The Blonde Connection 2018

Canadian Blonde d’Aquitaine Association | 2417 Holly Lane, Ottawa, ON K1V 0M7 Canada

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CRYSTAL FARMS Breeder of the Year SHOW RESULTS ROUNDUP 2017 ROYAL HIGHLAND SHOW 2017

CREAM OF THE CROP SALES REPORT 2017 PLUS

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

NEWS FROM THE PROVINCES

4H RESULTS

BREEDER DIRECTORY

Canadian londe d’Aquitaine

ASSOCIATION

2018 BOARD of DIRECTORS NICHOLAS BOYD | President

56-35 Mountford Dr, Guelph, ON N1E 0G6 P: 519-835-9099 E: oneoakblonde@gmail.com

PAUL FEE | Vice President

6211 Line 9 North, Waubaushene, ON LOK 2C0 P: 705-835-2581 E: feehavenfarms@hotmail.com

REED RIGNEY | Secretary

Box 5959, Westlock, AB T7P 2P7 P: 780-348-5308 | E: rigney@clearwave.ca

SHELLIE WOLFE | Treasurer

RR 2 Site 4 Comp 1, Dawson Creek, BC V1G 4E8 P: 250-782-8565 | E: dustyacreblondes@outlook.com

RYLAND CLEARY

421 Principale Est, Ste Anne De La Rochelle, QC J0E 2B0 P: 450-775-8358 E: slyrye12345@hotmail.com

PAUL FERGUSON

21 Crystal Rd., RR3, Jasper, ON K0G 1G0 P: 613-275-2422 | E: ferguson.maryellen@gmail.com

DAVID KAMELCHUK

Box 32 Ellscott, Alberta T0A 1B0 P: 780-675-1227 | E: littlecreekagroforestry@gmail.com

ASHLEY MCNEVAN

The official publication of the CANADIAN BLONDE D’AQUITAINE ASSOCIATION c/o Canadian Livestock Records Corporation 2417 Holly Lane, Ottawa, Ontario K1V 0M7 Phone: 613-731-7110 | Fax: 613-731-0704 Email: cbda@clrc.ca Web: www.canadianblondeassociation.ca PUBLISHER The Canadian Blonde d’Aquitaine Association EDITOR / ART DIRECTOR JANA KEELEY Coyote Publishing Phone: 604-250-1194 4065 Monarch Place Victoria, BC V8N 4B7 Email: blondenews@coyotepub.com www.coyotepub.com

Next NEWSLETTER Issue Comes Out this Summer

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PROVINCIAL CONTACTS ALBERTA / BRITISH COLUMBIA Reed Rigney Phone: 780-348-5308 Email: rigney@clearwave.ca www.albertablondecattle.com

MANITOBA / SASKATCHEWAN Pat Filz Phone: 306-634-2174 Email: fortyacreblondes@sasktel.net

ONTARIO

Steve Acres Phone: 613-836-4190 Email: stevenjacres@sympatico.ca www.ontarioblondecattle.com

QUEBEC

Maureen Landry Phone: 819-336-3966 Email: blondaquitaineqc@hotmail.com www.blondaquitaineqc.com

*All ads are printed in full colour only.

ADDITIONAL CHARGES Production and ad copy changes are subject to extra charges. Taxes.

ADVERTISING COPY DEADLINE May 25th, 2018.

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All accounts are due and payable as invoiced. Interest charges 2 percent per month (24% per annum) will be assessed to accounts 30 days past due. Please make cheques payable to The Canadian Blonde d’ Aquitaine Association

Cover: Photo courtesy of Pat Filz The Canadian Blonde d’Aquitaine Association is not responsible for any claims made in an advertisement appearing in this magazine.

The Blonde Connection | Spring 2018 Issue | 1

CONTENTS 10

14 05

3

President’s Message

3

News from the Provinces

5

4H Show Results

8

2018 National Events

10

Breeder of the Year: Crystal Farms

14

Royal Highland Show 2017

18

Breeder Directory 2018

22

2017 Cream of the Crop Sales Report

24

Show Results Roundup 2017

33

2017 Ontario Hi Point Awards

French translations by Maureen Landry Traduction faite par Maureen Landry

22

33

MEMBERSHIP

24

If you would like to continue to receive the Blonde Connection (each March) and the Canadian Blonde Newsletter (3 times per year), please update your membership for 2017.

ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP $40/year RECEIVE BLONDE INFORMATION

ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP $150/year RECEIVE BLONDE INFORMATION & REGISTER BLONDE CATTLE

2 | The Blonde Connection | Spring 2018 Issue

TO BECOME A MEMBER OR UPDATE YOUR MEMBERSHIP Mail your membership fees, identify the type of membership and breed of cattle to: Canadian Livestock Records Corporation 2417 Holly Lane Ottawa, Ontario K1V 0M7

To access the Members Only Section on the website, please contact a Board member for the password. This page features current and archived Board minutes, as well as AGM minutes and committee reports since 2005.

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE As many of you begin to finger your way through this magazine, my hope is it ignites the same excitement for you as it does for me. Some breeders will have more time to read as they have finished calving, while others will wear out the pages during the long nights of their calving season which will be starting or is in full swing. Early reports on calving season from Ontario have yielded a mixed bag of results. My own has faced its challenges, the highs and lows, which remind us to focus on keeping an even keel.

As up and down as calving season has been, so to has the weather. One week we are buried in snow, followed by a week of frigid temperatures, only to be outdone by the following week when t-shirts, tank tops and muscle shirts are necessary. Early winter in Ontario saw more snow in the matter of a month then we have most entire winters. We barely heard from our good friend Rick Drinkill who was plowing so much snow his bank could barely keep up with the deposits.

LE MOT DU PRÉSIDENT Pendant que plusieurs de vous commencent à se frayer un chemin à travers ce magazine, mon espoir est qu’il suscite la même excitation pour vous que pour moi. Certains éleveurs auront plus de temps à le lire puisque le temps du vêlage est fini, tandis que d’autres vont user les pages pendant les longues nuits de la saison de vêlage qui commence ou bat son plein. Les premiers rapports sur la saison de vêlage en Ontario ont donné des résultats mélangés. La mienne a fait face à ses défis, les hauts et les bas, qui nous rappellent de nous concentrer à maintenir une certaine stabilité.

On peut dire que la température a eu ses hauts et ses bas pareil comme la saison de vêlage. Une semaine, nous sommes enterrés dans la neige, suivis d’une semaine de températures glaciales, pour être surpassés par la semaine suivante quand des t-shirts, des chandails sans manches et des chemises à manches courtes sont de mise. Le début de l’hiver en Ontario a vu plus de neige en l’espace d’un mois que nous avons durant la plupart de nos hivers. Nous avons à peine eu des nouvelles de notre bon ami Rick Drinkill qui ramassait tellement de neige que sa banque pouvait à peine fournir ses dépôts.

Another successful National Show & AGM was put on by the Quebec Association, whose members made sure it was a first-class event. Special thanks to Maureen Landry who went above and beyond in making the event run smoothly and bringing the members together. Its Ontario’s turn to host in 2018 and plans look to be falling in place for a big show at the Markham Fair with an aggressive focus on our youth. The 4H program has seen encouraging growth over the last couple of years and we hope that trend will continue for the foreseeable future.

For the first time in many years our numbers for bulls on test are down across the country, which is alarming. Costs for participating have certainly gone up but we should not lose sight of just how important performance is in the beef industry. The CBDA offers a great opportunity to participate in the BIO performance program, which I hope many will take the time to do so. These numbers will be crucial in the years to come as we look to further enhance our genomic testing using SNP for the betterment of our breed. These numbers will also be a useful tool for our breeders as they look to make breeding and culling decisions. If you’re unfamiliar with these numbers or want to know more, be sure to contact a director who can guide you in the right direction to expand your knowledge.

In closing, our breed may be small in numbers but we have become increasingly powerful in enthusiasm and participation. The infrastructure for many opportunities has been slowly put in place for us as breeders to put our best product forward. I hope to see many of our members participating in the number of events we have planned throughout the year. May this year be your best year yet!

Encore un grand succès pour la Nationale et l’AGA qui a été organisé par l’Association du Québec, dont les membres se sont assurés d’en faire un événement de première classe. Un merci spécial à Maureen Landry qui a tout fait pour que l’événement se déroule sans heurts et que les membres puissent se rencontrer et se divertir. Cette année, c’est le tour de l’Ontario de nous accueillir et les plans semblent être mis en place pour un grand spectacle à la Foire de Markham avec un important accent sur nos jeunes. Le programme 4H a connu une croissance encourageante depuis une couple d’années et nous espérons que cette tendance se poursuivra pour les prochaines années.

Pour la première fois depuis plusieurs années, le nombre de taureaux testés est en baisse partout au pays, ce qui est alarmant. Les coûts de participation ont certes augmenté, mais nous ne devons pas perdre de vue l’importance de la performance dans l’industrie du bœuf. L’association canadienne offre une excellente opportunité de participer au programme de performance BIO, dont j’espère que beaucoup prendront le temps de le faire. Ces chiffres seront cruciaux dans les années à venir alors que nous cherchons à améliorer nos tests génomiques en utilisant SNP pour l’amélioration de notre race. Ces chiffres seront également un outil utile pour nos éleveurs car ils cherchent à prendre des décisions de reproduction et d’abattage. Si vous n’êtes pas familier avec ces chiffres ou si vous voulez en savoir plus, assurez-vous de contacter un directeur qui peut vous guider dans la bonne direction pour élargir vos connaissances.

En conclusion, notre race est peut-être petite en nombre mais nous sommes devenus de plus en plus puissants en enthousiasme et participation.

L’infrastructure pour de nombreuses opportunités a été lentement mise en place pour nous en tant qu’éleveurs pour mettre en avant notre meilleur produit. En espérant voir beaucoup de nos membres participer aux nombreux événements que nous avons planifiés tout au long de l’année. Que cette année soit votre meilleure année!

Traduction française par Maureen Landry

Nicholas Boyd

Nicholas Boyd

The Blonde Connection | Spring 2018 Issue | 3

NEWS PROVINCES from the

ALBERTA & BRITISH COLUMBIA After four years of above average winter temperatures 2018 has brought us a bit back into reality. While we haven’t had too many deep freezes this year, Jan/Feb were colder than we had become accustomed to. On the up side - cattle prices continue to be strong and look to carry into the spring. Hopefully that trend will continue into the fall calf season.

While our Alberta/BC Association is small, and we don’t have a lot of activities we always look forward to our turn to host the National Show. It seems a long ways away as we don’t host until 2019, but breeding decisions need to be made soon that will affect our success at that Show. I know more than one of us has already been planning their next breeding move. I’m sure it will be a great event again especially with the support we get from our Ontario as well as Man/Sask breeders. We even had a Quebec member make the trek out in 2016, and it was great to have them all.

The Alberta Blonde Bull Test has just completed the 84 day weight and Upper Cache Blondes has the first and third high gaining bulls. Both are horned sons of the 2010 National Junior Champion WSS Warden 21W and are indexing 127 and 111. In second place with an index of 112, is a horned FB son of 2013 National Champion Crystal Youngblood consigned by Little Creek Farms. Willow Springs Stock Farm has the top three bulls for weight per day of age. Leading the way is a polled FB ET son sired by the French AI sire Usus with an index of 123. In second and third are his maternal brothers sired by French AI sire Papyrus. Both are polled FB bulls and have indexes of 106 and 103 respectively.

As always the bulls are for sale privately on a first come first served basis so don’t wait if you are interested in a specific bull. Full results are available on the Canadian Blonde website or by contacting the Alberta Blonde Association.

Reed Rigney

MANITOBA & SASKATCHEWAN To all Blonde d’ Aquitaine breeders: We are saddened to hear that Pat Filz brother Larry has passed away Our deepest condolences go out to Pat and her family. She has asked us to put together a message in the Blonde Connection.

Last year 2017 has proven to be another good year for Man/Sask, with our continued support to local 4H clubs and a success at the Douglas Bull Test Station. It has also been our pleasure at Man/Sask to support the Manitoba Youth Beef Roundup, at Neepawa, Manitoba. An enthusiastic group of 60 – 90 Young Cattle Producers gather every year in August.

To acquire skills in cattle handling, showmanship, knowledge of cattle, and enjoy the Competitiveness of showing their animals. Which in 2017 there were 78 head of cattle. With these three days of events the youth will gain a lifelong experience and friendships.

Hats off to these young individuals who want to better their knowledge and be leaders in the future cattle industry.

Well winter is being winter as this is written, minus 30 has not been uncommon. For a few weeks and plus 5 for some days. I have talked to a few breeders and calves are being born and some cows are very close to being moms again.

2018 is starting with optimism as prices are holding to 2017 levels and show signs of strengthening. There is a little uncertainty with trade negotiating in NAFTA and the TPP as 40% of our beef production is export bound. I’m sure our representatives are doing a good job negotiating and keeping Canada’s beef producers in the forefront. With these positive prospects it is no wonder that bull requests are starting early.

Talking to breeders not only are they getting requests for bulls but have a broad selection of Replacement heifers that sure could uplift any ranchers herd. Call your favourite breeder or the association office for names of other breeders to get Top quality replacement stock. Remember our up coming annual meeting 24 March 2018 (location to be established) We are looking for more members, please come out.

So, have a very successful calving season. And remember to be safe out there through the days and long hours in the night checking your herd.

Pat Filz

4

Hello dear Blonde d’Aquitaine breeders In mid-February, by chance, I listened to a television show whose subject was the Institut d’Hôtellerie du Québec. It is a training school for renown culinary chefs that can be described as high quality.

ONTARIO

QUEBEC

The Ontario Blonde d’Aquitaine Board of Directors have been busy planning out the year ahead! Starting off with our advertising roadmap, Kirk McGee is doing a fantastic job marketing our blondes! Contact Kirk if you’d like to be included in one or more of those ads in numerous beef publications.

Bonjour chers éleveurs Blonde d’Aquitaine” À la mi-février, par hasard j’ai écouté une émission de télévision dont le sujet était l’Institut d’Hôtellerie du Québec. C’est une école de formation pour nos grands chefs en cuisine que l’on peut qualifier de haute gamme.

The Blonde booth will be back again at the Ottawa Valley Farm Show for 2018. Many Thanks to the Ferguson’s, Dave and Lisa Payne for all your volunteering! We’ll have raffle tickets to go along with our balloons this year!! The Hastings Plowing Match will also have a display to promote our Blondes, many thanks to Eric and Kirk for looking after things last year!

À cette émission, il y avait parmi les invités Madame Liza Frulla-Hébert, une femme très impliquée en politique Québécoise (1989 à 1998) et Canadienne (2002 à 2006). Au cours de la conversation elle a attiré l’attention sur la très grande qualité de produits de base de l’agriculture tant au Québec qu’au Canada. Ça faisait plaisir à entendre et j’ai voulu vous en faire part.

The OBdAA AGM will be held again at Bobby C’s Dockside restaurant in Bowmanville, Saturday April 7th starting at 11:00am for registration. It’s always an entertaining day, tons of laughs, great food and great company, hope to see you there!

Our annual picnic will be hosted by the Ferguson’s (Crystal Farms) in Jasper Ontario this summer, Sunday August 5th 1:00pm. Something for our out of province blonde enthusiasts to consider in their summer travels if they are in the area! Stop by to visit one of the elite Blonde d’Aquitaine herds in Canada, and visit with some of the Ontario members too.

The 2018 Canadian National Blonde d’Aquitaine Association Show and AGM is back in our neck of the woods this year! Somewhat of a different format than we’re use to hosting. This year the Canadian National Show will be held separately in Markham Ontario on Saturday September 29th. Extra incentives for travel expense offered to exhibitors by the Markham Fair on top of the prize money. Check out the Markham Fair website or contact Eric or Nicholas for further details on entering (housing) cattle for the show. The Cream of the Crop Sale is scheduled at Hoards Station on Saturday October 27th for an early start time of 1:00pm. Don’t forget to purchase your Raffle Tickets beforehand!!! If Paul Ferguson or Don Dunham can win so can you! The Banquet Dinner will follow the sale at the host hotel in Trenton for a 6:00pm start. A National Youth show has been planned for Markham, both the Canadian and Ontario boards are finalizing some really great prizes for the participants!

Best wishes for a fantastic 2018 calving and show season! Hopefully the weather cooperates in your favor for tons of grass and plenty of crops for the winter months!

C’est un hiver assez spécial cette année au Québec mais nous devons nous y faire car nous n’avons aucune autre alternative que de s’y faire.

Nous planifions un pique-nique annuel de trois races (Blonde d’Aquitaine, Parthenais et Piémontais) probablement le 4 août 2018. Ce pique-nique devrait avoir lieu à St-André d’Argenteuil, dans la région des Laurentides, à la Ferme Lalande SENC qui fait l’élevage de ces trois races de bovins de boucherie de grande qualité. En avançant dans la planification vous recevrez une invitation d’y participer. Aussi, puisque c’est proche de nos amis éleveurs de l’Ontario il y en aurait peut-être qui seraient intéressés à y participer. Plus d’informations seront mises sur notre page Facebook et le site Internet de l’Association aussitôt que la programmation de l’évènement sera complétée.

Il nous a fait plaisir de recevoir la Nationale et l’AGA de l’association Canadienne à l’Expo Bœuf 2017 à Victoriaville. Nous avons eu beaucoup de plaisir et les éleveurs de l’Ontario sont repartis avec des belles plaques à la suite du jugement. Nous voudrions féliciter la famille Ferguson de Crystal Farms qui a été nommée Éleveur de l’Année durant le banquet du Samedi soir. Des félicitations à Dave McNevan, notre encanteur de la soirée (qui nous a aidé à couvrir les frais du repas) ainsi qu’à ceux qui ont fait don des articles pour l’encan silencieux.

En vous souhaitant une très bonne année 2018.

Gilbert Gauthier, président

On this program, guests included Liza Frulla-Hébert, a woman who was very involved in Quebec politics (1989 to 1998) and Canadian politics (2002 to 2006). During the conversation she drew attention to the very high quality of agricultural products in both Quebec and Canada. It was pleasant to hear and I wanted to share it with you.

It’s a special winter this year in Quebec but we have to do with it we have no alternative but to do with it.

We are planning an annual picnic of three great breeds (Blonde d’Aquitaine, Parthenais and Piémontais) probably on August 4, 2018. This picnic should take place in St-André d’Argenteuil, in the Laurentian region, at the Ferme Lalande SENC who raises these three breeds of high quality beef cattle. As we move through the planning you will receive an invitation to participate. Also, since it is close to our fellow breeders in Ontario there may be some who would be interested in participating. More information will be put on our Facebook page and the website of the Association as soon as the programming of the event is completed.

We were pleased to receive the National and the AGM of the Canadian association at Expo Boeuf 2017 in Victoriaville. We had a lot of fun and the Ontario breeders went away with some nice plaques as a result of the judging. We would like to congratulate the Ferguson family of Crystal Farms who were named Breeder of the Year at the Saturday night banquet. Congratulations to Dave McNevan, our evening auctioneer, who helped us cover the cost of the meal as well as those who donated the items for the silent auction.

Wishing you a very happy new year 2018.

Gilbert Gauthier, President

Autres rendez-vous 2018/ Other 2018 Dates Expo St-Hyacinthe Fair du 26 juillet au 4 août | Jul 26 - Aug 4th Expo de Brome Fair du 31 août au 3 septembre | Aug 31 - Sept 3 Expo Richmond Fair du 6 au 9 septembre | Sept 6 - 9 Expo Lindsay Fair (Ontario) du 19 au 23 septembre | Sep 19 - 23 Expo Boeuf Victoriaville du 5 au 7 octobre | Oct 5 - 7

Let the halter breaking begin!

Steven J. Acres

The Blonde Connection | Spring 2018 Issue | 5

n!

4-H We received the following information and pictures from 4-H members in Alberta and Ontario that showed Blonde or Blonde cross animals this past year.

AVERY KAMELCHUK showed her heifer Daisy Mae Athabasca District Champion Junior Showmanship and Grooming

06

BRAYDEN BAKER

Please send us your 4-H results and pictures so we can include them in the 2019 publication!

Beavermeadow Blondes - the Bruce Langstaff family of Tupperville, Ontario had eight 4-H members halter break and show their calves this past summer.

The kids started when the calves were only a few months old, and it was a great project. Five heifers and 1 bull were shown at various fairs. The members included Kaiden and Jordan Howes, Jarod and Katie Mills, Coby Lenover, and Charlotte, Claire, and Emily Charles. The kids are hard at work breaking calves again, with the hopes of going to more fairs in 2018.

KYLEE GRAY

02

PHILIP FERGUSON

04

EMMA KAMELCHUK - showed her steer Drambui Athabasca District Champion Intermediate Showmanship

SHELBY BAKER

ALBERTA 4H Winfield 4-H Beef Club

Amy & James Seely showed Blonde Cross Market Steers

02

ONTARIO BLONDE AWARDS For 2017, the Ontario Blonde Association awarded 4-H members $150 for those who achieved using a Blonde influenced animal. 8 counties were represented and 16 members of achievement qualified for the Ontario Blonde Awards. They were:

Jordan Howes Colby Lenover Kaiden Howes Jared Mills, Jasmin Schiestel Keisha Schiestal MACHAILA DUNHAM

Karson Hobbs Jessie Harris Kylee Gray Kirsten Perry Phillip Ferguson Emily Fee

05

Braeden Baker, Mackenzie Baker Justin Coyne Machaila Dunham Shelby Baker Achievement as a Clover Bud

The Blonde Connection | Spring 2018 Issue | 7

2018 Canadian Blonde d’Aquitaine Association

NationalEVENTS Hosted by the

ontario blonde d’aquitaine association In conjunction with Markham Fair and the 18th Annual ‘Cream of the Crop’ Sale017

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS SATURDAY

SATURDAY

SEPT 29, 2018

OCT 27, 2018

Markham Fairgrounds, Markham, Ontario

Campbellford & Trenton

Cattle able to move into fairgrounds evening before the show.

10:00AM 4H and Blonde d’Aquitaine Youth Show Noon National Blonde d’Aquitaine Show

1:00PM 18th Annual ‘Cream of the Crop’ Sale Hoards Station Sale Barn 6:00PM Banquet Dinner ‘Harvest East’ Room, Ramada Trenton

SUNDAY

OCT 28, 2018 Ramada, Trenton, ON

8:30AM to 9:00AM Brunch provided by Ontario Blonde d’Aquitaine Association 9:00AM Registration Canadian Blonde d’Aquitaine Association Annual Meeting ‘Harvest East Room’

Please RSVP for the Banquet Dinner with Eric Doran by August 15, 2018. bogartcattlecompany@gmail.com or 613-438-2599 There is a block of rooms at the RAMADA HOTEL in Trenton for Friday, October 26th and Saturday, October 27th. The cost is $108/night + HST for queen or double rooms. Alterations may be made at specific request for additional cost.

The block will close on September 15th, 2018. The Ramada is right off the 401 at the Glen Miller Road. exit. Please call 613-394-4855 to confirm your reservations.

For more information, questions or concerns PLEASE CONTACT ONE OF OUR BOARD MEMBERS

There are rooms available at the COMFORT INN in Markham (Woodbine Ave.) for the National Show. Please book in plenty of time, there is no block reserved. This is the recommended hotel by the fair, mention you are attending the Marrkham Fair and they will apply a discount. Please call 905477-6077 to book your rooms.

ERIC DORAN

Show & Sale (613) 438-2599 bogartcattlecompany@gmail.com

NICHOLAS BOYD

National Meeting (519) 835-9099 oneoakblonde@gmail.com

PHOTO CONTEST Do you have any great photos of your Blondes? Do you enjoy taking photos?

This is your chance to grab your camera and capture that perfect pose.

The Canadian Blonde d’Aquitaine Association is building a library of pictures that can be used on the website and in upcoming newsletters.

What a great way to expose our Blonde cattle to the world!

Each month one eligible winning photograph will be selected, and the winner will receive a $25 credit towards their next fullblood or purebred registration.

PHOTO CRITERIA

• Include a complete shot of animal in photo (including feet, tail and full head if possible).

• Limit of five pictures submitted per operation per calendar month.

• All photos submitted become the property of the Canadian Blonde d’Aquitaine Association and the Association will be able to use them accordingly (photo credit will be provided when possible).

• The Canadian Blonde d’Aquitaine Board reserves the right to not have a winner if it is deemed no picture is eligible in a particular month, and the decision is final.

PHOTO TIPS

• Don’t cut off the head, feet, butt, nose! Don’t crop your photo -let your ad designer or webmaster crop the picture to give the best possible design for each individual situation.

• When you think you have the picture just right, take two steps back.

Give your designer lots to work with.

• Remember to identify your photographer or include a brief description of the shot.

• You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression. Make sure you take those pictures at a high enough resolution so your printer doesn’t have any trouble getting them ready for your next brochure or magazine ad.

Remember, for a chance to win a $25 registration credit and see your photo in a Blonde publication or on the Blonde website, take your camera the next time you go to check on the fences!

SEND YOUR PICTURES TO:

Canadian Blonde d’Aquitaine Newsletter Editor – Jana Keeley blondenews@coyotepub.com Photo Credit: Pat Filz

The Blonde Connection | Spring 2018 Issue | 9

Breeder Year of the

2017

CRYSTAL FARMS In 2015, Shirley Bilton was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Canadian Blonde d’Aquitaine Association. Shirley was the first cattleman in North America to purchase a Blonde halfblood heifer at auction. He was also one of the founding directors of the CBDA. Shirley Bilton passed on June 27, 2016, and the Canadian Blonde d’Aquitaine Association now crowns a Breeder of the Year, in honour of Shirley and his contribution to the Blonde breed in Canada.

The 2017 CBDA Breeder of the Year is Crystal Farms, owned and operated by Paul and Mary Ellen Ferguson and their two children Samantha and Phillip. The award was presented to them at the 2017 National Show and AGM held in Victoriaville, Quebec.

Crystal Farms is located approximately 10 minutes south of the village of Jasper, Ontario, or about one hour south of Ottawa. Crystal Farms currently has 35 top quality breeding females and sells both bulls and replacement females by private treaty and through the Ontario Blonde d’Aquitaine Association Cream of the Crop Sale. The Crystal herd is well recognized across Canada with animals in many of the predominant breeding programs in the country, and Crystal Farms is arguably one of the most elite breeders our Association has ever had.

Paul and Mary Ellen bought what is now Crystal Farms in 1999 with the heart of their land base originally belonging to Paul’s father. Paul’s passion for Blonde cattle began much earlier than the purchase of the farm. The look and color of the well-muscled animals made blondes their breed of choice. He purchased his first blonde in 1984 from Don Campbell of Peterborough Ontario and he recalls it was a bull calf that he paid $3500 for. The heart of his program, however, came from Laverne McGee when he purchased four heifers in 2001.

They haven’t looked back since, and continued to buy and breed top quality animals that repeatedly top both the breed shows and sales.

The Crystal herd is based on performance and Paul has been a strong advocate for recording performance and being in the BIO program which generated EPDs for the Blonde breed. His focus is on maintaining high performance and milk | The Blonde Connection | Spring 2018 Issue 1010 | The Blonde Connection | Spring 2018 Issue

with a balance of fleshing ability, fertility and muscle. Many of Paul’s decisions are made by looking at EPDs as well as the phenotype of the animal. Recently Crystal Farms initiated their own bull test which houses from 5-10 bulls per year. Bulls are marketed to both commercial and purebred breeders.

Knowing the best way to showcase the breed is to get out and network with other breeders, the Fergusons take the time to attend, and send animals to, the National Show each year, regardless of location. Crystal Farms believes that getting good Blondes out in front of producers is very important, and as such they are often found at local agricultural or fall fairs on the weekends.

They recognize that volunteering for both the National and their Provincial breed associations goes hand-in-hand with promoting the Blonde d’Aquitaine breed. But there’s more: believing that many hands make light work, they also attend most Association functions, and help out at several farm and ranch shows with the Ontario Provincial booth. Good seedstock producers need to mentor our youth, and this year’s Breeders of the Year are both active helpers in their local 4-H program, with several 4-H members choosing their animals as their show projects. Samantha and Philip have also been very active in showing Blonde cattle as their own 4-H Beef projects. Their cattle are often seen in the show ring, and in the winner’s circle, sometimes even multiple years in a row with the same animal!

Away from the farm, the Fergusons own a home building business, Paul Ferguson Construction Ltd., building homes in the Ottawa region of Ontario.

Running the construction business is Pauls’ main occupation even though, like most of the rest of us, he would “rather be farming”. One other thing that many might not know is that Paul is an accomplished broomball player and has travelled to western Canada to play in broomball tournaments!

A big thank you goes out to the Ferguson family for all of their hard work and dedication to the Blonde breed and congratulations on being the 2017 recipient of this prestigious award!

Campbell de Peterborough, en Ontario, et il se souvient que c’était un taureau qu’il avait payé 3 500$. La plus importante partie de son élevage, cependant, est venu de Laverne McGee quand il a acheté quatre génisses en 2001. Ils n’ont pas regardé en arrière, et ont continué à acheter et élever des animaux de qualité supérieure qui remportent continuellement les premières places aux expositions et ventes.

Le troupeau Crystal est basé sur la performance et Paul a été un ardent défenseur de l’enregistrement des performances et du fait d’être dans le programme BIO qui a généré des EPD pour la race Blonde. Il se concentre sur le maintien de la haute performance et du lait avec un équilibre entre la capacité de déposer le gras et le muscle sur leur corps, la fertilité et la musculation. Beaucoup des décisions de Paul sont prises en regardant les EPD ainsi que le phénotype de l’animal.

Récemment, Crystal Farms a parti sa propre station d’épreuve de taureaux qui abrite de 5 à 10 taureaux par an. Les taureaux sont vendus aux éleveurs commerciaux et race pure.

Sachant que la meilleure façon de mettre en valeur la race est de sortir et de réseauter avec d’autres éleveurs, les Fergusons prennent le temps d’y assister et d’envoyer des animaux au Salon National chaque année, quel que soit son emplacement. Crystal Farms croit qu’il est très important de montrer les bonnes Blondes devant les producteurs et nous les trouvons souvent, les fins de semaine, dans les foires agricoles locales ou les foires d’automne. Ils reconnaissent que le bénévolat pour les associations nationales et provinciales de races va de pair avec la promotion de la race Blonde d’Aquitaine.

Mais il y a plus: croyant que de nombreuses mains font du travail léger, ils assistent aussi à la plupart des fonctions de l’Association et aident à plusieurs expositions agricoles et journées d’étable au kiosque de l’association de l’Ontario. Les bons producteurs de semences ont besoin d’encadrer notre jeunesse, et les éleveurs de l’année, de cette année, sont tous deux des aides actifs dans leur programme 4-H local, avec plusieurs membres des 4-H choisissant leurs animaux comme projets d’exposition. Samantha et Philip ont également été très actifs en montrant des bovins Blonde comme leurs propres projets de boeuf 4-H. Leur bétail est souvent vu dans les expositions, et dans le cercle des gagnants, parfois même plusieurs années d’affilée avec le même animal!

Eleveur de l’annee 2017 En 2015, Shirley Bilton s’est vu décerner un prix d’excellence par l’Association Canadienne Blonde d’Aquitaine. Shirley a été le premier éleveur de bovins en Amérique du Nord à acheter une génisse blonde non pure sang à un encan.

Il était également l’un des directeurs fondateurs de la CBDA. Shirley Bilton est décédée le 27 juin 2016 et l’Association Canadienne Blonde d’Aquitaine nomme maintenant un éleveur de l’année, en l’honneur de Shirley et de sa contribution à la race Blonde au Canada.

En plus de la ferme, les Fergusons sont propriétaires d’une entreprise de construction résidentielle, Paul Ferguson Construction Ltd., qui construit des maisons dans la région d’Ottawa, en Ontario. La gestion de l’entreprise de construction est l’occupation principale de Paul, même si, comme la plupart d’entre nous, il serait «plutôt agriculteur».

Une autre chose que beaucoup ne savent peut-être pas, c’est que Paul est un joueur de ballon-balai accompli et qu’il a voyagé dans l’ouest du Canada pour participer à des tournois de ballon-balai!

Un gros merci à la famille Ferguson pour tout leur travail acharné

Pour 2017 l’association canadienne a nommé Crystal Farms l’éleveur de l’année, détenu et exploité par Paul et Mary Ellen Ferguson et leurs deux enfants, Samantha et Phillip. Le prix leur a été remis au souper banquet du samedi soir lors de l’Expo Boeuf et de l’AGA 2017 à Victoriaville, Québec.

Crystal Farms est située à environ 10 minutes au sud du village de Jasper, en Ontario, ou à environ une heure au sud d’Ottawa. Crystal Farms compte actuellement 35 femelles reproductrices de qualité supérieure et vend des taureaux et des femelles de remplacement par vente privée et à la vente «Cream of the Crop» de l’Association Blonde d’Aquitaine de l’Ontario. Le troupeau de Crystal Farms est bien reconnu dans tout le Canada avec des animaux dans de nombreux programmes d’élevage prédominants dans le pays, et Crystal Farms est sans doute l’un des éleveurs les plus élites de notre Association.

Paul et Mary Ellen ont acheté ce qui est maintenant Crystal Farms en 1999 avec le noyau de leur base de terre appartenant originalement au père de Paul. La passion de Paul pour les bovins blonds a commencé beaucoup plus tôt que l’achat de la ferme. Le regard et la couleur des animaux bien musclés ont fait des blondes leur race de choix. Il a acheté sa première blonde en 1984 de Don The Blonde Connection | Spring 2018 Issue | 11

Forty Acre

Blondes

The ones YOU need to be looking at!

Offering For Sale: bulls, open heifers and bred heifers.

All are docile, polled, pedigree available. Constant high gain winners.

This is just a sample of our animals.

Don Mehler & Pat Filz P.O.Box 418 Lampman SK S0C 1N0 Phone: 306-634-2174 Cell: 306-421-6987 Email: FortyAcreBlondes@sasktel.net

Breeder of the Year Award N O M I N AT I O N S N E E D E D F O R

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The award will be presented annually at the CBDA “National” event Nominations will open on July 1st, and must be received by August 1st each year.

Nominations may be submitted by letter post or email.

The award year will run from August 1st to July 31st.

Nominator and nominee must be paid CBDA members in good standing for the years in question.

Members may not nominate themselves, family members or those that they share memberships/breeding programs with.

An individual or an entire farm operation may be nominated.

The nominator will be responsible for making the case for the nominee, must present well written thoughts and a list of facts detailing the nominees activities and accomplishments in service of the Blonde breed.

Emphasis will be put on the 12 month period in question, however past accomplishments and involvement will not be overlooked.

Activities may include, but are not limited to: current year registrations, service on Blonde Boards, service at Trade Shows, participation in CBDA and provincial events, participation and success in the show ring, buying and selling of animals at Association sales, volunteer positions on behalf of the blondes (ie CLRC, fair boards, beef committees, etc), participation in the BIO program, performance testing, new breeders they have introduced to the breed, advertising of their animals in Association and outside publications, contributions to the 4H program.

Nominees will be assessed by a non-biased individual with in-direct ties to the breed, knowledge of purebred beef cattle operations and Associations.

Nominators/Nominees will remain anonymous, with the exception of the winning nominee.

The nominator of the winning nominee may also stay anonymous if they so choose, however the information they provide for the nomination may be used in articles/speeches recognizing the winner.

The Breeder of the Year will receive an individual award, a short congratulations in the December newsletter and a full story on their operation in following years “Blonde Connection”.

(À noter que le genre masculin est utilisé dans le but d’alléger la lecture du texte, et ce, sans discrimination pour le genre féminin).

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Submissions should be sent to: Kathleen Windsor

By Email: office@windsorgraphics.ca

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Le prix sera remis chaque année lors de la “Nationale” du CBDA Les candidatures débuteront le 1er juillet et doivent être reçues avant le 1er août de chaque année.

Les candidatures peuvent être soumises par la poste ou par courriel.

L’année d’attribution sera du 1er août au 31 juillet.

La personne proposant ou la personne proposée doivent être des membres en règle du CBDA pour les années en question.

Les membres ne peuvent pas présenter leur propre candidature, les membres de leur propre famille ou ceux qu’ils partagent l’adhésion ou programme d’élevage.

Un particulier ou une exploitation agricole entière peut être proposé Le proposant devra présenter la mise en candidature du proposé, il devra préparer un texte bien écrit et détaillé des activités et des réalisations que la personne proposée a accompli pour la race Blonde.

L’accent sera mis sur la période de 12 mois en question, mais les réalisations et les participations passées ne seront pas ignorées.

Les activités peuvent comprendre mais sans s’y limiter à: l’enregistrement d’animaux de l’année courante, la participation sur des conseils d’administration de la Blonde, la participation aux expositions, la participation à des évènements organisés par le CBDA ou l’association provinciale, la participation et le succès dans l’arène, l’achat et la vente d’animaux à des ventes organisées par l’association, être bénévole au nom des Blondes, (par exemple: SCEA, un organisme d’expositions, des comités de bœuf, etc.), la participation au programme BIO, la participation aux épreuves de performance, introduire des nouveaux éleveurs à la race, la publicité de leurs animaux dans les publications de l’association ou autres, leur contribution au programme 4H Les candidats seront évalués par une personne impartiale avec des liens indirects à la race, la connaissance d’exploitations de bovins de race pure et d’associations Les proposants et les proposés demeureront anonymes à l’exception du candidat gagnant À sa demande,nla personne proposant le candidat gagnant pourra demeurer anonyme, mais les informations qu’il fournit, pour la nomination, peut être utilisé dans des articles / discours reconnaissant le gagnant L’Éleveur de l’Année recevra un prix, une courte citation dans le Newsletter du mois de décembre et un article complet sur leur exploitation dans la prochaine publication de la Blonde Connection.

By Mail: R R 2, Site 7, Box 50 Didsbury, Alberta T0M 0W0 The Blonde Connection | Spring 2018 Issue | 13

royal highland SHOW 2017

In June of 2017 I had the opportunity to attend the Royal Highland Show in Edinburgh, Scotland. The trade mission was hosted by Edmonton Farmfair International (FFI), and included Farmfair staff as well as other Farmfair exhibitors representing the Angus, Hereford and Shorthorn breeds. Our purpose was to make contacts and encourage them to attend our own show held in November of each year (Nov. 7-11, 2018). FFI has an in-bound buyer program that covers a portion of flight costs as well as in country expenses for out of country breeders wishing to attend.

We flew into Glasgow and spent the first two days touring local farms. We were able to tour farms of all the breeds represented in our delegation including the Ramrig Blonde herd of George Hamilton. I had been in contact with George prior to the trip and it was good to meet him, and have a shot of scotch on the cool, rainy day. George is also quite involved in the Royal Highland Show, and I had further opportunity to visit with him later in the week.

le royal highland show 2017

by Reed Rigney traduction par Maureen Landry

L-R: Reed Rigney, Willie McElroy (President of British Blonde Society) and Susan Radford of Australia

Champion Bull One very interesting stop we made was to see the Highland Wagyu feedlot. The animals were housed in open sided covered sheds and it took about four years for them to reach market condition and weight of about 2000 lbs. It seems like a long time to have your money invested, but we were told that a cut and wrapped Purebred Wagyu carcass retailed at about $30,000 and the half bloods at about $17,000. Quite the money maker if you can cash flow it and have the right contacts.

Our third day brought us to the Show itself and it was great to see. It reminded me of how our Alberta fairs used to be, with livestock of all species competing in many different events, but on a much grander scale. There were three huge barns full of sheep alone, equestrian events of all kinds, machinery and livestock equipment and of course the retail, food, games and rides that are a must at any show of this type.

The cattle at the show and on the farms we visited were in general larger framed and had less depth of body compared to what we are breeding in North America. As is the case in many European countries heifers are bred to calve for the first time at 30-36 months so the mature females tended to be larger than ours. The 2017 World Angus Forum was being hosted at the Show, and so there were Angus breeders from all over the world including many others from Canada. The Angus show had the largest numbers, and classes are not split even if they are very large. Many of the heifer classes had up to 20 head in the ring at a time, and this made it very apparent that the breed lacked the consistency that we have in North American shows. The top animals were the same as we would assess them; deeper bodied, feminine with good feet and legs, but by the time you got to the middle of the class those animals bore little resemblance to the top animals - tighter made and tubular. This is due to the market wanting high yielding carcasses, and so the more maternal British breeds have been trying to keep up with the French cattle - the exact opposite of what is happening in North America. Again, in general, the French breed cattle I saw in Scotland were more similar to our cattle, especially the Blonde cattle. It was interesting to see actual white splashed, yellower coloured Simmental cattle as well - not something you see much in North America any more.

While in Scotland I was also able to attend the historic Dunlouise Angus sale at Forfar north of Edinburgh. I hitched a ride on a small bus rented by some Angus breeders from Denmark, and was happy to see a friend of mine from Canada on the trip as well. We made one stop to see an Angus herd on the way, and arrived in time to have a bit to eat and a quick look over the sale animals. The Dunlouise herd is made up of pure Scottish Angus bloodlines which were almost extinct before they began their program to bring them back. They have been sourcing semen from Native bulls (all from the 60’s & 70’s) and were able to find a few cows of pure Scottish lines. The cattle are mush smaller, deeper bodied and easier fleshing than their contemporaries in Scotland that have a lot of Canadian and American breeding in them - and that mainly from the 1980’s frame race. In fact these cattle are much smaller than the Angus cattle currently in North America and are probably best suited to grass finishing. Dunlouise have exported semen and embryos all over the world and semen is available from some of their bulls in Canada. The sale was a great success spreading the genetics around the world, and several lots were bought by American breeder Harrison O’Connor - Saddle Butte Ranch near Geyser, Montana.

It was a quick, but great trip, and I wish I would have had more time to visit Blonde breeders in Britain as I am sure that there are cattle that could help improve some traits of our own Blonde population in Canada.

Champion Cow

John Gibb Bull

The Blonde show was interesting to watch, and again I think most of us Canadian Blonde breeders would have agreed with the judging. The British are looking for similar traits to what we are, but with more muscling than is sometimes pleasing to the North American show ring eye. The Blonde show had less animals than normal as the National Show had been held a week earlier and Tuberculosis rules kept many animals from attending. Each area in Britain has a different TB status, and my understanding was that the National Show was held in a high TB area therefore animals going to that show had to be quaratined at home for a period of time before leaving again. The Blonde championship was won by Shanvalley Jagger, who was also Senior Champion Bull. Jagger was born April 2014, sired by Seaview Barney and bred & exhibited by Shanvalley Blondes of Ireland. Senior Female Champion and Reserve Overall champion went to Alan Walker from Ayrshire with Overton Jess. Jess was born January 2014 and sired by Doncombe Aga Khan. A really big, strong and beautiful cow in my opinion.

En juin 2017, j’ai eu l’occasion d’assister au Royal Highland Show à Edinburgh, en Écosse. La mission commerciale était organisée par Edmonton Farmfair International (FFI) et comprenait du personnel de Farmfair ainsi que d’autres exposants de Farmfair représentant les races Angus, Hereford et Shorthorn. Notre but était d’établir des contacts et de les encourager à assister à notre propre exposition qui a lieu en novembre de chaque année (du 7 au 11 novembre 2018). FFI a un programme d’achat en ligne qui couvre une partie des coûts d’avion ainsi que les dépenses dans le pays pour les éleveurs étrangers souhaitant y assister.

It was very nice to finally meet people that I have only known through emails , and on Facebook.

People such as Society President Willie McElroy who owns Doncombe Aga Khan (I imported semen into Canada) as well as Society Secretary Manager Caroline Jackson. Susan Radford from Australia was also there. She and her husband Ron had purchased semen on our bull Arsha’s Polled Umpire. I was also able to meet many other breeders that I had only seen in pictures, and it was a shame that I didn’t have more time to visit their farms.

One trip I was able to make was to see James Weightman of Hallfield Blondes. I hopped the train down to Northern England, and James was kind enough to grab me at the station and tour me around a bit. James and I go back a few years as he was the owner of Blackwater Ainsley, and I had done two imports of his semen into Canada. James is also the breeder of Hallfield Icarus and Hallfield Fanfare, both Ainsley sons, and both of which have semen available in Canada from Semex and ABS respectively. James had a very nice herd of cows and some really nice young heifer calves. We also toured the herd of Lucy Corner, a young Blonde breeder who was very active and successful at the shows that summer as well as John Gibb. One thing I did appreciate about the Blonde cattle I saw in Britain was the consistency in what the breeders were selecting for and picked up a few things in terms of what to try and improve in my own cattle.

Nous avons atterri à Glasgow et avons passé les deux premiers jours à visiter des fermes locales. Nous avons pu visiter des fermes de toutes les races représentées dans notre délégation incluant le troupeau Ramrig Blonde de George Hamilton. J’avais été en contact avec George avant le voyage et c’était bon de le rencontrer et j’ai pu déguster un petit verre de scotch dans cette journée froide et pluvieuse. George est également très impliqué dans le Royal Highland Show et j’ai eu l’occasion de lui rendre visite plus tard dans la semaine.

Un arrêt très intéressant que nous avons fait était de visiter le parc d’engraissement de Highland Wagyu. Les animaux étaient logés dans des hangars couverts avec les côtés ouverts et il a fallu environ quatre ans pour qu’ils atteignent les conditions propices du marché et un poids d’environ 2000 livres. Ça semble long avant d’arriver à l’argent

The Blonde Connection | Spring 2018 Issue | 15

Bulls and heifers for sale

Little Creek Cityslicker 122C

Crystal Youngblood 28Y

16 | The Blonde Connection | Spring 2018 Issue

Crystal Mr. Universe 38U

Crystal Bandit 25B

Little Creek Darkside 29D

royal highland show 2017 / le royal highland show 2017 investi, mais on nous a dit qu’une carcasse Wagyu Pure-sang coupée et emballée se vendait à environ 30 000 $ et les demis pur-sang à environ 17 000 $. Un bon profit si vous avez les fonds pour attendre et les bons contacts.

Notre troisième journée nous nous sommes rendus à l’Exposition même et c’était super de voir. Ça m’a rappelé comment nos expositions de l’Alberta étaient autrefois avec le bétail de toutes les espèces qui participait à de nombreux différents événements, mais à une échelle beaucoup plus grande. Il y avait trois grandes granges pleines de moutons, toutes sortes d’épreuves équestres, de la machinerie et du matériel d’élevage et bien sûr la vente au détail, la nourriture, les jeux et les manèges qui sont incontournables à tout spectacle de ce type.

Les bovins à l’exposition et sur les fermes que nous avons visitées étaient en général plus gros et avaient moins de profondeur de corps que ce que nous élevons en Amérique du Nord. Comme c’est le cas dans de nombreux pays européens, les génisses sont élevées pour vêler pour la première fois à 30-36 mois, de sorte que les femelles adultes ont tendance à être plus grosses que les nôtres. Le 2017 World Angus Forum était hébergé à l’exposition et il y avait donc des éleveurs Angus du monde entier, dont beaucoup du Canada. Le spectacle Angus avait le plus grand nombre, et les classes ne sont pas divisées même s’il y en a beaucoup. Beaucoup des classes de génisses ayant jusqu’à 20 têtes dans l’arène en même temps, et cela rendait très évident que la race manquait de cohérence que nous avons dans nos spectacles nord-américains. Les meilleurs animaux étaient comme nous les évaluerions; corps plus profond, féminin avec de bonnes pattes et de bonnes jambes, mais rendus au milieu de la classe, les animaux ne ressemblaient guère aux premiers animaux - plus serrés et tubulaires. Cela est dû au fait que le marché recherche des carcasses à haut rendement donc les races britanniques les plus maternelles essaient de suivre le bétail français - exactement le contraire de ce qui se passe en Amérique du Nord. De nouveau, en général, les bovins de race française que j’ai vus en Ecosse ressemblaient plus à nos bovins, spécialement aux bovins Blondes. Il était intéressant de voir des bovins Simmental éclaboussés blancs et de couleur plus jaunâtre, ce qui n’est pas quelque chose que l’on voit beaucoup en Amérique du Nord.

Doncombe Aga Khan (j’ai importé de la semence au Canada), ainsi que la secrétaire gérante de la Société, Caroline Jackson. Susan Radford d’Australie était également présente. Elle et son mari Ron avaient acheté de la semence de notre Arsha’s Polled Umpire. J’ai aussi pu rencontrer de nombreux autres éleveurs que j’avais seulement vus en images, et c’était dommage que je n’aie pas eu plus de temps pour visiter leurs fermes.

Un voyage que j’ai pu faire était de voir James Weightman de Hallfield Blondes. J’ai pris le train en direction du nord de l’Angleterre et James a eu la gentillesse de me rencontrer à la gare et de me faire visiter l’endroit. James et moi nous nous connaissons depuis quelques années puisqu’il était le propriétaire de Blackwater Ainsley, et j’avais organisé deux importations de semences au Canada.

James est également l’éleveur de Hallfield Icarus et Hallfield Fanfare, deux fils d’Ainsley, et les deux ont des semences disponibles au Canada auprès de Semex et d’ABS respectivement. James avait un très beau troupeau de vaches et de très belles jeunes génisses. Nous avons également visité le troupeau de Lucy Corner, une jeune éleveuse de Blonde qui a été très active et qui a connu du succès lors des spectacles de l’été ainsi que John Gibb. Une chose que j’ai appréciée au sujet des bovins Blondes que j’ai vus en Grande-Bretagne était la cohérence dans ce que les éleveurs sélectionnaient et j’ai pris quelques notes à essayer et améliorer dans mon propre bétail.

Pendant que j’étais en Écosse, j’ai été capable d’assister à la vente historique Dunlouise Angus à Forfar au nord d’Édimbourg. J’ai embarqué sur un petit autobus loué par des éleveurs Angus du Danemark et j’étais heureux de rencontrer un de mes amis du Canada sur l’autobus. Nous avons fait un arrêt pour voir un troupeau Angus en chemin et sommes arrivés à temps pour manger et jeter un coup d’œil rapide sur les animaux en vente. Le troupeau de Dunlouise est constitué de lignées pures d’Angus Écossais qui s’étaient presque éteintes avant de commencer leur programme pour les ramener. Ils se procurent du sperme de taureaux indigènes (tous des années 60 et 70) et ont pu trouver quelques vaches de lignes pures écossaises. Les bovins sont plus petits, plus profonds et plus faciles à déposer leur gras et muscle que leurs contemporains d’Écosse

Icarus Full Sister

Hallfield Cow

Le spectacle Blonde était intéressant à regarder, et encore une fois, je pense que la plupart d’entre nous, les éleveurs de Blondes canadiennes, auraient été d’accord avec le jugement.

Les Britanniques sont à la recherche de traits similaires à ce que nous avons, mais avec plus de musculature que ce qui est parfois agréable à l’œil en Amérique du Nord. Le spectacle Blonde avait moins d’animaux que la normale car le jugement national avait eu lieu une semaine plus tôt et les règles concernant la tuberculose empêchaient de nombreux animaux d’y assister.

Chaque région de la Grande-Bretagne a son propre règlement concernant la Tuberculose et j’ai compris que le jugement national a eu lieu dans une zone à haute teneur en tuberculose, donc les animaux qui ont été à ce spectacle devaient demeurer en quarantaine à la maison pendant un certain temps avant de repartir. Le championnat de la Blonde a été remporté par Shanvalley Jagger, qui était également le taureau champion senior. Jagger est né en avril 2014, fils de Seaview Barney élevé et exposé par Shanvalley Blondes d’Irlande. Championne Senior et Championne de Réserve est allée à Alan Walker d’Ayrshire avec Overton Jess. Jess est née en janvier 2014 fille de Doncombe Aga Khan. Une très grosse, forte et belle vache à mon avis.

C’était très agréable de finalement rencontrer des gens que j’ai connus que par courriel et Facebook. Des gens comme le Président de la Société, Willie McElroy, propriétaire de

qui ont beaucoup d’élevage canadien et américain - et cela principalement à cause de la taille de race des années 1980. En fait, ces bovins sont beaucoup plus petits que les bovins Angus actuellement en Amérique du Nord et sont probablement mieux adaptés à l’herbe. Dunlouise a exporté des semences et des embryons partout dans le monde et des semences sont disponibles chez certains de leurs taureaux au Canada. La vente a été un grand succès en répandant la génétique dans le monde entier et plusieurs lots ont été achetés par l’éleveur américain Harrison O’Connor - Saddle Butte Ranch près de Geyser, Montana.

C’était un beau voyage mais trop court, j’aurais aimé avoir plus de temps pour visiter les éleveurs de Blondes en Grande-Bretagne, car je suis sûr qu’il y a des bovins qui pourraient aider à améliorer certains traits de notre propre population de Blonde au Canada.

The Blonde Connection | Spring 2018 Issue | 17

2018 Canadian

Blonde

d’Aquitaine BREEDERS DIRECTORY ALBERTA

BRITISH COLUMBIA Reba Dekock RR2 Site 14 Comp 4, Dawson Creek, BC, V1G 4E8 250-784-5509 equine.specialist.reba.d@gmail.com

Dusty Acre Blondes Dave Rounds & Shellie Wolfe RR 2 Site 4 Comp 1 Dawson Creek, BC, V1G 4E8 250-782-8565 dustyacreblondes@outlook.com http://dustyacreblondes.com

KAM Blondes Karl & Ann Musgrove Box 106 Charlie Lake, BC, V0C 1H0 250-262-3278 Upper Cache Blondes Ross C. Musgrove Box 245 Charlie Lake, BC, V0C 1H0 250-262-3278 latigo7413@hotmail.com

ALBERTA West Wind Blondes Myrna Flesch Box 334 Stavely, AB, T0L 1Z0 403-549-2371 westwind@telusplanet.net http://www.telusplanet.net/public/westwind

Spruce Vale Blondes Steve & Shirley Jackson RR 1 Westerose, AB, T0C 2V0 780-586-2800

Little Creek Farms David & Janet Kamelchuk Box 32 Ellscott, AB, T0A 1B0 780-675-1227

littlecreekagroforestry@gmail.com

Darren Olson RR 4, Calmar, AB, T0C 0V0 Willow Springs Stock Farm Reed Rigney Box 5959 Westlock, AB, T7P 2P7 780-348-5308 rigney@clearwave.ca http://www.wsscattle.ca

True North Ranch Box 1293, Fairview, AB T0H 1L0 780-596-2425 csrayko@gprc.ab.ca

MANITOBA, SASK Forty Acre Blondes Don Mehler & Pat Filz PO Box 418 Lampman, SK, S0C 1N0 306-634-2174

fortyacreblondes@sasktel.net

Bellevue Blondes Marcel J Dufault Box 67 Haywood, MB, R0G 0W0 204-379-2426

Elna Blackburn Comp 7 RR4 Site 1 Box 2, Hunta, ON, P0L 1P0 705-272-6304

Blue Diamond Blondes Dave Gerega Box 1379, Roblin, MB R0L 1P0 204-937-3426

Bonnechere River Blondes 2561 Hwy 60 R R3, Renfrew, ON K7V 3Z6 613-433-6580

mgdufault@gmail.com

dgerega.bluediamond@gmail.com

NEW BRUNSWICK, NOVA SCOTIA Bull Moose Hill Farms James Graham 79 Graham Rd Belleisle Creek, NB, E5P 1K7 506-485-2247 Ron MacArthur 735 Salisbury Rd Moncton, NB, E1E 1C4 506-382-6630 rmacarthur@rogers.com

ONTARIO Acres Farms Steven J. Acres 2166 McGee Side Rd Carp, ON, K0A 1L0 613-836-4190

stevenjacres@sympatico.ca

Pleasant Valley Blondes Sheldon Asselstine RR 1 4655 Watson Rd Harrowsmith, ON, K0H 1V0 613-483-3385 Butternut Blondes Murphy & Judy Baker 2583 3rd Line Asphodel Norwood, ON, K0L 2B0 705-639-1418 bakerblondes@i-zoom.net

Shane Baker 1050 Scugog Line 14, Sunderland, ON, K0C 1H0 905-985-0563

Phil & Lesley Allen Box 7 Group 20 RR 2, Robllin, MB R0L 1P0 204-937 3789 lesleyonthefarm@yahoo.ca

nshadorsky@yahoo.ca

Knobby Oak Farm Stephen & Bernice Dmytriw Box 64 Rapid City, MB, R0K 1W0 204-826-2661

bark.farms@gmail.com

hootch@telus.net

18 | The Blonde Connection | Spring 2018 Issue

Bar K Farms Dave Payne & Lisa Leduc 1151 River Road, Manotick ON, K4M 1B4 613-692-1521 Bergland Farm 344154 Ebenezer Rd., Mt. Elgin, ON, N0J 1N0 519-485-5487 barb@bergland.ca

jpelna@gmail.com

Elizabeth & Harry Bouwmeester 819 Old Hwy 8 Box 312 Rockton, ON, L0R 1X0 519-647-2354 One Oak Blondes Nicholas Boyd 56-35 Mountford Dr Guelph, ON, N1E 0G6 519-835-9099

oneoakblondes@gmail.com

Andrew Bunda 8310 Mitch Owens Rd Edwards, ON, K0A 1V0 613-822-0293

andrew.m.bunda@gmail.com

Ken Butyn RR 2, Burgessville, ON, N0J 1C0 519-424-2702 kendi@execulink.com

Stonewall Farms Jeremy & Rachel DeWeerd 308 Bruyea Rd Wooler, ON, K0K 3M0 613-661-3036 jardeweerd@hotmail.com

Bogart Cattle Company Eric Doran 132 Otter Creek Rd RR 3 Tweed, ON, K0K 3J0 613-478-5414

bogartcattlecompany@gmail.com https://bogartcattleco.wixsite.com/ bogartcattleco

Brileen Hill Farms Brian Down 460 Down Rd RR 3 Trenton, ON, K8V 5P6 613-392-7052 bdown@bell.net

Maple Down Farms Mervyn & Gail Downey RR 2, Pakenham, ON, K0A 2X0 613-624-5346 m.downey@sympatico.ca

Maple Down Farm Stephen Downey RR 2, Pakenham, ON, K0A 2X0 613-624-5030 spencdowney@sympatico.ca

Forest View Farms Rick Drinkill 16643 County Rd 27 Elmvale, ON, L0L 1P0 705-322-1757

Beavermeadow Blondes Bruce & Cathy Langstaff RR 2 1542 Mandaumin Rd Tupperville, ON, N0P 2M0 519-864-1333

Franmar Blonde Farm Darren Dunham RR 4 Campbellford, ON, K0L 1L0 705-653-2428

Beavermeadow Blondes Dan Langstaff 3168 Edys Mills Line Tupperville, ON, N0P 2M0 519-466-2299

Donaleen Blondes Don Dunham 76 Dunham Rd RR 4 Campbellford, ON, K0L 1L0 705-653-4293

John Langstaff 2218 Bentpath Line RR 3 Sombra, ON, N0P 2H0 519-864-1970

donald18@hotmail.ca

DJ Farms Dennis & Debbie Elliott 7062 Line 26 RR 2 Staffa, ON, N0K 1Y0 519-345-2785

dje@djfarmscattle.com http://www.djfarmscattle.com

Fee Haven Farms Paul Fee 6211 Line 9 North Waubaushene, ON, L0K 2C0 705-835-2581 feehavenfarms@hotmail.com

Crystal Farms Paul & Mary Ellen Ferguson 21 Crystal Rd RR 3 Jasper, ON, K0G 1G0 613-275-2422 ferguson.maryellen@gmail.com

Rosepark Blondes Ron & Kim Fintelman 3709 Hwy 35, Cameron, ON K0M 1G0 705-359-1188 rkfintelman@hotmail.com

Jean Ingleton 2275 County Rd 2 RR 8 Otonabee-South Monaghan, ON, K9J 6X7 705-745-6036 Knox Innovations Inc. Ian Kruis 6325 Enfield Rd Hampton, ON, K9J 6X7 905-263-2930

farmerkruis@knoxpumpkinfarm.com

Maple Heights Blondes Clare & Cathy Kuepfer 632 Concession 2 RR 1 Dobbinton, ON, N0H 1L0 519-934-1351 clarekuepfer@hotmail.com

hunterdan85@gmail.com

MBRHEO Blondes Rheo & Sharon Machina RR 1 Clifford, ON, N0G 1M0 519-327-8646 rheo@mbrheocattle.com http://www.mbrheocattle.com

Ridge View Blondes Kirk McGee 3291 Cty Rd 30 RR 2 Codrington, ON, K0K 1R0 613-475-0196

kirkmcgee_7@hotmail.com http://www.ridgeviewblondes.webs.com/

Rondakk Acres Ron & Donna McGee 3291 Cty Rd 30 RR 2 Codrington, ON, K0K 1R0 613-475-0196

rondakkacres@hotmail.com http://www.rondakkacres.webs.com

Paul E McInroy 710 St Mark’s Rd RR 4 Marmora, ON, K0K 2M0 613-395-4165

www.overthetopcattleco.wix.com/ overthetopcattleco

Gary Picken 18385 Kenyon 1 Rd Apple Hill, ON, K0C 1B0 613-800-6448 gpicken@xplornet.com

Sarah & Ryan Pierce 31 Bank Street, Tupperville, ON, N0P 2M0 519-466-1853 rspierce2016@gmail.com

Dovecote Blondes John & Debbie Plas 2254 Jerseyville Rd W RR 1 Jerseyville, ON, L0R 1R0 905-648-5437 dovecoteblondes@gmail.com

Echo Pond Farm Allan & Teeny Plumton 917 Carman Rd RR 7 Brighton, ON, K0K 1H0 613-475-1606 echo_pond@hotmail.com

Sean & Lois Recker 235 County Rd 4 Douro-Dummer, ON, K9J 6Y1 705-741-2108 ivadc1@gmail.com

Jane & John Schiestel Box 572 50 Brownlee St Teeswater, ON, N0G 2S0 519-392-8717 janes@wightman.on.ca

mcinroyfarms@gmail.com

Leonard Limestone Blondes David Spence 2703 Watson Rd Navan, ON, K4B 1J1 613-835-2248

Hilltop Orchard Farm Dave & Sheila McNevan 4426 County Rd 2 RR 3 Hastings, ON, K0L 1Y0 705-295-6208

Van Bakel Blondes Bill Van Bakel 7060 Line 28 RR 2 West Perth Dublin, ON, N0K 1E0 519-345-2518

sheilamcnevan@gmail.com

Golden Mile Blondes Murray McVety 4060 Malcolm Rd Nestleton Station, ON, L0B 1L0 905-986-5136 Over the Top Cattle Co. Ashley McNevan & Tyler Sutcliffe 4426 County Rd 2 RR 3, Hastings, ON K0L 1Y0 705-295-6208

vbb@ezlink.ca http://www.vanbakelblondes.ca

High Rock Farms Jason Van Tol 697 Heritage Trail Peterborough, ON, K9L 0B4 705-743-3912 jayvantol@gmail.com http://www.highrockfarms.org

Halcyon Farms John & Ilse Vink 40 Gazley Rd RR 1 Wooler, ON, K0K 3M0 613-397-1890 jiv@rogers.com

Elmbend Farms Gary Young 1929 Asphodel 3rd Lind, Asphodel-Norwood, ON,K0L 2B0 garyy62@gmail.com

QUEBEC Yves Blondin 560 Rue Kirk Sainte-Sophie, QC, J5J 1J5 450-820-5106 Michel Bougie 354 Rang 3 Ste-Elizabeth Kingsey Falls, QC J0A 1B0 819-358-5495 boogie@telwarwick.net

Gail Bowen 58 Route 143, Canton de Hatley, QC, J0B 2C0 819-842-4278 gail.bowen@kdc-knowlton.com

Bownick Farm 145 Chemin Flanders, Waterville, QC, J0B 3H0 819-837-0573 lbowen@pppoe.ca

Ryland Cleary 421 Principale Est Ste Anne De La Rochelle, QC, J0E 2B0 450-775-8358 slyrye12345@hotmail.com

Memberships are due on or before January 1st of each year.

The Canadian Blonde d’Aquitaine Association invites you to be part of the Association, please contact us for information.

hilltoporchardfarm@gmail.com

The Blonde Connection | Spring 2018 Issue | 19

Try Something New for 2018 We have semen from over 50 AI sires available - some available for export.

Check our website or Contact us for more details.

Forty Acre Ultimate 21U

We have three polled Fullblood sons of Ultimate sired by Elite French AI sires Papyrus and Usus for sale this spring as well as a horned FB son of original import bull Hanneton.

Also embryos available from our top cows for domestic use. Some are available for export.

Outcross Polled Fullblood - polled sons available now owned by Stonewall Blondes WSS Celebration 2C

Also rare semen available for special projects - contact us for more details.

WSS Petula 23W

2016 & 2017 National Champion Bull 2016 Farmfair Grand Champion Bull Polled FB Herd Sire owned with Crystal Farms

2016 National Reserve Champion Female 2015 Farmfair Reserve Champion Female 2017 High Selling cow - Cream of the Crop 2017 Peoples Choice Runner Up now owned by Crystal Farms

Thank You to all of our buyers, bidders and supporters in 2017.

We look forward to working with you again in 2018.

Reed & Michelle Rigney Westlock, Alberta, Canada 1-780-348-5308 rigney@clearwave.ca Website: wsscattle.ca Breeding Stock, Semen and Embryos available.

20 | The Blonde Connection | Spring 2018 Issue

BREEDERS DIRECTORY CONTINUED Ranch St Hubert Inc Sébastien Desgagné 890 Chemin St-Jacques Ste Anne De La Rochelle, St-Herménegilde, QC J0B 2W0 819-649-0568

Pine Ridge Farm Gerald Lynott 12 Pine Ridge Cantley, QC, J8V 0G5 819-827-0527

Gaetan Lamoureux et Linda Raymond 488 1e Rang Est, St-Joachim de Shefford, QC, J0E 2G0 450-539-2657 linda.raymond2@hotmail.com

Lynne K Threlfall & Robert Rand Kidder 115 Hogan Rd Farrellton, QC, J0X 1T0 819-208-8897 threlfalldesign@gmail.com

McGillis Acres Phyllis Dubeau 128 Zion Line Rd Box 638 Shawville, QC, J0X 2Y0 819-647-5843 Gilbert Gauthier 1564 Rang 9 Ste Clothilde de Horton, QC, J0A 1H0 819-336-5352 Ferme Gravel RSJM Inc Rene Gravel 140 St Elisabeth Sud St-Prosper de Champlain, QC, G0X 3A0 418-328-3640 renegravel@globetrotter.net

Ferme Super C Clemence Landry 2738 Rang Bord De L’eau Ste-Clothilde de Horton, QC, J0A 1H0 819-336-5503 Ferme Phanica Clemence Landry 100 Rue des Jonquilles App 15, Cowansville, QC, J2K 0L5 450-263-9212 phanica@hotmail.com

Les Fermes Clearidge Clemence Landry 310 Bourassa, Ste Anne De La Rochelle, QC, J0E 2B0 450-539-0385 joanclearoy@hotmail.com

The Blonde Connection | Spring 2018 Issue | 21

PEOPLE’S CHOICE BUYER Beavermeadow Blondes

2017

The 17th Annual Cream of the Crop Sale was held on October 28, 2017 at Hoards Station Sale Barn, Campbellford, ON. A solid offering of bred cows, bred heifers, heifer calves, bulls, bull calves, and one cow/calf pair were on hand.

CREAM C of the

CROP Sales Report

22 22 || The The Blonde Blonde Connection Connection || Spring Spring 2018 2018 Issue Issue

attle prices at the time were volatile and it was hard to predict where they were headed; despite a full house at the sale barn, it was a softer than usual sale. Sixteen consignors offered 41 lots, which brought an average of $2336.59. Top selling bull was Donaleen Electric 7E, the freshly crowned Reserve National Champion Bull at Expo Boeuf in Victoriaville, Quebec. He was consigned by Don and Wendy Dunham of Donaleen Blondes and purchased

by Gerald Lynott of Pine Ridge Farms, Cantley, QC for $3500. Top selling female was a Roseneath William daughter, Van Bakel Chloe 53C Twin, consigned

by Bill Van Bakel of Van Bakel Blondes and purchased by Lisa Leduc and Dave Payne, of Bar K Farms for $4700. Once again, there were several new buyers at the sale: Charlie Harris (Orono, ON), Joe and Joyce Holmes (Manitowaning, ON), John LeHeup (Inverary, ON), Paul Lucke (Plainfield, ON), Bill McCoy (Belleville, ON) and David Quehl (Maynooth, ON).

We welcome these new breeders to the Association and hope that their purchases do well for them! .

For the fourth year, attendees were able to crown a winner of the People’s Choice Award by voting for their favourite consignment. This year Joan McElroy of Les Fermes Clearidge, Ste Anne de la Rochelle, QC took home the banner sponsored by Acres Farms for her consignment, Clearidge Evie 1E, a Frostybrae Blackie daughter, who turned heads at the 2017 National Show and was the talk of the barn on sale day.

Son Ryland Cleary accepted the banner on her behalf. The purchasers, Bruce and Cathy Langstaff of Beavermeadow Blondes, Tupperville, ON also received a banner sponsored by Little Creek Farms. Thank you to the consignors, buyers, bidders, and all attendees for the continued support of the OBdA’s Cream of the Crop Sale!

TOP SELLERS TOP SELLERS

BULLS

BRED COWS

BRED HEIFERS

OPEN HEIFERS

Donaleen Electric 7E

WSS Petula 23W

Van Bakel Chloe 53C Twin

Clearidge Evie 1E

Consigned by Donaleen Blondes, Purchased by Pine Ridge Farm, Cantley, QC

Consigned by Willow Springs Stock Farm Purchased by Crystal Farms, Jasper, ON

Consigned by Van Bakel Blondes, Purchased by Bar K Farms, Manotick, ON

Consigned by Les Fermes Clearidge Purchased by Beavermeadow Blondes, Tupperville, ON

Deebran PLD Bounty Hunter 01B

Van Bakel Blondes Criss 20C

Crystal Danielle 22D

Little Creek Eclipse 1E

Consigned by Bonnechere River Blondes, Purchased by Knox Innovations, Hampton, ON

Consigned by Van Bakel Blondes, Purchased by Beavermeadow Blondes. Tupperville, ON

Consigned by Crystal Farms, Purchased by John & Shirley Langstaff, Sombra, ON

Consigned by Little Creek Farms, Purchased by JAE Acres, Rockton, ON

Beavermeadow Extreme 5E

North Shore Chantel 8C

Franmar Elizabeth 11E

Consigned by Beavermeadow Blondes Purchased by Rondakk Acres, Codrington, ON

Consigned by North Shore Farms, Purchased by John LeHeup, Inverary, ON

Crystal Duffy 18D Sold for $3400

Sold for $3500

Sold for $3100

Sold for $3000

Sold for $3800

Sold for $2200

Sold for $2000

Sold for $4700

Sold for $3500

Consigned by Crystal Farms, Purchased by Mal-Lar Acres, Peterborough, ON

Sold for $2900

Sold for $2600

Sold for $2500

Consigned by Franmar Blonde Farm, Purchased by Crystal Farms, Jasper, ON

PEOPLE’S CHOICE CONSIGNOR Les Fermes Clearidge

The Blonde Connection | Spring 2018 Issue | 23

CAMPBELLFORD FAIR KINMOUNT FAIR ORONO NATIONAL BLONDE d’AQUITAINE SHOW 24 | The Blonde Connection | Spring 2017 Issue

SHOW RESULTS

ROUNDUP 2017

FAIR WARKWORTH FAIR LINDSAY EXHIBITION MARKHAM FAIR FARMFAIR INTERNATIONAL The Blonde Connection | Spring 2018 Issue | 25

GRAND CHAMPION BULL

GRAND CHAMPION FEMALE Franmar Crystal 11C / Franmar Farms

WSS Celebration 2C / Crystal Farms

NATIONAL BLONDE d’AQUITAINE SHOW OCTOBER 7, 2017 / VICTORIAVILL, QUEBEC / JUDGE: ---Bull Calves (4 shown) 1st Donaleen Electric / Donaleen Blonde 2nd Over the Top Elapso 9E / Over the Top Cattle Company 3rd Fee Haven Element 825E / Fee Haven Farms Yearling Bulls (2 shown) 1st Donaleen Danny Boy / Donaleen Blondes 2nd Over the Top Driller 6D / Over the Top Cattle Company Junior Champion Bull Donaleen Electric / Donaleen Blondes Reserve Junior Champion Bull Donaleen Danny Boy / Donaleen Blondes Two Year Old Buls (1 shown) WSS Celebration 2C / Crystal Farms Senior Champion Bull WSS Celebration 2C / Crystal Farms Grand Champion Bull WSS Celebration 2C / Crystal Farms

Reserve Grand Champion Bull Donaleen Electric / Donaleen Blondes

Two Year Old Cow/Calf Pair (1 shown) 1st Franmar Crystal 11C / Crystal Farms

Heifer Calf (8 shown) 1st Clearidge Evie / Les Fermes Clearidge 2nd Fee Haven Excited To Be Good 323E / Fee Haven Farms 3rd Crystal Emerald 1E / Crystal Farms

Mature Cow/Calf Pairs (4 shown) 1st Phil Summer 10S / Gilbert Gauthier 2nd Little Creek Apricot 32A / Fee Haven Farms 3rd WSS Xtravagant 66X / Les Fermes Clearidge

Reserve Senior Champion Female Phil Summer 10S / Gilbert Gauthier

Senior Yearling Heifer (4 shown) 1st Schiestel Destiny 6D / Schiestel Blondes 2nd Crystal Dawn 23D / Crystal Farms 3rd Crystal Dallas 17D / Crystal Farms

Grand Champion Female Franmar Crystal 11C / Crystal Farms

Junior Champion Female Du Portage Delilah / Gilbert Gauthier

Breeder’s Herd (1 shown) 1st Donaleen Blondes

Reserve Grand Champion Female Schiestel Destiny 6D / Schiestel Blondes

Reserve Junior Champion Female Schiestel Destiny 6D / Schiestel Blondes

RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION BULL Donaleen Electric / Donaleen Blondes

2626 | The | TheBlonde BlondeConnection Connection| Spring | Spring2018 2018Issue Issue

Senior Champion Female Franmar Crystal 11C / Crystal Farms

Junior Yearling Heifer (3 shown) 1st Du Portage Delilah / Gilbert Gauthier 2nd ZC Dora 3D / Ferme Super C 3rd ZC Daisy 2D / Ferme Super C

RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION FEMALE

Schiestel Destiny 6D / Schiestel Blondes

CAMPBELLFORD FAIR

AUGUST 13, 2017 / CAMPBELLFORD, ONTARIO / JUDGE: --------Bull Calves (7 shown) 1st Donaleen Eight Ball 2E / Donaleen Blondes 2nd Donaleen Eli 5E / Donaleen Blondes 3rd Fee Haven Element 825E / Fee Haven Farms Yearling Bulls (2 shown) 1st Donaleen Danny Boy 1D / Donaleen Blondes 2nd Bogart Sir Direct Order 13D / Bogart Cattle Company Grand Champion Bull Donaleen Danny Boy 1D / Donaleen Blondes Reserve Grand Champion Bull Donaleen Eight Ball 2E / Donaleen Blondes Heifer Calves (7 shown) 1st Franmar Ethel 7E / Franmar Blonde Farm 2nd Franmar Elsie 20E / Franmar Blonde Farm 3rd Donaleen Elvira 3E / Donaleen Blondes Senior Yearling (3 shown) 1st Donaleen Daisy Duke 7D / Donaleen Blondes / Machaila Dunham 2nd Donaleen Dallas 6D / Donaleen Blondes 3rd Donaleen Dakota 2D / Donaleen Blondes

2 Year Old with Calf (1 shown) Donaleen Chloe 6C / Donaleen Blondes Mature Cow with Calf (3 shown) 1st Little Creek Apricot 32A / Fee Haven Farms 2nd High Rock Xstacy 1X / Donaleen Blondes 3rd Franmar Miss Nola 3N / Franmar Blonde Farm Grand Champion Female Little Creek Apricot 32A / Fee Haven Farms Reserve Grand Champion Female Donaleen Daisy Duke 7D / Donaleen Blondes Breeder’s Herd (3 shown) 1st Donaleen Blondes 2nd Franmar Blonde Farm 3rd Fee Haven Farms Get of Sire (3 shown) 1st Donaleen Blondes 2nd Franmar Blonde Farm 3rd Ridge View Blondes

GRAND CHAMPION BULL Donaleen Danny Boy 1D / Donaleen Blondes

GRAND CHAMPION FEMALE Little Creek Apricot 32A / Fee Haven Farms

KINMOUNT FAIR

SEPTEMBER 3, 2017 / KINMOUNT, ONTARIO / JUDGE: ----Bull Calves (4 shown) 1st Donaleen Electric 7E / Donaleen Blondes 2nd Fee Haven Element 825E / Fee Haven Farms 3rd Fee Haven Empire 852E / Fee Haven Farms Yearling Bulls (1 shown) 1st Donaleen Danny Boy 1D / Donaleen Blondes Grand Champion Bull Donaleen Electric 7E / Donaleen Blondes Reserve Grand Champion Bull Fee Haven Element 825E / Fee Haven Farms

Senior Yearling (2 shown) 1st Donaleen Daisy Duke 7D / Donaleen Blondes 2nd Donaleen Dallas 6D / Donaleen Blondes Mature Cow with Calf at Side (1 shown) 1st Little Creek Apricot 32A / Fee Haven Farms Grand Champion Female Little Creek Apricot 32A / Fee Haven Farms

Reserve Grand Champion Female Donaleen Daisy Duke 7D / Donaleen Blondes

Heifer Calves (3 shown) 1st Franmar Elsie 20E / Franmar Blonde Farm 2nd Franmar Ethel 7E / Franmar Blonde Farm 3rd Fee Haven Excited to be Good 323E / Fee Haven Farms

The Blonde Connection | Spring 2018 Issue | 27

GRAND CHAMPION BULL

GRAND CHAMPION FEMALE

Donaleen Danny Boy 1D / Donaleen Blondes

Little Creek Apricot 32A / Fee Haven Farms

ORONO FAIR

SEPTEMBER 9, 2017 / ORONO, ONTARIO / JUDGE: JIM MURRAY Bull Calves (4 shown) 1st Donaleen Eight Ball 2E / Donaleen Blondes 2nd Fee Haven Empire 852E / Fee Haven Farms 3rd Fee Haven Element 825E / Fee Haven Farms Senior Yearling Bulls (1 shown) 1st Donaleen Danny Boy / Donaleen Blondes Grand Champion Bull Donaleen Danny Boy 1D / Donaleen Blondes Reserve Grand Champion Bull Donaleen Eight Ball 2E / Donaleen Blondes

Senior Yearling (2 shown) 1st Donaleen Daisy Duke 7D / Donaleen Blondes 2nd Donaleen Dallas 6D / Donaleen Blondes Mature Cow with Calf (1 shown) 1st Little Creek Apricot 32A / Fee Haven Farms Grand Champion Female Little Creek Apricot 32A / Fee Haven Farms Reserve Grand Champion Female Donaleen Daisy Duke 7D / Donaleen Blondes

Heifer Calves (7 shown) 1st Franmar Ethel 7E / Franmar Blonde Farm 2nd Franmar Elizabeth 11E / Franmar Blonde Farm 3rd Fee Haven Excited to be Good 323E / Fee Haven Farms

RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION BULL

Donaleen Eight Ball 2E / Donaleen Blondes

28 | The Blonde Connection | Spring 2018 Issue

RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION FEMALE

Donaleen Daisy Duke 7D / Donaleen Blondes

WARKWORTH FAIR

SEPTEMBER 10, 2017 / WARKWORTH, ONTARIO / JUDGE: DR. REX CRAWFORD Bull Calves (5 shown) 1st Donaleen Eight Ball 2E / Donaleen Blondes 2nd Donaleen Electric 7E / Donaleen Blondes 3rd Donaleen Eli 5E / Donaleen Blondes Yearling Bulls (1 shown) 1st Donaleen Danny Boy 1D / Donalee Blondes

GRAND CHAMPION BULL

Donaleen Eight Ball 2E / Donaleen Blondes

Grand Champion Bull Donaleen Eight Ball 2E / Donaleen Blondes Reserve Grand Champion Bull Donaleen Electric 7E / Donaleen Blondes Heifer Calves (5 shown) 1st Franmar Ethel 7E / Franmar Blonde Farm 2nd Franmar Elsie 20E / Franmar Blonde Farms 3rd Franmar Elizabeth 11E / Franmar Blonde Farm Senior Yearling (3 shown) 1st Donaleen Daisy Duke 7D / Donaleen Blondes / Machaila Dunham 2nd Donaleen Dallas 6D / Donaleen Blondes 1st Donaleen Dakota 2D / Donaleen Blondes Mature Cow with Calf (2 shown) 1st Franmar Nola 3N / Franmar Blonde Farm 2nd High Rock Xcstacy 1X / Donaleen Blondes

GRAND CHAMPION FEMALE

Donaleen Daisy Duke 7D / Donaleen Blondes

Grand Champion Female Donaleen Daisy Duke 7D / Donaleen Blondes Reserve Grand Champion Female Franmar Ethel 7E / Franmar Blonde Farms Breeder’s Herd (4 shown) 1st Franmar Blonde Farm 2nd Donaleen Blondes

RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION BULL Donaleen Electric 7E / Donaleen Blondes

RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION FEMALE

Franmar Ethel 7E / Franmar Blonde Farms

The Blonde Connection | Spring 2018 Issue | 29

LINDSAY EXHIBITION SEPTEMBER 24, 2017 / LINDSAY, ONTARIO / JUDGE: ANDRE STEPPLER, MANITOBA

GRAND CHAMPION BULL Donaleen Eli 5E / Donaleen Blondes

Bull Calves (7 shown) 1st Donaleen Eli 5E / Donaleen Blondes 2nd Donaleen Electric 7E / Donaleen Blondes 3rd Donaleen Eight Ball 2E / Donaleen Blondes Senior Yearling Bulls (1 shown) 1st Donaleen Danny Boy 1D / Donaleen Blondes Grand Champion Bull Donaleen Eli 5E / Donaleen Blondes Reserve Grand Champion Bull Donaleen Electric 7E / Donaleen Blondes Heifer Calves (10 shown) 1st Franmar Ethel 7E / Franmar Blonde Farm 2nd Franmar Elsie 20E / Franmar Blonde Farm 3rd Crystal Emerald 1E / Crystal Farms

GRAND CHAMPION FEMALE Franmar Crystal 11C / Crystal Farms

Senior Yearling (7 shown)

1st Schiestel Destiny 6D / Schiestel Blondes 2nd High Rock Dutchy 2D / High Rock Farms / One OAK Blondes 3rd Crystal Dawn 23D / Crystal Farms Two Year Old Cow with Calf (1 shown) 1st Franmar Crystal 11C / Crystal Farms Mature Cow with Calf (3 shown) 1st Little Creek Apricot 32A / Fee Haven Farms 2nd High Rock Crisp 5U / High Rock Farms 3rd Van Bakel Blondes Buttercup 5B / Schiestel Blondes Grand Champion Female Franmar Crystal Reserve Grand Champion Female Little Creek Apricot 32A / Fee Haven Farms Breeders Herd (3 shown) 1st Donaleen Blondes

RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION BULL Donaleen Electric 7E / Donaleen Blondes

Get Of Sire (1 shown) 1st Ridge View Blondes Progeny of Dam 1st Donaleen Blondes 2nd Schiestel Blondes

RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION FEMALE Little Creek Apricot 32A / Fee Haven Farms

30 | The Blonde Connection | Spring 2018 Issue

MARKHAM FAIR

OCTOBER 7, 2017 / MARKHAM , ONTARIO JUDGE: STEVE BURGOMASTER Bull Calves (5 shown) 1st Donaleen Eight Ball 2E / Donaleen Blondes 2nd Fee Haven Element 825E / Fee Haven Farms 3rd Donaleen Electric 7E / Donaleen Blondes Grand Champion Bull Donaleen Eight Ball 2E / Donaleen Blondes Reserve Grand Champion Bull Fee Haven Element 825E / Fee Haven Farms Senior Yearling (4 shown) 1st Donaleen Daisy Duke 7D / Donaleen Blondes 2nd Schiestel Destiny 6D / Schiestel Blondes 3rd Donaleen Dallas 6D / Donaleen Blondes

FARMFAIR INTERNATIONAL NOVEMBER 8, 2017 / EDMONTON, ALBERTA JUDGE: MITCH & LEAH JONES, CARSTAIRS, ALBERTA Junior Heifer Calves (6 shown) 3rd Little Creek Ellie Mae 199E / Little Creek Farms Senior Heifer Calves (4 shown) 2nd WSS Electra 19E / Willow Springs Stock Farm Yearling Heifers (3 shown) 2nd Little Creek Daisy Mae 51D / Little Creek Farms Mature Cow / Calf Pair (3 shown) 2nd WSS Athena 8A / Willow Springs Stock Farm

Mature Cow with Calf (1 shown) 1st Little Creek Apricot 32A / Fee Haven Farms

Junior Bull Calves (4 shown) 1st WSS Earthquake 55E / Willow Springs Stock Farm

Grand Champion Female Little Creek Apricot 32A / Fee Haven Farms

Senior Bull Calves (3 shown) 3rd WSS Enticer 20E / Willow Springs Stock Farm

Reserve Grand Champion Female Donaleen Daisy Duke 7D / Donaleen Blondes

Reserve Bull Calf Champion WSS Earthquake 55E / Willow Springs Stock Farm

Breeder’s Herd (4 shown) 1st Donaleen Blondes 2nd Franmar Blondes 3rd Schiestel Blondes 4th Fee Haven Farms

Breeders Herd (2 shown) 1st Willow Springs Stock Farm

Blonde Connection | Spring The The Blonde Connection | Spring 20182018 IssueIssue | 31| 31

20 17 IN PI CT UR ES

32 | The Blonde Connection | Spring 2018 Issue

TOP MALE: Donaleen Danny Boy 1D

TOP FEMALE: Little Creek Apricot 32A & Fee Haven Excited to be Good 323E

2017 ONTARIO HI POINT AWARDS

Another year of the Ontario Blonde Point Shows is in the books! The seemingly endless rain that overtook the summer of ‘17 could perhaps be to blame for a slight decrease in the number of cattle on the show circuit this year...the precious few sunny days that came were hay days! A small group of dedicated breeders still managed to put in the time and skill to keep our breed in the public eye. Again this year, the quest for Top Female, Top Male, and Premier Exhibitor began in August with our first point show at Campbellford Fair. The system used to calculate points was modified slightly to account for the smaller numbers showing. Exhibitor’s animals were still required to show at a minimum of three point shows (Lindsay Exhibition was mandatory), but all shows that qualified as point shows in 2016 were automatically deemed point shows for 2017. These included Campbellford, Kinmount, Orono, Warkworth, and Franmar Crystal 11C Lindsay. Four of our breeders and their TOP FEMALE animals met the requirements and it was another exciting race to watch all season.

Nearly every fair named a different bull as Grand Champion, which kept everyone guessing as to which one had taken the lead. In the end, the top three bulls were separated by only three points.

Donaleen Danny Boy 1D, exhibited by Donaleen Blondes, took the top honours and was named Top Male for 2017. The competition for Top Female was tight as

well, with Machaila Dunham and her 4-H heifer, Donaleen Daisy Duke 7D nipping at the heels of Paul Fee’s nearly unbeatable cow/calf pair. Little Creek Apricot 32A with her heifer calf Fee Haven Excited to be Good 323E, exhibited by Fee Haven Farms, proved unstoppable and came out on top being crowned Top Female for 2017.

Banners sponsored by Dusty Acre Blondes were presented to the winners. Continuing their streak for the fourth year in a row,

by Kirk McGee and Paul Fee

the 2017 Premier Exhibitor was Donaleen Blondes. The winner was presented with a banner sponsored by One OAK Blondes.

Congratulations to The Dunham and Fee Families for putting together outstanding showstrings, as always! Thanks to all who participated in making this year another successful one in the showring. Get your 2018 winners picked out and start halter breaking...August will be here before you know it!

PREMIER BREEDER: Donaleen Blondes

The Blonde Connection | Spring 2018 Issue | 33

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