Simmental Focus October 2022

On The

Looking forward to fall! These Double Bar D females are just a sample of the great Simmental genetics that will be available this fall!

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 MARKETING & SALES- John Best Cell 204-750-4270 johnbest7654@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

ADVERTISING RATES

Full Color Black & White

Full Page $475 $425

Half Page $300 $250

Quarter Page $185 $150

Business Card $85 $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, 2018.

Winnipeg, MB

makes

where

to ensure

by Prairie Pistol Designs)

SIMMENTAL FALL SALES

MANITOBA

November 5th

Cherry Creek Farms Online Bull & Female Sale

FarmGateTimedAuctions.ca

November 15th

Come As U R - Rainbow River Simmentals Online Sale DVAuction.com

November 17th

Pembina Triangle Simmental Assoc. 42nd Annual Sale Cypress River, Manitoba

November 30th

Associate Invitational Simmental Sale

FarmGateTimedAuctions.ca

December 4th

Queens of the Heartland Production Sale McAuley, Manitoba

December 5th

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

December 6th

Keystone Konnection 43rd Annual Sale Brandon, Manitoba

December 10th

Transcon’s Season Wrap Up Sale Neepawa, Manitoba

December 10th

Shades Of The Prairie Simmental Sale Brandon, Manitoba

December 11th

Bonchuk Farms Female Production Sale McAuley, Manitoba

Box 274, Austin, MB R0H 0C0

President: Melissa McRae 204-573-9903

Secretary : Laurelly Beswitherick 204-637-2046

b2cattleco1@gmail.com

Join us forMANITOBA’S LARGEST CATTLE SHOW

Manitoba Ag Ex

Brandon, Manitoba

Wednesday, October 26

Little Lady Jackpot

Jackpot Bull Sale

Thursday, October 27

YCSA Meeting held in the Simmental Barn following tie outs

Friday, October 28

Simmental Show Supreme Breed Extravaganza

Saturday, October 29 Junior Show & Showmanship **new this year** $1500 Scholarship to Champion Overall Showman

Manitoba Simmental Association

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

September 24 s

Ferme Gagnon & Guests 25th Anniversary Simmental Production Sale, Cheneville, QC

s Eastern Harvest Simmental Heifer Sale, Cheneville, QC

October 1

Ontario Simmental Solution Sale, Listowel, ON October 2

IRCC “Quality Control” Female Sale, Indian River, ON October 13

The Evolution: Volume 2, Lloydminster, SK

October 14

Anchor D “Pasture Treasures” Female Sale, Rimbey, AB

October 15

Stars of the Valley Simmental Sale, Metcalfe, ON October 20

2022 Edition Mader Ranches Ladies Night, Carstairs, AB October 26-29

Manitoba Ag Ex, Brandon, MB October 31

Rust Mountain View Ranch Production Sale, Mercer, ND November 4 & 5

Cherry Creek Farms Online Bull & Female Sale, DLMS.ca FarmGate Timed November 4-13

The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, Toronto, ON November 9-12

FarmFair International, Edmonton, AB November 15-16

Manitoba Farm Women’s Conference, Brandon, MB November 16

Come As U R/Rainbow River Simmentals Online Production Sale Volume 2, DVAuction.com November 17

Pembina Triangle Simmental Association 42nd Annual Female Sale, Cypress River, MB

November 19

Futures One Online Simmental Sale Edition 13, DLMS.ca FarmGate Timed November 20

Lakeview Simmentals Annual Production Sale, Meacham, SK November 21

Sun Rise Simmentals Complete Dispersal Sale, McAuley, MB November 23

Camrose Country Classic 11th Anniversary Sale, Camrose, AB November 25

s SimPower Female Sale, Olds, AB

s Lone Stone Farms Invitational Female Sale, Westlock, AB November 27

Big Hills Simmentals 1st Annual Production Sale, Neepawa, MB November 28-December 3

Canadian Western Agribition, Regina, SK

Happy fall y’all! Boy, is it just me, or did summer seem to fly by faster this year!?? Yikes, at this rate, Christmas will be here in no time!

We missed some big parties over the summer, a few Focus friends turned the big 4-0 in May- belated birthday wishes go out to Amy Peters, Big Sky Simmentals, Rivers, MB; Todd Collins, Oakview Simmentals, Darlingford, MB; and Rob Voice, Bohrson Marketing, Olds, AB! That would have been one heck of a good party! Welcome to “Club Over The Hill” my friends!

We would like to send out get well wishes to Wilf Davis, who most of us have known and respected for many years. He has been struggling with some health issues over the summer. We missed you at the AGM Wilf, we wish you a speedy recovery and hope to see you out and about this fall!

Also, we’d like to wish Darnell Fornwald, First Class Cattle Marketing, Carstairs, AB a speedy recovery, as he had knee surgery in August. We’re sure you’ll be back on track in no time!

As we head into the fall shows and sale run, we want to wish all of our friends and cus tomers the best of luck, whether it’s in the show ring or the sale barn. We all work tirelessly to make the breed what it is today and are grateful to be doing what we love, every single day. We sure look forward to visiting with you all, show day, sale day, any day! Until then, keep those combines runnin’, fill up those bins, and we will see you down the show and sale trail!

Joanne

Welcome Little Cowpoke!

Calder, along with his parents Shandi & Robbie, would like to introduce his new baby brother- Porter Fraser Boutin. He was born August 28, 20022 weighing 6 lbs 14 oz and 20” long. Porter is the second grandson for grandparents David & Chris McMillen, McMillen Ranching Ltd., Carievale, SK.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28

OCTOBER 29

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2021

Show & Showmanship

2022 Friends Of Canadian Simmental Foundation Auction

A Huge Success

Portage La Prairie, Manitoba, Canada – Three years in the waiting proved to be well worth the required patience for the Friends of Canadian Simmental Foundation (FCSF) to finally host an in person live auction again through the amazing hospitality provided by the Manitoba Simmental Association.

Portage La Prairie was a fantastic location for this year’s Canadian Simmental Association’s (CSA) National Convention and AGM and the FCSF annual auction was once again a highlight of the weekend’s activities.

More than 200 people from across Canada gathered for the annual event which took part July 23rd following the Canadian Simmental Association Annual meeting and banquet. The 2022 FCSF auction raised a total of $123,995, our second highest auction total to date. This total included $50,000 that was raised on the lot 1 bred heifer donated by Everett Olson of Downhill Simmentals.

During the 2022 Young Canadian Simmental Association’s (YCSA) National show which was held the final day of the Convention, the FCSF Directors presented $15,000 from the auction proceeds to the YCSA for ongoing youth activities. The FCSF also donated $5,000 to help financially support YCSA members with travel costs to get to Manitoba.

“The Foundation is thrilled with the success of our 2022 auction, what a great way to celebrate the Simmental breed and our youth after not being able to have a live auction for two years” stated newly elected FCSF President Garth Rancier. “The funds collected will continue to be used for youth development, education, research, scholarships and bursaries. Thank you to all the buy ers, donators, volunteers and staff that made this year another amazing success!”

The FCSF would like to thank retiring Board of Director Brian Bouchard for all his commitment to the Foundation over the years. Newly elected Lynette Hoegl of Lloydminster, SK will join the Foundation Board along with Garth Rancier, Killam, AB who was elected President, Scott Matthews, Canton De Hatley, QC 1ST Vice President and Mark Shologan, Westlock, AB elected as Treasurer. Continuing directors are Deanne Young, Breton, AB; Marlin LeBlanc, Estevan, SK; Roger Deeg, Strathmore, AB; Glenn Wotton, Little Britain, ON; Ken Lewis, Spruce Grove, AB and Shane Williams of East Garafraxa, ON.

The Ontario Simmental Association and FCSF look forward to hosting next year’s Foundation Auction, August 4-6, 2023 in Ancaster, Ontario.

Happily Ever After...

Reynolds

David

Carievale,

Despite a challenging 2 years of let downs and cancellations, including our 2nd Round Up, partic ipants at Manitoba Youth Beef Round Up have shown great resilience. It was with heavy hearts that the Round Up committee was forced to cancel our show for yet another year in the wake of the Covid-19 cri sis. However, with a little outward thinking and help from Direct Livestock Marketing Systems (DLMS) the committee was able to host our annual event virtually to be broadcasted and judged online. It was a great success with 42 juniors entered and a total of 80 livestock entries.

Despite a totally different approach to the August long weekend our juniors know and love, juniors were still able to participate in open livestock confirmation classes as well as skill building compe titions such as public speaking, marketing, photog raphy, graphic design and judging. Participants were given guidelines of how to present their animal via video. Animals were presented in show condition and videos were uploaded for broad cast on DLMS. Overall it was an incredibly strong presentation of animals and projects, juniors were applauded by the commit tee, peers and the general public for such adaptability and creativity despite a challenging circumstance. This is not just any cattle show, it is an all-around event to promote and educate youth to continue in the livestock industry.

Our show would not happen without our dedicated sponsors , parents, Juniors and commit tee members who have stood behind this Junior All Breeds Show and helped to make it a success in past years. A huge thank you to everyone for their support and willingness to keep the Round Up spirit alive in our virtual show.

Projects were on display on the DLMS website and the Manitoba Youth Beef Round Up Page from July 21 to August 1st. From there the general public could view all projects and check out our juniors hard work. Judging also took place during this time period and results were submitted to DLMS.

On August 1st at 7pm, what would normally be our banquet and award ceremony, results were announced live on a live video broadcast on DLMS. All videos and comments were featured in a flawless manner for juniors and the public to find out in real time who would be crowned as our winners. This presentation took major effort and coordination from DLMS, and we cannot thank Mark and Joanne Shologan enough for their contribution!

INDIVIDUAL JUDGING DIVISION

JUDGE: BEVIN HAMILTON OF VERMILLION, AB

Senior Division Winner- Kyleigh Magotiaux Honourable Mention- Orianna Hyndman Intermediate Division Winner- Grace Glover Honourable Mention- Emma Harms Junior Division Winner- Fischer Cavers Honourable Mention- Lukas Cavers Pee Wee Division Winner- Blake Airey Honourable Mention- Brynn Steppler

PUBLIC SPEAKING DIVISION

JUDGES: CARSON CALLUM, GM OF MANITOBA BEEF PRODUCERS, CARMAN, MB & SHANNON CARVEY, ALEXANDER MB

Senior Division Winner- Christin Dixon Honourable Mention- Kyleigh Magotiaux Intermediate Division Winner- Madisyn Robertson Honourable Mention- Carson Baker Junior Division Winner- Chase Airey Honourable Mention- Sveina Bjaarnarson Pee Wee Division Winner- Blake Airey

PHOTOGRAPHY DIVISION

JUDGE: JESSY MILNE-SMITH, DOUGLAS MB

Senior Division Winner- Kyleigh Magotiaux Honourable Mention- Christin Dixon Intermediate Division Winner- Grace Glover Honourable Mention- Emma Harms Junior Division Winner- Chase Airey Honourable Mention- Abbey Snowden Pee Wee Division Winner- Brynn Steppler Honourable Mention- Brogan Birmingham

GRAPHIC DESIGN DIVISION

JUDGE: CARSON CALLUM

Senior Division Winner- Christin Dixon Intermediate Division Winner- Grace Glover Honourable Mention- Madisyn Robertson Junior Division Winner- Lucas Bieganski Honourable Mention- Orla Duguid Pee Wee Division Winner- Blake Airey

MARKETING DIVISION

JUDGE: JACKIE CAVERS, LARIVIERE MB

Senior Division Winner- Orianna Hyndman Intermediate Division Winner- Madisyn Robertson Honourable Mention- Teegan Hyndman Junior Division Winner- Chase Airey Honourable Mention- Abbey Snowden Pee Wee Division Winner- Paisley Baron Honourable Mention- Brianna Snowden

CONFIRMATION CLASSES

JUDGES: GREG AND AMANDA PUGH OF PUGH FARMS EDGERTON ALBERTA

Charolais

Class 1- Charolais Heifer Calf

Champion Charolais Heifer Calf- Paisley Baron with Hidden Lake My Moo 1J

Reserve Champion Charolais Heifer CalfChase Airey with HTA Glitter 124J

Class 2- Charolais Bred Heifers

1. Brynn Steppler 2. Lukas Cavers

3. Fischer Cavers 4. Madisyn Robertson

5. Madisyn Robertson 6. Brianna Snowden 7.Abbey Snowden

Champion Charolais Bred Heifer- Brynn Steppler with Steppler Gabby

Reserve Champion Champion Charolais Bred Heifer- Lukas Cavers with Miss Prairie Cove 68H

Class 4- Charolais Bull Calves

Champion Charolais Bull Calf- Paisley Baron with Hidden Lake Maui 4J

GRAND CHAMPION CHAROLAIS FEMALEBRYNN STEPPLER WITH STEPPLER GABBY RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION CHAROLAIS FEMALE- LUKAS CAVERS WITH MISS PRAIRIE COVE 68H

Hereford Class 1- Hereford Heifer Calves

Champion Hereford Heifer Calf- Orianna Hyndman with CRLY 695D Sour Patch Kid 122J

Reserve Champion Hereford Heifer Calf- Teegan Hyndman with TEEG 27C Nikki 127J Class 2- Hereford Bred Heifers

1. Levi Rimke 2. Lucas Bieganski

3. Kylee Dixon 4. Levi Rimke

5.Teegan Hyndman 6. Christin Dixon 7.Orianna Hyndman

Champion Hereford Bred Heifer- Levi Rimke with MAR 206E Azalea ET 7H

Reserve Champion Hereford Bred Heifer- Lucas Bieganski with RSK 20C Miss Xleona ET 99H

Class 3- Hereford Cow Calf Pair Champion Hereford Cow Calf Pair- Christin Dixon with Blair Athol 124E Applause 122G

GRAND CHAMPION HEREFORD FEMALECHRISTIN DIXON WITH BLAIR ATHOL 124E APPLAUSE 122G

RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION HEREFORD FEMALE- LEVI RIMKE WITH MAR 206E AZALEA ET 7H

ANGUS DIVISION

CLASS 1- ANGUS HEIFER CALF

1.Dylan Frey, Oxbow, SK

HEIFER CALF CHAMPION: Dylan Frey with Freyburn Lass 2K

CLASS 2A- ANGUS BRED HEIFERS

1.Joran Frey,Oxbow, SK

2.Kate Hinsburg, Rapid City, MB

3.Dylan Frey, Oxbow, SK

4.Bryler Franken, Redvers, SK

CLASS 2B- ANGUS BRED HEIFERS

1.Kendra Hinsburg, Rapid City, MB

2.Emma Harms, Cartwright, MB

3.Carson Baker, Neepawa, MB

4.Madisyn Robertson, Neepawa, MB

5.Katelyn Rutten, Carlyle, SK

JUNIOR CHAMPION FEMALE- Joran Frey with Freyburn Blackbird 48J

RESERVE JUNIOR CHAMPION FEMALEKate Hinsburg with KCH Black Lass 2110J

CLASS 3- ANGUS TWO YEAR OLD WITH CALF AT FOOT

1.Dylan Frey, Oxbow,SK

SENIOR CHAMPION FEMALE- Dylan Frey with Freyburn Lass 6H

GRAND CHAMPION ANGUS FEMALEJoran Frey with Freyburn Blackbird 48J

RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION ANGUS FEMALE- Dylan Frey with Freyburn Lass 6H

BULL CALF CHAMPION- Joran Frey with Freyburn Bobcat 29K

CHAROLAIS DIVISION

CLASS 1- CHAROLAIS HEIFER CALF

1.Abbey Snowden, Carberry, MB

2.Brianna Snowden, Carberry, MB GRAND CHAMPION CHAROLAIS HEIFER CALF–Abbey Snowden

RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION CHAROLAIS HEIFER CALF- Brianna Snowden

CLASS 2 CHAROLAIS BRED HEIFERS

1.Paisley Baron, Carberry, MB

2.Madisyn Robertson, Neepawa, MB

3.Grace Keen/Lucas Cavers, La Riviere, MB

JUNIOR CHAMPION CHAROLAIS FEMALEPaisley Baron with Hidden Lake My Moo 1J RESERVE JUNIOR CHAMPION FEMALE–Madisyn Robertson with JMB Rose 102J

CLASS 4- MATURE CHAROLAIS FEMALE WITH 2022 NATURAL CALF AT FOOT

1.Fischer Cavers, La Riviere, MB SENIOR CHAMPION CHAROLAIS FEMALE–

Fischer Cavers with Hidden Lake My Moo 1G GRAND CHAMPION CHAROLAIS FEMALEPaisley Baron with Hidden Lake My Moo 1J RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION CHAROLAIS FEMALEMadisyn Robertson with JMB Rose 102J CHAROLAIS BULL CALF CHAMPIONFischer Cavers with Hidden Lake John 92K

SIMMENTAL DIVISION

CLASS 2- SIMMENTAL BRED HEIFERS

1.Keira Duguid, Arnes, MB

2.Cooper Lafreniere, Steinbach, MB

3.Declynn Allum, Oxbow, SK

4.Jagger Allum, Oxbow, SK

5.Dugan Franken, Glen Ewen, SK

JUNIOR CHAMPION SIMMENTAL FEMALE–Keira Duguid with Chic Julia 7J

RESERVE JUNIOR CHAMPION FEMALE–Cooper Lafreniere with Jules Trip T 911J

CLASS 4- MATURE SIMMENTAL FEMALE WITH 2022 NATURAL CALF AT FOOT

1.Eric Schultz , Riding Mountain, MB

SENIOR CHAMPION SIMMENTAL FEMALE–Eric Schultz with Perks La Tigress 2035D GRAND CHAMPION SIMMENTAL FEMALEEric Schultz with Perks La Tigress 2035D RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION SIMMENTAL FEMALEKeira Duguid with Chic Julia 7J

SHORTHORN/HEREFORD DIVISION

CLASS 1- MIXED BREED HEIFER CALF

1.Harleigh Carlson, Elm Creek, MB (Shorthorn) GRAND CHAMPION HEIFER CALF–Harleigh Carlson with Up the Creek Kitty 4K

CLASS 2- MIXED BREED YEARLING HEIFER CLASS

1.William Keen, Manitou, MB (Hereford)

JUNIOR CHAMPION MIXED BREED FEMALEWilliam Keen with KTCT 245E Jody 44J

CLASS 3- MIXED BREED 2-YEAR-OLD WITH CALF

1.Harleigh Carlson , Elm Creek, MB

SENIOR CHAMPION MIXED BREED FEMALE–Harleigh Carlson with Up the Creek Miss Mercedes 2H GRAND CHAMPION MIXED BREED FEMALE–William Keen with KTCT 245E Jody 44J (Hereford) RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION MIXED BREED FEMALEHarleigh Carlson with Up the Creek Kitty 4K

COMMERCIAL DIVISION

CLASS 1- HEIFER CALF

1.Laura Christenson, Lampman, SK

2.Sveinna Bjarnarson, Gladstone, MB

3.Eric Schultz, Riding Mountain, MB CHAMPION COMMERCIAL HEIFER CALFLaura Christenson with Susie RESERVE CHAMPION COMMERCIAL HEIFER CALF–

Sveinna Bjarnarson with Maddy

CLASS 2A –SPLIT 1 COMMERCIAL BRED HEIFERS

1.Katelyn Rutten, Carlyle, SK

2.Eric Schultz, Riding Mountain, MB

3.Sadie Sawchuk, Neepawa, MB

4.Quinn Sawchuk, Neepawa, MB

5.Summer Sawchuk , Neepawa, MB

CLASS 2B- COMMERCIAL BRED HEIFERS

1.Sigga Vigfusson, Lundar, MB

2.Lukas Cavers, La Riviere, MB

3.Shayden Manz, Brandon, MB

4.Sveinna Bjarnarson, Gladstone, MB

JUNIOR CHAMPION COMMERCIAL FEMALEKatelyn Rutten with Zoey RESERVE JUNIOR CHAMPION–Eric Schultz with Beretta

CLASS 3– COMMERCIAL 2 YEAR OLD WITH NATURAL CALF AT FOOT

1.Laura Christensen, Lampman, SK

2.Sveinna Bjarnarson, Gladstone, MB

CLASS 4- COMMERCIAL COW WITH CALF AT SIDE

1.Jason Schultz , Riding Mountain, MB

GRAND CHAMPION COMMERCIAL FEMALEKatelyn Rutten with Zoe

RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION FEMALELaura Christensen with Julia COMMERCIAL BULL CALF CHAMPIONJason Schultz, Riding Mountain, MB

FAT STEER DIVISION

CLASS 6– STEER CLASS

1.Thomas Allen, Roblin, MB

2. Cohen Canart, McAuley, MB

3.Ivy Allen, Roblin, MB

4.Shayden Manz, Brandon, MB

5.Hanley Fehr, Glenboro, MB

GRAND CHAMPION STEERThomas Allen

RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION STEER–Cohen Canart

Round-Up 2022 Committee:

Co- Chairs: Lois McRae, Jake Rawluk & Laura Horner

Committee: Rilla Hunter, Jackie Cavers, Blair McRae, Dalyse

Robertson, Megan Kemp, Samantha Koroscil, Albert & Michelle Rimke, Candace Abey, Taylor Carlson, Andrea Bertholet, Geoff Paterson & Trevor Carlson

2022 Manitoba Youth Beef Roundup Participants

2022 MYBR Grand Aggregate Recipients

RICH

RICH

Showring Success

Congratulations to Abbey de Rocquigny of the Miami 4-H Beef Club on exhibiting the Grand Champion Steer at the Carman District 4-H Rally. Abbey’s steer was also Reserve Chanpion steer at the Miami Fair earlier this year.

Congratulations to Nathan de Rocquigny of the Graysville 4-H Beef Club on exhibiting the Reserve Grand Champion Steer at the Carman District 4-H Rally. Nathan’s steer was also Graysville Beef Club’s Grand Champion Steer.

Congratulations to Shane Buhr on exhibiting the Elm Creek 4-H Beef Club Grand Champion Steer at the Carman District 4-H Rally.

Congratulations to Nathan de Rocquigny on exhibiting the Reserve Grand Champion Cow Calf Pair at the Carman District 4-H Rally.

Congratulations to Sam de Rocquigny on exhibiting the Graysville 4-H Beef Club Reserve Champion Steer at the Carman District 4-H Rally.

Congratulations to Chet Woychyshyn on exhibiting the Simmental Grand Champion Market Steer at the Erickson 4-H Beef Club Achievement. He also received the Keystone Simmental Association High Gaining Simmental Steer at the Neepawa Interclub Fat Stock Show.

Manitoba Hosts Canadian Simmental Association AGM

The Manitoba Simmental Association hosted the 2022 Canadian Simmental Association AGM and National Conference in conjunction with the 2022 Young Canadian Simmental Association National Classic in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba July 21st to 24th. After a long 3 years of planning, the weekend was full of fun, where old friendships were rekindled, new friendships were formed, and a great showing by our Simmental youth for the future of the breed.

Day 1 started bright and early, as we headed to the hotel to finish up registration and get on the tour bus! Our first stop on the tour was Tuff Livestock Equipment & Comte Industries in Notre Dame de Lourdes, MB. The com pany manufactures livestock equipment and hopper bottom cones. The cones are sold under Comte Industries Limited brand, while the livestock equipment is sold under Tuff Livestock Equipment brand. We toured their shop and then headed outside to learn about their handling facilities.

Our next stop was Prairie Cricket Farms just southwest of Miami, MB. Ryan & Lesley Steppler started their cricket farm in their basement. They quickly outgrew that space and moved their operation to Ryan’s dad’s farm shop across the road. In the begin ning, they were only able to produce enough cricket powder for their own use and a small waitlist of family and friends. They realized the only way to get these crickets onto the market was to expand again and took a giant leap to build “the barn”, a 40 x 40 shed, now operating at almost-full ca pacity. Those first 200 crickets purchased in January of 2016 have turned into millions. They have a variety of products available, from cricket powder to chocolate covered crickets, which are delicious by the way!

After enjoying a delicious lunch on the bus, our third stop was Divorne Farms, a modern fully automated robotic dairy located southwest of Haywood, MB. The summer of 1979 saw the building of the dairy barn at the current location, milking approximately 120 cows. In 2000, an addition was completed on the dairy barn to be able to milk approximately 180 cows. In the win ter of 2014, a major decision was made to build a total ly robotic dairy facility with the focus on cow comfort and labor efficiency with 5 Lely robots. The first T30 triolet automatic feeding system was installed which enables Pierre to feed the entire dairy herd within 30 minutes. A Val Metal Daf automated straw bedding dispenser, a first for the company, beds the cows daily without disrupting any cow flow. The barn has been retrofitted with Bioret water mattresses to enhance cow comfort. The alleys are covered with Legend Rubber floor throughout the 60,000 plus square foot facility. The facility encompasses 150 stall suites for newborn calves, where they are raised for 3 months before being transferred to the heifer barn. Since a 6th Lely robot has been installed, the dry cows have been relocated to the older barn with the breeding heifers. Additionally, 2 more Lely robots have been installed to milk the fresh heifers and cows, therefore, less disruption occurs for the remainder of the herd.

In spring of 2022, 8 new A5 Lely robots were installed. Currently, Divorne Farms Ltd. milks 400 cows with an average of 45 kgs per day and a 4% butterfat. They were the first robotic dairy farm in the province to attain the status of gold producer.

Our final stop on the tour was the Rocquette pea processing plant just outside of Portage la Prairie, MB. Although we were unable to go inside, our tourguides were able to share lots of information about the facility and their products. Rocquette provides a wide range of quality ingredient solutions to give a good source of energy for cattle, swine, poultry, rabbits and horses. Some of their product include calf milk replacers, premix, starter feeds, and various veterinary products. Rocquette also offers sustainable sources of vegetable proteins from corn, wheat and peas as a replacement of fish meal. For fattening pigs, they deliver liquid and soluble products rich in starch and protein as cereals substitutes. We rounded out the tour with a few rounds of Rocqette trivia with many participants taking home some pretty cool Rocquette swag!

Day 2 was Showmanship day for the YCS kids, who all did such a great job! Hats off to the judges Carmen & Donna Jackson who were great with all the kids and who didn’t always have an easy job as these kids gave them a run for their money! The future of the breed is in good hands!

The afternoon started off with a very informative panel discussion. The panel speakers were: Calvin Vaags, President and CEO of True North Foods, Carman, MB; Larry Schweitzer, President of Hamiota Feedlot Ltd., Hamiota, MB; and Rick Wright, Executive Secretary, Livestock Markets Association of Canada (LMAC). These gentleman discussed the ongoing issues in our beef sector, including supply & demand, Government regulations and guidelines and producer concerns. They had a lot of knowledge to share and did their best to answer a lot of questions from the audience.

Following the panel discussion, we were introduced to Lesley Kelly, a keynote speaker that discusses mental health within the farming and agriculture community, and talks openly about the resources that are available for those who need them. She is also the creator of High Heels and Canola Fields, which is an established brand that continues to grow within the agriculture and farm ing community. It consists of social media, blogs, podcasts, motivational speaking, and much more. The content revolves around food, farming, family, mental health and agriculture trends and topics that impact farmers and the industry. It was created with the purpose of helping the ag industry make positive and everlasting change. Lesley shared her story and her own families struggles with mental health with hopes of bridging the gap between those involved and not involved in agriculture so we can all learn from one another.

Following our very informative afternoon, we enjoyed a delicious supper and some excellent en tertainment! Mateo the Hypnotist did not disappoint!! Many volunteers were quite entertaining while under hypnosis- from sinking on the Titanic, to exotic dancing, to watching dinosaur eggs hatch- you had to be there, it was absolutely hilarious!! Fun for all ages!! And, I think Mateo had just as much fun!

Day 3 had a bit later start, as there were some meetings going on throughout the morning for several different groups. The AGM after lunch was well attended and the new CSA Board of Directors were introduced: (Pictured, back row L-R) Barclay Smith, Director; Bill Biglieni, Director; Ben Farrant, Director; Byron Johnson, 1st Vice Presi dent; Shane Williams, President. (Pictured, front row L-R) Jennie Mutch, Director; Blair McIntosh, Director; Randy Noble, Director; Scott Matthews, 2nd Vice President. Following the meetings, we headed to the hotel for the banquet and auction. The FCSF auction raised a total of $123,995, the second highest auction total to date. This total included $50,000 that was raised on the lot 1 bred heifer donated by Everett Olson of Downhill Simmentals. Congratulations to all of the organizers and board members who worked tirelessly to make this event such a success!!

Day 4, the final day, was for the kids. We had a beautiful, overcast Manitoba day, and a large crowd watching in the stands. Judge Garth Rancier did a great job of sorting through the cattle and encouraging each participant. Before we knew it, the stalls were taken down and the trailers were loaded for home.

Thank you again to all of the organizers and volunteers who made this weekend such a success. See you next year in Ontario!

November 30-December 1

The Associate Invitational, DLMS.ca December 3

Transcon’s Western Harvest 9th Annual Simmental Bred Heifer Sale, Innisfail, AB December 4

Queens of the Heartland Production Sale, McAuley, MB December 5

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

s Dusty Rose Online Production Sale, DLMS.ca FarmGate Timed

s The Source of Elite Simmental Genetics Sale, Lloydminster, SK December 6

Keystone Konnection 43rd Annual Simmental Sale, Brandon, MB December 7

Double Bar D “Sharing the Herd” Genetics Sale, Grenfell, SK December 8

s Transcon’s Simmsational 45th Annual Simmental Sale, Moose Jaw, SK

s Shades of the Prairies Sale, Brandon, MB December 9

McMillen Ranching Ltd. “Herdbuilder 2022” Sale, Carievale, SK December 10

Transcon’s Season Wrap-Up Simmental Bull & Female Sale, Neepawa, MB December 11

Bonchuk Farms Female Production Sale, McAuley, MB December 12

Border City 5th Annual Simmental Sale, Lloydminster, SK December 13

Southern Alberta Simmental Round Up 29th Annual Bull & Female Sale, Stavely, AB December 14

Canadian Donors Production Sale, DLMS.ca FarmGate Timed December 16

Friday Night Lights 11th Anniversary Simmental Sale Olds, AB December 17

s Checkers Simmental Sale, Olds, AB

s Transcon’s National Trust On Ice Semen & Embryo Sale Chapter XV, Red Deer, AB December 20

Spring Creek Simmental & Angus Complete Dispersal Sale Moosomin, SK

December 21-22

R Plus Simmentals Complete Dispersal Sale, Estevan, SK December

New Years Resolution Sale, Edmonton, AB

REAL WORLD