Denver Stock Show

A couple of weeks ago Rob and I had the opportunity to attend the 106th National Westerner Stock Show in Denver.  This was courtesy of Masterfeeds.  You can read about that in the blog we wrote http://www.highcountrycattle.blogspot.com/2011/12/luck-or-good-management.html         

This was only the second time that I have attended and about the fourth for Rob, although it has been many years.  Lots had changed in the type of cattle and the number of Canadians that were exhibiting there, but the Yards and the Hill shows are pretty much the same as they were 20 years ago.

The five days that we were there were filled with meeting many people that we read and follow through their websites, shows and production sales.  Spending time with Crystal and Jon and the Blin Family of Star Lake Herefords.  Attending the American Simmental Associations events including their AGM, SimMagic on Ice and the Chairman's Gala and Foundation Auction.

Star Lake Carload Bulls getting ready.

Starlake Carload Bulls showing
Starlake won the carload for the 13th consecutive year.

It was really good to see sire groups that we may consider breeding to.  Although we certainly need to do our homework when looking at genetics to buy from the USA.  Many of the bulls that we liked were 7/8.  Which are purebred in the ASA herdbook, but considered % in the Canadian herdbook.  Good cattle but it can make a difference to your herd depending on the choices that you are making.  EPD's usually entered the conversation with most of the breeders and they also played a part in most of the shows that we watched.  When speaking with many of the breeders though, we all agreed that at the end of the day the cattle had to be structurally sound, with good feet, udders and testicles as well as having data that backed them up.  Many were not aware that our EPD's were not the same like they were a few years ago.  While at the ASA annual meeting they announced that their Spring 2012 numbers now include the first multi-breed EPD for calving ease - including data of both Simmental and Red Angus.  It will be interesting to compare the change in numbers on the American sires that we have available for our use here in Canada.

Simmental heifer waiting to up to the Hill show.

Amazing Hair



Steer Displays are always
fun to go through

All in all it was a great trip.  Learned lots, seen great cattle, met interesting people. 


Can't ask for more than that.  While all this was going on in Denver, Stacy and Dan were dealing with one of the busiest calving days we have had of 6 calves in 18 hours, while the temperature dropped to -30.  I think they were very glad to see us come home.  Thanks guys for all of your help and again to Masterfeeds for the trip.

Gifts

I know that many of us are just getting over the Christmas gift giving season and the credit card bills that go with it, but Valentine's Day is right around the corner.  For Christmas this year the girls received a special gift.... a Stockyard Friend.
These special little buddies are made by Bethany from Purplebanner Designs.  If you send Bethany a picture of your favorite cow, she will replicate the color pattern and made a unique ear tag to go with it.

Christmas seen two of our families favorite cows under the Christmas Tree.

CAJS Elegant Force W24

Elle

CDY Harmony 8H

Harmony

If you are needing a special gift give Bethany a shout at http://purplebannerdesigns.blogspot.com/  She also makes wonderful unique baby gifts and children's clothes.  I don't think we'll be needing order those for our girls any time soon!

Custom Baby Bibs

Custom T-Shirts and Blankets

                                   

Your Success....Is Our Success

IPU Revolution 172U

There is nothing more satisfying than having your cattle or genetics work for other breeders.  We have often thought that the way to prove a herdsire is to have semen used in several other herds under different environment and management conditions.

We would like to congratulate LaBatte Simmentals for the sale of their Revolution daughter to Bonchuk Farms for $12,250.  She was the high selling red female in their offering.

A big shout out also goes to Willow Creek Simmentals on their Champion Pen of 3 bulls at the Peace County Bull Congress.  Their pen included a son of Revolution that will sell in their spring sale in March.

66 Days Away

It seems like if you are a seed stock producer the hunt for your next herd sire, never ends.  In fact the day after you buy your next herd sire you had better be looking for the next one.  Oh there are lots of bulls for sale and between now and the end of April thousands of them will change hands and find a new home, but herd sires are few and far between.

Everyone has there own check list of requirements and no two buyers will have the same list.  He has to be the right size, color, polled or homozygous polled, birth weight, performance, pedigree, soundness, testicle measurements and the list goes on and on.

We would like to introduce a new exciting young bull that will claim a spot in our breeding program for 2012. This youngster is bred for calving ease with some performance in the package as well.

RJY First Time 18Y.
Here's the list of credentials that he brings with him:

• Homozygous Black
• Homozygous Polled
• Low Birth weight - 80 lbs
• In the top 5% for Birthweight and 20% for calving ease.
• Sired by - HTP SVF In Dew Time
• Backed by strong cows families like - First Date, Dream Date, Ebony's Joy 123 - L, Ebony's Antoinette, Honeydew and CNS Sheeza Dream K107W.

RJY First Time 18Y has recently sold to BS Ranch.  He will walk in their pastures, but we believe so much in this young calving ease bull that we have retained 1/2 semen interest in him.  We are currently getting ready to send him to stud. He has recently been added to the Bouchard Livestock "Genetics That Make A Difference" 2012 catalog.  If you would like the opportunity to share in this new young sire, contact Bouchard Livestock or us at High Country Cattle.  Breeding season is only 66 days away