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Highlights
from the Hereford Digest, February 2008 Hereford Link
2007 Sale Summary 4-H Success Alberta Influence Auctioneers And Consultants BC Bull-Etin Hereford Health Calving Guidelines Canada-Wide Quick Reference Case of Clara's Mysterious Colic CHA Section From Field To Desk Grant Moffat Herdbuilder Award Hagan Cattle Co. Hereford Highway Hereford Influence At Edam Fall Fair Kallal/Finseth Cow Herd Moves To Bar Pipe Keith Gilmore Foundation Golf Tournament New Marketing Initiative For Peace Country Beef Producers Obituaries On The Edge Of Common Sense Ontario Hereford Happenings Saskatchewan Cow-Man Sense Services
Steers wintering at Lanni and Virginia Bristow's L-O Herefords, Heinsburg, AB - Photo by Kurt Gilmore
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Never before has the efficiency of a cow, her calf, or an animal on feed been so critically important as it is today. The high cost of grain is with us for a while and our industry has no place for a bovine that will not perform well on grass. Feedlots are going to keep cattle on high energy grain rations for an absolute minimum amount of time – but those cattle going out of the lot must still grade well with a reasonable amount of marbling and exhibit rib-eyes of a marketable size. Big framed cows that need more winter feed and won't wean a calf any heavier than her herd-mate 200 pounds lighter are no longer affordable. The ideal cow must winter on a very low-cost ration, maintain her condition, calve and rebreed to calve at the same time the following year. She must milk well enough to wean a large, bloomy calf but not so much that she loses condition going into winter. Across Canada, with its many environments, cattle reproduce under widely various conditions but every cattleman is looking for ways to do it cheaper without sacrificing productivity. There are solutions.
KURT GILMORE
In this issue, we offer the opinions of several cattlemen who are doing just that with management practices that suit their conditions. Some calve later and wean earlier; some use extensive swath grazing going into winter, several buy their replacements and sell the terminal cross calves. They all cite rustling ability, cow size, temperament and hair as traits that help promote fertility and profitability. They all want to run more cows with less labour and expense.
The conditions that are prevalent in your area will dictate how you meet these goals but without exception, those who have achieved the greatest success are maintaining a Hereford or simple Hereford cross cow herd. They run black baldies or red baldies, Hereford X Simmental cows or straight Herefords. They either use bulls that produce a terminal cross (and as a result purchase all of their replacement females) or they use bulls of a breed they already have in their herd. They all stress uniformity as the major factor influencing saleability. As a result, they prefer a short calving season, superior herd bulls and insist on either a straight-bred cow herd or a crossbred herd involving no more than two breeds.
The bulls advertised in these pages are carefully selected to meet the needs of operations looking to lower cost, increase safety and maximize income. They will be selling this spring by auction or at private treaty. The vast majority are offered with free or minimal cost delivery and a full breeding guarantee.
I urge you to contact the breeders of these bulls to answer any questions you may have. If possible, go visit and evaluate the mothers of the bulls that interest you.
The decisions you make at bull sales this spring will have a great influence on your cow herd for a long time. Get a bargain if you can but buy the good ones! Remember – Hereford Bulls mean low-cost, efficient cows. Good luck and I look forward to seeing you at the sales!• • •
back to topLow Maintenance Cattle and High Performance Horses
The Hagan Cattle Co. is located 12 miles south west of Virden, Manitoba. The ranch runs about 800 black and black baldie cows.
Alistair Hagan
I had the opportunity to meet Alistair and Erin Hagan the week before they held their second annual Performance and Ranch Horse Sale in Brandon, MB. Alistair is the oldest son of Shawne and Jocelyn Hagan. Rounding out this family operation is Alistair's brother Thomas and his partner Felicity. The boys also have two sisters, Amanda and Bronwen whose interests lie in real estate and fashion respectively. The Hagan family has deep roots in this ranch. Alistair and Erin's new daughter Harley Mae, is the fifth generation of Hagans to take up residence on this land. . .
Hagan Cattle• • •
back to topHereford Health - CALVING GUIDELINES
By Roy Lewis DVM
This time of year it is always good to review our procedures and methods for the newly arriving calf crop. Even though calving problems have been largely minimized with bull selection it is still good to review some key points. The goal is to deliver as many lively calves as possible with a minimum of stress. The biggest loss in the cow-calf sector comes at calving time. Hopefully the following points will enlighten even the most experienced cattlemen or cattlewoman. . .• • •
Edam Fall Fair and Hereford Influence Cattle – A Great Partnership
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Seventeen years ago the idea of a fall fair geared to the interests of commercial cattlemen and held in the small town of Edam, Saskatchewan, was a brainstorm of a handful of forward thinking cattlemen from the surrounding area. On October 27 of last fall, the 17th annual fair was held and it has grown into one of the major agricultural events in northwest Saskatchewan with a total of 24 members, dozens of sponsors, 146 total entries and 397 head shown.
John LaClare attended on behalf of The Canadian Hereford Association and several Saskatchewan Hereford Association representatives were on hand as well to promote and recognize the growing number of Hereford influence commercial cattle that took part in the events at this show. 2007 saw a record number of entries and by all accounts, the quality of cattle exhibited across the board was unprecedented. Both the Canadian and Saskatchewan Hereford Associations provided an extra level of sponsorship at this show and Hereford influence cattle stood well up in the championship classes throughout the competition.
John spoke with three of the exhibitors that were very active at this year's event. Darren Tyler of Cut Knife, SK, first attended in 1999. Bill and Darryl Roach, Edam, were among the first participants and have been long-time contributors and Albert Burgmaier, Meadow Lake, SK, has exhibited twice at this event…..
1,214 1/4 Bulls
947 1/2 Females
2,161 3/4 LOTS
$2,518,400
$6,541,735
$2,658
$3,026The Past 10 Years
Year
Lots
Total
Average
1998
4,099
$10,005,660
$2,441
1999
3,928
$10,895,535
$2,773
2000
3,868
$11,905,460
$3,077
2001
3,446 3/4
$10,501,320
$3,046
2002
3,515 5/6
$10,329,765
$2,938
2003
1,697 7/24
$7,430,020
$2,753
2004
2,241 1/12
$5,954,970
$2,657
2005
2,191 7/12
$6,108,050
$2,787
2006
2,497 1/2
$7,586,480
$3,038
2007
2,161 3/4
$6,541,735
$3,026
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The B.C. Hereford Bull–Etin
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It is bull buying time again and with today's squeeze on the livestock industry, every effort has to be made to try and stay on the right side of the balance sheet. I have been involved in the beef industry for some time now, and I do not recall when there has been so much pressure on the poor old cow. The old saying about hanging onto a cow's tail and she will get your through the mud is making her tail pretty long in today's times. There are, however, a few things to keep in mind when buying the next bull for the herd.
In BC our biggest bull sale is Williams Lake in April and all breeds have a good representation at that sale. There are plenty of good bulls at other private and public consignment sales. The selection is varied and there is a wide variety to choose from. The crucial part is making the right choice and here is where things like EPD values can give you a start. While some may say that EPDs do not tell enough because of accuracy, it is definitely a good start and as more data comes in the accuracy gets better.
There are many reasons to choose a Hereford; among them docility and good mothering ability. Another one comes from a New Zealand study that was done on longevity - 250 bulls were tested, 133 Angus and 122 Herefords. The results proved what the Hereford enthusiasts have been saying for years. Hereford bulls last longer! After two years 50 per cent of the Angus were no longer working and 70 per cent of the Angus will be culled after three years of work. In comparison, after three years, only 50 per cent of the Herefords needed to be culled. And, on average, most Hereford bulls work a season longer than Angus. This is a major saving in bull costs.
The team leader in the New Zealand study, Peter Anderson, found that the test station was currently selling Angus, Hereford and crossbred cattle at equivalent prices and the result was that twice as much was spent on an Angus calf as was spent on a Hereford calf to get it on the ground. Anderson finds it hard to believe that not all bull buyers test bulls that they are purchasing for serving capacity. If you don't, you are paying big money for junk.
The PFRA has also studied longevity of Herefords as opposed to all other breeds and their data shows that Hereford bulls purchased as two-year-olds were in service 1.05 years longer than average. Ross MacDonald M.Sc. P Ag, Consultant, analyzed the cost of a $3,500 bull over six years to show how longevity impacts your breeding costs. Bull costs go from $70 per cow for one year in service down to $23 per cow after six years.
Temperament has also been proven to have an effect on performance, health and quality grade in a feedlot. An Iowa State University study, done on 13,315 feeder calves in eight feedlots to determine the effect of temperament on feedlot performance, calf health and carcass traits showed very clearly how docility effects the bottom dollar. Net dollar returned per head on the docile group was $54.93 and the restless group returned $41.80 per head, while the aggressive group showed a loss of $7.26 per head.
On the home front, if Mother and the kids do not get chased by an aggressive bull or cow - that is a plus, so all the more reason to think HEREFORD as your next bull. Those black baldie calves are selling well right now.
Have a great spring!• • •
back to topThe ALBERTA HEREFORD ASSOCIATION is pleased to announce the winners of our 2007 BULL LOTTERY!! This is the fourth year we have run this promotion. The winners are as follows:
R & B HAMOLINE FARMS of Aberdeen, Saskatchewan won $2,500 for their purchase of FE 2N EXTRA SILVER 103S from Conrad Fenton of Irma.
JOE LUPINO of Holden won $2,500 for his purchase of PMD SAMBO 5S from Paul & Marilyn Dinisyk of Viking.
Each will receive a $2,500 credit toward the purchase of another Alberta bull. Remember to ask for your transfer to be AUTOMATICALLY entered in the Alberta Hereford Association Bull Lottery. Any bull purchased and TRANSFERRED between January 1 and December 31, 2008 qualifies to win.
The Alberta Hereford Association Annual General Meeting will take place Saturday, June 28 in Olds and will be hosted by the Peace River Hereford Club. This will be a combined event with the Alberta Junior Annual Show which goes June 28 & 29. Mark your calendar today!
SOUTHERN ALBERTA HEREFORD CLUB
Submitted by Byron & Carolyn TempletonSouthern Alberta Hereford Club members were involved in several very successful promotional events this past year. The All Breeds Bull Spectacular at the Taber Agriplex proved to be a very well run and successful event. This took place October 27th and drew a very large crowd of commercial cattlemen who came out to view and judge the 25 bulls on display. A two-year-old Hereford bull exhibited by Adams Hirsche Herefords, GH Adams Boomerobin 119S was declared the Peoples Choice long yearling bull. Doenz Ranches of Warner exhibited the second place People's Choice Bull, LCI 46P Ribstone 131S. We would encourage all Southern Alberta Hereford breeders to participate in this event next year.
The Taber event is a great opportunity to make it a family affair. Tracy Allen-Yeast runs a very successful All Breeds Junior Show – juniors up to 21 years of age can show heifer calves, bred heifers and steers. We had a very strong representation of Hereford cattle at this event that runs through the day before the All Breeds Bull Spectacular.
Our members were also involved with the British Bonanza sale at Balog Auction on the 17th of October. This was a very strong sale for calf prices as well as great promotion for Hereford cattle. The AHA provided a very well received steak dinner served to 380 cattle buyers and commercial cattlemen. Fraser Hirsche Meats provided a discount on a truly superior filet; many of the top volume order buyers in the business said it was the best beef they had eaten! Many favorable comments were also received on the high quality of Hereford and Hereford influence cattle on offer.
We would like to invite all interested cattlemen to the 50th Anniversary Medicine Hat Bull Sale. The Show is Tuesday, March 18, the sale is Wednesday, March 19 in Medicine Hat. On offer will be 90 Hereford bulls and 35 Angus bulls.
We are preparing and planning for 2008 Bonanza. This event will take place in Medicine Hat August 12 to 17, 2008. Please forward any ideas or offers of help to President Travis Hanson, CJHA Directors, Crystal Anderson and Roberta Templeton or our Adult Advisors Gordon and Kathy Klein. If you are interested in sponsoring, contact Jocelyn or Rosie Templeton – 403-345-3889.
We would like thank Tiffany Wyatt for her work as our Southern Alberta Secretary. You can contact her at (403) 485-2246.
CENTRAL ALBERTA HEREFORD CLUB
Submitted by Andrea SheehanWe started off the year with our Semen Auction and ended with our Supremacy Sale. Our Semen Auction in April 2007 was a great success with excellent support from all the breeders. We raised enough funds to operate our club for another year! This summer we went back to the old time Hereford Tour starting at Bricker Herefords for coffee and donuts then onto Coulee Crest Herefords for a great lunch, Little Red Deer Herefords for yummy ice cream and strawberries, finally to Stauffer Farms for a fantastic supper of prime rib. All stops had an excellent display of many breeders' prime show cattle. The day was well attended with many activities for all and lots of time for camaraderie.
The Supremacy Sale held in December 2007 was well received with 48 lots and two commercial pens offered consisting of bull calves, heifer calves and bred heifers – the sale went off without a hitch with lots of positive comments regarding the organizing and promises to bring the same excellent quality cattle again next year. A big thanks to all the people involved - your help was greatly appreciated because without you there would not be a sale.
Watch for our Annual Meeting and Semen Auction set for April 4th at the Bowden Hall. The evening includes guest speakers, election of directors, a fabulous steak dinner, silent auction and semen auction. Come join us for a fun evening.
The Central Club would, once again, like to thank all our members, directors, Hereford breeders and everyone involved in our club who worked so hard making last year a great year.
PEACE RIVER HEREFORD CLUB
Submitted by Serena ReberThe Peace River Hereford Club held our Annual Meeting in November. The new executive is President: Charles Doll, Grande Prairie ; Vice President: Joanne Hotte, Beaverlodge; AHA rep: Tom Basnett, Eureka River ; Secretary/Treasurer: Serena Reber, Woking.
It was decided that our Hereford Influence Sale would be cancelled for this spring due to lack of interest. Some of the breeders will be contributing to the Dawson Creek All Breeds Sale held in the new Lakota Center in Dawson Creek. This sale will take place March 29, 2008 and will mark the 35th anniversary sale so there will be a wine and cheese event Friday evening after the show.
The Peace River Hereford Club will be the host of the AHA Annual General Meeting for 2008. Once again, this will be a combined event with the Alberta Junior Annual Show and will take place in Olds June 28 & 29.
EAST CENTRAL HEREFORD CLUB
Submitted by Dianne WesterlundThe East Central Hereford Club will host the 53rd version of the East Central Bull Show and Sale on Saturday, April 5 at the Crossroads Centre in Oyen. We look forward to another great offering of two-year-old Hereford bulls from top herds in central Alberta and western Saskatchewan. The sale will include packages of replacement heifers as well.
NORTHERN ALBERTA HEREFORD CLUB
Submitted by Ken RutledgeThe 2008 Hardisty Field Day is set for Thursday, August 7 so mark your calendars today. This is the largest bull calf futurity in Canada. The club would like to thank everyone who has supported us this past year. We look forward to promoting our breed together.
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back to topFor the eighth consecutive year, the Saskatchewan Hereford Association presented the Commercial Cattlemen of the Year award at the National Hereford Show at Canadian Western Agribition. The award is presented annually to a commercial producer that has demonstrated a positive influence towards the production of quality Hereford influence commercial cattle. This year's recipients are located in the Northeast Zone.
Gordon Craig, SHA President presented Bev and Ron Magnusson with the 2007 Commercial Cattleman of the Year award. Assisting with the presentation was Ross Macdonald, CHA National Market Development Manager.
The Saskatchewan Hereford Association would like to congratulate Ron and Bev Magnusson and family from Wynyard, on receiving the 2007 award. Magnusson Farms is a grain and livestock enterprise located just north east of Wynyard. Ron and his wife Bev, along with their son Fred and his wife Kim, manage the beef cattle division. The farm and their family are rich in heritage. Ron and Fred are third and fourth generation Magnusson's. Ron's grandfather, as well as his brothers, homesteaded some of the land that now makes up Magnusson Farms. Ron has been raising cattle for well over 40 years and for over 20 years was involved in the raising of purebred Polled Hereford cattle. Ron has been active off the farm and has served on the board of the Northeast Zone as president; was director and president of the Saskatchewan Hereford Association; and continued his involvement in the breed as director and president of the Canadian Hereford Association. The registered herd was dispersed in 1984 and, at that time, a decision was made to enlarge the commercial herd. Today the cow herd boasts over 200 head that include a blend of Hereford, black baldies and Blacks. Both Hereford and Black Angus bulls are used. Magnusson Farms is a very deserving recipient of this award and ambassadors for the Hereford breed. Once again from everyone involved with the Saskatchewan Hereford Association, we congratulate the Magnusson family.
Past recipients of the Commercial Cattlemen of the Year Award are:
2000 Don Banford, Eastend
2001 Hillsvale Colony, Cut Knife
2002 Steel Thorn Ranch, Wolseley
2003 Tee Two Land & Cattle Co., Kelliher
2004 Bircham Hereford Ranch, Piapot
2005 Diamond J Cattle Co. Inc., Makwa
2006 Willow Creek Ranch, Grenfell.• • •
Ontario Hereford Happenings
back to topSCOTIA CLASSIC JUNIOR BEEF HEIFER SHOW – RAWF
Grand Champion Showperson: RYAN BROWN
Champion Intermediate Showperson: Abe Leahy
Champion Hereford Heifer & Reserve Grand Champion Overall: DGP 204P DOMINETTE 422S - CAYLYNNE BROWN
Reserve Champion Hereford : ELM LODGE TIARA 4T- JOSH BOYLESSILVER TROPHY AWARD
CHA Vice-President, Wallace Pugh presented Jim & Barb Pipher of Putney Heath Farms, Caledonia, with the Silver Trophy Award for STAR RAYLYN 44M.CHA HONOUR ROLL PRESENTATION
HARVEY & BETH MCKAY, Kincardine, were named to the Canadian Hereford Association Honour Roll. The presentation was made at the 2007 Royal Winter Fair by Ontario CHA representatives, Wallace Pugh and Scott Leeson.Take Up The Challenge
In an effort to continue to look for opportunities to promote the Hereford breed, the West Central Zone Executive created a new Youth Achievement Award recognizing a junior member who has shown the most improvement as a member of the OJHA within the West Central Zone.
Executive observed the juniors' activities at various functions and at the Executive meeting prior to the Annual Meeting made their selection. The junior who has shown the most improvement in preparing and displaying show cattle, was always willing to offer a helping hand, but most important a good representative of the OJHA program was Ivor Thurston. He was presented with a leather halter with a brass plaque as well as a cheque. Congratulations Ivor!!
We would like to extend a challenge to the other Zones to establish a similar award for their juniors to continue to encourage and recognize those junior members that are continuing to show significant improvement.
• • •
back to topObituary - George Wallace Lasby
Wallace Lasby of Rockwood, ON, passed away peacefully on Aug. 4, 2007 following an intense battle with cancer. He was born on March 15, 1924 on the same family farm and in the same home in which he lived his entire life.
Farming and purebred cattle were at the root of Wallace's life. Wallace believed in the ethics of agriculture and as a result, he was sought after by his family, friends and neighbours for his wisdom and guidance. In the neighbourhood, he was the ‘go to guy' for all the problems and questions of new and old neighbours.
He was born into a long line of cattlemen. The Lasby Family Shorthorns sold into world-renown herds and attainted great accomplishments such as winning the prestigious Queen's Guineas Competition with a home-bred steer. That was back in the days when there were over 350 competitors – and Wallace spent several days trimming the steer with only the use of sheep shears.
In later years, Wallace's interest turned to the Hereford breed and he very much enjoyed the opportunity to host the Eastern Canadian Hereford Prestige Centre. Whether with a group of foreign visitors, a Hereford breeder or just by himself, he was in his element walking through the good groups of Hereford heifers on display.
For the past few years, his special assignment was to assist his grandchildren with their JDL Cattle Company. He took this responsibility with great seriousness, pride and joy. He often referred to himself as the operations manager of JDL South.
In addition to farming, Wallace was an agent for Halwell Mutual Insurance Company for 31 years. He also served on the Town of Milton Committee of Adjustment for almost ten years. In 1992, he was presented with an Agricultural Diploma from the Acton Agricultural Society for his many years of contributions and service.
Wallace was a faithful member of the Eden Mills Presbyterian Church. He was elected an elder in 1960 and served as Clerk of Session for over 30 years.
Wallace married Maisie Georgia Gordon of nearby Guelph on June 28, 1947. As best friends, they worked together on the family farm and enjoyed a life of hard work and happiness. Their 40th and 50th Wedding Anniversary parties brought together their family and friends from the many circles within their lives. Only his illness prevented family and friends from gathering to pay tribute to this dynamic couple on their 60th Wedding Anniversary.
Wallace was the quiet, steadying leader of his family. He was always proud and supportive of his children. Without a doubt, the greatest joy in his life came from his grandchildren. He was so very proud of them and their accomplishments – both with their JDL Cattle Company as well as their many other activities.
Wallace is survived by his wife Maisie, children, Bill, Bob, Cathy, David (Shirley); grandchildren, Justin, Joshua, Jessica; brother Joe (Shirley); and nieces and nephews: Stephen (Dawn) Lasby, Heather Lasby, Linda (Jeff) Roque; Patty Lasby, Peggy Marshall and Jim McPhail.
As a husband, dad, grandpa, brother, uncle and friend, Wallace touched the lives of many people in his kind and gentle way. He would have been humbled to know of the hundreds of friends and family from throughout North America who paid their respects to him and his family, The many donations made to the Eden Mills Presbyterian Church (restoration fund) and the Keith Gilmore Foundation (agricultural scholarships) will be a lasting memorial to Wallace.
• • •
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