Class Act

We often get asked and sometimes wonder ourselves, why we are involved in Purebred cattle and the Livestock Industry as a whole.  If you worked out what the pay is per hour you would find out quickly that you might make more working in a fast food restaurant.

Tonight though I couldn't`t help but feel pride for the actions of my fellow Simmental breeders.  The story starts in July when we hosted the Charity Auction for the Garth Sweet Simmental Foundation to raise funds for our youth program.  Mark Shologan of DLMS donated a signed Saskatchewan Roughriders jersey from his brother Keith Shologan.  It was purchased by Bouchard Livestock International and Lewis Farms.  They decided since the Grey Cup was going to be played this year in Regina that they would re-sell the jersey at the Simmental sale at Canadian Western Agribition tonight. They did exactly that. 

They didn't know at the time exactly where the proceeds would go when they resold it.  In the weeks that followed a very close Simmental friend would need the assistance of STARS Air Ambulance for a family member.  The decision to resell the jersey and give 100% of the proceeds to STARS made perfect sense.

Tonight 50 Simmental breeders gathered $10,000 for the jersey.  The funds were given to STARS Saskatchewan and the young Simmental breeder whos life was saved this fall by. STARS

Our breed is founded not only on great genetics but great people.  Congratulations to everyone involved.  We are proud to be a part of this great breed. This is why we do what we do.  Because of people like this.  It's the Agriculture way.

Family Traditions.

Exhibiting cattle has been a part of our lives for over 40 years.  Rob first began showing in the Junior Hereford Shows and myself in the YCS - Junior Simmental shows as well as showing for my dad in the early years of the Simmental breed to promote these "exotic" cattle.

Then came the years of junior and 4H shows for our girls along with them helping also at the fall shows, Farm Fair and Agribition.

Stay and her heifer.

 Now as the fall of 2013 approaches we are only attending one fall show, the National Simmental Show will be held at Farm Fair International in Edmonton, AB  during the 40th Anniversary of Farmfair.  We may be only going to one show but this will be one of the biggest strings we have exhibited in the past few years.  9 calendar year calves are getting ready.  5 bulls that will represent the group of bulls that will sell on February 24, 2014 in the Simmental Bull Summit and 4 heifers.  One that is selling at the Headliner Sale at Farmfair


RJY Sweet Satin 30A - sells November 8, 2013

and 2 that will sell on December 14 in Red Deer at Checkers.  The fourth one is owned by Double R Farms - Stacy (Young) Romanyk and her husband Dan.  

 We see the exhibitions as a place to display our program, connect with past and future customers, and educate those that do not have a direct connection to the farm about where their food comes from.

Entries for Farmfair close on October 1st .  Why not join us at this great show.  It will be an exciting time. Hope to see you there.

The Opportunities Begin

I am beginning to feel like I am having the time of my life if the old age saying "Time flys when your having fun".  It seems like just days ago that we were preparing for the 2011 show and sale season and now we are just a couple of weeks away from heading out on the road of 2012.

 Farm and ranch people seem to define their lives by events, the drought of 2006, the cold spring of 2010, the record breaking bull sale year of 2012.  That or the year that they attended an event.  Farmfair 2009 or  the 20th Agribition that we attended.

With each new season that approaches we are all filled with optimism and high expectations.  There have been so many decisions that have gone into getting you to where your farming operation is, hoping to take you to the next level.  Your hopes may be a greater acceptance in the market place, a championship banner, making the highlights of a sale report, going home with a list of potential buyers for your bull sale, connecting with past customers and hearing their successes with the breeding stock that they purchased from you.  The list is ling.

One of the first events for us on the circuit this fall is Farmfair International., in Edmonton, AB. This show has a long history but through thick and thin it has treated us well and been a great place to market our cattle.  With the addition of the Ranch Rodeo, another sector of potential customers are stopping by to view our program. 

Our string is a bit smaller this year, but has some unique individuals in it. 

• The first daughter of McIntosh Sweet Talker will sell at the Headliner sale on November 9th in Edmonton.

McIntosh Sweet Talker 32X

• We will be exhibiting a Fullblood Simmental for the first time in 21 years.

Stop by the stall to see what Fullbloods in 2012 look like.

• We will be caring for cattle of Lyle Peterson's of Bar L7 from Calgary.

Stop by the stall for a visit and if you are looking for a really nice black baldy Simmental heifer for a youth project. RJY Sweet Dreams 44Z may be worth a look.  Hope to see you in Edmonton in a couple of weeks.

Like Father Like Son

I mentioned earlier in the week what a great week we had in at FarmFair International and at our National Simmental Show.  Simmental were the largest breed represented at the show with 140 entries.  The quality in all of the classes was second to none.  One of the things that impressed me the most was the number of newer (1st or 2nd time) exhibitors to the show and how young our exhibitors are compared to some of the other breeds.  This sure goes to show you that our junior program works and that our breed has a great future.

A few years ago the idea of having the National show rotate across the country was discussed.  The Canadian Simmental Association decided that the show would rotate between the Toronto Royal, Livestock Expo in Brandon, Canadian Western Agribition in Regina and Farm Fair International in Edmonton.  We wanted to support this idea so off we headed to Brandon last year.

 2 other Alberta breeders join us.  We were treated royally by the Brandon Simmental Association and the facility they have is tremendous.  The hotel and restaurants are connected right to the exhibition hall.  No starting cold vehichles and driving across town to get to you hotel or back to the show grounds.  One of the animals that we took was IPU Revolution 172U.  He was named National Champion Bull.

This year the Alberta Simmental board offered to host the 2011 National show and AGM.  We had a few more animals in the stall as this is our home town show.  One of them was a son of Revolution - RJY Rival 13Y.  He was named Junior Bull calf Champion and Reserve National Champion Bull.  Not only is he following in his fathers footsteps in the show ring but he sure looks a lot like his daddy too.

We have always thought that your younger cattle should be better than their sire and dams.  We think Rival is as good or better.  Factor in that he is dark red in color and has been confirmed by Tru-Polled to be homozygous polled and he is a pretty exciting young herdsire.

Congratulations to all of the exhibitors at this years National show.  Can't wait for it to be held at Agribiton in 2012.  Hope to see you there.

It's Show Time

Each fall the excitement grows as we prepare to attend and participate in livestock shows across Canada.  This is something that Rob and I have done for over 30 years.  People often say to us "Your still showing cattle?" 

There are several reasons that we do this:

Rob showing at
Brandon Livestock Expo 2010

• To promote our farm and breeding program
• To gage the progress that our herd is making against other breeders
• To network with customers and potential customers
• To keep a connection between urban consumers and agriculture.

There are breeders out there that look down on the shows and the cattle that excel in them, but we would like to suggest that you celebrate the breeders that are taking the time, making the effort and incurring the costs to go to the shows.  By them making this effort they are promoting our great breed - Simmental.  We don't ask that you like or even agree with the judges choices at each of the individual shows, we just ask that you respect the efforts of these exhibitors and come and evaluate the cattle for yourself and your program.

Simmental Representatives
2010 Farmfair Supreme

IPU Revolution in the 2010
Farmfair Supreme Show

Each year we bring out a handful of animals that represent our herd and our breeding program.  We try as hard as anyone to take home the ribbons and championship banners, but we also know that at the end of the day, most importantly we are proud of the cattle that we are exhibiting and our breed.  We are excited to be showing at Farmfair International on November 10  (this will also be the 2011 National Simmental show) and Canadian Western Agribition on November 24.  Stop by the stall if you are visiting one of the shows, we would love to show your our string and have a visit.

Good luck to all the exhibitors this fall who have taken the time to get animals ready to show at

Good friend Chan Phillips at the stall last year.
Chan will  be judging the Toronto Royal this year.

 

• The Toronto Royal - November 4 - 13
• Brandon Livestock Exp -November 3-6
• Farmfair International - November 5-13
• Saskatoon Fall Fair - November 9-12
• Canadian Western Agribition - November 21 - 26

We're Having a Girl......

In the spring of 2010 we looked at using some new technology, Sexed Semen.  The thought was to use the semen on a few of our heifers that were out of genetic lines that produce superior females, in order to increase the number of females born. 
This would enable us to market some females out of our top cows while at the same time keeping some as replacements. We researched the Simmental bulls that had "heifer" sexed semen available in Canada. 

We found out that there were very few to choose from.  Although we were excited to hear that HTP In Dew Time was available. 

HTP In Dew Time 

Here is how the semen companies describe In Dew Time,
"In Dew Times cow family is strong and proven for many generations. His dam HTP SVF Honey Dew was a many time champion being named Reserve Grand at the 2003 National Western. In Dew Time’s full sister and litter mate HTP SVF Dew Drop claimed calf champion honors at the National show at the American Royal and the North American. Also, a full sister to Honey Dew, Makin Honey claimed champion honors at the 2004 North American Junior and open shows. In Dew Time has breed leading EPDs 8 CE being in the top 20% on calving ease, 1.2 BW in the top 35%, 47.8 weaning in the top 4%, 84 yearling in the top 2%, a positive 2,1 on maternal milk, 16 on CW in the top 1% and ribeye 0.35 in the top 3.5%. R94 is homozygous polled and Genmark tested homozygous black. a young herdsire that combines many of the positive aspects of the Simmental industry. (American Simmental Association EPD's)"

So we ordered the semen, breed 4 heifers and 3 conceived to the A.I breeding.  One of those was RJY First Date 1W. (Black Joker x SS Ebony's Dreamdate S27).

Fast forward to January 29, 2011.  First Date was in the calving barn.  We were very excited to see the Homozygous Black heifer calf that would be arriving soon.  We were checking on her regularly and walked into the barn as she gave the final push.  It is natural to walk over and lift the hind leg to see the sex of the calf is.  Rob was teasing me, as she was having a heifer.....or not.  She had just given birth to a 80 lb BULL calf!  I guess the semen companies are right when they say the semen is 90% female / 10% male. 

RJY First Date 1W

RJY First Time 18Y

Although initially we were a bit disappointed with not getting a heifer out of her, (the other 3 had heifers) we certainly are not disappointed now.  Here is her bull calf - RJY First Time 18Y  that will be at her side when we show them at the National Show at Farmfair and also at Canadian Western Agribition. I think she was meant to have a bull in 2011.  Stop by the stall at the shows and check him out.

2010 - Successful Year at High Country, Welcome 2011

I once read that a farmer looks for a perfect year......the right weather at the right time, good buys when making purchases and high markets when it's time to sell.  I don't know that we have ever had a perfect year, but we sure do strive to each year.

2010 was a very good year for High Country Cattle.  Some of those highlights were due to the time and dedication that each of our family members have put in over the last 27 years and the rest was due to friends, family and clients believing in what we are doing. 

  

RJY Lady May 16W - Purchased by Connor Beech, MB
$4200.00



RJY Signature Move 4X
Purchased by Annette Cross, Nova Scotia
for $6250



 

Thank You Annette

 

Peter and Charmaine Cook - Coohla, NSW
9 Bulls resulting from High Country Embryos
averaged $6300 at their 2010 sale


 



CDY Frontrunner 14X
Blk Joker son purchased by
Perlinger Simmentals, SK
for $5000.



Crystal with Carl & Nicole
Thank You for your purchase of Frontrunner.

 

SLY Sexy Money 119W

Thank You to Colton Draves
of Colt's Cattle Company, AB
who purchased 119W at Checkers
for $4200.

RJY Natalie 9W
purchased by Brian White, BC
at Checkers for $4100.

Thank you to each and everyone of you who has expressed an interest in our Simmental cattle.  Your support whether it be a comment, phone call, stopping by to visit at the farm or at an event we are attending, an email, viewing our website or blog, making  a purchase or passing our name on to someone in the business, it is all greatly appreciated.

We are really excited for the calves that are due to arrive any day.  For the opportunities that are available to us in the Simmental business and to be part of the Agriculture family.  There are no better people than those that are making their living off of the land and livestock.  2011 is full of opportunities and we look forward to them.

"Success is a journey, not a destination." Ben Sweetland



Year in Review

2010 is almost come and gone.  Another decade finished.  If someone would have told us a year ago that we would be writing a blog in 2010 we probably would not have believed them.  Sometimes the year goes so fast or we are looking forward to events in the next year that we sometimes forget the things that were memorable in the current year.  So let have a look back at 2010.

January

• First calves of IPU Revolution 172U arrive......we are very pleased.
• Old man winter makes sure we remember what winter can be like

• Rob gets a new calving shed

February

• Simmental bull sales are going strong
• Tickets to Australia are booked

• We say good bye to good friend "Auger"  His family honors us by giving us his show stick.

March

• We get to listen to Crystal speak at Lethbridge College on Agriculture Advocacy and Social Media in Agriculture
• Rob's dad has a massive stroke....family is in shock

April

• April Showers and more rain.  Thank you Mother Nature.
• Bulls are all out working

May

• April showers bring Grass and lots of it. 

• Lots of 4H shows to judge
• We say good bye to Rob's dad - "Howard Young"

June

• Champion Bull and Res. Champion Female at Drayton Valley Show, great night for a BBQ and tunes by Ty Wilson

• Cows and calves are out to pasture, no grasshoppers this year.


• Excellent Alberta Simmental Tour through Central Alberta

July

• Fun times showing steers at Calgary Stampede.  Res. Champion Charolais

• Honored by the AYCS (Jr. Simmental Association) as the Friends of YCS
• Great visit with Buddy and Francis Leachman while watching Lance judge at Synergy

August

• Great long weekend at the Saunders reunion on Vancouver Island
• a few games of golf
• Starting fall work so we can be away for a few weeks

September

• World Simmental Congress in Melbourne Australia

• Sale cattle selected for National sale, Agribiton and Checkers
• Spending some time with Crystal down under

October

• Res. Senior Bull at Olds Fall Fair.....thanks Stacy for taking care of things

• Wine tasting in Australia along with snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef and Kangaroo hunting
• Great visits with friends at National Trust Sale

November

• National Champion Bull at Brandon - IPU Revolution 172U
• Grand Champion Bull at Farmfair - IPU Revolution 172U

• Won a Featherlite Stock Trailer for being a contender in Super Saturday at Farmfair - Thanks Warren from Allan Dale Trailers, Red Deer. Ab
• Res Sr Bull - Agribition along with a class winner - RJY Joy's Firstdate 1W.
• Meeting "the Boy"  Crystals friend Jon.

December

• Being a part of the $8400+ average Checkers Sale
• Adding "Elegant Force" to the herd and having her arrive all the way from Kentucky.

• Spending time with friends and family at Christmas