Breeder Profile – Medonte Charolais

Medonte Charolais Quality –Not Quantity –Is Their Motto

some people consider a boat and a tackle box their ideal entertainment, but for Allan Miller, a stock trailer and tack box is a source of enjoyment. Allan was raised on a farm with a commercial cow operation. He never participated in 4-H but when he was 16-18 years of age he took an interest in purebreds. “The performance of the Charolais was just so impressive, I pressured my Dad to get some. He bought a few over the next couple of years and I bought my first female in the fall of 1980 at a sale in Lindsay from Bud Burgess of Wheelin’ B Charolais,” Allan states. In 1988 they bought one of the family farms from Allan’s parents one half mile down the road from where his parents continue to farm. “Having that family support over the years has been essential.” In the spring of 1990 he took an A.I. course and has bred his own cows ever since. “Conception rates went up and there is a greater sense of satisfaction breeding your own and not relying on a unit technician. With the cowherd numbers, going out and spending good money on a quality walking bull couldn’t be justified, so A.I. was the way to go. You also soon find out which are your most fertile cows and cull accordingly.” The addition of SVY Freedom Pld 307N in the fall of 2003 to the A.I. lineup has had a huge impact on the Medonte operation and he was used again this year for the 8th consecutive year. “Freedom has had the ability to produce a superior product regardlessof the type of cow.” Last fall in the Agribition sale, Medonte were part of a group of breeders that bought the Canadian semen rights in TR Mr Firewater 5759R. “His impact has already been felt this fall, with his service to sale heifers averaging $5200. We anxiously await his calves in early 2012.” Embryo transplant is also being used as a tool for advancement, with 5 or 6 Simmie x Red Angus commercial cows used as recipients. The SVY FPF Starstruck 569R cow is now in their transplant program. She produced two ET Freedom sired heifer calves in 2011 and they anticipate three more in 2012. She’ll be flushed again this fall to Firewater and again to Freedom after that.

“Right from the start it had to be about quality not quantity. Brenda and I have always worked full time off the farm and we knew quantity just wasn’t an option. We have traveled to work together every day 25 miles to Barrie. Brenda has worked in the office at Barrie Welding & Machine for 30 years and I have worked for the City of Barrie for 25 years this December. I started as a labourer and applied for an opening in the water department shortly after I started. It was easy for farm kids to get jobs because employers knew farm kids weren’t afraid of a little hard work. When I was 27, the supervisor of the department retired and they offered me the job. I didn’t even apply. Looking back now, I was way too young. I was supervising men 20 years my senior and that had been there a lot longer. I survived by not asking anybody to do anything I

Allan and Brenda at Agribition in 2004

wouldn’t do myself. You quickly become thick skinned in a supervisory position and I was burning out after 18 years in that position. Being able to come home after a rough day at work and work on the show string has always been a source of stress relief.  I was ready to quit and look for something else when they created a new position for me, Water Operations Technical Advisor. It’s great, now I review all proposed water infrastructure, from building permits, site plans, subdivision development to redevelopment of older areas. I’m out of the supervisory role and am enjoying my work. Now it’s all about the pension,” he says with a grin. With their full time employment work load, they can only handle 20-25 females, but they have to be really good. “In 1995 we bought a truck and trailer and we have been showing ever since.” It was their daughter Allison’s first year in 4-H. Back then, it was nothing to do 12-15 shows each year ending at the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto. Many a Labour Day weekend they would show in Kinmount on Saturday, Orangeville on Sunday and drive 4 hours to Belleville to show on Monday; only to be home to go to work Tuesday morning. “The thought of it now just blows me away,” Allan says shaking his head in amazement of their energy and dedication. Although Allan was never in 4-H and has some regrets about it, he feels he has lived the whole experience through Allison. “The need to have good ones became more important because I wanted her to have a good one in the ring.” Lindsay, their youngest daughter, also knows good cattle and what it takes to win, but doesn’t share the interest in having an upfront, participatory role. “She can sit in the stands and tell us which animal should have won the class, and why, but the only time we’ll get her to lead an animal in the ring is when we don’t have enough people for a group class and we can put her in the middle. She’s much happier looking after things at the stall.” In 2002, Allison was Champion Showman in the National Junior Show at the Toronto Royal. “It was such a great moment, I think I had tears in my eyes. I definitely lived the 4-H experience through her.” Allan attributes her success in part to the CCYA program. He feels the kids that do well in these competitions are the purebred kids and it’s because of their depth of training. Not being in 4-H, they did have a steep learning curve when they started to show. Alan Ross and family, of Rossdale Charolais, were a lot of help. They used to travel the show road together. Everybody in the Charolais business in Ontario gets along. There is no animosity and everybody helps each other out. “We know that if we pull together, everybody benefits. There are new people in the barn showing at the Royal for the first time this year and that is good for the breed.” “Now we only do four to five shows a year. It’s all about getting ready for the Royal. If we could do it in two to three shows we probably would. We’re in a transition now. Allison and Shane have small children and we don’t take the normal 8-10 head we used to take to shows. Now we only have four or five. We’ll continue with this until the grandchildren are a little older and I can become the truck driver and cheer on their involvement. Brenda has

Allison earned the Champion Intermediate Aggregate buckle at CCYA 1998 in Brandon

Medonte Lace 7L won the Agribition First Lady Classic and went on the following year to be Reserve Grand Champion Female at The Royal

already transitioned to enjoying being a grandmother more than enjoying showing cows. Shane also has purebred sheep and does well breeding and showing them. The future direction of Medonte Charolais will depend on their interest.” Allison and Shane live five miles away and their two and a half year old daughter, Brooklyn, can't go by Grandma and Grandpa's house without asking to stop. “It is always on the way home from work and Brooklyn wants to help me feed the cattle –and she knows what gets fed what. Many times Brooklyn is waiting for us to get home from work so she can help with chores. It won’t be long and she will be on the show road with us. Recently Allison went into her room and saw her with a piece of hose pointing it all around her rocking horse. When she asked what she was doing, the response was ‘washing cows just like Grandpa’,” Allan shares with pride. Son-in-law Shane Cramp shared with philosphical amusement, “there are two things that make Allan smile, his cows and his grandkids.” For the size of their herd, they have done very well. They have competed along side and above herds of considerably larger numbers. Brian, Wanda and Lyle Dudgeon were also very helpful in their early years on the show road. They were instrumental in getting them to attend Agribition for the first time in 1996. They took a yearling heifer and won the Upjohn All Breed Supreme Championship, with Medonte Elegance 7E. Allan thought it was all too easy, but their focus on quality was paying off. In 2002, they had the Charolais Champion in the 1st Lady Classic, with Medonte Lace 7L. In both cases these females stood second in class in

Allan volunteered to judge Team Grooming at CCYA 2009 in Peterborough

Allan, Allison and Lyndsay at the Royal 2011 the Charolais show and Allan was very proud of their showing. At the time they only had ten to twelve cows in their herd and were able to compete with the best in the country. The show highlights don’t stop there. In 2003 they exhibited the Reserve Grand Champion Female, with Medonte Lace 7L, and Reserve Grand Champion Bull, with XAL Letterhead 9L, at the Royal. In 2005 they exhibited the Grand Champion Female, with Medonte Lace 7L, at the NABC in London. Also in the fall of 2005 they were fortunate enough to purchase SVY FPT Starstruck 569R in the Agribition sale from Voegeli Bros and Footprint Farms, as the high selling lot. She went on to be crowned Reserve Grand Champion Female the following day at side of her dam. In 2007 they exhibited the Reserve National Champion Female, with Medonte Rumours 9R, at the Royal and sold a half interest in her to Circle Cee Charolais, Lamont, Alberta. They have continued to be friends with the Cholaks and keep in frequent contact. It is one of the special bonuses they have experienced in the business. The friendships mean a lot. “We sold the high selling bred heifer to Elder Charolais at the Uppin’ the Ante sale this year. We want to have good cattle that we know will go and do the job for their new owners. We want to sell cattle with a good conscience, knowing they will go on and perform. I was so happy she won National Junior Female Champion for them. It’s what we expect our cattle to do. I am sure we have made new friends with the Elders and will continue the friendship for years to come,” Allan states confidently. It is what he feels the business is about, producing a product that will keep producing, building relationships between people across the country. This year they bred 31 and found it just to be too many. Although it did allow them the opportunity to offer six breds in sales this fall through the Uppin’ the Ante and the National Sale at the Toronto Royal. Their cattle averaged $3850 in the Uppin’ the Ante sale and their high selling bred

heifer in the National sale brought $7750. The downsizing of their show string had its disadvantages this year. Allan felt he could have sold four or five heifer calves as show prospects this year. Through diligent efforts to select and breed stronger and improved cattle and showing them to promote the herd name with the quality, he has created a demand for his product that is now reaping the rewards. Since the inception of their website a year ago, they have received inquiries for embryos and seedstock. “We haven’t done anything different. We have the same quality and show history, we’ve just raised our awareness and profile a notch higher. The website has been good for the program.” So where does Medonte go from here? Well, they will continue to show and stress quality over quantity. Until the grandchildren become more involved the show string may be smaller, but keeping things in the family, Allan’s cousin, Erin Briggs, has given them a fresh sense of enthusiasm with her keen sense of competitiveness. She's filling that gap right now and I find myself attending shows to watch her compete, even if we don't have cattle there. You know when the Medonte crew comes to town, there will be intense competition and the cattle will be ready, but the warmth, friendship and support they offer fellow breeders only raises everyone higher. When you visit the Medonte home, the love of Charolais is ever present. Within arm’s reach of “Allan’s chair” is a multi shelf book stand with all the Charolais Banners in it. “Looking back at some of those issues in the 1980s, I wonder what in the world we were thinking! We have it right now though with the maternal side of the breed having made huge strides in the last decade. We also need to remember what made this breed and that’s performance. We have to ensure the paternal side of the breed continues to make strides with performance, while

Allison shows at the National Charolais Show in Toronto 2011

Allan in the Championship drive at the Royal National Charolais Show 2011

5 Allan showing at CWA, 2011 6 Brody Cramp is the latest addition to the crew 4 Medonte Charolais – Shane, Allison & Brooklyn Cramp, Brenda, Lyndsey & Allan Miller maintaining calving ease, and keep Charolais in the forefront with the commercial cattlemen. Charolais have been a big part of our lives for over 30 years now and there's no reason to believe they won't continue to be for many more years to come.

HERD HEALTH, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

additional vaccines that may be recommended against reproductive diseases in your geographic area. Purebred herd managers may need to exercise particular caution as most purebred herds are considered open herds. Cattle are often taken to shows and displays, all of which increases their exposure to both respiratory and reproductive diseases. Many abortions are incidental and due to trauma, stress, twinning, maternal illness causing death of the fetus, and congenital defects of the fetus with subsequent abortion. Therefore abortion is a common encounter for many producers. Cooperation between the producer, the veterinarian and the lab will maximize the opportunity to diagnose the cause of an abortion. A diagnosis is very important as future recommendations are often based upon this diagnosis. Preventive measures can then be undertaken where applicable. Keep in mind if cattle are trucked, go to shows or auction markets the additional stress and potential exposure to disease can cause the abortion rate to raise. Also with purchased bred cattle try and get some history of their vaccination status against reproductive diseases.

3 RULES OF VACCINATION, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19

smoke in the haymow long enough, sooner or later you will burn the barn down.

Rule #3: Vaccinate with something because anything is better than nothing. Killed vaccines come ready to use. You should use the entire bottle at once but if you don’t get done today you can finish tomorrow provided you used a new needle to enter the bottle each time. MLV vaccine should be used within 6 hours. A rough estimate is that 40% more MLV vaccine gets mixed than used due to package sizing. This is not such an issue in the bigger herds but certainly has an economic impact in the smaller groups. A good working relationship with your veterinarian means that you follow his or her recommendations for your herds’ needs and disease pressure. If geography or circumstancesdo not allow you to have such a relationship, just remember the 3 rules of vaccination.