today's angus advantage summer 2012

Today’s Angus Advantage Summer 2012 1

Red Lon of Two M 13W & Red Triple L Wrights Cowboy Up 300Z

Cowboy Up

Red Rock of Spittleburn 101Y

Grand Champion Female

Bull Calf Champion andBull Jackpot Champion

Reserve Champion Bull

Watch for

consignment in

the

40th Annual Red Roundup

Saturday

October 20, 2012

Just Getting Warmed Up!


Mick & Debbie TrefiakKurt, Shannon, Matthew, Ryan & Casey Trefiak, Mark & Kristi LaBoucane

RR 1 Edgerton, Alberta T0B 1K0P :: 780-755-2224 F :: 780-755-2223 :: Cell :: 780-842-8835

[email protected] :: [email protected] :: www.mjt.ca

Ted & Mina SerhienkoChris Poley

3-3342 Millar AveSaskatoon, SK S7K 7G9

P :: 306-933-4200 F :: 306-934-0744

[email protected] :: www.tbarc.comTed’s Cell :: 306-221-2711Chris’ Cell :: 306-220-5006

Real time bidding available

Contact Jill Mader :: 403-990-9187

Concensus

MJT Angus cows bred to

Patrón

PanicSwitch

Ranch located 14 miles east of Wainright

and 11 miles north on range road 4-3

Connealy Concensus 7229, Belvin Tres Marias Patrón 205, Belvin Panic Switch 2’11, LLB 114P Bando 571S, Geis Kodiak 53’07,

20/20 Touchdown 20X, Bar-E-L Wisecrack 246W, MJT Abe 271X, Duralta 307R Upward 100Y, MJT Kodiak 214Y, Minburn Upwards 43Y

and DFCC 176W Sizzler 52Y

Sale Management:


As In Every Issue31 A Breeder’s... Veterinary Perspective 40 Certified Angus Beef

55 The Real World

65 Rates & Subscriptions

66 The Final Word

Cover Photography By Kim Harder

Feature26 On Track... The Story of SooLine

33 T Bar Invitational Wrap Up

Shows24 Saskatchewan Gold Show

47 Canadian Junior Angus Show

Table of Contents

26

Summer 2012 - Early Sale Issue


Box 85, Simpson, SK S0G 4M0 Rob Garner: 306-836-2035

Cell: 306-946-7946Fax: 306-836-4440

www.nordallimousin.com

Cresent Creek Emblazon 109XS: Bronyx Emblazon 58T

D: Crescent Creek Pride 27MBW: 4.8 WW: 49 YW: 82 M: 14 TM: 39

Red Soo Line On Target 9308S: Red CG On Target 18TD: Red Soo Line Penny 7079BW: -0.3 WW: 45 YW: 72 M: 13 TM: 35


Find these Leading Ladies at the Autumn Angus Classic

September 1, 2012 Hanover, ON

New Location

Also Watch for our consignment to the

September 29, 2012 Uxbridge, ON

~ Featuring fancy heifer calves

from the heart of our 2012 crop by:

• Mytty In Focus • Old Post

• Emblazon • Royal On Time DRCC • Sandy Bar Advantage

• S A V 004 Predominant • Bred Heifer by Bismarck

For pictures contact us

after August 2nd.

Eastern Canadian Extravaganza

Locust Grove Blackbird 11Z

Sandy Bar Advantage x Wilmo Right Time

Locust Grove Erica 8ZSitz Dash x Emblazon

Sells with her dam

Maple Line Farm & Friends 3320 Bradburn Road, Blackstock, ON

Sale Management...T Bar C Cattle Co. Ltd. | Ted & Mina Serhienko | Chris Poley

4 3342 Millar Avenue Saskatoon, SK S7K 7G9 | P: 306.933.4200 | F: 306.934.0744 | [email protected] | www.tbarc.com Ted: 306.221.2711 | Chris: 306.220.5006

New Sale New Sale New Sale

Black Angus Female Sale

Sunday September 30, 2012 1:00 PM Held at Maple Line Farm

Consignors: Maple Line Farm Ian & Joy Rudkin 905-986-4113 Southview Farms Terry & Monica Ormiston 905-439-4235 | Windswept Acres Todd & Janet Moore 905-986-5018

Full Circle Farm Greg & Sue Watson 705-927-1332 | Hillsview Farm Doug & Tricia Hill 416-677-6291


Sire: LLB Free Wheeler 268S Major Service sire on bred heifers

and sire of elite heifer calves on offer

Black Magic 2011 high selling female at $26,250 to Boss Cattle Premier

Angus Genetics, NebraskaDam of Remitall F Odyssey 67X

Sire: Cudlobe Yellowstone 80M Service Sire on feature two year old females and

sire of feature show heifer prospects

Richard Latimer 403.507.1122Gary Latimer 403.507.1123

RR 4 Site 3 Box 16, Olds, Alberta T4H 1T8www.remitall.ca • [email protected]

office: 403.556.2742 • fax: 403.556.2761

Also On Offer:Donor material two year old •females with elite heifer calves Herd building bred heifers•Elite show heifer calves•

October 6, 20125:00 PM

Olds Cow Palace In conjunction with

Olds Fall Classic


Saturday, September 29, 2012 at 1 PM in Uxbridge, ONConsigning 1 Heavy Hitter daughter and 7 Full Throttle daughters

Saturday, October 14, 2012 at 1 PM in Renfrew, ON Consigning 1 Sitz Dash daughter and 1 Full Throttle daughter

S A V HeAVy Hitter SoutHlAnd Full tHrottle 15r

2nd AnnuAl eAStern CAnAdiAn extrAVAgAnzA

enrigHt FArmS & gueStS inVeSting in tHe Future iii

All SAle HeiFerS bred

to retAil produCt

Sitz dASH SCC retAil produCt

12201 Torbram Rd., Caledon, ON L7C 2T4 Ph: 905.843.1236

Email: [email protected]’s Angus Advantage Summer 2012 12

Owner: Gordon McGibbonPh: 450-562-6313 - Cell: 514-984-2983Fax: 450-562-2479

Manager: Michael WilsonPh: 450-562-5112 - Cell: 514-919-9125

E-mail: [email protected]

WILGOR 1R NETWORTH 5XService Sire to many of the females on offer at

Enright Farms & Guests Investing in the Future III Sale

JJZ 1L WORLDWIDE 095 4WReserve Grand Champion Bull as a calf at the 2009 Toronto Royal Winter Fair

Selling at Enright Farms & Guests

Production Sale October 14 ● Renfrew, Ontario


Selling in the Eastern Extravaganza sale along with a feature yearling by New Attraction & select heifers

WLL 12Z Sired by Bushs Coach 510

Dennis & Donna Bridge 1273 South Line RR 4

Kincardine, ON N2Z 2X5 P: 519-395-5010F: 519-395-5011

[email protected]

1:00 p.m. - october 6, 2012 - lucknow, on


Introducing Bear Tooth

Red EKW Bear Tooth 22Z

Red SSS Boomer 803B Sire: Red SSS Boomtown 260D Red SSS Soapy 542Y

RedWildmanCrossfire512R Dam: Red EKW Double Fire 708T RedBar-E-LDynofire127R

Built on the strengths of 4 outstanding Cow lines: Dynofire Lakima Soapy

Highlass

Date of Birth:February18,2012 Registration #:1665472

Birth Weight:79lbs.

EPDs

BW -0.3

WW +26

YW +56

Milk +17

TM +30

Stay +13

Bear Tooth is a calf with a huge upside. From the top of his crest to the bottom of his hoof he is sound

and correct. His pedigree is packed with Breed

Legends. He has hip and hair. Watch the future of

this young prospect as it unfolds.

Elmer K. WiebeBox 212, Hague, SK S0K 1X0

P: (306) 225-5720C: (306) 381-3691

Fax: (306) 225-5863

These ladies were flushed this spring. Watch for their progeny at the Touch of Class Sale

and Agribition this fall.

S A V S A V


The $65,000 phenomenon who is poised to makehismark.Hisfirstservicesells.

Owned with L83 Lodoen Cattle Co., ND

Embryos by Sakic’s dam and the rare Rambo 502 on offer!

The powerhouse U.S. National Reserve Champion Bull. Hisfirstservicesells.

Owned with Sunberry Valley Farms, AB

The U.S. Grand Champion Female was sourced at Six Mile by Christy Collins and Safari Cattle Co. OK. Donotmissyouropportunitytofindtheonethisyear!


2011 Canadian Angus Association Auction Market of the Year Award Presented to VJV Auction Co. Ltd. June 13, 2011

CALGARY, AB — VJV Auction Co. Ltd. of Ponoka, AB has been chosen as the Canadian Angus Association’s 2011 Auction Market of the Year in recognition of their work promoting Angus and Angus cross cattle. Brian Good, Director of Field Services for the Canadian Angus Association, presented the award at the Livestock Markets Association of Canada annual convention on June 1. VJV is an umbrella for Foothills Livestock Auction of Stavely, AB and Dawson Creek Auction of Dawson Creek, BC. With peak months in the fall, the mart can run 8,000 head of cattle per week. Along with their regular sales, VJV was proud to be the first livestock auction to offer cattle over the Online Ringmen Internet Auctions. Catalogued and videoed cattle allow buyers to make choices based on age verification, health and feed from miles away. Blair and Ralph Vold along with Blair’s son Nanson operate the auction and promote Angus cattle, the Canadian Angus Association and its members year round. In 2011, VJV held four designated Angus calf sales that consistently sold high quality red and black Angus cattle. Since the mart’s inception in 1957, the Vold name has stayed consistent along with the family’s desire to sell beef cattle in the cattle capital of Canada. In the community, Blair and Ralph serve on numerous boards to promote the cattle industry. Their service to agriculture has been persistent throughout their career. The Auction Market of the Year was introduced in 2006 to recognize and honour those auction markets that work hard to promote Angus cattle. The first award was presented to Mankota Stockmen’s Weigh Co. at Mankota, Saskatchewan. The 2007 award was presented to B.C. Livestock Producers Co-op Williams Lake at Williams Lake, BC, the 2008 award was presented to Saskatoon Livestock Sales Ltd., the 2009 award was presented to Provost Livestock Exchange of Alberta and the 2010 award was presented to Assiniboia Auction Mart in Assiniboia, SK. The Canadian Angus Association is Canada’s largest purebred beef organization. The Association represents 3,000 members across Canada for the purposes of registering and recording the pedigrees of purebred Angus cattle in the closed Herd Book and promoting the breed across Canada. The member-approved mandate is to maintain breed registry, breed purity and provide services that enhance the growth and position of the Angus breed.

From L-R CAA General Manager Michael Latimer, CAA Director of Field Services Brian Good, Sharon Bergevin (wife of Rob), Ralph Vold (owner of VJV, Ponoka), Rob Bergevin (owner at VJV Stavely),

& CAA President David Bolduc

You Be The Judge Fall Heifer Sale2nd Monday of DecemberNilsson Brothers, Vermilion, AB

150 Heifers bred Red Angus for February 1st calving• 400 Heifers bred Red Angus for March/April calving• 50 Heifers bred Red Angus for May calving•

Red U-2 Strike Force 24Y

Red U-2 Mama’s Boy 167X

owned with Robb Farms

Introducing Our 2 New Herdsires:

Feel free to stop by and have a look at the heifers and this year’s bull calves

Press Release


By Private treaty

Brian McCarthy & Family Box 467, Moosomin, SK S0G 3N0

Ph: 306-435-3590 :: Cell: 306-435-7527 [email protected] :: www.springcreeksimmentals.com

Home Raised Herd from ai Sires•Super 2012 Calves by ‘Detour’•Cows and heifers bred back to ‘Detour’•

On Offer 45 Head of Red Angus Females by Private Treaty Selling Cows, bred heifers & heifer calves

Complete

DispersalRed Angus


Press ReleaseRed Coat Cattle Feeders Inc. Awarded Western Feedlot of the Year

June 20, 2012: for immediate release

Lethbridge AB- Canadian Angus breeders gathered in Lethbridge, Alberta for the 2012 Canadian Angus National Convention. At the Convention Red Coat Cattle Feeders Inc. of Hazenmore, Saskatchewan were honoured with the Western Feedlot of the Year Award presented by the Canadian Angus Association.

The idea of Red Coat was first brought to light in 1998 at a community gathering, and they never looked back. One million dollars was raised by the first board of directors. Fall 2000 marked the first head coming in to the feedlot. At that time a majority of the cattle were black hided. They started off with 10,000 head and a half section land base. Only four years later the feedlot expanded to 13,500 head and increased their land base drastically.

In the beginning Red Coat found themselves with a 14 man board. The first president was Garth Dorgan, second president was Bob Switzer and the third president was Miles Anderson. On site is a manager’s residence currently occupied by Barry Boghean, holding this position since 2003.

Today, the feedlot has a capacity of 18,500 head. Murray Linthicum is the president and there is a nine man board that meets every two months. The board consists of Tyler Huber acting as vice president, Harvey Boland as treasurer and Deb Verbrugge as Corporate Secretary. Directors on the board are Don Blake, Tyler McCuaig, Al Mulhern, Miles Anderson, Alvin Olsin and John Williamson. Typically the feedlot hires one employee per every 1000 head of cattle.

Red Coat grows a small percentage of the forage that is being fed, but the majority of it is purchased. Almost all of the grain fed is also out sourced, depending on the year.

Like almost all feedlots in Saskatchewan, they provide custom feeding for the cattle brought to Red Coat. The customization is based upon customer needs. Plans are made to accommodate each case scenario. They find that this way of feeding works for them and keeps the customers satisfied.

When asked about the success of this feedlot president Murray Linthicum said “Strong management, a great board and a great staff is what has kept it all together. You cannot have these places without these people.”

Congratulations to Red Coat Cattle Feeders Inc. Your hard work and dedication over the years has definitely paid off and the Canadian Angus Association proudly awards you for your efforts last year and for years to come.

The Canadian Angus Association introduced the Feedlot of the Year award last year to recognize feedlots that promote Angus to their customers and that feed Canadian Angus Rancher Endorsed tagged cattle. The award for 2010, recognized in 2011, was presented to High Ridge Feeders and Shannondale Farm.

The Canadian Angus Association is Canada’s largest purebred beef breed organization. The Association represents 3,000 members across Canada for the purposes of registering and recording the pedigrees of purebred Angus cattle in the closed Herd Book and promoting the breed across Canada. The member-approved mandate is to maintain breed registry, breed purity and provide services that enhance the growth and position of the Angus breed.


Bryan Kostiuk 306.934.9696

[email protected]

There is a reason we are the number one choice for so many breed leading operations.

From business cards to farm signs, posters and sale catalogues; we go that extra mile to make it happen!

As life gets busier you want a team pulling in the same direction.

Call us anytime to discuss your next project.


OPEN DIVISION

FEMALESHEIFER CALF1. Eric Yewsuk, Wynyard, SK with Red U6 Audrey 31Z by Black Wheel Odyssey 117U2. Ty Schwan, Swift Current, SK with Schwan Mystical Density 2Z by Cajun Density 9W

HEIFER CALF CHAMPION Eric Yewsuk, Wynyard, SK with Red U6 Audrey 31Z by Black Wheel Odyssey 117U

RESERVE HEIFER CALF CHAMPIONTy Schwan, Swift Current, SK with Schwan Mystical Density 2Z by Cajun Density 9W

YEARLING HEIFERSplit 11. Alexis DeCorby, Rocanville, SK with S7R 77W Fern 50Y by Bar-E-L Wolfman 77W2. John Hogberg, Langenburg, SK with BH Tibbie 2Y by HF High Roller 79R

Split 21. Wade Olynyk, Goodeve, SK with Crescent Creek Eula 36Y by S Chisum 61752. Kodie Doetzel, Lipton, SK with Nu-Horizon Tibbie 101Y by S A V Bismarck 5682

JUNIOR CHAMPION AND RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION FEMALEAlexis DeCorby, Rocanville, SK with S7R 77W Fern 50Y by Bar-E-L Wolfman 77W

RESERVE JUNIOR CHAMPION FEMALEJohn Hogberg, Langenburg, SK with BH Tibbie 2Y by HF High Roller 79R

TWO YEAR OLD COW/CALF PAIR1. Martina Tibble, Swan River, MB with MVF Tibbie 25X by Sitz Upward 307R with her heifer calf, Swan Hills Tibbie 12Z by S A V Camaro 9272

MATURE COW/CALF PAIR1. Katie Wright, Melfort, SK with Red Lon of Two M 13W by Red Northline Rev 341R with her bull calf, Red Triple L Wrights Cowboy Up by Red Lazy MC Cowboy Cut

SENIOR CHAMPION AND GRAND CHAMPION FEMALEKatie Wright, Melfort, SK with Red Lon of Two M 13W by Red Northline Rev 341R with her bull calf, Red Triple L Wrights Cowboy Up by Red Lazy MC Cowboy Cut

RESERVE SENIOR CHAMPION FEMALEMartina Tibble, Swan River, MB with MVF Tibbie 25X by Sitz Upward 307R with her heifer calf, Swan Hills Tibbie 12Z by S A V Camaro 9272

OWNED DIVISION

HEIFER CALF1. Wade Olynyk, Goodeve, SK with Crescent Creek Annie K 35Z by Cole Creek Black Cedar 46P2. Sarah Schmidt, Goodeve, SK with Red Koru Thelma 72Z by Red Koru Chateau 53U

HEIFER CALF CHAMPION Wade Olynyk, Goodeve, SK with Crescent Creek Annie K 35Z by Cole Creek Black Cedar 46P

RESERVE HEIFER CALF CHAMPIONSarah Schmidt, Goodeve, SK with Red Koru Thelma 72Z by Red Koru Chateau 53U

YEARLING HEIFER1. Shane Roger, Balgonie, SK with NRA Rosebud 49Y by Sitz Upward 307R2. Austen Anderson, Swan River, MB with Anderson’s Tibbie 4Y by F A R Krugerrand 410H

JUNIOR CHAMPION FEMALEShane Roger, Balgonie, SK with NRA Rosebud 49Y by Sitz Upward 307R

RESERVE JUNIOR CHAMPION FEMALEAusten Anderson, Swan River, MB with Anderson’s Tibbie 4Y by F A R Krugerrand 410H

TWO YEAR OLD COW/CALF PAIR1. Wade Olynyk, Goodeve, SK with Eastondale Annie K 30’10 by S A V 004 Traveler 5658 with her heifer calf, Crescent Creek Annie K 35Z by Cole Creek Black Cedar 46P

MATURE COW/CALF PAIR1. Katie Olynyk, Goodeve, SK with Crescent Creek Stumpie 9R by Crescent Creek Alliance 29N with her bull calf, Crescent Creek Einstein 68Z by KG Smart One 91162. Sarah Schmidt, Goodeve, SK with Red Koru Thelma 51T by Red Moose Creek Glycerine 33R with her heifer calf, Red Koru Thelma 72Z by Red Koru Chateau 53U

SENIOR CHAMPION AND GRAND CHAMPION FEMALEKatie Olynyk, Goodeve, SK with Crescent Creek Stumpie 9R by Crescent Creek Alliance 29N with her bull calf, Crescent Creek Einstein 68Z by KG Smart One 9116

RESERVE SENIOR CHAMPION AND RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION FEMALEWade Olynyk, Goodeve, SK with Eastondale Annie K 30’10 by S A V 004 Traveler 5658 with her heifer calf, Crescent Creek Annie K 35Z by Cole Creek Black Cedar 46P

CROSSBRED YEARLING HEIFER CLASS1. Shane Roger, Balgonie, SK with LPF Silver by Angus x Simmental

CROSSBRED CHAMPION FEMALEShane Roger, Balgonie, SK with LPF Silver by Angus x Simmental

BEST PAIR OF FEMALES1. Wade Olynyk, Goodeve, SK

BULLSBULL CALF1. Katie Wright, Melfort, SK with Red Triple L Wrights Cowboy Up 300Z by Red Lazy MC Cowboy Cut 26U2. Sarah Schmidt, Goodeve, SK with Red Koru Gladiator 69Z by Red Soo Line Gladiator 5297

BULL CALF AND GRAND CHAMPION BULLKatie Wright, Melfort, SK with Red Triple L Wrights Cowboy Up 300Z by Red Lazy MC Cowboy Cut 26U

RESERVE BULL CALF AND RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION BULLSarah Schmidt, Goodeve, SK with Red Koru Gladiator 69Z by Red Soo Line Gladiator 5297


FEMALESHEIFER CALF1. J Square S Angus, Grayson, SK with J Square S Tibbie 18Z by MJ Escalade2. Ty Schwan, Swift Current, SK with Schwan Mystical Density 2Z by Cajun Density 9W

CHAMPION HEIFER CALFJ Square S Angus, Grayson, SK with J Square S Tibbie 18Z by MJ Escalade

RESERVE CHAMPION HEIFER CALFTy Schwan, Swift Current, SK with Schwan Mystical Density 2Z by Cajun Density 9W

YEARLING HEIFERSplit 11. Section 7 Ranch, Rocanville, SK with S7R 77W Fern 50Y by Bar-E-L Wolfman 77W2. Bar H Land & Cattle Co., Langenburg, SK with BH Evening Tinge 87Y by HF Done Deal 64T

Split 21. Justamere Farms, Lloydminster, SK with Justamere 10277 Tiffany 203Y by Sitz Dash 102772. Shane Roger, Balgonie, SK with NRA Rosebud 49Y by Sitz Upward 307R

Split 31. Crescent Creek Angus, Goodeve, SK with Crescent Creek Eula 36Y by S Chisum 61752. Crescent Creek Angus, Goodeve, SK with Crescent Creek Margaret 11Y by Lookout Huck 53T

JUNIOR CHAMPION AND RESERVE CHAMPION FEMALEJustamere Farms, Lloydminster, SK with Justamere 10277 Tiffany 203Y by Sitz Dash 10277

RESERVE JUNIOR CHAMPION FEMALESection 7 Ranch, Rocanville, SK with S7R 77W Fern 50Y by Bar-E-L Wolfman 77W

TWO YEAR OLD COW/CALF PAIR1. Bar H Land & Cattle Co., Langenburg, SK with BH Evening Tinge 4X by HF Done Deal 64T with her heifer calf, BH Hope 2Z by BH Balancer 14X2. Wade Olynyk, Goodeve, SK with Eastondale Annie K 30’10 by S A V 004 Traveler 5658 with her heifer calf, Crescent Creek Annie K 35Z by Cole Creek Black Cedar 46P

MATURE COW/CALF PAIR1. Triple L Angus, Viscount, SK and Wright Livestock, Melfort, SK with Red Lon of Two M 13W by Red Northline Rev 341R with her bull calf, Red Triple L Wrights Cowboy Up by Red Lazy MC Cowboy Cut2. J Square S Angus, Grayson, SK with Greenbush Georgina 18U by S A V 004 Density 4336 with her heifer calf, J Square S Georgina 90Z by MJ Escalade 2W

SENIOR CHAMPION AND GRAND CHAMPION FEMALETriple L Angus, Viscount, SK and Wright Livestock, Melfort, SK with Red Lon of Two M 13W by Red Northline Rev 341R with her bull calf, Red Triple L Wrights Cowboy Up by Red Lazy MC Cowboy Cut

RESERVE SENIOR CHAMPION FEMALEBar H Land & Cattle Co., Langenburg, SK with BH Evening Tinge 4X by HF Done Deal 64T with her heifer calf, BH Hope 2Z by BH Balancer 14X

BULLS

BULL CALF1. Triple L Angus, Viscount, SK and Wrights Livestock, Melfort, SK with Red Triple L Wrights Cowboy Up 300Z by Red Lazy MC Cowboy Cut 26U2. J Square S Angus, Grayson, SK with J Square S Escalade 24Z by MJ Escalade 2W

BULL CALF CHAMPION Triple L Angus, Viscount, SK and Wrights Livestock, Melfort, SK with Red Triple L Wrights Cowboy Up 300Z by Red Lazy MC Cowboy Cut 26U

RESERVE BULL CALF CHAMPIONJ Square S Angus, Grayson, SK with J Square S Escalade 24Z by MJ Escalade 2W

YEARLING BULL1. Justamere Farms Ltd., Lloydminster, SK with Justamere 422 Impact 244Y by EXARPAF 4222. Triple L Angus, Viscount, SK and Wraz Red Angus, Wawota, SK with Red Rock of Spittalburn 101Y by Red RMJ Redman 1T

JUNIOR CHAMPION AND GRAND CHAMPION BULLJustamere Farms Ltd., Lloydminster, SK with Justamere 422 Impact 244Y by EXARPAF 422

RESERVE JUNIOR CHAMPION AND RESERVE CHAMPION BULLTriple L Angus, Viscount, SK and Wraz Red Angus, Wawota, SK with Red Rock of Spittalburn 101Y by Red RMJ Redman 1T

MATURE BULL 1. Bar H Land & Cattle Co., Langenburg, SK with BH Balancer 14X by HF Bruin 96T2. Clay Enterprises, Wapella, SK with Red Ter-Ron X-Factor 011X by Red Ter-Ron Reload 703T

SENIOR CHAMPION BULLBar H Land & Cattle Co., Langenburg, SK with BH Balancer 14X by HF Bruin 96T

RESERVE SENIOR CHAMPION BULLClay Enterprises, Wapella, SK with Red Ter-Ron X-Factor 011X by Red Ter-Ron Reload 703T

CHAMPION BREEDERS HERD: Bar H Land & Cattle Co. PREMIER BREEDER: Bar H Land & Cattle Co.PREMIER EXHIBITOR: Bar H Land & Cattle Co.

HEIFER CALF JACKPOTJudge: Rena Hordos, Melville, SK1. J Square S Angus, Grayson, SK with J Square S Tibbie 18Z by MJ Escalade 2W2. Ty Schwan, Swift Current, SK with Schwan Mystical Density 2Z by Cajun Density 9W

BRED HEIFER SHOWJudge: Rena Hordos, Melville, SK1. Section 7 Ranch, Rocanville, SK with S7R 77W Fern 50Y by Car-E-L Wolfman 77W2. Shane Roger, Balgonie, SK with NRA Rosebud 49Y by Sitz Upward 307R

BULL CALF JACKPOTJudge: Rena Hordos, Melville, SK1. Triple L Angus, Viscount, SK and Wrights Livestock, Melfort, SK with Red Triple L Wrights Cowboy Up 300Z by Red Lazy MC Cowboy Cut 26U2. J Square S Angus, Grayson, SK with J Square S Escalade 24Z by MJ Escalade 2W


Situated along the Canadian Pacific Railway’s famous Soo-Line, in an area known as the Palliser Triangle, lays the town of Midale and to its southeast, a ranch owned by the Hardy family, known as Soo Line Cattle Company and operated by the fourth generation Hardy … Roger.

Roger’s great grandfather David came up from South Dakota filled with hopes and dreams of a future and set up his homestead in the Midale area at the turn of the century where he had a mixed farm that included a cattle operation. David farmed here for a few years then went down to Oregon to try his luck at some other business ventures but returned within a couple of years. Roger`s grandfather, George, (born on the original homestead in 1900) continued on the homestead until the late 30’s and unfortunately lost it all to the disastrous whims of Mother Nature. George would have experienced the hottest day in Canadian history, that of July 5th, 1937, when both the towns of Midale and Yellow Grass, Saskatchewan had temperatures that soared to a record breaking 45 degrees Celsius or 114 degrees Fahrenheit.

Living in the dust bowl of the 30’s hardened many farmers and Roger’s grandfather was no different. By the mid 40’s he purchased back some of the original homestead land at Midale and an additional ranch in the Radville area. His first purebred herd of horned Hereford cattle came from the Palmer’s EXL Ranch at Marsden, Saskatchewan around 1942.

“Our family is etched in the history of the livestock industry. Everyone came out of the Hereford breed it seems, at one point or another… many people assume that we have only been in the business since the nineties, but our family has been involved in agriculture since the early 1900`s. I remember, as a 12 year old, putting weights on horned Hereford bulls, that was my job… boy, my knuckles were sore! As we got older my brother and I were the dehorning crew as well, I remember that my dad was always looking at the phases of the moon, as that would keep the cattle from bleeding, well sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn’t and when it didn’t we were not welcome in the house by my Mom as we weren`t real clean by the end of the day. One of my first ranch memories was of our first on farm bull

sale in 1972. I was only five but I can still remember the auction sights and sounds.”“My father, David Dale, named after my great grandfather, has been an integral part of the Soo Line operation from the beginning. He has been my mentor and sounding board for the 40 years I have been in Agriculture...Dale ranched all his life, but took some time out and became a geologist then continued on and got his degree in Agriculture. He worked off farm for a few years for a Texas oil firm looking for oil in Saskatchewan and Alberta, but was always home for seeding and harvest. Then in the 60’s he stayed home and ranched fulltime. He’s had the greatest time of his life in the last fifteen years and has enjoyed all of the shows and sales often saying, ‘ that’s what I wanted to do, but we never had the people or the time to do it … when we had the Herefords to be able to sell and show the cattle’. He’s coming 79 and is out at the farm every day … it keeps him young and active and he still loves it. My father met my mother Britta, while attending the University of Saskatchewan; she was training to be a registered nurse and came from Lamont, Alberta. Roger is the middle button of six siblings, an older brother and four sisters. He grew up and graduated grade 12 in Weyburn and furthered his education in the ‘schools of hard knocks’ working in the ‘oil patch’ for fourteen years. He has three children; Liam 15, Sean 14, and Bridget 9. “You folks put together an oil company during the Tommy Douglas, Alan Blakely, Roy Romanow eras when no one wanted to be around.” “Yes, everyone wanted to pull out and we invested in Saskatchewan! We employ over 50 people in the oil patch … now we’re the popular kids. You know, my Dad always told me that we never laid anyone off, we always kept our people even when times were slow and even when Alan Blakely was trying to put us out of business.”

Roger is a partner in a small oil exploration company… Midale Petroleums Ltd., which they have owned and operated since 1972. His father and four partners started it. “They were all working for different oil companies and decided to form their own. Now they produce nearly 3000 barrels a day out of 150 wells. The best people seem to come from two of Canada’s greatest resources that being the oil industry and agriculture… The people in the oil patch and agriculture are the best… the cattle people have sure been a great bunch. I’ve made some great friends in the cattle business and I’ll continue to have them; I would consider the people I have met in the cattle business to be one of the greatest rewards.”


They dispersed the Herefords in 1990 and with a larger land base of 8000 acres, cropping only 700 acres and the balance in pasture and hay; Roger took a more active role on the ranch. Running a commercial herd of Hereford/Red Angus/Char Cross cows and then in 1996 purchased his first Red Angus purebreds out of the Superstar, Masterpiece & Red Roundup sales. By 1998 he had purchased the Lone Pine Creek LPC herd and by 2002 had purchased his first blacks out of the Geis Angus herd and has since purchased select females from various sales throughout North America. Just like his forefathers and with the goal of becoming an elite Angus seed stock source, Roger was on his way.

While achieving his goals as a livestock producer, Roger still managed two terms on the Saskatchewan Angus board, with one term as President and also spent a term as director on the board of the Canadian Angus Association. He served on the local school board, the oilmen’s association, and on the Midale recreational board and helped to rebuild a new skating rink. “We have always been proud to support 4-H & Junior movements as we feel that they are the future of the breed… I just like to help where I can.”

“Because you have been involved in various breeds of cattle… specialized in Angus during your day, what are your thoughts on the Angus Breed and why it’s so great?”

“I think that part of the great thing about Angus, is the marketing that has been done in Canada, the US and throughout the world. As far as being the high profile breed, marketing has attracted the consumer into accepting that Angus is the best in an eating experience. Angus crosses with all breeds and makes them better. Angus cows make the ideal mother cow, I believe. I’m not a big fan of hybrid bulls because I think that your first cross is your best cross. But that’s for people to decide themselves.”

Roger’s, Soo Line goal was to strive and raise cattle that were structurally correct, sound and had fleshing ability as well as able to compete in the show ring or in the pasture. With the proper use of sourced herd bulls and proud of the fact that they always A.I.’d with their own herd bulls, never following trends that various studs promoted, they feel confident in having built a herd of cattle backed by many great females in the breed. “ We always strived to produce the kind of cattle that would make money for us, but also for our customers, because you aren`t going to be doing this for very long if your bull customers don’t see an increase to their bottom lines sourced from your genetics.” While livestock shows were not the main goal, they have been fortunate in breeding a ‘few of the right kind’ who excelled in the show ring as well as in the pasture and sale ring. One of their earlier victories was with the purchase of

Red Geis Knighthawk 14’02 who along with his mom was Supreme Champion Female at Agribition and by CWA 2004 had Reserve Senior Champion Yearling Female with Red Soo Line Miss Emily 85P sired by Knighthawk. Red Soo Line Rhonda 5109 followed in 2006 and was named Agribition Senior Division Reserve Champion Yearling Female and became an integral part of the herd.

2007 through 2012 were banner years for all the folks at Soo Line, as well as being named 2008 Saskatchewan Purebred Breeder of the Year, their dedication and effort eclipsed in the show ring. Here are a few career highlights…

In the year 2007, Soo Line Annie K 6271 became Farmfair Champion Intermediate Heifer and went on to become the First Lady Classic Grand Champion Female as well as Junior Division Champion Yearling Female at CWA. Red Soo Line Gypsy 7293 was Intermediate Reserve Heifer Calf Champion and Red Soo Line Momentum 7051 was Champion Red Angus Bull Calf while Soo Line Kodiak 7019 was Reserve Champion Black Angus Bull Calf. Red Soo Line Momentum 7051 started the 2008 year off by being pronounced Junior and Grand Champion bull at the Toronto Royal Winter Fair and Annie K 6271 again entered the show ring at Farmfair and won Two Year Old Heifer and Reserve Grand Champion Female. That followed with Agribition where she was declared Senior and Grand Champion Female and was in the top ten of the RBC Beef Supreme. Not to be outdone, Gypsy 7293 was Junior Division Yearling Heifer Champion and Soo Line Yellowstone 6344 was named Grand Champion Black Angus Bull.


But the highlight of the year was winning the RBC Beef Challenge Supreme Champion Bull with Yellowstone 6344, a great honor and perfect year end for Soo Line Cattle Co. It had been 34 years since the same breeder achieved winning both female and bull categories in the Angus breed, let alone with siblings! The dream continued at the World Angus Forum in Calgary the summer of 2009 where Soo Line Annie K 6271 was Grand Champion Angus Female. Red Soo Line Annie 7249 was named Reserve Grand Champion Female and World Angus Forum Futurity Reserve Grand Female, while Red Soo Line Momentum 7051 was Reserve Grand Champion Bull. Soo Line Dana 8129 was Reserve Late Senior Yearling Heifer Champion and Red Soo Line Annie 8192 was Junior Champion Female at the Forum. At the 2009 Canadian Western Agribition, Soo Line Cattle Co. won Reserve Senior Heifer Calf Champion with Soo Line Annie K 9165 and Junior Yearling Heifer Champion with Duff NE 664M Lassie 823; Junior Heifer Calf Champion with Red Soo Line Countess 9394 and Reserve Junior Yearling Heifer Champion with Red Soo Line Annie 8192; Senior Heifer Calf Champion with Red Soo

Line Julia 9136 and Reserve Senior Champion, Reserve Grand Champion Female and First Lady Futurity Reserve Champion Female with Red Soo Line Annie 7249 and her calf Red Soo Line Annie 9222.

An historic event for Soo Line was winning the Grand Champion Pen of three Bulls at the 2010 National Western Stock Show in Denver, CO.“It gave Soo Line more mileage in North America than anything else we ever did. Winning also opened the door for Canadians to go down and show the Americans what we have. They get looked at now! I appreciate the judges not letting politics get in the way that day.” For a Canadian outfit at the Stock Show they had a very successful event. Jason Scheetz, of Frederick OK. won Junior Heifer Calf Champion and Grand Champion Heifer with Red Soo Line Rainbow 9230. While Soo Line won Junior Bull Calf Champion with Red Soo Line Hawk 9288.

The year 2010 was not over. At Agribition the winning continued with Intermediate Heifer calf Champion Soo Line Favorite 0260, Reserve Senior Bull Calf Champion with Soo Line Kodiak 0022 and Reserve Yearling Bull Champion with Soo Line Motive 9016 and at the Toronto Winter Fair they had Reserve Junior Champion Bull with Soo Line Kodiak 9211 owned with Greg Hill.


Soo Line Annie K 9165 was not to be outdone by her mother who won the RBC Beef Supreme Challenge at Agribition in 2007 and was declared the 2011 winner and later in the week she was made Supreme Champion Female with her heifer calf at side by Soo Line Motive 9016. She was also at side of her mother when she was declared the 2009 World Angus Champion Female. They went on to capture Reserve Grand Champion Black Bull with Soo Line Kodiak 0022. As of this year, 2012, Soo Line Cattle Company was the breeder of the Grand Champion Female at Denver and Fort Worth for Christy Collins. While the show ring has not been the main focus, it was indicative and was used as a tool to showcase the cattle and the program. “This truly has become a global industry and we have enjoyed meeting and doing business with people from around the world, we even sold embryos to the King of Sweden and our genetics have found their way into countries such as Australia, Russia, Columbia, United States, Mexico, New Zealand, Denmark, South Africa, Argentina and Kazakhstan.” A little closer to home, they have had bull and female sales on an annual basis for the past ten years and have excelled in the sale ring as well. The highlight of course was Annie K selling for a 2/3 interest and full possession for $100,000.00 to Werner Angus, Cordova, IL. “We believe she was the highest priced Angus cow to be sold in Canada in recent history. Maybe a bull or two broke that record, but never a female. I think we also sold the highest priced bred heifer at $32,000.00 for a ½ interest at Red Round-Up. She was purchased by Josh Rust – Rust Mountain Ranch down in North Dakota.”

By 2010 the need to narrow down their large operation, became a reality and the sale of the Red Angus herd took place on October 15th of that year. As Justin Morrison, Purebred Manager put it … “we have put an awful lot of work and thought into all the aspects of raising these cattle” and the fruits of their labor became evident in what is believed to have been the best Red Angus dispersal on the North American continent in recent years or … in history. 215 lots sold for a gross of $1,174,000.00 and averaged $5460.00 with the high selling bull, Red Cockburn Ribeye 308U selling for $70,000.00 and the high selling female Red Soo Line Rhonda 5109 for $30,000.00 to Wildcat Creek Ranch, Newton, KS. “Are you having a bull sale next spring?” “No all will sell this coming fall in a complete dispersal. I think there will be a demand for them. We will sell 400 head. We will still run commercial cattle and perhaps have a few purebreds as a reason to continue going to shows and staying in contact with the breeders and friends we have made.” “I need to reorganize; labor on farms has become a major problem as most have gone to work in the oil patch. I want to spend time with my kids before they go off on their own and get away on me. But mostly because of time and commitment needed, I have to slow down … we’ve been running at a pretty fast pace for a long time. I’m extremely proud of the herd we developed and have tried to stay ‘on track’ in making good breeding decisions in order to propagate genetics to base a cowherd on.”

Thus saying, Roger truly appreciates all the people who have worked at the ranch over the years, realizing that because of their dedication … “Our success was their success! We couldn’t have done it without you! As I’ve said before, so many thanks to Justin & Tawnie Morrison and Alistair Burnett for their commitment to our program and to Trent Walls, Mike & Shannon McDonald, Brody & Leslie Gutzke, Geoff Anderson, Martin Koyle, Luke Lewis, Jonathon Thomason and Dawn Halstead.

The next chapter will become reality on October 12th!


Dr. Colin PalmerBiography:Dr. Colin Palmer is an Associate Professor of Theriogenology (Animal Reproduction) at theWestern College of Veterinary Medicine. Originally from Nova Scotia, Dr. Palmer worked inmixed practices in Ontario and British Columbia and has owned/operated a practice inSaskatchewan. Dr. Palmer along with his wife Kim and children Lauren, Emily and Carter run a herd of purebred Red Angus cattle under the KC Cattle Co. name.

Finding the Balance Between Price and Quality

If you sell purebred stock you have undoubtedly been frustrated when you lose customers to a lower priced competitor. Competition in the marketplace is a good thing, but in this case it would seem, only if you are a buyer. Cattle prices are up and with that the price of replacement bulls - for the most part anyway. Buying good quality bulls that sire high value calves is one of the best investments a cattleman can make in his herd yet it seems like we struggle to get that message out there.

There are so many variables in raising cattle. Feeding situations, when to calve, labour, facilities, availability of land, finances, marketing to name a few. One of biggest problems in our industry is that few producers know their cost of production. Part of this scenario is not knowing what their calves weigh and not understanding what determines their value. Without this knowledge, it is very difficult to appreciate the return on investment of an input; therefore, the least costs mindset prevails because it is safe. Only the very best will take the time to consider the lost opportunity.

How much should you expect to pay for a bull to be used on a commercial herd? An article that I read a few years back in a US beef magazine suggested that a good rule of thumb was 5 to 7 times the value of a commercial weaned calf. Locally, I have heard 4 times the value of a steer calf. For many producers, it seems hard to justify the cost of higher priced bulls and so they try very hard to find cheaper bulls. Supply and demand forces play a big part in determining price. I will not argue that there are bargains to be had; especially, when there are too many bulls out there. However, at all times buyers need to be astute – are you buying better genetics or just something to get your cows pregnant? How has the bull been raised, has his semen been evaluated, what about a guarantee?

Those that sell cheap bulls limit the development of the cattle industry. Have they ever attempted to figure out what is involved in raising a quality bull? Good bulls usually have great sires. Costs of herd sires and AI programs can easily exceed those endured by commercial producers. Performance herds must have scales and weigh their cattle; yardage costs are higher as bulls need specialized pens; feed, showing, advertising, registration, delivery and sale costs all must be factored in. What about losses from death, injury and failed semen tests? I estimate all of these costs at perhaps a conservative $1500 to $2000 per bull over that of raising a commercial calf. If a steer calf is now worth $1000 then add this cost to the cost of raising the bull and you will get a $2500 to $3000 break-even price for a yearling bull. If you don’t factor in the lost opportunity to sell that calf as a steer then you are really fooling yourself. The longer that bull remains in the purebred producer’s inventory the higher the break-even price becomes.

Purveyors of cheap bulls can only be truly profitable if they lower their costs of production which can be accomplished by cutting corners or by taking advantage of economies of scale. My personal observations have been that large operations that are in the position to take advantage of economies of scale generally do not sell cheap bulls – they are just more profitable. Taking advantage of economies of scale is what helped to keep them solvent during the years of poor prices. Therefore, sellers of cheap bulls are either cutting corners or simply eroding their equity. Not exactly poster boys for our industry! Large animal veterinary medicine has also changed considerably in the last decade and there are more changes to come. In 2001, the average Saskatchewan beef cow herd consisted of 80 breeding cows; in 2012 that number has risen to 154 cows. Across North America the number of farms is decreasing while the size is increasing. Cattle vets are now and will continue to become consultants rather than focusing on saving sick animals. Our rural vets will need more communication and business skills to better serve the needs of their clients. There really is no shortage of rural vets, but rather a shortage of visible opportunities for veterinarians in some rural areas. In other words, if it is worth while vets will establish practices in rural areas, or more appropriately provide service in those areas in lieu of an actual physical structure. You as a producer, must realize that you probably only need access to veterinary services rather than actually have a vet waiting on stand-by in your community.

Believe it or not, many large animal vets lack business sense, but that must change. Like cattlemen offering cheap bulls they continue to offer services at prices at or below what was charged 30 years ago and many of them survive on their small animal business. Most vets have big hearts and they want to help their clients, but usually at their own expense. A segment of the profession have recognized opportunities and are offering more and more specialized services to producers. Competition has resulted in better prices for the producer, but it is still up to the cattleman to determine value. Is the vet doing a good job for you, are they thorough, are they professional and can they stand by their work? Perhaps they are able to package goods and services with rewards for loyalty. Those that are truly focused on the cattle industry are very willing to consider your business needs not just their own. Spend some time thinking about what you want your vet to provide and remember, just like when buying bulls, the lowest price isn’t always the best way to go.


INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORTATIONEstablished in 1933

Specializing in Purebred Livestock TransportationProviding Weekly service across Canada & The USA.Gooseneck service available to your farm in Ontario.Pick up & delivery points across Canada and USA.

U.S. and Canada Customs Bonded Carrier.We thank you for your past business and look

forward to your future livestock transporting needs.155 King Edward St., Paris, ON, Canada, N3L 3E3

Toll Free 877-442-3106 or 519-442-6242 Fax 519-442-1122 [email protected]

www.hsknilltransport.com


Hole Sponsored By:

Hole Sponsored By:

Hole Sponsored By:

Hole Sponsored By:

Hole Sponsored By:

Hole Sponsored By: Hole Sponsored By:

Hole Sponsored By:

A. Sparrow FarmsBeck FarmsPalmer CharolaisMcAvoy CharolaisHorseshoe E Charolais

McLeod LivestockPerrot-Martin Charolais FarmSaunders CharolaisChar-MillsBuffalo Lake CharolaisHicks Charolais

Cart Sponsor:

Hole Sponsored By:

Hole Sponsored By:

Hospitality Sponsor: Hole Sponsored By:

Blairs.Ag

Diamond B Ranches

Early Sunset Ranch

Eastondale Angus

Mar Mac Farms

Wards Red Angus

Wilbar FarmsHole Sponsored By:

BuyAgro.com

Hole Sponsored By:ANL Polled HerefordsDouble J Polled HerefordsGWG Polled HerefordsHMS Hi-CliffeHolmes FarmLibke Polled HerefordsNCX Polled HerefordsRW Polled HerefordsStandard Hill Polled HerefordsThe Cliffs FarmsTriple H Herefords

Thank Youto our sponsors your support ensures the success of the tournament!

No matter how you measure success, the fifth annual T Bar Invitational golf tournament was the most successful yet, raising over $42,000.00 for youth in the beef industry.

Eight national junior breed associations, representing 2,041 members, will gain the benefit from the generosity of our sponsors. In addition, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Canadian Western

Agribition Junior Beef Extreme.“We are extremely proud of this year’s event. Our largest number of golfers made it a resounding success. In the last five years, we have raised over $191,000.00, which provides funding and opportunities to a great

number of youth,” said Bryan Kostiuk, co-chairman of the tournament. The 2013 T Bar Invitational will be held at Dakota Dunes on June 25th and 26th.

See www.tbarinvitational.com for more information.A special thank you to the Canadian Angus Association, Saskatchewan Angus Association and the

following breeders; Blairs.Ag Cattle Co., Diamond B Ranches, Early Sunset Ranch, Eastondale Angus, Mar Mac Farms, Wards Red Angus and Wilbar Farms for your continued support.


J JJJDouble Polled HerefordsJJJ JJJJJJ JJJ JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJDouble Polled HerefordsJ J

P H O OT G R PA H Y

The Ultimate Relaxation Machine.

INC.

O’GRADY

Linden Carew O’GradyMarketing [email protected]

306-823-7051

SaskatchewanSimmental Association

Saskatchewan Charolais Association

Thank you to those who invested in our future.

CanadianShorthornAssociation

CanadianShorthornAssociation

Canadian Beef Breeds Council


We have over a decade of experience in building

and maintaining websites for progressive breeders.

We are the destination of choice for online sale catalogues,

breeder websites, sale results and classifieds.

Contact us today to set up a new website or

revamp your existing one.

Bryan Kostuik Ph: 306-934-9696 Fax: [email protected]

www.buyagro.com


Should all commercial calves be crossbred? If you ask that in a room full of professional animal scientists or officers of multi-breed cattle organizations, you may hear laughter. Or you may see eyes rolling as they realize you’re an Angus breeder, arguably representing an exception to the rule.

“Conventional wisdom says crossbreeding equals extra pounds and more revenue at sale time, but those assumptions are often too simplistic,” says animal scientist Nevil Speer, Western Kentucky University. Last fall, he authored a research paper titled “Crossbreeding: Considerations and Alternatives in an Evolving Market,” available at: www.CABpartners.com/news/research.php

Since then, the subject has generated much discussion in the U.S., and wound up as a focus of next year’s advertising campaign for the American Angus Association. Speer does not dispute the science; properly planned, well-executed crossbreeding can add maternal benefits and more weaning weight in most environments. But he says the qualifiers mean it’s no open-and-shut case. “If we avoid this topic in animal science, it’s because we don’t have enough training in economics and business.” More pounds, more dollars? “It’s just never that simple,” he says (see Graphic). Incremental changes in marketing, capital and cost management, and increasingly accurate genetic tools help explain why the science fails to make a case for profitability on many ranches.

Strategic marketingHistorically, the “pounds equal profit” paradigm was easy to pick up. It took little effort to introduce a Continental bull into an English herd and increase output. However, the slight effort often led to a “problem solved” assumption. “There was this perception that crossbreeding would fix everything, regardless of the genetics we put into the system,” Speer says.

In the 1990s, consumers grew more discriminating across the U.S., and the strongest export demand was for higher grading beef. So began the “change toward reflecting the entire value chain, increasingly responsive to end-user specifications,” he explains.

As more research pointed to superior marbling and tenderness associated with a breed type, cattle with proven potential for carcass performance became more valuable. Speer says these changes laid the groundwork for a shift in conventional marketing, including more interest in retained ownership at the feeding stage and more emphasis on quality over quantity alone.

Cost, capital managementAs consolidation continued, larger operations moved from “strictly a weigh-up focus to more specified marketing targets,” Speer says. The ability to fill a semi-trailer leads to more desire for uniformity, and interest in value-added marketing through retained ownership… “weight and value are not mutually exclusive.”

The cowherd is not usually the primary source of income and, what with other competing enterprises or jobs, labor efficiency is especially critical to those with 200 or more cows. “One of their most time-consuming tasks is managing the calving females,” Speer points out. “In an ideal world, they would be observed regularly, but time constraints often don’t allow such luxury.”

That adds emphasis to predictable calving ease. Higher birth weights may be linked to higher weaning weights, but expected progeny differences (EPDs) can defeat those antagonisms. In any case, the risk of losing a calf—or even a cow—at birth verses more weaning weight leans toward the live calf when time and labor are scarce.

Other convenience traits also come into consideration: “I don’t care if you get an extra 50 pounds at weaning,” Speer says. “I

By Certified Angus Beef staff

Nevil Speer


think most would agree that nursing one cow through a difficult birth in a snow storm when you have 200 more to think about is just not worth it.”

Genetic progress paysAs the use of EPDs has flourished over the past 30 years, the desire for data builds. Angus registrations outnumber those for all other breeds, even the next seven breeds combined, and the database involves some 20 million individual records. But it’s not really about the breed so much as the precise decisions that can come with it:

“As long as our industry is hitting the end target and doing that more efficiently, more productively, and it’s profitable, who cares if the animals are black or white or pink or purple? It just happens to be that Angus has the genetic base to meet consumer demands and the tools to help people drive that forward,” Speer says.The Angus database shows progress in performance traits across the board, narrowing the gap that used to produce the crossbreeding prize of hybrid vigor. In general, breed differences have diminished.

“The Angus breed caught up with Continentals in terms of growth and performance, so you just couldn’t get the boost you were used to getting in crossbreeding—plus the premiums,” he notes. “As the business environment has shifted, the sole pursuit of heterosis is no more tenable than single-trait selection for any genetic trait.”

Older vs. better cowsMore longevity and fertility in the cowherd may seem like a “no brainer.” But when those pursuits come at the expense of uniformity or other functionality, it could pay to do some hard studying.

“The overwhelming cost and subsequent priority of cow-calf operations is related to cow maintenance and care,” Speer says. “The difference is huge between a cow that lasts until she is 10 versus 8.”

That’s why crossbreeding is the default, blanket prescription for commercial cattlemen looking to make reproductive improvements.

But South Dakota rancher Rich Blair says, “Been there, done that, and don’t want to go back.” He and his brother Ed turned their once-straightbred Herefords into Continental crossbreds in the late 1970s and ’80s, but gradually phased that out in the ’90s when the family turned its focus to Angus.

“We always calved out quite a few first-calf heifers and you’d lose or cull 25% of those for one thing or another: disposition, udders, no milk, mothering ability,” he says. “Now we’re closer to 2% and we have a lot more consistency in our heifers.” He gives most of the credit to the breed association’s extensive database and the use of high-accuracy sires.

Heartland Cattle Company, near McCook, Nebraska, custom develops heifers for a large number of commercial Angus herds, and also sells bred heifers by forward contract. Many long-term heifer buyers say they want that hybrid vigor in black baldies, but those have been hard to come by.

Predictable heifersComparing the two sets of females, research and information director Janet Rippe says they’re fairly similar.

“Our first service conception rate is averages 71% and then after a 45-day AI season, we’ll send heifers out of here at about 91% to 92% percent pregnant,” she says. “If you get a true hybrid or an F1-cross or even just a quarter something else, those cattle are generally more fertile. But we might not see as much difference in the numbers because our long-term Angus customers have put so much selection pressure on fertility.”

All are subject to pre-breeding inspections that include pelvic measurements and reproductive tract scores, and outliers exit the program then. Customers may opt to market “recommended culls” that fall out for things like disposition, too.

“What’s left should be pretty functional,” Rippe says. Regardless of who is growing the replacements, all cattlemen Rich Blair & Ed Blair

Janet Rippe


have their initial priorities. According to U.S. Agriculture data, 62% of ranches sell cows for reasons other than just being open. Surveys point to the time-saving traits of disposition, birth weight, hoof and leg soundness as ranking above weaning weight and yearling weight.

Blair now relies on expected progeny differences (EPDs) within the breed because, he says, “I don’t have time to deal with calving problems.

“Hard births cause a multitude of problems,” he says. “It isn’t just if that heifer had a hard time and you had to pull that calf, but now you wonder if she’s going to breed back and if that calf is going to be healthy.”

On the other hand, in a large herd with focused management, predictably shorter gestation periods from high-accuracy EPD bulls can allow a couple more weeks for heifers to breed back, Blair says.

Hidden costs Although no producer invites challenges, Speer says the issues become increasingly important as herds get larger.“I have an additional benefit from heterosis, but if it costs me something in terms of functionally of traits, such as calving ease, I don’t want to have to deal with those problems,” he says. “That risk/reward becomes somewhat different when you put all of those factors in together.”

Everybody seems to agree that it’s a hard area to quantify. “With fertility there are so many factors: was it weather, was it the technician, was it the bull, was it the sire line that came into it?” Rippe says, “It’s pretty hard to get good enough data when you’re looking at fertility.”

Adding in longevity multiplies that difficulty. “It’s a lot more complex than just reproduction,” Speer says. “Why else did she leave the herd? A bad eye, a structural soundness problem, disposition or all those other things you can readily select for?”Those who are making steady progress in any number of traits may not place as much importance on longevity because of the reduced opportunity to make genetic change.

Blair remembers a particular bull they used a decade ago with a then-impressive Angus EPD of .4 for intramuscular fat (IMF). “That was really out there in 2000, and one of the big reasons I used him was for that number,” he says. “Now you can find hundreds of bulls that are .4 IMF.” In fact, that’s about breed average today.

Highest calling?Longevity in outstanding individuals helps a program but across the herd, it may not be the highest calling. “If you’re not turning that cowherd over, it’s really hard to get much genetic improvement in your calves,” Blair says.

The Blairs have been using all Angus since feedlot performance data showed them the top end of those calves kept up with the top end of their Charolais calves. Figuring in maternal traits and labor savings, it was starting to look like another kind of “no brainer.” The deal clincher showed up when calves sold on the grid and they saw more than a $200 spread in value. “That was too much money to be giving away, so we wanted to move the bottom end up,” he says.

Some Blair loads have hit 50% Prime, selling for $200 above average Kansas price for the U.S. Premium Beef grid for the week.

“Everybody looks for the silver bullet, the quick fix, with no time for a long-range plan,” Blair suggests. “If that’s your attitude, then heterosis is the quick way to get there. But if you really want to build something sustainable over a long period of time, you can find the data within one breed and design the cow to be exactly what you want her to be.”

Composite quick fixA good crossbreeding program takes some background in genetics, a big enough herd and land base, good bull suppliers and time to figure all that out. Producers looking for a simpler route to heterosis often opt to use a composite bull.

“In order for a crossbreeding operation to maximize heterosis, it takes a lot of different pasture, a lot of management, which because of size and time a lot of people can’t devote to it,” says Jarold Callahan, president of Express Ranches, Yukon, Oklahoma, “You basically have to have different herds within your herd.” So the composite bull market was born, where breeding stock is billed as already having that built-in hybrid vigor.

“Implementing crossbreeding can be somewhat daunting,” says Speer. “Many operations would rather forgo such effort if production can be maintained while also ensuring relative absence of problems. As a result, producers are often encouraged to utilize composite bulls as a simplified means to boost heterosis and subsequent production.”

But Callahan says it’s not always a “quick fix.” Express has sold hundreds of Limousin-Angus crosses over the years, but recently decreased the number of composites (F1) offered on an annual basis.

Rich Blair

Jarold Callahan


“A lot of people we sent F1 bulls to were very disappointed because of gene segregation and what was being transmitted from each parent,” he says. “Some progeny of these bulls really favored traits of one breed and some favored traits of the other, some looked Angus and some looked Continental. You ended up with a set of calves that were not only visually different, but a lot different in terms of outcome and how you needed to manage them.”

Progeny appearancesGeneticist Bob Weaber, Kansas State University, says that’s partly because what works on average for the whole calf crop varies among individuals. That may shift the balance of traits toward one breed or the other.

“Even though the F2s [composite progeny] have half of their genetic material from each breed on average, some re-pairing of chromosomes from the same breed occurs,” he says. “When we make an F2 we see a decrease in heterosis, because on average one-half of the animals’ chromosomes consist of pairings from the same breed of founder.”

Data from the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (MARC) suggests that the progeny from matings of F1 parents are no more variable than either of their purebred founder breeds for traits like weaning weight or yearling weight. However, for traits controlled by a single gene, these progeny are noticeably less consistent than the F1 parents, especially if the founder breeders were very divergent, Weaber says.

Speer says that makes it hard to measure how much productivity they should add to the herd: “In many instances composite bulls actually represent backcrossing and may reduce heterosis potential versus using a breed that serves as a total outcross.”From a seedstock producer’s perspective, it can be much more difficult to create a reliable composite compared to a purebred bull.

Purebred: less risk“I have 27 years of objective breeding decisions that harness the power of the AAA [American Angus Association] database,” says Brian McCulloh, Viroqua, Wisconsin. The registered breeder, who makes 350 of those decisions each spring, says the predictive power is strengthened by the broad use of artificial insemination (AI) by Association members, who submit within-herd data that ties all animals together.

“Simply put, I am not comfortable ‘experimenting’ with data from other breeds to create a composite bull for our commercial customers. I have more confidence predicting the outcome of our pure line Angus bulls,” he says.

The Angus database updates weekly with more than 20 million performance measures and 17 million pedigrees. That data volume explains why, after dabbling in the composite market to try offering customers an outcross, McCulloh abruptly stopped.Using the MARC across-breed EPD (expected progeny difference) adjustment factors help in comparing data, Callahan

says. “But there is still a little bit of an unknown as to where that animal is going to come out.

DNA tools“The purebred cattle evaluations give you better insight in terms of predictability of individuals and their offspring,” he says. Genomically-enhanced EPDs hone that ability. “You can make more progress – because you have greater access to performance information – than you can in most crossbreeding operations, unless they’re extremely well designed.”

To date, the DNA technology can only effectively sort out straightbred populations, he adds.“That precludes it from being useful in composites and crossbreds,” Callahan says.

When selecting hybrids, commercial producers may face another challenge: “There’s an increasing need to purchase bulls in volume that provide both uniformity of calf crop and deliver on the various traits of interest,” Speer says. “Commercial bull buyers have access to larger sale offerings when shopping for Angus bulls compared to other breeds.”

Purchasing siblings in bulk is routine. “That opportunity doesn’t exist when considering composite bulls,” he says. Callahan doesn’t dispute the advantages of genetic diversity, but says he’s concerned with those who are “crossbreeding just for the sake of crossbreeding.”

His typical composite customer is in a terminal program, purchasing rather than raising replacement heifers. Otherwise, many have switched back to straightbreds. “They really enjoy the uniformity of their calf crop and the predictability in their genetics,” he says.

There are no shortcuts to that.

Brian McCulloh


Press ReleaseHuge Success for Canadian Angus Rancher Endorsed Day

June 20, 2012: for immediate releaseCALGARY, AB- More than 200 Canadian Angus Association members joined industry sector leaders in Lethbridge Alberta for the first Canadian Angus Rancher Endorsed day on Friday, June 15. The day began with an industry panel of speakers featuring John Lettieri of Hero Certified Burgers, Stirling Fox of XL Foods, Tony Saretsky of Cantriex Livestock International Inc., Fred Dewald of Dewald Order Buying Services and Frank Jenkins of Southern Alberta Livestock Exchange and Jenkins Lazy U Ranch.

Each sector brings a different point of view to the table and the panel was eager to share these industry demands from each prospective. The industry starts with the producer and works its way through the chain, according to Frank Jenkins.

“I raise my cattle hoping there is a premium on the other end,” said Jenkins. “They [Angus] have done a good job promoting the product right through to the restaurant.”

The Canadian Angus Rancher Endorsed program is a branding program that insures both quality and taste for the consumer. The day included many things to celebrate including the world’s largest branded tag program in the world – the Canadian Angus Rancher Endorsed tag program.

“When times are challenging, you get together to prop one another up,” said Rob Smith, Canadian Angus Association CEO. “When times are strong, like they are right now, as incredibly buoyant as perhaps the cattle industry has ever been, we get together to celebrate and to share ideas of management practices and production practices and ways to add value to the Canadian Angus Association member experience. That’s really what these days are about.”

Lunch included keynote speaker Rob Meijer, president of Canada Beef Inc. Meijer challenged producers to think globally in terms of marketing their product. He shared that Canadian beef is the best in the world, and that there is an opportunity to sell it for a premium.

The afternoon included tours of both the Lethbridge Research Center and Feedlot Alley with the final stop at the Lethbridge College Barn for the Southern Hospitality BBQ. The Canadian Angus Rancher Endorsed program guarantees that the beef used in products bearing this label come from beef cattle with 50 percent or more Canadian Angus genetics. All cattle in Canada are required to be tagged with a radio-frequency identification tag. The Canadian Angus Association created the Angus tag program that is available only to cattle with at least one purebred Angus parent. To qualify for the Canadian Angus Rancher Endorsed program, the cattle used must bear the Angus tag which identifies them as Canadian Angus cattle.

The Canadian Angus Association (www.cdnangus.ca) is a not-for-profit association incorporated under the Animal Pedigree Act. The Association represents 3,000 members across Canada for the purposes of registering and recording the pedigrees of purebred Angus cattle and promoting the breed across Canada. Its member-approved mandate is to maintain breed registry, breed purity and provide services that enhance the growth and position of the Angus breed.


120 Juniors - 150 Head of cattle - 260+ in attendance for the banquet

EmceeGary Harron, Allenford, ON

JudgesCathy Brown, Orillia, ON

Sarah Buchanan, Victoria Harbour, ON Scott & Paula Cornish, Indian River, ON

Don Currie, Nottawa, OnDave Hasson, Guelph, ON

Helen Hawke, Coldwater, ONSylvia Jackson, Caledon, ONGarry Lawson, Toronto, ON

Holli Lee, Lindsay, ONTom & Judy McDonald, Milton, ON

Sandy Reid, Moorefield, ONGrant & Lauralee Rolston, Vulcan, AB

Rob Smith, Olds, AB

RingmanNathan Latchford, Beachburg, ON

Sean Enright, Renfrew, ON

PhotographerGrant Rolston Photography, Vulcan, AB

This year’s T Bar Invitational Golf Tournament raised $11,437.95


CONFORMATION CLASSESPEE WEE DIVISION

HEIFER CALF1. Lucy McNiven, Oro Station, ON with

McNiven Lady Pine 95Y sired by BC Eagle Eye 110-7

1. Kaycee Buchanan, Victoria Harbour, ON with Red Gold-Bar Lulu 131Y sired by Red LJC Mission Statement P27

1. Nolan Chalmers, Shanty Bay, ON with J P D Charlotte 9Y sired by TJF Freedom 172U

BULL CALF1. Nolan Chalmers, Shanty Bay, ON

with J P D Chizam 7Z sired by Shipwheel Chinook

OPEN DIVISIONHEIFER CALF

Split 11. Maiya Bruce, Douglas, ON with

EF Penny 17Z sired by Connealy Consensus 7229

2. Carolyn Darling, Castleton ON with WMC Favorite 25Z sired Duff New Attraction 6110

Split 21. Robert Marriot, Wingfield, ON with

Premier Pride 1201 sired by Connealy Final Product

2. Cody McQuaid, Omemee, ON with Westwind Fancy Snow White 3Z sired PVF All Payday 729

Split 31. Brandy Thaxter, Woodville, ON with

Brantnor’s Miss Daisy 2Z sired by Brantnor Predominent 10W

2. Jarrett Hargrave, Proton Station, ON with Harprey Barbara McHenry 2Z sired by Southland Free Ride 68R

HEIFER CALF CHAMPIONRobert Marriot, Wingfield, ON with Premier Pride 1201 sired by Connealy Final Product

RESERVE HEIFER CALF CHAMPIONBrandy Thaxter, Woodville, ON with Brantnor’s Miss Daisy 2Z sired by Brantnor Predominent 10W

YEARLING HEIFER

Split 11. Molly Bruce, Douglas, ON with

Champion Hill Peg 7980 sired by S A V Brave 8320

2. Morgan Knechtel, Sebringville, ON with DCC MS Foundation 723Y sired by C Q S New Design 8H

Split 21. Will McDonald, Sutton, ON with

Brantnor’s Favorite 25Y sired by S A V Mandan 5664

2. Brett Thaxter, Woodville, ON with Brantnor’s Delia 22Y sired by S A V Mandan 5664

Split 31. Brandon English, Douglas, ON with

EF Blackbird 25Y sired by EXAR Tiger T659

2. Abby Debus, Brunner, ON with DCC Mayflower 302Y, sired by MVF Freightliner 38U

Split 41. Cody Walker, Guelph, ON with Harvest

IM Gammer 6Y sired by S A V Iron Mountian 8066

2. Allie Wade, Little Britain, ON with Sonny Way Mercedes 2Y sired by S A V Heavy Hitter 6347

Split 51. Alex Draper, Bristol, ON with Sunset

Edelia 11Y sired by S A V Brilliance 8077

2. Elizabeth Stubbs, Caledonia, ON with DRM Grace 15Y sired by Duff New Attraction 6110

Split 61. Brandy Thaxter, Woodville, ON with

Brantnor’s Miss Daisy 4Y sired by S A V 004 Predominant 4438

2. Chris Stoneman, Caledonia, ON with First Line Ariat Marie sired by S A V Pioneer 7301

Split 71. Jarrett Hargrave, Proton Station, ON

with Harprey Edella 6Y sired by S A V Providence 6922

2. Kelsey Ribey, Paisley, ON with Tambri Blackbird 5Y sired by Vin-Mar Focus In 8847

Split 81. Michael Hargrave, Maxwell, ON with

Harprey Barbara McHenry sired by S A V 004 Density 4336

2. Isaac Brubacher, Fergus, ON with Red Serenity Lacie Be 102Y sired by Red Howe Bold Edition 80T

JUNIOR CHAMPIONWill McDonald, Sutton, ON with Brantnor’s Favorite 25Y sired by S A V Mandan 5664

RESERVE JUNIOR CHAMPION Cody Walker, Guelph, ON with Harvest IM Gammer 6Y sired by S A V Iron Mountian 8066

TWO YEAR OLD COW/CALF PAIR 1. Robert Marriott, Wingham, ON with

Baby Black Lookin Great sired by B C Lookout 7024 with her calf, Premier Pride 1201 sired by Connealy Final Product

2. William Brubacher, Fergus, ON with Red Serenity Rebello 101X sired by Red Dwajo All Star 10T with her calf, Red Serenity Rebello Be 101Z sired by Red Howe Bold Edition 80T

MATURE COW/CALF PAIR

Split 11. Lauren Enright, Renfrew, ON with

EXAR Queen Idelete 5929 sired by EXAR Spartan 6225 with her calf, EF Queen Idelete 12Z sired by S A V Bullion 0474

2. Carolyn Darling, Castleton, ON with WMC Favorite 25U sired by Hyline Right Way 781 with her calf, WMC Favorite 25Z sired by Duff New Attraction 6110

Split 21. Ashley Baker, Madoc, ON with

Whitestone Rita V130 sired by S A V 8180 Traveler 004 with her calf, Triara Rita 228Z sired by Kesslers Front Range 7520

2. Josh Lasby, Shelburne, ON with Locust Grove Blackbird 8T sired by Rito 9FB3 of 5H11 Fullback with her calf, GF Blackbirds Wildfire 8Z sired by Ankonian Werner Wild Fire 96


SENIOR CHAMPION AND GRAND CHAMPION FEMALELauren Enright, Renfrew, ON with EXAR Queen Idelete 5929 sired by EXAR Spartan 6225 with her calf, EF Queen Idelete 12Z sired by S A V Bullion 0474

RESERVE SENIOR CHAMPION AND RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION FEMALERobert Marriott, Wingham, ON with Baby Black Lookin Great sired by B C Lookout 7024 with her calf, Premier Pride 1201 sired by Connealy Final Product

OWNED DIVISIONHEIFER CALF1. Hailie Conley, Plainfield, On with VOS

Vegas Showgirl sired by B C C-J C L Emblazon 038-287

2. Jay Robertson, Phelpston, ON with High Hope 5682 29Z sired by S A V Bismark 5682

HEIFER CALF CHAMPIONHailie Conley, Plainfield, On with VOS Vegas Showgirl sired by B C C-J C L Emblazon 038-287

RESERVE HEIFER CALF CHAMPIONJay Robertson, Phelpston, ON with High Hope 5682 29Z sired by S A V Bismark 5682

YEARLING HEIFER

Split 11. Lauren Enright, Renfrew, ON with

Champion Hill Georgina 7908 sired by S A V Brave 8320

2. Denver Bolton, Lansdowne, ON with Hawthorne Queen 9Y sired by Rito 9FB3 of 5H11 Fullback

JUNIOR CHAMPION AND GRAND CHAMPION FEMALELauren Enright, Renfrew, ON with Champion Hill Georgina 7908 sired by S A V Brave 8320

RESERVE JUNIOR CHAMPION AND RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION FEMALEDenver Bolton, Lansdowne, ON with Hawthorne Queen 9Y sired by Rito 9FB3 of 5H11 Fullback

MATURE COW/CALF PAIR 1. Sarah Schmidt, Goodeve, SK with Red

Koru Thelma 51T sired by Red Moose Creek Glycerine 33R with her heifer calf, Red Koru Thelma 72Z wired by Red Koru Chateau 53U

SENIOR CHAMPION FEMALE Sarah Schmidt, Goodeve, SK with Red Koru Thelma 51T sired by Red Moose Creek Glycerine 33R with her heifer calf, Red Koru Thelma 72Z sired by Red Koru Chateau 53U

BRED & OWNED DIVISIONHEIFER CALF1. Sarah Schmidt, Goodeve, SK with Red

Koru Thelma 72Z sired by Red Koru Chateau 53U

2. Jay Robertson, Phelpston, ON with High Hope 5682 Cherise 37Z sired by S A V Bismark 5682

HEIFER CALF CHAMPION AND CHAMPION FEMALESarah Schmidt, Goodeve, SK with Red Koru Thelma 72Z sired by Red Koru Chateau 53U

RESERVE HEIFER CALF CHAMPION AND RESERVE CHAMPION FEMALEJay Robertson, Phelpston, ON with High Hope 5682 Cherise 37Z sired by S A V Bismark 5682

BULL DIVISIONBULL CALF

Split 11. Hailie Conley, Plainfield, ON with VOS

Vegas Look Out sired by B C Lookout 7024

2. Sarah Schmidt, Goodeve, SK with Red Koru Gladiator 69Z sired by Red Soo Line Gladiatior 5297

Split 21. Evan Chalmers, Shanty Bay, ON with

J P D Chizam 7Z sired by Shipwheel Chinook


2. Alyssa Dennis, Warkworth, ON with WMC Bismark 1Z sired by S A V Bismark 5682

BULL CALF CHAMPIONHailie Conley, Plainfield, ON with VOS Vegas Look Out sired by B C Lookout 7024

RESERVE BULL CALF CHAMPIONSarah Schmidt, Goodeve, SK with Red Koru Gladiator 69Z sired by Red Soo Line Gladiatior 5297

YEARLING BULL1. Cody Walker, Guelph, ON with City

Lights Showtime 101Y sired by HF Tiger 5F

2. Alex Draper, Bristol, QC with Black Lane Yes Man 2Y sired by S A V Heavy Hitter 6347

JUNIOR CHAMPION AND GRAND CHAMPION BULLCody Walker, Guelph, ON with City Lights Showtime 101Y sired by HF Tiger 5F

RESERVE JUNIOR CHAMPION BULL AND RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION BULLAlex Draper, Bristol, QC with Black Lane Yes Man 2Y sired by S A V Heavy Hitter 6347

COMMERCIAL DIVISIONHEIFER CALF1. Alex Draper, Bristol, QC with Miss K2. Corbin McCord, Kanata, ON with ADA

Zesty 1Z

HEIFER CALF CHAMPION AND GRAND CHAMPION FEMALEAlex Draper, Bristol, QC with Miss K

RESERVE HEIFER CALF CHAMPIONCorbin McCord, Kanata, ON with ADA Zesty 1Z

YEARLING HEIFER1. Michael Stubbs, Caledonia, ON with

Lazy B Sure Thing2. Blair Allnutt, Brome, QC with Miss

Kentucky

JUNIOR CHAMPION AND RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION FEMALEMichael Stubbs, Caledonia, ON with Lazy B Sure Thing

RESERVE JUNIOR CHAMPION HEIFERBlair Allnutt, Brome, QC with Miss Kentucky FINISHED STEER1. Bailey McConnell, Kincardine, ON with

Whiskey Bear2. Charles Caldwell, Kamata, ON with Bill

GRAND CHAMPION STEERBailey McConnell, Kincardine, ON with Whiskey Bear

RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION STEERCharles Caldwell, Kamata, ON with Bill

CANADIAN CLASS1. Isaac Brubacher, Fergus, ON with Red

Serenity Lacie Be 102Y sired by Red Howe Bold Edition 80T

2. William Brubacher, Fergus, ON with Red Serenity Rebello 101X sired by Red Dwajo All Star 10T with her calf, Red Serenity Rebello Be 101Z sired by Red Howe Bold Edition 80T

CANADIAN CLASS CHAMPIONIsaac Brubacher, Fergus, ON with Red Serenity Lacie Bo 102Y sired by Red Howe Bold Edition 80T


GRAND AGGREGATEJUNIOR CHAMPIONJarrett Hargrave

INTERMEDIATE CHAMPIONMichaela Chalmers

SENIOR CHAMPIONLauren Enright

PRINT MARKETINGJUNIOR CHAMPIONEmma Long

RESERVE JUNIOR CHAMPIONAbbey Debus


RESERVE INTERMEDIATE CHAMPIONBailey McConnell

SENIOR CHAMPIONKatelynn Donaldson

RESERVE SENIOR CHAMPIONElizabeth Stubbs

SALES TALKJUNIOR CHAMPIONJarrett Hargrave

RESERVE JUNIOR CHAMPIONKodie Doetzel

INTERMEDIATE CHAMPIONAlbert Carroll

RESERVE INTERMEDIATE CHAMPIONMichaela Chalmers

SENIOR CHAMPIONAusten Anderson

RESERVE SENIOR CHAMPIONElizabeth Stubbs

SHOWMANSHIP

JUNIOR CHAMPIONJarrett Hargrave

RESERVE JUNIOR CHAMPIONDenver Bolten

INTERMEDIATE CHAMPIONBrandon English

RESERVE INTERMEDIATE CHAMPIONBrandy Thaxter

SENIOR CHAMPION AND SUPREME CHAMPION SHOWPERSONLauren Enright

RESERVE SENIOR CHAMPIONAlyssa Dennis

JUDGING JUNIOR CHAMPIONTyler Jarvis

RESERVE JUNIOR CHAMPIONScott Miller

INTERMEDIATE CHAMPIONBailey McConnell

RESERVE INTERMEDIATE CHAMPIONShawna Sullivan

SENIOR CHAMPIONChad Lorenz

RESERVE SENIOR CHAMPIONWill Pilgrim

SHOW RING TEAM JUDGINGJUNIOR CHAMPIONSAustin McCord and Jarrett Hargrave

RESERVE JUNIOR CHAMPIONSScott Miller and Terrance Jarvis

INTERMEDIATE CHAMPIONSShawna Sullivan and Albert Carroll

RESERVE INTERMEDIATE CHAMPIONSMichaela Chalmers and Bailey McConnell

SENIOR CHAMPIONSChad Lorenz and Erin Toner

RESERVE SENIOR CHAMPIONSElizabeth Stubbs and Alyssa Looney

TEAM GROOMING

JUNIOR CHAMPIONSJessa Broek and Hailie Conley

RESERVE JUNIOR CHAMPIONSKodie Doetzel and Jarrett Hargrave


INTERMEDIATE CHAMPIONSChristopher Hargrave and Bailey McConnell

RESERVE INTERMEDIATE CHAMPIONSMelissa MacIntyre and Brad MacIntyre

SENIOR CHAMPIONSLauren Enright and Will Pilgram

RESERVE SENIOR CHAMPIONSJack Oattes and Blair Allnutt

PHOTOGRAPHYJUNIOR CHAMPIONJamie Lea Wade

RESERVE JUNIOR CHAMPIONMorgan MacIntyre

INTERMEDIATE CHAMPIONMelissa MacIntyre

RESERVE INTERMEDIATE CHAMPIONChristopher Hargrave

SENIOR CHAMPIONAllison Speller

RESERVE SENIOR CHAMPIONMichael Hargrave

LITERATURE COMPETITIONJUNIOR CHAMPIONJarrett Hargrave

RESERVE JUNIOR CHAMPIONHailie Conley

INTERMEDIATE CHAMPIONBailey McConnell

RESERVE INTERMEDIATE CHAMPIONShawna Sullivan

SENIOR CHAMPIONAubrie Mowat

RESERVE SENIOR CHAMPIONEmily Gibson

ART COMPETITIONJUNIOR CHAMPIONKodie Doetzel

RESERVE JUNIOR CHAMPIONOwen Chalmers

INTERMEDIATE CHAMPIONSarah McNiven

RESERVE INTERMEDIATE CHAMPIONHolly Somerville

SENIOR CHAMPIONAusten Anderson

RESERVE SENIOR CHAMPIONKatelyn Donaldson

SCRAPBOOKJUNIOR CHAMPIONJarrett Hargrave

RESERVE JUNIOR CHAMPIONOwen Chalmers


RESERVE INTERMEDIATE CHAMPIONBrittany Caldwell

SENIOR CHAMPIONKatelyn Donaldson

RESERVE SENIOR CHAMPIONEmily Gibson

GRAPHIC DESIGNJUNIOR CHAMPIONHailie Conely

RESERVE JUNIOR CHAMPIONMorgan MacIntyre


RESERVE INTERMEDIATE CHAMPIONMelissa MacIntyre

SENIOR CHAMPIONMichael Hargrave

RESERVE SENIOR CHAMPIONAusten Anderson

PUBLIC SPEAKINGJUNIOR CHAMPIONJarrett Hargrave

RESERVE JUNIOR CHAMPIONHailie Conely

INTERMEDIATE CHAMPIONMelissa MacIntyre

RESERVE INTERMEDIATE CHAMPIONMichaela Chalmers

SENIOR CHAMPIONSylvia Megens

RESERVE SENIOR CHAMPIONAlyssa Looney

ANGUS COOK-OFF

1. Team Eat Beef

2. Backyard Barbecue

HERDSMAN AWARDChalmers/Sullivan/McNiven/Christopher Hambley and Brandon Stiener

SPIRIT OF YOUTH AWARDMichaela Chalmers


4-3342 Millar Avenue Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7K 7G9

Ph: 306.934.9696 ::: Fax: 306.934.0744 [email protected] ::: www.todaysangus.com

There is a reason why successful breeders and

breed leaders advertise . . . because it works

Advertising deadline August 21, 2012


Press ReleaseNew President for the Canadian Angus Association

June 20, 2012: for immediate releaseCALGARY, AB — Canadian Angus Association members gathered in Lethbridge, Alberta, over the weekend for the 2012 Canadian Angus National Convention. The Board of Directors affirmed Gary Latimer as president of 2012-2013.Gary and his wife Jacci, along with their son Richard and his wife Kelly, own and operate Remitall Farms of Olds, Alberta. The family is in a growth stage right now increasing their cattle heard numbers to 270. The family markets their cattle in some sales including the Black Magic in Olds. They mostly sell bulls directly off the farm and are seeing a lot of success.Gary is excited about his term as president and is looking forward to working with Angus breeders as the breed continues to develop. The priority this year will be working on the new Canadian Angus Association building project which is underway. Gary is excited for the ground breaking event and looks forward to facilitating the growth that we have seen within our Angus breed and the growth of the Canadian Angus Rancher Endorsed program. With his passion in marketing cattle, Gary hopes to provide the CAA membership with increasing tools that will assist a diverse group in promoting and selling their purebred and influenced Angus cattle. Gary will be supported in this role by Kevin Blair of Lanigan, Saskatchewan, who was chosen as President Elect.The Canadian Angus Association (www.cdnangus.ca) is a not-for-profit association incorporated under the Animal Pedigree Act. The Association represents 3,000 members across Canada for the purposes of registering and recording the pedigrees of purebred Angus cattle and promoting the breed across Canada. Its member-approved mandate is to maintain breed registry, breed purity and provide services that enhance the growth and position of the Angus breed.


By: Chris PoleySummer is here and the cattle are all on grass. However, most producers are already anticipating fall, as they listen to marketing representatives, order buyers and analysts, who are all predicting a very steamy fall calf run. Many are saying ten cents a pound higher than last fall’s much improved prices. This is welcome news to all producers. Many of whom need to update aging equipment and infrastructure that has been in operation since before 2003. With strong prices and increased cash flow, this fall also presents great opportunities to add some top females to your program. There are both elite commercial and purebred dispersals booked, adding those untouchable females to any program, will only make it’s foundation stronger. We have also wrapped up one of my favorite seasons; 4-H regional shows and sales. I truly believe that 4-H is the greatest youth development in this country! Anytime you see a current or past 4-H member in the newspaper, it is for positive contributions to their communities, not for making criminal headlines. The junior associations we have in this country are getting stronger and stronger for youth involved. This experience expands their development beyond the 4-H program. However, 4-H is the foundation to these kids and is very close to my heart. I grew up on a mixed farming operation with commercial cattle and I did not have the opportunity to be involved in a junior breed association. 4-H had a major impact on my life. It was through the 4-H program that I got my first exposure to purebred cattle and marketing; the two things which obviously today, are a huge part of my life! Even the dreaded 4-H speeches and public speaking served me well. I bet you never thought public speaking was ever terrifying to me. 4-H prepared me and gave me the skills and foundations that I have today! I have the great privilege to auction two of the strongest regional 4-H sales in Saskatchewan. Every year I am blown away by the repeat buyers who attend and support the sales so strongly. They too can obviously see the positive impact the 4-H program has in the lives of these kids.

I do notice a rural/urban disconnect in larger centres; you would think it would be easier to sell steers with more business owners and at a higher price, they are averaging less than rural clubs. The smaller centre business owners dig a little deeper and have more of a connection with the kids and their families. Many of them were 4-H member themselves. It is great to hear a lot of their families are using steer money to set up education funds. There are many young members with excess of $25,000.00 in funds from the sale of their 4-H steers. I overheard a few young girls saying how they “wish they could get their hands on that cash now”. I have a feeling they will feel differently when they graduate and do not have the burden of huge student loans, as many of their classmates will. Then they will really understand the value of their time spent in 4-H and leading their beloved steer onto the truck won’t seem as bad as it once did. They will be there to encourage and support their own “little 4-Hers”, when their time comes.

Enjoy your summer, see you on the road.


Press ReleaseSeventy-five Year Pioneer Award to the Anderson Family

June 20, 2012: for immediate releaseLethbridge AB- Canadian Angus breeders gathered in Lethbridge, Alberta for the 2012 Canadian Angus National Convention. At the Convention the Anderson Family of Swan River, Manitoba were honoured with the 75 Year Pioneer Award presented by the Canadian Angus Association.

Anderson Cattle Co. Inc. is a family operation with Bruce and Ione Anderson along with children Austen and Breanna. The family focuses on the values developed through the generations of honesty, integrity and hard work and look forward to the future of the Angus Breed.

Alexander Anderson immigrated to Canada in 1880 from Aberdeenshire, Scotland. After settling in Carberry, Manitoba the family moved to the Swan Valley in 1898. Alex’s son Bruce purchased the first purebred Angus female in 1933 and continued to develop the herd through the 40’s and 50’s with sons Robert and Doug as AB Anderson and Sons.

The herd grew and became known as Mountain View Farms. Bruce, Doug’s son, purchased his first female at the age of eight. He worked with his family through the years until the Mountain View Farms dispersal in 1991.

Anderson Cattle Company Inc. was formed in 1992 and Bruce and Ione developed the Red Tibbie line. Over the next twenty years the herd was established and the farm was built from a bare quarter section. Anderson Cattle Co. Bull Sale was started in 2010.

Two hundred females, both Black and Red will be bred in 2012. Through the use of AI, embryo transplant and the Canadian Angus Performance Program the focus has been on producing a functional mother cow and bulls for the commercial cattleman.

Community is very important to the Anderson family and everyone is involved with 4-H and the Swan Valley Agriculture Society. Both children have taken an active part in the Canadian Junior Angus Association and last year Austen served as the 2011 Robert C. McHaffie Junior Ambassador, traveling all of the world representing the CAA. As fifth generation Angus breeders, both are proud to promote the breed continuously.

The Canadian Angus Association introduced the 75 and 100 year honouree awards to recognize those breeders who had been a member for 75 and 100, respectively, consecutive years within the association. The inauguration of the award was in 2011 and since then, nine breeders have been established into this unique group.

The Canadian Angus Association is Canada’s largest purebred beef breed organization. The Association represents 3,000 members across Canada for the purposes of registering and recording the pedigrees of purebred Angus cattle in the closed Herd Book and promoting the breed across Canada. The member-approved mandate is to maintain breed registry, breed purity and provide services that enhance the growth and position of the Angus breed.


You might just say John Nostadt “steered” his way to victory.

Nostadt, who farms in Maidstone, ON, near Windsor, had a feeling about his 1,324-pound crossbred steer this spring – enough of a feeling that he decided to make the cross-continent trek to Calgary for the first time in a decade.

“We had truck trouble coming out. I put a motor in it just before we left home, and a hose blew off it . . . right in downtown Chicago,” recalled Nostadt on Saturday with a rueful chuckle. “I was almost going to turn around, but I thought I had a nice one, so I thought I’d better get it fixed.”

That Windy City mechanic may suddenly be on Nostadt’s Christmas card list. That crossbred steer – Angus, Simmental, and Maine Anjou – ended up earning Nostadt and his business partner, Martin Koyle, a cool $11,000 as the grand champion of the Calgary Stampede’s 30th annual UFA Steer Classic, held Saturday under the Big Top.

Nostadt and Koyle collect $10,000 from UFA for overall grand champion honours, as per the verdict of show judge Brandon Callis of Brenham, Texas, plus $1,000 for winning the Open class. As per a decade-long tradition, the grand champion steer has been purchased by the Penny Lane Entertainment Group – and is most likely destined to be the main course at Zen 8 Grill for a fall gala fundraiser.

Nostadt has enjoyed a real hot streak during his infrequent appearances at the Stampede. He also took top honours at the UFA Steer Classic in 2002 when he brought a Limousin out West, and another of his animals took a best-in-breed red ribbon during the first edition of the show back in 1983.

“I’m a little jittery, still, getting over the hype of winning in Centennial year. It’s a real privilege to come here, and do so well . . . it’s just an honour to show at the Calgary Stampede,” he said. “We haven’t shown him anywhere. This was a one-time deal. But we liked him . . . knew he was nice.”

The UFA Steer Classic continues to chart a steady growth in terms of participation – going from 79 entries in 2010, to 98 to last summer, to 129 this time around, with exhibitors arriving from across British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, and even Iowa. The culmination of the regional steer show season, and the richest steer show in Canada, the UFA Steer Classic sees members of the beef industry congregate at the Stampede to promote and compete in everything from the merits of purebred genetics to the current trends in consumer beef demands.

“This is a friendly, yet aggressive competition. There’s straightbred cattle being shown, as well as crossbred cattle. The steers that compete at the UFA Steer Classic have been competing against each other at shows all year. The excitement has been building all season,” notes Don Miller, who chairs the Stampede’s Steer Classic committee. “This event attracts breeders and cattle people from all over. It’s got a tremendous following among both purebred and


commercial cattle breeders who want to see how things turn out.”

Just as importantly, the UFA Steer Classic represents a tremendous opportunity for the cattle industry to educate the urban public about its safe food production standards and responsiveness to consumer market trends. “It’s important to let urbanites know that the quality of Canadian beef is world-class,” says Miller.

Event organizers continue to emphasize youth involvement, with the second annual Junior Steer Champion Auction held immediately following the UFA Steer Classic on Saturday afternoon. The owner of the grand champion in the Junior Class, Chase Miller of Cremona, AB, received a $3,000 post-secondary scholarship, as well as $2,000 cash, while the owner of the reserve champion, Kathryn Dolliver of Stettler, AB, earned a scholarship in the amount of $2,000, plus $1,500 cash. Both animals immediately went under the gavel, with proceeds going toward the growth of a self-sustaining Stampede scholarship fund.

For the second year, the UFA Steer Classic also features a Jackpot Heifer Show, which was held Sunday, July 15 at 11 a.m. in the Northern Lights Arena.

Following is the 30th annual UFA Steer Classic’s list of grand, and reserve champions, respectively: Piller Show Cattle of Neudorf, SK, and Kolby Heaven of Whitecourt, AB, in Angus; 3G Ventures of Cochrane, AB, and Miller Ranching Ltd. of Cremona, AB, in Red Angus; Rhett Jones of Morse, SK, and Jackson Cattle Co. Ltd. of Sedley, SK, in Charolais; Townsend, Curtis Flewelling, Bowden, AB and Lucky Springs Farm of Rocky Mountain House, AB, in Hereford; Symens Land and Cattle of Claresholm, AB, and Dale Bushfield of Irricana, AB, in Hereford Influence; Koyle and Kelsey Stewart of Russell, MB, in Limousin; Fraser’s Murray Grey of Ardrossan, AB, and Victor Zuidhof of Lacombe, AB, in Market Heifer; Brecon Farms Ltd. of Denfield, ON, and 2020 Angus of Paynton, SK, in Maine Anjou; Red Neck Stock Club of Airdrie, AB, and Red Neck Stock Club of Airdrie in Murray Grey; Barrett Elliot of Saskatoon, SK, and Joe Lofthouse of Acme, AB, in Shorthorn; Brandon Konrad of Abbotsford, B.C., and Dennis Serhienko of Maymont, SK., in Simmental; River Hill Park of Neilburg, SK, and River Hill Park of Neilburg, SK, in Speckle Park; and Nostadt/Koyle and Brecon Farms Ltd. of Denfield, ON, in Open.

Grand Champion Steer


Breeders

services


Advertiser’s Index20/20 Angus 56 Abacus Angus 36Alameda Agencies Ltd. 62Alta Genetics 62Anderson Cattle Co. 32Animal Health Centre 62Arda Farms 36Arm River 56Arntzen Angus 36Arntzen, Dean 63Arway Angus 44Atlasta Angus 36Autumn Angus Classic 6Autumn Tradition 8 Baby Black Angus 15Bar CR Angus 56Bar DK 56Bar-E-L Angus IFCBear Hills Angus 56Beverly Hills Angus 56BJ Cattle Co. 36Black Ridge Angus Farm 56Blairs.Ag Cattle Company OBCBlast Angus 62Border Butte Angus 36Breed Creek Angus Ranch 56Brendale Acres 7,44Bridgehaven Farms 14,15Bouchard Livestock Int. 62Bow Valley Genetics Ltd. 62Brockhill Farm 14Brookmore Angus 32Bryces Bar B Ranch 56Burnett, Bryce 56Buschbeck Farms 7BuyAgro.com 39 Cadillac Stock Farms 44Cairnlee Acres 15Canadian Cattlemen 62Canadian Farm Insurance Corp. 62CRAPS 62Chapman Cattle Company 36Circle 7 Angus 56Clair Lane 15Clegg Angus 36Crescent Creek Angus 56Cripps, Greg 63Curraghdale Cattle Corp. 14 D & K Black Angus 44Davis-Rairdan Embryo Transplants Ltd. 63Dayora Farm 44

DeCorby, Marcel 63Deer Park Farms 15Deer Range Red Angus 56Deer River Ranching 36Delor Cattle & Quarter Horses 36Diamond T Cattle Co. 36DKF Red Angus 56Dolittle Angus 56Double Bar D Farms 56Drumore Farms 15,44DSMR Stock Farm 15Dudgeon Livestock 44Dunford Royal Cattle Company 44DWAJO Registered Angus 36 Early Sunset Ranch 1Eastondale Angus 56Edwards Livestock 63EKW Red Angus 16,56Enright Farms 10,11 Ferme Wilgor Farms 62First Line Angus 15Flewelling Cattle Services 63Forsyth Ranch Ltd. 57 GBS Angus Farm 57Gerlei Angus 57Get-A-Long Stock Farm 36Gilchrist Farms 15,44Gillco Farm 14Glesbar Cattle Co. 36Glen Gabel Angus 57Glen Islay Angus 44Graham Red Angus 44Grant Rolston Photography Ltd. 63 Halcyon Angus Farm 57Harprey Angus 15,44Hamco Cattle Co. 32Hamilton Farms 36Harron Farm 14,44Hartford Bros. 44Hawthorne Farms 15Heatherlea Angus 45Highgrove Angus 15Hi Low Angus 57High Tree Cattle 57H.S. Knill Co. Ltd. 32 Ivanhoe Angus 57 J & S Cattle 16,57Johnson Livestock 15JPD Farms 45Justamere Farms Ltd. 57

K-Deen Angus 36KBJ Round Farms 36KC Cattle Co. 57Kembar Farms 32Kemp Bros. 14Kenbert Acres 57Kenray Ranch 57Kuntz Farms 57 Lazy MC Angus 36Leela Farms 45Lewis Farms Ltd. 37LiveAuctions.TV 63Locust Grove Angus 8,14,45 M & J Farms 32Macks Red Angus 45Maple Ridge Acres 57Marin Cattle Presentation 63Mar Mac Farms 32McGowan Farms 37McMillen Ranching Ltd. 57Meadow Ridge Ent. Ltd. 57Merit Insurance Brokers 63Miller-Wilson Angus 37Minburn Angus 37MJT Cattle Co. Ltd. 3,37Moose Creek Red Angus 57MWC Investments Inc. 37 New Force Consultants 63Nordal Limousin & Angus 5,58Northern View Angus 58Nu-Horizon Angus 58 Oak Manor Angus 45Ockerman Angus 37O’Grady, Lyndon 63Ole Farms 37 Paradise Farms 15,45Pasquia Red Angus 58Peak Dot Ranch Ltd. 58Prairielane Farms 21,32Premier Livestock 15Poley, Chris 63Poplar Meadows Angus 20,62Pugh Farms 37 Redrich Farms 37Red Rock Red Angus 37Red Rose Angus 19,58Reich Angus Ranch 37Rehorst Farms Inc. 15Remitall Farms 9Remitall West 37

Ring Creek Farms Ltd. 37Rivercrest Angus 37Rock’n Valley Angus 15Rolling Acres Farms 62Royal Angus 58 Sandy Bar Ranch 58Schaff Angus Valley 62Scotch Line Farms 45Scott Stock Farm Ltd. 37Six Mile Angus 17Skinner Farms 58Skyebrook Angus 58Soo Line Cattle Co. IBCSpring Creek Simmentals 19,58Spruce Grove Cattle Co. 58Spruce Ridge Stock Farms 32Spruce View Angus Ranch 37Standard Hill Angus 58Steen Agencies 63Stock, Mark 63Stockmens Insurance 63Sunrise Angus 45Sunset Acres 15Sunset Ridge Red Angus 32 Tambri Angus 14,45T Bar K Ranch 58Ter-Ron Farms 38Today’s Publishing Inc. 23Triple L Angus 2,58Tullamore Farms 12,14,45Twin Heritage Farms 58Twin Valley Farm 14Tyler Harris Photography 63 Upper Glen Angus 15,45 Vancise Cattle Company Inc. 45Vikse Family Farm 38 Walnut Hill Farm 45Western Angus 38Whiskey Lane Livestock 14Wilbar Farms 58Willowside Farm 45Wilgor Farms 13Worth-Mor Angus 14Wraz Red Angus 58 Y-Coulee Land & Cattle Co. 18,58 Zaniabar Angus 38


Today’s Angus Advantage Advertising and Subscription

Regular Advertising Rates * Plus GST - Yearly contract discount 15% (card ads exempt)

Full Page Half Page Quarter Page Card Ad Annual

$950.00 $550.00 $350.00 $250.00

Herd Sire Issue Rates

Full Page Half Page Quarter Page

$1150.00 $700.00 $450.00

We appreciate your interest in Today’s Angus Advantage and hope you have enjoyed this issue. To receive further issues, please fill out the following subscription form and return it along with

your payment (prices listed below) to:

Today’s Angus Advantage4-3342 Millar Avenue

Saskatoon, SK S7K 7G9 P: 306.934.9696 F: 306.934.0744

[email protected] www.todaysangus.com

Please check one of the following:

Canada $30.00 GST Included United States $50.00 GST Included International $50.00 USD

Make cheques payable to Today’s Angus Advantage

Farm Name: _______________________________________ Name: _______________________________________

Address: _________________________________________ City: _________________________________________

Province/State: ____________________________________ Country: ____________ Postal Code:_____________

Phone: __________________________________________ Email: _______________________________________

We would like to advertise in your, next issue please contact me.

Renewal

Credit Card Payment

MasterCard Visa Expiry Date: ________

Card Number: _____________________________

Name: _____________________________________

SU

BS

CR

IB

E

Advertising Deadlines and Editorial CalendarAdvertising Deadlines and Editorial Calendar

Winter Herd Sire Issue

Spring Distaff/Female Issue

Summer Early Sales and Prospects

Early Fall Late Sales and Prospects

Late Fall Late Sales and Shows

January 1 April 10 July 10 August 21 October 15


Egos versus economics … have created a lot of financial woe for livestock producers. COOL (Country of Origin Labeling) has proven to be a ‘big farce!’ What is most amusing, is the fact that R-CALF supporters who lobbied to close borders and shut down trade, are now buying forage from Canadian producers … the same producers they tried to exclude or shut out.

The past four hot and dry months in the United States and Eastern Canada have put a different light on the agricultural picture and its markets. The lack of rainfall will undoubtedly put pressure on markets, as grain prices have spiked. The shortage of livestock inventories coupled with high feed prices will be felt in consumer spending. The price of beef over the counter has risen and will continue to rise, but the average consumer does not realize that the drought in the Corn Belt will push the price of Coke and a box of Frosted Flakes much higher, in comparison, to a pound of ground beef.

Most areas of Eastern Canada look like Roundup was sprayed from the sky; yet Western Canada enjoys a rosy picture with abundant rain fall and very promising crops and forage. During my travels this past summer, the only grasshopper I’ve seen was west of Renfrew, Ontario. The change in climatic conditions throughout Canada is very distinct.

These changes are short term and in all cases affect supply and demand, the factor which has determined economics dating back to the age of the caveman. The change that stirred my interest the most, while attending a major livestock event, was the societal structure of generations in the livestock industry, from the Silent generation down to Generation Y or what is called by many, the Millennial generation.

The Silent generation or often referred to as the Crisis generation, are/were the people born in the 1920’s through the first half of the 1940’s. They were mostly sons and daughters of pioneers who immigrated to North America from Europe. They were an adaptive generation formed by necessity; they lived through a volatile era surviving the Great Depression, the Dirty Thirties and World War II. In the purebred livestock industry, they were the builders and pioneers, establishing their herds and founding associations. County fairs were the mode for marketing, while advertising and all communication was done in print or by word of mouth.

The generation to follow is the Baby Boomers, born after World War II and up to the early 1960’s. Baby Boomers lived to work and their job, was their life. As a group, they are the wealthiest, most active and physically fit generation today. They were the TV generation growing up with Ed Sullivan, Andy Griffith, and Lucy, Dennis the Menace, Gunsmoke and Bonanza. Baby Boomers control over 80% of personal financial assets and are responsible for more than half of all consumers spending which includes 80% of all leisure travel. Baby Boomers grew and financed the purebred livestock industry. To them it was fashionable to be a breeder, events were always well attended and “white shirt” pre sale dinners were commonplace the evening prior a sale. Baby Boomers were loyal to the breed they chose to work with and in most cases, very voluntary in breed and community activities.


Generation X, people born from the mid 60’s through to the early 1980’s. Generation X came of age in an era of two-income families, rising divorce rates and a faltering economy. Women were joining the work force in large numbers, spawning the age of “latch-key” children, who, for the most part, spent time away from family. This resulted in Generation X being independent, resourceful and self-sufficient; the first generation with computer technology woven into their lives. Generation X is less committed to one employer, with many having changed jobs numerous times by their early thirties, in comparison to Baby Boomers, who worked to climb the corporate ladder. Members of Generation X are adventurous, value their weekends, vacation time, and are goal orientated. In the livestock sector, many Generation Xers changed breeds from traditional types to continental breeds which were being imported to North America. Even more farm women took jobs off farm to supplement farm income and over half abandoned the family farm to pursue careers in the urban market place.

The Millennial generation (Generation Y) is those born in the mid 80’s through the early years towards the turn of the century; the second largest group after the Baby Boomers. The Millennial’s have an increased knowledge and familiarity with communications and digital technology; they have great expectations of the work place often wanting large starting salaries, while many still live at their childhood home well into their mid twenties and are less likely to practice religion than that of the previous generations. The global financial crisis has had a major impact on this generation; causing historically high levels of unemployment among today’s young people, especially in Europe and the United States. Many new university and college graduates are unemployed or under-employed and carry a huge debt through student loans. Generation Y is the first to grow up with computers a part of their home life and cable television has brought them a 500 plus channel viewing opportunity. One of the most popular forms of media use for Millennial’s is through social networking.

Some purebred industries have caught up with the habits of the Millennial’s; technology has placed e-mail, text messaging and Facebook ahead of past principles. Most Millennial’s rely on technology to add, subtract and divide; results of events are known as they occur and less and less face-to-face communication is resulting. Text messaging has become as habit forming as the use of tobacco and often employers pay for a lot of time to their employees who text message their social agendas.

Although there is a slight glimmer of Millennial’s remaining in agriculture, many have chosen other careers, especially in the oil, gas and mining industries. A young farm adult can get $400.00 to $500.00 per day in the oil field, the same amount their Baby Boomer grandfather got for a bull or a steer in his day. Associations have seen major declines in membership as the Millennial’s seek other venues of employment. In this era we have seen farming operations largely expand while farm population has diminished.

The challenge lies ahead for all of us in agriculture. Breed associations have to adapt and conform to the “new era” where the new generation is enticed by technology and net-working. Since they are the builders of the future and also our consumer, we must communicate at their level. The new leaders of the industry, along with folks working in various venues of the livestock fraternity, must be youthful, shedding the past ideas of the founding “Baby Boomers.”


Published by:Today’s Angus Advantage#4-3342 Millar AvenueSaskatoon, Saskatchewan S7K 7G9Phone: (306) 934-9696Fax: (306) [email protected]

Our StaffBryan Kostiuk - EditorTed Serhienko - MarketingChris Poley - MarketingMina Serhienko - ControllerDebbie Thiessen - Circulation Treena Ballantyne - AccountingTiffany Peters - DesignMelissa McRae - DesignTerra Montes - DesignCherise Tuzakova - Design

Published 5 times/year- Winter, Spring, Summer, Autumn and Fall

Careful consideration has been placed on production of this magazine and we are responsible for the value of the advertisement; however, we assume no responsibility for errors or omissions.

Printed in Canada by:Houghton Boston Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Publications Mail Agreement: 40021107

Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses to:Today’s Angus AdvantageCirculation Dept. #4-3342 Millar AvenueSaskatoon, SK S7K 7G9Email: [email protected]

AugustAugust4-5 Manitoba Youth Beef Round-Up Neepawa, MB13 The August Event Lloydminster, SK14 Alberta Angus AGM & Junior Show Bashaw, AB15 International Livestock Congress Calgary, AB17 Old Home Week Charlottetown, PE23-26 Bulkley Valley Exhibition Smithers, BC29-Sept 2 Interior Provincial Exhibition Armstrong, BC

September1 Autumn Angus Classic Sale Hanover, ON16 Brampton Fair Brampton, ON21-22 New Brunswick Beef Expo Sussex, NB29 Eastern Extravaganza Angus Sale Uxbridge, ON29 Pacific Invitational All Breeds Sale Williams Lake, BC29 Brylor Tradition With A Vision Sale Fort Macloed, AB30 Autumn Tradition Sale Blackstock, ON

October5 13th Annual Black Magic Angus Sale Olds, AB6 Black Magic Sale Olds, AB6-7 Olds Fall Classic Olds, AB6 Gilchrist & Friends In It To Win It Sale Lucknow, ON6 Expo Boeuf Victoriaville, QC7 Maritime Fall Fair Halifax, NS9 Justamere Sale of the Year Lloydminster, SK12 Soo Line Cattle Complete Dispersal Midale, SK13 Six Mile Female Sale Fir Mountain, SK13 Prairieland Farms Complete Dispersal Virden, MB14 Blairs.Ag Cattle Co. Female Sale Genetics in Motion Moose Jaw, SK14 Enright Farms & Guests Angus Sale Renfrew, ON19 Canadian Red Roundup Futurity & Banquet Red Deer, AB20 40th Annual Canadian Red Roundup Sale Red Deer, AB

November1-4 Manitoba Livestock Expo Brandon, MB1-2 Lloydminster Stockade Round Up Lloydminster, SK2-4 Toronto Royal Toronto, ON3 Royal Elite All Breeds Sale Toronto, ON3 4th Annual LLB Autumn Opportunity Bull & Female Sale Erskine, AB8-11 Farmfair International Edmonton, AB8-10 Saskatoon Fall Fair Saskatoon, SK17 Northern Select Angus Sale Camrose, AB19-24 Canadian Western Agribition Regina, SK23 Power & Perfection Angus Sale Regina, SK

December1 Manitoba Keystone Klassic Sale Brandon, MB4 MJT Cattle Co. Hereford & Angus Dispersal Edgerton, AB7 Touch of Class Sale Saskatoon, SK10 You Be The Judge Fall Heifer Sale Vermilion, AB31 New Years Resolution Frozen Genetic Sale Red Deer, AB

schedule ofEvents


80 Heifer Calves

80 Bull Calves

Elite Herd Sire Battery

Semen & Embryo Inventory

100 Yearling

Bred Heifers

160Cows all under 4 years of age

today's angus advantage summer 2012

Documents