Welcome To “Canada’s Bulls” BULL SALE
“Our cows can’t read... but they bought the ranch” Our sale theme “our cows can’t read” is a little different. It’s meant to reflect our philosophy. “Our cows can’t read... they don’t know they’re registered purebreds but in fact they are... all of them. We use many of our cows to produce our Hybrid bulls but we still register more purebred cattle than most anyone in the country. No one told our cows a purebred cow should be treated different than a commercial cow... and they’re not, they are raised just like yours. Today when you are bull shopping, you are flooded with numbers, many meaningless... you can’t decide what is most important. We give you the simple important “real world” data that makes us both money. The auction mart doesn’t ask you to send in a list of your EPDs. He buys your calves because they’re “big, stout, hairy calves” that look the part and because of your good reputation. Keep it simple, cull the open ones, the problem ones and the ugly ones and you will make as much progress as is possible. A well-designed cow operation is very profitable at today’s price levels. Survive and prosper by remembering that a cow is a “low tech machine.” She hates diesel fuel, technology and expensive feed, she harvests grass, stores solar energy and turns it all into high quality protein. Her value to the world can only increase. Every year I sit down to write this little “year its been” introduction to our annual bull book. It’s kind of a neat opportunity to stop and think. The one thing that really stands out to me is how lucky and fortunate we are to be living in the peace and security of Canada, when much of the world seems “just plain crazy.” Our industry has stabilized at a very solid price level, at least 20% above a year ago, most customers got a lot more for their calves than last year. Bred heifers are trading $2,100-$2,700.00 and none of us would have thought those price levels were possible in 2003 or even 2010, so enjoy the good times. Our year here, in Northeastern Alberta, was an adventure. Mother nature “ambushed” us at Easter giving us heavy rain followed by 15 inches of wet snow. Our bull lots were destroyed, we pulled loader tractors out with track hoes and fought mud, mud, mud. I told people it was the longest spring of my life. We persevered and got through it, thanks to a huge effort by our ranch crew. They contributed more than anyone could have expected. I cannot thank them enough. In the end summer finally came and it was great, sun and rain when we needed it, lots of grass, good average crops and a fall when most everyone got done their harvest. Snow came a little early and stayed complicating our lives. I tell people, for us, November needs 60 days. As I write this the evening of December 12 we are enjoying very mild temperatures and hoping mother nature doesn’t take our snow (most of our cows snowball it for water all winter). We bred nearly 1200 females this summer and thankfully our pastures were spread out; it helped to deal with the weather and snow. We still have some cows out rustling at press time. The rest are on corn or swaths and are doing well. Our cow herd at the home ranch now calves in May and June, on stockpile grass. They go from the calving pastures to summer grazing and breeding, make a short stop at the home ranch for weaning, then on to the standing corn. Corn to grass, grass to corn and on it goes with no supplement feeding and no hauling feed or manure. I just believe that as soon as you put machinery or diesel fuel between a cow’s mouth and what she eats, it does nothing but cost money. On the personal side, our lives are blessed. Pat and I enjoy (most days at least) a very active life still running our ranch. Time is starting to tell us to slow up and “smell the roses a little” and enjoy life as we go along. We try to travel a little when time permits but really are both very lucky to be able to enjoy the ranch we have built and the people we have around us. Our kids (not really any more but we still call them that) are taking an increasing role in our family operation. Cody is with the ranch full time and has established his own yard site on the Saskatchewan side of the ranch. He purchased the Murphy Charolais cows to add home bred white bulls to our program. He knows this little cowherd inside out. Funny what ownership does... Lee has completed the Masters in Ranch Management Program at Texas A&M University in Kingsville, Texas. He has taken a position with Leachman Cattle of Colorado, his primary responsibility is managing their newly acquired Rocky Mountain Sire Service. Lee is intimately involved in our marketing program. He runs our internet and social media promotional work. He is very valuable to us all year, especially at sale time. We couldn’t do it without him. Robin and Mark, granddaughter Hannah and grandson Grayson live in Calgary. Mark has a career with Conoco Phillips; Robin does all our cattle records from Calgary; it works very well. She is a very, very busy girl with five year old Hannah and two year old Grayson. Special thanks to son-in-law Mark for his help sale week. Our sale is a real “family effort,” this huge contribution our “kids” make makes my job easier. Our ranch staff, Rick Knorr, Ross Maxwell and Cody all make a significant contribution to the ranch. Individually, they bring different talents to the table but work together as a cohesive team. We have two new staff members this year, Lakota Cieckiewicz and Nate Roy. Their help is greatly appreciated every day. Dave Conrad left this spring to a position on a local mixed farm with a little slower pace. I want to thank Dave for his many years of help. He was here for much of the original building years. He’s not far away and still comes back to help on major projects. A special thanks to Deb Lundquist, who helps in the office and at sale time. Our cooperators; the Roachs and Norhiems are a genuine pleasure to work with; we count on you all as good friends. Our thanks to our friends who have given their help, advice and assistance all year and to all the fine people who help Pat and I during the sale week; our thanks in advance. We really do appreciate everything you do to help us and nothing would be possible without you. Our sale is an “experience” and we’d love to have you come. We’ll be ready with lots of fellowship, good food and lots of great cattle. See you on Saturday, January 27, 2018. Yours truly Mac Creech Pat Creech
Please come up and introduce yourselves sale day -we would like to meet you
View our website at www.canadasbulls.com for more information and updates
nearly 12,000 bulls sold...49 bull sales...
Call Mac... 1-800-561-BULL 2 2
(2855)
View hundred’s of bull photos and the video www.canadasbulls.com