The YCSA welcomes youth of any breed to attend to network with fellow young producers and to share and acquire industry knowledge from breed enthusiasts.

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Champion Purebred Female was awarded to Kade Rancier showing RF SCREAM 974G with RF HOLLER 1130J at side. Reserve Purebred Female went to Brodyn Labatte with PU 33’A MS SIERRA 117H. 

Champion Purebred Bull went to Bailey Smith with BLI JACKPOT 2113J. Reserve Purebred Bull Calf went to Brynn Whalen with BBB JACKPOT 1J. 

Champion Commercial Female was awarded to Brynn Whalen with BBB COLOR ME RED 1F with BBB GERTIE 4J at side. Bailey Smith took Reserve Commercial Female with BLI JELIZA 2110J. 

Champion Commercial Bull was awarded to Bailey Smith with BLI JONNY CASH 2104J (see below).

The virtual show also included a judging competition. The members were provided with videos of each heifer. The winners of the novice division were Lee Shologan and Abby Rancier. Junior winners were Kade Rancier and Max Burris. Intermediate winners were Kyle Yaremko and Danielle Matonovich. The senior winner was Brynn Whalen. 

The national YCSA AGM was held on July 25 via Zoom. The 2021/2022 YCSA board will be announced in September. The National YCSA will be hosting a Facebook Auction once again this fall. 

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Speakers include Michelle Ferreri, media and marketing consultant; Dr. Roy Lewis, large animal veterinarian; Dennis Serhienko, beef sire acquistion and product support with Semex; Taylor Frank, livestock judging coach with Butler Community College; and Dr. Rob Stables, owner of Bow Valley Genetics, which offers embryo collection and transfer, plus semen collection.

Register online at simmental.com. For more information, contact Kelsey Manske at 306-291-7086 or kmanske@simmental.com.

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The forum is held every four years and provides a platform for the exchange of genetics information and breeding objectives, and also acts as a forum for youth involvement.

The forum will attract more than 800 Angus breeders, farmers and associated companies from all over the world, to listen to speakers, share their knowledge, expertise, experiences and network together.

Shirley Bilton, of Stavely, was recently recognized by the Canadian Blonde d’Aquitane Association with a lifetime achievement award. The presentation noted his involvement with the association in a number of capacities but also the example he and life partner Myrna Flesch set in building West Wind Blondes into the largest producer of Blonde cattle and the first to focus on polled fullblood genetics and ultimately the production of many “homozygous polled” fullbloods. “While a number of others have joined this growing trend and are also aiming to produce the same qualities, it is very evident that the root of their ‘polled’ and ‘homozygous polled,’ animals stem from strong West Wind genetics,” said the association in a letter to Bilton notifying him of the award. Their herd has produced many champions in the ring and gained a reputation outside of Canada as evidenced by the “number of West Wind embryos and offspring from AI bulls appearing across the globe.”

In recognition the Canadian Blonde d’Aquitane Association board named its newly created breeder of the year award, the Shirley Bilton Award for Breeder of the Year. It will be presented for the first time in 2016.

The Charolais Banner reports Whitewater Aphrodite 2A by Sparrows Fargo 811U and her Winn Mans Big Rig 639Y heifer calf at side, from WhiteWater Livestock,  Haley Station, Ont., was named Grand Champion Female at the 2015 Expo Boeuf Show, October 10 in Victoriaville, Que. Judge Brent Saunders named Dubuc Adalie 317A by Shelco Made Easy 512R and her WR Wrangler W601 bull calf at side exhibited by Dubuc Charolais Senc, Ste-Eulalie as Reserve Grand Champion Female. Grand Champion Bull was McTavish Hallelujah 79B, sired by Pleasant Dawn Magnum 49Y from Cornerview Charolais, Cobden, Ont. and Kirlene Cattle Co., Brighton, Ont. while Post Alaska 836A sired by POST Yamaska 90Y from Ranch Ostiguy Charolais, St-Cesaire was named Reserve Grand Champion Bull.

This summer I had the pleasure of meeting and visiting with Albert Rimke of A M Ranching at the T Bar C Invitational golf tournament in Saskatoon. Albert is a director with the Canadian Hereford Association and runs a Hereford herd at Oak Lake, Man., with his wife Michelle and family, Jay, Samantha and Levi. He told me an incredible story about his son Jay and what he went through in 2012. Jay was going to Olds College and ended up in an accident with a severe head injury. STARS was brought in and Jay was transported to Calgary Foothills Hospital for surgery. He spent a month in ICU Calgary and eight weeks in extensive rehabilitation. He eventually made a full recovery. That year he donated 10 per cent of the proceeds from his 4-H steer to STARS. Over $2,500 was raised. This year in 2015 Jay decided to give again to STARS and $5,500 was raised. Jay thanks STARS for being a part of the rural community and is proud that his contributions help keep STARS in the air. He has since graduated with a diploma in ag management from Olds College and is taking an active role in the ranch and showing cattle at Agribition.

Canadian Beef Breeds Council director of scientific and industry advancement, Dr. John Crowley of the University of Alberta recently reported on the Livestock Gentec conference held in Edmonton in October.

“Dr. Brian Wickham gave a summary of his visit to Canada during the summer to undertake a feasibility assessment on the genetic improvement practices employed here and how they can be improved. In his talk he outlined what a centre for genetic improvement could look like, how it should be governed and how it should operate. Referring to this presently fictitious centre as a Canadian Beef Improvement Network (CBIN), Brian said that it would tie in very well with the goals of the national beef strategy. Dr. Wickham is presently preparing a final draft of his overall assessment and that document will be available in the near future.”

The wrap-up video of the conference can be found in the latest news section of livestockgentec.com.

Her Royal Highness The Princess Edward, Countess of Wessex, toured the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair with the Hon. Elizabeth Dowdeswell, lieutenant-governor of Ontario on November 13. The Countess of Wessex’s visit continues a long relationship between The Royal show and the Royal Family, which stretches back to The Royal’s inception. The fair received approval by His Majesty King George V in 1920 to use The Royal title. Queen Elizabeth II is The Fair’s Royal patron and members of the Royal Family have been guests of honour at the fair on numerous occasions over the years. The Royal ran from November 6-15.

During the 2015 YCSA National Classic in Lindsay, Ont. the Friends of Canadian Simmental Foundation presented a cheque to the Young Canadian Simmental Association for $15,000. FCSF president Ken Lewis and FCSF auction co-chair Deanne Young presented the cheque on behalf of the foundation to YCSA board members Paige Holmquist, Dylan Foley, Cooper Snider, Sophie Wotten, Craig Matthews and Krista Whalen.

The 2015-16 board of directors for the Friends of Canadian Simmental Foundation was elected at the AGM. The board consists of chairman Ken Lewis, Spruce Grove, Alta.; vice-chair Brian Bouchard, Cochrane, Alta.; treasurer Marlin LeBlanc, Estevan, Sask.; secretary Deanne Young, Breton, Alta. and directors — Roger Deeg, Strathmore, Alta.; Mark Shologan, Westlock, Alta.; Ron Nolan, Markdale, Ont.; Glen Wotten, Lindsay, Ont. and representatives from the Canadian Simmental Association, Lacey Fisher, Amherst, N.S. and Lee McMillen, Carievale, Sask.

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Michael Wheeler, Wheeler’s Stock Farm, Saskatoon, Sask., and Kyle Lewis, Lewis Farms, Spruce Grove, Alta., came up through a dozen or so years as 4-H and junior breed association members to judge major shows such as Canadian Western Agribition and Farm Fair International.

4-H lays a solid foundation in cattle evaluation and terminology. Each year at achievement day, members judge a set of cattle and write judging cards explaining their placings. Club winners advance to regional, then provincial competitions and ultimately to the Canadian National 4-H and Youth Judging Competition hosted by Agribition.

Wheeler’s first experience judging a major show came when he won the Canadian competition in 2002 and with it an opportunity to be on the judging panel of the first Lady Classic at Agribition.

Team judging was coming into play in his later years of 4-H and is now mostly offered at junior breed show events. It’s a show ring class where one team member places the animals and gives oral reasons for the placings while the other gains experience in ring steward duties.

Lewis says 4-H gave him the basics. It was an exciting day when the whole clan — he and his sister and three cousins — would go out to the pasture to pick their 4-H heifers each year. “Dad guided us, but the final decision was ours so we learned on our own what to look for,” he says. Nobody wanted to be off base because winnings were pooled and split between the five of them.

He picked up the finer details as the years went by through his involvement in the Young Canadian Simmental Association and as a junior judge with his dad. “Judging became harder because of the uniform groups of cattle so it had to get down to the finer details and we learned from seasoned teachers who had done it themselves,” he says.

Some young people continue with livestock judging during their post-secondary years. In Canada, there are colleges and universities with stockman’s or judging clubs, but not at the level of the U.S. college credit programs with professional coaches and extensive travel to competitions.

Many U.S. colleges offer judging scholarships along the line of sports scholarships that attract young Canadians south to continue their education.

Between teaching, coaching and judging shows, a few people in the U.S. have even been able to make a career of livestock judging. That’s not the case in Canada, though. Depending on the level of competition, show committees may be able to cover expenses or offer an honorarium.

“People don’t judge for the money,” Wheeler says. “They judge more to give back to youth and because it’s an honour to be asked and an opportunity to gain experience.”

Lewis agrees. He says it’s humbling to be asked to judge because it means people appreciate your eye for cattle and respect the type of cattle you raise and that they will work for the real world.

Training is just one part of carving a path in the world of livestock judging. “It’s a matter of gaining experience and showing your talent by taking opportunities to judge when you get them and building on them,” Wheeler adds.

Both he and Lewis started with 4-H and still do judge 4-H achievement days and junior breed shows. There’s not as much opportunity on the summer fair circuit as in the past because many fairs no longer have cattle shows and there are fewer stock at those that do.

However, the Saskatchewan Association of Agricultural Societies and Exhibitions (SAASE) still offers apprenticeship judging opportunities for senior 4-H members and adults interested in becoming beef cattle judges. If an agricultural society has someone in mind and the official show judge is comfortable with taking on an apprentice, then the society can apply to SAASE for up to $150 to help cover the apprentice’s expenses to shadow judge for the day.

The junior judging idea is similar, but not as formal, Lewis explains. Sometimes a father and son or husband and wife are asked to judge as a duo, and other times a senior judge may simply ask another person to help out.

Wheeler feels there’s always a need to train more judges. “We are in a better position than 20 years ago, though, because we learned that we have to train young people in judging and give them opportunities.”

Opportunities remain fairly slim for people beyond their 4-H, junior breed association and post-secondary years to get a start in judging. Wheeler says that’s why the Saskatchewan Angus Association has discussed the possibility of offering judging courses. Lots of people are raising good cattle but need experience on the judging side and even 4-Hers need refreshers once in a while.

One part know-how; one part skill

You need to be able to think on your feet, be decisive with placings in the ring, and have the confidence to take the microphone to explain your placings to exhibitors and spectators. The ability to justify placings can make the difference between a good judge and an excellent judge.

“People who enjoy cattle and judging don’t find the public speaking aspect all that intimidating because it’s easy to talk about something if you are passionate about it,” Lewis says. “Above all, a good judge has to be a good cattle person to start with.”

Sure, there are lots of armchair judges, but generally people are polite. They realize it’s one person’s opinion that day, Wheeler says. The real reason they are there is to present their genetics to the public and spectators will make their own decisions as to what will work in their own breeding programs.

For him, pressure has more to do with time constraints and keeping things moving along especially when there are a lot of large classes. This is when it’s more important than ever to prioritize what you are looking for, stay focused and be decisive, he suggests. First impression is big for him. Many times he’ll have his top picks within a few minutes of the class entering the ring and the first impressions start to sort out fairly quickly once he gets a closer look at each animal. What’s really tough is when all of the animals leave a good first impression.

“If you do an honest job and can justify your placings, I think that’s the best you can do, so don’t let your nerves get to you,” Lewis says.

As for the cattle know-how part, judging isn’t breed specific in that people who raise a certain breed of cattle only judge shows for that breed.

Wheeler, who judged the 2013 Canadian Junior Beef Extreme show at Agribition, says the basics are the same for all breeds, but if a breed emphasizes certain traits, then he looks to see that the animal exhibits those traits.

On the commercial side

This leads to another unique aspect of beef cattle judging — there isn’t a standardized ideal beef animal as there is in the dairy industry, for example, Wheeler explains. This is because of differing environments where beef cattle are raised, so people have their own ideas, preferences and priorities of what an ideal animal should look like. Even though there are certain structural characteristics that are important in all environments, such as sound udders and feet, what one person considers good, another may call excellent. Taking opportunities to judge and seeing more top-end cattle across all breeds really helps to get a better idea of good versus mediocre or great.

“As industry moves ahead with technology and other selection tools, maybe some of the basic things aren’t emphasized enough. That’s why I think it’s as important as ever to train young people on visual evaluation,” says Wheeler.

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Finally, in Ontario, at the RAWF which offered a Supreme overall show for the first time this year, NJW 73S W18 DOWNHOME 21ZET exhibited by Lyons Polled Herefords, St. Thomas, Ont., owned with Dalmuir Farms, Lindsay, Ont., and NJW Polled Herefords, Sheridan Wyoming, took home Supreme Champion Bull. Congratulations to all the breeders, owners and exhibitors.

The 41st annual Farmfair International brought national and international sellers and buyers together to conduct business, trade industry knowledge and support Alberta’s thriving agriculture industry. A total of 91,516 guests came through the Edmonton EXPO Centre to see cattle shows and sales, equine events, the Heritage Ranch Rodeo, RAM Country Marketplace and more.

The guests included hundreds of registered international and Inbound Buyer Program participants from 10 countries — Australia, Brazil, U.S., Uruguay, Mexico, Argentina, Scotland, Norway, Switzerland and Turkey. The program pays up to 50 per cent of a buyer’s travel costs up to $1,500. In addition to the buyers, the Australian High Commissioner to Canada, Her Excellency Louise Helen Hand and Ahmet Altiparama, governor of Erzurum in eastern Turkey participated in events. Next year’s Farmfair International runs from November 10-15, 2015.

• More ‘Purely Purebred’ on the Canadian Cattlemen: Peak Dot Ranch donates sale proceeds of heifer to SSGA

The Young Canadian Simmental Association (YCSA) is holding its second annual semen and embryo fundraiser. Thanks to the generous donations of Simmental breeders, six lots of semen will be auctioned off at various sales across the country. Funds raised will go towards the YCSA program. For more information on these lots, contact Carla Schmitt 306-221-7950 or Sophie Wotten 705-464-1713.

The Canadian Bull Congress 2015 edition will be held Jan. 23, 24, in Camrose, Alta. Entry forms are now available online. Be sure to read the rules, as changes have been made to some of the shows. They have also added a Mature Bull Show. The complete handbook is not available to download, but the majority of the book is online under the required components. Remember, entries are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Give the office a call if you have any questions. You’ll also notice Canadian Bull Congress has a new logo which is part of its rebranding campaign going into 2015. Staff are also working hard to implement new marketing and international genetic and travel components as part of this branding exercise. Watch the show’s Facebook page for new postings.

Shirley Lousie Rosso of Rosso Charolais, passed away on Saturday, October 25 at 72 years of age. She was from the Old Wives District, near Moose Jaw. Shirley leaves her husband of 53 years, John, her sons Darwin and Kevin, daughter Alma Wanner and seven grandchildren. She was predeceased by her son, Victor and brother, Bryan Lemieux. John and Shirley were recipients of the Saskatchewan Charolais Association Honour Scroll in 2008.

In late Oct., Dale Blair lost his battle with cancer. He was an important member of the Blair family and also a second-generation owner of Blair’s Family of Companies. Dale has played an important role in western Canadian agriculture, the Blair family and the Blair’s business.

With funding from the Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency Ltd. (ALMA) Northlands unveiled the Livestock Innovation Showcase in conjunction with the Beef Shows in Hall B of the Edmonton EXPO Centre during Farmfair International in November. The showcase highlighted the latest technological advancements in Canadian livestock production through the use of static and interactive displays.  Northlands president and CEO Tim Reid says the showcase, “gives our industry the opportunity to market their products and genetics to domestic and international audiences that would otherwise go untapped.”

Livestock Gentec’s Tom Lynch-Staunton recently issued a report on the fall meeting of the Beef Value Chain Roundtable in Calgary. The main topics were the labour shortages facing the beef industry and an update on Ottawa’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program, a summary of the latest research on antimicrobial/antibiotic resistance by Dr. Tim McAllister of the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada research station in Lethbridge, and an update on the new National Beef Strategic Plan being developed by Beef Cattle Research Council, Canada Beef Inc., Canadian Beef Breeds Council, National Cattle Feeders, the Canadian Cattleman’s Association, and the provincial beef organizations.

The five-year plan (2015-19) is to be a co-ordinated effort to address challenges and opportunities for the Canadian beef industry and includes targets for increasing demand for beef, reducing Canada’s cost disadvantage compared to international competitors, increasing the efficiency of production, and collaboration throughout the value chain and industry stakeholders.

Cattlemen’s Young Leaders Profiles

Erin Durrell grew up on her family’s historic ranch, Wineglass Cattle Company in Riske Creek, B.C. Situated along the banks of the Chilcotin River, the central grasslands of B.C.’s interior have been home to the Durrell family since the 1800s. Erin and her sister (Keely) and brother (Iaian) are the fifth generation to grow up there and be actively involved in the ranch from Day 1. Erin and her siblings have been very involved in rodeo, and she excelled as a breakaway roper during high school, winning a provincial championship in her graduating year and earning trips to the National and Canadian high school rodeo finals.

Wineglass Ranch runs a reputable commercial Black Angus herd that Erin is excited about continuing to develop. The ranch has also developed a grass-fed, antibiotic- and implant-free beef market through a local butcher shop and through farm gate sales. All cattle work is done with horses and dogs and grassland and environmental sustainability are important to the ranch, its history and for its continued generations. Erin recently became a director of the local regional Cariboo Cattlemen’s Association and is looking forward to her involvement there. She has worked in agriculture in Australia, and in the veterinary industry here at home and is looking forward to returning to university to finish her degree in ag business.

Her interests include marketing and trade as well as animal health and the sustainability of family ranches. Erin is also looking forward to working with her mentor Kevin Boon. Kevin spent the past five years as general manager of the B.C. Cattlemen’s Association and is a former rancher and volunteer director with the cattle industry in Alberta. He is a member of the Minister’s Agriculture Advisory Committee for B.C., and a career mentor with the Thompson Rivers University Alumni and Friends Association.

Jaclyn Horenberg developed her love for agriculture and passion for the beef industry on her family’s cow-calf operation near Stratford, Ont. She has shown cattle throughout Canada with 4-H and the Ontario Limousin Association. She always knew she wanted to pursue a career in agriculture, so Jaclyn obtained her bachelor of science in agriculture, with a major in animal science from the University of Guelph. During her third year, she began working with Agribrands Purina as an intern. Part of her internship was with Cargill Meat Solutions where she worked with the beef procurement department purchasing cattle with the head cattle buyer. Since graduating in 2012, Jaclyn has continued to work with Agribrands Purina as a beef farm consultant assessing the nutritional needs of beef herds and recommending proper feed rations designed to maximize performance and meet economic goals. Jaclyn and her husband do not operate a farm themselves, so she is grateful that her job allows her to stay involved in the beef industry.

Her mentor is Darryl Gibb. Darryl obtained degrees in animal science from Utah State University (bachelors and PhD) and the University of Nebraska (M.Sc.). He has conducted research at the farm level with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and for the past 20 years work focused on ruminant nutrition for ranches and feedlots. Part of that work has been developing ration software for feedlots and using NIRS to identify feeds that help enhance the profitability of producers.

Neil Overby was raised on a commercial cow-calf and bison operation near Inwood, Man. He attended the University of Manitoba where he was enrolled in the animal science program concluding in 2007. During university, Neil created Overby Stock Farm, a purebred Gelbvieh operation and has been expanding the operation ever since. He has been fortunate to be involved in many established purebred cattle operations after university giving him valuable experience. Neil and his fiancée, Deanne Wilkinson, take great pride in how the purebred program has progressed over the years and are excited about where they can take it in the future.

The operation is located at Ste. Rose du Lac, Man., and along with Jaymarandy Limousin and Maple Grove Gelbvieh, Overby Stock Farm had an inaugural Western Gateway Bull Sale at the Ste. Rose Auction Mart on March 29 where they offered two-year-old and yearling Gelbvieh and Limousin bulls.

Along with the cattle operation, Neil also works for Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Development as a farm production adviser — ag Crown lands representative out of the Ste. Rose office. Neil feels privileged to have been selected into the Cattlemen’s Young Leaders program and visiting with his mentor, Mike Fleury of the Saskatoon Auction Market.

The 36th annual Lloydminster Zoetis Stockade Round Up Oct. 30-Nov. 1 had nearly 500 cattle shown, with entries up in the purebred shows. This year the UFA Feature Show Series continued with the Stockade Lady Show, a heifer jackpot, and the King of the Ring Show, a bull jackpot! The Saskatchewan Angus Gold Shows were hosted at this event.

Dave and Sheila Crittall of Paradise Hill, Sask., were this year’s recipient of the Lloydminster Exhibition Cattleman of the Year Award.

A few weeks ago I had lunch with Ted Power, an old friend and president of Edmonton-based ViewTrak Technologies Inc. — a company working to help the livestock industry get better at tracking and sharing information to boost profits and competitiveness. Ted and I talked about his perspective on what’s missing in the cattle industry — a focus on what he called “collaborative economics.” He feels that the industry is falling behind other livestock producers because we haven’t been sharing data effectively — for the sake of everyone from producers to consumers. Data sharing allows producers to ask for, and get, a premium price for their products by giving consumers a reason to pay a premium for their meat. Ted tells me that pork and lamb producers are driving data sharing in their industries because they have the most to gain, or lose.

It’s hard to argue with Ted’s point that data sharing is the path to not just revenue growth but also increased profits, and sustainability within the industry. I agree that responding to consumer demand for more information is just good business. Retailers are already on this path, and we producers can’t afford to keep banging our heads against a wall on this issue.

Suggestions are always welcome. You can email me at deb.wilson@fbcpublishing.com.

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