASSOCIATION OF MANITOBA

QUEBEC SALERS ASSOCIATION c/o Kacie Mason 546 5th Rang St. Felix de Kingsey QC, J0B2T0 PHONE: 819-674-3907 Fax: 819-848-2659

c/o Ken Sweetland Box 84 Lundar, MB R0C 1Y0 PHONE: 204-762-5512 FAX: 204-762-5113

Phone: 1 -855-263-2383 email: info@salerscanada.com website: salerscanada.com

(Gerald McGee) QUEBEC LIAISON 315 Chemin Grande Ligne, RR3 Richmond, QC J0B 2H0 PHONE: 819-826-2918

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Things are Buzzing at Salers Canada President’s Message

Hello Everyone, Welcome to a brand new year - full of expectations, hopes and good prices for our calves again this year. I would like to wish everyone a happy, healthy year and on into the future.

This past year has been a year of change for our Association. Many changes have been implemented and many are still ongoing since the Annual General Meeting last May. We now have a "Going-Forward" Committee working on our behalf for the benefit of the Salers Association of Canada.

We are now associated with Olds College and will be part of various programs benefiting from the student’s enthusiasm and progressive ideas while we contribute to their education, as they share in the challenges and opportunities of working with our Association. We have closed our Carstairs office and are located on campus utilizing a project office . We see this as a great opportunity to move this breed forward and ask everyone to support our efforts Darlene Hondl is working with all juniors on projects across Canada.

The Salers registry will be handled by the same lady who does the registry for the Maine-Anjou Association.

We are in the process of implementing the Optimizer Program which has now been accepted by Ottawa.

Kathy Adams will be staying on as a backup person for registrations and some administration. As you all know, Kathy has been very instrumental in keeping the Salers office running smoothly and efficiently for

many years. She has been a great help to each and every one of us. I would like to publicly congratulate Kathy for all her hard work and dedication to the Salers breed throughout the years. Thank you, Kathy.

As you can see there has been a lot of work done on your behalf for the betterment of our Association. Be sure to read the reports on these topics in this issue. The BOD has been working very hard on new ideas that promote your programs and as well provide you value for your membership in SAC. The "Going Forward" Committee consists of Ray Depalme as Chairperson, Randy Mader, Brian Jones and Reg Baldwin.

They have been doing a fantastic job. They deserve our congratulations and many thanks for the hours spent on this committee.

Now we, the Salers Association of Canada, are moving forward with confidence into the future. Are you coming with us into the future or being left behind?

Gerald McGee

Association Projects * Calving books are now being sent out to members. There will be no cost to membership or Association due to sponsorship funds. Thanks to those who assisted in putting these together and Rhonda Bollum for final presentation. We will have a limited surplus for those holding bull sales or who would assist us in getting them out to auction marts, vet stores, co-ops, etc. *SAC has followed up on an offer presented at the last AGM and we are nearing completion of arrangements to again have engraved Salers tags.

These will be supplied through All-Flex and their distributor Kane Veterinary Supplies Ltd. Details of cost and distribution will be available in the coming weeks. There will be two basic styles, two sizes, and colour will be the choice of the Breeder.

You will be supporting your cattle and our Breed Association by using these tags. *Two presentations have been made to Olds Marketing students as part of our commitment to contributing to their education. We are the first organization to be invited to present our material as part of the colleges curriculum. It is now the students obligation to conduct a marketing survey of our breed and prepare papers which form the major part of this semester. These papers will focus on the value of being a member in the association, as well as developing a brand of recognition for Salers. Please provide feedback to Page 2

these students when contacted. * We are hoping to organize an All-Breed Junior Show sometime this summer. We are still in the early stages of planning however we want this event to be educational and fun. With the involvement of the other breeds we will have sufficient numbers, and build working relationships. Please contact any Director to offer your assistence. *Upcoming projects that the BOD will be working on include awards programs for Breeder of the Year, Performance Breeder of the Year (based on EPDs), Commercial Breeder of the Year (nominated by members), and Junior of the Year.

We will keep you posted!

Olds College and the Salers Association of Canada Partnership Update

The Olds College School of Business

will be providing marketing and administrative support for the association over the next 6 months. This will include assistance in the transition to a virtual office environment as well as marketing planning assistance in the areas of youth engagement, brand promotion and membership retention.

In January, the School of Business will be hosting SAC in its project office to assist in next steps towards organizational efficiency.

Office Administration program students will be offering their skills in document management to assist the association in archiving items such as historic photos and government compliance documents.

Agricultural Management students will be creating marketing plans for the association to improve promotion of the breed, as well as develop programs to increase value to the membership.

We trust that all going on the ISF Tour throughout Ireland in August will enjoy themselves. There is always room for more.

Details on the website or contact a Director for details.

Salers Magazine

Salers Optimizer Program Submitted by Gerry Isley G I T Performance Cattle Recently there has been an exciting development in our breed. The Salers Optimizer program has been approved under the Animal Pedigree Act for use in Canada. It has been a long haul for all involved. For the past few years a group of progressive SALERS members saw a need in our breed for a performance verifiable cross breeding program using ONLY purebred registered animals on both sides of any mating.

These breeders worked hard and long and created a program that mirrors principles adopted by the American Salers Association. By having similar programs there are “no borders” and what works well can be duplicated in either country.

This spring is the first time Canadian Registered Optimizers will be offered for sale in Canada. An exciting first for our breeders and breed. Commercial cattlemen will be important benefactors of this new development. While the advantages are many and more to come, an important gain with Optimizer for the commercial market will be the enlargement of our genetic pool. The most obvious advantage of Optimizers is that they are registered cattle with pedigrees and all will have performance records available. This is a major”plus” for cattlemen that watch closely the pedigree and past performance of their breeding stock. Using registered stock and

only registered stock is the most reliable way to monitor your genetic inputs.

The Optimizer program allows breeders to go outside the purebred SALERS genetic gene pool to identify and use traits that will accentuate and benefit offspring. By adding desirable traits through use of other purebred cattle from other breeds and having knowledge of pedigrees and past performance, will enable purchasers as well as breeders involved in program the ability to foresee with good accuracy how the resultant offspring will turn out. Guess work largely eliminated.

With Optimizer you can now select specific traits that will meet your needs and the needs of the market while still being able to capitalize on basic SALERS strengths that cannot be matched, calving ease, motherability, mobility and longevity. In the past as a commercial cattleman and if had a history of SALERS genetics in your herd, you were tempted and did use on occasion a bull from another breed to improve hybrid vigour but you may have lost another desirable trait.

With Optimizer you will improve hybrid vigour but will retain or improve the strong traits that SALERS are known to provide.

Historically SALERS have always done well under test conditions. They have topped or been near the top year after year in ALL test trials. The same results have been seen in carcass tests, here in Canada or in the USA. The past few years in the States the same results have been seen with

Optimizers, with weights gains and eff1ciencies at or near the top in test after test. Strong sales of Optimizers naturally have followed these impressive results as cattlemen appreciate the advantages of Optimizers, the SALERS influence and are willing to pay for the improvements provided to them.

Labour is always at the forefront of decision making. SALERS have always been part of the equation to minimize labour. SALERS are also part of the profit equation. More live calves per cow exposed that grow quickly with little or no health issues will improve your bottom line.

OPTIMIZERs with the strength of SALERS included in the package are a good bet to get this improvement.

These are exciting times in the cattle business, prices are up across the board and levels are such that profits are achievable. A “retired” bull will give you a solid start towards buying a replacement and we now have some new opportunities in Canada, Optimizers, with tailored genetics. Come out to at least one of several sales with SALERS and OPTIMIZERS on offer or call and visit breeders holding private treaty sales. See how a purchase will help to improve your herd and your results. Remember if your purchase is backed by registration papers and performance data you know what you have and what you can expect.

Crossbreeding systems necessary to beef industry

By Kris Ringwall, Beef Specialist, NDSU Extension Service Once the industry decided that the walls would not cave in when Hereford bulls were mated to Angus cows or vice versa, the world of beef cattle systems was created.

In the beginning, life was simple because all a producer needed to do was take an established herd of purebred or straight-bred cows and put a different breed of bull with the cows. Given that, the world of crossbreeding started to emerge.

As a point of significance, for many producers, such crossings were considered improper in those days, and one perhaps could even use the word sacrilegious. For younger producers, those concepts seem foreign because beef cattle genetics is a much broader pool of genes sourced from many distinct breeds of cattle.

So why bring up the past? It is a reminder of what followed those initial crossings because each breed had been meticulously tracked and the parentage documentation exhaustive. Some extraordinary results even were becoming visible to the naked eye.

These so-called crossbred calves excelled in growth. They were very vigorous from birth through death. They withstood the stresses of the environment better and were all around better calves, so producers loved it.

A term called heterosis (hybrid vigor) was put forth. It is a term that technically refers to the measurable and non-measurable advantage in the calf that was greater than the average of what one would expect based on the average measureable performance of each parent breed.

Salers Magazine

If a producer ever received a gift from Mother Nature, this was it. This was the beginning of crossbreeding in commercial cattle production.

Commercial production systems soon were developed to explore and document the advantages of crossbreeding, and more refined breeding systems were established.

The classic black baldy was produced and named. The Hereford- and Angus-crossed calves excelled. When the females were kept as replacements, these crossbred cows had improved fertility and successful pregnancies. This was good. However, as with so many people, being good is never good enough.

If the traditional English-bred cattle would respond to crossbreeding, why not search the world and bring in more breeds? Producers did just that. They brought in new breeds that were distinctly different from the traditional breeds.

Real advantages Again, the classic black baldy cows were bred to imported Charolais cattle. Calf growth mushroomed after that. These “terminal” calves excelled in red meat production and feedlot performance. These classic crossbreeding programs were well-documented and the advantages were real. The premise of a good crossbreeding program was to keep the production unit (cow) smaller and refine the costs to make the cow practical. The terminal sire advantage is that all the pluses achieved through heterosis would be maintained, plus the cow would have the unique traits associated with the selected breed. This was good.

The beef cattle breeding systems were

expanded to handle even more breeds. Programs either maximized production through terminal sires or more sophisticated rotational breeding programs that allowed for the inclusion of new breeds on the maternal side as well. This meant that the world of beef production was not limited to black baldy cows.

The issue is not the validation of the benefits of crossbreeding in today’s cattle, but rather the dismissal of crossbreeding systems. The reason is improvement in individual breeds. Seedstock producers have improved their genetics through selection to leave the impression that increased production attained through selection outweighs any advantages attained through heterosis or the crossing of unrelated breeds.

So what is the point? In the genetic world, remember that measurable and non-measurable advantages are evident as diverse genetics are crossed. That is simply a fact. More importantly, the concept of crossbreeding systems was placed on the back shelf. As a result, the tool chest shrunk. As producers explore new ways to address beef systems in the current world, a large tool chest is needed.

As producers look to downsize cows, those early black baldy concepts are real. A small cow is not efficient if she only has the capacity to wean a small calf. Real efficiency comes when the small cow produces a calf that exceeds her own capacity to grow. This means terminal sires. In addition, it means crossbreeding systems are needed.

It is nothing new, just a reminder.

Source:http://westernfarmpress.com/managemen t/crossbreeding-systems-necessary-beef-industry Page 3

SALERS, after 7000 years, still EXCEL in fertility, low calf mortality, weaning weights, early maturity and carcass quality and cutability. SALERS are the only continental breed to thrive in Western Range Conditions. Genetic Purity provides exceptional hybrid vigor for crossbreeding.

Semen available.

Live Healthy calves- more pounds weaned per cow.

Low maintenance- proven track record for highest returns in industry.

Volume on moderate frames.

Unsurpassed mothering ability- early maturity, consistent calving ease, protective with the milk to raise her calf.

Exceptional feet and legscan go where other breeds can’t.

Great coats- can survive and thrive in poor conditions.

Proven longevity- less replacements and more calves during lifetime.

Docility guaranteed- planned mating, strong management and careful culling.

Profitable- work on range, feedlots, packing plants and on the table.

Sire of 2011 and 2012 calf crops.

Bulls, Females and Semen Available.

Our 30th year consistently producing and raising ONLY Registered Purebred SALERS. True to the original practices when introduced to Canada.

Located 18 kilometers south west of Okotoks, less than 40 kilometers south of Calgary.

Breeding Salers since 1983 for performance and disposition. Docility GUARANTEED.

Salers Magazine

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Testimonial We have used Salers bulls on our Charolais cows for several years and are very happy with the cross. These easy calving, vigorous tan calves yield a few more cents per lb on sale day and also make excellent replacements to add to the herd.

Soura-Horan Farms, Bowsman, MB

Top 10 Reasons to use Salers Genetics 1. Ease of calving/vigorous newborns - built in “sleep well” genetics.

2. Healthy cows/healthy calves means less work, more profits.

3. Outstanding maternal & reproductive performance/ prolific breeders.

4. Longevity- more productive years from both dams and sires.

5. Disposition- Salers breeders are committed to easy to handle cattle.

Martin and Deona Horan

6. Range /pasture management advantageSalers go where other cows won’t.

7. Strengthen hybrid vigor- heterosis can boost performance by up to 15%.

8. More pounds at weaning/ strong feedlot gains/ optimal carcass weights.

9. Optimal marbling - excellent tenderness, besting all continentals.

10. High yields - average 60% or more lean meat in every carcass.

2011 calves

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Salers Magazine

Salers work at Weiss Ranch

By Kate Bollum

“It’s more than a business. It is a way of life.

I’m doing what I enjoy, so to me you can’t have it any better than that.”

That is how Allen Weiss sums up his cowcalf ranching business operated with wife Eileen in the rolling Alberta foothills northwest of Sundre, Alberta. Eileen adds, “You must love what you do for a living in order to succeed at ranching.”

Salers cattle make up a major part of their commercial cattle herd. The change to Salers was made in 1996 when they bought their first 15 bred females from Mader Ranches. Salers genetics make up part of the equation on both the sire side as well as an essential asset to the productive, easy-tocare-for cow herd.

The family operation located only a half mile from where Allen was raised has been built up over the years to now cover five quarter sections.

Pasture land and forage production feeds the 130 head cow herd that calves out in January. Feeder calves are marketed at the Olds Auction Market each fall.

Their commitment to raising fine cattle shows in their sale last year. In early October 2011, their steers averaged 710 pounds and brought $1.45 a pound while heifers weighed an average of 650 pounds and sold at $1.40 per pound. These Page 8

top of the line prices showed they had one of the best calf crops brought to town during the fall feeder calf run. This is a long ways from when Allen brought his first Salers cross calves into the auction mart, where a cattle buyer scoffed at Salers cattle.

Allen sits back in his chair, and stares off with a bemused smile twitching at the corners of his mouth. “He’s not making a living at cattle anymore, but I am, so..” That he lets the sentence die instead of completing it shows how proud of his cattle he is, and lets his modest, laughing manner shine through.

Allen believes that a 50% or more Salers cow is ideal. “Straight Red Angus are too small. Salers give you the length. I like Salers because they have consistency, feed well, milk well, and make good mothers.” Eileen adds that, “They’re good rustlers, good movers, just an overall good cow. We’ve had different cattle over the years, but find the Salers cow ideal.”

“The calves are up and eating when they’re born; it saves a lot of labor.” Eileen adds, “They’re just little bitty things when they’re born, they’re wonderful mothers, too. Just wonderful.”

When asked about his optimum Salers bull, he says, “a birth weight of about 90 pounds is

ideal. With good feet, legs, and disposition.”

Allen and Eileen use Salers bulls in their crossbreeding plan. Heifers are bred to Salers bulls for calving ease solutions. As well, the best 40 cows are bred Salers to get replacement heifers to go back into the cow herd. Other cows, mostly halfblood or higher percentage Salers with some Hereford or Red Angus base, are bred to Charolais bulls for a terminal cross that yields tan and tan brockleface calves that suit the feeder calf market well.

The praise they have for the cattle is continuous, and without fault. Allen comments with regret though, “It’s hard to buy Salers females, there’s just not any out there. The only ones that are, are purebred, and they’re too expensive for a commercial person.”

The Salers cows at the Weiss ranch are all wonderful mothers. When we walk out to the pasture we see a day old calf basking in the unusual warm winter weather we’ve experienced so far, it’s mother a few steps to the side peacefully and proudly looking on, as if she were showing off her calf for all of us to see.

Over the years since getting married and purchasing the first part of their land in 1967, Allen and Eileen have managed the ranch while

Salers Magazine

Allen also worked off-farm. A combination of grain, hay and cattle is typical for the area.

A change they have made in the past few years is that they went out of the grain business and switched to making bale silage for all their

watch TV!” The hard work they both continually put into their farm has not dulled the love and affection they feel for each other. It is obvious in the way they both joke and slyly poke fun at one another through their answers to the questions.

When asked how they managed to run the

Calving ease of Salers bulls is a big reason for using them on the first calf heifers in the Weiss program.

forage needs. “It’s good because with the weather conditions you see out here you get showers all the time in the summer that makes putting up dry hay difficult.” They use a clover timothy mix, and put up barley, oats, and peas for silage for the cows.

They “cut it, bale it, wrap it- we do everything ourselves. Sometimes we pull long days just having the two of us, but with our way we do not need five guys like some silage feeding methods. When I look at people who have to rake, and rerake, I think it is worth the expense of tubing it. This way we get to put our feet up.” However, it still does come with downfalls. It is more expensive, and one year during a bad hailstorm everything was torn apart and they had to wrap the whole thing again.

They both firmly believe you have to have a love and passion for working in the cattle industry.

There are the people in the city who work their 8hour shift, get their paycheck, and come home.

We work 24 hours a day watching calving and still do not get that big paycheck. You don’t grow into the business, you’ve got to be born with that desire.” It is almost comical how bad they feel for those not farming. “It’s kind of sad, actually. When the nights are too long, we are bored stiff cause we cannot work. It must be very boring for town people. I don’t know how they can just sit and

Salers Magazine

Nowadays kids going to school are exposed to a lot more, and they have other interests. There just is not the same feeling for it. If there were more money in it, there would be more people in this business. That is for sure. However, what they do not realize is how much money is actually in it, just not at the time. It’s tied up into land, equipment, and stock.”

BSE that hit in May 2003 and drought has affected them, like all other cattlemen, but they keep an optimistic view on the future, as things have looked up these past few years. Eileen comments, “BSE was a killer. Knocked the heck out of the cattle industry. Nevertheless, we will keep doing it until we cannot anymore. Until hell freezes over, we will keep doing it. We may be a little slower now, but..” “Maybe you are, but I’m not!” Allen quickly interrupted with his optimistic and steadfast view.

The plans for their future hinted about retiring, but they said “ Well, I guess this IS retirement. We should have a plan B. I think about it a lot but we just do not. Want to be able to.. but we don’t.” Allen adds, “The hardest problem with farming is that we do not know how to retire. This is our retirement. We’ve been at it for a long time, so we kind of got it down now.”

KB

Silage bales make up the bulk of the feed supply at Allen and Eileen Weiss’s ranch. Hay, barley and oats crops are swathed, baled wet and wrapped in plastic laying in long tubed rows. The feed will keep well as long as the plastic is not punctured. Although the plastic and the wrapping machine adds cost compared to traditional dry baled haying methods, the silage bale process allows great flexibility against rainy weather delays whereas the silage baling can proceed on schedule to obtain top quality feed

operation by themselves, Allen starts off by saying “well, I’d work in the oilfield and Eileen adds, ‘while I was at home looking after kids, and the farm” Allen interjects, “we would really never see each other.” Eileen finishes with a coy wink.

“That’s why we’re still married!”

Allen comments about how the nature of the farming industry has changed. “I think it’s that we were raised on the farm, and stayed on the farm.

Although the rest of the calf crop was sold as feeder calves in the fall, these three steers represent the color patterns the Weiss’ are after. The two dark red calves are from cows that are at least half Salers with some Red Angus or Hereford. Their tan calves out of these red half-blood Salers cows are sired by Charolais bulls for a terminal cross that also sells well when marketed or fed out.

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Salers Magazine

Herd Sires: SC Blk Premium 76P Sire: Polled Legacy

JOC 18T

Light bwt. (82 lbs.), excellent females, bulls have done very well in test centres.

JOC Blk Pld Tin Cup 18T

Sire: Blk Pld Ricochet Acceptable bwt. (88 lbs.) we have used him on heifers successfully, extremely easy keeping, his calves do very well on roughage, very little grain needed, very good disposition.

PW Kanada 1X Sire: Newsbreak 85 lb. bwt.

Developed into a deep, thick bull, very good disposition with lots of hair.

Used on 25 heifers this year.

PW 1X

For Sale at the Farm 10 Super Good 2 Year Old Purebred Salers Heifers Bred to 1X. Start calving February 1.

Mostly 76P daughters.

He Sells

EPDs, Bwt, ROP information in the catalogue.

Catalogs available on request.

Thank you to all our bidders and buyers at last years sale, hope to see you again.

She Sells

Salers Magazine

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disappeared. And the most recent e c o n o m i c d o w n t u r n certainly didn't help the industry,' says he thoughtfully. "So, by developing an animal with many desirable qualities such as ease of calving, easy maintenance, few complications in giving birth and a seemingly tough resistance to current health problems which require a health program that brings vets and health checks on a regular basis these are some of the advantages of these crossbreds so far,' Custeau explains.

The Salers breed, originating in France as a dual purpose animal, with a better than average milk production among beef breeds and a squared-off body with a well formed rear, (that's where those tender steaks come from) and very little fat developed on the back and ribs, has been a mainstay for beef production and some milk in France and neighboring countries.

American breeders recognized these qualities before the breed made inroads into Canadian beef herds, but in the last decade, the Salers breed can be found in just about every province with the western producers claiming the highest number of Salers in their herds. Crossbreeding is well started west of us, and now, according to Custeau and his recorded success with hybridization, the Canadian Livestock Records, the organization which establishes breed standards set by breed associations has given this promising beef-type animal an official name, the Optimizer, and official status in the Canadian Breed registry.

The Custeau farm covers over 600 acres, much of it wooded and, "I would like to have more cropland. But I do have to buy some cereals although I don't feed any grain to any gestating and producing cows. Only the animals destined for the marketplace will get a 'finishing' ration for about three weeks."

Ray Custeau

By Claudia Villemaire St Francois d'Xavier de Brompton Raymond Custeau has the courage of his convictions - at least, where raising Grade A beef and managing a herd of purebred Salers, Red Angus and the new Optimizer breed, the hybrid cross of Salers and Angus.

But it's taken years of determination, studying sire geneaology, watching results from sire testing stations, evaluation and matching up choice females with outstanding males. The final results, according to Custeau himself, are quite surprising.

"If you can put an extra hundred pounds on a 'finishing' beef animal without the added cost that would normally entail, I figure you'd be a fool not to follow up on that and take a long look at the advantages of crossbreeding with Salers females,' he says emphatically during an interview on the Custeau farm last week.

Some experts would say he definitely has advantages beginners wouldn't have. Farming on the Custeau homestead where his grandfather and father produced milk for half a century, Raymond Custeau has the priviledge of a mortgage free operation. With market prices hardly meeting cost of production and cuts to stabilization insurance seemingly a favorite government pastime, newcomers to beef production almost certainly will be compelled to find gainful employment off the farm too.

Since the 'mad cow' crisis, many producers of both meat and replacement stock have Page 12

Custeau is a firm believer in feeding high quality forage. "I insist on the best hay I can harvest or purchase. It must be mowed at the right time, properly cured and wrapped and carefully stored," he describes as we take a walking tour to get acqauinted with his gestating females and his prized Red Angus sire. We walked among these 'stars' quite comfortably, admiring excellent breed standards, the well developed hindquarters, always sought by breeders of replacement stock, qualities which include strong hind legs, well spaced ribs, strong shoulders and front legs standing square.

These animals can weigh close to 2,000 pounds when mature and body frame and bone structure are important considerations. "I bought the best bull I could find," he points out as the Red Angus sire and star of this group of Salers females ambles docilely by us.

In the stable where Custeau worked beside his father and grandfather among the milk cows, two lines of Angus, Salers and Optimizers are tied.

Stables are clean, animals are in prime condition, well fed and housed with care and attention. Near their mothers, newborn calves romped in front of the manger. "You can see the quality here," Custeau points out, adding these are firsts from his new Red Angus sire. "He has that square frame with a well rounded rump and look, you can see that in these calves already," he adds proudly.

"You have to be on the job seven days a week," he says, giving an almost-due-to-calve female a back scratch. Anyone who thinks being a beef producer is the easy side of farming, (no cows to milk twice a day, no expensive technology required by agriculture), taking proper care of these animals, spending time studying the geneaology of sires that interest you, paying strict attention to production costs, rate of gain, doing ultra sounds and back fat studies, watching the development of the all-important rib-eye, taking the time to study sire-testing stations reports and slaughter-house grading - that and more is involved in meat production. If we can continue to improve meat quality, rate of gain and keep costs down by using these Optimizer calves and satisfy consumers demands for well-marbled, lean beef at a reasonable cost - a challenging goal to say the least," Custeau concludes.

Salers Magazine

Ray Custeau Claudia Villemaire À St-François-Xavier-de-Brompton, M. Raymond Custeau a eu le courage qui vient avec ses convictions. Au moins, il élève un bœuf de qualité et gère un troupeau de Salers, Angus Rouge puresang et le nouveau croisement appelé « Optimizer », un croisement hybride de Salers et Angus Rouge. Ça lui a pris des années de détermination, d’études de génétique, d’analyse de résultats des stations d’épreuve, d’analyse de performances de ses meilleurs vaches. Le résultat est très surprenant avoue l’éleveur. « Si tu peux mettre cent livres de viande supplémentaire sur un animal sans les coûts que cela peut engendrer, je pense qu’un producteur serait un peu fou de ne pas considérer les avantages du croisement avec une femelle Salers » C’est ce que Raymond a dit lors d’une entrevue à la Ferme Hondo la semaine passée.

Les experts diront que Raymond a définitivement un avantage sur les débutants. Il élève ses bêtes sur la ferme qui a été transmis depuis 3 générations de producteurs laitiers.

Raymond a le privilège de n’avoir aucune hypothèque. Avec le prix du marché qui couvre à peine les dépenses et les coupures à l’assurance stabilisation, les nouveaux venus dans la production de bœuf sont pratiquement obligé de travailler à l’extérieur pour arriver à leur fin.

Depuis, la crise de la vache folle, plusieurs producteurs bovins ont disparus. La crise financière des dernières années n’a certainement pas aidé l’industrie bovine. Alors, en développant un animal avec plusieurs qualités soit : la facilité au vêlage, entretien minimum, peu de complication à la naissance et une bonne résistance aux maladies, sont toutes des avantages du croisement « Optimizer ».

La race Salers originaire de France est un animal à deux fins, avec une production laitière meilleure que la moyenne des vaches à bœuf. De plus, elle possède une bonne musculature, des fesses profondes et arrondies (c’est là d’où provient les bons steaks tendre) et avec très peu de gras sur le dos et les côtes. C’est pour cette raison que cette race est utilisée en France pour la production de bœuf et de lait.

Les producteurs américains ont reconnu ses qualités avant que cette race face son chemin à l’intérieur des troupeaux canadiens, mais dans la dernière décennie la race Salers peut être trouvé dans toutes les provinces et surtout dans celles de l’ouest où l’on trouve les plus gros troupeaux de vaches de race Salers. L’hybridation est bien implanté à l’ouest du Québec et maintenant selon Raymond et son succès dans le croisement de la race. L’Associaton canadienne d’enregistrement des animaux, cette organisation qui établit les standards de race, a donné à cet animal à bœuf prometteur un nom officiel. « Optimizer » est un statut officiel dans l’enregistrement des races canadiennes.

La ferme de M. Custeau couvre 600 acres de terre

Salers Magazine

dont la plus part en bois. « J’aimerais avoir plus de terre pour faire pousser du grain pour combler les besoins du troupeau même si les vaches en production et en gestation ne mangent pas de grains. Seulement les animaux destinés au marché de la viande vont recevoir une ration de finition pour trois ou quatre semaines. » M. Custeau croit fermement en une alimentation de fourrage de haute qualité. « Il m’est d’une grande importance de récolter le meilleur foin possible sinon je vise l’achat de foin de très bonne qualité. Le foin se doit d’être coupé au bon moment, être bien conservé et entreposer. » Voici ce que Raymond décrit pendant que nous marchons dans son troupeau de femelles Salers gestantes et de son super taureau Angus Rouge.

Nous marchons confortablement avec ses « étoiles » en admirant les excellant standard de race avec des bons fessiers bien développés toujours prisés par les éleveurs. Les qualités recherchées sont de bons membres avant et arrière, des côtes bien espacé, des épaules musclées et profondes. Ces animaux peuvent peser jusqu’à 2000 livres à l’âge adulte c’est pourquoi ils ont besoin d’une bonne structure osseuse. « J’ai acheté les meilleurs taureaux que j’ai pu trouver. » En pointant le taureau Angus Rouge qui marche docilement près de nous.

Dans l’étable où Raymond a travaillé aux côtés de son père et son grand-père avec les vaches laitières, deux rangées d’Angus, de Salers et de « Optimizer » sont attachées. L’étable est propre, les animaux sont dans des conditions optimales, bien nourrit et bien traité au petits oignons. Près de leur mère, les nouveaux nés sont attachés en avant de celles-ci. « Ici on peut voir la qualité des veaux. » Raymond pointe fièrement les premiers nouveaux nés de son nouveau taureau Angus Rouge. « Un bon producteur se doit d’être au travail sept jours par semaine » dit Raymond en grattant le dos d’une de ses vaches préférées. Pour tous ceux qui croient que la production de bœuf est facile

(pas de traite à faire deux fois par jour ), prendre bien soin de ses animaux, prendre le temps d’étudier la génétique des taureaux, accorder une attention particulière au coût de production, au gain poids journalier, les ultrasons pour les épaisseurs du gras dorsal, surveiller le développement de l’œil de longe, étudier les résultats des stations d’épreuve pour choisir les taureaux, étudier les classifications, tout ça et plus encore font partie de la production de viande. En conclusion, si on peut continuer d’améliorer la qualité de la viande, le gain moyen quotidien (GMQ) et garder les coûts de production les plus bas possible en utilisant les veaux « Optimizer », tout ça pour satisfaire les demandes de nos consommateurs qui exigent une viande persillé et un prix raisonnable, est un défi de tous les jours conclut M. Custeau.

Translation by France Custeau

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The Salers Cow Master of Efficient Beef Production MacDonald Ranches, Bismarck, www.macdonaldranches.com

ND

,

There are many reasons why Salers genetics make up the primary framework of our breeding program. We have experienced firsthand the value of the traits in which Salers cattle excel. Many of these positive traits are centered around the Salers female.

This begins at calving where they are uniquely designed to lessen the workload. The slender shape of the Salers calf combined with the large pelvic area of the Salers female combine to create an easy-calving experience. Salers calves are very lively at birth and get up and suckling fast.

These traits together are what we call calf survivability and nothing will beat a Salers-cross cowherd at this game.

Fertility is another profit-driving trait that Salers cows are blessed with. Ask anyone who has preg checked a lot of cows. Salers cows come in bred at a higher rate than any other breed cross and they do it over a longer life span.

Which brings us to another important Salers

trait – longevity. Salers cows just last longer. On our place the average cow doesn’t really start to show her age until about 11 or 12 and 14 year old cows are not uncommon. Some of the proven-producing grandmas are still having calves at 16.

When you add up the traits of calf survivability, fertility and longevity, you get a cow that weans more pounds of live calf in a lifetime and puts more dollars in the bank than any other genetic component you can add to your cowherd.

Salers cows also have milk that is particularly high in butterfat content, allowing them to bring in big calves without requiring big udders. They are foragers, too, grazing out where other cows don’t like to go and up to higher elevations where other cows refuse to graze.

Salers genetics in the cowherd are even a positive for today’s debate over efficient use of the earth’s land resources.

Dr. Jude Capper, Washington State University animal scientist and

well-known authority on resource efficiency in cattle production, is quoted as saying, “Only 86% of cows have a live calf every year. If that were 90%, 95% or 99%, that would make a huge improvement in productivity.” (Angus Journal, November 2011, p. 146). The reproductive efficiency of the Salers cow could be a big boost to efficiency of production in the US beef cattle herd.

The Salers cow is truly a master of efficient beef production. The value of having Salers genetics in your cowherd must be experienced to be appreciated. Give us a call. We’ll be glad to help you plan how you can best put Salers genetics into your cowherd.

Sired by SC Lawman 67L, 46N is a power cow. She has great disposition, length and natural muscling. Many time champion, including National Champion! Embryo opportunities available.

Contact us about our breeding stock available at the farm, from bulls, heifers and F1's...we've got 'em!

Salers Magazine

Michael & Jacob Morin 41 ch. des Domaines St. Felix de Kingsey QC T: 819 848 2627 C: 819 470 8844

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Around the Rings November 2011 FarmFair - Edmonton, AB Champion Bred Heifer - All Breeds Class: SFE Pld Xena 19X shown by Sarah Eigner of Care Farms, Thorhild AB Congratulation to Sarah for winning with her 2011 4-H project! Well done!

Outback Ranch Land & Cattle (Ernest & Bobby Hunter) Reserve Champion Female: Millstream X-Ray by Millstream Salers (Brian & Linda Walker) Premiere Breeder: Millstream Salers Premiere Exhibitor: Millstream Salers

October 2011 Expo Boeuf - Victoriaville, QC A great turnout for our Provincial show with seven breeders from across QC & NB showing almost 40 head of cattle.

Grand Champion Bull: OBR Traveler by Outback Ranch Land & Cattle (Ernest & Bobby Hunter) Champion Jr Bull: Windbec X-Treme by Windbec Salers (Gerald & Mona McGee) Champion Heifer Calf: OBR Pld Twilight by Outback Ranch Land & Cattle (Ernest & Bobby Hunter) Grand Female: TCJ X-Factor by TCJ Salers (Tammi, Christine & Joanne McGee) Reserve Champion Female: Pinegrove Pld Nina

by Pinegrove Salers (Mike & Jacob Morin) Breeder’s Herd: Outback Ranch Land & Cattle (Ernest & Bobby Hunter) Premiere Breeder: Outback Ranch Land & Cattle (Ernest & Bobby Hunter) Premiere Exhibitor: Pinegrove Salers (Mike & Jacob Morin) September 2011 NB Beef Expo Sussex, NB Breeders from across the Maritimes participated in a great show & got a chance to catch up with each other.

September 2011 Richmond Fair Richmond, QC 5 Breeders participated in a wonderful show of Salers Cattle. It was a weekend of great cattle, great judging, and good times had by all.

Grand Champion Bull: Windbec X-Treme by Windbec Salers (Gerald & Mona McGee) Reserve Champion Bull: Marlas Tennence by Marlas Salers (Doug & Marion Beard) Grand Champion Female: Pinegrove Nina by Pinegrove Salers (Mike & Jacob Morin) Reserve Champion Female: TCJ X-Factor by TCJ Salers (Tammi, Christine & Joanne McGee) Breeder’s Herd: Marlas Salers (Doug & Marion Beard) Premiere Breeder: Wind Dancer Farms (Mark & Kacie Mason) Premiere Exhibitor: Pinegrove Salers (Mike & Jacob Morin)

Peace Country Beef Congress 2012 January 6-7, 2012, Grande Prairie, AB

Champion Reserve Heifer - shown by Voss Salers

Reserve Champion Steer at the Grande Prairie Beef Congress shown by Voss Salers

Congratulations to all breeders for a job well done this past show season! Keep up the great work!

Grand Champion Bull Richmond Fair Windbec Extreme

Grand Champion Bull Expo Boeuf - OBR Traveler Grand Champion Bull: Millstream Yankee by Millstream Salers (Brian & Linda Walker) Reserve Champion Bull: OBR Traveler by Outback Ranch Land & Cattle (Ernest & Bobby Hunter) Grand Champion Female: OBR Gypsy by

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Provincial Reports Quebec Salers Association The Quebec Salers Association started the year off with our annual general meeting on February 13th 2011. At the meeting we welcomed Mr. Claude Lavallie as a guest speaker, who spoke to us about the Salon de Boeuf project he was working on. The association agreed this would be a project we would like to participate in.

The spring and summer kept our members busy with the regular planting, haying and harvesting. The Salon de Beouf project came at the end of the summer, where the association donated 50 lbs of Salers beef from Pine Grove farms to be taste tested by the public. The project was very successful.

September brought us Richmond Fair, where 5 breeders participated showing around 25 head. At the end of September four members traveled to Sussex New Brunswick to watch the Salers show there. As always we were welcomed with wonderful hospitality from the Eastern Breeders.

In October we welcomed some of the eastern breeders back to Quebec for Expo Boeuf, where almost 40 head of Salers cattle were shown by 7 breeders. After the show the participants were treated to a wine and cheese put on by the Quebec Salers Association.

Currently we are planning for the New Year, where in January two members are traveling to Denver Colorado for the Livestock show.

Kacie Mason, Secretary

Salers Association of Manitoba

In early January, we took a breed display booth to the Interlake Beef Seminar. Although inclement weather reduced attendance, our display was well received. Later in January, the display accompanied a stall of yearling bulls at Ag Days in Brandon. It was a very busy venue during this 3 day event; we visited with many cattle people and distributed several information packages, CD’s and magazines.

Salers bulls were on test at the Manitoba Bull Test Station at Douglas. Again this year the Salers breed topped the ADG category for the third consecutive year. Station results by breed were as follows: Breed ADG WDA Salers 4.26 3.41 Charolais 3.79 3.42 Limousin 3.86 3.17 Angus 3.72 3.26 Shorthorn 4.08 3.57 Speckle Park 2.49 2.66 Blonde 3.60 3.25 Simmental 4.08 3.56 Maine Anjou 4.23 3.58 Sale average for Salers bulls was $2300.

Six Salers heifers were also on test, one of which was the high gainer for the station.

Breeders reported strong response to the ad that SAM placed in Cattle

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Country, the official magazine of Manitoba Beef Producers. We appreciate advertising contributions from our members and grants provided by SAC to assist with provincial advertising.

4-H members exhibiting Salers animals in their beef projects were awarded engraved USB flash drives in appreciation for their promotion of the breed.

Manitoba breeders, Ken & Wendy Sweetland were able to attend the SAC annual meeting in Carstairs in May. Thanks to the Jones, who hosted us and enabled us to visit several Alberta breeders while in Alberta.

In August, Richard and Gil Grudeski hosted a foreign visitor, Iain Livsey of Cleuchhead Salers, of Lilliesleaf, Melrose, Scotland whose family was a host farm for the International Salers Tour in 2009. Rick toured Iain to visit Manitoba breeders, prior to Iain’s fall harvest employment on a Hamiota grain farm. Upon leaving Canada, he was returning to Scotland briefly, then on to pursue his interest in Salers cattle touring in New Zealand and Australia. We thank him for his visit and wish him and his family continued success with their Salers herd.

By fall, demand for Salers females in the province was strong, with breeders reporting strong sales of both bred and open heifers to both expanding Salers breeders and to commercial herds.

We enter 2012, (and with “winter” yet to arrive) in a stronger cattle environment than we’ve seen in a long time. Happy New Year to all!

Alberta Salers Association

In January, 2011, Pat and Brian Jones with Kathy Adams attended the Denver Stock Show. While there all attended the ASA AGM and Directors meeting, meeting our counterparts in the US. Brian and Pat also represented our purebred industry and our breed by participating in round table discussions held between industry and government officials from both countries. Later in winter Best Valley Salers, Care Farms and Windrush Hill Salers exhibited cattle at the Farm and Ranch Show in Edmonton. True to our breed, these animals, especially a new mother and calf, were star attractions with the public with their quiet disposition and the ease that they displayed interacting with our “City” cousins.

In July Pat and Brian Jones accompanied two Juniors, Ellen Hondl and Corrissa Voss to the American Junior Show in South Dakota. These juniors participated in all activities and were provided cattle to show as they wished.

A great fun time and education on how things work in their Junior association. We all attended workshops and meetings and our visit was most appreciated. We look forward to their Juniors coming here to join us.

Activities around shows was limited for us as for all breeds, but we thank all members that got out and showed cattle locally to promote our Salers. Congratulation to Sarah Eigner of Care Farms on her great winning performance at Farm Fair. Her heifer was a deserving choice and a reward for her hard work.

Maritime Salers Association

The annual meeting of the Maritime Salers Association was held on April 2, 2011 at the Wandlyn Inn, Amherst, N. S. Members were also there to attend the 37th annual breeding stock sale at the Maritime Beef Testing Station in Nappan, N. S. Amongst issues discussed were breed promotion and the upcoming N.B. Beef Expo to be held in Sept 2011 at Sussex and the need for a good turnout including out of province exhibitors At the AGM, the Maritime Salers Association “Best Bull Performance Award” was presented to Brian & Michael Walker, of Millstream Salers, Lower Millstream, N. B. for their Salers bull on test at the Maritime Beef Testing Station . Millstream PAB Xman 15X had an ADG of 3.77 lbs, WDA of 3.00 lbs. This award is presented each year at the AGM to the breeder of the Salers bull with the best performance while on test at the Maritime Beef Testing Station. At the Maritime Beef Test, Chris & Pat McQuaid of Bedford, PEI consigned and sold the highest selling Salers bull for $2,500.

The Maritime Salers Association presented Steve Parrish of Parrish Salers Farm, Rockland, N. S. with an award in recognition of his family’s 25 years of dedication to the breeding and promotion of Salers Cattle.

Maritime Salers Association wishes everyone good luck in the coming year.

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Announcements *Proud Grandparents Doug & Marion Beard of Marlas Salers welcomes their first Grandchild!

Liam Arthur Beard was born on March 12, 2011 to Jason Beard & Erin Nixon. Best wishes to the whole family! ****

In December 2011 Kathy Adams, Office Manager, lost her son in a tragic car accident. Kathy’s dedication to the Salers Association and tireless promotion of the Breed we all love has been unprecedented. Our thoughts and prayers as an entire association are with Kathy and her Family during this difficult time.

Congratulations to Charlene Sereda and her horse Fancy on winning the 2010 Canadian National Quarter Horse Youth Reining Title.

Congratulations to Madison Sereda and her horse Baily on their 2011 Canadian National Quarter Horse Reserve Champion Supreme Halter Mare win. *** Ray & Wendy Mader of Sandy Lake Salers, Lakehurst ON welcomed another Grandchild just before Xmas. Campbell Regan Mader was born on November 9, 2011 to Blair & Mandy Mader. A big healthy boy weighing in at a whopping 9 lbs 13 oz! Congratulations on the newest addition

Salers Magazine

Congratulations to Stephanie Grundke, daughter of Werner and Debbie Grundke, on her marriage to Ryan Workman, of Trail, B.C. on July 2, 2011.

The happy couple are residing in Spruce Grove, Alberta.

January 8, 1938 – August 20, 2011 *Joe McCool, beloved husband of Evelyn of Airdrie, passed away on Saturday, August 20, 2011 at the age of 73 years. The call of farming was strong so Joe and Evelyn started Black Jack Cattle Company. They then bought the ranch at Hanna where they raised world renowned Salers cattle. The Purebred Salers operation was moved to Bottrel in 1981 where Joe and Evelyn began their career as international marketers, selling their Salers genetics to all parts of the globe from the U.S. to Australia to South America. The Canadian Salers Association lost a Pioneer Breeder this year and sends our sympathies to the McCool Family. Their dedication to the Salers Breed will never be forgotten.

Congratulations to Jacob Morin of Pine Grove Salers, St. Felix de Kingsey Quebec who graduated from MacDonald Campus of Mcgill University in May 2011. Jacob earned a three year diploma in the Farm Management and Technology Program.

He also placed first in his class with his Farm Project and was presented with the "Farm Credit Canada Business Planning Award." His parents, Michael and Judy and sister Katelyn Morin are very proud, and wish Jacob much success and happiness with his future. *** *B ROWA R N Y, Walter (Walt) Nov. 28,1935 August 24, 2011 The Cattle industry lost a respected and d e d i cate d supporter this past year. The wonderful memories his photos bring to us all will forever live on through his son Allen’s work. The entire Association was deeply saddened by Walt’s passing and sends out condolences to the Browarny Family.

Harold L. Parrish passed away May 14/2011, after a lengthy battle with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

He was an upholsterer in Berwick NS for 45 years and during that time, he worked hard to maintain the family beef farm. Harold was proud to be the 5th Parrish generation on the farm in Kings County and through his efforts, the farm became the largest registered purebred Salers farm in Nova Scotia. He also enjoyed fishing, hunting, playing cards, and was known for his generosity. Harold was a long time member of the Salers Association of Canada and the Maritime Salers Association.

He was recently awarded a lifetime achievement award, from the Maritime Salers Association, for 25 years of dedication to the breeding and promotion of Salers cattle. Harold will truly be missed by everyone who knew him, especially his family, who continue to operate the family farm and Salers herd.

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V & S Effa

Box 217 Springside, SK S0A 3V0 (306) 782-5636

CARE FARMS

REGISTERED SALERS

Russell & Carol Eigner

BOX 209, THORHILD, ALBERTA T0A 3J0

(780)398-2494

Salers Magazine

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Calendar of Events Feb, 19, 2012

Mader Ranches Bull Power & Female Sale Olds, AB March 15, 2012 New Trend Bull Sale, Olds, AB March 27, 2012 3rd Cow Booster Bull Sale, Lethbridge, AB April 7 , 2012 Manitoba Bull Test Sale, Douglas MB April 7, 2012 Maritime Bull Test Sale, Nappan, NS April 21, 2012 Lundar MB Purebred Beef Show & Sale Ad Index AGW Salers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16,27 All Wright Farms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15,27 Best Valley Salers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 CPM Salers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Care Farms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Cleopatra Salers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Co-Alta Salers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11, 28 Dynarich . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Elderberry Farms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16, 26 GIT Salers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17, 26 Grundke Family Salers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22,28 Harbrad Salers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14,27 Mader Ranches Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4, 26 New Trend Salers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IFC Outback Ranch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21,27 PW Stock Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,27 Pine Grove Salers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19,28 Quebec Salers Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18,28 Sandy Lake Salers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24,28 Sereda Stock Farms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,27 Sky West Salers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26, OBC Sweetland Super Six Salers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26, IBC TCJ Salers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18,28 Tall Tree Salers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Voss Family Salers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10,26,27 Windbec Salers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18, 28 Windrush Hill Salers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,26

Fred Mertz

F. Fred Mertz, CGA/ Robin Burwash

Professional Corporation

Telephone: (403) 277-2605 Fax: 403) 230-0955 Toll free: 1-877-AGRI-TAX (247-4829) email: fred@farmingforfreedom.com Suite 101, 4603 Varsity Drive NW Calgary, Alberta T3A 2V7

RBC Royal Bank J.G.(John) Arnold, P. Ag Vice President Commercial Financial Services Alberta South West Tel: 403-382-3832 Royal Bank of Canada Fax: 403-320-9122 614 4 Avenue South Cell: 403-393-8832 Lethbridge, AB T1J 0N7 john.arnold@rbc.com Page 28

Salers Magazine

Watch for our exhibits and consignments at: Manitoba Bull Congress/Ag Days, Jan 2012 www.agdays.com Manitoba Bull Test Station April 7 (bulls) www.manitobabulltest.com Lundar PB Beef Show & Sale (bulls & heifers) April 21 www.buyagro.com

Selection of prime bulls and heifers at the farm.

20+ years of developing bloodlines for docility, productivity and profitability.

Thank you to our many 2011 and previous customers for the confidence you place in our breeding program.