The official publication of the Canadian Hereford Association.
 


Home
Sale Results
Latest Issue
Subscriptions
Ad Rates
Breeder Gallery
Events
Links
Contact Us

Canadian Hereford Digest
Highlights from the January 2007 Hereford Digest

Contents

January 2007 Hereford Digest

Herefords and hoar frost
Photo by Linda Fowlie

» Looking for Back Issues?
Click Here

• • •

From Field to Desk

One of the major functions of this January issue is to report, in detail, the results of production and consignment sales that took place throughout the country in November and December. The results show an excellent demand for Hereford cattle - both registered and commercial. In addition to the regular run of registered bulls and heifers (that sold quite well by the way), there has been a very strong interest in registered cows, which has been lacking the past few years. Some herds have moved by private treaty as a unit to a new home while others sold by public auction. These sales of mature females have brought new and young breeders into the "fold" and in some cases, have created completely new breeding establishments.

Also significant this fall were the hundreds of straight-bred, commercial Hereford heifers that were mostly sold through production sales. These are especially popular as they sell in uniform bunches from one producer and are managed pretty much the same as purebreds. Commercial cattlemen are pleased to incorporate these bred females into their herds to improve the quality of their replacement stock, increase their numbers, and to provide a dependable factory for their crossbreeding programs. Many breeders who use this marketing scheme also attract more bull buyers. If they are unable to provide enough heifers from their own operation, they either purchase as calves or accept consignments of bred heifers from their long-time bull customers. By doing so, they not only retain the interest of that customer but are able to offer a similar genetic influence just as if they had raised these heifers themselves. Mostly these heifers are sold five at a time but the size of the pen may vary. They trade at a value of $200 to $400 higher than those sold in regular auction market sales simply because they are sorted for uniform quality and come from an establishment the buyer respects.

I sometimes think we don't pay as much attention to this commercial female replacement market as we should. In reality, the outfit that buys five bred heifers is just as important as the one who buys a bull and he represents an expanded demand for the same genetics.

• • •
back to top

Farmfair International Canadian National Hereford Show
Nov. 8, 2006 Edmonton, AB

Well over 250 head of Polled and Horned Hereford cattle jammed the barns at the Agricom in Edmonton to compete in the 2006 Canadian National Hereford Show. The show was held in conjunction with Farmfair International and the Canadian Rodeo Finals. Visitors from throughout Eastern and Western Canada, as well as the United States and overseas, were well rewarded for their efforts to attend this year's National. Both judges had high regard for the quality of the cattle led before them and their opinions were echoed by all. The Horned and Polled Hereford shows took place simultaneously in a split ring and were conducted very efficiently as 28 classes on each side were completed in five hours.

As with any major show, commercial and breed sponsors are an essential part of the success. That was certainly the case with individual sponsors for every divisional championship. Allan Dale Industries of Red Deer, AB, have always been a part of the National Hereford Show in Edmonton and again this year a trailer was awarded to an exhibitor chosen at random taking the new trailer home for their own personal use. The winner was Matejka Farms, Ponoka, AB.

HORNED HEREFORD SHOW

GRAND CHAMPION FEMALE (also Senior Champion)

ADAMS HIRSCHE HEREFORDS, High River, AB with AR POLLY EXPANSION 177P by AR Adams Expansion 266M out of AR Maidstone 164M.

RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION FEMALE (also Reserve Senior Champion)

ADAMS HIRSCHE HEREFORDS, High River, AB with AR MILESTONE MISS 139P by C Milestone 9150 out of HR 230G Robin Hood 47J.

GRAND CHAMPION BULL (also Junior Champion)

ADAMS HIRSCHE HEREFORDS, High River, AB, FOUR L HEREFORDS, DEAN THOMPSON, C&M HEREFORDS, PERKS RANCH & SPENCER HEREFORDS with GH RAMBO 279R by GH Neon 17N out of HR Gold Domino 251E.

RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION BULL (also Senior Champion)

JONOMN HEREFORD RANCH, Clyde, AB with BANNERLANE RIBSTONE STD 42P by DLR 254E Standard 37L out of Bannerlane HI Std Lass 89G.

PREMIER BREEDER & PREMIER EXHIBITOR

ADAMS HIRSCHE HEREFORDS & ANGUS, High River, AB

AMBASSADOR AWARD - Horned Hereford Barn

LEONARD POHOLKA, BRETON WEST HEREFORDS, Breton, AB

POLLED HEREFORD SHOW

GRAND CHAMPION FEMALE (also Senior Champion)

FLEWELLING CATTLE CO. LTD., Bowden, AB with FCC 4L KAREN 14N by FCC 60G Maddux 4L out of RU 1H Karen 56K

RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION FEMALE (also Junior Division Heifer Calf Champion)

HARVIE RANCHING, Olds, AB & HIGHMARK RANCHING with HIGHMARK NEILA 25S by Kairuru Aberdeen 03 0047 out of Harvie MS Misty 121M

GRAND CHAMPION BULL (also Senior Champion)

REMITALL CATTLE CO. Olds, AB & THE PATRIOT SYNDICATE with REMITALL PATRIOT ET 13P by Remitall Olympian ET 262L out of Remitall Ginger 23G

RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION BULL (also Senior Division Bull Calf Champion)

COPPER CREEK RANCH, Princeton, BC & THE STAMINA SYNDICATE with CCR 57G STAMINA ET 199S by RTU 20G Boulder 57G out of Golden Oak 46B Keepsake 23K

PREMIER BREEDER & PREMIER EXHIBITOR

REMITALL CATTLE CO., Olds, AB

AMBASSADOR AWARD - Polled Hereford Barn

KEVIN & JANICE WIRSTA, K-COW RANCH, Elk Point, AB

• • •
back to top

The B.C. Hereford Bull-etin

The BC Hereford Association has decided to get with the times and have established a website at www.bchereford.com. Be sure to check it out for, among other things, the upcoming dates for events in BC, as well as the breeders in your area. Also available is a classified section that can be used to advertise what you may have for sale or if you have something you may need. This service is free, but a picture will cost $10. This site is also linked to the Canadian Hereford Digest and the Canadian Hereford Association sites.

In BC we are excited about the future of the Hereford breed. The demand for good Hereford heifers is up and those with top quality heifers to sell will find a willing buyer for them but they have to be good quality. We do not have any special heifer sales coming up as yet in BC but there will probably be a few in the New Year.

British Columbia breeders did well in shows and sales this past year. The bull calf, CCR Stamina ET 199S, owned by Copper Creek Ranch and the Stamina Syndicate, which includes 12 breeders from Canada and the USA, did well at Farmfair in Edmonton. He was named the Senior Bull Calf champion and Reserve Grand Champion Bull of the show. This calf looks like he could do the industry a lot of good as he has acceptable calving ease and milk EPD numbers. This calf was also the Grand Champion at Salmon Arm in September.

The West Coast Hereford Club have been hosting the Evergreen Show & Sale for 38 years in the Fraser Valley. Over the years there have been some very good sales and some not so good. There has been a lot of good females go into establishing new herds and some of those breeders are still raising Herefords today. The Evergreen Sale has always been held on the first weekend in May, but the club has decided to make a change to a fall date. There are several reasons for making the change, one of them being the ability to be able to better guarantee service in a bred animal. At one time there were only heifers sold and you could take them home to breed, but over the years more cows are selling and some have just been rebred.

The new Evergreen sale date will be sometime in September and much will depend on whether the Yellowhead Club reclaim their sale date the last weekend in September. If they decide to let that go the Evergreen will likely slide into that date. A lot of decisions have to be made before anything is final.

It will be an interesting Spring Bull Sale run and we wish all the sellers good luck and excellent sales.

• • •
back to top

Royal Winter Fair Hereford Show
Judges: Lee & Dawn Wilson, Bashaw, AB

The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair held each year in Toronto stands in a class of its own as Canada 's oldest and largest agricultural fair incorporating nearly all breeds of all species. In addition to its very large beef cattle show, it is also home to one of Canada 's most prestigious horse shows and the largest dairy show in the country.

The open Hereford show was held on Nov. 4 and was stages in honour of Rockwood Herefords owned by Florence and Bob Adams, Consecon, ON. Visitors readily noted that the quality was everything that could be asked for and a total of more than 150 entries were led out and placed before a capacity crowd of visitors in attendance from throughout the nation, as well as overseas.

The Ontario Hereford Association also took this opportunity to showcase their new Hereford history book entitled "Hereford Memoirs Ontario" produced by the history committee chaired by Pat Alexander. This beautiful hard bound edition traces the history of Hereford cattle in Ontario from 1860 to 2005.

The Premier Exhibitor and Premier Breeder at this year's show were both won by Elm Lodge Polled Herefords exhibited under the care of Billy and Juanita Elmhirst of Indian River, ON.

Secretary of the Ontario Hereford Association, Ron Wells and his wife Nadine again hosted a reception at the Ontario booth following the show.

GRAND CHAMPION FEMALE (also Senior Champion)

GRANT ELMHIRST & GLENVIEW FARMS, Indian River, ON with ELM LODGE GLEN PHASE ONE 205P by NS Keno 005 out of Elm Lodge Marvel 9M

RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION FEMALE (also Reserve Senior Champion)

MEDONTE HIGHLANDS POLLED HEREFORDS & SINNABAR LIVESTOCK, Orillia, ON with MHPH MS 68M GOLDIE 126P by Star America BNMHPH MKS 68M out of MHPH MS 24K Goldie 307M.

GRAND CHAMPION BULL (also Senior Champion)

GRANT ELMHIRST, GLENVIEW FARMS LLC, SEMEX SOUTH AFRICA, SEMEX AUSTRALIA, SEMEX NEW ZEALAND with ELMLODGE PAYCHECK 11P by BRL Call 100L out of Elm Lodge Loveletter 15L.

RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION BULL (also Reserve Senior Champion)

JOHN MASTINE, SARAH DARRAUGH, ADAMS HIRSCHE HEREFORDS, Whitney, ON with GH COL PATTON 20P by CJH LT Domino 552 and GH Sydney 889 ET 59M.

• • •
back to top

Western Agribition
Nov. 24-25, 2006 Regina, SK

A large and international crowd of breeders and visitors again graced the grandstands at the 2006 Canadian Western Agribition Hereford Show held on Friday, Nov. 24. As is normal at Agribition, hotel rooms in Regina were booked several months in advance and this year winter storms stayed at bay allowing visitors and participants the opportunity to travel under excellent conditions.

Polled Hereford and Horned Hereford divisional classes were held alternately and were brought into the ring to be placed under the expert eye of Don Harder, Clavet, SK. More than 250 individual entries again made this one of the largest Hereford shows to take place in Canada this year. The experience and expertise of an outstanding organizing committee are to be commended for the smooth running of this year's event. The Show Chairman and President of the Saskatchewan Hereford Association is Gordon Gustafson, Vice President, Gordon Craig and General Manager, Marilyn Charlton. Chairing the Red Coat Classic competitions this year was David Reid and Greg Barber looked after details in the commercial show barn.

Kerry McNeely did an excellent job of judging the Junior Showmanship competition, making it a point to talk privately with each and every competitor.

As in past years, the Saskatchewan Hereford Association pays special tribute to a ranching family in that province and this year's seventh annual Commercial Cattleman of the Year Award was presented to the Willow Creek Ranch, operated by Ed and Leona Johnston, Grenfell, SK. The SHA is most appreciative to the Johnston family for their efforts in the promotion of Hereford cattle in Saskatchewan.

GRAND CHAMPION POLLED FEMALE (also Senior Champion)

ANL POLLED HEREFORDS, Steelman, SK, BECK-POWELL POLLED HEREFORDS, 3-D CATTLE CO. & DENAJAK POLLED HEREFORDS with ANL 4M RACHELLE 64P by ANL SBS 57G Frontier 4M out of ANL 30Z Rachelle 4E and calf, ANL BP 3D RH Rachelle 12S by Allendale Robin Hood.

RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION POLLED FEMALE (also Reserve Senior Champion)

REMITALL CATTLE CO., Olds, AB with REMITALL MARVEL 195P by Remitall Online 122L out of Remitall Marvel ET 150K and calf, Remitall Marvel 55S by MC Ranger.

GRAND CHAMPION POLLED BULL (also Senior Bull Calf Champion)

MEDONTE HIGHLANDS POLLED HEREFORDS, Orillia, ON, BNC POLLED HEREFORDS & IN HEAT SYNDICATE (Cottonwood Springs Polled Herefords, Cedar, MI; Remitall Cattle Co., Olds, AB; Lone Pine Cattle Services, Vibank, SK; Harvie Ranching, Olds, AB; Ottawa Valley Hereford Farm, Navan, ON; EJM Polled Herefords, Glencoe, ON; W.G. Doig, Waldron, IN; ANL Polled Herefords, Steelman, SK; Glenlees Polled Herefords, Arcola, SK; Dingle Farm, Oakville, ON & WLB Polled Herefords, Douglas, MB) with BNMHPH 13P HEAT 101S by Remitall Patriot ET 13P out of ANL PBG 29F Bonnie 21P.

RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION POLLED BULL (also Reserve Senior Bull Calf)

REMITALL CATTLE CO., Olds, AB, SQUARE D HEREFORDS, Langbank, SK & LYLE POLLARD, Prince George, BC with REMITALL SUPER DUTY 42S by Remitall Patriot ET 13P out of Remitall Rita 91H.

GRAND CHAMPION HORNED FEMALE (also Junior Champion)

TRIPLE A HEREFORDS, Moose Jaw, SK with TRIPLE-A MAX'S RAMADA 15R by Triple-A 87J Maximus 4M out of RH Standard Mischief Lass 15M.

RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION HORNED FEMALE (also Senior Champion Female)

ADAMS HIRSCHE HEREFORDS, High River, AB & LITTLE FORT HEREFORDS, Little Fort, BC with AR POLLY EXPANSION 177P by AR Adams Expansion 266M out of AR Maidstone 164M and calf, GH USL Senator 112S by GH Stout Line ET 87P.

GRAND CHAMPION HORNED BULL (also Senior Champion Bull)

ADAMS HIRSCHE HEREFORDS, High River, AB & ROCKING G LAND & CATTLE CO., Gull Lake, SK with GH GORDO 162P by GH Difference Britisher 45L out of GH Lizzy 19L.

RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION HORNED BULL (also Champion Bull Calf)

ADAMS HIRSCHE HEREFORDS, High River, AB, UPSTREAM RANCHES, Nebraska & PETE LOEHR, Illinois with GH SHADOW 144S by GH Dynamic Earl ET 401M out of HR Gold Domino 251E.

• • •
back to top

The Alberta Influence

As we start a new year, I would like to congratulate everyone on their past successful fall sales. Our Hereford cattle have once again gained ground in popularity. Congratulations to Keith Krauss, who had a set of commercial black baldie bred heifers sell this past fall for $1,550 each. As an Association, we will continue to show presence and awareness of our elite product. Good luck with your upcoming spring bull sales and calving season!

Blaine Brost
AHA President

BULL LOTTERY:

We will be drawing in January for our 2006 BULL LOTTERY winners. Two prizes of $2,500 each will be given away towards the purchase of an Alberta bull. Watch the February Link for the names of our winners!

• • •
back to top

Saskatchewan Cow-man Sense

Once again, the Hereford-influence in the Canadian Western Agribition Commercial Cattle Show was strongly evident, with many Hereford-influence pens being recognized at the show.

The Saskatchewan Hereford Association acknowledged each and every commercial exhibitor having Hereford-influence with signage on their pen along with a promotional gift supplied by the Saskatchewan Hereford Association and the Canadian Hereford Association.

To be eligible to receive the prize money offered by the Saskatchewan Hereford Association each exhibitor must declare Hereford-influence at time of entry and winners must have a white face and carry strong Hereford characteristics. Additional prize money is awarded for those pens winning overall Grand Champion or Reserve Grand Champion in the open replacement heifers and bred replacement heifers, provided the animals are straight bred Hereford, declared at time of entry.

Hereford-Influence Commercial Show results are:

Champion Pen of 10 Feeder Steers - Bar Crossroads Ranch, Edam, SK
Champion Pen of Five Feeder Steers - Bar Crossroads Ranch, Edam, SK
Grand Champion Pen of Feeder Steers - Bar Crossroads Ranch, Edam, SK
Champion Pen of Five Feeder Heifers - Bar Crossroads Ranch, Edam, SK
Champion Pen of 10 Feeder Heifers - Perry & Johanna Powell, Qu'Appelle, SK
Reserve Champion Pen of 10 Feeder Heifers - Bar Crossroads Ranch, Edam, SK
Grand Champion Pen of Feeders Heifers - Perry & Johanna Powell, Qu'Appelle, SK
Reserve Grand Champion Pen of Feeders Heifers - Bar Crossroads Ranch, Edam, SK

In the Pen of Bulls Show, "Bull Pen Alley", the results are as follows:

Class 16 - Pen of 3 Hereford Bulls, born January 1 to April 20, 2006
1st - Braun Hereford Ranch Ltd. Simmie, SK
2nd - YV Ranch, Airdrie, AB
3rd - YV Ranch, Airdrie, AB
4th - Lone Pine Cattle Services, Vibank, SK

Class 17 - Pen of 3 Hereford Bulls, born in 2005
1st - PK Herefords, Canora, SK
2nd - Melsted Horned Herefords, Wynyard, SK

Grand Champion Pen of Hereford Bulls
- Braun Ranch Ltd., Simmie, SK
DBHR 35N ULTRA 124J LAD 35N WT: 932 WDA: 3.21
DBHR 35N BRITISHER LAD 130S WT: 836 WDA: 3.00
DBHR 33L COMMANDER 126S WT: 918 WDA: 3.22

Reserve Champion Pen of Hereford Bulls
- YV Ranch, Airdrie, AB
YV 35N WILD SKY 614S WT: 1056 WDA: 3.74
YV 171N FIVE STAR GENERAL 816S WT: 966 WDA: 3.46
YV 232N FIRST PICK 611S WT: 1009 WDA: 3.59

CWA Commercial Sale Results
# of Head Avg Price Avg Wt. Total
Backgrounders 40 $1.21 566 $27,322.98
Feeder Steers 285 $1.03 756 $222,936.40
Feeder Heifers 95 $0.94 691 $61,882.05
Open Replacement Heifers 120 $768 688 $92,150.00
Bred Heifers 230 $1,138 1123 $261,625.00
Totals 770 $665,916.44

For complete Commercial Show results www.agribition.com

• • •
back to top

Red Coat Classic

The 12th Annual Red Coat Classic bull calf competition was held on Saturday, Nov. 25, the day after the Open Hereford Show. Each year three judges are selected with differing backgrounds and those persons this year included Ed Williams, Macrorie, SK, Karen Wagner, Canadian Junior Hereford Association President from Consul, SK and Kelly Feige, operator of Parkvista Hereford Farm at Parkside, SK. Again this year, visitors to Canadian Western Agribition were encouraged to buy tickets for $100 each which entered them in the draws for various door prizes as well as an opportunity to be drawn to select the bull calf of their choice from the show.

Winning the opportunity to make that choice was Harold Oddan, Maidstone, SK and he selected the bull calf exhibited by Gary Nicholas, Milestone, SK. He was McCoy 532M Titan 43S by KJ 520E Investor 532M ET and out of McCoy 58G Vickie 70N.

For their own champion, the judges selected the winner of the youngest class, an entry of Glenlees Polled Herefords, Arcola, SK. Their entry was Glenlees 36N Syntec 192S, a son of HF 4L Beyond 36N out of Glenlees K30 Rene 29M.

• • •
back to top

Ontario Hereford Association Releases New History Book

The new "Hereford Memoirs Ontario" was showcased this past fall at the Royal Winter Fair and found excellent response. This beautiful 275-page hardbound edition is highly informative and easy to read and is the result of uncountable volunteer hours put in by the committee responsible. This is not a fund raising project (the book sells at cost - $50.00 (tax included) plus the cost of mailing. Please direct your orders to Pat Alexander; email: pgalexander444@hotmail.com; Phone (519) 423-6768; or write: 544358 Clarke Rd. E., RR #1, Beachville, ON N0J 1A0

• • •
back to top

Ontario Hereford Happenings

Presentation of the special copies of 'Ontario Hereford Memoirs' to those who purchased by auction prior to publication. Left to right - Mark Lemon; Chantel Anderson, receiving a copy for Roy & Betty Anderson; Phil & Sharon Zampino; Pat Alexander (also chairperson of the History Committee); Burt & Nancy Grundy; Marilyn Naismith. Missing from the picture is Marie Cornish. A special 'Thank You' to these contributors from each zone. Do you have your copy yet? Don't miss out on this great publication that was just off the press at the time of the Royal Winter Fair.

Ontario CHA Director, Wallace Pugh making a presentation to retiring Ontario CHA Director Grant Elmhirst, and giving recognition to Phil Bye who received his plaque prior to this as retiring Ontario CHA Director, but is being honoured publicly. Your services are much appreciated - well done!

Pat & Jim Brass of Arnprior, ON receive their 25 year pin from CHA Director, Wallace Pugh.

James Rummerfield of Sunderland, ON receives his 25 year pin from CHA Director, Wallace Pugh.

Allan Lambie of Adanac Farm, Wyevale, ON, receives a Silver Trophy Award for Adanac Judge 5P from Wallace Pugh, CHA Director

• • •
back to top

Obituaries

Laurence Braconnier
Laurence was born in Duchess, AB, the eldest of six children of Peter and Laura Braconnier. He spent his childhood on the family farm by Duchess until they moved to the Wagon Wheel Farm, southeast of Three Hills in 1943. That same year, Laurence joined the Air Force and was stationed in Patricia Bay, Whitehorse and Calgary.

In 1946, Laurence bought his own farm and in June of 1949, he married Yvonne Vasseur. Over the years, their grain and Hereford cattle farm grew along with their family; son Henry (Heather) and their children, Colleen, Robin and Amy, daughter Dianne (Ralph) and their children, Ward (Amanda) and Ryan, daughter Rita (Pete) and their children, Kayla and Ashley and son Peter (Jennifer) and their children, Kyle and Alex.

Laurence raised registered Hereford cattle for many years, was a regular contributor to the spring bull sales and participated in club and association activities.

Laurence belonged to many organizations including the UFA, Three Hills Gas Co-op, Three Hills Seed Plant, Fish and Wildlife Association, Kneehill Watershed, Rural School Community Association and was a lifetime member of the Trochu Rifle and Pistol Association. He was a 4-H Beef Club leader for 35 years and was still actively involved in Pioneer Acres and the Kneehill Historical Society. He enjoyed showing his antique tractors and pump engines and took part in local parades over the years. He was a mechanic, could fix almost anything or if he couldn't he would invent a part to make it work. He enjoyed curling, dancing and spending time with his family playing cards and visiting. He especially enjoyed family reunions. Laurence also enjoyed helping out his neighbours, especially during harvest time. Some years he dried a lot of grain for neighbours with his new grain dryer.

John Cieslak
John Michael Cieslak, Calgary, AB passed away on Oct. 19, 2006. John was born in Hodgeville, SK and grew up working on the farm with the rest of his family. After his parents retired, John and his brother Peter took over the farm. Together they raised purebred Hereford cattle, did custom combining in Canada and the United States, attended cattle sales and shows and were lifetime members of the Canadian Hereford Association. The farm was sold in 1970 and John moved to Calgary.

John was an honorary and very active lifetime member of the Hodgeville Elks and the Knights of Columbus as well as a member of the volunteer fire department. He enjoyed hockey, curling and baseball and especially spending time with his family.

John's brother, Pete, passed away two and half months earlier. He is survived by his brother Walter (Rollie) Cieslak; sister Helen (Joe) Grismer; sister-in-law Vi Cieslak and their families.

John Hay
John Hay, Innisfail, AB, beloved husband of Shirley, passed away peacefully at the Red Deer Hospital at the age of 90. John was born in Scotland and immigrated with his family at the age of 12 to the Peace River area of Alberta where they homesteaded. In 1934, the Hay family moved to Nanton, where John worked for Arthur Crawford-Frost at the Caerleon Hereford Ranch for 20 years breeding and showing registered Hereford cattle. These were the days of moving cattle in boxcars by train to various shows throughout North America.

John married Shirley Atkinson of Nanton on Aug. 6, 1940 and by 1950 they had established their own ranch in the Nanton area. In 1962 he was instrumental in developing the Waldron Grazing Co-operative and in 1970 John and Shirley moved to Innisfail, where he was employed as the secretary-manager of the Alberta Hereford Association. During this time he travelled extensively throughout the world promoting Alberta and Canadian Hereford genetics and he judged shows in North America, South Africa, Europe, Russia, South America, Korea and the British Isles. His international reputation and integrity opened doors for him to market Hereford cattle throughout the world. He retired from the Alberta Hereford Association in 1982 after which he was inducted into the Alberta Hereford Association Hall of Fame, the Northern International Livestock Exposition Hall of Fame in Montana and The Canadian Hereford Association Honour Roll. John is survived by his wife Shirley; three daughters, Serena (Dan) Smith of Nanton, Lucille (Ben) James of Edgerton and Sandy (Jan) Molendyk, Three Hills; four grandsons, John (DeKoel) Smith and their children, Clayton and Shelby of Nanton, Lloyd Smith, Calgary, Scott Molendyk of Red Deer and Mark Molendyk of Three Hills.

Jock Noble
John (Jock) A. Noble, beloved husband of Mina Noble, Okotoks, AB, passed away peacefully at Claresholm, AB on December 1 at the age of 89. He is survived by his children, Linda (Herb) Doll, Wetaskiwin, Carol Rogers (Rick Fulowski) Okotoks, John (Ronda) Noble, Bow Island and Isabelle (John) Berns, Claresholm. Jock is also survived by 11 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Jock was born at Aldersyde, AB. He grew up in the area attending Cameron Coulee and Okotoks Schools and then continued his education at Olds College. Upon graduation, he returned to the Okotoks area to ranch. In 1942, he joined the Canadian Army and then transferred to the R.C.A.F. where he trained as a navigator. In 1946, he married Mina McEathron and shortly thereafter they purchased Rainbow Ranch on Tongue Creek, raising purebred Herefords.

In the spring of 1949 and later that fall, they purchased 13 cow/calf pairs and six bred yearling heifers from Stewart Bros. of Penhold. That same year they bought three more heifers from Jack Paul of Okotoks together with a one-half interest in the bull, Real Supreme Reward. From these matings, they produced their first great show bull, Rainbow Reward 64G, which they showed with great success at Calgary, Edmonton, Regina and Toronto.

In 1964, Jock became secretary of the Alberta Hereford Association and one year later joined The Canadian Hereford Digest as a field representative. In his capacity as Alberta secretary, he and Mina travelled to Moscow in the summer of 1969 as guests of the USSR Ministry of Agriculture. It was a wonderful opportunity to promote Canadian Herefords.

One of his last responsibilities as secretary of the Alberta Hereford Association was to serve as an advisor to the Building Committee who would later erect the Alberta Hereford Centre in Innisfail in 1970.

One of the most elite bull sales in North America for many years was The Alberta Best By Test Sale held at the Alberta Hereford Centre. In 1980, a calf consigned by Rainbow Ranch established a new record. Jock sold RR 1D Zento 48L for $24,000.

Jock's tenure with The Canadian Hereford Digest lasted 24 years, until his retirement in 1989. He loved the cattle and he loved the people and he was one of the best ambassadors The Canadian Hereford Digest and the Hereford breed ever had. Because he had grown up in southern Alberta, Jock was especially pleased to work throughout this area and attended the Calgary, Lethbridge and Medicine Hat Bull Sales for many, many years. He also travelled to hundreds of private, on farm, production sales over the years where he again played a major role in the marketing of purebred Herefords.

Jock was very much an enthusiast when it came to the cattle business and life in general. He always looked forward to meeting new people and striking up a conversation. His generous and friendly outlook towards others meant that he accumulated more than his share of friends and he was instantly welcomed into ranchers' homes wherever he travelled.

Jock was also active in Masonic Lodge, the United Church, 4-H and Air cadets. In 1989, Jock bounced back from open heart surgery to become a successful realtor, retiring at the age of 82.

Ralph Merton Richards
Ralph Richards, Demorestville, ON, passed away at his home on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2006 at the age of 86.

Ralph owned and operated Golden Hawk Hereford Ranch breeding Hereford cattle for over 50 years. He enjoyed traveling to Quebec and Western Canada to attend fairs, meetings, the fall sales and the Royal Winter Fair. He was a leader in the local farm community, a member of the United Church and a long-time member of the Prince Edward Cattlemen's Association. As an honourary director of the Prince Edward Agricultural Society, the dedication of the "Ralph Richards" cattle barn took place two years ago at the Picton Fair Grounds. Ralph also coached hockey and baseball in his earlier years and always enjoyed watching all sports on television.

Ralph is survived by his wife, Margaret, son Dennis (Kathryn) and the late Jerry Richards. Father-in-law of Barbara LaCombe and loved grandpa of Krista Richards-LaCombe Murphy, Jeff and Mike LaCombe, Jessica and Leslie Richards and great grandpa of Claire

• • •
back to top

Sale Results

Fenton Hereford Ranch Inc. Fall Hereford Sale
Nov. 2, 2006 Irma, AB
Total Average
41 bulls $124,500 $3,037
28 females $40,675 $1,453
69 lots $165,175 $2,394
20 commercial bred heifers averaged $1,258
5 broke geldings averaged $4,500
11 2006 colts averaged $1,195

Canadian National Hereford Sale
Nov. 7, 2006 Edmonton, AB
Total Average
1 1/2 bulls $7,700 $5,133
21 females $68,025 $3,239
22 1/2 lots $75,725 $3,366
4 embryos $1,600 $400

SNS Herefords & Jones Hereford Ranches Production Sale
Nov. 13, 2006 Airdrie, AB
Total Average
21 1/4 bulls $89,650 4,219
7 females $15,000 $2,143
28 1/4 lots $104,650 $3,704
40 bred commercial heifers averaged $1,217
2 broke geldings averaged $2,650
1 Palomino filly $850

Adams Hirsche Herefords "Split The Herd Sale "
Nov. 14, 2006 High River, AB
Total Average
48 bulls $246,600 $5,138
121 1/2 females $333,900 $2,748
169 1/2 lots $580,500 $3,425
30 embryos $14,550 $485
55 Angus bulls $150,500 $2,736

Doenz Ranches Ltd.
Annual Production Sale
Nov. 15, 2005 Warner, AB
Total Average
34 bulls $129,400 $3,806
10 females $22,200 $2,220
44 lots $151,600 $3,445
12 Angus bulls averaged $3,817

Floyd Anderson Family 25th Annual Production Sale
Nov. 16, 2006 Aetna, AB
Total Average
37 1/4 bulls $130,700 $3,509
25 commercial bred Hereford heifers avg $1,200

  		 

Crone/Bennett Joint Production Sale
Nov. 18, 2006 Hardisty, AB
Total Average
23 bulls $65,600 $2,852
34 females $42,675 $1,255
57 lots $108,275 $1,900
37 commercial heifers averaged $1,339

Hereford Supremacy Sale
Nov. 21, 2006 Olds, AB
Total Average
3 bulls $20,250 $6,750
28 females $53,950 $1,927
31 lots $74,200 $2,394

Three Amigos Production Sale VIII
Nov. 28, 2006 Medicine Hat, AB
Total Average
34 bulls $100,150 $2,946
9 females $14,850 $1,650
43 lots $115,000 $2,674
25 Angus bulls $74,150 $2,966
8 commercial heifer calves avg $650
32 commercial bred heifers avg $1,172
1 horse avg $4,500

Brost Land & Cattle Co. Ltd. Production Sale
Nov. 29, 2006 Irvine, AB
Total Average
41 bulls $111,950 $2,730
50 Hereford commercial bred heifers avg $1,146

Fowlie & Herman Dispersal Sales
Nov. 30, 2006 Medicine Hat, AB
Total Average
3 bulls $10,450 $3,483
113 female lots $274,775 $2,432
116 lots $285,225 $2,459
5 semen packages sold for $2,000

Stromsmoe Hereford & Angus Production Sale
Dec. 5, 2006 Medicine Hat, AB
Total Average
25 bulls $63,350 $2,534
81 commercial females avg $1,207
17 Angus bulls $47,300 $2,782

Hereford 2006
Dec. 9, 2006 Saskatoon, SK
Total Average
4 1/2 bulls $32,900 $7,311
37 females $90,100 $2,435
41 1/2 lots $124,000 $2,988

• • •
back to top

Home || Sale Results || Latest Issue || Subscriptions || Ad Rates || Breeders Gallery || Events || Links || Contact Us


5160 Skyline Way NE, Calgary, AB T2E 6V1
Phone: 1-403-274-1734
Fax: 1-403-275-4999
Email Us

Last update: Thursday, February 1, 2007
Copyright © 2000 - 2006 Canadian Hereford Digest

No part of this website may be copied or reproduced
without the express written permission of the Canadian Hereford Digest.

Website developed and maintained by: Cowboy Oriented Web Sites