Simmental Focus October 2024 by Simmental Focus

Let’s go girls! Simmental females on the move near Storthoaks, SK.

(Photo courtesy of Kianna Brooks)

Simmental Focus

The official publication of the Manitoba Simmental Association, published six times per year. Box 2296, Carman, Manitoba R0G 0J0

PUBLISHER/EDITOR- Joanne Best Cell 204-750-2350

Email: simmental.focus@gmail.com

SUBSCRIPTIONS: All members of the Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta Simmental Associations receive Simmental Focus free of charge. As well, Simmental Focus is mailed to approximately 2000 commercial producers in the prairie provinces and to interested breeders throughout Canada and the U.S. If you would like to receive Simmental Focus, send your name and COMPLETE mailing address to Simmental Focus, Box 2296, Carman MB R0G 0J0. Outside Canada, please enclose $10 (U.S. Funds) to cover first-class postage.

CURRENT CIRCULATION: 3400

POSTMASTER: Please return undelivered covers to: Simmental Focus, Box 2296, Carman, MB R0G 0J0 SIMMENTAL FOCUS IS

ADVERTISING RATES

Full Color Black & White

Full Page $500

Quarter Page

Business Card $85

$450

$175

$75

*GST must be added to above rates. Contract rates available on request. The publisher reserves the right to accept or refuse any advertising or editorial material. All contents under copyright of Simmental Focus.

* Prices updated January 1, 2022.

Upon placing an ad, the advertiser agrees the publisher shall not be liable beyond the cost of the advertisement where error has occurred. The publisher makes every attempt to ensure the material printed is correct.

Down The Trail.............

October 19

Stars of the Valley Simmental Sale, Metcalfe, ON

October 26

Triangle Stock Farm “Keepin It Simple” Sale, DLMS Farmgate

November 2

Cherry Creek Farms Online Bull & Female Sale, DLMS Farmgate

November 5

Canadian Sires November Online Semen Sale, DLMS.ca

November 8

FarmFair 50th Anniversary Sale, Edmonton, AB

November 15-16

Leahy Livestock 4th Annual Online Simmental Sale, DLMS Farmgate

November 16-17

The Enhancement Angus & Simmental Frozen Genetics Sale, DLMS Farmgate

November 21

Pembina Triangle Simmental Association 44th Annual Sale, Cypress River, MB

November 23

Antrim Simmentals Complete Dispersal Sale, Neepawa, MB

Novembr 24

Lakeview Simmentals Annual Production Sale, Meacham, SK

November 28

The Associate Invitational, DLMS Farmgate

November 29

Lone Stone Farms Invitational Female Sale, Westlock, AB

December 3

Keystone Konnection 46th Annual Simmental Sale, Brandon, MB

Canadian Sires December Online Semen Sale, DLMS.ca

December 4

Camrose Country Classic Sale, Viking, AB

December 5

Lewis Farms Leading Ladies Female Sale, Spruce Grove, AB

December 6

SimPower 9th Annual Female Sale, Olds, AB

December 7

Transcon’s 11th Annual Western Harvest Simmental Female Sale, Innisfail, AB

December 8-9

Rendezvous Farms Complete Dispersale, Ste Rose du Lac, MB

( continued on page 10 )

Happy Fall y’all! What a summer we had....green green grass, lots of heat, bumper hay crops.....you won’t hear me complaining! We’ve also had a beautiful fall.....plenty of sunshine, harvest work in short sleeves, cows still out on grass.... life is good!!

We have some Focus friends who celebrated some milestones over the summer...Norbert de Rocquigny, Bert’s NR Simmentals, Haywood, MB and Jeff McRuer, McRuer Simmentals, Boissevain, MB celebrated their 50th birthdays in June and July.....Greg Goudy, Swan Lake Farms, Stoughton, SK celebrated his 60th birthday in July.....Congratulations to Carmen & Donna Jackson, High Bluff Stock Farms, Inglis, MB who celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary in August! Congratulations to all!

We send our deepest condolences to Wilf Davis’ family as we said goodbye to one of the greatest cattlemen I’ve had the pleasure of knowing. I will miss our visits and his wealth of knowledge. You can read more about Wilfs life journey on page 9 in this issue. We also send our condolences to the Wilcox family on the passing of Ernie after a long and courageous battle against cancer. Congratulations to our friends who have tied the knot or who are welcoming new additions to their families, check out page 8 for details.

As we get back into the swing of the fall show and sale season, we wish y’all the best of luck and hope we can sit down and catch up somewhere along the way! We welcome the chance to discuss your advertising needs and how we can help. We thank you all for your continued support, we couldn’t do it without you!

Cheers for now, see you down the trail....

Joanne

Happily Ever After...

Congratulations to Toby & Chelsie Noble who were married July 27, 2024. Toby is the youngest son of Randy & Vanessa Noble, Black Gold Simmentals, Lloydminster, SK.

Congratulations to Tanner & Kerrie Williams who were married August 17,2024. Kerrie is the daughter of Murray & Joan Gurr of Gurr’s Simmentals in Miniota, MB.

Congratulations to Riley & Madison Lafrentz who were married August 24, 2024. Riley is the oldest son of Vern & Denise Lafrentz, Wheatland Cattle Co., Bienfait, SK.

Welcome Little Cowpokes!!

Parents Tanner & Kerrie would like to introduce their first born son! Mason Lorne Williams was born on February 3,2024 weighing 9 lbs 5 oz and 23 inches long. Mason is the first grandson for grandparents Murray & Joan Gurr, Gurr’s Simmentals Miniota, MB.

Introducing the newest addition to the Glasman Farms family! Bodie Steele Glasman arrived on August 15th, 2024. Proud parents are Matthew and Leanne Glasman and big siblings Sarayah, Aleah and Harlan. Grandson to Miles and Bonnie Glasman, M & J Farms, Russell, MB and Donald and Brenda Dunn.

Remembering Wilf Davis

Wilfred Alexander Davis, age 90, passed away on June 21, 2024, after a courageous battle with cancer, at the Brandon Regional Health Centre in Brandon, Manitoba.

Wilf was born in Whitewood Saskatchewan on August 18, 1933 to Hubert (Bert) and Marjorie Davis (nee Boston). He is predeceased by his parents and his sister, June Reid. He will be greatly missed by his spouse Marnie Somers, his daughters Janice Funk (Vern) and Colleen Penner (Warren), their mother Donna Davis and grandchildren Laura Nickel (Patrick), Matthew Funk and Alexandra Penner. He is also survived by his brother-in-law Hugh Reid, nieces Darlene Reid and Carolyn Lahey, as well as numerous cousins.

He had an active childhood helping on the family farm, attending the one-roomed McKay School, and boarding in town for high school. He was especially close to his grandfather, Charles Davis, and cherished his memories of their times together.

He finished Grade 12 and spent four years working with his dad and uncles (Oakland Ridge Polled Herefords) developing and exhibiting purebred Herefords at sales and shows. He attended the University of Saskatchewan for four years. Upon graduation in May 1959, he moved to Dauphin, MB and began an 11-year career with the Manitoba Dept. of Agriculture as a beef cattle field representative. Highlights from those years included work related to the Manitoba Bull Test Station, purebred and commercial cattle events and the Manitoba Feeder Cattle Associations.

In 1970, Wilf and his family moved to Brandon where he became manager of Bar 5 Simmental Breeders Ltd. This was an exciting and busy time as Bar 5 expanded to two locations and he traveled to many events within Canada and the US, plus two trips per year to Europe to select cattle.

Wilf sold his shares in Bar 5 in 1978 and created Davis Livestock Services, a management and marketing cattle business, and worked for Transcon Livestock. Throughout his career, Wilf owned and registered his own cattle under the name of Twenty-Three Oaks Ltd. The herd was dispersed in the mid-1990’s. Wilf returned to Bar 5 as Manager in 1981 and for the next 20 years, he was involved in all aspects of the operation while also maintaining his consulting business. Highlights from these years include attending the World Simmental Conference in Australia in the mid-1980’s and judging Simmental bulls at the 1995 Perth Bull Sale in Scotland.

Throughout his long career, Wilf built a reputation as a gentleman, cattleman, and ambassador of the Simmental breed and cattle industry as a whole. He was awarded the A.O. Henuset Memorial Award at the 2002 Manitoba Simmental Association and in 2006, he was presented with the World Simmental Fleckvieh Federation Golden Book Award. He was also inducted into the Canadian Simmental Association Hall of Fame in the fall of 2006. Wilf was humble about these awards and would say that the friends he made along the way were the real reward.

Over the last 29 years, Wilf and Marnie enjoyed living in the country near Carberry, Manitoba, running Carberry Sandhills Consulting, traveling, fishing and expanding friendships in the cattle and quarter horse communities.

Wilf was well-known for his passion for fishing and earned over 100 Master Angler Awards. He spent much time enjoying numerous Manitoba lakes including Lake of the Prairies and made many trips to Wekusko Falls Lodge for over 30 summers. He generously shared his boat, time and expertise with friends and family to create memorable experiences for all.

Wilf will be remembered by his family for the example he set by caring for his parents and aunts and uncles, his encouragement and support of his children and grandchildren’s education, and how he valued recording history and spent hours working with Janice on genealogy projects. Colleen will particularly cherish the memories made on the many fishing trips she and Warren took with him. We will all miss his phone calls to check on us and the way he prioritized coffee dates whenever any of us were in Brandon.

Down The Trail.............

December 10

Northern Light Simmentals Bred Heifer & 2 Year Old Bull Sale, Rossburn, MB

Cream of the Crop Simmental Female Sale, DLMS Farmgate

December 11

Premium Picks Simmental Sale, Kenton, MB

December 12

Transcon’s Simmsational 47th Annual Simmental Sale, Moose Jaw, SK

December 13

OPT Bred For Success 1st Annual Female Event, Darlingford, MB

December 14

McMillen Ranching Ltd. “Herdbuilder” Production Sale, Carievale, SK

Kathol Simmental Ranch Bull & Female Sale, Drayton Valley, AB

Sinclair’s Flying S Ranch Simmental Bull Sale, DLMS.ca

Transcon’s Season Wrap-Up Simmental Bull & Female Sale, Neepawa, MB

December 15

Bonchuk Farms Female Production Sale, McAuley, MB

December 16

Opportunity Knocks Sale 5.0, Lanigan, SK

December 16

Border City 7th Annual Simmental Sale, Lloydminster, SK

December 17

Southern Alberta Simmental Round Up 31st Annual Bull & Female Sale, Stavely, AB

December 18

Steppler Farms Female Sale, Miami, MB

Canadian Donors Production Sale, Olds, AB

December 19

MAVV Farms Bull & Female Sale, Okotoks, AB

December 20

Friday Night Lights Simmental Sale, Olds, AB

December 21

Transcon’s Fleckvieh Equation Fullblood Simmental Sale/ Transcon’s Ultimate Red & Black XXVII Simmental Sale, Red Deer, AB

Transcon’s National Trust- On Ice Sale, Transcon Online

December 30

Premier & Guests Falls View Production Sale, Listowel, ON Double G Simmentals Complete Herd Dispersal Sale, Saskatoon, SK

December 31

New Years Resolution Sale, location TBD

The 17th Annual Manitoba Youth Beef Round-Up was held August 2- 4, 2024, at Stride Exhibition Place in Neepawa, Manitoba. This may be the best Manitoba Youth Beef Round-Up ever held, with a record number of enthusiastic junior cattle producers and the largest number of cattle to date .

Over 100 youth and 115 head of cattle gathered for an educational and fun weekend. This event draws youth aged 6 – 25 from Ontario, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Committee members consist of: Co-Chairs Lois McRae, Jake Rawluk & Laura Horner; Emma Harms, Ken & Kerri Hinsburg; Rilla Hunter, Megan Kemp, Samantha Korosil, Lana Krauss, Mary-Jane Orr, Albert & Michelle Rimke, Dalyse Robertson, Alice Rooke, Blair McRae, Kara Thompson, and Bobbi Jo Foster. The success of this event is attributed to not only the teamwork of the committee members but also the hands-on assistance of parent volunteers, jumping in whenever and wherever necessary. Our judges for the weekend were Justin Harcourt, Quill Lake, SK and Mason Beck, Lang, SK.

Friday events kicked off with the ever-popular Ag Challenge. Members are grouped into teams of all ages and sent on a scavenger hunt for various items. Educational workshops included learning how to wash and care for the animal’s hair and grooming, herd health with Dr. Liz Ostendorf (Neepawa Vet Clinic), making a herd health plan, record keeping, and verifying the beef program, health and medicine, mock interviews, branding yourself, filling out applications, and essential HR guides. Juniors finished off the hot day with the popular slip-and-slide.

Saturday began bright and early with judging workshops facilitated by Justin and Mason. Senior members were then required to judge heifers, steers, sheep, hay, and a scenario class, filling out a judging card for each and providing oral reasons for the cattle, sheep, and scenario classes. Intermediates provided oral reasons for the heifer & sheep class and written reasons for the others. Juniors provided written reasons for all and oral reasons for the heifer class.Pee-wee members and new juniors were involved in a unique Cattle Camp where they learned how to judge in a more appropriate setting, as well as making & tying rope halters. After lunch, Cattle Camp members worked on grooming and showmanship while everyone else participated in team grooming, team judging, and sales talks. The evening concluded with group members competing in the cook-off, where each group was provided with a steak and was required to prepare a meal for two discerning judges’ evaluation. Our judges were treated to feasts worthy of kings & queens! Steak Judges were Cam and Tracy Wood, Albert Rimke, Phil Unrau (Bullseye), Devin Boitson (Boehringer) and Wade Beck.

Sunday is show day. It begins with showmanship, followed by the conformation show, a parade of 4-H Champions, and the Supreme Show. The weekend concludes with awards and supper. A large crowd attended the weekend events.

INDIVIDUAL JUDGING DIVISION

ART DIVISION

Senior Champion- Lainie Muir

Intermediate Champion- Laura Seward

Junior Champion- Blake Airey

Pee Wee Champion- Lakelyn Brown

PHOTOGRAPHY DIVISION

Senior Champion- Allie Lavich

Intermediate Champion- Fischer Cavers

Junior Champion- Abby Snowden

Pee Wee Champion- Bexley McIntosh

GRAPHIC DESIGN DIVISION

Senior Champion- Lainie Muir

Intermediate Champion- Fischer Cavers

Junior Champion- Reid Duguid

Pee Wee Champion- Paisley Baron

Senior Champion- Teegan Hyndman

Intermediate Champion- Laura Seward

Junior Champion- Breelee Bootsman

Pee Wee Champion- Bexley McIntosh SCRAPBOOK DIVISION

AG CHALLENGE

COOK-OFF

TEAM GROOMING

TEAM JUDGING

SALES TALK

Junior Champion- Emery Griffin

Reserve Junior Champion- Cohen Canart

Pee Wee Champion- Ruby Fox

Reserve Pee Wee Champion- Bexley McIntosh

BOB GORDON MEMORIAL AWARD

Outstanding Overall Top Judge presented in memory of Bob Gordon on behalf of the Gordon family. Bob was a strong supporter of all junior programs.

2024 Recipient- Katelyn Rutten

YOUNG HANDLERS AWARD

Awarded to an individual who shows team work, sportsmanship and developed showmanship skills.

2024 Recipient- Ruby Fox

DIGGER AWARD

Awarded to an individual who is continiously working hard, helping others and overall having a good time throughout the weekend.

2024 Recipient- Kara De Rocquigny

2023 SCHOLARSHIPS

2024 Recipient- Teegan Hyndman

HERDSMAN AWARD

SHOWMANSHIP

Senior Champion- Lainie Muir

Reserve Senior Champion- Teegan Hyndman

Intermediate Champion- Joran Frey

Reserve Intermediate Champion- Katelyn Rutten

Junior Champion- Declynn Allum

Reserve Junior Champion- Blake Airey

Pee Wee Champion- Ruby Fox

Reserve Pee Wee Champion- Bexley McIntosh

SIMMENTAL DIVISION

CLASS 2- SIMMENTAL HEIFER CALF

1. Kate Hinsburg 2. Brooke Collins

3. Bexley McIntosh 4. Carmen Thorgilsson CHAMPION SIMMENTAL HEIFER CALF

KCH Malibu 401M, Kate Hinsburg

RESERVE CHAMPION SIMMENTAL HEIFER CALF

Oakview Maddy 373M, Brooke Collins CLASS 10- SIMMENTAL BRED HEIFER SPLIT 1

1. Sawyer Morrison 2. Kolby McColl

3. Keira Duguid 4. Brooke Collins

5. Carmen Thorgilsson 6. Cooper Lafreniere CLASS 11- SIMMENTAL BRED HEIFERS SPLIT 2

1. Kate Hinsburg 2. Abbey de Rocquigny

3. Jagger Allum 4. Kara de Rocquigny

5. Sierra McColl 6. Keirsten Davey CHAMPION SIMMENTAL YEARLING HEIFER

Mader Licorice 24L, Kate Hinsburg

RESERVE CHAMPION SIMMENTAL YEARLING HEIFER

BERTS MS LOUISA 22L, Abby de Rocquigny CLASS 14- SIMMENTAL TWO-YEAR-OLD FEMALES WITH CALF AT SIDE

1. Cooper Lafreniere 2. Hayden Collins

3. Carmen Thorgilsson

CHAMPION TWO-YEAR-OLD SIMMENTAL FEMALE

Triple T Kylie 316K and bull calf, Cooper Lafreniere

RESERVE CHAMPION TWO-YEAR-OLD SIMMENTAL FEMALE

Oakview Karen 51K and bull calf, Hayden Collins GRAND CHAMPION SIMMENTAL FEMALE

Mader Licorice 24L, Kate Hinsburg

RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION SIMMENTAL FEMALE

KCH Malibu 401M, Kate Hinsburg

CLASS 4- SIMMENTAL BULL CALF

1. Hayden Collins 2. Cooper Lafreniere

GRAND CHAMPION SIMMENTAL BULL CALF

Oakview Maverick 51M, Hayden Collins

RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION SIMMENTAL BULL CALF

2L Money Moves 15M

STEER DIVISION

CLASS 18- FAT STEERS

1. Cohen Canart 2. Ivy Allen

3. Emily Murray 4. Thomas Allen

5. Ruby Fox 6. Evelyn Burns

CHAMPION FAT STEER- Cohen Canart

RESERVE CHAMPION FAT STEER- Ivy Allen

COMMERCIAL DIVISION

CLASS 19- COMMERCIAL HEIFER CALF

1. Braxton Fehr 2. Grace Keen

3. Brooklyn Holliday

CHAMPION COMMERCIAL HEIFER CALF

Exhibited by Braxton Fehr

RESERVE CHAMPION COMMERCIAL HEIFER CALF

Exhibited by Grace Keen

CLASS 25- COMMERCIAL BRED HEIFER SPLIT 1

1. Rhett Sigurdson 2. Shay Manz

3. Otto Veldhuis 4. Shayle Botterill

5. Jorja Manz 6. Aloyse Good

CLASS 26- COMMERCIAL BRED HEIFER SPLIT 2

1. Emily Murray 2. Brock Sigurdson

3. Declynn Allum 4. Katelyn Rutten

5. Averi Jury 6. Zane Finlay

7. Evelyn Burns

CLASS 27- COMMERCIAL BRED HEIFERS SPLIT 3

1. Rhett Sigurdson 2. Emery Griffin

3. Chet McDonald 4. Steinna Vigfusson

5. Orla Duguid 6. Blaer Boultbee

CLASS 28- COMMERCIAL BRED HEIFERS SPLIT 4

1. Otto Veldhuis 2. Reid Duguid

3. Hanley Fehr 4. Benson Bootsman

CLASS 29- COMMERCIAL BRED HEIFERS SPLIT 5

1. Britton Canart 2. Nathan Armstrong

3. Camryn Armstrong

CHAMPION COMMERCIAL YEARLING FEMALE

Exhibited by Emily Murray

RESERVE CHAMPION COMMERCIAL YEARLING

FEMALE- Exhibited by Britton Canart

CLASS 36- COMMERCIAL TWO-YEAR-OLD AND CALF

1. Grace Keen 2. Braxton Fehr

3. Brooklyn Holliday

CLASS 38- COMMERCIAL MATURE COW AND CALF

1. Katelyn Rutten

CHAMPION SENIOR COMMERCIAL COW/CALF

Exhibited by Katelyn Rutten

RESERVE CHAMPION COMMERCIAL COW/CALF

Exhibited by Grace Keen

GRAND CHAMPION COMMERCIAL FEMALE

Exhibited by Katelyn Rutten, cow-calf pair

RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION COMMERCIAL FEMALE

Exhibited by Emily Murray, bred heifer

CLASS 23- COMMERCIAL BULL CALF

1. Katelyn Rutten

CHAMPION COMMERCIAL BULL CALF

Exhibited by Katelyn Rutten

SUPREME CHAMPION FEMALE

Nine champion 4-H heifers and all the breed grand champions from the show competed for the Overall Supreme Champion Female. Joran Frey of Oxbow, Saskatchewan, was awarded this honour with a beautiful Round-Up Belt Buckle for his Black Angus Female, Freyburn Blackbird 48J and her heifer calf.