January 2026 VOLUME 25, ISSUE 1
what’s inside COMMERCIAL 1 SASKATCHEWAN BREEDER OF THE YEAR Stolson Farms
THE GATEPOST 10 FROM Here’s to Another Good Year IMPROVEMENT 18 BREED Value Proposition
SASKATCHEWAN COMMERCIAL BREEDER OF THE YEAR Introducing Simmental genetics to their crossbred cow-calf operation about 25 years ago has helped Stolson Farms in southwest Saskatchewan achieve a win/win combination in their annual crop of highperformance steer and heifer calves. Those Simmental genetics crossed with Red Angus has made it possible to produce steer calves that go to market with excellent weaning weights but also produces replacement heifers with high milk production and excellent mothering ability. The beef herd on the mixed farming operation at Hodgeville, about an hour southeast of Swift Current had produced a Charolais/Red Angus crossbred cowherd for many years before switching to mostly Simmental in the late 1990s. The Stolsons found that Simmental have excellent maternal traits, and “could really produce the meat as well,” says Ryan Stolson. “So, over the years we have kept using top Simmental bulls to improve overall herd performance. This past year for example we had some pretty good growing conditions in the last half of the grazing season which helped steers achieve some of the highest weaning weights we’ve had. When the grass is there, they are really able to pack on the weight.“
28 VETS ADVICE
The farm’s commitment to producing high quality cattle in a crossbred breeding program earned Stolson Farms recognition in 2025 as the Saskatchewan Simmental Association Commercial Breeder Of The Year.
94 CSA NEW MEMBERS
Ryan, along with his parents Roger and Susan and brother Brett, own and operate the fifth-generation farm that today runs about 600 head of crossbred cattle and also crops about 17,000 acres of grains and oilseeds.
96 Congratulations to the 2025 winners
With Charolais bulls used for many years as terminal sires, the Stolsons introduced Simmental genetics to improve the maternal traits in their crossbred cowherd. “We wanted to start raising our own replacement heifers and also market some as well,” says Ryan. “Simmental cattle have excellent milk production as well as great mothering ability. And the steers have excellent performance as well.
Handling Lameness From Sole Abscesses
Welcome to our 2025 new members
AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE
HAPPENING 120 WHAT’S 2026 Sale Lineup
Publication Mail Agreement # 40012794 Return Undeliverable: Canadian Simmental Association #13-4101 19th St. NE, Calgary, Alberta Canada, T2E 7C4