Lot 1 - Sunderland Ripped 10L sired by S A V Ripped 8304 was purchased by Verlin Steppler, Culbertson, MT for $9,000.00
FEATURING progeny & services of
ELLINGSON BADLANDS 0285
O CC LEGACY 839L
SAV AMERICA 8018
SAV TERRITORY 7225
SITZ STELLAR 726
SAV RAINFALL 6846
COLEMAN EASY DECISION 1539
SAV RIPPED 8304
MUSGRAVE AVIATOR
SAV ANTHEM 0042
KG JUSTIFIED 3023
ELLINGSON PROLIFIC
Lot 17 - Sunderland Ripped 567L sired by S A V Ripped 8304 was purchased by Murray Lake Farming, Medicine Hat, AB for $7,000.00
Catalogue will be posted online at DLMS.ca & Buyagro.com If you would like a catalogue mailed, please phone or email your address
LWP 15L BC Robust X Glennie Prime Cut 16B
LWP 9L HF Tiger 5T X Wiwa Creek Monarch 53’08
LWP 46L BC Robust X DMM Ambush 03M
THE REAL WORLD
OUR COMMERCIAL MARKET PLACE
BY CHRIS POLEY
The two questions I get asked the most when talking with livestock producers throughout Canada are, will cattle prices still go higher and how long will this good run be? Well, the market is steadily strong; commodity charts indicate bullish months ahead and the front row has been very aggressive in every auction mart from coast to coast and that spells good news for all producers.
Butcher cows and slaughter bulls are at levels we have not seen before which tells us about the strong demand for grinding product is more in demand than marbled beef. The question I ask is, is this strong cow kill, killing our herd numbers and sending us backwards? Are we on the edge of a “beef shortage”? From the white tablecloth establishments in major cities around North America through to the fast-food restaurants around the globe, they need beef to keep the doors open.
Brazil is the world’s largest producer and exporter of
in the USA. Processors mix “trim” with grass fed product to enhance flavor… ”trim” is the pieces of meat remaining after steaks, roasts and other cuts are removed. Hence the demand for kill cows and bulls.
The result of several years of drought combined with inflation and an aging population, rebuilding of the North American cow herd is not as soon as one would think. At prices which we have not seen previously, producers are choosing to cull and reduce breeding stock. As a result, herds become smaller but younger. In many areas around urban centers, grazing space is being gobbled up by pavement or the environment. More and more pressure is applied to the farmers, ranchers and agricultural producers each year to sustain an adequate living and supply a safe and identifiable product for the world.
Since gestation has not changed and ranching is a mainstay of agriculture, we suggest you grow and expand your herd… something tells me we have a
2024 Junior Stockman
Profile: Eric Fettes
Eric Fettes grew up on his family’s ranch, DKF Angus, located near Gladmar, Saskatchewan. At the young age of six, Eric began his own herd of purebred Angus cattle, starting with the female Red Blue Dawn Miss Illicit 359Z. Over the years, Eric has become increasingly involved in the family operation. Today he is actively involved in all aspects of DKF Angus from selecting genetics and feeding cattle to servicing equipment and more.
Eric has been a 4-H member for 12 years. Through 4-H he developed his passion for showing cattle. His enthusiasm for the breed has only intensified over time, driving him to continually expand his knowledge of genetics and cattle production. As a result of his dedication, Eric has successfully raised numerous champions for not only himself, but also other breeders across Canada and even in the United States.
Eager to learn and engage with others in the industry, Eric frequently visits with fellow breeders to gain insights about their operations and share about his herd. He serves as a role model for younger members of the livestock community, mentoring junior participants in areas such as feed preparation, grooming and showmanship.
Eric’s passion for the Angus breed and cattle industry extends far beyond the show ring and production of high-quality cattle. He also has a talent for mechanics which allowed him to help design and develop his family’s hydroponics fodder system that they utilize to feed their cattle. Eric has been attending college in Saskatoon, working towards becoming a heavy duty mechanic with plans of one day becoming a journeyman heavy duty mechanic and eventually taking over the family farm.
Q&A with Eric Fettes
Why did you join the Canadian Junior Angus program?
I guess I just grew up around it. My grandparents and parents were members, and my grandma signed me up as a CJA member when I was one year old. I didn’t make the decision to join but I have continued in the program because I really enjoy it.
How has Canadian Junior Angus been beneficial to you?
CJA has definitely helped put me through school and set some money aside to pay for it. I have also learned a lot about raising cattle.
When did you first know you wanted to stay involved with cattle ranching?
I have always been cattle ranching and have never really thought of doing anything else.
What has been one of your highlights or favourite memories of raising Angus cattle?
Either being selected as the 2024 Junior Stockman or winning Champion Red Angus Bull at Agribition in 2018, 2019 and in the 2020 virtual show.
Tell us about your operation.
My family’s operation, DKF Angus, began in 1986 with purebred Red Angus cattle and later expanded to include Black Angus cattle. It was initially established by my grandparents, and subsequently my father became involved. Today my sister and I are both a part of the family farm. We have slowly been bringing in more Black Angus to mix with the Reds; we are almost half and half now. We have been mixing the red and black genetics together to create new genetics. The bull Razor that we used is Red
out of Black Angus parents. Mixing up the genetics trying to create new things is one of the main objectives on our operation.
On our operation we have about 150 pairs. We keep most of our yearling heifers and bulls and we sell the bulls private treaty and some of the heifers through private treaty.
At DKF Angus we utilize a fodder system. To simplify, it is just barley sprouts that we seed out. The seeds can multiply up to 10 times their original weight when sprouted. One pound of seed can make 10 pounds of sprouts, and the feed value is insane. We use strips that are 10 inches by 7.5 feet in size. Four of those strips will weigh about 60 pounds, so that will be 240 pounds of fodder which is basically the same feed value as a dry hay bale.
What are your short-term goals as a breeder? And long-term goals?
Short-term, I want to maintain the same size herd that I have now, as I am still going through school. I have about 15 cows and own some in partnership with my dad. Longterm, my goal would be to start growing my herd and eventually take over DKF and be a full partner with my dad. I want to start mixing more Black Angus into my herd.
How has your experience with the Canadian Junior Angus program been for you so far?
My experience has been good! I attended Showdown in Swift Current last year. I had to leave early for fastball playoffs which are the same weekend as Showdown, so I haven’t been able to attend the past couple of years. I want to attend the full event in the future.
What is the best thing about being in the Canadian Junior Angus program?
The best part of Canadian Junior Angus is all the different people that you meet at shows and other events. I have made a lot of friends through the Angus breed.
Why would you recommend the Canadian Junior Angus program to others?
Getting involved in the CJA program is good if you’re interested in the purebred cattle business. There are lots of scholarships to help put you through school and other opportunities and events.
Do you have any advice for Juniors just starting in the Angus business?
Start slow, don’t begin with too many cattle. Attend as many events as you can. Be willing to learn—there are lots of older people that are willing to help out the younger ones,
For more information, please visit the Canadian AngusFoundation website at: www.cdnangus.ca/foundation/scholarships-bursaries-and-awards
especially if you are just getting involved in the Angus business. There will always be someone with more experience than you, so take advice from them.
The Junior Angus Stockman of the Year award was developed to recognize those outstanding young cattlemen who are constantly growing their ‘stockmanship’ capability by actively working with their Angus cattle; with actual farm involvement in day-to-day care of their livestock; learning the pedigrees and being actively involved in some breeding decisions within their operation; promoting their operation and cattle to the public through various and diversified means; growing their knowledge of nutrition, genetics and breeding; producing, selling and supporting demonstrable, reputable, notable, superior quality cattle; and understanding the relationship between our purebred Angus business and the commercial cattle and beef industry from the cow/calf producer through to the retail consumer experience. Five finalists are selected from the nominations. The winner receives a financial reward and a custom trophy buckle. Nominations are due by April 15.
Have you listened to Angus Life, the Canadian Angus Association’s official podcast?
You can check it out at www.cdnangus.ca/angus-life-the-podcast or subscribe through your preferred podcast platform (see the website for a complete list).
Watch for new 20- to 25-minute episodes once per month. It is our hope that these short episodes will make information accessible and easy to fit into your busy schedule. If you have a suggestion for a future episode or would like to provide feedback, please contact the host, Tina Zakowsky at tzakowsky@cdnangus.ca or 403-571-3584.
CERTIFIED ANGUS BEEF
FROM MODEST BEGINNINGS TO EXCELLENCE
Gilchrist Farm’s journey to winning the 2024 Certified Angus Beef Canadian Commitment to Excellence award.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE By Lindsay Graber Runft
In the cattle world, it’s a story often heard: one Angus cow changed the trajectory of a cow herd and family business.
Brad Gilchrist knew the commercial cattle side well, as the four generations before him built the family’s operation near Lucknow, Ontario. However, a twist of fate took Gilchrist Farms from a commercial cow-calf ranch to a thriving Angus seedstock enterprise.
The family’s dedication to improving their breed and adhering to the highest standards of beef production has earned them the 2024 Certified Angus Beef (CAB) Canadian Commitment to Excellence award. They received the award at the September 2024 Annual Conference in Verona, New York.
TURNING POINT
Gilchrist vividly recalls the notion that changed everything for their herd.
“We were showing cattle and learning the cattle business through 4-H,” he says. “We initially showed steers and did well, but we believed we could raise some on our own. So we bought this small herd of club-calf cows and grew from that.”
This lightbulb moment switched on in 2003 when Gilchrist purchased an Angus female that would become the cornerstone of their now renowned seedstock program.
“That female really showed me the clear advantages of Angus over our commercial herd,” Gilchrist says. “At that time, we had about 200 commercial cows, but she showed us what a low-maintenance and highly productive female could do for a herd.”
The evolution from commercial to purebred Angus cattle took rigorous breeding for genetic improvement.
“When I look out over my pastures now, I see cattle with bold sprung rib, excellent udders and good foot quality,” he says. “We focused on replacing our commercial herd with Angus, emphasizing traits that balance longevity and productivity.”
Gilchrist Farm’s evolution includes the use of artificial insemination (AI) and embryo transfer to maximize progress. They source pasture bulls from across North America— including Texas, Ohio, Illinois as well as Canada—helping to ensure both natural service and AI sires meet their genetic standards.
Management has made the investments pay.
“We can focus on performance and data all we want and make sure that we’ve got the right genetics in place, but if we don’t manage these cattle properly, we’re not going to get the most out of them,” he says.
(l - r) John Stika, CAB, Kristie and Brad Gilchrist, Bruce Cobb, CAB
Brad, Kristie and Peyton Gilchrist
The Beef Way is licensed to sell the Certified Angus Beef ® brand. This is where the Gilchrist family serves as a hub for the local community to access the best beef.
A SOURCE FOR PRODUCERS AND CONSUMERS
Getting “the most” led to full-spectrum results.
Local bull customers recognize calves sired by Gilchrist bulls for their sound legs, easy birth and ultimately superior carcass traits.
That’s realized just 20 miles up the road near Kincardine on Ontario’s west coast along the shores of Lake Huron at the family’s CAB-licensed retail shop, the Beef Way. That’s where they offer the Certified Angus Beef ® strip steaks, T-bones and ribeyes. They also custom butcher and market a full line of meats from local producers.
“Our goal is to be the top choice for consumers, retailers and wholesalers, emphasizing quality and consistency in every product we offer,” Gilchrist says.
Dedication to genetic improvement drives their success.
“Every time I look at our cattle,” he says, “I see the results of years of careful selection and breeding.”
“It’s the rigorous protocols and exacting standards behind Certified Angus Beef that truly stand out,” Brad Gilchrist explains. “Every time I open a box of Certified Angus Beef at The Beef Way, I trust the marbling will be perfect, the cut will be consistently sized, and the quality will be exceptional.”
Ensuring the farm’s legacy, daughter Peyton has already developed a keen interest in its future, ready to represent the sixth generation.
“I want to make sure Peyton’s got the same opportunity to take the business and continue on in better shape than it was when I received it.”
Looking ahead, he’s committed to genetic improvement and quality production to ensure Gilchrist Farm remains at the forefront of the industry.
“My family’s legacy gave us the chance to achieve what we have now,” he says. “Looking back helps me move forward, ensuring that everything I do is rooted in the values and groundwork laid by my family.”
Peyton represents five generations at Gilchrist Farms. Her growing interest ensures the family legacy will continue to thrive.
For Commercial Herds and Canadian Angus Members
Features:
Record everything you need for registration and performance purposes and so much more:
• pasture groups • health records
• movement • sale information
• calves on the fly
Integrate your readers and record RFID and TSU/hair card bar codes easily
Multiple sire exposures, the app will prompt the right sire based on exposure data
Submit multiple DNA test requests with a few clicks
Create custom animal lists
(e.g. pull a list of all your retained heifers to move or create exposure group lists)
Create custom animal alerts
(e.g. collect a DNA sample on cow 123Y next time you process her)
Customize your screen with fields that are important to you
Submit your registrations, weights and transfers to CAA quickly and easily
MARKET UPDATE
Packers were aggressive last week on a smaller total volume of fed cattle trade as the market average price moved nearly a dollar higher to $186.59/cwt. Weekly spot fed cattle prices have charted a $5.50/cwt. recovery since the $181/cwt. early September low that ended the futuresinduced lower cash prices beginning in early August.
Weekly fed cattle harvest head counts continue to run at an impressive pace contrasted against multiple previous months. Each of the latest four weeks have featured head counts larger than a year ago with an average of 496,750 per week, a 2.1% increase for the period compared to 2023.
Weekly Slaughter
Fed Steer Price
Steer Carcass Wt.
CAB Cutout
Choice Cutout
Select Cutout
CH/SE Spread
CAB/CH Spread
Amidst the upturn in live cattle prices, boxed beef cutout values have been locked in a downward pattern since mid-September. Larger weekly fed cattle slaughter in recent weeks, coupled with carcass weights 30 pounds heavier than a year ago, has pushed fed cattle carcass tonnage 2% higher than a year ago. Even so, cull cow harvest has been 14.5% smaller than a year prior for the recent four-week period.This pulled the weekly count lower by about 16,000 head.
Seasonally, weak beef demand during the month of September tends to extend into the first half of October. In the past five years, the price drop for the comprehensive cutout value has been 7% from the last week of August through mid-October. The current market shows a 4% decline since late August through last week. This suggests that the boxed beef price action is well within the historical trend although we’ve yet to cross the mid-point in October.
The daily trend this week shows strength in cutout values with a $4/ cwt. increase in the USDA Choice cutout over last Friday’s quote. This is aligned with last year’s trend where the price increase began a bit earlier in the month than is typical.
10% Narrowly Miss Certification
Product supply is a key metric in growing the reach of the Certified Angus Beef® brand. With U.S. beef cow numbers projected to decline by 200,000 head in 2024, supplying downstream brand partners with product becomes even more challenging. That’s one reason that our team annually captures data on several million head of Angus-type carcasses from our packer partners. Understanding why roughly 64% of eligible carcasses are unsuccessful in reaching the brand’s 10 specifications is a big step toward informing cattlemen of their opportunity to capture more dollars through improved carcass quality.
First, it’s important to realize that 83% of eligible carcasses missed the brand’s “Modest or higher” marbling requirement for certification in 2023. Easily the most influential factor, marbling outpaced ribeye area, the second most common specification failure, by 60 percentage points. It’s easy to understand that improving marbling achievement across the entire brand-eligible pool of cattle would make a big difference in the share of carcasses certified.
Inspection of the 2023 data on more than 2 million carcasses reveals that moving the marbling needle may have been in close reach. The chart indicates that 10% of the total, measured carcasses fell within just 30 marbling degress below the required “Modest 00” marbling score, the minimum requirement for CAB certification.
Understandably, most cattlemen don’t make a study of the USDA
marbling score system or the relevance it may have to live cattle value. Further understanding of what may be required to shift marbling scores within a calf crop or management group upward by 1 to 30 marbling degrees may also be a bit of a guessing game.
Since there are genetic, management and environmental factors at play the issue is more complex than a single strategy appropriate for all circumstances. In 2024 the culmination of annual incremental increases in feedlot days-on-feed has correlated with higher marbling achievement. This is seen as industry average percentages for USDA Choice, Prime and Certified Angus Beef® brand carcasses jumped well above prior years this summer, as carcass weights also soared to 25-plus pounds above last year.
Extending the feeding period for cattle is a winning recipe only as long as feedlots have pricing leverage. Feed is cheap relative to fed cattle price and the cattle supply is much smaller than packing capacity. Profitability of the above conditions aligning this year has not been driven by pursuit of improved carcass marbling. Rather, marbling has been the beneficiary of those conditions. As well, the proportion of Yield Grade 4 and 5 carcasses have concurrently swelled to record-highs. Given the discount nature of these carcasses and lost production efficiency in surplus external fat, it seems that simply “adding days” can be overdone from the viewpoint of ideal carcass composition.
Most likely a combination of genetic selection, nutrition and implant/betaagonist management need to work jointly to achieve the most profitable outcome with carcass quality playing a significant role. The relatively high genetic heritabilty of marbling has allowed rapid advancement in carcass quality through positive selection pressure, among other factors, since the early 2000’s. The American Angus Association’s “Marbling” EPD is a powerful tool when used strategically within a cow herd. There are arguably more balanced-trait Angus genetics (phenotype included) with marbling EPDs above breed average today than ever before. For many producers simply setting a strategic threshold for the Marbling EPD within selection parameters may move 10% of future terminal calves from just-below the line to “certified” status.
OPEN CLASS
GRAND CHAMPION
RED ROUNDUP WEEKEND
press release
Red Allison Lakima 146M, Quinn Pedersen
RESERVE CHAMPION
Red Redrich Passion 227M, Rigley Dietrich
3RD PLACE - Red Wilbar Soxro 506L, Owen Willms
4TH PLACE - Red BCC Renee 435, Wynton Brandl
5TH PLACE - Red BCC Larkaba 10L, Wynton Brandl
Winner of a $1000 sale credit drawn from open class show entries: Tate Wheeler. Tate used his credit on purchasing Lot 2 in the Roundup Sale.
OPEN CLASS OWNED CLASS
GRAND CHAMPION
Red Redline Rosalie 71J, Heidi Pas
RESERVE CHAMPION
Red Pugh 149C Lana 303L, Wyatt Sailer
3RD PLACE - Red Dwajo Jes Lucy 89K, Sophie Pas
4TH PLACE - Red Cinder Freyja 1129L, Tavianne Yoder
5TH PLACE - Red Wheel Pride 224M, Tate Wheeler
Winner of a $1000 sale credit drawn from owned class show entries: Erica Mathon. Erika used her money towards purchasing 3 heifers(Lot 4, 44 and 54) in the Red Roundup Sale.
LEGACY CLASS- NEW IN 2024
This class the animal had to be owned by the Junior member and generational animals should carry the Junior’s tattoo letters. The original female needed to be purchased in the Red Roundup sale or be a resulting progeny or grand progeny of a Roundup purchase. It was exciting for the first year to see 10 entries in this division. It was judged by a five-person team from across Canada.
GRAND CHAMPION
RESERVE CHAMPION
Red Airam Diamond Mist 23J with calf at side Red Airam Eminence 37M, Maria Taschuk
Winner of a $1000 sale credit drawn from Legacy class show entries: Tate Pool. Tate’s win went towards purchasing Lot 22 in the Sale.
The Canadian Red Angus Promotion Society Annual Student Award was two $1000. Awards presented to Red Angus Juniors furthering their careers.
2024 Winners Maria Taschuk, Two Hills, Alberta and Shelby Scott, Crossfield, Alberta.
It was an exciting weekend for everyone involved as the depth of quality cattle and enthusiasm of the Junior Red Angus members. The top-quality Red Angus cattle and the friendships and marketing done on the weekend made for many great conversations. Special thanks to all our sponsors for the weekend.
Details on how to get involved in the Red Roundup as memberships are open now. Check out Red Angus at Canadian Red Angus Promotion Society or check out our website www.redangus.ca. Follow us on Facebook: Canadian Red Angus Promotion Society.
TOP 5 OWNED CLASS
Red Redline Rosalie 71J with calf at side Red Pas Rosalie 71M, Heidi Pas
780-675-3445
CERTIFIED ANGUS BEEF
THE LULING FOUNDATION RECOGNIZED FOR LEAVING ENDURING LEGACY
Where once stood rows of nodding pump jacks, now black cattle serenely graze the hill pastures along a boundary river.
In 1922, pungent earthiness and industrial grit filled the air after Edgar B. Davis discovered the oil field 50 miles south of Austin, Texas.
Five years later, driven by providential faith in a vision of sustainable agriculture and community empowerment, Davis put up a million dollars from that flow to establish the Luling Foundation.
After nearly a century, that vision perseveres.
“It’s just so encouraging. Whenever you see true faith in action, it’s infectious,” says Bonnie Dredla, office manager at the Foundation in Luling, Texas.
Davis foresaw a demonstration farm to teach diversity beyond cotton toward more sustainable practices in Caldwell, Gonzales and Guadalupe counties and beyond.
Many facets of agriculture have been explored but cattle now form the core.
Herd manager Michael Kuck says today’s Foundation cattle were bred for multiple traits to deliver profit in the pasture and enjoyable beef for the consumer. It’s more than genetics, he says, noting a holistic approach that encompasses care for the land and animals.
“We have to take care of nutrition, we have to take care of genetics, we have to take care of the environment they live in every day,” Kuck says. “We have to treat them well so they treat us well.”
Underscoring wider collaboration, Dredla says Foundation success “takes a group effort in all facets.”
That enduring focus on quality, unwavering commitment to hospitality and education earned the Luling Foundation recognition as 2024 Certified Angus Beef (CAB) Progressive Partner, awarded at the CAB Annual Conference in September.
QUALITY DRIVEN
In response to the rising demand for high-quality beef, the Luling Foundation strives to exceed consumer expectations by delivering the best in its freezer beef program.
“Whenever you’re doing the basics and you’re producing a quality product, you’re going to continue to have business, you’re going to continue to have customers, you’re going to continue to have happy people,” Dredla says.
Focusing on carcass genetics, the Foundation enhances weaned calf value from the commercial herd using genetics from its registered Angus herd and CAB programs like Targeting the Brand™.
(left to right) John Stika, CAB, Michael Kuck, Bruce Cobb, CAB
Herd manager, Michael Kuck with office manager, Bonnie Dredla
Luling Foundation Chairman Gary Dickenson
The Luling Foundation paves the way for quality beef production while keeping the community a main priority.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE By
Although the cuts aren’t labeled as Certified Angus Beef locally, the Luling commitment to excellence ensures satisfaction.
“When you have a quality product, it’s going to sell itself,” Dredla says.
Positive feedback and repeat business validate the dedication, Kuck says. It also motivates Foundation staff to share strategies for enhancing beef quality with fellow producers.
Foundation Chairman Gary Dickenson says the focus on premium beef brands helps producers make more profit from their herds.
EMPOWERING A COMMUNITY
Beyond the beef, the Luling Foundation serves as an educational cornerstone for the wider community. Everyone from local grade school students to worldwide travelers realize positive impacts from farm visits.
“We’re very involved in ag literacy,” Dickenson says. “We have a lot of people coming to our field day from town or surrounding areas that have no idea what it takes to be a farmer or rancher.”
That’s why a key goal remains instilling a deeper appreciation of where food comes from and the process required to produce it sustainably.
“It seems like no matter where our visitors are from, near or far, they want to know the story behind the food we produce,” Kuck says.
For those who don’t come from an agricultural background, Dredla remembers Temple Grandin’s advice of showing people basic things they can connect with.
“We lose sight of the simple things that we do on a day-to-day basis,” she says. “People don’t understand how important it is to latch a gate.”
However, the Foundation’s commitment to education extends far beyond agriculture to broader connections and life lessons.
“Something I teach the kids is how important history is,” Dredla says. “Whenever you understand history, sometimes it’s so you don’t repeat other people’s mistakes, sometimes it’s to understand where you came from and sometimes it’s to know where you’re going.”
CONTINUING THE LEGACY
Amid the lessons and legacy, there’s a quiet resolve to continue the mission.
“The future of the foundation is to keep on producing the very best quality Angus beef that we can while working on ag literacy,” Kuck says.
Beyond and underpinning that drive for excellence lies the original vision, that providential faith that the work isn’t just about today but paving a path for future generations.
Katelyn Engel
Luling Foundation is rooted in education. Hosting hundreds of guests every year, their facilities are comfortable and convenient for showcasing what it takes to raise cattle in south Texas.
As urbanization spreads in rural communities, Kuck recognizes a crucial need for ag literacy to be a core component of what they offer at Luling Foundation.
“Whenever you realize that you have a bigger purpose than just waking up, it’s a different light,” Dredla says.
Setting or rising, the sun casts golden hues over cattle grazing the Luling Foundation’s sprawling fields and invokes the weight of history and hope. Rooted in faith, quality and community, Davis’ legacy continues to flourish, reminding all of the profound impact one person’s vision can have.
The
CERTIFIED ANGUS BEEF
GOAL Travel Bursaries
Application deadline January 1
Bursaries of up to $750 will be awarded to 12 deserving Canadian Junior Angus members from anywhere in Canada. Bursaries must be used within the same year awarded to help offset travel and registration costs for attending the GOAL Conference.
GO L
A 2025
February 15-17, 2025
Sheraton Cavalier, 612 Spadina Crescent E Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Registration deadline January 10
The Guiding Outstanding Angus Leaders (GOAL) Conference
promotes leadership skills within the Angus breed. Junior members from all over the nation attend this three-day event that is held in a different location each year. During GOAL the Juniors hear from motivational and educational speakers, participate in workshops, get involved in teamwork activities and develop beef and industry knowledge. Juniors are also given the opportunity to network and socialize with fellow Junior Angus members.
Please stay tuned for more details www.cdnangus.ca/canadian-junior-angus/goal
Watch our Facebook and Instagram pages and visit our website for more details on 2025 scholarship deadlines, awards and other events.
For more information contact Belinda Wagner, Canadian Junior Angus Coordinator, at 306-537-1518 or bwagner@cdnangus.ca
Developed in 1989 by the Canadian Angus Association, the Gold Show program encourages breeders to move between regions to show cattle. Individual animals must show in a minimum of three Gold Shows in at least two different regions in a given year to qualify for awards. Awards are presented based on the number of points accumulated over the course of the show season.
If you are interested in participating, please review the rules prior to registering: Canadian Angus
Gold Show Requirements
Each region may designate two shows per year as Gold Shows (except the Maritimes who can designate three shows) in which breeders can accumulate points for individual animals that are exhibited. The official list is maintained by the Canadian Angus Association. The Canadian Angus Association maintains the official list of recognized shows.
• Shows must be open to all members of the Canadian Angus Association. There is no cost to show organizers for inclusion in the program.
• Regions will notify the Canadian Angus Association of which shows have been designated along with show location and show dates by March 1st each year.
• Animals competing must have a Canadian Angus Association registration number at the time of judging. Unregistered, pending or “applied for” animals will not be awarded points or count toward grant funding.
• Animals born in or after 2012 must have a CCIA or ATQ Canadian Angus tag in order to qualify for points.
• Any animal with colour products applied to it in a Canadian Angus Association sponsored show will be disqualified from the show and the show deemed ineligible for financial support from the Canadian Angus Association.
• The class structure may be determined by the show organizing committee however it is encouraged that the Canadian Angus Association Gold Show Class Structure provided be used whenever possible.
• Individual animal points vary depending on the number of entries in the show. Points are awarded to the top six animals in each class or split, divisional champions and reserve, grand champions and reserve.
• There are no limits on the number of animals that can be exhibited by an individual member.
Animals competing must have a legible tattoo that complies with Canadian Angus Association requirements at the time of check-in or they will not be eligible to be shown. All cattle identified as not tattooed or with an incorrect tattoo will be reported to Canadian Angus Association.
Requirements are subject to change. Changes will be communicated by the Canadian Angus Association to the regional associations.
The rules of individual shows differ, and it is the responsibility of each breeder to know and follow the rules of the show. Failure to comply with the show rules may result in an animal’s disqualification.
Visit www.cdnangus.ca/buyers-sellers/gold-shows for the complete list of show dates and locations.
Office
ontario ONTARIO
Office
CERTIFIED ANGUS BEEF
Kansas feeder, Carpenter Cattle Company earns the 2024 CAB Feedyard Commitment to Excellence Award Feeding Better Cattle Better
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Not everyone is cut out to be a cattle feeder. It’s an art and a science that comes with a need to overcome risk. Wayne Carpenter fed his first pen of steers in 1980 and lost money. But he stuck with it.
Today with their sons’ families, he and wife Leisha run the Octo15,000-head-capacity Carpenter Cattle Company.
The Brewster, Kansas, yard still has the same priorities it started with at 1,000 head: cattle care, facility management, profitability and commitment to high-quality beef. Learning and adjusting over time serve to temper the risk.
“We have to be aware and listening to all segments of the industry, including chefs, retailers and the consumer, we have to know what they do and don’t want,” Wayne says.
This dedication to feeding the best beef earned Wayne and his family the 2024 Certified Angus Beef (CAB) Feedyard Commitment to Excellence Award. They received their award in Verona, New York, at the brand’s Annual Conference in September.
AN ART
Bunks are clean, waterers clear and cattle quiet. Not a day goes by that a pen isn’t fed within an hour’s deviation at the Carpenter yard.
You can find Wayne himself in the feed truck most mornings.
“It’s more than dumping feed and calling it good,” he says. “The little things in the yard, the ones you don’t think about here and there. Those add up to affect your bottom line.” The challenge drives him.
“Wayne’s not a quitter,” Leisha says. “From getting cattle marketed right to adjusting for the weather we have, he’s not afraid to take a chance to grow and try something different.”
The Carpenters have positioned their yard for success with all team members Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) certified and the business backed by Micro Technologies precision feed management.
“Animal health, feed inventory, feed truck scales, GPS, billing, all of it is tracked through one system which has made our life a lot easier,” Wayne says. “We can run any report we need for our veterinarian or nutritionist—you name it, we can analyze it. It’s made us better.”
His customers recognize that meticulous care.
By Lindsay Graber Runft
John Stika, CAB, Wayne and Leisha Carpenter, Bruce Cobb, CAB
Wayne is at the feed truck helm daily, observing each pen of cattle and calling bunks.
The northwest Kansas feedyard has grown exponentially since its inception, with owners, Wayne and Leisha, consistently working to move their business needle. With an eye to consumers and grid premiums, quality beef production is the standard.
Wayne McKinney runs a cow-calf operation near Weskan, Kansas, and has retained ownership of calves through Carpenter Cattle Company.
“He’s not a manager that is 200 miles away and has somebody else running it,” McKinney says. “He’s available at any time and can tell me how my cattle are doing. He’s a progressive go-getter, always making improvements.”
The Carpenter approach to embracing innovation and technology to improve results wins many admirers.
“Not only does Wayne do a quality job with the animals and the economics of the business, but the relationship is top shelf as well,” Keith Bergkamp says.
The stocker and backgrounder at Cottonwood Feeders, Cunningham, Kansas, tips his hat to the business ethics.
“I don’t know many people who work harder,” Bergkamp says. “I really appreciate his guidance. He’s always honest with me; he’s consistent and his character is top-notch.”
A SCIENCE
Carpenter commends the Angus breed for adding to the producers’ toolbox with genomics and data that point the way to CAB grid premiums.
Those tools cut down on guessing when cattle are finished and how long it will take to improve them.
“We used to eyeball it or maybe look at our grids and figure it will be two years before it gets better,” Wayne says. “Now, we’ve sped that up.”
Before joining U.S. Premium Beef, the Carpenters sold pens of finished cattle on the cash market, all for the same average price. But once they started to get individual carcass data back and saw the greater value of high-quality beef, they leaned into grid marketing. They haven’t looked back.
“If it wasn’t for grids improving carcass quality and putting
that quality in front of the consumer, we wouldn’t have the demand for our product today,” Wayne says. “It’s made us better cattle feeders.”
He says it takes feeding the right kind of cattle to make the most out of the grid, and they’ve been lucky to have some great partners that have made it a successful business for all of them.
“You’ve got to have quality pounds,” Wayne says. “The whole industry is pushing over 80% Choice and Prime, and I’ve got to compliment the cow-calf side of this business. They don’t always get the recognition, but it all starts there with quality genetics. We’re just a piece of the chain here at the feedyard, and it all starts at the ranch and setting calves up right.”
RISK OVERCOME
Wayne grew up in a family of dryland farmers and ran a few cow-calf pairs with his dad. After feeding out his first pen of steers, however, he was hooked.
“My dad told me one day, ‘You’re going to go broke feeding cattle,’” Wayne chuckles. “And he was right. We’ve been broke three times. We always come back. Like I always told him, ‘When you were a wheat farmer and you got hailed out, did you quit? No, you kept going.’”
Success over the long term means learning from setbacks in a series of calculated risks.
“Businesses take time to grow and mature. Just make sure you enjoy what you’re doing.”
For Wayne and Leisha Carpenter, the risk has paid off.
Through hard work and weathering a few storms, Wayne and Leisha Carpenter have built a successful business.
The Carpenter family
By Roy Lewis, DVM
BLOAT IN TODAY’S CATTLE PRODUCTION
There is huge talk about the shortage of veterinarians especially large animal but also small animal emergency etc., out there in society. Recent announcement that the Calgary Veterinary School will expand from the current 50 students as of four years ago to 100 students that will start in fall of 2025. I would suggest as producers either purebred or commercial raising cattle or other production animals what are some current strategies you need to seek out to help your situation? This will vary depending on your geographic location and type of services you may need.
The purebred breeders often do require herd health services such as semen evaluation of herd and sale bulls, reproductive services, to embryo and semen collection specialists. The emergency work in my eyes has been greatly reduced because of you the producers as calving ease leads to less dystocias, caesarians, and prolapses. Also then the complications of hard calvings are greatly reduced as well. The bottom-line is there are still a few necessary emergencies and one needs access to a veterinary service that provides emergency services. There is also the regulatory work for cattle being exported or bulls going into AI studs. As this work becomes more beauocratic fewer veterinarians are doing this service.
The biggest apparent shortage appears at calving season as emergencies when veterinarians are busy doing herd work in many cases. Have as good a relationship with your local veterinary clinic and all veterinarians involved is a start. You all should know by now that the majority of veterinarians graduating these days are female (80%-90%). They are still more than capable and for production animal work, producers I think have gotten very used to accepting and even praising the female veterinarins; work.
How do we as veterinarians rectify this shortage? For me the emergency work, individual medicine work, regulatory work if the clinic has haul in facilities that is a great advantage to you and them from an economic and time commitment for the veterinarian. They most often have time to fit you in and that is where the veterinary technicians are utilized to their full potential in large animals. From history taking, triage, treatment, processing lab work and collection. Really making the diagnosis and performing say an actual surgery are still in the hands of the veterinarian. The larger clinics will have veterinarians out on herd work as well as someone in the clinic on most days.
If you have the need for these veterinary emergencies find a clinic that performs the service and be prepared to bring them in that keeps the veterinarian efficient and can serve a big area for emergencies. I am more familiar in Alberta but slowly over time regional clinics that are bigger having more veterinarians employed and thus more back up lab facilities etc. are becoming the norm. They also employ a fair number of veterinary technicians which are having their scope of practice expanded so they can do more things such as BSE testing under supervision and in some cases pregnancy checking if they have the formal training. I personally would like to see their scope expanded even more depending on the talent of the technician and the mentorship they have been given. I know it is tough in some areas that over time have had clinics shut down. Usually herd health work if organized is booked in and veterinarians are starting to do a certain area on a certain day having producers collaborate and then using where possible tele-medicine. Telemedicine will definitely help in the future where the use of videos pictures of clinical cases or autopsies can have your veterinarian help you remotely. There are some semi-retired veterinarians taking on the tel-medicine role and with their vast experience they can help you out in many cases. Producers may pay a fee for this of course but depending on the producer’s capabilities timeliness and having medications on hand may lead to a favorable outcome at a much-reduced cost. This
again requires the VCPR (veterinary client patient relationship) and can be worked into a herd agreement. Some partially retired vets can be coaxed back into practice even if just to do the tele-medicine.
Some clinics are acquiring foreign trained veterinarians to complete the team and they often like working in a rural location. Please keep in mind they have passed the necessary exams etc to make them qualified to practice in Canada or they can work under supervision until all the requirements are met.
Keep in mind for herd work that your facilities may play a big role. You want the veterinarian to be happy working in your facility. Quicker processing, semen testing, pregnancy checking may mean a lower price but also more time for you in the day. I can’t say more how a good handling tub system leading to a hydraulic chute and palpation cage makes things go smoother and quicker. You also do not loose patience and both yourself and the veterinarian are not exhausted at the end of the day. Try and group schedule in an area and clinics should do the same to clump calls together again increasing efficiency. I realize not every one can afford a hydraulic system and my rule of thumb used to be 200 head as the cutoff to purchase a hydraulic chute but with timed AI and more passes through the chute each year maybe this number should be lower. Used hydraulic chutes are becoming available.
If you are a specific geographic area that is short of veterinarians this may take time but perhaps a community clinic or have a scholarship to defray tuition for a specific vet student to apply for and come back into a specific area could work. Bigger clinics have in some cases got satellite clinics that may work and feed into the main clinic. In the veterinary schools the acceptance formula is trying to reach out to more well rounded students. The issue of course is less population in rural means there are less say farm kids that apply. There is also still a huge shortage of veterinarians for small animal practice as well.
It may pay to ask your herd veterinarian what you are supposed to do in an emergency. In Alberta at least the veterinary by-laws say you need to provide emergency service or have arrangements for veterinary services available. I am seeing areas such as specific areas in BC doing a shared call between several clinics. Your area is bigger but the sharing of on call keeps veterinarians from burning out and leaving the profession earlier. Those veterinary services could very well be hauling into an emergency clinic.
You will find many clinics in an area working together for the better good of a client. That is sharing emergencies or expertise and as an example your embryo transplant vet helping with a repro problem or perhaps semen testing your bulls in some cases. I know the pharmacy supplies sometimes direct producers to certain clinics but make sure the clinical expertise herd services and arrangements for emergency services those clinics provide are acceptable to you. To me also having the personality that complements yours is evident. I always had way better results for clients that trusted and had faith in me and the service for them was always better I felt.
There is also an answering service out there that employs veterinary technicians to help decide which emergencies need to be dealt with now and which can be triaged till a later date. Progress is being made and everyone can do his or her part. Lots of optimism but the big expansion in the veterinary school in Calgary plus foreign trained vets and telemedicine will be the three greatest improvements in the near future in my eyes that will help service you the producers.
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