Graduation Time

Things have been busy around High Country this spring and I apologize for the lack of blogging.  Spring always seems to be a busy time.  I can remember several years ago when we would fit 4H, dance competitions, breeding cows, family events and just every day life all into one weekend.
I have been noticing a lot of graduation announcements on Face book in the last few days.  Can hardly believe that it will be 9 years since Crystal Graduated from Breton High School and 7 years for Stacy.  Those were fun days, girls trying to find the perfect dress.  To make their mark on the occasion, by showing off their personality and uniqueness.  Our girls didn't go too crazy.  Bought off the rack and didn't have to take out a second mortgage for the event.




Crystal- Class of 2003

Stacy - Class of 2005

I applaud these young women on their creativity and for embracing their love of Agriculture.

I hope that what ever road they travel, they will always remember their roots.  You can take the girl off the farm, but you can't take the farm out of the girl.  Congratulations to all the graduates from High School and College and University.

Something is Missing

I don't normally talk about politics, as each of us has our own beliefs and thankfully we live in a country where we have the right to do so.  But as the Alberta Provincial election is in it's last few days, I find it very interesting that there is one topic that has not been mentioned by the two front runners...........................AGRICULTURE.

 Now if you take the time to read the policies and platforms of both the Progressive Conservatives and the Wild Rose Party, there is information regarding Agriculture.  But as far as stating these policies in public or during the leaders debate, we are not even on the radar.  These two leaders are scheduling a 1 hour stop on the campaign trail this morning in an agriculture setting.  Good photo opportunity, but have not taken the time to really get to the heart of things of what is needed in our industry and what will help agriculture producers in the future.

Maybe both of them would like to think about the impact on their education and health policies if there is no strong agriculture sector in Alberta.  How well do you think malnutritioned students will learn or how many more seniors will need care if they can't afford protein, or fruit and vegetables?  It is one thing to support rural communities with more learning opportunities and doctors, but what about sustaining and growing one of the most renewable resources we have in our province.  Again we are taking a back seat to all of the other Ministries.  I guess if there were more of us they might be worried about where our vote is going to go on April 23.  I hope your local candidates are listening to you.

Spring has arrived...Not really

Sorry for the long absence in blog writing.  The past month has been a blur.  But many good thing have happened in the last 4 weeks.  The last time that I blogged I was getting ready to attend the Spring meetings on the Canadian Simmental Association, we were only days away from the Red Deer Bull Sale where we were offering a great set of Red Simmental Bulls sired by Revolution, breeding plans were being made, wedding plans finalized and the everyday chores that spring time brings  on the farm.

I will bring you up to date on all of these activities, PLUS our new herdsire purchase, plans for High Country cattle for the spring and summer months.  Right now I am finishing taxes

and digging ourselves out of a foot of snow from the weekend.  We have had more snow in March and April than all winter long.  I hope spring has arrived at your place.  More blogs to follow soon.

Green grass at the Blin's,
the morning of the wedding

International Women's Day

It's seems like the media can come up with a day to celebrate for most everything.  But once in a while they declare one that is really important.  Now I'm not saying that there shouldn't be a day to recognize and celebrate the men in our lives but I do embrace the celebration of Women around the world.

When I think of today and the important women that have been in my life and that currently are, I  think of strong, independent, high energy, creative, hard working, multi-tasking, fun loving, caring individuals.  I am so happy that I get to live in a country where women are able to be all of these things and more.

We may not have accomplished all of the things that we have set out to do.  But I think that we all  make a difference each and every day in our homes, our communities and the lives of our family and friends.  We all have a different way of doing it but it makes a great impact on everyone around us.  Take a moment to celebrate yourself and the women in your life today.  Cheers!

Representing You

Our family has always believed that you need to give back in some way to the organizations that you belong to or just your community in general. We both grew up in families where our parents volunteered. All of them were 4-H leaders and helped on local community committees when time permitted. My dad (Chuck) has probably volunteered the most with over 35 years with the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede and numerous other organizations.

In our own family Rob has been on the Red Angus Promotion Society, a 4H project leader and the President of the Alberta Simmental Association. Both Crystal and Stacy were on the AYCS - junior Simmental board of directors and Stacy was the National YCS President.

  I was recently elected to the Canadian Simmental Association. Our first board meeting is on March 16 & 17 in Calgary. Most board of directors meet in the spring. I encourage anyone that belongs to an association of any kind to contact their directors and let them know what they need from their association. It shouldn't just be a handful of people making decisions that affect how you conduct your business or how the association that belongs to all of the members is operated. If we don't hear from the membership then all we can do is use our best judgement when making plans.

Back row: Barb Judd, Kelly Ashworth, Randy Mader, John Sullivan, Fraser Redpath, Bruce Holmquist

Front row: Lacey Fisher, Kara Enright, Ron Nolan, Judy Sweet, Deanne Young

The Canadian Simmental Association has nine members of their board of directors.  Contact one of them before the next meeting and let them know what you need from your association in order to sell more Simmental genetics and acquire more of the market share.

President		Ron Nolan Markdale, ON	Phone: (519) 986-2450 Email: rnolan@hatch.ca
First Vice-President		Fraser Redpath Mather, MB	Phone: (204) 529-2560 Email: redsim@xplornet.com
Second Vice-President		Randy Mader Carstairs, AB	Phone: (403) 337-2928 Email: rrmader@xplornet.com
	DIRECTORS
	John Sullivan Kazabazua, PQ		Phone: (819) 467-2713 Email: Sullivan.simmentals@bell.net
	Judy Sweet Drayton Valley, AB		Phone: (780) 542-2634 Email: judsweet@telus.net
	Lacey Fisher Amherst, NS		Phone: (902) 661-0766 Email: timberwoodfarms@seasidehighspeed.com
	Kara Enright Tweed, ON		Phone: (613) 478-3404 Email: kara_langevin@hotmail.com
	Deanne Young Breton, AB		Phone/Fax: (780) 696-3643 Email: bfcss@telus.net
	Kelly Ashworth Oungre, SK		Phone: (306) 456-2749 Email: jashworth@sasktel.net

Customer Service

This past week I had the opportunity to attend the Alberta Gift Show.  This is an invitation only trade show for business people to buy the stock for their retail businesses.  My very creative cousins Kim Mathews and Heather Saucier own a company called Baby Cakes.  They make baby gifts out of baby wash clothes, diapers and baby sock to look like a cupcake and packaged in a pastry box. 

When we were packing up from the show we noticed that there was a low tire on the Hummer (Kim's wheels).  Heather thought maybe it wasn't that low and could make it to Olds.  I convinced her to at least put some air in it.

Now I don't usually promote one company over another, because I think people should make their own choices.  Just like Beef,

I don't care if you eat local, organic, natural just as long as Beef is one of your protein choices.  Anyways I convinced Heather to stop at Kal Tire to put air in the tire.

 Upon looking at the tire we were told that it was actually flat.  Apparently the tires on Hummers don't do completely flat like regular tires, but there was no pressure in the tire.  This meant that we had to unhook the trailer, fix the tire and re hook before heading south.

The staff at the tire shop offered to do all of this for us while we went next door and had supper. 40 minutes later we came back to pay the bill.  The total amount was.......FREE, No Charge.  Apparently it is their company policy to not charge for repair of tires on personal vehicles.  Wow, I didn't think anyone did anything for free anymore.  We both commented on this policy and said that we would buy our next set of tires from Kaltire.  The manager said that was the whole idea behind the policy.

It just goes to show you that if you offer good customer service, you will become the choice of preference for the consumer and probably tell others.  Poor customer service and you won't go back and you certainly won't recommend that business to anyone else.

Thanks Kal Tire guys and we were glad that the young man helping us got to drive his first Hummer while helping us re hook the trailer!

Can we get that in writing

I can across this article regarding the outlook for Canadian Farmers.

OTTAWA — Government projections suggest almost all Canadian farmers can look forward to good times for up to the next 10 years.
Agriculture Canada says by almost any measure, average farm income set new records in 2011.
This year, total family income is forecast to be 27 per cent above the last five-year average. And the department projects that the same factors that led to last year's prosperous harvest will remain stable for the next decade.    Receipts from cereal and oilseed crops did the best, but livestock prices are also rebounding and producers are rebuilding herds.
Agriculture Canada says reasons for the favourable outlook are increasing worldwide demand for feed grains, high oil prices, moderate Canadian population growth and a Canadian dollar close to par with the U.S. greenback.

I recently spoke with a friend in Saskatchewan that sold their May born steer calves.  Their take home pay was close to $1250 / steer.  The bull sales that have already finished have been fantastic.  Congratulations to Kopp Farms, Manitoba on their sale yesterday that averaged over $6200 on close to 100 Simmental bulls. 
Let's enjoy these prosperous times.  It's been a long time coming.