Charolais Life

This column will be dedicated to keeping Charolais members in touch with the people of the business. It will contain births, weddings, convocations and momentous anniversaries and events of note, but not high school graduations. If you have news and/or photos you’d like to submit, please email charolaisbanner@sasktel.net for print in upcoming issues.

Howe Receives Saskatchewan Livestock Association Honour Scroll

Dale, Lois and Doug Howe with presenter Bob Blacklock

Doug Howe, White Cap Charolais, Moose Jaw, was nominated for this prestigious award by the Saskatchewan Charolais Association and approved worthy of being a recipient for outstanding contribution to the livestock industry, to his community and the province.

Since 1927, 240 people have been honoured to receive this award. Doug accepted the award on behalf of the Howe family, recognizing that it takes excellent support at home to make contributions of this nature possbile.

Robertsons Win in International Pigeon Competition

On January 6th, 7th and 8th the U.S. National Pigeon Association hosted their Grand National Show in San Diego, California. This show was billed to be the biggest and best to be held in North America in recent years. It can be compared to the Westminster Kennel Club show in dogs, but in the Pigeon breeding world.

Breeders were in attendance from 18 countries and over 1000 rooms were booked by breeders and their families attending the resort where the show was held. In total 6,500 pigeons were shown. Clint Robertson (Bar J Charolais, Amaranth, Manitoba) along with his sons Justin, Max and Ty, drove down to this event and took their birds to compete against the best in the world. Each Breed had its own specialty show with judges from around the world that specialized in that breed.

Clint specializes in a variety called Jacobins and it was the largest Jacobin show in North American history with 545 birds in that breed show.

After 3 days of judging Clint ended up winning Grand Champion Jacobin and this bird went on to win Supreme Champion Structure pigeon of the entire show. This was the ultimate win for any breeder.

Justin specializes in a breed called Voorburg Shield Croppers and he won best in each of the three colours he breeds. Justin also breeds Jacobins in a different colour pattern from his dad and he won two major colour classes within the breed.

Max Keeps a breed called West of England Tumblers and he had tough competition with close to 400 birds in that variety. Max won 1st place young Red hen in a very strong class and this bird went on to win Champion Junior bird in the breed. Max also was awarded a special prize presented at the NPA banquet for the top Junior (presented to a junior who promotes and favorably represents the hobby of pigeon keeping). This award included a $900 digital camera. San Diego Fox news then interviewed both Max and Ty and they appeared that night on the evening news talking about the show and the hobby of pigeon keeping. It was a great experience followed by a day at Disneyland and then a 39 hour drive back to Manitoba.

Clint will be judging a large Jacobin show in Saudi Arabia in early February.

Wilgenbusch – Martinson Wed

Craig Wilgenbusch and Tricia Martinson were married on August 7th, 2010. Craig, a CCYA alumni, is the son of John & Brenda Wilgenbusch, Wilgenbusch Charolais, Halbrite. Tricia’s parents are Dayle & Dixie Martinson of Midale. Craig is involved in the day to day Charolais operations and Tricia is employed in Midale. They reside on their farm near Halbrite, Saskatchewan.