Simpson Ranching Ltd.
The Simpson Family- Short Calving Season
The Simpson Family incorporated Simpson Ranching Ltd. in 1956
and 46 years later it remains owned and operated by the Simpson Family. To their
credit, this operation has one of the most respected straight Hereford cowherds
in all of Canada. The ranch, which carries the brand Circle Hanging Anchor,
is located west of Cochrane, Alta., and I had the opportunity to meet with ranch
manager John McEvoy to tour the herd and discuss and learn more about their
program and the success they have enjoyed.
The ranch currently runs approximately 1,000 head of straight Hereford cows.
There are 600 head of mature cows weighing an average of some 1,350 pounds,
200 head of first calf heifers and 270 head of replacements. All replacements
are selected from their heifer calf crop in September. Simpson's cull approximately
200 head per year to maintain a young cow base with strong production capabilities.
The average age of the cowherd is five years with cows that prove to have above
average production much older than the average. The cows are all pregnancy tested
in September and, whatever isn't in calf, never gets a second chance.