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

2011 - A Year in Review

Each New Years Eve we like to look back on the year and review it and also look forward to the year ahead.  Never do we imagine the way that things will play out. 2011 will be a year that we will never forget for a lot of reasons.  Lets have a look back.
January - We started the year with a cold snowy winter.  When all was said and done we would end up with over 7 feet of snow, and several weeks of -35C.

February - A sad month at High Country; we have to put our old faithful dog - Kurt down and ship Stacy's favorite cow - Ruffles.  Both were over 13 years of age.

March - We are almost done calving and very excited about the calves that we have.  Some out of new cows, new sires and our donors.

April - was a wet and cold month.  Cows were being bred and donors flushed with great results.  Rob decides to leave his job in the Oilfield and concentrate on our cattle and farm.

May - Crystal and Jon announced their engagement on May 28.  So very excited and happy for them.

June - A weekend trip to Iowa to meet the Blins and see where Crystal will make her new home.

 

July - A month spent painting fences and touring cattle herds.  Along with viewing a few junior shows. We meet Stacy's BF - Dan.  We have to put our herdsire Revolution down due to an injury.

August - A great trip to Vanderhoof and Williams Lake, BC to judge 2 4-H shows and the Angus Gold Show.  Met some great people and seen some very good cattle.  Williams Lake 4-H show has the only First Nations 4-H Club in Canada.  The leaders and members are doing a great job. We said goodbye to legendary photographer Walt Browarny.

September - Busy with getting ready for the fall shows and we have Crystal and Jon home for their engagement party.

October - We send Rob off to the Olds Fair where he claims Reserve Champion Female, while Stacy and I head to Chicago to help Crystal buy her wedding dress.

November - Filled with shows.  Reserve National Champion Bull, and all entries in the top 3 at each show.  Along with Dee being elected to the Canadian Simmental Association Board of Directors and her dad is inducted into the Canadian Simmental Association Hall of Fame.

December - RJY Rival 13Y brings $40,000 at the 17th Annual Checkers Sale.  Christmas and New Years is spent with family and friends.

There were babies born and weddings attended.  We are so blessed with the people that we have in our lives and the things that we get to do.  Thanks for reading our blog, keep coming back to see what 2012 holds.  We have so many great things to look forward too.  May 2012 be everything you hope it to be. Cheers - Rob and Dee.

Red is My Favorite - part 2

Yesterday I shared with you some of our favorite things that come in Red - Simmental cattle, Canadian mittens, scarfs and of course Red Red Wine.  But I forgot my newest favorite Red.  I never thought I would say this because of Toby Keith......but Red Solo Cup makes the list.





  I love this little tune and when I hear it, I think of a few things that he left out.  Like:

•  Caesers at Agribtion with the Tableland Crew
• Yukaflux at a cattle show
• Red Red Wine at a cattle show
• seems like beverages at almost any cattle function.

We haven't purchased JJB and CDY their wedding gift yet.  Maybe a set of Red Solo Cups would be a gift they'll never forget.

 "Red Solo Cup, let's fill you up.  Let's have a Party!"

Red is my Favorite

Now this can mean a lot of different things to different people.  For Rob it would be one of his favorite colors of cattle.  To Crystal it might be her Red Canadian mittens, I know that Stacy probably has a favorite Red scarf but for me my favorite Red is wine!

My love of wine and red in particular came from my first visit to Australia.  We would spend our weekends touring different vineyards and spending sometime in the tasting rooms.  I highly recommend this as a weekend event.  I like to try different wines and though I would share a couple of my new favorites just in time for Christmas

Yalumba

 The first was given to me for my birthday by Stacy's BF.  They picked it because of the label and it was from Australia.  Not really the most scientific way to select a wine, but a very good choice none the less.  It is produced by Yalumba Winery - Australia's Oldest family owned winery.

Yalumba - Shiraz Viognier 2010

Deep crimson purple in colour, the 2010 Y Series Shiraz Viognier has aromas that are both wild and exotic. Blueberries, violets and cherry ripe notes from the Shiraz are elevated by the subtle influence of Viognier, which brings an alluring Turkish delight character. The well rounded palate is medium to full bodied and shows Turkish delight and cherry ripe flavours that are in harmony with the silky tannins. This sells for about $18 / bottle.





Middle Sister Wines
These are a fun of wines.  The fun part is to take the personality quiz on their website and find out whichof their wines is for you.  I recently gifted "Rebel Red" to my friend Dawn on her 50th birthday. There really is a little Middle Sister in all of us.

the story
Did you know that birth order is commonly believed to have a profound and lasting effect on psychological development? And that the middle sister has a greater chance of having a special wine named just for her? A sassy blend of our three favorite red varieties perfect for sipping before, during and after our favorite family meals. Some people are just born lucky. Now give me back my blouse.
what's in it?
38% Zinfandel, 34% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Syrah, 2% mixed red varietals.
100% California grapes with 42% from the Lodi appellation.

smells like...
...ripe red and dark berry fruits like plum, blueberry and blackberry. Sassy dash of black and white pepper with a dollop of crome de cassis.

tastes like...
...a huge mouthful of ripe summer berries. The fruit goes on and on, ending in a luxurious finish.

yummy with...
Roasts, grilled meats, pizza, pasta, salmon, burgers, burritos, soups and sandwiches.

If you have a favorite, please pass it on.  I'm always looking to try something new.  Cheers!