Canadian Charolais Association AGM

Canadian Charolais Association AGM Visits the Maritimes

Attendees of the AGM at Cavendish Beach

For the first time in the history of the Canadian Charolais Association, the Annual General Meeting was hosted in the Maritimes. It all began in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. The event started with a mixer on Monday night, June 13, that was met with enthusiasm and friendly competition. The herd letter naming game was won by Wade Beck with Campbell Forsyth as a close second. Prizes for this competition were provided by Roy & Bunny Jarvis, of Harminrest Farms in New Brunswick. We must also thank Nancy Milton for providing some very nice PEI souvenirs for the silent auction table and to Jessie Crosby for gathering up some very good tourism information for all to enjoy.

The AGM was attended by over 80 people and the meeting offered lots of opportunities for discussion and interaction with the board. Following the President’s Luncheon, presentations were made and the meeting concluded. The group toured Founder’s Hall, the Home of Confederation and concluded the evening with a lobster supper on the

(CCA AGM, 2011-06-14) 2011 Canadian Charolais Association Board of Directors: (back l-r) Brian Coughlin, Cobden, ON; Dory Gerrard, Innisfail, AB; Ricky Milton, Cornwall, PE; Ursula Corpataux, Erskine, AB; Bernard Begin, Ste-Marie, QC; John Wilgenbusch, Halbrite, SK; (front l-r) Neil Gillies, CCA GM; Lyle Bignell, Stettler, AB, Past-President; Brent Saunders, Markdale, ON, 1st VP; Wade Beck, Lang, SK, President; Campbell Forsyth, Eriksdale, MB, 2nd VP

wharf. For many, it was their first experience with a whole lobster –they met the challenge eagerly.

Wednesday was a day full of activities and sights. Wayne and Jessie Crosby, Havenview Charolais and Ricky and Nancy Milton, Cornerstone Charolais, hosted the morning and lunch. We toured their herds, got some education on the farming practises of Prince Edward Island and had a scrumptious hip of beef luncheon at a local town hall. The afternoon started with a visit to the National Historic Park of Anne of Green Gables and the sand and rock formations of the Cavendish Beach National Park. Many people took home samples of the red soil and the sand. The day was completed with an opportunity to do some shopping at Cavendish Boardwalk and time for ice cream and Prince Edward Island’s famous “Cows” ice cream.

Those in attendance to receive Gold Star Dam of Distinction Awards: Jennifer MacDonald received a thank you gift for years of service to the CCA Board, presented by Lyle Bignell and Neil Gillies

Don Railton, DRD Charolais, Sintaluta, SK and Jacqui and Wayne Mack, Campbellford, ON received 25 Year Member Awards from President Lyle Bignell Lyle Bignell and Neil Gillies presented Candace and Helge By with an Appreciation Award for planning the AGM and tour.

Supper that night started with a mussels appetizer and lobster or steak entree at a restaurant that began as a small part time fundraiser for some young farmer entrepreneurs in a local community, similar to the western Canadian fowl suppers. Out of this, a business was born that now operates year round. One of the founding members and current owners came to speak to us about the enterprise, which was very interesting. They were very gracious about letting us see their huge lobster tank.

A quick stop at a historical site got everyone’s cameras out

Everywhere we went, we felt very welcomed Cavendish Beach A very large lobster from the tank

Cornerstone Charolais

Touring at Havenview Charolais

Left: Marni and Troy Saunders were among many who took the opportunity to walk the famous paths from the novels like Lover’s Lane and the Haunted Forest. Right: Travis Saunders climbed the sand dunes at Cavendish Beach

Cam Sparrow exploring

Mussels, mussels and more mussels

Wednesday was a day of departure. Those attending only the three night AGM portion of the tour left and the remaining 47 departed Charlottetown. The first stop was to Lady Fane Charolais where David Francis hopped on the bus and educated us on the potato farming business in PEI and told us about his Lady Fane Charolais herd.

We left Prince Edward Island via the Confederation Bridge and made our way to LXL Charolais, Haute Aboujagane, New Brunswick. Here Benoit and Louis LeBlanc and family toured us through their cowherd and hosted a lovely turkey dinner, complete with their son’s band for entertainment. The last stop of the day was a tour at Fundy Charolais where J.C. McInnis told us about their operation.

Friday was a day of adventure. The group went tidal bore rafting in the

Benoit and Louis LeBlanc were excellent hosts

The wild lupines all over the ditches and countryside were admired

Checking out the herd at LXL Charolais

Shubenacadie River. The waves are created by the tide coming in from the Bay of Fundy running against the current of the river. There were mixed emotions about this stop. Apprehension and eagerness were the two main emotions when we got off the bus and got our instructions and signed our waivers. Fortunately, it was the warmest day of the trip, which really added to our enjoyment. Everyone participated and although the waves were not as big as they can be because of the rain they had experienced, everyone enjoyed the experience and many would like to do it again.

Saturday had us back in Charolais mode and looking at cows at Ringuette Charolais. Jason and Jen recently moved to Nova Scotia and were anxious to show us their operation. It was good to hear the optimism they hold for the Charolais business in their area. After a great hot lunch for the guests, we toured for a drive through the edge of the Annapolis Valley to Boyd Crouse’s Charolais operation and Christmas tree farm business. Many were eager to learn how to prune and shape their trees and they were not disappointed. The family was out to answer questions and offer a demonstration. We toured to Peggy’s Cove and explored a bit around the rocks and everyone’s camera got another good workout.

The final day was spent in the city of Halifax. The day started with a walk up to Citadel Hill. The fortification at the highest point in the city offered Canadian history in a unique setting. Everyone enjoyed a walk around the Halifax Harbour and some shopping. The final dinner at Pier 21 followed a leisurely stroll to experience and learn about this immigration site that has ties to one in every three Canadians. Many took the opportunity to do some research into their family’s immigration to Canada.

The hospitality experienced on this trip was exceptional. Everywhere we went, the people worked hard to accommodate our needs. The Maritimes are a special part of Canada everyone should see. Who knew the Charolais business could be this much fun!

Soil conservation rotation on potato farm

Inspecting the herd at Ringuette Charolais Lunch in Ringuette’s shop

Jason, Jen and family

Pruning demonstration Many lined up to have their picture taken with Crouse’s rhododendrun

The Christmas tree farm

Boyd presented Helge By with a Christmas ornament as a token of appreciation –a goose egg painted with a Charolais head. All of the guests received Nova Scotia Cattlemen’s Association small wooden boxes. Boyd’s cows

It was a long steep climb to the top of the hill to the Citadel

100 lb. barrels of gunpowder labeled 1866 Mary Myhre was one of the contestants to try to make the sentinel smile at the Citadel

The staff were on hand to tell us about life and work in the Citadel