Junior Spotlight Thomas & Ivy Allen

We are pleased to introduce you to the future of the Manitoba Hereford breed, Thomas and Ivy Allen! Thomas and Ivy ranch alongside their parents, Phil and Lesley, on their farm in the small village of Bield, MB – just down the road from Roblin.

Thomas is turning 12 in March and is currently in grade six at Roblin Elementary School. Thomas’s favourite thing to do is fish in any form – ice fishing, shore fishing or fishing off the boat. He loves it all! He has even caught a few master anglers. Thomas also enjoys karate and currently holds his green belt!

Ivy just turned 8 and is currently in grade two at Roblin Elementary. She has a strong passion for dance and enjoys every moment of it. She has tried ballet and hip hop, and is currently taking tap and musical theatre lessons.

The Allen family started using Hereford bulls on their commercial cows in 2012. They switched over from red angus bulls to take advantage of the Hereford’s docile temperament. This was an important decision to Phil when considering the safety of the kids and their heavy involvement on the ranch. Both kids enjoy helping out on the farm but most enjoy calving season and summer pasture checks on the quad.

The family purchased their first ten registered heifers from Robin Hogberg in 2013 with the intention of breeding bulls for their own use. Things took off from there! They registered their first calves in 2015 under the herd name Allenhurst.

Thomas joined the show ring at the age of six, joining the local 4-H club, Prairie Mountain 4-H Beef Club. His first heifer was Foster’s Beyoncé. Ivy entered the show ring at the young age of four years old, being a future 4-Her. The kids have been showing at Manitoba Ag Ex since 2016. Thomas, using his first 4-H steer cheque, purchased his first heifer from Albert & Michelle Rimke in 2017 at the Manitoba Good as Gold Sale. Choosing his own tattoo letters in 2018, Thomas registered his bull calf off of the AM Ranching female under the name Rolling Hills Herefords in 2019. Thomas has also won the highest “rate of gain” two years in a row with his Hereford sired steers. Thomas’s herd now totals three females and their calves, all which have been purchased from the sale of his own 4-H steers. Ivy will be showing and selling her first 4-H steer this June and will follow along in her brother’s footsteps by purchasing herself a female of her own in the fall.

Thomas and Ivy attended their first Bonanza in 2019 in Weyburn, SK. They both showed their Hereford influence heifer, Posie. Ivy’s favourite part of showing is being in the ring. She enjoys every moment of leading her heifer around. Thomas’s favourite part of showing is the grooming aspect and preparing the animal for the ring.

Ivy’s favourite show heifer is AHH Ellie 2G, who she showed at Ag Ex 2019. Ivy loves Ellie for her pigmentation and for being nice and calm. Thomas’s favourite show heifer is MAR 27C Candee 28E. He showed Candee as a yearling heifer in 2018 at 4-H and as a continuation heifer in 2019 winning Supreme Champion Female at his 4-H Achievement.

Thomas and Ivy are both looking forward to attending Bonanza 2020 in Brandon this summer! Thomas is most looking forward to showing a heifer from his own herd – Rolling Hills Gypsy 5G. He is also excited to connect with his friends he met last year and to meet new friends this year. Ivy is most excited to meet up with her friends she met last year, Lyla Harvie from Alberta and Jessica O’Connor from Saskatchewan.

Thomas and Ivy have a bright future in the Hereford breed and we are looking forward to watching them grow their herds in the future!

Join

MHA Summer MOE Show - June 13, 2020 - Lundar, MB

Bonanza 2020 - July 29 to August 1, 2020 - Brandon, MB

MHA Field Day - August 29, 2020 - KTCT Polled Herefords, Portage, MB