Rudiger Ranch recently received the Alberta Charolais Association 50-year Breeder Award. John and Rowena Rudiger were founding members of the Charolais breed, starting in Cut Knife, Sask., before eventually relocating to the Calgary area. In February 1959, the Rudigers travelled to Texas and purchased their first Charolais herd from the Michaelis Ranch in Kyle, Texas. The first importation included eight (15/16 and purebred) heifers and a bull named Santa Claus. They were often referred to as Santa Claus and his eight reindeer. After the initial importation, they imported three more groups of cattle from Texas, and one from B.C., increasing the Charolais herd to over 100 animals. The Rudigers focused on full French genetics and were instrumental in many events and organizations that helped grow the breed to what it is today. The herd dispersed on November 18, 2009. John passed away May 18, 2018. Rowana continued to live on the historic ranch near Calgary until July 2021.
Maple Leaf Charolais, established in 1961 by the Stewart family, also received a 50-year breeder award. Sieb and George saw their first Charolais in 1959 at James Rawe’s place. In March 1960 George and Sieb bought four 15/16 heifers from Ray Branum. In 1961 he bred his entire herd to Charolais and has been using nothing but Charolais bulls since then. Maple Leaf was involved with the first Charolais imports from France and imported cattle every year until 1974. Son Tom and his wife Carey bought their first Charolais in 1985. Tom raised the first full French polled Charolais in Canada in 2002. In 2019, Jisteen started in the Charolais business, following in her grandfather and father’s foot prints.
Valanjou Charolais, established by the Lusson family in 1968, was also recognized. Henri and Odette Lusson started the farm at Clyde, north of Edmonton, with some Hereford cattle. However, they wanted to produce bigger, meatier carcasses, so they started to use a Charolais bull in 1964. In 1967, Henri bought a dispersed herd of 30 registered Charolais, the year their son Phillipe was born. Phillipe, who eventually entered the Charolais business, was a young boy when five females and a French bull named Gascon arrived in 1970. Most of the herd can trace back to that sire.
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The Lusson family continued the full French program with regular imports of semen from France. Phillipe says that all the way through, they always used full French bulls, even on their purebred cows, so that after 50 years they all look full French.
Finally, Acadai Ranching, established in 1959 by the Good family, also received a 50-Year Breeder Award. Lloyd and Hilda Good bought their first Charolais Bulls in 1957 and first Charolais females in 1961 from Ray Branum of Hanna, Alta. They imported full French bulls and females from France during the years 1967 to 1972. Don and Mindy had the first private two-year-old Charolais bull sale on the farm in 1978. This year, they will host their 44th two-year- old bull sale in Brooks. Their daughter Jamie and son in-law Quinn also raise purebred Charolais at Desertland Cattle. Acadia Ranching has been a lifetime member of the association since 1959.
Currently, they are running 100 Charolais, 40 Black Angus and 100 commercial cows.
Congratulations to all the award recipients!
