Profile – Charolais Charbray International Youth Program

PROFILE INTERNATIONAL EVENT Charolais Charbray International Youth Program - United States

Reegan McLeod and Dale Weinbender Photos by David Hobbs, Reegan McLeod and Dale Weinbender

Editor’s Note: The Charolais Charbray International (CCI) Youth Program started in 2018, when Helge and I hosted it at CCYA in Manitoba and CCYA 2019 in Saskatchewan. 2021 was held virtually through a photography and video competition. Ireland will host 2023 and Australia will host 2024. CCI supports the program by sanctioning the host country and paying each member country that participates in the CCI Youth Program 1,000 Euros to assist with travel costs. Participating countries are responsible for the balance of the costs. Each country handles this differently. Some fundraise, some make it the responsibility of the youth member and some Associations pay the balance. CCYA has guidelines for selecting participants for these travel and educational opportunititues. For more information on how to be eligible, get involved in CCYA.

Reegan McLeod and Dale Weinbender had the privilege of representing Canada at the Charolais Charbray International Youth Program in Kansas and Missouri from July 27th to August 4th, 2022. They were joined by other youth from Australia, Ireland, Scotland, Mexico and the United States.

Wednesday, July 27th

Our tour started first thing Wednesday morning with a tour of Biozyme at St.Joseph, Missouri, where we met with Cody Jansen and Patti Long. Biozyme is a company that offers a complete line of high quality feed supplements and feed additives. Their main product lines are Vitaferm and Sure Champ, these products are widely used across the United States. After the tour at biozyme, we headed to Northwest Missouri State University to tour their new Agriculture teaching facility, student run farm and Charolais program. NMSU is known for producing bulls such as NWMSU Doc Silver 362 Pld and NWMSU Big Time 166.

A few hours down the road, we visited Wright Charolais, where Chris Peuster (herdsman) toured us through their sale facility and reception hall. After this, we walked up the hill to see the famous LT Rushmore 8060 Pld still going at 14 years of age with 1800 registered progeny.

Chris also showed us their fall calving bred heifers selling in their early September online sale. Here we saw daughters and full sisters to WC Milestone 5223. “The opportunity to tour many different herds was definitely a highlight. There was a chance to see a lot of different genetics from what we use in Canada. We also saw a lot of similar pedigrees to many in Canada as well,” explained Dale Weinbender. After our tour at Wright Charolais, Chris took us to their meat shop, where they feature Akaushi beef. We stopped for supper at Shrouds, a place famous for their fried chicken.

Thursday, July 28th

Our second tour day started with a visit to the American Charolais head office in Kansas City. We met with Dr. Clint Rusk, AICA Executive Vice President, to discuss the differences between the Charolais breeds among the different countries and how our registration processes differ. We made a short drive down to the National World War I Memorial Museum, a highlight of our trip.

Our international group loaded up and headed down to Manhattan, Kansas for the start of the CharFocus conference. We stayed in the Haymaker dorms at Kansas State University. The first night of CharFocus was in the Stanley Stout Center where we took part in the welcome and ice breakers with the AIJCA juniors, followed by educational presentations on; Animal Disease Traceability (Callahan Grund), Flint Hills Pasture Management and Prescribed Burning (KC Olson), Managing Nutrition for varying stages of Production (Cassie Jones), and Livestock Judging Evaluation with Chris Mullinix. After the presentations, we partook in more networking and ice breaker games with the AIJCA junior members to conclude the first day of the CharFocus conference. All the conference attendees stayed at the Haymaker dorms on the KSU campus.

Friday, July 29th

The second day of CharFocus began with a meat science demonstration with Travis O’Quinn, where we took part in a class demonstration followed by a tour of their meat lab and teaching facility.

Next the CharFocus group bused to Fink Beef Gesnetics to take part in educational reproduction sessions. When we arrived, we broke into groups and rotated between the following sessions: Calving How To (AJ Tarpoff, KSU Extension Vet), IVF Technique (Vyetlle), Grading Embryos and Fetal Sexing (Cross Country Genetics), Repro Tracts 101 - AI practice. “This was one of the favorite parts of the conference, reproductive technology has always been a huge interest of mine. Being able to sort and grade embryos is something I have always wanted to experience,” Dale shared.

Once the sessions were complete, we toured cattle on display, some will be on offer in their annual female sale in October. The sessions were very interesting, a favorite of many during the conference. After departing from Fink Beef Genetics, we headed to the Flint Hills to visit Nextgen Cattle Company. Here we toured their bull yard, where they were getting bulls ready for their fall bull sale at the end of September. The crew at Nextgen talked with us about their genetic selection, feeding program, and sale preparation. Before departing to their sale facility, we stopped to see LT Badge 9184 Pld, the high selling bull from the 2020 Lindskov-Thiel Bull Sale. After touring, we loaded buses back to the sale facility where they had their top cows with calves on display and supper for everyone. At the conclusion of supper, we took part in more icebreakers and group activities before we departed to Manhattan for the night.

No Borders Select Sale

Friday, December 9, 2022 ✲ 1:00 PM Heartland Livestock, Virden, MB

Followed by the DRD Charolais Final Roundup Dispersal Sale

TLJ 517J ✲ Freighter bred Lead Time

Pick of the High Bluff Stock Farm bred heifers

TLJ 312K ✲ Lead Time Heifer Calf

RAMM 85J ✲ Magnum bred Affinity

KERR 221K ✲ Full French Heifer Calf

BARH 171J ✲ Maverick bred Affinity

✲ Proven Producing Females from the top of the herd

✲ Future brood matrons from the top of the programs, including pick of a pen

✲ Show Prospect Heifer Calves out of industry leading sires and ready for a show

Brought to you by these leading breeders:

Pleasant Dawn Charolais ✲ High Bluff Stock Farm ✲ R&G McDonald Livestock ✲ Bar H Charolais ✲ Kerr Charolais ✲ Mutrie Farms ✲ Shiels Cattle Co.

Helge By 306-536-4261 Candace By 306-536-3374 charolaisbanner@gmail.com View the catalogue and videos online at bylivestock.com

Saturday, July 30th

The third day of the CharFocus conference started off with a quick breakfast before loading the buses for Rock Springs Ranch for the morning. Here we took part in numerous activities, such as zip lining, archery, and trust building exercises within our groups. Following the morning’s activities, we traveled out to Tiffany Cattle Company Feedlot for a tour of the yard and facilities. Tiffany Cattle Company is a 35,000 head capacity feedlot; they grass approximately 10,000 - 12,000 head each summer and grow all their own silage and feed. The yard was built on an old 42-acre Army Air Corp. base. At the conclusion of the tour, we went back to K-State Campus for ice cream that is made from the product collected from the K-State Dairy.

After ice cream, we headed to a classroom to give our presentations about the Charolais Industry from our respective countries. To start the presentations, Megan Fink, an AIJCA alumni gave a presentation on all the international trips she has had the opportunity to take part in, both with the American Charolais Junior Association and with K-State University. Following Megan’s presentation, the international delegates all gave their presentations including the ACJIA board of directors. “Another extremely interesting highlight for me was learning about the Charolais breed in different countries. Cattle are selected for different traits and differ greatly between some countries. Learning the differences in the junior programs and being able to take some ideas back to the Canadian Charolais Youth Association was a great opportunity. This was a great idea as it gave everyone a look into the Charolais breed and the junior programs in the different countries,” explained Dale. To end the day, we enjoyed an evening of bowling and pizza on the K-State campus.

Sunday, July 31st

On Sunday morning, Debbie Lynn-Blythe gave the closing presentation for the CharFocus Conference on Sustainability. It was an interesting topic for international countries to see how it compares to their own countries. Following the sustainability presentation, the conference wrapped up with closing ceremonies before everyone checked out of Haymaker Hall for the conclusion of the first annual CharFocus.

The international group loaded up and headed back to Kansas City. On the way we drove by the Kansas International Speedway and stopped at the Legends outlet mall for the majority of the afternoon. A highlight here was stopping by Cavenders, a large western outlet store. We wrapped up the day at T-Shotz Golf driving range where we had supper and practiced our golf skills.

MUTRIE FARMS

Consigning 5 Bred Heifers to the No Borders Select Sale, December 9th in Virden, MB

Sire by

half PAGE

HIGH BLUFF EL DORADO 74E - DBL PLD

2019 Agribition Reserve Grand Champion Bull SCX Triumph 50B x Winn Man Esperenza 835U Top 30% for YW and 20% for M

Bred to

CEDARLEA JORDAN 60J – HOMO PLD

In top 2% for CE & BW LT Authority 7229 Pld x Circle Cee Legend 307A

Your inspection is invited anytime or give us a call. MUTRIE FARMS

Richard & Helen Sydorko 306-429-2711, Wade Sydorko 306-529-6268, Glenavon, SK • mutriefarms@gmail.com

Monday, August 1st

Stephenson Charolais, in Rocheport, was our first stop for the day. Here we looked at Denny Stephenson’s herd of 40 Charolais cattle. Although this may seem small to some, it turns out that the average cattle herd in Missouri is 32 head. His emphasis on calving ease and disposition was evident as we walked through his animals.

Then we were off to the University of Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station where a local PhD student discussed her studies on beef on dairy with us. This was an intriguing topic, as most of the international countries being represented were already utilizing beef on dairy.

The University of Missouri Animal Science Center was next on our agenda. Dr. Robert Schnabel gave a presentation on genetics and demonstrated how advancing technology is being utilized.

It was a busy day as we also visited Ricketts Charolais Ranch. Dr. Rex Ricketts, a retired animal scientist, emphasizes carcass and performance in his herd and does so by using proven sires including, LT Countdown 9712 Pld, LT Affinity 6221 Pld and RCR Hes The One 7181.

Ben and Darla Egger then welcomed us to Sydenstricker Genetics, which is one of the leading Angus operations in the United States. Here we got to see SydGen Enhance, which is one of the Angus breeds’ top registration sires.

To wrap up the day, Mike and Brian Schumacher toured us through Feeders Grain Inc., before touring their Charolais herd. We were able to see the whole process behind Feeders Grain Inc. from the raw ingredients to the bagged goods in the storefront. Their consistent Charolais program includes influence from sires such as LT Affinity 6221 Pld, LT Ledger 0332 P, VPI Free Lunch 708T, and DC/CRJ Tank E108.

Tuesday, August 2nd

Tuesday started with an educational eye-opening tour of the Bayer Agricultural Research and Development Center. This plant research center was built in 1984 and was the world’s first biotech facility. This facility was a highlight of Reegan’s trip; “It was incredible to see how far the agriculture industry has evolved in such a short amount of time. I also loved that this facility sparked a passionate conversation between the international youth regarding perspectives of the future of agriculture and sustainability.”

Following the Bayer tour, we made a quick stop to see the Gateway Arch National Park in St.Louis, the tallest monument in the U.S.A.

After a nice “touristy” refresh from our busy agenda, we headed to Wild Indian Acres, in DeSoto Missouri, where we toured Mike Kisners’ herd of Charolais cattle. Mike recently had a female sale in September where his consistent herd brought a $7,000 average.

Bill Nottke, of Riverdale Land and Livestock. treated us to a delicious dinner to wrap up our day. Bill is a former president of the American International Charolais Association and has notable herd sires including, Eatons Bullseye 3033 TW and JDJ Smokester J1377 P ET.

Full French to No Borders Select Sale Full French to No Borders Select Sale

KERR 204K

A sample of our 4 Full French heifer calves selling in the No Borders Select Sale, December 9th, in Virden

KERR 270K

KERR KERRCHAROLAIS CHAROLAIS

Robert, Vickie & Travis Kerr – Cartwright, Manitoba 204.523.8436 – bobkerr@live.ca Give us a call, or stop in for a visit anytime.

Wednesday, August 3rd

We started the day at the Springfield Livestock Marketing Center, where we extensively discussed beef marketing within the Springfield area and globally.

We took a short drive down the road to visit Jason and Pam Hankins, of Hankins Farms. Here we viewed the top end of both their Charolais and Red Angus herds, toured their show barn, and had intriguing conversations and demonstrations about how fitting practices differ around the globe. Although Canadian fitting techniques are quite similar to the United States, other international youth were quite shocked about how “square” the Americans like their animals.

Then we were off to Missouri State University, home of the largest Hereford program of any University in the United States. The College of Agriculture delivered a presentation on the beef cattle business in Missouri and we saw their show string of Hereford animals they were getting ready for the State Fair.

We made a quick stop to visit the original and largest Bass Pro Shop in the world in Springfield, before checking out the Ozark State Fair.

That evening, Bruce and Janna Bradley, of Bradley Cattle, welcomed us to their ranch. Bradley’s veterinarian provided us with an information session on veterinary medicine and practices utilized for herd health in their region. We toured their Charolais and Red Angus herds and gained insight into Bruce’s focus on providing bulls for the commercial cattleman.

Come join the excitement at Canadian Western Agribition

Canada’s Largest Beef Show DECEMBER 1ST SALE & 2ND SHOW Regina, SK

WWW.SKCHAROLAIS.CA

Thursday, August 4th

We wrapped up our trip on August 4th, with yet another fun filled day. We started the day by visiting the Missouri Prime Beef Packers plant which opened in 2021 and processes around 500 head per day. Reegan claims, “This was definitely one of my favourite tours of the trip as we were able to see everything come together, from unloading the animals to fabrication.” The plant emphasized five key components of their facility, including food safety, animal and environmental wellness, product traceability, product versatility, and team member prosperity.

Following the tour, we went to the Joplin Regional Stockyards. They market 600,000+ head of cattle yearly and are one of the three largest livestock markets in the United States. It was incredible to see this facility which encompasses 2,500 pens and 10 acres underneath one roof.

That afternoon we completed our final two herd tours at Aschermann Charolais and Schaffer Cattle Company. At Aschermann Charolais, we viewed both Charolais and Akaushi genetics and discussed the value that both breeds hold in the beef production industry.

Schaffer Cattle Company was our final Charolais tour and their emphasis on foot structure, udder quality, and moderate framed cattle was evident, as we walked through their consistent herd. Our trip came to a close in Kansas City, as we watched the Kansas City Royals take on the Boston Red Sox. Although there were some slight discrepancies about who the better MLB team was, our international group made the most of our last night together.

I am so appreciative to have had this opportunity to represent Canadian Charolais Youth. I really enjoyed the variety of activities I was able to participate in and that the activities heavily included, but were not limited to, the Charolais breed. Through these experiences I was able to gain industry insight, create lifelong friendships, and have a lot of fun. After visiting with youth from around the globe, I am certain that the future of the Charolais industry is in great hands! I was very grateful to be surrounded by such devoted, driven, passionate, and progressive individuals.

“I would like to send a huge thank you to the Canadian Charolais Association for endorsing this program and allowing me to increase my network and knowledge in the agriculture industry. I would also like to thank the American International Junior Charolais Association and David Hobbs for their time and effort in organizing this life changing trip. Finally, I would like to thank my parents for their unwavering support and for raising me in this incredible industry,” affirms Reegan.

Dale Weinbender concludes, “It was a privilege to have the opportunity to represent Canada at the International Charolais Charbray Youth Conference in Kansas, Missouri, this summer. It was a great chance to learn, meet people from around the world that also have a passion for the Charolais industry and be able to tour many different Charolais herds. I want to personally thank David Hobbs and Kaitlyn Chisum, of the American International Charolais Association, who worked extremely hard to put together a great first annual CharFocus Conference, and for organizing over a week of touring for the international delegates. Next, I would like to thank the Canadian Charolais Association for trusting Reegan and myself to represent Canada at such a major event. The CCA’s support of its youth members is incomparable and does not go unnoticed.

These opportunities would not be possible without being a part of the CCYA program. I have been a CCYA member from an early age and the annual conferences were always a highlight of my summer every year. I strongly encourage all CCYA youth members to take part and apply for opportunities such as this one. The experience and memories will be worth it, and it is a great chance to expand your Charolais Network.”