Simmental Country December 2019 by Today's Publishing Inc.

Double Bar D

Dec

Over

Sharing the Herd

11 2019

90 head sell

DOUBLE BAR D GEORGIA 412F

W/C Bankroll 811D x CLVS Ms Georgia 565R

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Featuring

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Double Bar D Farms Box 580 Grenfell Saskatchewan Canada S0G 2B0 www.doublebardfarms.com kenshau@yourlink.ca Ken Dimler 306-697-7204 Richard Dimler 306-697-7298

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Volume 40, Number 5

Bruce Bruce Holmquist

General Manager Cell: 639-314-4613 bholmquist@simmental.com

The official publication of the Canadian Simmental Association #13, 4101 19th St. N.E. | Calgary, Alberta T2E 7C4 Phone: 403-250-5255 | Fax: 403-250-5121 www.simmentalcountry.com

Canadian Simmental Country Deadlines

February “Herdsire” 2020 Issue March/April/May “Spring” 2020 Issue “Herd Book” 2020 Issue October/November 2020 Issue December “Winter” 2020 Issue

Barb Barb Judd

Office Manager Phone: 403-250-7979 bjudd@simmental.com

Sue Sue Giles

Programs Coordinator Cell: 403-793-0409 sgiles@simmental.com

Randy Randy Bollum

Sales Representative Cell: 403-540-5949 rbollum@simmental.com

Commercial Country Deadlines

January 2020 Issue September 2020 Issue

Booking & Material Deadline: January 1, 2020 Booking & Material Deadline: April 1, 2020 Booking & Material Deadline: July 1, 2020 Booking & Material Deadline: September 15, 2020 Booking & Material Deadline: October 15, 2020 Booking & Material Deadline: December 1, 2019 Booking & Material Deadline: August 1, 2020

Production & Ad Copy Changes - Special production requests Subscription Rates and ad copy changes may be subject to extra charges. Charges will Canada apply on an individual basis. $40 + applicable taxes per year Layouts & Proofs - Requests for special layouts should be in the $75 + applicable taxes for two years (GST included) Simmental Country office by the 21st day of the second month preceding publication. Although every effort will be made to provide AB, SK, MB, QC add 5 per cent to all fees for GST proofs on all ads, proofs are guaranteed only if all ad material arrives BC add 12 per cent to all fees for HST in the Country office prior to deadline. ON, NB, NFLD add 13 per cent to all fees for HST NS add 15 per cent to all fees for HST Advertising Content - The Simmental Country assumes no responsibility for the accuracy and truthfulness of submitted USA advertising copy or electronically supplied pictures and has the $65 per year U.S. funds right to refuse any ad copy or photos. Advertisers shall indemnify Foreign and hold harmless the Country containing pedigrees or statements regarding performance must conform to records kept by the Canadian $130 per year Canadian funds Simmental Association. Copy deviating Published By: Published For: from official records may be changed as Canadian Simmental Association necessary without advertiser consent. Please Return Undeliverable Copies To: Editorial Policy - Articles and information Canadian Simmental Association in this magazine represent the opinions #13 , 4101 - 19th Street N.E. of the writers and the information that, Calgary, Alberta T2E 7C4 to the best of our knowledge, was Phone: 403-250-7979 accurate at the time of writing. Users of Fax: 403-250-5121 Box 2330, Warman, any information contained in Simmental Saskatchewan S0K 4S0 O: 306-933-4200 F: 306-934-0744 Country are encouraged to validate that www.todayspublishing.ca information by independent means.

Publication Mail Agreement #40012794 © 2019 Simmental Country (1997) Ltd. All rights reserved. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced by any means, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of the Canadian Simmental Association.

Cover Photo Taken By: Deanne Young,High Country Cattle Services, Breton, AB

Editor: Bryan Kostiuk Marketing: Chris Poley, Ben Wright & Shane Michelson Accounting: Treena Ballantyne & Carla Horatchka Circulation: Debbie Thiessen & Tanya Buziak Production: Janessa McKay, Breanne Anderson, Stephanie Lange, Kennedi Libke & Morgan Ilg

From the Gate Post

By Bruce Holmquist General Manager, Canadian Simmental Association

Simmental will see you through!

hose of us who have been involved in agriculture for the last several decades have seen the variety of curves that Mother Nature can throw at us. From a late cold spring and drought, to excess moisture, frost and early snow, there wasn’t much we didn’t see in her bag of tricks during 2019. Spring seeding was delayed in parts of Eastern Canada due to excess moisture and was the total opposite of the dry conditions in the west. It was so dry in fact that some auction marts received numerous calls from producers looking to sell part or all of their herds due to feed and pasture shortages. With almost everyone in the same boat some auction marts had to refuse cow/calf pairs due to a lack of potential buyers. It was a very grim situation until mid-June and then thankfully the rain started for many. Once it began to rain, it rained and it rained, then it rained some more and although it was a little late to benefit many of the hay crops, some producers were fortunate and grew an abundance of feed. Fall came and with it the harvest from hell for many grain producers. Tough, wet conditions in many areas were further complicated by snow and lots of it. Snow that came early and dumped excessive amounts in many parts of Western Canada, especially in Manitoba. A good supply of feed grain was made available in the west but it has been a challenge to get it harvested. Reports from Eastern Canada is that the harvest has also been difficult in many areas and the patience of many farmers has been tested. The one bright spot for 2019 has been the cattle market, especially the feeder calf market to this point being much better than many expected. All across the country good calves have sold well and although prices varied by weight range, many of the heavier calves sold for $1600 or higher. To this point calves in the 800 pound weight range have been the payweight champions and most of those have been Simmental influenced. Gone are the days where Simmental calves are sorted off into the “others” or “exotic” pen and in fact some 6

of the highest selling calves were good quality calves with traditional Simmental markings. Order buyers continue to pay a premium for quality, reputation cattle that have the potential to grow and convert well. As I wrote in a previous Gatepost, for those of us who remember the days when Simmental calves were often sorted into the odds and ends, or off-colored pens; this is something to savor and enjoy. As Dr. Bob Hough commented at the American Simmental Association’s Fall Focus, Simmental is the only beef breed in North America that has successfully made it off the order buyer’s “do not buy list” and has then grown to be a major supplier of genetics to the North American beef industry. Simmental calves are selling well and are often topping the market reminding us that pounds pay. It is not price per pound but dollars per head that counts! The agriculture industry continues to face several challenges and some of those, such as Mother Nature, are completely out of our control. There are tools available to us however that we can control, such as optimizing our breeding programs. It is clear that in 2019, Simmental will again play an important role in the generation of cash flow for many farms and ranches all across Canada. Cattle producers who are using Simmental genetics have learned the benefits of using a Simmental bull in their cowherds, especially if they are running a herd of British based cows that require some performance. At $2.00 per pound, few producers can afford to ignore the value that an extra 50 or 100 pounds per calf creates and it is clear that cross-breeding means money in your pocket. On behalf of everyone at the CSA and Simmental Country, I would like to wish everyone the best of luck and good weather with your upcoming November and December sales as well as a very Merry Christmas and a healthy and prosperous 2020.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2019 • 1:00 PM AT THE FARM • OUNGRE, SK

KWA 2F

KWA 27F

KWA 56G

KWA 28F

KWA 5F

KWA 43E

KWA 252F

KWA 174F

KWA 4F

On Offer 25 Bred Heifers & 5 Open Heifers Plus Embryos & Flushes

Farm & Ranch Ltd.

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PO Box 53 • Oungre, SK • S0C 1Z0 Kelly: 306 861-2013 • Kyle: 306 861-9352 jashworth@sasktel.net

Breed Improvement

By Sean McGrath Breed Improvement Coordinator for the Canadian Simmental Association

Parentage and Beyond – Part 2

n the first part of this series, we discussed how DNA parentage works. Pedigree verification is an important part of breeding cattle; however, there are a lot of new tools that can add a lot of additional value to DNA testing. New DNA SNP technologies can add further value to a traditional parentage through the association of DNA with various production traits. Although pedigree integrity is the foundation of any breeding program, investing in a 30 or 50K DNA test can provide significant value to a breeding program. Genetic progress is made through selecting and breeding the next generation of cattle. The more accurately we can select that next generation, the more progress we can make and the more precise our program can be. We currently use these more advanced tests in a couple of specific ways. 1 – Beyond Parentage Investing beyond a simple parentage test means that the pedigree DNA is included in the genetic evaluation. Where this is important is that it more accurately defines the degree of relatedness in the pedigree of various cattle. A very simplified example is shown below. We know that each animal gets ½ of its DNA from the sire and ½ from the dam. In this example, we will assume that cattle have only 1 pair of chromosomes and that DNA does not reassemble between them during reproduction. In reality, it is much more complex than this but the example serves to illustrate the point that highly related animals share varying amounts of DNA. In this case the first calf received 2 blue chromosomes and the second calf received 2 red chromosomes. While both calves have the same parents and are full sibs, genetically they are completely unrelated. This varies by degrees in the more complex real world, however the genetic evaluation can use more detailed DNA test results to better assign the degree of relatedness to animals and thus make better comparisons between the genetic combinations that are available.

2 – Added Data Many of the additional pieces of DNA on a SNP chip are what we term “associated” with specific traits. While the piece of DNA that 10

the chip identifies may not be a specific gene, it is often close enough on the DNA string to help us identify the presence of a gene that impacts a trait. Using these pieces of DNA as road signs to provide information on various traits, helps us to more accurately evaluate exactly which DNA a calf received from its parents. Investing in a higher density DNA test at a young age can result in as much information being included in the genetic evaluation as if the calf already had 15 or more calves on the ground. When we are able to more accurately assess the genetic merit of a calf crop, we should be able to more accurately select those animals that move us closer to our selection goals. One of the biggest advantages of this is in the traits that are expensive or take a long time to measure. Good examples would be feed efficiency and longevity. Directly measuring feed intake can be expensive and measurements of longevity by definition take a long time. Knowing that cow depreciation/replacement is one of the biggest costs to the industry, just imagine if we could get a good indication of longevity at a young age. Instead of hoping for a bull calf from that older cow that has reached her teens, we could be selecting those calves when she is 3, 4 or 5 years old with a good degree of confidence; thus, more rapidly improving longevity for the entire industry. We can do this with DNA and genetic evaluation. DNA testing has a lot of complex science behind it however the applications are relatively straightforward. There are a lot of ways to capture value from new DNA technologies in a breeding program and new and creative applications continue to emerge. One of the most important parts of deploying a DNA program in a breeding program is ensuring that we continue to do the groundwork of data collection. The relationship between DNA and data is circular, like the seasons. The data helps us to identify informative DNA markers, and the DNA markers then help us to identify the cattle that exhibit and pass on the characteristics we are interested in. As we select for specific pieces of DNA that are associated with these traits, over time the DNA becomes less informative, so we need to continually collect data so that we can keep identifying new DNA indicators. DNA is the language of inheritance. Imagine if we only had the word “exciting” in the English language to describe an event. At first we might describe a car crash and a new baby as both being exciting. Over time we would need to develop other vocabulary to describe different types of events, and even differences in what is exciting. This is how data and DNA markers interact. The markers help describe DNA and what we might expect, but as we use them more and more, we need to enhance our DNA vocabulary to describe selection events. Perhaps the biggest challenge of DNA is the speed with which it is advancing. This is one of the key benefits of belonging to a breed association and working with the IGS genetic evaluation. There are dedicated resources to understanding and applying the rapidly evolving DNA science to genetic selection. It is worth your while to investigate the options with taking DNA in your operation beyond parentage.

Maxwell SiMMentalS CAMROSE COUNTRY CLASSIC

MAXWELL / RANCIER BULL SALE

December 4

February 22

15 bred heifers - 9 open heifers

NUG 105F

Sire: MATRIX bred BEEF MAKER

NUG 49F

Sire: ZEUS bred LEGEND

NUG 2F

Sire: CARVER bred VISION

NUG 115F

Sire: MATRIX bred BEEF MAKER

NUG 11F

Sire: RAPTOR bred LEGEND

NUG 100G

Sire: AVALANCHE

NUG 46F

Sire: ULTIMATE bred RED HEAT

NUG 55F

Sire: DENALI bred IMAX

NUG 59G

Sire: REGULATOR

Maxwell Simmentals Glen Maxwell:780.385.5552 Kevin Maxwell:780.385.5625 Reece Maxwell: 780.385.5394 gnlmaxwell@gmail.com

www.maxwellsimmentals.com 11

David Haywood-Farmer CCA President

The dust has now settled on Parliament Hill and it’s time to look ahead to the future of our industry. As an organization, the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) does not take political sides and works with the government of the day to advance the interests of Canadian beef producers. Thankfully, the work that has been done by our dedicated staff and elected officials, has us well positioned to do just that. With the creation of a Food Policy committee, CCA now has the resources to effectively participate in the growing discussion around food and food policy in Canada. Prior to the election, CCA met with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s (AAFC) policy and public trust division to build relationships and lay the groundwork as the food policy discussion will continue to develop. Post-election, we are transitioning back into a consulting role with government. The Government of Canada’s Food Policy includes Canada’s Food Guide and Healthy Eating Strategy, which includes Front of Pack labelling. CCA will ensure government is familiar with CCA’s policy positions and we will look for opportunities to deepen this understanding, including Government-Industry working groups and education tours to learn more about our sector. We share the common goal of safe, sustainable affordable food for Canadians, while reducing waste and know that the Canadian beef sector plays a key role in that equation. Prior to the election, the Federal government has also put out requests for various appointments including the Nutritional Science Advisory Committee and Canada’s Food Policy Advisory Council. CCA participated in both processes and we are hopeful the government will choose a well-balanced committee, with different perspectives, including Canada’s beef sector. In September, the CFIA had a food modernization labelling consultation, which CCA contributed to and ensured our policies were reflected in the consultation regarding labelling as well as alternative proteins. As many in the industry are aware, the conversation around alternative proteins has become an important topic and CCA has been actively engaged in both government and public spheres. While market competition is something we cannot (and do not want to) control, we can ensure a level playing field. When alternative proteins are mislabelled or marketed using inaccurate claims, the consumer may be misled. CCA supports the current Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) definition of meat as ‘animal-derived product’ which clearly identifies the product, so as to not mislead consumers. The environment is now being included in the food policy discussion. CCA believes that the environmental sustainability and healthfulness of beef in the Canadian content must be both recognized and communicated. The topic of environment is 12

slowly intertwining with health and food – we see it at both the consumer and government level. As a positive development in the food policy, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is now responsible for environmental policy decisions that could impact primary agriculture producers and will ensure producers are a part of the discussion so as to avoid unintended consequences for our sector. We saw the environment reflected in the Canada’s Food Guide and we can expect this sentiment to continue, both in food policy and in other policy areas across departments. The CCA continues to monitor the Government of Canada, a signatory to the Paris Agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and specifically Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), relative to any potential policy directions related to climate change that could have negative impacts on our industry. In its submission to the ECCC’s Federal Sustainable Development Strategy for Canada, the CCA called for supporting the development and implementation of tools that incentivize GHG emissions reductions and does not support strategies that add costs to food production or negatively impact the competitiveness of the Canadian beef industry. Also, that government focuses on supporting the development of sound scientific research and extension and ensure the public has sciencebased information regarding beef production in the Canadian context. The CCA has updated its Beef Industry’s Strategies for Reducing Greenhouse Gases document, which can be found on the CCA website.  In line with CCA policy to encourage the development of ecological goods and services incentives-based programs, the CCA has supported project funding applications for several projects related to the potential to recognized carbon sequestered on the 44 million acres of native grasslands and pasture lands managed by beef producers across Canada. The environmental value of the lands under the stewardship of Canadian beef producers must be recognized and we hope that by supporting these projects, these lands will remain intact and in the hands of expert producers for generations to come. In the coming months, we will be setting up meetings with Parliamentarians from all parties as soon as possible to make progress on issues that matter to beef producers. There is much work to do and there are many opportunities for our industry to continue to thrive.

CBBC News Release

For more information, contact: Michael Latimer, Executive Director, Canadian Beef Breeds Council mlatimer@beefbreeds.ca | (cell) 403-861-7772

his is the first article that I have had the pleasure of writing for the Simmental Country magazine. I am going to focus on the Canadian seedstock sector and our role in the global beef industry. The purpose of the Canadian Beef Breeds Council is to act as the representative organization for the Canadian seedstock sector primarily in the area of international market development, genetic improvement as well as government and industry relations. In the previous issue of Simmental Country, Canadian Simmental Association’s General Manager, Bruce Holmquist, discussed the need for enhanced collaboration across the beef industry. It will be an important aspect that determines whether or not the industry will remain viable for the next generation. The various sectors of the beef industry have traditionally operated independent of the next link in the chain, primarily through buy and sell transactions. Since 2003, we have lost more than a million head of cattle from the national beef herd. Our farmers and ranchers are getting older and are not being replaced through farm succession at the same rate they are leaving. Since 2014, the price signals have indicated that the herd should be expanding, but it hasn’t, in fact it has decreased as our older farmers and ranchers are using it along with high land prices as the exit (retirement) strategy or shifting land use to grow more crops. This indicates that there needs to be change in the structure of the industry from the grass roots farmers and ranchers through to the industry associations. The beef industry has lagged behind other agriculture sectors in adopting new technology, but we are now at a point where the cost to use various technologies on beef operations is feasible. New technology doesn’t always mean physical hardware. It can be systems and software programing that use existing hardware. Data flow and information sharing is an evolving and important avenue that will allow for enhanced collaboration. Various technology platform development will be driven by both

industry associations and private enterprise, with input from producers. The additional information will provide producers a new tool that allows them to make operational decisions that are precise and create efficiencies leading to increased profits and save valuable time. Information transfer and analytics on animals, crop production and other types of production will become more common. Systems are designed so they can work together in networks, where each partner benefits. There will be minimal additional work required by producers as most of this data will be recorded automatically and uploaded to the network (with producer approval). Collaboration through a systems approach is one factor of many, that will help the beef industry to remain relevant and profitable into the future. The Canadian Beef Breed Associations have collaborated through CBBC on various initiatives for over 25 years. This has generally been on international marketing initiatives but more recently on genetic improvement programs. However, there is always room for improvement, and we know we can do better. The breed associations, through CBBC have been working with other national industry organizations such as the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association, National Cattle Feeders, Canada Beef, BCRC, Canadian Meat Council and the Canadian Round Table for Sustainable Beef on the 2020-2024 National Beef Strategy which was released in early October. The strategy identifies the importance of genetic improvement to the beef industry and the gains that can be made to our national cow herd. Considerable resources have been dedicated to developing the Canadian Beef Innovation Network (CBIN) which will be the platform for collaboration across the Canadian beef industry for genetic improvement. It will build upon the work currently done by the breed associations and tie in data from commercial cattle, feedlots and the packers. This is an exciting new opportunity and we will keep you posted on progress.







$17,000 to Labatte Simmentals

$13,000 to DJ Farms

$11,500 to Pheasantdale Cattle Co.







$8,250 to JNR Farms

$8,000 to Ferme Frédéric Lepage

$7,800 to Ultra Livestock

SALE RESULTS 28 Breds 9 Embryos 10 Doses of Semen

Averaged $6,225.00 Averaged $900.00 Averaged $362.00

 $7,500 to Ferme Erisa Inc.

mark your Calendars for

Ferme Gagnon Inc. Annual Bull Sale Saturday, March 21, 2020

Yves C: 514-952-6200

Francis C: 514-975-3722 15

YCSA Alumni Story

Early YCSA lessons turn into valuable life skills Jill Mader admits there were “is this a few times during her early years something in the Young Canadian Simmental that’s ever Association (YCSA) she’d complete really going a project and wonder “is this to be useful in life?” something that’s ever really going to be useful in life?” But now 20-some years later as wife, mother, purebred beef producer and livestock marketing specialist she recognizes there were very few experiences during those program years that aren’t of some value on a daily basis. “It is funny when I think back to a couple projects and competitions in the YCS program, one was Print Marketing and the other was Sales Talk and as a kid I would think I am never going to need to know this stuff,” says Mader who raises purebred Simmentals with family members at Mader Ranches, northwest of Calgary. “And then it turns out that those competitions were really the foundation of my career. They got me interested in marketing, which followed through to college, and then into livestock marketing which I still do today for our own ranch and as a contractor as well.” “There are lots of things you encounter when you’re a kid and you wonder if it is useful and later in life realize just about everything was useful,” laughs Mader. “Just while doing this interview for Simmental Country, it makes me think back and boy I did learn a lot during those years.” Mader and her husband, Ryley, are part of the family owned Mader Ranches near Carstairs which was started about 45 years ago by Ryley’s parents, Randy and Ronda Mader. The long-time purebred operators today run a 300 head herd of purebred Red and Black Simmental cattle. At the time of the Simmental Country interview, Jill was busy preparing print 16

Above: Jill Mader with the rest of the Arntzen family in 1998 at the family farm at Sedgewick. Kneeling at back, Jill and her sister Jenine. Front row, from left, brother, Jaron, and her mom and dad Janice and Raymond Arntzen.

and video material for “Ladies Night” Bred Female Sale in late October and was already planning marketing for the annual bull sale, featuring 90 head of bulls, to be held February 21, 2020 at the ranch, www.maderranches.com. Simmental cattle have been part of Mader’s life almost as far back as she can remember. She was born and raised on the family mixed farming operation near the central Alberta community of Sedgewick, about two hours southeast of Edmonton. Her dad, Raymond Arntzen, initially ran a herd of commercial Simmental cattle that over the years transitioned into the Rolly Acres Purebred Simmentals. Mader’s sister, Jenine and family today also raise purebred Simmentals on Ruzicka Farms at Killam about 10 minutes west of the Sedgewick family farm homestead. “As soon as I was old enough, probably about 10, I got involved at the same time with 4-H and also the YCSA program,” says Mader. “I started with a commercial calf, but dad was breeding up the herd so then I soon had a purebred bred heifer, then I was showing pairs and later bulls.” Along with her brother and sister they showed cattle at many local 4-H and YCSA shows including the provincial show events in Bashaw. While Mader showed Simmental cattle at many shows one of the highlights was attending her first national event in Brandon, MB in 1998. “I had shown cattle at the Wild Rose Classic in Bashaw, as well as shows in Olds and Lacombe, but the National Show in Brandon really stands out,” she says. “I was probably about 12 and we all drove to Manitoba for the show and that really broadened my horizons. It was great to see so many kids from across the country involved in the program and showing cattle.” As an Alberta YCSA board member, Mader and her sister another year flew Above: Jill Mader showing cattle at the Wild Rose Classic

to Owen Sound for another YCSA National Show. “We only attended a couple of national shows, but you make a connection with people who become life long friends. It is a great experience.” After graduating from high school and inspired by those YCSA competitons, Mader enrolled in a business marketing program at NAIT (the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology) in Edmonton, with the assistance of a hockey scholarship. She graduated in 2005 at the age of 19. She continued to be involved with the YCSA program through her college years. Even if she wasn’t showing cattle herself, she helped her cousins who were attending shows to prepare for different events. Her fulltime marketing career took off after graduating from NAIT as she joined the staff at Northland Exhibition Grounds in Edmonton, primarily responsible for organizing the annual Farm Fair Livestock Show and Exhibition. Being around Livestock Shows and events during her teenage years led Jill into a different kind of relationship. “It was through the YCS program and 4-H events that I met Ryley,” she says. “Coming from a Simmental farm in southwest Alberta he was also involved in the YCSA program. It seemed every event I attended, Ryley was there.” A relationship grew and in 2007 they were Above: Jill & Ryley Mader married and Jill moved to the Mader Farm at Below: Jill, Ryley, Stella & Hawkin Mader Carstairs. She did work for a while for Bouchard Livestock helping to prepare livestock sale catalogues and other marketing material. And she also worked with the U.S. based Liveauctions. tv working with purebred

“We only attended a couple of national shows, but you make a connection with people who become life long friends. It is a great experience.”

operations to prepare cattle and materials for online sales. Life and work changed again in 2010 as their daughter Stella was born, followed in 2012 by their son Hawkin. “So by 2013 my full time focus was on the family and farm,” says Mader. She and Ryley are 100 percent involved in Mader Ranches along side his parents. When she’s not involved with family and cattle, she handles marketing and promotion materials for the ranch and as time permits takes on contract work preparing marketing materials as well as communication coaching in agriculture businesses. Although they graduated from YCSA eligibility, the Maders continued to be involved with the Simmental industry at the association level. Ryley served as Alberta Simmental Association president in 2015, while Jill has been provincial president since 2018. While involvement with the YCSA program factored in to helping Jill find a career and as well as a husband, two significant feats on their own. She also points to many other experiences that continue to factor into every day life. “Meeting so many people and learning to communicate with people, grown ups, when you’re a kid is a valuable experience,” she says. “You learn how to express yourself and gain confidence. And even through my work over the years, it is surprising the number of times you connect with people that you first met through the YCSA program. You don’t realize it “You learn at the time, but you develop a how to express valuable network of people.” yourself and gain Mader says also learning confidence...” proper techniques of working with cattle and fitting cattle for shows and overall showmanship skills are still important assets they use today as they prepare cattle for shows. She and Ryley learned a lot about judging cattle during their YCSA years and they continue to be asked to judge cattle at shows today. “We must have learned something, because they keep asking us back,” she says. “And we can also use that judging criteria to evaluate our own cattle as we work to improve our own herd, as well.”

And the YCSA tradition is continuing with the third generation of Maders. The Mader kids were involved in a national program at Olds, AB in 2018 and at the provincial Wild Rose Classic at Lacombe in 2019. And as the current president of the Alberta Simmental Association, Jill and her daughter attended the Canadian Simmental Association conference in Quebec this year as well. “It is pretty exciting now to see our kids getting involved in the YCSA program,” says Mader. “We go to events and see friends we met through the YCS program are now bringing their kids into the program too. It is so cool to see your peers and their families involved. You may not always appreciate it at the moment, but the program factors into many opportunities in life. It makes us proud to be Simmental breeders.”

An Additional Way For Everyone To Know About Your Sale EBLAST

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www.simmentalcountry.com 18

Simmental Country Ads + Eblast = Results

Contact Sue or Randy for more information on Simmental Country Eblasts

Sue Giles

403-793-0409 sgiles@simmental.com

Randy Bollum

403-540-5949 rbollum@simmental.com

Double Bar D United Daughter

Double Bar D Jugger Daughter

2019 Heifers Bred To Virginia Mission

Thank You To Last Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Buyers

Purchased by Virginia Ranch For $16,500

Purchased by Mark Land & Corp for $11,000

Purchased by Starwest Farms For $6,500

Vet’s Advice

By Roy Lewis, DVM

Mastitis in Beef Cows

ven though we think of mastitis as more of a dairy disease, producers still need to be vigilant in their beef herds. With higher milk production and cows being retained in our herds longer both these factors have a tendency to increase mastitis incidence. The long period beef cows are dry (not raising a calf) can have smoldering cases flare up right at calving. Selection for udders on our heifers goes a long way to help eliminate mastitis issues. Doing this article now, as when cows are drying up and you are preg checking, you have a great opportunity to check any you are concerned about and can do something before next calving season. Mastitis or inflammation of the mammary gland results in swelling in the infected quarter together with heat and soreness. Affected cows may have a guarded walk because of the pain. If a severe infection or when more than one quarter is involved, the cow may be febrile and depressed. The quicker we initiate treatment the better. Stripping out the infected milk together with systemic antibiotics that your veterinarian recommends and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID’s ) as well as treatment with approved products up the udder is my preferred method. Two times when we really notice these in our beef herds are at calving or at weaning. If you see a cow with a swollen udder best to get in and check the milk This has the greatest chance of success. If in stripping the quarter out you detect air, these are often the serious infections. The bacteria produce gas with toxins and can be life threatening. These infections generally happen right around calving. Unlike dairy cattle, where we must consider milk withdrawal, this is not an issue with beef cattle, so using the dry cow treatments up the udder is an option. The dry cow therapies have a much longer effectiveness and for beef cattle, which may be harder to treat, pose a very viable option. Make sure and comply though with any slaughter withdrawals, as dry cow infusions have slaughter withdrawals ranging from 30 days and higher. Follow your herd veterinarian’s recommendations, as they may need to examine and initiate intensive therapy for cows that are very sick. It may be necessary to poultice the infection to the outside if a large abscess develops. In severe cases the infection will wall itself off and the whole quarter may slough off. The cow may totally recover, and the problem is eliminated for next year, but we wonder if other quarters are predisposed and the cows are generally shipped. Calves seem to avoid sucking the affected quarter(s), so I personally don’t worry about them becoming sick from infected milk. Keep an eye on their flanks, though, to make sure they are getting enough. If the mastitis makes the cow physically sick,

their milk production will drop dramatically and the calf may need to be supplemented. In severe cases, the calf may need to be orphaned to another cow as the udder may dry up completely. Many times, mastitis in beef cows is not caught quick enough or there is a smoldering infection which starts after weaning and becomes clinical when the cow calves the following year. These are chronic infections and the odds of clearing them up are very rare indeed. My advice here is either shipping the cow or you can attempt to dry up the infected quarter. It has been found that a three teated cow will compensate for milk production and produce almost as much milk as if all four quarters were functional. Talk to your veterinarian what they would recommend as there are many concoctions which appear to work. Varying concentrations of silver nitrate, copper sulfate, iodine and other products have been tried so see which one has worked for your veterinarian. The most ideal time to do this is after weaning when the cow is naturally drying off. When a cow is producing milk, it becomes difficult to dry one quarter off while expecting the others to keep producing. Once the quarter is chemically dried off it will scar down and should not produce milk again, thus eliminating the chance for reoccurrence. In my experience, two groups have a higher incidence in the beef herds. The younger, good producing cows that have a tendency to leak milk, at or around calving and the old cows with the lower slung, bigger teated, udders are the other group. Good selection for udder and teat confirmation goes along way to preventing mastitis problems further down the line. Cows with the larger, I call coke bottle teats, are not only a bother because the calves have difficulty sucking, they often are the quarters which develop the mastitis. Culling older cows that develop the poor teat and udder conformation (broken down suspensory) will eliminate these problems before they develop. These cows become very evident at calving and become labor intensive getting the calf to nurse. A good option is orphaning their calf to another cow should the opportunity present itself. Keep in mind a downer cow, unable to rise a few days after calving mastitis is a very possible differential, so the milk from all four quarters should be checked. Never ever cut the teat end off or lance into the udder to drain an abscess. The udder and teats have a very good blood supply and blood loss can be very severe, even causing death. By proper selection of replacement stock with good udder conformation and being vigilant and calving in a clean area 0 can be kept to an absolute minimum on beef farms for sure. If you do observe a case, be aggressive and quick with treatment on advice from your veterinarian, as most can be saved.

♦ 15th

Annual ♦

Rock Solid Bred Heifer Sale

♦ MONDAY DECEMBER 9th, 2019 | 2:00PM CST ♦

Bircham Ranch of Piapot, SK 8 miles south

All heifers are on an Express Verified Vaccination Program

530 Top Cut, Home Raised, British Based

bred heifers from Southwest Saskatchewan

♦ Black Simm X Black Angus ♦ Black Baldie

♦ Red Baldie ♦ Black Angus ♦ Red Angus

♦ Red Angus Sim ♦ Tans

DELIVERY AVAILABLE

*videos of sale lots available a week prior to sale on DLMS*

One Heifer to sell with proceeds going to:

Consignors & Contact Information

Bircham Ranch Ltd. (Wayne) - 306.662.7940 Burgess Ranch (Joe) - 306.558.4705 Topham Ranches (Gary) - 306.295.4093 Diamond K Cattle Co. (Bryce) - 306.662.8733 Kelly Topham - 306.295.7900 Lee Crowley - 306.773.3174 Donnie Peacock - 306.662.8288

www.rocksolidbredheifer.com for breeder & cattle profiles 23

Appuye sure la poteau de cloture

Par Bruce Holmquist Directeur général - Association Simmental du Canada

La race Simmental nous aide à passer à travers!

ous ceux qui sont impliqués en agriculture depuis plusieurs décennies ont une bonne idée de tous les soubresauts que Mère Mature peut nous faire vivre. Avec un printemps tardif et des périodes de sécheresse, jusqu’à un excès de pluie, et une gelée hâtive avec de la neige, on peut dire qu’elle nous a montré tous ses habits en 2019. Les semences furent retardées dans certaines régions de l’Est du Canada en raison d’un surplus d’humidité, alors que c’était une situation totalement inverse dans l’Ouest. En fait, les conditions de sécheresse étaient tellement extrêmes que certains marchés d’animaux ont reçu plusieurs appels provenant de producteurs désirant vendre une partie ou tout leur troupeau en raison d’un manque d’aliments pour leurs animaux et d’herbes dans les pâturages. Puisque tout le monde vivait la même situation, ces mêmes marchés d’animaux ont dû refuser d’accueillir des groupes de vaches avec leurs veaux, car il n’y aurait pas eu d’acheteurs. La situation était très mauvaise jusque vers la mi-juin, et la pluie est alors heureusement arrivée dans plusieurs régions. Ensuite, la pluie a tombé et tombé encore, et encore, et même si elle arrivait déjà un peu tard pour que les prairies de foin en bénéficient pleinement, certains producteurs ont été plus chanceux et ont réussi à produire une très bonne récolte de fourrages. L’automne s’est ensuite installé, en faisant connaître à plusieurs producteurs de grain un véritable enfer pour leurs récoltes. Dans plusieurs régions, les conditions trop humides sont devenues encore plus compliquées avec une importante chute de neige. On a eu une neige tombée trop tôt et en immense quantité dans plusieurs secteurs de l’Ouest Canadien, en particulier au Manitoba. On a ainsi produit une abondance de grains destinés à l’alimentation animale, toutefois le défi a été d’être capable de les récolter. Les échos provenant de l’Est du Canada nous indiquent que les récoltes d’automne ont été également très difficiles dans plusieurs régions, testant ainsi grandement la patience des producteurs. Le marché des bovinsen 2019 nous amène un peu de positif, avec le prix des veaux d’embouche qui est demeuré à un bien meilleur niveau que beaucoup aurait pu espérer. Partout au Canada, les bons veaux se sont bien vendus et, bien que les prix varient selon les diverses strates de poids, plusieurs des veaux les plus lourds se sont vendus à plus de 1600 $. Jusqu’au moment d’écrire cet article, les veaux de la catégorie au-dessus de 800 livres ont été les champions sur le marché alors que la plupart de ceux-là possédait une influence de sang de race Simmental. Il est fini le temps où les veaux croisés Simmental étaient 24

classés dans la catégorie “autres” ou “exotiques”, car en fait plusieurs des veaux les mieux vendus cet automne étaient de très bons veaux possédant la coloration typique Simmental. Les courtiers de bovins ne cessent de payer une prime pour les bovins de qualité qui ont le potentiel de performer et de convertir efficacement leurs aliments. Tel que je l’ai déjà écrit dans une chronique précédente, tout ceux qui ont connu l’époque où les veaux Simmental étaient classés dans les moins bonnes catégories ou encore dans les veaux ayant la mauvaise couleur pourront certainement se réjouir de la situation actuelle. De plus, tel que le Dr Bob Hough l’exprimait lors de la réunion “Fall Focus” de l’Association Simmental Américaine, la race Simmental est la seule race de boucherie en Amérique du nord qui a réussi à passer de la catégorie des courtiers de bovins “liste de veaux à ne pas acheter », pour devenir l’une des races fournissant le plus de matériel génétique dans l’industrie bovine nord-américaine. Les veaux Simmentalse vendent bien et, puisqu’ils sont pesants, ils obtiennent souvent les plus hauts prix des ventes, car les livres additionnelles sont payantes. Ce n’est pas le prix à la livre qui compte, mais bien le prix par tête! Plusieurs défis vont continuer d’affecter notre agriculture et certains, comme par exemple les aléas de Mère Mature, sont totalement hors de notre contrôle. On possède des outils qu’on peut contrôler, comme par exemple l’optimisation de notre programme d’élevage. Il m’apparait clairement qu’en 2019, la race Simmental jouera un rôleimportant pour améliorer le flux de trésorerie de plusieurs fermes etde ranchs du Canada. Les producteurs bovins qui utilisent la race Simmental ont appris à apprécier les bénéfices apportés pour leurs troupeaux, en particulier pour tous ceux ayant un troupeau à dominante de sang de races anglaises nécessitant une amélioration du taux de croissance. Avec un prix des veaux autour de 2,00 $ par livre, peu de producteurs peuvent ignorer d’avoir 50 ou 100 livres de plus chez leurs veaux, et cela leur démontre clairement que les croisements leur apportent plus d’argent dans leurs poches. Au nom de toute l’équipe de l’Association Simmental du Canada et du Simmental Country, je souhaite à tous le meilleur succès possible et une température clémente en novembre et décembre durant la période des ventes de l’automne. Enfin, je vous souhaiteun Joyeux Noël et une année 2020 sous le signe de la santé et de la prospérité!

December 11, 2019 • 6:00 PM •

Spring Creek Ranch Near Moosomin, SK Selling 80 bred females including...

• Purebred Simmental & Purebred Angus, cows and bred heifers

MBJ 44F Springcreek Blue Chip 9D X Springcreek Brooke 68Z

MBJ 90F LFE The Riddler 323B X LFE Heaven Sent 30X

MBJ 62F S Titlest 1145 X Springcreek Mickey 51D

MBJ 86F Springcreek Liner 56U X Springcreek Mistress 179Z

MBJ 105F Springcreek Liner 56U X Springcreek Tara 92T

MBJ 49F S Titlest 1145 X Springcreek Amanda 50D

MBJ 113F Springcreek Liner 56U X Springcreek Joynt 176Z

MBJ 130F LFE Style 363B X Springcreek Gracie 99B

MBJ 104F RRAR Spark Plug 17D X Springcreek Mickey 66D

5F F 44 U

U IP

SVS Brooks X IPU Pocahontas 105L cow family bred: Black Gold Approval 71E

F 12 IP U

FGAF French Attack X Eclectic bred: FGAF Guerrero 810Y

IP U

FGAF French Attack X Virginias Tacoma bred: FGAF Guerrero 810Y

IP U

IP U 2F

Wheatland Bentley X IPU Pocahontas 68M cow family bred: Black Gold Approval 71E

F 60 U IP

FGAF French Attack X Eclectic bred: FGAF Guerrero 810Y

RF/Rust Stimulus X Reload bred: Hart State Of War

7F 11 IP U

IPU Red Deputy X EL Tigre bred: IPU 2Y Dillinger 80B

IPU Red Deputy X IPU Pocahontas 105L cow family bred: Black Gold Approval 71E

Wheatland Bentley X El Tigre bred: MI Mr Exceed 51F

Amelioration de la Race

Par Sean McGrath Coordonnateur des programmes d’amélioration de la race, Association Simmental du Canada

Au-delà de la parenté – 2e partie

ans le premier article de cette série, on a expliqué comment fonctionne l’analyse de la parenté à partir de l’ADN. La vérification de la généalogie constitue un élément important de l’élevage de race des bovins, par contre il existe plusieurs nouveaux outils qui peuvent venir ajouter une valeur additionnelle à l’analyse de l’ADN. Les nouvelles technologies d’analyse de l’ADN avec les “SNP” peuvent apporter une valeur additionnelle à l’analyse traditionnelle de la parenté, par une association de l’ADN avec les divers caractères liés à la production. Bien que l’intégrité de la généalogie soit à la base de tout programme d’élevage de race pure, on peut y apporter une valeur additionnelle en investissant sur une analyse de l’ADN 30 K ou 50 K. La sélection et l’élevage des sujets de la prochaine génération nous permet de faire du progrès génétique. Plus notre sélection est précise, plus on pourra effectuer du progrès et plus notre programme sera précis. Nous employons présentement ces analyses plus poussées de deux manières spécifiques. 1 – Au-delà de la parenté L’investissement au-delà de l’analyse simple de la parenté signifie que l’analyse de l’ADN de la généalogie est incluse dans l’évaluation génétique. En fait, cela est important car ça permet de définir plus précisément le niveau de connectivité dans la généalogie d’une multitude de bovins. Un exemple très simplifié est illustré ci-après. Nous savons que chaque animal reçoit ½ de son ADN de son père et ½ de sa mère. Pour cet exemple, on va supposer que le bovin possède seulement une paire de chromosomes et que l’ADN ne se recombine pas ensemble lors de la reproduction. Cela est beaucoup pluscomplexe que ça en réalité mais, par cet exemple, on veut illustrer le point que des sujets hautement apparentés partagent des quantités variables d’ADN. Dans le cas présent, le premier veau reçoit deux chromosomes bleus, tandis que le deuxième veau reçoit deux chromosomes rouges. Bien que les deux veaux aient les mêmes parents et qu’ils soient des frères ou des sœurs propres, ils ne sont pas reliés au niveau génétique. Il y a plusieurs degrés de variation dans le monde réel plus complexe, toutefois on peut employer beaucoup plus de résultats d’analyses détaillées de l’ADN dans l’évaluation génétique, afin de mieux évaluer le degré de connectivité entre les sujets et, par conséquent, effectuer de meilleures comparaisons entre les diverses combinaisons génétiques disponibles. 2 – Données additionnelles Plusieurs des segments additionnels d’ADN sont présents sur une puce à SNP et on les associe avec des caractères spécifiques. Bien que le segment d’ADN identifié sur la puce à SNP ne soit pas associé à un gène spécifique, le brin d’ADN est souvent très proche, ce qui nous permet

d’identifier la présence d’un gène influençant un caractère donné. En utilisant ces segments d’ADN comme des panneaux indicateurs sur la route qui nous fournissent des informations sur divers caractères, cela nous aide à évaluer plus précisément quel brin d’ADN un veau a reçu de ses parents. Le fait d’investir dans une analyse de l’ADN à haute densité chez un jeune sujet peut nous permettre d’obtenir autant d’informations dans l’évaluation génétique que si ce jeune sujet avait 15 veaux ou plus déjà nés. Quand on est ainsi capable d’évaluer plus précisément le mérite génétique de notre groupe de veaux, on devrait être davantage en mesure de sélectionner les animaux qui correspondent à nos objectifs de sélection. L’un des avantages les plus importants de cet effet est qu’il se produit pour des caractères qui sont longs et coûteux à mesurer. La longévité et l’efficacité alimentaire pourraient représenter de bons exemples. La mesure de la prise alimentaire peut s’avérer une démarche dispendieuse et, par définition, la mesure de la longévité prend beaucoup de temps. Compte tenu que la dépréciation croissantealors que les vaches vieillissent et le coût de remplacement qui demeure l’un des plus importants coûts en production bovine, imaginez pour un instant si on pouvait obtenir une bonne indication de la longévité lorsque l’animal est jeune. Au lieu d’espérer obtenir un veau mâle d’une vache déjà âgée, on pourrait sélectionner avec confiance de tels veaux mâles alors qu’elle est âgée de 3, 4 ou 5 ans, permettant ainsi d’améliorer plus rapidement la longévité dans l’industrie. On peut réaliser cela avec l’analyse de l’ADN et l’évaluation génétique. L’analyse de l’ADN est un processus scientifique relativement complexe, toutefois les applications sont plutôt faciles et directes. Il y a plusieurs façons d’ajouter de la valeur à un programme d’élevage avecles nouvelles technologies d’analyse de l’ADN, et de nouvelles applications ne cessent d’émerger sur le marché. Lorsqu’on met en place un programme d’analyse de l’ADN dans notre programme d’élevage, il demeure très important qu’on continue notre travail de prise de données de performance. Le lien entre l’ADN et les données est un processus circulaire, comme les saisons. Les données accumulées nous permettent d’identifier des marqueurs d’ADN intéressants, et les marqueurs d’ADN nous aident en retour à identifier des bovins qui possèdent et transmettent les qualités d’intérêt pour nous. Au fur et à mesure qu’on sélectionne des segments spécifiques d’ADN associés avec des caractères d’intérêt, l’ADN nous fournit parfois moins d’informations, on doit donc poursuivre notre travail de collecte de données afin de pouvoir identifier de nouveaux indicateurs. L’ADN est le langage de l’hérédité. Imaginez-vous que si on avait dans la langue française seulement le mot « excitant » pour décrire un évènement. Par exemple, on pourrait décrire un accident d’automobile et la naissance d’un nouveau bébé comme étant excitant. Après un certain temps, on aurait besoin de développer d’autres mots afin de décrire des évènements différents, et même pour préciser ce qui est excitant. Voici comment les données et les marqueurs d’ADN intéragissent ensemble. Les marqueurs nous aident à décrire l’ADN et les résultats qu’on peut espérer mais, plus on les utilise, et plus on doit améliorer notre vocabulaire afin de bien décrire les résultats de notre sélection. Le plus grand défi avec l’ADN est probablement la vitesse avec laquelle cela avance. Voici donc un avantage clé d’être membre d’une association de race et de profiter des évaluations génétiques effectuées par IGS. Vous pouvez compter sur des ressources compétentes pour vous aider à comprendre et à appliquer dans votre sélection génétique les principes scientifiques liés à l’ADN. Ça vaut le coup que vous investiguiez les diverses options vous permettant d’utiliser l’analyse de l’ADN au-delà de l’analyse de la parenté.

WLB Livestock

Top Cut Female Sale

WLB 380F Skors High Roller 34C

WLB 361F LFE The Riddler 323B

WLB 411F LFE Blockbuster 3011C

CCR Cowboy Cut 5048Z

WLB 497F

WLB 301F WLB Big Northern 52Z 4161D

WLB 4582G BGS/BM Captain Scream 63D

WLB 3730E

SFM Stoughton 18D

WLB 368G LFE Rig 842D

WLB 443G LFE Blockbuster 3011C

From the Director’s Chair

By Byron Johnson CSA Board Member

itting down to write this on the heels of another challenging harvest I can’t help but to think about all the negativity and stress that we as agricultural producers face on a daily basis. It seems everyday someone or something is out to get us. Either it’s A&W, Ellen, Fake Meat or government. How do we deal with this? What can we do as producers to change the opinions of our urban friends and government? As a breed association I feel it’s important that we start putting focus towards trying to educate the urban people that the cows out grazing rangelands, that really have no other use but for pasture, is not killing the environment, nor is it taking land away that could be growing grains. There are far more luxuries in life that burn way more carbon than your average farm. For example a 737 burns roughly 2800L of fuel per hour. So one plane flying for just 10 hours will use 28000L of fuel. That’s more fuel than I use in an entire year to raise 2000 acres of grain as well as 300 head of cows. That’s just one example, can you imagine how much fuel a luxury cruise ship burns? So how do we deal with this? Do we just stick our head in the ground and hope for the best or do we fight back? Personally I feel we need to fight. One thing the CSA has done is to join the Canadian Round Table for Sustainable Beef. As producers we also need to go to our provincial beef associations as well as the Canadian Cattle Commission and request that they focus more of our checkoff dollars towards education/advertising to our urban community, telling them that in fact our beef is safe

and that our cows are not one of the major contributors to climate change. Maybe we also need to look at joining resources with other breed associations to help fund ads telling our story, explaining what we do every day to feed a growing world. I am not sure what the right thing to do is but I do know our industry has never been under attack like it is right now and we must do something to stop it. I have many relatives that live in the cities and they really have no clue about where or how their food shows up on their plates. More of them are increasingly getting brainwashed by mainstream media into thinking that their food isn’t safe. During family functions I try to explain/ educate them as to the truth about food production. It has worked with some and they now are back supporting farmers. Unfortunately, some of them refuse to believe me thinking what they read in the paper, social media and see on TV has to be the truth. But everyone I get to “see the light” is a victory. I know that it may seem insignificant but it’s still better than doing nothing and for every person going back to eating a real hamburger and not eating a processed veggie burger is a step in the right direction. All of these issues, as well as weather and current trade issues all lead to stress. Stress affects us all in some way or another as none of us as producers are immune to it. I have seen the effects of stress causing depression and it’s a real problem in agriculture these days. Don’t be proud, if you are feeling down call a neighbour or a fellow breeder, my phone is always on. Remember we are all in this together and we are stronger as one voice. Hang in there and keep fighting, we will get through this!

Subscribe now at The official publication of the Canadian Simmental Association 30

www.simmentalcountry.com

Congratulations

CoraLee Fisk of Silvercreek Simmentals married Lee Stilborn of Pheasantdale Cattle Company on June 22, 2019. The happy couple reside at Pheasantdale Cattle Company, Balcarres, SK

Congratulations

Brooks Avery Lalonde born September 17, 2019 to proud parents, Andrea (Donovan) and Chris Lalonde. Donovandale Farms, Gerald and Keitha Donovan are pleased to announce their first grandson.

Congratulations

Tucker Ryan Dorran was born at 3:08 a.m. on August 23, 2019 in Calgary, Alberta. He is the son of Ryan and Cassie Dorran, owners of Dorran Marketing Inc., of Didsbury, AB. Big brother Dalton is taking his new role very serious and is already teaching little brother about all things hockey and cows. Tucker weighed 7 lbs. 7 oz. The Dorran house is busy with two little boys, but their hearts are so full. They canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wait to share their second son with their livestock family.

Congratulations

Colton Anthony Donovan with big sister Charlotte Catherine born September 23, 2019 to proud parents, Alexandra (Hoople) and Mark Donovan. Donovandale Farms, Gerald (Poppa Cows) and Keitha Donovan are pleased to welcome their third grandchild.

To all the donators & buyers for supporting the FCSF & helping as we continue to support youth, education & research in the Simmental breed. 4 Matt Simmentals Aimee Van Loon Alexis Stoddard Alliance Simmental Farms Allison Booth Allison Morse Alta Genetics Inc. Anchor D Ranch Andre Beanmont Artisan Farms Bar 5 Stock Farm Barb Judd Barlee Simmentals BBBG Simmental Group Bellavas Ben Wright Black Cattle Co. Black River Farms Bohrson Marketing Bonchuk Farms Boot Hill Gallery Bouchard Livestock Boundary Ranch Bova-Tech Ltd. Bow Valley Genetics Broken Arrow Cattle Co. Brooksland Farms Bruce Holmquist Canadian Cattle Identification Agency

Canadian Cattlemen Canadian Simmental Association Canadian Simmental Country Canadian Sires Canadian Western Agribition Carew Simmentals Carpathian Cattle Co. Cattle Vids Clinique Veterinaire Centre-du-Quebec inc. Corrie Lewis CRM Simmentals Czech-Mate Livestock Danike Meyer Datamars Inc. Davenor Farms David Ennis David Spaulding Davis-Rairdan Embryo Transplants Deeg Simmentals Derek Westman Dirt Road Chic DLMS Dobbie Simmentals Dorran Marketing Inc. Dunraven Simmentals Elm Tree Farms Emily Grey Erich Kern Etienne Bellavance

Ferme BMS Inc. Ferme Gagnon Ferme Larose Ferme Sibelle First Class Cattle Marketing Flying F Ranch Francis Beaumont Friends of Canadian Simmental Foundation Goodview Angus & Apparel Greyledge Simmentals Harvie Crest Cattle Co. Helen Jamieson High Country Cattle Services Hi-Tech Farms Ivan Smith-SIBL Simmentals J Syvret Co Limited Jacob Fischer Jamieson Genetics Jaydawn Farms Jean-Francois Leblond Jetstream Livestock Jim Pulyk KCH Cattle Co. Keitha Donavan Ketchum Manufacturing Inc. Keystone Livestock KLW Farms Krista Whalen KT Ranches

Kulyk Simmentals Labatte Simmentals Larry Barkley Lazy Creek Farms Lewis Farms Mader Ranches Mar Mac Farms Marc Boisvert Mark Shologan McCormack Family Ranch McMillen Ranching Meadow Acres Farms Megan Prouse Mike Millar Millbrook Farms Mutch Farms Neogen New Holland Agriculture North Hill Simmentals Northern Livestock Sales Norwood Family Farms Optimum Genetics Ltd. Peter Sweeten Pieschel Farms Pine Creek Simmentals R & B Ranch R Plus Simmentals Ranch House Designs Rancier Farms Randy Bollum

Red Sorrel Photography Red Top Livestock Rhonda Barkley Riskan Hope Farms River Morse Rob Jamieson Ron Nolan Rose Creek Ranch/Schwengler Rosemead Farms R-Plus Simmentals Sandra Bernard Sandra Berthiaume Select Sires Genervation Shane Williams SIBL Simmentals Stan Church Starwest Farms Sullivan Simmentals Sun Rise Simmentals T Bar C Cattle Co /Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Publishing Talbot Marketing Todd Simmentals Ultra Livestock V5 Farms V-5 Simmentals Velian Farms Weaver Order Buying Weston Meredith Wyvern Cattle Co. Young Canadian Simmental Association

Thanks to all the 2019 donators, bidders, buyers and supporters of the Friends of the Canadian Simmental Foundation. Your support is greatly appreciated! 33

2019 Friends of the Canadian Simmental Foundation Scholarship Winners Announced FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 30, 2019 Calgary, Alberta – The Friends of the Canadian Simmental Foundation (FCSF) are pleased to announce the recipients of their 2019 scholarships. Applications were received from across Canada and this year’s recipients illustrated the bright future that our youth are presenting to the agriculture industry and Simmental breed. Scholarships that are being awarded by the FCSF for the 2019 – 2020 academic year include, the Friends of Canadian Simmental Foundation Scholarship, the Dr. Dixon Memorial Scholarship and the Trevor Vance- First Year Scholarship, with a combined value of $12,000. Friends of the Canadian Simmental Foundation Scholarships which are valued at $3,000 each were awarded to Bryce Maxwell of Viking, AB and Cassidy Pinkham of Metcalf, ON. Bryce is studying Agronomy at the University of Saskatchewan and Cassidy is taking Agribusiness at Olds College. The Dr. Dixon Memorial Scholarships, in memory of Dr. Allan A. Dixon are valued at $2,000 each were awarded to Kaitlyn Maxwell of Viking, AB and Tia Schram of Bruderheim, AB. Kaitlyn is attending the University of British Columbia taking Nursing and Tia is studying for her Business degree at Concordia University. The Trevor Vance - First Year Scholarship, in memory of Trevor Edward Vance is valued at $2,000 and this year is awarded to Carrisa Geddes from Settlement, NB. Carrisa is studying Pre-Vet at the University of Prince Edward Island. Ken Lewis, President of Friends of Canadian Simmental Association said, “It’s great to see so many high quality scholarship applications spread out from across the country. Each of this year’s recipients have showcased leadership, development skills and a dedication to their community as well as to the livestock industry. Congratulations to all of this year’s scholarship recipients and we wish everyone who applied the very best in your future education goals”. The Friends of Canadian Simmental Foundation is a not-for-profit registered Foundation that is dedicated to scholarships and educational support of youth, as well as research for the improvement of Canadian agriculture. -30For more information please contact: Friends of Canadian Simmental Foundation #13 4101 – 19th St. N.E. Calgary, AB T2E 7C4 Phone: 1-403-250-7979 or email fcsf@simmental.com http://www.simmentalfoundation.com/

YCSA FACEBOOK AUCTION IS BACK! Auction will run December 5-8, 2019 on Facebook --Like the Young Canadian Simmental Assocation Facebook Page --Join the Young Canadian Simmental Assocation Online Fundraiser group to see the items and vote! Previous years items have included household decor, genetics, clothing, Pictures, sPort tickets and much more! Not on Facebook? A list of items will be posted at www.simmental.com Contact a YCSA board member to bid

Join us for the 2020 YCSA

T.E.A.M CONFERENCE Together Everyone Achieves More February 20-22, 2020 Guelph, Ontario Industry Leading Speakers, Tours, Leadership Development & More! For more information and registration, visit www.simmental.com

YCSA Program Coordinator Kelsey Manske (306)291-7086 kmanske@simmental.com

YCSA President Krista Whalen (819)679-7964

kristawhalenphotography@hotmail.com

Thank You...

to all the sponsors, exhibitors and volunteers who made the 2019 Alberta Simmental Show at Farmfair a great success! Major Sponsors Simmental Country Country Junction Feeds Alberta Beef Alta Genetics Bow Valley Genetics Bohrson Marketing Services Ltd. First Class Cattle Marketing Deeg Simmentals Lewis Farms

Banner Sponsors Clearwater Simmentals Czech-Mate Simmentals Harvie Crest/KT Ranches High Country Cattle Services Leewood Ranch/Colt Arnold Mader Ranches Maxwell Simmentals Sara Van Sickle/Nolara Farms Rafter 4T Simmentals

Rancier Farms Red Top Livestock SIBL Simmentals Twisted Sisters Livestock Ultra Livestock Virginia Ranch Westway Farms WJ Simmentals

$10,000 Breeders Select Draw

Sunday, December 22, 2019 ď&#x201A;Ľ Red Deer, Alberta Thank you to our 2019 Breeders Select Contributors to date: Clearwater Simmentals Czech-Mate Simmentals Deeg Simmentals Harvie Crest/KT Ranches

ASA Breeders Select Contributors Leewood Ranch/Colt Arnold Rancier Farms Mader Ranches Red Top Livestock Maxwell Simmentals SIBL Simmentals Sara Van Sickle/Nolara Farms Twisted Sisters Livestock

Ultra Livestock Virginia Ranch W2 Land and Cattle Westway Farms WJ Simmentals

There is still time to become a contributor and purchase your membership to win!

Katie Deeg 403-899-2291 info@albertasimmental.com

Tracy Kimmel 780-875-2089 asabreedersselect@outlook.com

Like Us On Facebook! 36

SSA ScholArShip DonAtion heifer Thank you to McIntosh Livestock Blair, Steph, Carter & Seth McIntosh of Maymont, SK for donating the 2019 Scholarship Heifer!

reg #: 1281121 bd: Jan. 24, 2019 s: BGS/BM Captain SCreaM 63D d: MCintoSh Chloe 64B mgs: ipU heiSenBerG 123Z McIntosh Chloe 41G will be sold by Dutch Auction before the Agribition Simmental Sale - for every $10 donated you get 1 ticket in the draw drum. One lucky winner will be selected! The auction will also be broadcast on DLMS starting at 6:30 PM, Nov. 27, 2019

McIntosh Chloe 41G

Sweepstake$ Saskatchewan Simmental

6 PM :: Nov. 27, 2019 :: Agribition, John Deere Sales Arena

:: Over $30, 000 in prize money and prizes!

:: Silver memberships only $100!

For a chance to win... - $15,000 in Sale Credits to Agribition Sale - Secondary prizes drawn throughout the night - Silver memberships can be purchased in advance - sasksimmental@yourlink.ca

Agribition Simmental Show Schedule Wednesday, November 27, 2019 9:00 AM 5:30 PM 6:00 PM 6:30 PM 7:00 PM

Simmental Show Pizza Draws for $15,000 in Sale Credits and secondary prizes Scholarship Heifer Auction Agribition Simmental Sale

Friday, November 29, 2019 9:00 AM

Commercial Cattle Show

Saturday, November 30, 2019

Saskatchewan Simmental Association

8:00 AM 9:00 AM 10:00 AM

Bull Pen Alley Show Junior Beef Extreme Commercial Cattle Sale

www.sasksimmental.com

IMMENTAL RFID Tags Allflex & Datamars Comfortear TO ORDER: CANADAID.CA OR 1-877-909-2333

2020 CSA AGM & YCSA Show

July 23-26

Portage La Prairie, mb - watch msa website for more information -

Fall Events

November 13 th MAPLE LAKE STOCK FARMS FEMALE PRODUCTION SALE - HARTNEY, MB 14 th HARVEST HOEDOWN 25TH ANNUAL SIMMENTAL SALE - NEEPAWA, MB 15 th PEMBINA TRIANGLE 39TH ANNUAL SIMMENTAL SALE - CYPRESS RIVER, MB

DEcember 10 th KEYSTONE KONNECTION 40TH ANNUAL SIMMENTAL SALE - BRANDON, MB 14 th WLB TOP CUT FEMALE SALE - DOUGLAS, MB 15 th BONCHUK FARMS FEMALE PRODUCTION SALE - VIRDEN, MB 16 th SHADES OF THE PRAIRIE SIMMENTAL SALE - BRANDON, MB THank you to Northern Light simmentals

FOR DONATING THE 2019 SCHOLARSHIP HEIFER - TICKETS AVAILABLE FALL SALES LISTED ABOVE.

find a breeder in your area at

www.mbsimmental.com Box 274, Austin, MB R0H 0C0 President: Tracy Wilcox 204-723-0029 Secretary: Laurelly Beswitherick 204-637-2046 b2@inetlink.ca 38

Maritime Simmental Association

2019 SALT WATER SIMMENTAL SALE RESULTS High Sellers Lot 66: $5,100 – Forest Hill Lady G (S: Spud Island Elwood 46E) Consignor: Matheson Farms Buyer: Timberwood Farms & Shipley Cattle Company

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President: Kerwin Delong, NS Vice President: Trevor Pauley, NB Secretary: Jennie Mutch, PE Treasurer: Marlene Gaunce, NB Directors: Laura Parsons, NS Lacey Fisher, NS Geraline VanAgten, NB Wade Loane, PE Brent Matheson, PE CSA Director: Frank Robblee, PE

Lot 61: $4,900 - Black's Posh 1E (S: Harkers Icon) Consignor: Black’s Cattle Company Buyer: Lobster Point Properties

Sale Average: $3,186.67

THANK YOU TO BUYERS, CONSIGNORS & ORGANIZERS!

www.maritimesimmentalassociation.com

Dates to Remember January 2019 Maritime Simmental Association Annual General Meeting

Amherst, NS

April 4, 2020 MBTS Bull Sale Nappan, NS 41

Sue Giles

Program Coordinator - Canadian Simmental Association

Ph: (403) 793-0409 sgiles@simmental.com Canadian Simmental Association #13, 4101 - 19th Street N.E. Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2E 7C4

www.simmental.com

Keep ahead

of your competition!

GARTH CUTLER

Advertise in ANNUAL BULL SALE 3rd Saturday in February

PO Box 5177 Lacombe, AB T4L 1W9 Ph: (403) 304 - 0896 email: circleg@telus.net

Randy Bollum

Industry and Member Services Representative

Ph: (403) 540-5949 rbollum@simmental.com Canadian Simmental Association #13, 4101 - 19th Street N.E. Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2E 7C4

www.simmental.com

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t ma ke for your c it hard ustomer s to find yo u!

Advertise in

Sue Giles

Program Coordinator - Canadian Simmental Association

Ph: (403) 793-0409 sgiles@simmental.com Canadian Simmental Association #13, 4101 - 19th Street N.E. Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2E 7C4

www.simmental.com

Randy Bollum

Industry and Member Services Representative

Ph: (403) 540-5949 rbollum@simmental.com Canadian Simmental Association #13, 4101 - 19th Street N.E. Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2E 7C4

www.simmental.com

AdVeRtiSe in tHiS SPot! Contact Randy Bollum or Sue Giles today!

Ryan Gylander Box 809 Wildwood, AB T0E 2M0

ryan_gylander@hotmail.com

1.780.621.2737

Keep ahead

Simmeron Ranch Martin Skaret 1-56021 RGE. RD. 261 Sturgeon County Alberta, T8R 0V9

of your competition!

Advertise in

Ph: 780-939-3248 Cell: 780 913 7963 mskaret@xplornet.com www.simmeronranch.ca

Shane & Shannon Wolfe and family Site 11, Box 47, RR 1 SUNDRE, AB T0M 1X0 PHONE & FAX (403) 556-8584 e-mail: wolfepack@airenet.com www.wolfesfleckvieh.ca

Red and Black Simmental Kelly & Jenna Waltz Vermilion, AB 780-853-3834

Where only 2 year old bulls sell

Randy Bollum

Industry and Member Services Representative

Ph: (403) 540-5949 rbollum@simmental.com Canadian Simmental Association #13, 4101 - 19th Street N.E. Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2E 7C4

www.simmental.com

BARRY & BRENDA LABATTE Box 72 Gladmar, Sask. S0C 1A0 www.labattesimmentals.com Ph: (306)969-4820 labatte.simm@sasktel.net Cell: (306) 815-7900

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t ma ke for your c it hard ustomer s to find yo u!

Advertise in

Dave & Krista Erixon Box 156 Clavet, SK S0K 0Y0

306-270-2893

Red & Black Simmentals

www.erixonsimmentals.com

Randy Bollum

Industry and Member Services Representative

Ph: (403) 540-5949 rbollum@simmental.com Canadian Simmental Association #13, 4101 - 19th Street N.E. Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2E 7C4

www.simmental.com

Jim (306) 928-4636 Dave (306) 483-8660

Lee (306) 928-4820 Fax (306) 928-2143 The Stamp Of Quality Simmental Genetics For Over 40 Years

Solsgirth, MB DAVE WAYNE h: 204-842-3706 h: 204-842-3859 c: 204-773-0467 c: 204-796-0004 Raising Quality Simmental Seedstock

www.bonchukfarms.com

Randy Bollum

Industry and Member Services Representative

Ph: (403) 540-5949 rbollum@simmental.com Canadian Simmental Association #13, 4101 - 19th Street N.E. Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2E 7C4

www.simmental.com

This card spot costs LESS than a coffee a day! Advertise with us!

Sue Giles

Program Coordinator - Canadian Simmental Association

Ph: (403) 793-0409 sgiles@simmental.com Canadian Simmental Association #13, 4101 - 19th Street N.E. Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2E 7C4

www.simmental.com

Tyler, Jen, Emma, Margaret Brooks 142 Clarke Rd. • Paris, ON N3L 3E1 • 519.770.9664

BAN R E RIV ARMS F

Ray Comier PO Box 141 LaSalle, Manitoba R0G 1B0 Ph: (204) 736 - 2608 Cell: (204) 782 -1191 Fax: (204) 736 - 4654 Email: r.r.comier@xplornet.com Website: www.riverbankfarms.com Red & Black with Fleckvieh Influence

BOOMER

CREEK LIVESTOCK

Owen Martin 4550 Ament Line Wallenstein Ont. N0B 2S0 C. 519-501-2207 E. owenmartin4550@gmail.com

Purebred Red & Black Simmentals

Randy Bollum

Industry and Member Services Representative

Ph: (403) 540-5949 rbollum@simmental.com Canadian Simmental Association #13, 4101 - 19th Street N.E. Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2E 7C4

www.simmental.com

Sue Giles

Program Coordinator - Canadian Simmental Association

Ph: (403) 793-0409 sgiles@simmental.com Canadian Simmental Association #13, 4101 - 19th Street N.E. Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2E 7C4

www.simmental.com

23401 Big Bend Rd. Newbury, ON N0L 1Z0 Ron & Linda 519.695.6124 Mike & Melissa 226.268.0520

Randy Bollum

Industry and Member Services Representative

Ph: (403) 540-5949 rbollum@simmental.com Canadian Simmental Association #13, 4101 - 19th Street N.E. Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2E 7C4

www.simmental.com

Sue Giles

Program Coordinator - Canadian Simmental Association

Ph: (403) 793-0409 sgiles@simmental.com Canadian Simmental Association #13, 4101 - 19th Street N.E. Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2E 7C4

www.simmental.com

Rouge et Noir / Red and Black

Pur-sang / Purebred

85 Golf road, Waterloo, QuĂŠbec Kirk Stoddard Join us on Alexis Stoddard 450 521-8561 Facebook! 450 531-5920

757 Bedford Hwy, Bedford NS

Herdsman, Jay Hiltz (Cell) 902-277-1102 jayhiltz@live.com

Industry Events

Seeking partners for premium beef programs throughout GTA & Ontario!

CALL OR EMAIL US! P 905.670.3450 | ArtisanFarms.ca | Info@ArtisanFarms.ca

Insurance

Auctioneer/Ringman

Photographers

Trucking

Semen/Embryos

Bow Valley Genetics

Rob F. Stables

DVM Veterinarian, General Manager

email phone

firstclass_cardadSC.indd 1

www.bowvalleygenetics.com p 1.587.887.1934 | f 1.587.317.7392 box 1239, brooks, ab, t1r 1c1

Embryos@bowvalleygenetics.com 587.887.1934 (extension 1)

2019-07-13 8:20:49 PM

Marketing 403.940.3334 C: 403.869.5599 bohrsondesign@gmail.com RR4 Site 7 Box 28 Olds, AB CANADA T4H 1T8

www.BOHRSON.com BLIService Bussiness Card 2015_Layout 1 2015-07 Trusted Unparalleled QualityDouble FULL SERVICE SALES MANAGEMENT

Semen/Embryos OFFERING AN E XC E P T I O N A L C O M B I N AT I O N O F

Box 1409 Crossfield, AB T0M 0S0 Office: 403.946.4999 Brian Bouchard: 403.813.7999 Chad Lorenz: 403.896.9585 Doug Domolewski: 403.635.1840 Email: info@bouchardlivestock.com

e Full Servic ting arke Livestock M

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Chad

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Embryo Transplants

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www.bova-tech.com

In-Clinic & On Farm Services Embryo Collection, Freezing & Transplants Donor Care Facility Recipient Programs

P.O. Box 80142 Airdrie, Alberta T4B 2V8 Canada Tel: (403) 332-1567 E-mail: info@bova-tech.com

Export Certified International Marketing

alberta - Saskatchewan - manitoba

ABC Cattle Co..........................................................46 Adair Ranch..............................................................42 Alameda Agencies Ltd..............................................52 Alliance Simmental Farms........................................49 Alta Genetics............................................................53 Anchor D Ranch.......................................................42 Applecross Cattle.....................................................42 Artisan Beef Farms.............................................49, 52 Ashworth Farm & Ranch Ltd................................9, 46 Aumack Simmentals.................................................46 Bar 5 Farms..............................................................49 Bar CL Livestock......................................................42 Beechinor Bros Simmentals.....................................42 Big Rock Simmentals...............................................42 Bircham Ranch Ltd...................................................23 Black River Farms....................................................49 Black Sand Cattle Company.....................................48 Blue Mountains Farm...............................................49 Blushrose Simmental Farm......................................46 Bohrson Marketing Services.............. 7, 25, 26, 29, 53 Bonchuk Farms........................................................48 Boomer Creek Livestock..........................................49 Bouchard Livestock International.............................53 Boundary Ranch.......................................................46 Bova-Tech Ltd...........................................................53 Bow Valley Geneticvs...............................................53 Brooksland Farms....................................................49 Brown, Grady............................................................52 Burgess Ranch.........................................................23 Canadian Bull Congress...........................................52 Canadian Cattlemen.................................................53 Carey, Brent..............................................................52 Cattle Cures..............................................................52 Circle G Simmentals & Angus..................................42 City View Simmentals...............................................46 Clearwater Simmentals............................................42 Crimson Tide Fleckvieh............................................49 Crossroad Farms......................................................46 Czech-Mate Livestock..............................................42 Dart Simmentals.......................................................20 Davis-Rairdan Embryo Transplants Ltd....................53 Deeg Simmental.......................................................42 Destiny Simmentals..................................................49 Diamond K Cattle Co................................................23 Diamond T Simmentals............................................43 DJ Farms..................................................................49 Don Heggie Simmentals...........................................43 Donovandale Farms.................................................49 Dora Lee Genetics....................................................50 Dorran Marketing Inc................................................52 Dorran, Steve...........................................................52 Double Bar D Farms.........................................IFC, 46 Double G Simmentals...............................................46 Downey Farms.........................................................48 Dunc’s Cattle Co.......................................................50 Dwayann Simmentals...............................................50 Eagle-Ridge Simmentals..........................................43 East Poplar Simmentals...........................................47 Edge, Dean...............................................................52 EDN Simmentals......................................................47 Elm Tree Farms........................................................50 Erixon Simmentals....................................................47 Fallen Timber Farms................................................42 Ferme Gagnon Inc..............................................15, 51 First Class Cattle Marketing.......................3, 5, 20, 53

Foley Simmentals.....................................................50 Genex Canada.........................................................53 GJR Simmentals.......................................................47 Grant Rolston Photography Ltd................................52 Gravandale Simmentals...........................................50 Grinalta Farms..........................................................43 H.S. Knill Co. Ltd......................................................53 Hairy Hill Cattle Co...................................................43 Hannah Simmentals.................................................43 Harvie Ranching.......................................................43 High Bluff Stock Farm...............................................48 High Country Cattle Services...................................43 Hi-Tech Farms..........................................................50 Hoegl Simmentals....................................................47 Indian River Cattle Co..............................................50 Janzen Brogan Embryo Services Ltd.......................53 Janzen Ranches.......................................................43 JB Livestock Company.............................................27 Jetstream Livestock..................................................50 JNR Farms...............................................................43 Keato Meadow Simmentals......................................43 Kin Kin Cattle Co......................................................43 Kindred Spirit Cattle..................................................20 Kuntz Simmental Farm.............................................47 LaBatte Simmentals...........................................27, 47 Lazy Bar-B Simmentals............................................47 Lazy S Ranch Inc.....................................................43 Lewis Farms Ltd................................................43, BC Little Willow Creek Ranch.........................................47 Lobster Point Farms.................................................51 Lone Stone Farms....................................................43 Luv-N-It Cattle Company..........................................43 M & J Farms.............................................................49 M & R Cattle Co........................................................44 MacKenzie Cattle Company.....................................44 Mader Ranches..................................................13, 44 Mar Mac Farms........................................................49 Masterfeeds..............................................................52 Mavv Farms Inc........................................................27 Maxwell Simmentals...........................................11, 44 McCormack Family Ranch.................................20, 47 MCG Simmentals.....................................................44 McIntosh Livestock...................................................47 McManus Simmentals..............................................49 McMillen Ranching Ltd.............................................47 Meadow Acres Farms...............................................47 MI Simmentals....................................................27, 44 Mitchell Cattle Co.....................................................42 New Holland Agriculture.............................................1 Nolara Farms............................................................44 Norfolk Cattle............................................................50 North Creek Simmentals..........................................47 North Hill Simmentals...............................................44 O Double E Simmentals...........................................44 Oberg, Don...............................................................52 O’Brien Farms..........................................................50 Okotoks Fleckvieh Embryo Group......................27, 44 Oslanski Simmental Farms.......................................44 Outback Cattle Co....................................................27 Parkhill Ranches.......................................................44 Parview Stock Farms................................................27 Pearson Farms.........................................................44 Perlinger Simmentals.........................................20, 21 Pheasantdale Simmentals........................................47 Phillips Farms Simmentals.......................................51

Pine Creek Simmentals............................................44 Porter Ranches.........................................................44 Rancier Farms..........................................................45 RDG Simmentals......................................................45 Rehorst Farms Ltd....................................................50 Rendezvous Farms..................................................49 Ricochet Stock Farms..............................................27 Ririe Simmentals......................................................45 River Point Cattle Co................................................50 Riverbank Farms......................................................49 Robb Farms..............................................................48 Robson Acres...........................................................50 Rosebud Simmentals...............................................45 Rust Mountain View Ranch......................................51 SAJ Simmentals.......................................................48 Seven-M Livestock...................................................45 Silver Smith Farms Ltd.............................................45 Simmeron Fleckvieh Simmentals.............................45 Skeels, Dan..............................................................52 SKOR Simmentals....................................................45 Southpaw Cattle Company.......................................45 Spring Creek Simmentals....................................26 48 Spring Lake Simmentals...........................................45 Spruce View Acres...................................................19 Starwest Farms..................................................25, 45 Steen Agencies.........................................................52 Stewart Simmentals..................................................50 Stock, Mark...............................................................52 Stone Simmentals ...................................................45 Storebo Farm............................................................48 Sullivan Simmentals.................................................51 Sully’s Farm..............................................................50 Sun Rise Simmentals...............................................48 Sunny Valley Simmentals.........................................48 Swan Lake Farms.....................................................48 Swantewitt Simmentals............................................45 T Bar C Cattle Company............................IFC, 23, 53 The Register.............................................................51 Timberlind Auctions..................................................52 Todd Simmentals......................................................51 Topham Ranches......................................................23 Transcon Livestock Corp. ....................31, 53, 60, IBC Trevor’s Cowpix........................................................52 Triple Rose Simmentals...........................................51 Tryon Simmentals.....................................................51 TSN Livestock..........................................................49 Tymarc Livestock......................................................45 Verleysen Farms.......................................................45 Vernon, Terry & Marty...............................................27 Virginia Ranch..........................................................46 W2 Farms.................................................................48 W2 Land & Cattle.....................................................46 Weldehaven Farms..................................................51 Wells’ Crossing Cattle Company..............................46 Westway Farms Ltd..................................................46 WHR Simmentals.....................................................27 Willerton Simmentals................................................20 Windy Knoll Farm.....................................................51 WJ Simmentals.........................................................46 WLB Livestock..........................................................29 Wolfe Farms.............................................................46 Wolfe’s Fleckvieh......................................................46 Wright’s Pro Rich Seeds...........................................49 XRC Simmentals................................................20, 48

December 2019 Publication Information.......................................... 2

Young Canadian Simmental Association.......35

From the Gate Post (English)................................ 6

Alberta Simmental Association.........................36

Breed Improvement (English).............................10

Saskatchewan Simmental Association............37

CCA Article.................................................................12

Manitoba Simmental Association.....................38

CBBC News Release...............................................14

Ontario Simmental Association.........................39

YCSA Alumni Story.................................................16

Quebec Simmental Association........................40

Vet’s Advice ..............................................................22

Maritime Simmental Association......................41

From the Gate Post (French)...............................24

Advertiser’s Index....................................................54

Breed Improvement (French).............................28

CSA Contacts............................................................55

From the Director’s Chair.....................................30

What’s Happening..................................................56

Member Announcements....................................32

Simmental on the Move.......................................58

#13, 4101 19th St. N.E., Calgary, Alberta T2E 7C4 P: (403) 250-7979 • F: (403) 250-5121 www.simmental.com • E: cansim@simmental.com CSA Executive President Garth Rancier Killam, AB P: (780) 385-2425 C: (780) 385-5313 rancierfarms@xplornet.ca First Vice-President Marlin LeBlanc Estevan, SK P: (306) 634-8031 C: (306) 421-2470 marlinleblanc@sasktel.net

Roger Deeg Strathmore, AB P: (403) 901-5305 rbdeeg@gmail.com Shane Williams East Garafraxa, ON P: 519-787-1323 C: 519-938-1220 jetslivestock@aol.com Frank Robblee Crapaud, PEI P: (902) 432-0596 frobblee@gmail.com

Second Vice-President Blair McRae Brandon, MB P: (204) 728-3058 C: (204) 729-5439 marmac@inetlink.ca

Byron Johnson Amisk, AB P: (780) 856-2175 C: (780) 806-3560 wjsimmentals@cciwireless.ca

CSA Directors

British Columbia President Lorne Webster Abbotsford, BC P: (778) 245-0175 lornewebster@hotmail.com

Lee McMillen Carievale, SK P: (306) 928-4820 C: (306) 483-8067 mrbulls@gmail.com

Provincial Associations

Secretary: Jan Wisse Francis Gagnon P: (604) 819-5511 Cheneville, QC P: (819) 428-3502 C: (514) 975-3722 francis_gagnon0407@hotmail.com

Alberta President Jill Mader Carstairs, AB P: (403) 990-9187 maderranches@gmail.com

Ontario President Tina Hiddink Bloomfield, ON P: (613) 399-3239 tinahiddink@gmail.com

CSA Staff

General Manager Bruce Holmquist C: (639) 314-4613 bholmquist@simmental.com Office Manager Barb Judd Field Person Member Services Manager: P: (403) 250-7979 Dwayne Martin Whitney DeDecker Stettler, AB memberservices.osa@gmail.com bjudd@simmental.com Programs Coordinator P: (780) 940-3510 Quebec Sue Giles dmartin3510@gmail.com Secretaire: Sandra Berthiaume P: (403) 793-0409 Secretary: Katie Deeg Saint-Garmain, QC sgiles@simmental.com P: (403) 899-2291 P/F: (819) 395-4453 info@albertasimmental.com sandra.berthiaume@sympatico.ca Simmental Country Sales Rep Randy Bollum Saskatchewan Maritimes P: (403) 540-5949 President President rbollum@simmental.com Kirsten Fornwald Kerwin Delong Processing Department & Lampman, SK Kingston, NS Member Services P: (306) 487-2557 P: (902) 765-2645 Perry Welygan meadowacres@signaldirect.ca kdelong@bellaliant.net pwelygan@simmental.com Laurie Macdonald Secretary: Carolyn McCormack Secretary: Jennie Mutch lmacdonald@simmental.com P: (306) 697-2945 P: (902) 388-1613 sasksimmental@yourlink.ca jenniemutch@gmail.com Receptionist & Member Services Devra Leavitt Manitoba dleavitt@simmental.com President Administrative Assistant Andrea Bertholet Rae-Lee Erickson Cartwright, MB rerickson@simmental.com P: (204) 483-0319 YCSA Coordinator adbertholet@hotmail.com Kelsey Manske Secretary: Laurelly Beswitherick P: (306) 291-7086 P: (204) 637-2046 kmanske@simmental.com b2@inetlink.ca

What’s Happening November Nov. 13 Nov. 13 Nov. 14 Nov. 15 Nov. 16 Nov. 21 Nov. 23 Nov. 23 Nov. 25 - 30 Nov. 27 Nov. 29

Maple Lake Stock Farm Production Sale Hartney, MB Chittick Farms Production Sale Mayerthorpe, AB Harvest Hoedown 25th Annual Simmental Heifer Sale Neepawa, MB Pembina Triangle Simmental Association 39th Annual Sale Cypress River, MB Lazy Creek Farms – Simmental & Red Angus Dispersal Moose Jaw, SK Canadian Classic Simmental Sale Lacombe, AB Futures One Online Sale: Edition 10 www.DLMS.ca South Holden Simmental Complete Herd Dispersal Sale Viking, AB Canadian Western Agribition Regina, SK Agribition Simmental 49th Annual Sale Regina, SK Lone Stone Farms Invitational Female Sale Westlock, AB

December Dec. 3 Dec. 4 Dec. 4 Dec. 5 Dec. 6 Dec. 7 Dec. 9 Dec. 9 Dec. 9 Dec. 10 Dec. 11 Dec. 11 Dec. 12 Dec. 13 Dec. 14 Dec. 15 Dec. 16 Dec. 16

Transcon’s Western Harvest 6th Annual Simmental Bred Heifer Sale Innisfail, AB Camrose Country Classic 8th Annual Sale Camrose, AB Rock Solid Bred Heifer Sale Piapot, SK Ashworth Farm & Ranch Female Production Sale Oungre, SK SimPower Bred Female Sale Innisfail, AB Wolfe Farms 15th Annual Fleckvieh Bull & Female Sale Valleyview, AB The Source Of Elite Simmental Genetics Sale Lloydminster, SK Y Coulee “You Be The Judge” Fall Bull and Heifer Sale Lloydminster, SK 15th Annual Rock Solid Bred heifer Sale Piapot, SK Keystone Konnection 41st Annual Simmental Sale Brandon, MB Double Bar D “Sharing the Herd” Production Sale Grenfell, SK Spring Creek “Golden Opportunity V” Female Sale Moosomin, SK Transcon’s Simmsational 42nd Annual Simmental Sale Moose Jaw, SK McMillen Ranching Ltd. “Herdbuilder 2019” Female Sale Carievale, SK WLB Livestock Top Cut Female Sale Douglas, MB Bonchuk Farms Female Production Sale Virden, MB Border City 2nd Annual Simmental Sale Lloydminster, SK Shades Of The Prairies Simmental Production Sale Brandon, MB

Dec. 17 Dec. 18 Dec. 19 Dec. 20 Dec. 21 Dec. 21 Dec. 21 Dec. 22 Dec. 22 Dec. 28 Dec. 31

Southern Alberta Simmental Round Up 26th Annual Bull & Female Sale Stavely, AB Westgold Farms Female Production Sale Lloydminster, SK Skor Simmentals Complete Female Dispersal Sale Innisfail, AB Friday Night Lights 8th Annual Simmental Sale Olds, AB Transcon’s National Trust On Ice Semen & Embryo Sale Chapter XII Red Deer, AB Checkers Simmental Sale Ponoka, AB Profit / Smarty Pants Event Ponoka, AB Transcon’s Fleckvieh Equation Fullblood Simmental Sale Red Deer, AB Transcon’s Ultimate Red & Black XXII Red Deer, AB Premier & Guests Falls View Production Sale Niagara, ON New Year’s Resolution Frozen Genetics Sale Volume VIII Lloydminster, SK

JAnuary Jan. 24 - 25 Jan. 25 Jan. 25

Canadian Bull Congress Camrose, AB Muirhead Cattle Co. 18th Annual Simmental Bull Sale Shellbrook, SK Lazy S Ranch Bull Power Sale Mayerthorpe, AB

February Feb. 2 Feb. 6 Feb. 6 Feb. 8 Feb. 9 Feb. 14 Feb. 15 Feb. 17 Feb. 19 Feb. 19 Feb. 20 - 21 Feb. 21 Feb. 22 Feb. 24 Feb. 24

February Freeze Online All Breed Genetic Sale DLMS.ca Rust Mountain View Ranch 9th Annual Bull Sale Mercer, ND Janzen Ranches 27th Annual Simmental & Red Angus Bull Sale Rosemary, AB JNR Farms Bull & Female Sale Willingdon, AB Diamond M Ranch 9th Annual Bull & Female Herd Reduction Sale Estevan, SK Genetic Edge 21st Annual Bull Sale Rimbey, AB Triple Threat Bull & Female Sale Wetaskiwin, AB Rendezvous Farms 16th Annual Holiday Monday Simmental Bull & Female Sale Ste. Rose du Lac, MB Future Legends Simmental Bull Sale Lacombe, AB M&J / Glasman Farms Simmental & Angus Two Year Old Bull & Female Sale Russell, MB M2020 YCSA TEAM Conference Guelph, ON Mader Ranches 31st Annual Bull & Female Sale Carstairs, AB Maxwell/Rancier Bull Sale Camrose, AB Ultra/Czech Mate Bull Sale Innisfail, AB Triangle Stock Farm Annual Bull Sale Parkland County, AB

Feb. 25 Feb. 26 Feb. 27 Feb. 28 Feb. 28 Feb. 29 Feb. 29

W2 Land & Cattle 2nd Annual Bull Sale Vermilion, AB Crossroad Farms 14th Annual Bull Sale Shell Lake, SK Robb/Hoegl 15th Annual Bull Sale Lloydminster, SK KT/Harvie Crest Bull Sale Olds, AB Lone Stone Farms Simmental & Red Angus Bull Sale Westlock, AB Lewis Farms 35th Annual Bull Sale Spruce Grove, AB Transcon’s Peace Country Simmental Bull Sale Beaverlodge, AB

March Mar. 2 Mar. 2 Mar. 2 Mar. 3 Mar. 3 Mar. 4 Mar. 4 Mar. 5 Mar. 5 Mar. 6 Mar. 6 Mar. 7 Mar. 7 Mar. 7 Mar. 8 Mar. 9 Mar. 9 Mar. 9 Mar. 9 Mar. 10 Mar. 10 Mar. 11 Mar. 11 Mar. 11 Mar. 12 Mar. 12 Mar. 12 Mar. 13

Erixon Simmentals Bull & Female Sale Saskatoon, SK KSL Simmentals 2nd Annual Bull & Female Sale Beaverlodge, AB Beechinor Bros. Simmental Bull & Female Sale Bentley, AB Double Bar D “Best of Both Worlds” Bull Sale Grenfell, SK MCG Simmentals & RACK Red Angus 13th Annual Sale Stavely, AB Zimmer’s Spring Lake Simmentals Bull & Heifer Sale Camrose, AB Maple Lake Stock Farm “Kick Off To Spring” Bull Sale Hartney, MB Pheasantdale 16th Annual Bull & Female Sale Balcarres, SK JP Cattle Co. / Stewart Cattle Co. Annual Simmental & Angus Bull Sale McAuley, MB LaBatte Simmentals with Guest, East Poplar 40th Annual Sale Moose Jaw, SK Bull Fest ’20 Simmental Bull Sale Camrose, AB McMillen Ranching 26th Annual Bull Sale Carievale, SK Lockhart Valley 15th Annual Bull Sale Rimbey, AB Synergie 8th Annual Bull Sale Sainte-Sophie-de-Lévrard, QC R-Plus Simmental 20th Annual Bull & Female Sale Estevan, SK Ashworth Farm & Ranch Simmental Bull Sale Oungre, SK Wilson/Snider and Guests 2nd Annual Bull & Female Sale Viking, AB Transcon’s Bull Spectrum Simmental Sale Innisfail, AB Canadian Central Bull & Female Simmental & Angus Sale Winnipeg, MB Built Right 7th Annual Bull Sale Provost, AB Bonchuk Farms Annual Bull Sale Virden, MB Sunny Valley Simmentals 30th Annual Bull & Female Sale Saskatoon, SK Skor Simmentals 18th & Final Annual Red & Black Bull Sale Camrose, AB Mar-Mac Farms Bull Sale Brandon, MB Westway/Deeg 17th Annual Bull Sale Olds, AB Transcon’s 2nd Annual Next Step Bull Sale Thorsby, AB Spring Creek “In Pursuit of Perfection” Simmental & Angus 15th Annual Bull Sale Moosomin, SK Northern Classic Bull Sale Grande Prairie, AB

Mar. 13 Mar. 14 Mar. 14 Mar. 14 Mar. 15 Mar. 15 Mar. 16 Mar. 16 Mar. 17 Mar. 17 Mar. 18 Mar. 18 Mar. 20 Mar. 20 Mar. 21 Mar. 21 Mar. 21 Mar. 21 Mar. 23 Mar. 24 Mar. 25 Mar. 26 Mar. 26 Mar. 26 Mar. 27 Mar. 29 Mar. 30

Rainbow River Simmentals 5th Annual Bull Sale Fisher Branch, MB Next Generation 7th Annual Bull Sale Lloydminster, SK Wheeler’s Stock Farm 17th Annual Bull & Female Sale Saskatoon, SK Ranchers Select Simmental Bull Sale Neepawa, MB March Madness Online Semen & Embryo Sale DVAuction.com Rebels of the West Bull Sale Virden, MB South Sask Simmental & Angus Bull Sale Moose Jaw, SK Transcon’s Winnipeg Simmental Bull Sale Winnipeg, MB Kuntz-McIntosh-SAJ 21st Annual Bull Sale Lloydminster, SK Prairie Partners Bull Sale Killarney, MB Meadow Acres 2nd Annual Bull & Female Sale Lampman, SK Transcon’s Premium Beef Simmental Bull Sale Neepawa, MB Porter Ranches Bull Sale Stony Plain, AB High Bluff Stock Farms Charolais & Simmetnal Sale Inglis, MB Joint Venture 41st Annual Bull Sale Sangudo, AB Ferme Gagnon Inc. & Guests 21st Annual Bull Sale Cheneville, QC Proudly Western Simmental Bull Sale Whitewood, SK Oakview / Perkin / Triple R Simmental Bull Sale Brandon, MB Transcon’s Cattle Country Simmental Bull Sale Neepawa, MB WLB Livestock 16th Annual Beef Bull Sale Douglas, MB Adair Ranch 27th Annual Bull & Female Sale Brownfield, AB Anchor B/Anchorage 19th Annual Bull & Female Sale Hanley, SK Transcon’s Red Deer Bull Sale Red Deer, AB Wheatland Cattle Co. Annual Bull Sale Bienfait, SK Perrot/Come As U R Bull & Female Sale Alameda, SK Best Of The Breeds Bull Sale Yorkton, SK Southwest Showcase Simmental Bull Sale Ceylon, SK

April Apr. 4 Apr. 9 Apr. 13 Apr. 13 Apr. 16

Transcon’s Advantage Bull Sale Saskatoon, SK Spirit Of The North Bull Sale Spiritwood, SK Cattle Capital Bull Sale Ste. Rose Du Lac, MB Genetic Distinction 2nd Annual Bull Sale Alameda, SK Southview Ranch 19th Annual Bull Sale Ceylon, SK

May May 2 May 16

Rust Mountain View Ranch Spring Bull Sale Mercer, ND 1st Annual Production Get Back To Grass Sale Henderson, TX

Simmental on the Move

By Randy Bollum Simmental Country Sales Representative

his December issue concludes another year in the Simmental business and gives us a chance to reflect on another successful, interesting 12 months in the Canadian cattle industry. I don’t know where the time went, as 2019 flew by faster than ever. At least there is some consolation in hearing from others in the business that events and deadlines passed faster than ever for them too. Things certainly are not boring – there is always something going on, whether it’s association happenings, magazine events, or our own day to day cattle business duties. Reflecting on the past year, one realizes there are so many different types of activities for work, fun and excitement in the cattle business. All ages of our families can take part in so many facets of the livestock production and marketing business we all live every day. Think back to so many memorable moments we all have throughout the year and then realize we have these treasured experiences and memories year after year after year.

Don’t ! t u O s s i M

The Canadian Simmental Country magazine’s January 2020 issue is always one of the most popular and largest “Commercial Country” issues with a greatly expanded circulation that includes regular subscribers as well as past Simmental bull buyers. No beef industry publication has a larger target market for your Simmental bulls with as much value for your advertising dollar than the January Commercial Country! Don’t miss out on this opportunity to advertise your upcoming bull sales, semen sales, commercial bulls for sale by auction or private treaty, or a chance to promote some of your herd bull prospects at an extremely reasonable cost.

Ad booking deadline: Camera-ready ads in: Mailing date:

December 1, 2019 December 15, 2019 January 2, 2020

For more information or to discuss your advertising plans, contact:

Randy Bollum rbollum@simmental.com Cell Phone: (403)540-5949

At all the functions I go to through the year, people from a wide range of ages and backgrounds take part. The work and lifestyle of production agriculture offers everyone an opportunity to take part to whatever extent we want. Everyone’s expertise, talents or interests can be accommodated in the cattle business. Some are able to pursue this as a full time occupation while others work it into a routine with other jobs or interests making for a diverse lifestyle that offers interesting challenges and exiting rewards. From January to December, all across the country I’ve seen so many families working together in large and small programs alike. It’s a pleasure to witness so many people being successful in so many ways. It is also a testament to the positive rewards enjoyed by these hard working, down-to-earth agricultural people raising their families in a way of life that has proven to be a great way to raise kids and will continue to produce good people that will perpetuate our agricultural communities.

Volume 18 Issue 2 19 September 20 side What’s In d Fit Have A Goo Simmental re To Feedlot From Pastu

Volume 18 Issue 1 January 2019

t e To Feedlo m Pastur Good Fit Fro needs. l Have A meet customer Simmenta Hart g cattle that Story By Lee in producin

What’s In side

d believes yard in Jason McDonal area farm feed nded his Carberryper year in ) are backgrou Simmental t 250 head Is 0 to 1,800 head abou A hGoo finis d Fit For calves (1,70 of g-tim Lon rity hile he does Commercial, the majo e SImmental itoba Producer to a s ed — southwest Man IS truck a Perc good fIt ds and yview poun Farms for long-t Even with later to 900 to 950 Ime commer calving the cIal pro er in Ontario. weaning weig Industry ducerS t years to repeat-custom hts are still Post — Beef rio in recen there eing able to nities From The Gate of what lled to Onta start and Opportu get a sense He’s trave weather arriv calving as better sprin Challenges the feedlots and Story By Lee g es, and still few days on Hart A visit finishing for. achie be able to ve excellent looking s was are the From calf weaning ing operation customers Gate feed Nove rio Post weig mbe Onta — Simmenta hts in r, is one of Can ing at Gordon fami l You ground look’t Afford Not lies of Percyviewthe main reasons the rience. To / Simmental n’avez pas e sin Saskatchewan –Vou le moyenfor a valuable expe hing cattl have included Farms in southern de finis vous m en d, syste passonal in their beef rent Simmental er McD ment — breeding prog genetics “It is a diffe west,” says Breed Improve ram for near we have in the cattle and At one-time y Groups Ontario than the fourthy.gene ration family can put thely 30 years. Contemporar rentl Weration farm of a four-gene the feeder actuallydoin a dairy g diffeoper , which was who is part We have able to meet d be ation trans balan force.man we coul itioning . “It is valu that y years befo to ng t findi beef them on what it isused grain operation start reallytoabou calve intoo y.” ing in the mid-1960re direction from flesh or Janu feedyard, but ary getdsome n then and s, farm andBree gree most Improve Febr our too ’t ly British-cr uary s tin— des their men primarily to calve oss sure they aren“But Carc ation inclu achieve high asseMer cattle. weight on these to mak Quaing d cattle oper beef and it / once onal litésprog heifers, er weaning we de ram introt duce carcasse The weights on movMcD 720 dcows ental to gear the feed e the calvi lock their of abou ng season toSimm geneadtics into 2,200-he — Water Hem own ing abou calveherd our program our herdthe long-runnstart Vet’s Advice Apri. l 15,” says we with through Apri as twell g emb on land Nov alon Poisoning l crop and Grant Gordon. were eventually able erhave calveannu s. al ental May andnie still achieve to achie “So we’ve been vinghey feedlot.T abou that weight Simmhis is a Mela good t a wife able to 610 all-round bree poun on pasture is is efficient nand d in a cross-breed weaning average rate the Jaso theoffarm main reasolved ing with gain with with Work ding the breed.” is invo n we haveactiv program, but Vet’s Advice ely d son Cole who still staye and — Congeni Perc yview Farm r Howard is tal Versus Hereditar y s were ation me. His fathe and youngest Sask fullti Defects of atche operrecognized by help waninSimm Calves s the ental Asso but the 2018invo lved Com pening ciatiol, mercialtley on as their still in scho What’s Hap Breeisder achiedaug r oldest of the vemhter Thei entsWhi Year can. in producin for their r, productive com farm as she g an effic Tylo and and on themerc ient, her husb ial abeef Simmout andherd entalhter built place. geneSam aroue nd tics.anth the hom Theaway Kisbeydaug farmfrom in southt-cen is locat ed near her dad, tral Saskatche abou an hour south side from live cows of wan, 120 theng What’s Hap on the Moo abou se tMountain minutes are pening leasi s, about 90 they south east of Regi ation oper na. beef Whi farm . yvie Perc lop their own area le onald operation w erryMcD Farm the Carb with s As they deve of the mostly) has parthas used Simmhave focused t 600 head on s ental for abou and Black Ang 1999 Redbeen sight d inrelat leaving abou past five t 27 years in us year ionsh in the lot (expande ip. He g, but a cross bree recalls a frustcattle, Grant Gordon says Theever ythin Simm d capacity feed ding ental bree they finished The 2200-hea was new to rating first-experience it wasn’t exactly a loveprogram SimmAsid from hisd own entale, had Canada and s. At one time with the exot -at-firstmad hise name as sonrs. a s and heife for many year er ecattl to be usedfeed an amazing bull named Parisien, a ic breed in the 1960s. grounding steer a herd fall-purchased asfinis sire. red herd sire, so h cull more on back the lot with “Well we do the Gordons and white spotted fills They d had onal more calvi year. bought a Paris “We ng problems steers McD rs” of the got rid December each ende ien of and “tail using him ber any and as Gran later as well between Octo . I swore I would nevethat bull then I care to t prog accorams mpanied own cowherd think 40012794 r # eting was have their a abou actua neig ment mark anot r from t,” says lly looking foration, hbour to a bull her cows Mail Agree t fit othein Publication sale at Sode Simmental on the place Grant. oper a Charolais a pen ofcowrs that don’ calf ial exce llent look steers and heife tal cross bull, but he noticed peoprglen Ranches in Albe .” Years a commerc inening bred bulls, rta. Grant le were show sh and cont largely been Briti has of half ing farm tion Simm Publication The ominately Mail Agreement s, with a combina bought a Char ental and half Reda lot of interest dad ran pred Angus. olais that day, whiteover the year# 40012794 many years my returned page 8 but the next Grant we had a very tics. “For on to Sode rglen year he crossd-bred onald. “So breed gene continue bulls, prom and bought one of those e,” says McD oted as bein bulls. Gran Charolais cattl t liked the g results he saw growth and easy-calving Angus-based after using the cross performance bred on their bull in the 1990cowherd. Trying that ntry s halfb even Cou tually lood blood and then Commercial to fullblood led to a three-quarter stayed with bulls and Simmental for 27 years. they have

24, 76

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Commercial

Country continued on

page 12

2019 Reflections...

New To The Herd Rylan Jack Lewis & Boston Mack Fetting

Lewis Farms 35th Annual Bull Sale February 29th, 2020 Merry Christmas and all the best in 2020! Website: www.lewisfarms.ca Office Ph.: 780-962-5050 Kyle Lewis: 780-220-9188 kyle@lewisfarms.ca Ken Lewis: 780-818-3829 corrie@lewisfarms.ca Fullblood Division - Mark Land & Cattle, Lenny Mark: 780-842-7207