Farmfair 2011

This year's edition of Farmfair International was quite an event. Along with CEO Rob Smith and President David Bolduc, I attended the reception for Alberta's new Agriculture Minister, Evan Berger. This was one of the first public appearances by Minister Berger since his appointment. The event also featured a number of representatives from agricultural organizations and government officials.

The Angus show featured one of the largest crowds in recent Farmfair history. The Angus breeders exhibited a high quality group of cattle from top to bottom. It was mentioned by more than one bystander that although the number of entries was lower than in the "old days of the Winter Classic", the quality of cattle was better. The Red Angus section was judged by Riley and Jill Mader while the Black section was judged by Jim Henderson.

There was a somewhat unprecedented but will deserved result in the Alberta Supreme Show. Both supreme Champions were exhibited by Miller Wilson Angus of Bashaw. The winning bull was DMM Creed 75W, co-owned by Miller Wilson Angus and Harold Reich. The winning female was DMM Miss Essence 37T, owned by Jaelayne Wilson. This is quite an accomplishment given the fact that this was the first Supreme show featuring winners from other major shows across Alberta. I will be interested to see which one(s) of the Miller Wilson clan will be driving the two new Dodge trucks!


Posted by Michael Latimer
Feedback: cdnangus@cdnangus.ca

Canadian Angus Association Presents Eastern Canada Feedlot of the Year Award to Ferme d’Anjou et Fils

Left to right: Jerome Richard, Canadian Angus Association Director for Quebec; Wayne Gallup, Canadian Angus Association Fieldman; Jean Francois D'Anjou, Ferme d'Anjou et Fils; Guy D'Anjou, Ferme d’Anjou et Fils; John Donaldson, 2009 President Canadian Angus Association

Ferme d’Anjou et Fils of Quebec received the Canadian Angus Association’s Eastern Canada Feedlot of the Year award in recognition of their work feeding and promoting Angus and Angus cross cattle. Commercial Fieldman Brian Good presented the award at the Quebec Feedlot Society’s field day.

Ferme d’Anjou et Fils is located in Saint-Agapit, Quebec and is managed by Guy D’Anjou and his son Jean-François. The feedlot annually finishes between 4,000 and 5,000 head of mostly Canadian Angus Rancher Endorsed tagged Angus and Angus-influence cattle for shipment to Ontario and American markets. Guy believes it is critical that the cattle he purchases are identified with an Angus tag that certifies the animal has at least 50% Angus genetics.

Ferme d’Anjou et Fils is a comprehensive enterprise. In addition to the feedlot, Guy operates a cattle transport company in cooperation with one of his sons, and operates Angus Zone restaurant and Les Viandes Chez Nous butcher shop with his family. Angus Zone and Les Viandes Chez Nous both offer Canadian Angus Rancher Endorsed beef supplied by the Ferme d’Anjou et Fils feedlot.

The Canadian Angus Association introduced the Feedlot the Year award this year to recognize feedlots that promote Angus to their customers and that feed Canadian Angus Rancher Endorsed tagged cattle. The award for Western Canada was presented to High Ridge Feeders and Shannondale Farm of Manitoba at our annual general meeting in June.


Posted by Tina Zakowsky
Feedback: tina1@cdnangus.ca

Canadian Angus Association's 2010 Auction Market of the Year Award Presented to Assiniboia Livestock Auction

Assiniboia Livestock Auction has been chosen as the Canadian Angus Association’s 2010 Auction Market of the Year in recognition of their work promoting Angus and Angus cross cattle. The award was presented at the Livestock Markets Association of Canada annual convention on June 10.

Assiniboia Livestock Auction is operated by Roy and Ryan Rutledge, a father and son team. They've been in operation at this location for 25 years and hold a number of special Angus feeder sales for both black and red Angus cattle in the fall. They sell between 3,000 and 5,000 cattle on a pre-sort system each fall. They also sell across Canada through Direct Livestock Marketing Association online sales. They advertise these Angus sales on the radio, in local newspapers and industry publications. They are very proactive in promoting the Canadian Angus Rancher Endorsed tag program and fully support it.

Assiniboia is well known throughout the Canadian feedlot industry for selling top quality Angus and Angus influence cattle. Although the bulk of their sales are in the fall, they promote Angus year-round to our members, both purebred and commercial. Assiniboia trades more Angus cattle in a year than any other auction in Canada. They also have their own ranches, running over 2,000 Angus and Angus influence cattle.

We are very pleased to present the 2010 Canadian Angus Association Auction Market of the Year Award to Assiniboia Livestock Auction for an outstanding performance.

Posted by Brian Good
Feedback: cdnangus@cdnangus.ca

Canadian Angus Association's First Feedlot of the Year Award

At the recent Canadian Angus Association annual general meeting, CEO Doug Fee presented the Association's first Feedlot of the Year Award to Ed and Glori Dalke of High Ridge Feeders and Harry and Brenda Dalke of Shannondale Farm. The Dalke Brothers, as they are known in the industry, were chosen in recognition of their work feeding and promoting Angus and Angus cross cattle.

Both locations feed about 3,500 head of cattle, some of which are custom fed. They purchase black Angus calves tagged with Angus tags in the fall from different locations in Western Canada, namely Brandon, Virden, Mankota, Medicine Hat and Maple Creek.

Their location in Morden means that they can grow cereal grains and corn for their feedlots. They also are able to market the cattle east, west and south for various branded Angus beef programs.

We are very proud and excited to present this award to Ed and Glori and Harry and Brenda for their dedication to Canada's Angus breeders.

Posted by Brian Good
Feedback: cdnangus@cdnangus.ca

Alberta Angus Association Awards Banquet

Sunday evening, Doug and I had the privilege of attending the Alberta Angus Association Hall of Fame Gala. This event was scheduled after the annual meeting in December was cancelled because of inclement weather. The following breeders were entered into the Alberta Angus Hall of Fame:

Mike & Ella May Rodgers (Breed Builder category)
Cudlobe Farms (Contemporary Breeder category)
Triple S Red Angus (Contemporary Breeder category)

Alberta Angus' 2010 Honorary President, Dr. Ben MacLeod, was also recognized although he will not officially receive his award until Saturday at the Canadian Angus Association's annual meeting. Dr. MacLeod shared with the crowd some very valuable life lessons.

Doug Fee also presented the plaque for the 2009 Red Show Bull of the Year. Red Ter-Ron Realdeal HFX 01W, owned by Terry Adams and Rob Adams of Forestburg and Keith Adams of Calgary, won the award but are unable to attend the annual meeting and accept it there.

Congratulations to the award winners and the hall of fame inductees. Without the support and vision of these dedicated breeders, the Angus breed would not be in the leading position it is today.

Posted by Michael Latimer
Feedback: michael1@cdnangus.ca