In the cattle world, it’s a story often heard: one Angus cow changed the trajectory of a herd and the family business.
Brad Gilchrist knew the commercial cattle side well, as the four generations before him built the family’s operation near Lucknow, Ont. However, a twist of fate took Gilchrist Farms from a commercial cow-calf ranch to a thriving Angus seedstock enterprise.
The family’s dedication to improving the breed and adhering to the highest standards of beef production has earned them the 2024 Certified Angus Beef Canadian Commitment to Excellence Award. They received the award at the September 2024 Annual Conference hosted in Verona, N.Y.
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Gilchrist recalls the notion that changed everything.
“We were showing cattle and learning the cattle business through 4-H,” he says. “We initially showed steers and did well, but we believed we could raise some on our own. So, we bought this small herd of club-calf cows and grew from that.”
This lightbulb moment switched on in 2003 when Gilchrist purchased an Angus female that would become the cornerstone of their now renowned seedstock program.
“That female really showed me the clear advantages of Angus over our commercial herd,” he says. “At that time, we had about 200 commercial cows, but she showed us what a low-maintenance and highly productive female could do for a herd.”
The evolution from commercial to purebred Angus cattle took rigorous breeding for genetic improvement.
“When I look out over my pastures now, I see cattle with bold sprung rib, excellent udders and good foot quality,” Gilchrist says. “We focused on replacing our commercial herd with Angus, emphasizing traits that balance longevity and productivity.”
Gilchrist Farm’s evolution includes the use of artificial insemination and embryo transfer to maximize progress. They source pasture bulls from across North America — including Texas, Ohio, Illinois as well as Canada — helping to ensure sires for both natural service and artificial insemination meet their genetic standards.
Management has made the investments pay.
“We can focus on performance and data all we want and make sure that we’ve got the right genetics in place, but if we don’t manage these cattle properly, we’re not going to get the most out of them,” Gilchrist says. Getting “the most” led to full-spectrum results.
Local bull customers recognize calves sired by Gilchrist bulls for their sound legs, easy birth and ultimately superior carcass traits. That’s realized just 20 miles up the road near Kincardine in western Ontario, along the shores of Lake Huron at the family’s Certified Angus Beef-licensed retail shop, “The Beef Way.” That’s where they offer strip steaks, T-bones and rib-eyes. They also custom butcher and market a full line of meats from local producers.
“Our goal is to be the top choice for consumers, retailers and wholesalers, emphasizing quality and consistency in every product we offer,” Gilchrist explains.
“Every time I look at our cattle,” he says, “I see the results of years of careful selection and breeding.”
Ensuring the farm’s legacy, daughter Peyton has already developed a keen interest in its future, ready to represent the sixth generation.
“I want to make sure Peyton’s got the same opportunity to take the business and continue on in better shape than it was when I received it.” Looking ahead, he’s committed to genetic improvement and quality production to ensure Gilchrist Farms remains at the forefront of the industry.
“My family’s legacy gave us the chance to achieve what we have now,” he says. “Looking back helps me move forward, ensuring that everything I do is rooted in the values and groundwork laid by my family.”
This story was initially published in the American Angus Journal.
