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Canadian Hereford Digest
Highlights from the Spring 2005 Issue

Contents

Sale Results

• • •

From Field To Desk

The strength of this magazine over the past 50 years has been tied to the strength of the Hereford breed itself as much as it has related to the dedication and integrity of those Canadian registered breeders, which it serves and who have supported it. This is an opportune time to reflect and look forward to what has and will keep Canadian Herefords in a strong, competitive position despite the rise and fall of the popularity of competing breeds.

This spring, I was engaged in a conversation with my friend Stan Jacobs, cow boss for the Douglas Lake Cattle Co. Our discussion centered around the fact that the Hereford breed is the only one that has not allowed crossbreds to become a part of their permanent registry. The subject obviously stayed with Stan because several hours later, he called me back with this message; “Kurt, don’t you think that because Herefords remain a pure breed is the main reason that the Hereford cow is still the most popular and profitable mother cow when run under practical ranch conditions?”

At bull sales throughout the country this spring, other top cattlemen gave me the same message with slightly different wording. In Maple Creek, Russell Jans said, "The Hereford cow is the only one you can mate to a bull of any other breed and still be successful.” Guy Smith says, "With continued selection for soundness, performance with carcass value, calving ease and maternal productivity, the Hereford cow will continue to be the foundation of Canada's cattle industry."

Over the years, our universities and breed associations have improved on the systems we use to measure beef cattle efficiency mathematically and I believe they all have their place. However, they are certainly no more important than a few of the basics that have and will continue to keep our breed in strong demand across the industry. Individual breeder integrity, a highly critical culling program, sound animal husbandry, good customer service and a worthy marketing and promotional program are those things. Any breeder who pays close attention to all five can enjoy a good living from their cattle for many years.

Between the covers of this 50th anniversary issue, you will read editorial and advertising that are excellent examples of these management practices.

The Hereford breed and the Canadian Hereford registry are only as strong as the people who build them. Hereford cattle in this country are regarded throughout the world as the “best of the breed” but they did not achieve this reputation on their own. Our breeders today, and those who have gone before them, continue to work hard for this credit, which is their due. They have taken sound, predictable genetics and made them better. Canadians have successfully marketed the resulting progeny to virtually every beef producing country in the world where they have propagated and improved the indigenous cattle of those areas.

Like your national breed magazine, your breed is constantly evolving and changing. All changes are not necessarily improvement but all are educational and therefore create a better product over time.

I trust you will enjoy what is offered in this golden anniversary herd sire edition. Our staff, in the office and in the field, take pride in presenting you with what will certainly be regarded as a “collector’s edition.”

• • •

The History Of Canadian Hereford Publications And The Canadian Hereford Digest
(taken from The Hereford in Canada 1860-1960 By D. A. Andrew)

The first attempt, by Canadian Hereford interests, to publish a breed paper was made in 1920, when the Canadian Hereford Association sent out a circular asking that members state how much they would give towards the starting of a Canadian Hereford illustrated monthly paper. The paper was to be owned and controlled by the Association. The subscribers, besides pledging a certain amount of money, also pledged to subscribe to the paper, the subscription rate was to be $1.00 a year. They were also to receive advertising space equal to the amount for which they had pledged themselves. So far as we have learned, the total amount promised was from $1,039 to $1,144. Some put down the actual amount they would give and also said they would give more. Thirteen Ontario Hereford breeders promised to give from $196 to $211, four Manitoba breeders $54, nine Saskatchewan breeders $203 and more, 12 Alberta breeders from $541 to $631, two British Columbia breeders $40 and more and one Nova Scotia breeder $5.00. One Alberta breeder said he would use $32 worth of advertising space yearly. Besides, each of the 41 breeders who promised to give money towards the publishing of a Hereford paper, promised to subscribe at $1.00 a year for it. Thus a grand total of from $1,080 to $1,185 and more was promised. The breeders who promised to give at that time were not among Canada’s large Hereford breeders. Many of the largest breeders of Herefords would have come forward later as would also many others. The records show that the matter ended with the receiving of the promises.

A second attempt was made when early in the spring of 1922, F.W. Darby, holder of the controlling interest in the Canadian Shorthorn Journal Limited, conceived the idea of starting a Canadian Hereford paper. A circular was sent out to the breeders announcing the intention and giving the subscription rates. It stated that all those who subscribed for the Canadian Hereford journal for two years at $3.00 would receive a free advertisement in the first issue. It will be noted later that several breeders availed themselves of this offer.

The Canadian Hereford Journal

The first issue of this publication, consisting of 26 pages and cover, carries the date of May 25, 1922. The foreword stated that it was for the breeder and feeder of Herefords in Canada and was being published monthly by Gulf Printing and Publishing Co., 20 Douglas St., Guelph, Ontario. The subscription rates were: for Canada $2.00 per year, and for U.S. and foreign countries $2.50 per year.

In the first issue only two breeders carried full page advertisements, namely Jones Bros. of Whitewater, Manitoba, featuring their Polled Climax herd sire, and the Oaks Stock Farm, owned by A.I. Currah of Bright, Ontario. Half page ads were carried by the following: M.J. O’Brien, Renfrew, Ont.; Pym Bros., Exmoor Farm, Mirror, Alta.; Scandia Stock Farm, Halbert Floen, Parkside, Sask.; and High Hill Hereford Farm, Turtleford, Sask..

The second issue of the Canadian Hereford Journal appeared on August 25, 1922, because sufficient support in regard to subscriptions and advertising had not been received to make a June and July issue pay. Five hundred copies of the August issue were printed and circulated – mainly in Ontario. Four hundred copies of the third issue were printed September 25 and distributed. With this issue the publication was discontinued.

The Canadian Hereford Journal secured only 75 subscriptions, most of which were for two years at $3.00.

Of these, 36 were in Ontario, five in Manitoba, 11 in Saskatchewan, 13 in Alberta, three in British Columbia, four in Quebec, one in Nova Scotia and two in the United States. Advertising from Hereford breeders netted $500.00 and from commercial sources $340.00 thus ended the career of the first publication in Canada dedicated to the welfare of the Hereford breed.

In December 1922, not dismayed by the failure of the Canadian Hereford Journal, a new venture was launched. The publication was named Herefords. The publisher and editor was J.A. Mcintyre of 93 Surrey St., Guelph, Ont., and the printing was done by the Planet Printing House, Chatham, Ont.

Some extracts from the rather lengthy announcement appearing in the first issue make interesting reading. The opening paragraph was as follows:

“Having severed my connection with the Canadian Shorthorn Journal Ltd., and its subsidiary, the Gulf Printing and Publishing Co., I am going to publish Herefords monthly and I appeal to Canadian Hereford breeders to support this paper which will be published entirely in their interests and in the interests of the Hereford breed, each month. If you like the paper let us know, if you don’t like it, let us know. If you think there are enough Herefords and Hereford breeders in Canada to warrant a Hereford paper, say so, if you don’t, say so.”

Further on, it stated that “A publication would bring Hereford breeders together and make possible an extent of group action that never was before. Greater contact and consequently more intelligent co-operation are among its immediate effects, and far greater publicity for the interest in Hereford cattle will be its fruits. I speak only of the larger things which will result in good and in progress for all the friends of Herefords. And in big things, let me say that much seed will be sown that will spring up in due season, and those who stick will reap the harvest therefrom.”

Regarding the financing of the paper, he makes the following rather interesting estimates, particularly when the figures are compared with this date of writing. “If a monthly paper published in the interests of Herefords and of Canadian Hereford breeders is managed rightly and of which not too much is expected, it will pay and pay well. To print 1,500 copies of a Hereford paper containing two 20 em columns, 10 point type, 20 pages each month costs, at $6.50 per page, $130.00. For 12 issues it will be $1,560. A stenographer would only be needed part time and will be obtained for $25.00 a month or $300.00 a year. Stationary required for letters will cost $20.00 a year. Postage for the papers would not cost over $100.00 a year. Stamps for the letters will not cost more than $54 per year. Office rent will be very low.

“The salary expected by myself will be $800 a year, because I will do the work in conjunction with other activities. There will need to be an allowance made for overhead such as a few traveling expenses and phone calls, but this should not exceed $366 a year. This brings the total cost of publishing a Hereford paper in Canada monthly to $3,200 a year.”

In spite of the optimistic outlook of the publisher, I believe the publication was short lived as the last copy I have been able to locate is Vol. 2, No. 2, issued in January 1924.

Following cessation of the publication of the Hereford no further effort to publish a Canadian Hereford paper was made until 1943. Although in the meantime the Canadian Hereford Association had an arrangement with the American Hereford Journal which provided for a subscription to each paid up member of the Canadian Association. This arrangement was discontinued early in 1947 when more support was directed to the publishing of the Canadian Hereford Digest. At that time a special subscription rate was offered to those Canadian breeders subscribing through the Canadian Association office. This was taken advantage of by up to 750 members yearly until discontinued in 1959. About 1934 the American Hereford Journal began publishing a special Canadian edition. In it was reported the results of the major spring bull sales in Canada. This section was bound separate on arrangement with the publishers and mailed by the Canadian Hereford Association to its members. This was discontinued when the Digest became well established.

The Canadian Hereford Digest

The first issue of what is now the Canadian Hereford Digest was published in July 1943 by Miss Pearl Helena of Regina. By way of title on the front cover, in heavy type were the following words: Saskatchewan Hereford Breeders Association. The issue contained 16 pages and the cover. On page 11 was a full page advertisement offering a prize of $5.00 for the best name for the publication. The three judges to select same were C.E. Beveridge, Livestock Commissioner for Saskatchewan; Prof.. J.W.G. MacEwan, Department of Animal Husbandry, University of Saskatchewan; and Mr. W.N. Catley, Secretary, Saskatchewan Hereford Breeders Association.

The second issue came out in October and on the front cover the new name Hereford Digest. On page three the result of the contest was reported as follows:

Contest naming the magazine

Prize awarded Grainland Baby Beef Club

As so many names were submitted, the judges were unable to agree but out of their consideration of the various names came the suggestion of the Hereford Digest. Since none of the contestants actually submitted this name but the idea for it originated from a number of suggestions close to it, it was impossible to award the prize to any one person.

As an alternative, the judges suggested that the award go to one of the Boy’s and Girl’s Beef Clubs.

This suggestion was adopted and on lots being drawn from a pool including all the names of the Saskatchewan clubs, the Grainland Baby Beef Club was drawn and the $5.00 duly sent to the club leader, Mr. John Currie, Grainland, Sask..

Paragraph three of the foreword appearing in the first issue reads as follows: “The Saskatchewan Hereford Breeders Association wish all members to feel that this is their own magazine, and in order to make it truly theirs, they are requested to notify the secretary for publication what they would like to have included and submit articles of interest. This magazine is being published every three months – July, October, January and April. A column of “Letters for Readers” will be included in the magazine, which will give everyone an opportunity to air their views and make suggestions for the mutual benefit of all. You are invited to participate in this column. We hope you will find this magazine helpful and your comments and criticisms will be always appreciated.”

In this first issue only seven Hereford breeders carried advertising. They were as follows: J.A. Baskie, Echodale Stock Farm, Whitewood, Sask.; W.N. Catley & Sons, Craven, Sask.; Stampa W. Lambert, Parkbeg, Sask.; J.S. Palmer & Sons, Marsden, Sask.; Thos J.C. Reid, Moosomin, Sask.; J.R. Cunningham, Hayfield, Man.; and Malcolm McGregor, Brandon, Man.

It is of interest to note that the only name appearing in this list that appeared in the first issue of the Canadian Hereford Journal (May 1922) was that of W.N.. Catley & Sons, craven, Sask.

This issue carried advertisements by both the Manitoba and Saskatchewan Hereford Associations. The fourth, or March 1944, issue came out under the name of Canadian Hereford Digest which title was carried forward until the first herd sire edition dated September 1956 when a small “The” prefixed the name. This was the first issue put out by Walker Publications Ltd.., the publishers from 1956-1961.

In 1944, the Canadian Association subsidized the Digest at the rate of $200.00 per quarter or that amount each issue. At the 1945 meeting, the sum of $200.00 per quarter was voted and Miss Helman was to have the privilege of issuing the paper on a monthly basis if she so desired. In return for the $800.00 voted, Miss Helman was to forward 2,000 copies of each issue to members of beef calf clubs across Canada. The mailing list to be prepared by the secretary of the Canadian Hereford Association. The annual subscription remained at the $1.00 rate.

At the 1946 annual meeting the matter of owning the breed publication was discussed. Miss Helman, for family reasons, found it necessary to dispose of the Digest, and while she had private offers to purchase, elected to give the Association the first opportunity. A decision in the matter was deferred until April 15th, pending consultation with the membership. The final decision was not to purchase. The result of this move was that Miss Helman sold the paper to Miss Dora Dibney of Regina, who had a background of 35 years in the publishing business. She took over June 15, 1946 and carried on in Regina until June 1948 when she sold the paper to the Examiner Press Ltd. of Calgary, with H.L. Hurst as advertising and business manager, Everett Marshall as managing editor, Frank Gibbons as editor and Ramsay Bellingham as assistant editor. Publication to be in Calgary and the subscription to remain at the $1.00 rate.

Beginning with the March 1947 issue, the Digest was named the official organ of the Canadian Hereford Association, and as such was sent to all paid up members of the Association. In 1949, the number of issues was raised from four to six with the subscription rate remaining at the $1.00 for private subscriptions. The Association paid for its members’ subscriptions on the basis of 12 1/2 cents per copy. That year the Association sent out a total of 38,946 copies, divided as follows: 21,788 to members of the Association, 16,748 to members of beef calf clubs and 410 to special individuals such as cattlemen in foreign countries.

The October 1954 issue of the Digest appeared under new ownership and management. Effective Sept. 1, 1954, the ownership passed to Hopkins Publications with Garth Hopkins as editor; T.W. Scott as advertising director and western Canada fieldman; and W.S. O’Neil & Son of Denfield, Ont. As fieldman for eastern Canada. With the February 1956 issue, the subscription rate was raised to $2.00

In the August 1956 issue, another change of ownership was announced. Hayes Walker Jr., publisher of the American Hereford Journal in Kansas city, Missouri, had purchased the Digest and taken control of operation as of August 1. The offices were to remain in Calgary and Mr.. Keith Gilmore, a former employee of the American Hereford Journal arrived in Calgary early in July to direct operations. The paper was now to become a monthly with no change in the annual subscription rate of $2.00 per annum. During the years following 1956, the Digest has developed in every way and now can be considered an indispensable part of the Hereford industry in Canada.

The May 1961 issue of the Digest announced yet another change of ownership. Mr. Keith Gilmore, managing editor since the Digest was taken over by Walker Publications Ltd., became the new owner, effective with the August issue. Mary Biner continued as assistant editor and Margaret Thomson as secretary and in charge of circulation. In 1956, a special herd sire edition was begun. The August 1961 issue, was the sixth edition and was comprised of 166 pages.

The importance of the Digest to the Hereford breeders is emphasized when we look at the circulation figures for 1960, when a total of 161,698 copies were sent out. These were divided as follows: association members 102,372 copies; beef calf club members 56,333 copies and specials 2,993.

1961-2005

Keith Gilmore, as president of Gilmore Publications Ltd., continued to produce the Canadian Hereford Digest until 1980 when he sold the company to Kurt Gilmore, and a new company, Gilmore Publications (1980) Ltd. assumed responsibility. Keith continued to maintain an active role with the magazine until his death in 1987.

From 1956 until 1971, the magazine maintained its offices upstairs in the John D McAra building (now Caesar’ Steak House) in downtown Calgary. When McAra Printing moved to a new building on 19th St. NE, the Digest moved with them. In 1980, McAra decided to move again and at the same time the Canadian Hereford Association established new offices at 5160 Skyline Way NE. For the past 25 years this has been the home of both the CHA and the Canadian Hereford Digest.

In addition to Keith and Kurt, a total of 18 people representing “The Digest” have traveled the length and breadth of Canada since 1962 to advise and assist Canadian Hereford breeders with their promotional program.

These people include the following:

1962-1965 Jim martin, Sask.
1965-1988 Edward Jupp, Sask./Man/Ont./Que
1965-1989 Jock Noble, Alta
1965-1966 John Bader, Ont
1970-1980 Kurt Gilmore, Alta/BC
1980-1988 Max Parker, Que
1981- present Keith Miller, BC
1987-1988 Marty Ross, Alta
1989 - 1990 Lyndon Hutchings, Alta.
1989 -1993 Glenn Vargo, Sask
1989 -1999 Cathy Lasby, Ont/Que
1980 -1991 Anne Brunet, Que
1990 -1991 Don Butler, Maritimes
1990 - 1993 Bob Miller, Man.
1990 -1997 Brad Corbiell, Alta.
1994 - 2003 Dennis Nevin, Man/SE Sask
1996 - present Wade Bertram, Sask
2003 - present Ron Wells, Ont

A great many full and part time people have made magazine production possible by the efforts they have

Contributed in the office.

One such was Laureen Tesky-Harper, the wife of Stephen Harper, current leader of the Conservative Party of Canada. It was Laureen who introduced computer imaging and design to the magazine.

The longest serving employees of the magazine include Elinor Else and Janice McCurdie.

Elinor joined the staff in 1973 and for many years has looked after the circulation, bookkeeping, proofreading, editorial transcription and reception.

Janice began with the Digest in 1975 and has been the backbone of advertising and editorial design and magazine make-ready. She also maintains one of the largest photographic digital files of any magazine in the industry.

Without the many good people who have dedicated their very souls to the business, the Canadian Hereford Digest would never have become the first Canadian purebred livestock magazine to reach its 50th birthday.

• • •

Deer Forks Ranch
By Kurt Gilmore

The Red Deer River spills into the South Saskatchewan on the Alberta-Saskatchewan border just a couple of miles east of Empress, Alberta. In the southwest quadrant formed by the juncture of these two rivers, some 6,000 acres comprise the Deer Forks Ranch. It is owned and managed by Ron and Sheila Howe, with a good deal of assistance provided by their son, Dale.

Ron's grandparents came to the area sometime after 1910 and settled at Atlee near Buffalo and at one time operated the Buffalo General Store. In 1962 the family moved to the present location of the Howe Ranch on the Red Deer River and Ron's twin brother operates that ranch today.

Sheila's grandparents, the Longmuirs, homesteaded at Acadia Valley about 1910 but moved to what is now the Deer Forks Ranch in 1925. Her grandfather bought his first Hereford cows that year. He also raised draft horses and sold them into the Ontario farm country. When Sheila's father, Jack Longmuir, later took over the ranch, he became a registered Hereford breeder and sold the resulting bulls by private treaty and at the Brooks Bull Sale every spring. In 1960 he also entered the Quarter horse business and the brood mare band has grown to 80 mares and is well known throughout North America. Stallions produced from this remuda are working in New Mexico, Arizona, Nebraska, Ontario and Quebec, as well as throughout the Prairie Provinces.

• • •

Elm-Lodge - A Practical Outlook
By Cathy Lasby

The rolling hills of Peterborough county in east central Ontario are home to one of the largest beef cattle populations in Ontario. It’s a stronghold for both the purebred and commercial beef industries and many times sets the pace for industry progress and leadership.

So it comes as no surprise that this is where you will find the very unique Elm-Lodge Polled Herefords and the equally unique Elmhirst family. They will quickly and humbly disagree that there is anything original about what they are doing and how they are doing it. Their story says differently.

Grant and Mary Elmhirst and their family uniquely own crown land. In fact, grant is the fifth generation, his son Billy is the sixth generation and his grandchildren, Owen and Katie, are the seventh generation of Elmhirsts to farm this land. In 1820, Lieutenant Philip James Elmhirst of England was given the land by Queen Victoria in appreciation for his efforts at the battle of Trafalgar. He sailed with his family, including seven brothers and sisters, to Canada where they landed at port hope. They then journeyed to his 1,000 acres on the north side of Rice Lake - and the current Elm-Lodge Farms.

• • •

Peter Herefords - A Family Operation
By Keith Miller

Although most of the Hereford industry is familiar with Peter Herefords there is another side to the enterprise at Aldergrove, British Columbia, and that is KDG Farms. This is the chicken broiler portion of a diversified business that keeps all the Peter family busy.

Don Peter, patriarch of the family, was born in Assiniboia, Saskatchewan and raised on a farm at Congress, a small town just north of where he was born. His family moved to Edmonton, Alberta, when he was 12 as his father was leaving the farm so an older brother could take over the operation.

It was at high school in Edmonton where Don was playing basketball that he was attracted to one of the cute cheerleaders whose name was Marilyn. They dated and after they graduated Marilyn went to work at a law office and Don joined the Edmonton police force. In 1957 they were married and in 1965 bought a half section at Leduc and moved to the farm where they started raising their family. Although Marilyn had been brought up in the city, she soon became involved in every phase of the farming operation.

• • •

Testicular Degeneration In Bulls
By Roy Lewis DVM

One of the most frustrating conditions to hit our herd sires is testicular degeneration (testicles shrinking up). It often strikes without warning or reason. It causes headaches for both purebred breeders with bulls they have sold and for insurance companies with bulls they have insured.

In this article I will go over some known causes and what to be observant for. Often we cannot prevent this condition however early recognition of warning signs may prevent the severe economic ramifications it brings.

The scrotum and it’s muscular attachments has the ability to expand and contract and in so doing raise and lower the testicles depending on the ambient temperature and body temperature of the bull. The scrotal temperature is normally lower than body temperature and must be maintained at that for normal sperm production. Anything that alters this greatly will affect normal sperm production and could over the long-term lead to testicular degeneration. It is important to note when even a temporary increase in scrotal temperature (say 1 c for 10 days) will affect sperm production for four to five months. Recovery will take a long time, which often as a producer you do not have, the luxury of.

Any condition, which causes increased temperature in the scrotal area, must be guarded against. Severe clinical disease, swelling in the area as a result of trauma (stepped on or bunted in the scrotal area), testicular torsion all may result in degeneration over time. Extremely fat bulls have too much insulation in their scrotum raising the internal temperature. Frostbite will initially cause the damage freezing brings but as healing occurs inflammatory processes set up and these can cause local temperatures to rise. Most of these conditions may have been long past and may not have even been recognized before testicular degeneration is picked up at semen evaluation time.

• • •

What The Future Holds For Cattle Breeders...

Editor's note: the past 50 years have seen enormous changes in the science and practical management of beef cattle. Purebred breeders especially, have been eager to respond to the availability of new technology and changing needs of their customers.

As a part of this 50th anniversary herd sire edition, we thought it appropriate to look forward into the next decade or two and forecast how beef cattle breeding practices may be influenced by future factors of science, management, consumer expectations and environment.

To do so, we have asked the following 10 industry leaders to give us their opinions based on their own field of experience and expertise. Even though their careers vary greatly, there are a few common themes in these presentations.

We take this opportunity to thank each of these authors for their time and opinions. Your talents and philosophies have a great influence on our business. We appreciate you sharing them with us.

• • •

Packing House Operations
Lee Nilsson
XL Beef, Calgary, AB

When asked to write my opinion on how various factors and concerns will influence the beef industry over the next several decades, my first reaction was, "Great, I’m glad it isn't over the next several months, for that could be a challenge." The first thing that came to mind was focusing on saving an industry that could arguable have its most exciting and romantic years behind it. As today's world continues to disconnect from commonsense and public overreaction and sensationalism, fueled mainly by the media, continues to rule the day, food safety perceptions will be an ever-increasing concern. It is unfortunate that a product that has had so much to offer in both economic and nutritional benefits may in fact be regulated from practical production, as we know it today should a more logical approach not soon be taken. The need for reliable, healthy and competitive protein should not continue to be over-shadowed by a lack of knowledge or good judgment.

I do believe the cattle industry will continue to find new and practical ways to deal with an every changing landscape, whether it be science, environmental concerns, herd origins or animal welfare (not be confused with animals rights). The fact is, I feel that we are a stronger, more knowledgeable and more responsible industry today because of the awareness of all such issues. But much is left to be done. For instance, we will need to continue to come up with innovative ways to compete in the value-added arena as consumer demand continues its appetite for convenience.

Left alone, I believe the cattle industry will not only overcome but also continue to improve because of the challenges that are sure to lie ahead. However, the more unsolicited help we get in the form of regulation, legislation and overreaction, the more cause I have for concern. We can only hope that somehow the corral gate gets closed before what commonsense is left, "escapes."

• • •

Commercial Cattle Production And Sales
Stan Jacobs
Cowboss, Douglas Lake Cattle Company

What changes the cattle industry has seen since the first publication of the Canadian Hereford digest some 50 years ago. Like then, we are all faced with challenges and demands as we as cattlemen strive to accomplish so much from a mother cow.

As our industry grows, we are becoming more accountable to more people, some directly associated with us, and some, not only outside the industry, but also outside the country with totally different cultures.

This then may become our largest challenge. To meet or exceed these expectations while trying to maintain some status quo. To raise cattle that can still function and harvest grass with low maintenance management.

More and more information comes available every year. What this information means, which of it is relevant to each of us and yes, which is just a sales pitch, can influence the direction we might take.

With things like environment, management practices, and life style all contributing to making most cowherds unique, the challenge still remains to be economical while trying to raise or buy females that will maintain the operation and still be a useful product to do what Canadian cattlemen do. And that is raising the healthiest, safest, highest demand beef in the world today.

• • •

Feedlot Science
Dr. Kee Jim
Feedlot Health Management

From the feedlot perspective, it will be very interesting to observe beef cattle breeding over the next several decades. Feedlots exert some influence over beef cattle breeding practices through the premiums and discounts offered for various cattle types in feeder markets. In order to understand the preferences of feedlots for cattle types, it is important to briefly review the factors that contribute to the profitability of a feedlot animal. The relative value of feeder animals is determined by performance (average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion (FC)), carcass characteristics (yield grade, quality grade, and carcass size) and health status (sickness and death loss). Cattle breeders have selected for rapid growth rate (I.E., Higher ADG) for many years. Ironically, despite the fact that FC is economically three to seven times more important than ADG, cattle have not been selected for improved FC because measuring FC requires individual animal feeding facilities. Recently, the infrastructure to measure individual animal feed conversion has become available on a commercial basis. Thus, it is possible that innovative breeders will focus on feed conversion as a selection criterion. Unquestionably, feedlots will pay more money for feeders with improved FC. Breeders will also have to pay close attention to carcass traits. For example, in situations where packers have offered premiums to feedlots for well-marbled carcasses, feedlots, in turn, have paid higher prices for feeders with a greater propensity to marble. Thus, for the last few years, black influenced cattle have often fetched top prices at the auction market. In situations where packers pay a premium for cattle with high red meat yield (cutability), feedlots pay premiums for feeders that are likely to have larger rib eyes and less external fat (i.e.., Exotic breed influenced cattle). Thus, the challenge to breeders is to produce animals with superior FC that have high cutability (yield grade Canada 1) and are well marbled (Canada AAA).

• • •

International Genetic Trade
Perry Wilkes

In the early days of exploration and colonization, the movement of genetics to foreign countries to populate and improve the production of animals that ultimately ended up in the human food production chain, was a necessity of the times. A majority of breeds that have made a significant influence in the composition of national herds throughout the world came from Europe.

“what you saw is what you got”, as visual appraisal and lineage information were the two main criteria of selection.

During the last 50 years there has been a gradual trend, and in some cases a high degree of reluctance, to embrace the “new path” of the international marketing of beef cattle genetics by combining, “all we see with all we know”. Leaders in the field of international marketing of domestic genetics were the poultry industry and the dairy industry. They developed programs to effectively evaluate and measure production. They accepted the fact that as areas of weakness were identified in these programs or management practices changed that revision in direction would have to be made. They worked closely with their counterparts around the world to integrate programs so the animals in one country could be evaluated on a comparative basis with animals in another country.

Swine producers have a wealth of genetic information available; however, they have not yet been successful in being able to commercially transport genetics in a frozen form as semen or embryos on a worldwide based commercial scale. That limitation will be resolved in time. The cattle industry has enjoyed a remarkable advantage in this area of international marketing.

What does the future hold for Canadian beef producers to capture their fair share of the demand for new genetics in other countries?

  1. Leadership in the development of genetic programs has to come from the industry umbrella group or groups.
  2. Food safety is going to be a major platform of politicians around the world therefore the trade in live animals is going to be minimal.
  3. Evaluate all research that can be incorporated into your genetic programs that will assist you in meeting the demands of the consumer. Bear in mind that those demands are a moving target. However, there are two traits that are not likely to change - tenderness and consistency. Therefore focus your attention in those areas first.

Those individual breeders who embrace and develop marketing programs that include gene mapping for traits the consumer demands, such as tenderness, are going to be in the driver's seat. Unfortunately, you are involved in a production chain that depends on many other persons before the product ends up on the consumer’s plate. The full potential of outstanding consumer acceptance will only be realized if strategic alliances are established that make everyone involved, accountable.

Agricultural producers are producing more food today than the world’s population can consume. This is likely to be the case in the foreseeable future, barring an unseen wide spread disaster in a majority of the major food production areas of the world.

The effective marketing of beef cattle genetics, at home and abroad, that embrace those characteristics that the consumer demands, will reward those producers that set up strategic alliances with specialists in the field of genetics, processing and marketing.

In conclusion I would like to leave you with this thought attributed to john Ruskin, an English author, art critic and social commentator.

“what we think or what we know or what we believe is, in the end, of little consequence. The only consequence is what we do.”

• • •

EPDs - Past, Present and Future
Sean McGrath
EPD Research

EPDs have been around for many years (even longer than the digest), however in recent years the power to store and evaluate large data sets has resulted in a monumental leap forward in evaluation. Nowhere has this been more visible than the advance of EPD technology from single trait models that accounted only for the sire’s (maternal grandsire’s) contribution, to multi-trait animal models that look at the relationships between genes and account for sire and dam contributions to offspring. This major improvement has been largely the result of improved computing power and has only really been possible over the last 10 to 15 years.

As technology and research advances even further, the number of EPD traits and the complexity with which they can be evaluated will increase. For example, work is already being done to include gene marker information in EPD evaluations, thus improving accuracy and the ability to assess hard to collect traits such as tenderness. Many researchers have work underway on evaluating maternal traits and input traits such as maintenance energy requirements and feed efficiency.

As this development progresses, the number of available EPDs will continue to increase, however they will tend to move into the background, as we will see further development of selection index technology. This will start with standard industry indexes that combine and weight the EPD based on their relative economic impact. The CHA is already moving down this road with tools such as MPI (maternal productivity index).

This leads to the next step in the selection index path, which is the development of customized index selection that is operation/farm or alliance specific. In other words, producers will be able to enter their input, cow herd, production, marketing, and economic information and produce a list of optimal animals for their own operation.

This fits with the developing role of seedstock suppliers to be complete providers of genetic services. In other words, success in the future is going to be contingent on the ability of breeders to use the new tools and work with their customers to “fit” their genetics to specific commercial industry programs.

Over the next several years we should also look to see genetic evaluation technology become all encompassing and taking a “systems” approach to evaluating seedstock. This includes evaluation tailored to alliance structures in the industry, multi-breed evaluations that use crossbred data, and a movement to global evaluations that include our various trading partners.

• • •

Marketing Registered and Commercial Beef Cattle
Bob Balog
Balog Auction Services Inc.

We have seen the last generation of real down to earth ranchers and ranch families! Now don't jump off a cliff! Things have been changing for a thousand years, why would you think this would be any different?

Science and consumer expectations go hand in hand. The smarter we get, the more challenges we will create for our industry. If you want to know where we will be in 20 or 30 years, take a good hard look at Europe. New technology will soon allow the price of meat you eat in a restaurant to be traced back to Mr.. X's farm, consumers extremely pleased - rancher get ready. How many of you can afford an extra $40,000 insurance liability premium? Do you think because we give the consumer more information he will be prepared to pay more - since when! All the costs and inconvenience are always handed back to Mr.. Producer. Beef has been able to compete with the confinement production of poultry and pork only because we have had an abundance of cheap land. Wait until our population hits 80 million and three-quarters of them don't even eat beef!

Management, well, that's not going to change! Work the hardest - be the best. Give the purebred buyer and the commercial buyer more and more and more information and be smart enough to use it as a marketing tool. Create your own trends and fads and get ready to sell your product in volume!

Environment and animal activists - well we haven't even scratched the surface! Every water hole, lake, river and dam will be fenced. Cows won't roam in the middle of the road anymore! And the best one - get ready for the smart people who aren't involved in our lifestyle and business to start dictating to us how we should run our business; and guess what, the government will agree with them!

Now stop! I haven't gone crazy! We have had many years of great business and success and more importantly, an enviable lifestyle. The above "predictions" won't happen overnight, so you have 20 to 30 years to get ready, and I know I’ll be in a lot better auction market by then than I am now, and guess what,

I'm not quitting!

• • •

Genetics And Trait Selection
Dr. Jay cross

Gene identification and inheritance

It was only a little over 50 years ago that scientists discovered that the basis of heredity lay in the DNA of our genes. With the ability to study genes in a test tube, the discovery has lead to the development of the biotechnology industry, changed forensic medicine and disease diagnosis, and is beginning to change agriculture with the development of genetically modified crops. There has been a slower impact in animal agriculture, but how will the Hereford industry change as a result in the next 50 years? Within the next year or so, the ‘bovine genome project’ will be completed and we then know all of the genes that form the blueprint for making a cow. The next steps will compare the genetic profiles of animals with desirable and less desirable traits. This information will be useful if we can use tests to distinguish these different animals, and to therefore breed animals carrying valuable genes, and cull animals that carry undesirable genes. If the trait associated with those genes takes a long time to manifest, such as longevity or milk production in a bull’s daughters, testing up front would save considerable time. Sounds simple, but will the technology really advance? For some traits controlled by single genes and which are not affected by environment, like horned versus polled or some diseases, genetic testing could have an impact as underlying genes are identified. As a tool to eliminate carriers of disease genes, this would be very valuable. As a positive selection tool for desirable traits, we need to use caution as single trait selection has never been a good idea. For production traits, genetic testing is not straightforward. First, for all production traits, genetics controls only a small part of their expression. For Hereford cattle, the heritability estimates for milk, weaning weight, marbling and birth weight are only 0.15, 0.19, 0.23 and 0.40 meaning that only 15, 19, 23 and 40 per cent of the potential change in these traits at the next generation can be explained by genetics. These numbers tell us that environment and feeding can have a huge impact in modifying the expression of a trait. Second, even for the genetic component of a trait, production traits are ‘multi-genic’ meaning that for the cattle population as whole no single gene underlies the trait. In practical terms, this means that we can’t do a simple test for one gene, and we need to have the right combination of several genes interacting with the right environment to have that perfect animal. In time, we will see technical advances that allow us screen all genes at the same time and identify animals with the desirable gene set. These advanced tools should also be applied to factors associated not just with maximal production but also efficient production such as feed efficiency, longevity, structural soundness, and adaptability to different management conditions. This will take a long time to work out, though, so the old style cattleman shouldn’t plan on putting his feet up just yet.

• • •

The Changing Beef Industry
Grant Hirsche
Registered Hereford Breeder and Retail Meat Purveyor

It is a very hard, but exciting time to be in the beef industry today. In the past 50 years we have seen many changes, some for the good and others not so good. I believe the next 50 years will see even more changes, hopefully for the good.

One of the fundamental lessons we're trying to learn is the old antic, "the customer is always right." In the early 1970's, we went away from a primary British breed cow herd with lots of marbling to a bigger lean meat, more exotic animal. As this transpired, we slowly watched beef consumption decline until the 1980's when we decided to once again address meat quality. The grading system was then implemented to measure marbling (and help ensure a good eating experience) as well as yield grade to help ensure more muscle to exterior fat ratio. Some of us once again have been very slow to change. Now, as we are accepting marbling as in indication of good beef, we are going to see a lot more done in this area. In the future, we will have sheer tests done to measure tenderness and flavour. One might ask why all this effort and expense? I believe it is very simple. "the customer is starting to ask for it and in the future they will be demanding it."

I think we have two major challenges to address in the future. Both will be demanded by our consumer. The first is food safety - something very new and challenging at the present time. We have seen our borders close because of BSE. We all know our food is safe. Many countries, including japan, are asking for BSE testing. We have been slow to conform, but we will eventually give it to them. But what is next? I believe our consumers, both domestic and abroad, are going to want to know when and where each animal was born, what it ate and how it was then processed. I think, in the future, we will have information put on each package of meat. I also think you will see more personalized meat shops go up where the consumer can buy with confidence, knowing the ranch that raised the beef or at least being able to know where the beef came from and how it was fed. They will also want more personalized service, like we had 25 years ago.

The second major demand that the consumer is going to insist upon is food quality, more natural, with no steroids or hormones, but also good eating. We will see much effort put in this direction, with each piece of meat tested, probed and graded for tenderness. Marbling will still be used to help with this grading, but there will be other measures as well.

As we look down the road to the next 50 years, our challenge is very simple. We must listen more closely and quickly to our customers. If they want a safer product, let's give them more records and test beef if they demand it. If they want a better eating experience, let's give them better-marbled beef and test for tenderness. It will happen and those that join in this quest for better and safer beef will reap the rewards. The more of us that work to this measure and the faster we achieve these qualities, the stronger and better our beef industry will be in the next 50 years.

• • •

Today's Embryo Transfer In Beef Cattle
Dr. Roger l. Davis DVM

Artificial insemination and international transplant specialist

Embryo transfer is an ever changing and expanding field. The first calf produced experimentally was in 1951, but it took until the 1970’s for the first calf to be commercially produced (in England). The commercial embryo transfer industry in north America developed in the early 1970’s with the introduction of exotic European breeds of cattle.

Embryo transfer is basically used to exploit the genetics of the female in the same way that frozen semen is used to exploit the genetics of the male. As ET technology developed and improved, embryo transfer became more commonplace and affordable.

ET began to be used for genetic improvement rather than for increasing numbers of a particular breed or phenotype.

Bovine embryo exporting

With the world-wide concerns of disease transmission, embryos are now the most efficient, cost effective and safe way to move genetic matings throughout the world. Thanks to cutting edge research, embryos that are processed according to the international embryo transfer society (IETS) standards by certified and accredited embryo transfer practitioners can be exported to most countries, Iets washed embryos pose zero risk for the transmission of any known disease, including BSE and foot and mouth disease. (if embryos are produced for a specific market, you should have your et practitioner check on specific requirements such as donor testing and special semen qualification.).

Marketing features of exporting embryos to foreign countries compared to live cattle include:

• Economic means of transporting genetics versus live animals on planes

• Zero risk for disease transmission

• Rarely subject to health restrictions due to disease outbreaks (BSE)

• Offspring adapt better to new environments when born and raised there

• Offspring born with immunity to local disease (from recipient)

• Buyer can purchase genetics from elite cows that are not for sale

• Improved technology world-wide means good results

Marketing tips:

• Get good quality photos of all potential donor cows on pasture when lactating (preferably not a dry fat cow)

• Write a short history and production record for each cow including EPDs

• Qualify embryos for export even if not exporting and keep them stored correctly to maintain status

• Keep a listing of embryo inventory and qualifications

• Post your donor(s) on your web site if you have one

Advanced et technology

Embryo sexing requires that a small biopsy be removed from the embryo and analyzed using DNA technology to determine the sex. This technology is considered cost effective and is utilized quite commonly in dairy cattle. On average, the pregnancy rate with frozen-sexed embryos is slightly lower that non- manipulated embryos. Its use is questionable as to it being cost effective in beef herds. The biopsy also penetrates the zona pellucida (shell) which yields the embryos non exportable to some countries.

Ultrasonography is used commonly to evaluate ovaries, detect early pregnancy (27 days), and determine the sex of the fetus (55-70 days gestation). Ultrasound is a very useful tool and can help utilize recipients more efficiently by early pregnancy testing and re-use of open recipients. Examining the ovaries of donor cows and recipients can also be useful in determining if the ovaries are functioning properly. Ultrasound is an excellent tool to use in general reproductive examinations as well.

Embryo splitting has been used more commonly in the past. It is used to produce identical twins. The number of calves from a given number of embryos can be increased, however twice as many recipients are needed and the pregnancy rate is decreased. The high cost of recipients makes this technology questionable from an economic standpoint.

IVF or in-vitro fertilization is basically “test-tube calves”. This procedure is quite effective in producing embryos, however the pregnancy rates can be disappointing and the abortion rates are high with high incidence of giant calves which leads to low numbers of healthy live calves. This technique is practical for very valuable cows that will not reproduce using conventional et. Frozen IVF embryos yield varying and mostly disappointing pregnancy results.

Cloning uses et as part of the process to produce pregnancies. This technology has greatly improved and is restricted to research and very valuable animals such as transgenic animals like dolly the sheep that are used to produce rare pharmaceuticals. In Canada there are presently restrictions on selling production (semen) from cloned or genetically modified animals.

Embryo transfer has come a long way in the past 30 years with the technological advances. The thing that hasn’t changed is the fact that you should still only flush the genetically superior donors with a track record. Economics still rule the decisions. Now, more than ever, et is used for movement of genetics world-wide. More now than ever, the good ones are bringing a premium and are easy to market. Embryo transfer is a tool to help get more of those “good ones”.

• • •

Beef Grading
Cindy Delaloye, General Manager
Canadian Beef Grading Agency

How will grading influence beef cattle breeding over the next several decades? To try to answer this question, it is necessary to recognize the purpose of grading. Beef is graded in order to consistently group carcasses according to quality, yield and value – it is a marketing tool. The cattle industry has seen the grade standards evolve from one focusing mainly on yield to our current standard which focuses first on meat quality and then on yield.

In the nine years since the introduction of privatized grade delivery in Canada, we have experienced slight adjustments to the grading standards. Each of these adjustments has been a focus on quality – the introduction of new marbling standards, and the Canada prime grade and the reduction of conformation requirements. The packing industry in turn has introduced branded beef programs, which further segregate carcasses according to quality. The focus today and into the future seems to be on quality.

Cattle producers will need to determine which factors produce the quality most desired by the consumer, even if their customer is a backgrounder, a feeder, or a packer. Then the breeding, feeding and management programs will have to focus on producing for the ultimate goal of consumer satisfaction. This means a producer will have to make arrangements for the sharing of information throughout the production, processing and retailing chain. Grading cannot influence production without communication and cooperation so that all sectors can benefit from meeting the consumer’s needs.

• • •

BC Bull-etin

The show season is upon us in BC and this year there will be four mark of excellence shows instead of the usual three. The salmon arm fair is a newly nominated MOE show this year and Kathy Crosbie is working hard to make it a good show by using the standards set. MOE shows are becoming old hat to many and not all the guidelines are met when setting up the show. This year, all the exhibitors at salmon arm will have to have a red shirt for the first time. For anyone wanting to get a prize list, it is available on line by emailing safair@sunwave.net. The Hereford challenge at this show has always been a popular event with as many as 70 head showing.

The BC Hereford Association annual general meeting will be held on the same day as the show and it will make it a rush so we can only hope the judge is fairly fast. I know I have not given the date yet, but wanted to get your attention, as we would like to see as many as possible at the AGM on Sept 10. Details will follow in a newsletter that will go out shortly.

The first show will be at the central valley exhibition grounds in Abbotsford on August 1 (the long weekend). Herefords will be the only breed showing at Abbotsford because the fair is not offering any prize money, not even a return of entry fees.

The next MOE show will be Chilliwack Exhibition MOE show on August 7 and that will be held in the new Heritage Park complex at Chilliwack. This is a new building that is getting a lot of traffic with many events and shows.

August 27 will be the Bulkley Valley Exhibition MOE show at Smithers and then by the order of things the BCHA AGM will follow on Sept 10. Had to get it in again, as we want people to remember it and attend.

The West Coast Club held a very successful 37 th Annual Sale. To help make this sale go the club invite the Fraser Valley Angus Club to participate and it has helped to get more people selling and in the stands. I am not sure this is a long-term development as I see the Hereford making rebounds in the Fraser Valley as many get disgruntled with the lack of docility in the Angus. The Angus portion of the sale actually brought the average down a bit and the report is elsewhere in this issue.

Our juniors had a field day at the same time as the Evergreen Sale and then the juniors who wanted to participate did so at the CHA AGM in Princeton and had a great time and were rewarded for their efforts. Two lucky junior members won airfare to Bonanza 2005 in LIndsay, Ontario. The CHA annual meeting at Princeton has been rated by all those who attended as one of the best for several years and that is due in no small part to the efforts of Jaymie Atkinson. She spent hours getting sponsorships and when all the smoke cleared she ended up with a nice profit of about $3,000. Now comes the problem of what to spend it on. It will not go into general revenues for the BCHA, as we all feel it should be used to promote the breed, get new members and stimulate interest through field days or other functions. If anyone has a good idea we need to know about it, as one of the aims of this AGM was to expand interest and enthusiasm in the breed.

Have a great summer.

• • •

Alberta Influence

The 2005 Alberta Hereford Association annual meeting, along with the Alberta Junior Hereford Association annual show, took place at the Olds Cow Palace on June 25 and 26. The East Central Hereford Club was the host for this years meeting and I would like to thank Dianne Westerlund for her assistance in preparing for the event and for her help in Olds. A meeting was held on Friday evening, June 24, for AHA directors and Hereford Club executive. This provided an opportunity to share ideas in an informal setting.
At the annual meeting the next morning a new AHA board of directors was elected:

President:

Jim Prichard Director at large
Vice president: Blaine Brost Southern Club rep

Past president:

Doug Finseth Director at large
Executive director: Tom Basnett Peace River Club rep
Directors: Stewart Crone

Director at large

  Nels Nixdorff

Director at large

  Kevin Wirsta Director at large, new
  Andy Shuepbach Director at large, new
  Brad Dallas

Central Club rep

  Dwayne Fulton Calgary Club rep
  Clark Huston

East Central Cub rep

  Errol Verbeek

Northern Club rep, new

Cha directors:

Byron Templeton
Steve Upham
Scott Pahl 		 

Scott was re-elected as a CHA rep for another three year term. We welcome newcomers Errol, Kevin and Andy to the board and thank Grant Hirsche, Doug Fraser and Dan Prichard for their years of service.

Junior activities continued throughout the day and their show was held on Sunday. The weekend drew a nice crowd. It was a very wet weekend overall! We are pleased to join forces with the juniors and feel that both events are enhanced as a result.

At the evening barbecue several breeders were honoured:

Hall of fame inductees:

High Crest Farms – Allen & Marguerite Laycock, Esther

Fischer Herefords – Albert & Frances, Rob & Brenda, formerly of Consort

Purebred breeder of the year :

East Central Bull Sale – who celebrated their 50 th year in 2005. The East Central Hereford Club chose to honour those individuals who got the East Central Bull Sale going and those who keep it going.

Commercial cattleman of the year:

Deer Forks Ranch, Ron & Sheila Howe and Family, Empress

Northern Alberta Hereford Club

At the NAHC Annual Meeting held in St. Lina in mid-June, Lanni & Virginia Bristow, of LO Herefords, Heinsburg, were honoured as the 2005 Northern Alberta Hereford Club purebred breeder of the year.

In addition, F.X. dechaine & Sons of St. Lina and Kotowich Evergreen Farms of St. Paul were honoured as commercial breeders of the year by the NAHC

The NAHCis pleased to announce the 2004 memorial scholarship was awarded to Anna Rutledge of Hardisty. Anna was an eight year 4-H member and always showed Hereford steers and heifers. Anna has completed her third year at the University of Alberta in the faculty of education and plans to teach in rural Alberta.

For information on the NAHC Memorial Scholarship or an application please call Deb Trefiak @ (780) 755-2224.

Bull Lottery

The 2005 Bull Lottery is underway. Remember to ask for your transfer to be automatically entered in the draw for a $5000 credit voucher toward the purchase of another bull.

• • •

Saskatchewan Cow-Man Sense

The National Show returns to Saskatchewan!

The Saskatchewan Hereford Association will, once again, host the National Hereford Show at Canadian Western Agribition. The dates for this year's show are November 21 to 26, 2005. The Hereford Show will be held on Friday, November 25 starting at 9:00 a.m. in the stadium. The show format will be the same with the horned and polled females and bulls alternating divisions. The only difference will be that the show will take place all on one day.

The Red Coat Classic has moved to Saturday morning starting at 9:00 a.m. in the auditorium. The committee is offering two early bird draws, valued at $200, to the Red Coat Classic membership ticket holder who purchases their ticket before November 1, 2005. If you are a lucky winner of one of the early bird draws, you will still be eligible for the membership draws and the grand prize draw at the show. Purchase your $100 Red Coat membership ticket now by contacting the SHA office at 306-842-6149.

The SHA is striving to increase the demand for "Hereford Influence" in the commercial marketplace. This year the SHA made changes to the commercial show at Agribition. Entries in the commercial show must be declared as Hereford influence at the time of entry and the winner must have a white face and carry strong Hereford characteristics. Prize money has been increased to $400 to divisional champion pens and $300 to divisional reserve champion pens in steer and female classes. The maximum pay out has also increased to $3,000 and will apply on a pro-rated basis.

In addition, the SHA has added a $750 cash prize to the over all grand champion pen and $250 to the over all reserve grand champion pen in the open replacement heifers and bred replacement heifer classes, provided the animals are straight bred Hereford, declared at time of entry.

The Saskatchewan Hereford Association will also be providing coffee and donuts during the cwa commercial show on friday, november 25 in the stockman's arena.

Transfer your bulls!

Any hereford bull purchased in Saskatchewan and transferred from January 1 to December 31, 2005 is automatically eligible to win one of two credit vouchers valued at $1,000 each, to be used toward the purchase of another Hereford bull from a Saskatchewan Hereford breeder. Get your transferred paper to be automatically entered in the draw! The draw will be made in January 2006.

Mark these dates on your calendar to attend the many activities going on this summer in Daskatchewan.

August 5 - North West Saskatchewan Hereford Zone are hosting their annual summer field day at Adamson Bros. located 9 mi. NW of Makwa. Activities will start at 1:30 p.m. and will include jackpot bull calf judging and group of three yearling and heifer classes. Contact Raymond Bygrove, NW Zone secretary at 306-825-2645 for more information.

August 6 - Southwest Hereford Zone Field Day will be held at Braun Hereford Ranch, Simmie, starting at 1:00 p.m. The day will include cattle displays, cow/calf jackpot, bull calf jackpot and an open junior showmanship with the winner receiving a "Hereford 2005" sale credit. Contact Craig Braun at 306-297-2132 for more information.

August 13 - The South East Zone is holding their annual Cattleman's Feld Day in conjunction with the Saskatchewan Hereford Association Annual Heneral Meeting at the farm of Rob and Dawn O'Connor - located 1 km east and 4 km north of Vibank. Activities will start at 11:00 a.m. with the Saskatchewan Junior Hereford Association Beef-A-Rama followed by the cattleman's field day at 1:00 p.m. and SHA Annual Meeting at 4:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend and if you need more information, please contact Karen Wagner (junior events) 306-299-4511, Arden Charlton, SE Zone secretary at 306-842-6146 or Marilyn Charlton, SHA at 306-842-6149.

• • •

Manitoba Mainstream

37th annual Lundar Bull Sale

Thirty-seven years ago a group of Hereford breeders in the interlake area of Manitoba decided that it was time to have a bull sale in their part of the province. Starting off as a Hereford Bull Sale selling two-year-old bulls, it has evolved into the longest running bull sale in Manitoba. The majority of the Hereford bulls are still two-year-olds and other breeds have been added. It is a great event to attend, from the appreciation supper and Lundar Bull Sale calendar auction on Friday night, through the show and sale on Saturday. A good time is had by all! This year's show and sale was held April 16.

Neil wilson of Haroldson's Polled Perefords, Wawota, SK judged the show.

Senior champion bull

ADR MC Chester 1n - sired by MBH Lawrence 108L

Owned by Deb-Den Stock Farm, Moosehorn MB

Reserve senior champion bull

Leveldale Network 33K 2N - sired by Leveldale Marcus 14G 33K

Owned by Amy Allison, Douglas, MB

Junior champion bull

Gleich Nitlake 3N - sired by Rawcliffe 30Z Nitro 01E

Owned by Connie Gleich, Eriksdale, MB

Reserve junior champion bull

KJR Circulator 108N - sired by Rawcliffe 30Z Nitro 01E

Owned by Ken Erickson, Winnipeg, MB

Champion yearling bull

Mil-Wray Rgger 15P - sired by SBS 57G Radar 32K

Owned by Don & Wanda Wray, Tilston, MB

Reserve champion yearling bull

KTCT 10M Pete 25P - sired by KTCT 85D Duster 10M

Owned by Keith Troop, Portage La Prairie, MB

High selling heifer

LVH Miss Standard Brit 30P - sired by JHR 177D Standard Lad 52K

Owned by Lawview Herefords, Cypress River, MB

Sold to Gordon Otto, Ashern, MB, for $1,800

Grand champion bull

ADR Mr Chester 1N - owned by Deb-Den Stock Rarm, Moosehorn, MB

Sold to Hi-Cliffe Polled Herefords, Esterhazy, SK, for $5,100.

Reserve grand champion bull

Mill-Eray Rigger 15P - owned by Don & Wanda Wray, Tilston, MB

Sold to Gleich Herefords, Eriksdale, MB, for $3,200.

Grand champion heifer

RSK 9B Periwinkle 21p - sired by C&L Double Tme 452M. Owned by Stephen Kopeechuk, Brandon, MB

Sold to Colette Lavalee, Eriksdale, MB, for $1,500.

Reserve grand champion heifer

KTCT 10M Page 11P- sired by KTCT 85D Duster 10M. Owned by Keith Troop, Portage La Prairie, MB

Sold to Mike Rawluk, Moosehorn, MB, for $1,600

At the buyers' appreciation supper, held on the Friday evening, three breeders were presented with their 25-year pins as members of the Canadian Hereford Association. Jack Cruise of Lundar, Dennis Rawluk of Moosehorn and Robert Truthwaite of Hodgson, received their pins from Dan Gullett, Canadian Hereford director from Manitoba.

• • •

Ontario Communique

Ontario beef congress champions

G&E 2M Matt 1P , consigned by Graham & Evelyn Gilles, Milton, ON.

JGB 100L Patricia 3P , consigned by Putney Heath Farms, Caledon East, on and purchased by Bill Lyons, St. Thomas, ON.

CHA annual meeting

On behalf of the Ontario members who attended the CHA Annual Meeting we express our sincere thank you to the BC Hereford Sssociation for their efforts in providing an excellent venue for this meeting. Your picturesque province and kind hospitality were unparalleled, making our time spent with you a very profitable and memorable occasion. Thanks again.

Ron Wells, secretary manager

25 year pin presentations

Ron Wells, on behalf of the Canadian Hereford Association, presenting Jean Ahrens, Elmwood, ON with her 25-year pin. When visiting with the Ahrens, who run a 60 to 70 head hereford cow-calf operation, Jean boasts of one particular cow that is 16 years age and has raised 15 excellent calves with one of her best heifer calves at side this year - and still going strong!

Bobby Hull and Doug Hadden receiving their 25-year pins at the Bobby Hull Bull Sale.

• • •

Obituary

Hans Austenson

Hans Orlo Austenson was born Jan. 10, 1914 in Viscount, Saskatchewan, and lived to be almost 91 years old. He lived his entire life in the same house on the family farm which was homesteaded by is mother and father, Inger Louise and John Oscar, in about 1911. Amazingly, he died in the very room in which he was born.

Hans took considerable responsibility on the farm at an early age. With his love of the prairies and keen interest in all things mechanical, this was a natural fit.

In the 1950's he started to develop his registered hereford herd, under the name Wild Rose Hereford Farm. In 1958, Hans hired Mike Manyk and for 46 years, Mike was his right hand man. Mike remembers what a thrill it was to show prize-winning cattle for the first time at Wadena and later at Battleford, Saskatoon and the Regina Agribition where Hans was one of the first exhibitors. One bull that they bred, Della Zento, went on to become a grand champion at the Denver Stock Show. Through these shows, Hans and Mike developed a wide circle of friends. Hans demonstrated his generosity be sharing his knowledge of beef cattle as a volunteer in the local 4-H club.

Hans was a hard working and ambitious man. Over the years, he expanded the farm, including the construction of a large bale shed. Hans and Mike planted about 5,000 trees on the property and he had a grain elevator moved onto the property from Alan. All of these projects made his farm a local landmark.

Hans is survived by his sister, B.J. Smith, Airdrie, AB, brother Oliver (Lilly) of Saskatoon, sister-in-law, Marilyn Austenson of Saskatoon, long time friend Mike Manyk and 15 nieces and nephews.

• • •

Maple Creek Bull Show & Sale
March 25-26 Maple creek, SK

"Roughneck" sets new record at $38,000

54 bulls
Total
$188,300
Average
$3,487

• • •

Prairie Partners Bull Sale
March 28, 2005 Irvine, AB

Four families offer their best

25 bulls
Total
$62,600
Average

$2,504

• • •

East Central Bull Sale
April 8, 2005 Oyen, AB

East Central Hereford Club celebrates 50 th sale

26 bulls
Total
$72,200
Average

$2,777

20 commercial open heifers averaged $742

• • •

Moccasin Flat Ranch Bull & Female Sale
April 7, 2005 Torrington, AB

High marbling ranch ready bulls on offer

12 bulls
23 females
35 lots
Total
$20,025
$33,800
$53,825
Average
$1,669
$1,470
$1,538

• • •

Remitall Cattle Co. Spring Bull Sale
 March 30, 2005 Olds, AB

Overflow crowd at Remitall

77 bulls
Total
$166,450
Average
$2,162

• • •

Dawson Creek Bull Sale
March 26, 2005 Dawson Creek, BC

32 nd Annual Sale

23 bulls
Total
$46,105
Average

$2,005

• • •

Peace Country Hereford Influence Sale
April 16, 2005 Beaverlodge, AB
New sale for the Peace River Club
22 bulls
6 females
28 lots
Total
$47,975
$4,700
$52,675
Average
$2,181
$940
$1,881

• • •

Lacombe Bull Show & Sale
April 12, 2005 Lacombe, AB

2005 Lacombe sale marks 96 years

13 horned bulls
17 polled bulls
30 bulls
Total
$27,900
$38,500
$66,400
Average
$2,146
$2,265 $2,213

• • •

Williams Lake Bull Show & Sale
April 14-15, 2005 Williams lake, BC

Standing room crowd appreciates quality

47 bulls
Total
$118,050
Average
$2,512

• • •

Mankota Ranch Ready Bull Sale
April 22, 2005 Mankota, SK

1st Annual Sale a success

40 bulls
Total
$101,100
Average
$2,528

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Last update: Saturday, August 6, 2005
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