Warm sunny days and the skies of blue                  

               Then without a warning                             

 Another winter storm comes raging through

~Ian Tyson “Springtime in Alberta”

It has been a LONG time since I have updated our blog here — but I am back in the saddle again. It always seems like the more “news” there is to tell — the worse I am at blogging — maybe because I am too busy trying to keep up with everything that is happening here !

Spring is here early this year as it is in many other parts of the country.  I always love this time of year and I never realize how tiring winter really can be until the grass begins to turn green and things come to life again.

A few of my favorite things about Spring :

Prairie Crocus -- The first flower to bloom in the spring - always a welcome sight !

Baby Calves

Eagles Nesting

While I am enjoying all of these fine things about Spring  we are still keeping busy ! Getting yearlings vaccinated and out to grass — fixing fence — calving a few last cows.   Of course we have a few extra cows around home to possibly take to the World Hereford Conference . 

I hope you all have had a good spring and that calving is going well for everyone — some of you will already be breeding — which reminds me of the next thing on my “to – do” list which is to order some semen to use this spring !

Until next time -

Jen

The Bull Sale began in 1901 with 64 consigned bulls and an entry Fee of
$1.00/head.   That first sale averaged $90.00/head.    Of course the entry fee has gone up considerably since that first sale – but so has the sale price ! Last year the Calgary Bull Sale saw 173 bulls sell for an average of $4284.97/head

“By 1905 the Calgary Bull Sale had gained the distinction of
being the largest individual purebred cattle consignment in the world”

Over the years the bull sale has seen many changes – yet it
still is held in high regard as being one of the top bull sales in our
country.     Some  changes
of interest include:

Transportation of the Cattle

“Getting bulls to and from the
sale was not as easy in the early days as it is today.  If a breeder lived close enough, he simply
drove the bulls with horses, or hauled them in a wagon or sleigh pulled by
horses.  Most of the bulls, however, were
driven from home to the nearest railway siding , or, depending on the distance
and conditions, sometimes carried to the siding on a wagon or sleigh.  Then they were loaded onto the boxcars for
Calgary”

NOW – we pull up in our pick-up
truck and stock trailer – or with a semi truck and cattle liner.   Makes one appreciate our modern technology when we think about the time and effort that was spent getting cattle to Calgary in the early days !

Among one of the most notable
changes in the Calgary Bull Sale would have to be the cattle themselves.

You can imagine over the years
the number of people that have attended the Calgary Bull Sale, and those who
have sold bulls there.   From banquets,
pancake breakfasts and stall parties, the Calgary Bull Sale has always made
everyone feel at home.   

The Calgary Bull Sale has always been a monumental event with Alberta Cattle Breeders.    Many of us have memories of attending the event with our family and friends.
The bull sale has always been more than just a place for breeders to
sell their cattle, but also a meeting place for cattlemen and women to come
together and visit with one another.  Some of the most interesting and memorable people I have met have been those who are the “characters” of the Calgary Bull Sale.

“To Alberta people there is a certain atmosphere at Calgary
Bull Sale.  It’s special, and I have
never found that atmosphere at any other sale”

As I am writing this I am thinking of all the stories I have to tell about the Calgary Bull Sale, and those which have passed down to me through others.    Every year you can bet that at least once some one will say to me:         “Do you remember that
time at Calgary Bull Sale … ?

What are your most memorable moments from  Calgary ?

We look forward to visiting with at this years sale — be sure and stop by the stall and say hello !

You can view our 2012 Calgary entries here

View of Chief Mountain from Home

If you have ever been to our place, the far southwest corner of Alberta or Glacier Park in Montana – you have probably viewed Chief Mountain. It is not that there are not other mountains to see there – but Chief seems to kind of stand alone and his unique shape makes everyone who views him take notice.

As a child I awoke each morning to look out the kitchen window and say good morning to “Chief”. I remember well it was something that we always did – though I am not sure why because he never really looked a whole lot different that he did the day before. My aunt also had the same view out of her own kitchen window. I remember her always looking to greet Chief the same way we did at our own house. Seemed to me that good old “Chief” was just part of the family. So much so – that when we moved the house I live in now onto the place we all wandered around deciding where to put it – making sure I could see Chief Mountain out the window. Looking back – we should have paid more attention to which way the wind blows and maybe now I wouldn’t be constantly drifted in all winter!

As I was sorting through my photos the other night – it occurred to me that I take a lot of pictures of Chief. It got me thinking – “how did old Chief get its name ?”. Of course I grew up believing that it was because if you look at him from our place you can see the profile of an old Indian Chiefs face. However — I have learned that especially in my family – you might want to double check on some of those story’s you grew up believing!

Well — turns out I couldn’t find anything about Chief Mountain being named so because of it’s resemblance to an Indian Chief – but I DID find some other interesting history about it!

• first noted on maps, published in England in 1795 or 1796, upon which it was called “King Mountain.”
• Captain Meriwether Lewis is also believed to have seen the mountain on his trip up the Marias in 1806 and called it “Tower Mountain.”
• There are two records of the origin of another name for this peak — “Kaiser Peak” — by which it was known for some time. Some say it was so-named by early German geographers, but the most authentic story comes from Eli Guardipee, a member of the Blackfeet tribe, who stated that it was so named for a “Bull-whacker” (oxen freighter) named Lee Kaiser, who accidently shot himself near the present town of Cardston, Alberta, in 1872. For him the creek where this happened was known as “Lee Creek,” and the mountain at its headwaters was called “Kaiser Peak.”
• There are many historic legends regarding this mountain, the most popular being that of the young Flathead Indian brave who spent several days upon the top of the peak searching for his “medicine vision,” and using a bison skull for a pillow. Apparently you will still find a bison skull a top the mountain.
• The present name was taken from the Blackfeet Indian name “Old Chief,” or “The Mountain-of-the-Chief,” by which it was known to the Blackfeet, probably because of the above-mentioned legend. (Above facts listed on this website

Hmmmm …… no mention of the mountain actually LOOKING like an Indian Chief …..

I think we all have a certain “talisman” that lights the way home – that certain tree, road sign, road, house or mountain that reminds us we are “home”. No matter where I have been – there is still that excitement when Chief Mountain comes into view and I say to myself “there’s Chief”. And while I am likely to never climb to his peak and use a bison skull for a pillow – I am happy to live in his shadow.

AND – I still think that Chief’s profile looks like that of an Indian Chief !

Now – normally we calve in April/May — so why are we calving so early this year ? Because …. The World Hereford Conference is coming to Alberta in July 2012 ! We are already getting excited about the show next summer – I thought I would dig up a little info. about the previous World Hereford Conference’s held in Canada — so here are a few things I found to share with all of you !

(NOTE:  I could not find any info. on other Conferences in Canada beside the 1976 one — I believe there was another smaller one held — but no official cattle show took place ? — my apoligies for the lack of info. — if anyone can fill in the blanks for us here that would be great !)

“When the 7th World Hereford Conference delegates gathered for the first time in Canada at Banff on June 27th – July 3rd (1976) it was the largest single meeting of seed stock producers held anywhere. Over 800 people from over 20 countries made their way with some difficulty due to air traffic control problems to the five day event held every four years since its founding in 1951”
~ quoted from Alberta Hereford Heritage book

Of course there were a number of “tours” scheduled during the 1976 Conference – including visits to George Templetons (XTC Herefords), McIntyre Ranch, Bar Pipe Farms, Ulrich Herefords, Hansons Bell L, Jones Hereford Ranches, Rusticana, Colpitts Ranches, Pirmez Hereford Ranch, B&H Herefords and of course a tour to the Alberta Hereford Test Centre.

Said the Canadian Hereford Digest in its September 1976 issue: “ The nearly three weeks of activities connected with the World Hereford Conference concluded with the International Hereford Show staged July 8th and 9th (1976). And what a fitting climax this event proved to be ! Held in the spacious Stampede Corral at the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede Park, the quality and well presented entries from eight provinces and eleven states in the United States provided a tremendous show for the huge crowd present, which represented at least 25 countries” ~ quoted from the Alberta Hereford Heritage Book

“Under the chairmanship of Lloyd Pickard of Olds the show moved along smoothly without a hitch through the two days of judging” The show arena was divided into two sections with the Polled Herefords and Horned Herefords showing separately, but simultaneously.

Judging the strong Polled Hereford show was W.W. Donaldson of Louada Farms at Petercorough, Ontario, assisted by Ron Pitchford of Pleasant Valley Farms at Melfort, Saskatchewan. Judging the excellent exhibit of Horned Herefords were George Edgar of Little Red Deer Farms at Innisfail and Joe Rogers of Penticton, B.C. , Manit ~ quoted from the Alberta Hereford Heritage Book

Other statistics:
Total number of livestock entries received — 777
People who attended the Conference, Tours and Shows — approx. 15 000
Attendance at the show — 1800 for the females — 2300 for the bulls
People registered for the Conference in Banff — nearly 1000
Largest attendance on the tour — B&H Farms — over 2000 people

The 2012 World Hereford Conference is now in it’s 16th year and is to be held in Canada July 8th – 25th 2012. As it was in 1976 – there will be a number of tours throughout the country beginning in B.C. and moving on to Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario. In between these tours is the main Conference to once again be held at the Calgary Exhibition Park, and will allow visitors to take in the World Famous Calgary Stampede & Rodeo. During this time the World Hereford Show is to take place at Olds, AB – along with a Junior Program/Show and “Rancher Day”.

I look forward to creating new memories at the 2012 WHC – and I am sure there will be lot’s of “good times” to write about afterwards.

I extend an open invitation for everyone to drop by our stall there and say hello.

I stumbled upon the most interesting article in the July 1971 Edition of the American Hereford Journal.  In it the Jounral had surveryed commercial ranchers about their feelings on livestock shows.    The reason for the article and survey was that “In recent years stock shows have com in for a round of criticism that would have destroyed anything except the most hardy of our argicultural institutions”  .

Here are the findings of the survey

“If you don’t take some of your best cattle to the county or local district show you are missing a whale of a chance to promote your herd !”

-Over 73% of respondents attend from 1 to as many as 7 of these type of shows

How about State Fairs ?

Over onehalf (56%) of those surveryed attend from 1 -3 state fairs yearly

What about “major shows” (places like Denver, Ft. Worth — Farmfair, Agribition in Canada)

-”An amazing 40% of respondents attended — some up to as many of 3 of these type of shows.  (IMO — a pretty good result if you think of the time & expense for the rancher to attend these shows)

-”Now you may say you never see them on the show day.  Of those attending these exhibitions 61% say they see the breeding cattle shows.”

- Only 18% indicated they did not attend these types of shows

AND — only 11% of respondents indicated they did not attend any of these types of livestock shows.

Other interesting findings from the survey

- many would like to see a blend of commercial/purebred breeders judging breed shows

-”The amount of finish carried by show cattle continues to come in for considerable discussion by commercial producers   ——- Possibly the best methoud of dispelling this belief (excess condidtion) would be some sort of mechanical and objective measuring device to dertermine fat thicknes combined with public announcements of this info along with performance info.” (Interestingly — we do have that tool now in the form of Ultrasounding)

The article follows up with actual comments from the respondents to the survery

Here are a few key concerns about these type of shows

“Polictics” — “Overcondition” — “Inconsistency in judges”  (type of cattle)

Yet — what is more interesting is that a greater percentage of these commercial cattle ranchers still attend various livestock shows throughout the country.   They still believed that stock shows had a valuable place in agriculture and I think you will find their reasons very thought provoking –

Key points about why we need stock shows

” Competition amongst purebred breeders keeps the quality of cattle high”

- they educate the “urban dweller” on agriculutre and the beef industry

- they provide oppourtunites for our junior livestock breeders

-they allow for our breed to be compared to other breeds that share the marketplace

-they are good adverstising for the purebred breeder

” —- the cattlemen as well as any business must keep up with the times.   These shows are the quickest way possible to gather these ideas and show them to the public. ”

“– exchange of ideas is absolutely neccessary.  Shows are a demonstration of ideas”

I really believe in that last quote — that we have livestock shows in place to “share ideas”.   We gather at these events to showcase our cattle, our program and our breed.   Of course we could all just have a big meeting about the future of the cattle industry and our breed — and those types of events are definately important to our cattle industry.   BUT — the difference is — at livestock shows you have to be able to demonstrate those ideas in the cattle that are on display at them.   They are the place where we can share how we make those thoughts — and ideas a reality.

Sometimes we forget about the importance of educating the “urban dweller” about agriculutre.   With an ever growing interest in the how our food is being produced and manufactured — stock shows are an excellent venue for the producer himself to have an oppourtunity to educate people on the quality and care that goes into raising the food that we eat.    We are afterall dependent upon the consumer if we want the beef industry to survive.   Do you take time to visit with those “urban dwellers” when they walk past your stall ? — if you don’t I challenge you to do so — I have met so many interesting people this way — from all walks of life — and you will be surprised at their affection and interest for the livestock industry

One last point in the article was that those who exhibit cattle at stock shows should remember that their cattle are always being evaluated both inside and outside the ring.     Many cattlemen and women will still find their “type” of cattle at these events — and they may not be of the same opinion as the judge for these shows.    Basically — just because you didn’t win — it does not mean that you are still not gaining valuable advertising. networking and marketing oppourtunites.

There is much talk these days about the type of livestock shows we should be having, as well as the presentation of the cattle at them.   Todays article reminded me that within our beef industry their will always be people who like different “styles” — it really comes as no surprise as we all have our own ideas about what is “best” in life in general.

To put it simply — some people like Levi’s — and some people like Wranglers — but at the end of the day — they all wear Jeans.   I wonder if we shouldn’t as a breed spend more time coming together, sharing postive ideas, focusing on the quality of cattle represented, and educating others on the safety and care that goes into producing beef — and less time worrying about if your neighbor in the show barn is presenting his cattle differently than you — or wearing Levi’s when you like Wranglers.

Stock shows are not a “one size fits all” event — but there is something at them that will fit each and everyone of us.

As we move into the fall show season here in Canada — I am looking forward to having the oppourtunity to “share ideas” with people from all walks of the beef industry, from the producer — right down to the consumer.

Hope you enjoyed our Friday Flashback — and are enjoying your long weekend !! I will get off my soap box now, and go and tend to those ‘show cattle” or I won’t be present at any stock shows this fall !

Jen

Our herd has always been influenced by Line 1 breeding — this ad was done in 1982 and pictured one of our feature L1 sires at the time.   If you look WAY back in some of the pedigree of our females — you can still find a few of these bulls.

Almost 30 years later our breeding program is still being influenced by L1 genetics.  In the last few years we have been fortunate enough to find Line 1 genetics that fit very well into our breeding program.    These sires offered us all of the traits we were looking for at the time — strong maternal strength — strong carcass traits — moderate/low birth weights — and structural soundness.

One of those sires we used was CJH HARLAND 408.  Initailly we used Harland on our replacements heifers because of his low birth weight and high growth potential.    As we put his daughters into production we were quickly made aware of the strength of his females and to this day have used 4 of his sons in our breeding program.   The daughters of these home raised sons are passing on Harlands same maternal strength and style.

JENRAN 408 HARLAND 14U

The other Line 1 bull that we are really excited about is a bull that we purcahsed from Holden Herefords.  When we first saw him we were so impressed with the amount of muscle and lower quarter in the bull — and he also provided us with that extra red pigment that we were looking for.   It is hard sometimes to find a bull who is full of hard muscle — yet loose hided and soft flanked — and yet those traits we both obvious in this bull.   “Jack” as we call him (I have to wonder how many of Holdens bull carry that same nickname ! LOL !) ….. has been used extensively here in the last 2 years .. this year alone he has bred almost 50 females.  We hope to have a number of his offspring represented at the World Hereford Conference in 2012.

HH ADVANCE 8248U

If you are interested in knowing where the Line 1 cattle came from — and about their breeding — I dug up a great article on the subject– including some pics. of foundation Line 1 sires

In 2001 our family changed the structure of our ranching operation – and began a parntership with the Nature Conservancy of Canada.   There were many factors which led to this decision – but one common goal was to see the land protected from the ever increasing pressure of rural sub-division/commercial development in the Waterton Park Front Area.  This is a video I did with the Nature Conservancy that talks a bit about how it is we work together – and also shows some great pictures of our place !