Breeder of the Year ~ Harry Airey presented Donna & Carman Jackson with the Manitoba Breeder of the Year in 2010
“We started marketing through the Hi-Weigh Breeders Sale, West Man Charolais Breeders, Brandon Bull Sale, Ste. Rose Bull Sale and privately. Twelve years ago we started the Family Tradition Bull Sale with Donna’s parents, Bob and Elaine Digby, and Rockland Charolais. We had one sale when BSE hit and knew it could only get better. It was the hardest thing to watch the guys that year. They came to the sale and knew they needed bulls, but they couldn’t lift their eyes from the catalogue because they knew they didn’t have the money to pay for them. We have lost a lot of people from the business through BSE,” Carman comments. “It was so exciting to be in the business this fall. I had forgotten the enthusiasm and the buzz that used to be in the business. It was so good to have the optimism back. I came home energized,” Donna remarks. Today their herd consists of 140 Charolais cows and 60 Simmental cows. They are also registered seed growers and crop about 1500 acres of canola, wheat, barley, oats and a few acres of soybeans. Their operation is situated on the west side of Inglis, Manitoba, a small community with an entrepreneurial spirit and 5 historical grain elevators it has worked hard to preserve. It is in proximity to the Lake of the Prairies with many summer cottage industries and the Assissippi Ski Hill. 20
When their family came along they started them in 4-H and attended their first CCYA in Brandon. “The kids got hooked right off the bat. Our kids are 4th generation 4-Hers on Donna’s side. Her grandpa Digby was one of the first 4-H leaders,” Carman explains. Since that first conference in 1998, they have only missed a few. This year they received the CCYA Honouree Award. Donna is the CCYA adult advisor for Manitoba. “Carman asked me when I was going to give up this volunteer job when I was on my way
to Saskatoon for the National Board meeting. I didn’t really have an answer, but when I came home I said I’m not. I like working with those young people. It is so cool and interesting to watch the kids grow and develop.” “Some of the kids come and hang on their Mom’s arm at the start of their first CCYA, but by the end of the week, there is a huge change. After a few years, their leadership skills really blossom,” Carman states. Their daughters, Erin and Haylan were both National Board Presidents, and the rest of the girls have served on the National Board. Tomina is currently serving as secretary for the third year. Their five girls have always been involved in the work of the farm and are off building lives of their own. Erin is a DEKALD field agronomist for central Saskatchewan and absolutely loves what she does. Fawn works for the Canadian Cattleman’s Association as Environment Manager and does extensive travelling through her work. Haylan teaches history and English in Rossburn and bought a place in Inglis so she gets to help on the farm lots. Autumn is finishing her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in Red Deer. Tomina has just transferred to the University of Saskatchewan in AgBusiness. She was excited to continued on page 22
HBSF pen award - 1996 Ag-Ex Commercial Classic Grand Champion Pen of Bulls exhibited by High Bluff Stock Farm, presented by Doug Allison, manager of the Douglas Bull Test Station and sponsor
Charolais Banner • February 2015