After 19 years of service, Canadian Simmental Association general manager Bruce Holmquist will be concluding his tenure upon the completion of his current contract in March 2026. As Holmquist prepares to pursue new interests, the association extends its sincere appreciation for his leadership, commitment and contributions.
Between now and then, and with his full support, the association will conduct a national search for its next general manager.
“Bruce’s dedication as a staff person since 2007, and prior to that as a director, has strengthened our registry systems, enhanced genetic services and helped build strong relationships across Canada and the throughout the global beef industry,” said association president Randy Noble.
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“The board wishes to express its deepest gratitude to Bruce for his tireless efforts and continued commitment to the CSA during this transition period.”
Canadian Simmental Association Convention a success
The 2025 Canadian Simmental Association National Convention took place July 24-27 at Weyburn, Sask., hosted by the Saskatchewan Simmental Association.
During its annual general meeting, the association showed its appreciation to retiring director Shane Williams for his commitment and dedication to the breed and board of directors.
Newly elected to the board of directors was Blair Williamson of Lambton Shores, Ont. Randy Noble of Lloydminster, Sask., was elected as president, Barclay Smith of Cherhill, Alta., was elected first vice-president and Ben Farrant of Lousana, Alta., was elected second vice-president. Continuing directors are Jennie Mutch, Vernon, P.E.I.; Kyle Lewis, Spruce Grove, Alta.; Blair McIntosh, Maymont, Sask.; Neil Carson, Rossburn, Man.; Scott Matthews, Cookshire-Eaton, Que.; and Leanna Mitchell, Barriere, B.C.
A highlight of the event was the Friends of Canadian Simmental Foundation Auction, which was a tremendous success, raising $130,935 to support the foundation’s programming. The feature lot was a bred heifer donated by Ashworth Farm and Ranch Ltd. of Oungre, Sask., which raised $52,740.
The foundation also presented the Young Canadian Simmental Association with a $15,000 donation from the auction proceeds for ongoing youth activities.
Cattle feeders donate to the Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation
The Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation would like to thank the Alberta Cattle Feeders’ Association for an incredible donation of $232,270 to the Bringing Hearts Home campaign, helping to bring cardiac care closer to home.
Canadian Junior Limousin Association show results
The Canadian Junior Limousin Association’s annual show, Limousin Impact 2025, was held in August in Swift Current, Sask. The confirmation show was judged by Aaron Birch and Joe Barnett.
• Grand Champion Female: RPY Paynes Lilah 9L with calf EMF/HR Naomi 503N at side, exhibited by Madisyn Robertson, Neepawa, Man.
• Reserve Champion Female: GHR Polled Kalypso with calf GHR Nascar at side, exhibited by Cole Bodell, Sherwood Park, Alta.
• Champion Overall Showmanship: Haley Debenham, Kennedy, Sask.
• Reserve Champion Overall Showmanship: Emily Lawrence, Durham, Ont.
• First – Junior Aggregate: Rachel Black, Goderich, Ont.
• Second – Junior Aggregate: Emily Lawrence, Durham, Ont.
• First – Intermediate Aggregate: Lillian Seward, Darlingford, Man.
• Second – Intermediate Aggregate: Haley Debenham, Kennedy, Sask.
• First – Senior Aggregate: Laura Seward, Darlingford, Man.
• Second – Senior Aggregate: Madisyn Robertson, Neepawa, Man.
2025 Canadian Junior Limousin Herd Building Incentive winners announced
The Canadian Junior Limousin Association is excited to announce the winners of the second CJLA Herd Building Incentive Program. The goal of the program is to provide juniors with funds to purchase Limousin animals and genetics. The program is open to all junior members and recent alumni up to the age of 25. Applicants were asked to create a video explaining their experience with the Limousin breed in terms of the past, present and future.
• First Place Alumni: Kira Axley, Czar, Alta.
• Second Place Alumni: Nolan McLarty, West Lorne, Ont.
• First Place Senior: Emma Qually, Rose Valley, Sask.
• First Place Intermediate: Wyatt Gibbons, Roblin, Ont.
• First Place Peewee: Addison Lawrence, Durham, Ont.
Canadian Junior Limousin Association board of directors
The Canadian Junior Limousin Association is excited to announce its 2025-26 board of directors. The board is made up of Jocelyn Kennedy, Leah Post, Laura Seward, Emma Qually, Carson Zwambag, Shannon Gibson, Carly Arnold, Megan Conners and Cedar Hayne.
The association would like to say thank you to outgoing board member Taylor Annett for her years of service and dedication on our board.
Canadian Limousin Association board of directors
The Canadian Limousin Association has elected its 2025-26 board of directors. The new board includes president Chad Homer, Crysler, Ont.; vice-president Dave Lawrence, Durham, Ont.; treasurer Michael Machan, Renfrew, Ont.; past-president Ashton Hewson, Unity, Sask.; Wyatt Dyck, Swift Current, Sask.; Terry Hepper, Zehr, Sask.; Travis Hunter, Kenton, Man.; and Tyler Stewart, Stettler, Alta.
2025 Canadian Junior Angus Stockman of the Year
Austin Potts of Bonshaw, P.E.I., is a fourth-generation Angus enthusiast whose passion for the breed runs deep on both sides of his family. His Angus journey began in 2015 when his grandparents, Temple and Gail Stewart, gifted him his first purebred heifer. Today, Potts plays an active role in both his family’s commercial operation, Argyle Hill Cattle Company, and in expanding the Angus influence within their herd.
A dedicated 4-H member since age nine, Potts has shown cattle at events across the Maritimes and nationally, including the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair and the P.E.I. Easter Beef Show. He’s earned recognition as P.E.I.’s Top 4-H Beef Member in 2023 and 2024 and placed in the top five at the EastGen Atlantic Showcase three years running.
Potts recently graduated from Bluefield High School and will attend Dalhousie University this fall, pursuing a degree in farm business management.
2025 Outstanding Young Angus Breeder
Raised on his family’s Redrich Farms in Forestburg, Alta., Ty Dietrich was never just a bystander in the family seedstock operation. As a young boy, he eagerly took part in selecting the herd’s first purebred Red Angus females alongside his parents, Bill and Tracy. Alongside his siblings, he has been instrumental in shaping the herd’s genetics and brand.
Dietrich’s leadership and influence within the operation have helped Redrich Farms reach new heights. Since launching their own independent annual bull and female sales, the farm has seen consistent growth in volume, average and gross each year. Dietrich’s keen eye for cattle, tireless work ethic and forward-thinking approach have been central to this success.
Beyond the farm gate, Dietrich pursued training in marketing, graphic design and photography after high school. He worked under one of Canada’s leading livestock photographers before purchasing the business in his early 20s, now operating as AgPlus Design & Photography.
Canadian Angus Association finds new home in Airdrie
The Canadian Angus Association has officially secured a new permanent home for Angus Central in Airdrie, Alta.
The new Airdrie property will maintain approximately the same amount of functional office space as the current Angus Central facility, while minimizing unused square footage. The building is designed to support the everyday needs of association staff and operations without compromising service to members.
The new Angus Central will continue to showcase significant historical artifacts and maintain a focus on documenting and celebrating the legacy of the Angus breed in Canada.
The association will take possession of the new property in December 2025, with a planned move and full operational transition set for spring 2026. More information will be shared with members as the transition progresses.
Canadian Speckle Park Association board of directors
The Canadian Speckle Park Association held its annual general meeting in Nova Scotia this summer. The 2025-26 board of directors includes president Peter Watson, Branchton, Ont.; vice-president Craig Brown, Wetaskiwin, Alta.; member-at-large Ashley Anderson, Didsbury, Alta.; finance chair Carla Ducherer, Neilburg, Sask.; Dan Brundige, Bonnyville, Alta.; Makenzie Olson, Tisdale, Sask.; and Travis Beuishuizen, Ripley, Ont.
Manitoba Youth Beef Round-Up results
The 18th-annual Manitoba Youth Beef Round-Up was held in August in Neepawa, Man., with a record number of enthusiastic junior cattle producers and the largest number of cattle exhibited to date. More than 109 youth between the ages of six and 25 gathered for an educational and fun weekend.
The three-day event included workshops on judging, showmanship, grooming, marketing, photography and leadership. In addition to confirmation and showmanship, exhibitors competed in team grooming, team judging, a cooking competition and an ag challenge consisting of different beef production-related skills.
The Supreme Champion Female was MRK Brave 311L, a Simmental two-year-old exhibited by Bexley McIntosh of Eriksdale, Man.
RDAR partners with beef associations to deliver advances in heifer selection
RDAR, a leader in results-driven agricultural research in Canada, has announced an investment of $741,960 in Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership funding to expand a project for developing genomic tools for use by cattle producers. The Canadian Angus Association leads this project in collaboration with the Canadian Hereford Association and the Canadian Charolais Association.
The initial project recruited 21 commercial Angus and Hereford producers (representing 10,000 head of cattle) as part of a four-year initiative to support commercial beef producers in making informed decisions about replacement heifers. These cattle were genotyped and followed across the beef production chain, linking performance at cow-calf operations, feedlots and packing plants with the Canadian Angus Association’s genomic evaluations for highly accurate genomic predictions for growth traits, carcass quality traits and female reproduction traits.
Thanks to the program’s early success and high demand, the project is now expanding to include the Canadian Charolais Association and the hiring of staff dedicated to assisting producers in adopting these new tools.
