Volume 13 Issue 1 January 2014 What’s Inside
Martin Unrau: On the Ranch and in the Political Arena
1
Gate Post — Simmental On The Move!
16
Breed Improvement — An Introduction
24
Ontario Corn Fed Beef
64
Nutrition Of Beef
87
Hall of Fame
81
Vet’s Advice
82
What’s Happening
112
Publication Mail Agreement # 40012794
Commercial Country
Martin Unrau On the Ranch and in the Political Arena
“Y
ou would never guess that ten years ago, Martin Unrau had never spoken in public. Today, this well-rounded rancher represents the Canadian beef industry in Ottawa and abroad as President of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA), and is just as at ease at a boardroom table debating free trade issues as he is in a tractor cab. Along with his wife Roxie and son Garett, Martin owns and operates Bar 88 Ranch near MacGregor, MB, south of the TransCanada Highway between Brandon and Portage la Prairie. The Unraus run 550 SimmentalAngus cross cows, both black and red. “The best cow in the world is a Simmental cross,” says Martin. “They have good feet and legs, good milk, and their calves grow. Simmental makes a tremendous cross with Angus, and we have built our herd on it.” For the past dozen years, Bar 88 red and black Simmental-Angus calves have been sold off the cow to three different buyers in Quebec and Ontario. “The calves are then backgrounded at my brother’s feedlot before being sent to Quebec or Ontario for finishing. We have a firm relationship with these buyers. They know our cattle and are impressed with them,” states Martin. “We also sell about 150 open replacement heifers every spring, ready for breeding. People really like the Simmental influence replacement heifers.” In addition to the cow herd, the Bar 88 operation includes 1,000 acres of farm land. “We were a straight cattle operation in 2003 when BSE hit, and that was also a drought year for us. Despite the challenges, Roxie and I decided to stick with it. We adjusted by adding grain production to our operation.” Their current crop rotation includes canola, corn, barley, and alfalfa; and they produce all of their own feed. “Corn is our ‘insurance’ crop,” says Martin. “We can adjust our corn silage acres depending on the year and corn is a cheap source of feed.” Given the fact that land in the MacGregor area is sandy and growing conditions can be dry, the Unraus have adopted minimum or no-till farming practices and plant shelterbelts in order to prevent wind and water erosion. “I’m not officially an environmentalist,” Martin admits, “but I think all cattlemen are environmentalists. Grass and trees are an environmental benefit from the cattle industry.” Thanks to close relationships with his brothers, Martin has the unique opportunity to see the cattle business from all perspectives. Norman Unrau owns and operates Rocking U Feeders, a 10,000 head custom feedlot continued on page 8