COWBOY CANADIAN
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THE CONSERVATION ISSUE Keeping Ranches in the Family | Women’s Grazing Schools Fearless & Formidable Storm Chasers!
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PREDICTING WEATHER Folklore Beats Science
CONTENTS DECEMBER 2023/JANUARY 2024 | VOLUME 27, NO.4
FEATURES
19
16 T RAILBLAZERS
Elmer Kure, recognized as the “father” of environmentalism in Western Canada
19 P RAIRIE STORM CHASERS
The incredible photography of some of the best storm chasers on the prairies
24 P RAIRIE WOMEN’S
GRAZING SCHOOL
Experienced ranchers take to the plains to refine their education on native grass
26 R EDUCING WILDFIRE D ESTRUCTION
The solution to a modern day problem — and cattle are the key
29 S CIENCE OR FOLKLORE?
When it comes to long-range forecasting, it turns out that folktales trumps science
39 W HAT WORKS FOR US
A conservation easement helped the Bar 15 Ranch stay in the family
43 NICOLA RANCH — PART 1 OF 2 e history and mystery of British Th Columbia's Nicola Ranch
PHOTO: SHANNON BILESKI
DEPARTMENTS
ON THE COVER: Page 19 Captured by storm chaser Craig Boehm, the white horse, old barn, and coming storm dramatically illustrates why Saskatchewan is called Land of the Living Skies.
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5 7 12 13 14 36 38 48 46 50
MY POINT OF VIEW IN THE CORRAL SPIRIT OF THE WEST WHEEL TO WHEEL REFLECTIONS ROAD TO THE CFR CLOWNIN’ AROUND COUNTRY COOKING COWBOY WAY COWBOY POETRY
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December 2023/January 2024 Vol. 27, No. 4 Proud Member of the Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame
Publisher Rob Tanner rob@cowboycountrymagazine.com Editor Terri Mason terri@cowboycountrymagazine.com Field Editor Craig Coulliard craig@cowboycountrymagazine.com Art Director Shannon Swanson shannon@cowboycountrymagazine.com Sales Manager Kristine Wickheim kristine@cowboycountrymagazine.com Subscription/Circulation Marie Tanner circ @cowboycountrymagazine.com Accounting/Administrator Marie Tanner admin@cowboycountrymagazine Columnists Tim Ellis, Malcolm MacLean, Hugh McLennan, Billy Melville, Greg Shannon, Bryn Thiessen Contributors Beth Allan, Shannon Bileski, Craig Boehm, CrAsh Cooper, Rob Dinwoodie, Daryl Drew, Tim Lasiuta, Braydon Morisseau, Anne Stevick Tanner Young Publishing Group Box 13, 22106 South Cooking Lake Road Cooking Lake, AB T8E 1J1 Tel: 780-465-3362 | Toll Free: 1-800-943-7336 Website: cowboycountrymagazine.com E-mail: askus @cowboycountrymagazine.com
SUBSCRIPTIONS: Call Marie at 1-800-943-7336 1 Year: $29.00 incl. tax | 2 Years: $46.00 incl. tax Single Copy: $6.95 + tax Canadian Cowboy Country magazine is published six times per year by Tanner Young Publishing Group PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40070720 ISSN 1701-1132 Please return undeliverable addresses to: Canadian Cowboy Country Magazine c/o Tanner Young Publishing Group Administration Office Box 13, 22106 South Cooking Lake Road Cooking Lake, AB T8E 1J1 FREELANCE POLICY Canadian Cowboy Country welcomes freelance contributions but will not be held responsible for unsolicited text or photographs. Direct all freelance enquiries to: freelance@cowboycountrymagazine.com PRIVACY POLICY At Tanner Young Publishing Group, we value your privacy. For our complete privacy policy go to tanneryoung.com/privacy.html or call us at 1-800-943-7336 Canadian Cowboy Country makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information it publishes, but cannot be held responsible for any consequences arising from errors or omissions.
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Canadian Cowboy Country December 2023/January 2024
MY POINT OF VIEW
Renewal & Joy
STOCK.ADOBE.COM/ OKSANA PERKINS
W
e’re about to close the curtain on 2023 and what a year it has been! Outside of the magazine awards and atta-boys from readers, one of the greatest joys for me has been reconnecting with writers and old friends and the exciting journey of bringing both into the Cowboy corral. This is our annual Conservation issue, and it’s a real pleasure to put this one together. I’ve always said that ranchers were the original environmentalists, and it has been just in the last few decades that others have realized the major thanks we all owe them for saving our part of the planet and keeping the native grass intact. Keeping the grass and ranch intact is the main reason for conservation easements, and they are becoming more common across the West. We bring you the story of the Bar 15 who recently signed an easement, and what it means to them to be able to keep the ranch in the family. Keeping it in the family is also a byproduct of the grazing school. Ranch women have been embracing these learning journeys since this school first began and have been able to bring their newfound knowledge home to their own ranches.
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In BC, it’s wildfires they’re battling more than anything recently. They’re facing a drought like the prairies had in the 1980s. (Actually, the ‘80s drought was longer and worse than the Dirty Thirties, but farming practices have changed dramatically.) My old friend Rob writes about a project they’re doing over there, which will see cows saving the range and million-dollar homes. No one embraces exciting journeys more than storm chasers, and we bring just a taste of their extreme photography to you. Some have highly specialized vehicles and to-diefor photography equipment, and all have no shortage of guts. And while at first glance, this isn’t our most “Christmas-y” of issues, in a way, it is because the season is about renewal and joy. Each year, we get to renew old friendships, make new ones and pursue the stories that matter to us. And with that, it’s a wrap on 2023, and God willing, a good start to 2024. Merry Christmas to everyone — here in Canadian Cowboy Country.
— Terri Mason, Editor
CONTRIBUTORS
ANNE STEVICK
ROB DINWOODIE
DR. DARYL DREW
Anne Stevick ranches with her husband, Quentin, in the Pincher Creek/Waterton area of southern Alberta. Now semi-retired, the couple travels around the world. Love of travel and agriculture leads them to some very interesting places.
Rob and his wife, Jocelyne, 3 horses and 2 border collies live near Vernon, B.C. He was a range manager for 30 years with the Ministry of Forests and 40 years as a cowboy entertainer. He is now a consultant for the agriculture sector in B.C.
A high school history teacher for 38 years in Saanich, B.C., Daryl helped develop a curriculum for First Nations studies. He is also a horse trainer, cowboy action shooter and an Old West historian who has ridden the trails of Butch Cassidy and Billy the Kid.
Prairie Women’s Grazing School, page 24
Using Cattle to Reduce Wildfires, Page 26
Nicola Ranch, Part 1 of 2, page 43
HorseExpo.ca
April 26-28, 2024 6
Canadian Cowboy Country December 2023/January 2024
IN THE CORRAL
PHOTO BY DEVINA BERGER
//// EVENTS & HAPPENINGS ACROSS THE WEST ////
Champion Wedding! Congratulations to Alexi Lively and the 2022 Canadian Bareback Champion (and CFR High Score Record Holder) Ty Taypotat on their fall wedding in September. Alexi is a real estate agent, and Ty is a successful professional bareback rider. The wedding took place at the bride’s parents’ homeplace west of Nanton, Alta. The car? It’s a 1934 Model A, loaned to the couple by a family friend.
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IN THE CORRAL
LYBBERT RULES MISSOURI MULES
Joel and the palomino mule, Jeffrey, before heading out to Missouri
CONGRATULATIONS TO TRAINER Joel Lybbert (Bar JL Training) of Cardston, Alta, on winning the Missouri Mule Makeover. That’s right — a Canadian. In fact, the first Canadian to ever enter has won it all. This event, part of Ozark Mule Days, takes place over five months, and the contestant posts updated videos of their progress with
Listen to
their subject, and the champion is declared after each competitor shows their mule. Jeffrey is the name of Joel’s mule, and by all accounts, he was “the toughest mule ever filmed.” Another part of the deal is the competitors can choose to auction off their mule, but Joel, who has successfully trained many horses, plus a Longhorn (Jasper) and a bison named
Indy, chose to keep the firebrand mule, Jeffrey. The Cardston cowboy entered the main competition alongside Albertan youth competitor Shayde Primrose. “Jeffery was a mule that took so much more feel than I have ever had to give,” said Joel. “Jeffery was an unhandled mule,” said Les Clancy, the Ozark Mule Days producer. “Not many cowboys could tame the long-eared mount in 150 days,” he added. “It’s very credible for what he’s done in a short amount of time with a mule that most people in the United States or any country would even mess with, let alone try to put into a competition, and he represented Canada very well,” said Les Clancy, producer of the Ozark Mule Days. Joel posted weekly videos of Jeffrey’s transformation on social media. Their performances were so impressive that Joel and youth competitor Shayde took home the championship titles. Most famous for his bison, Indy, both Joel and Jeffrey the Mule draw attention for their flowing manes. “The first time I grew it, I cut it and donated it,” says Joel. “Now, I’m thinking a buffalo rider doesn’t look much like a buffalo rider without a big flowing mane,” he laughs. Joel posted his documentary of Jeffrey’s training process to his Bar JL Training social media accounts in mid-October.
THE SPIRIT OF THE WEST “Radio Program” Ride through the Rangeland of the West every week
Celebrating over 30 YEARS
of Stories Great Western Music Horse Training Advice And much more
Hear it on your favourite radio station or on demand at Hugh-McLennan.com Check out the new Spirit of the West Facebook page too!
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Canadian Cowboy Country December 2023/January 2024
PHOTO COURTESY BAR JL TRAINING
with Hugh McLennan
IN THE CORRAL
ARCHIVE PHOTOS — AND MUSIC! A GOOD FRIEND of Canadian Cowboy Country is writer and historian Tim Lasiuta, who was recently tapped for the delicious job of going through the Innisfail and District Historical Society archives. Along with a plethora of fabulous historic photographs of Alberta’s early history, he also discovered sheets of original music written for silent movies by Charlie Maynard, a former Innisfail resident. Back in the day, movies were literally silent, so theatres would hire pianists to add musical accompaniment to spice up the “moving pictures” experience. Tim arranged for the three pieces of music, Mother, Lake Louise and Pony Boy Blues, to be performed by Kathy Oostra (Mother and Pony Boy Blues) and Bev Latkolik (Lake Louise), who were pleased to be part of the project. The composer Maynard was born in 1895 in England and later moved to Innisfail with his mother and father in 1896. He was christened on the knee of Queen Victoria as his mother was a lady-in-waiting to the regal. Later, his mother and a newborn son were killed in a tragic fire in 1901. Maynard’s father was a rancher and business owner, while Charlie became a guide in
The Best Seats in the House — Big Gap Stampede, Neutral Hills, ca 1920s, courtesy Innisfail and District Historical Society
Banff, a medic who served in both World Wars and a musician in Hollywood who reputedly acted but mainly wrote music for the silents. He passed away in 1985 in Kaslo, BC. “The discovery of the music in the files
underlies an important point,” said Lasiuta. “There is treasure in the archives of any museum, home, or business. Along with this music, we uncovered rare NWMP photos dating back to the mid-1800s that we are trying to identify.”
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IN THE CORRAL
– De c
BEEFING UP FINES FOR RURAL BIOSECURITY
4– 02
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anuary 2 /J
ber 2023 em
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WHERE IN THE WORLD IS CANADIAN COWBOY?
CHARTERED IN 1621, the city of Sundsvall has had a fiery history — literally. The city has burned down and been rebuilt four times, most notably in 1721 when it was set on fire by the Russian army. After the last fires in 1888, they rebuilt using stone, and the town centre was later nicknamed Stenstaden (the stone city). One of the city’s famous sons is Carl Gunnar Strandlund. Born in Sundsvall, his family immigrated to Moline, Illinois. He hired on with the Minneapolis-Moline tractor company as a production engineer, eventually holding over 150 farm implement patents —including creating rubber tires for tractors. He later served as president of the Oliver Farm Equipment Company. Today, Sundsvall boasts over 58,000 citizens, including Dan Dardis, who sent this photo of himself in the beautiful Stenstaden.
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CFR RADICALLY CHANGED
THE MANAGEMENT OF the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association announced that the Canadian Finals Rodeo is going to be staged in downtown Edmonton at Rogers Place for the next three years, beginning in 2024. It was also announced that the iconic event, which will be celebrating its 50th anniversary in ’24, will be staged one month earlier to October 2–5 and will no longer be the traditional six performances but slashed to five. It’s also shortened by a day, from five to four. There was no word about changes to the 2024 rodeo season or CFR prize money, however, Edmonton is thrilled the CFR is coming home. Stay tuned!
Canadian Cowboy Country December 2023/January 2024
STOCK.ADOBE.COM/ ROBERT
Sundsvall, Sweden
A BILL HAS been introduced to ensure farmers and ranchers get more protection for farm biosecurity from radical trespassers, and the organizations that encourage them will pay a hefty price. Agriculture critic John Barlow (Conservative, MP Foothills) introduced a private member’s bill that would fine trespassers who enter barns or properties where animals are kept. Bill C-275 is now “under scrutiny” at the House of Commons AG committee. “Simply put, this enactment would apply existing penalties within the act to people who trespass on farms and properties and facilities where animals are kept,” Barlow said at committee last week. The bill also proposes to double the fines for organizations that encourage unlawful behaviour and put animals and farmers at risk. “What worries me is since we had that discussion a couple of years ago, animal activists have become even more brazen to the point where they’re endangering the lives of animals on farms (and), in some cases, the public and the livelihoods of our farmers,” he said. Megz Reynolds, executive director of the Do More Agriculture Foundation, said farmers shouldn’t live in fear of protesters trespassing when they already face so many other challenges. Some are afraid to send their children out to do chores because of the additional risks that protesters could present, she said. Several provinces have toughened their own trespass legislation to deal with this issue.
GIDDY UP WITH GREG SHANNON
THE BEAT GOES ON...
PHOTO: MALVENA
ON THE BUSY OLD RANCH This is a little kids’ book, but not just any little kids’ book — this is for little ranch kids — and what a treasure! Each turn of the super-sturdy pages reveals a double-page spread featuring two rhyming stanzas written by rancher Katelyn Toney about life on a ranch. The book is wonderfully and colourfully illustrated by talented artist Rebecca Allen. On The Busy Old Ranch covers it all — and does it with poetic broad strokes. There is no silly urban view of ranch life, (well, there IS that crazy Aunt in the story, but hey, we’ve all had one of those), but seriously, this is probably as close to reality as one can get in a kid's book, and still be having fun with it. What I like the most is the adult participation in everything, which is so often the case on a ranch. Some of their activities include feeding horses, fixing a solarpowered water system so cattle can drink, loading cattle on a liner, fixing fence, visiting with a wise cowboy grandpa under a shade tree, wrestling calves at a branding, and more. In short — it’s a terrific little book. As I mentioned earlier, the construction of On The Busy OId Ranch is also sturdy enough to withstand travel in saddlebags or under the truck seat. You and the kids will soon have it memorized, but the art is so well done you’ll always enjoy turning the pages. This is definitely one for the Christmas stocking or just because. On The Busy Old Ranch by Katelyn Toney, illustrated by Rebecca Allen | hardcover | 20 pages | Publisher Bluestem Books | www.KatelynToney.ca
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Indigenous dynamo Carol Powder is the beating heart of the First Nations drumming and singing group Chubby Cree. It combines her talents with the haunting vocalizations of her grandson Noah Green. The group's name may sound provocative to some, but to Carol, it’s a tribute to her late brother ‘Big Rick’ who raised her after their mother passed. Carol grew up as one of 10 kids in a log house with no power, water, or electricity. “Never knew of such things and didn't need them either,” she laughs. What she did have was an abundance of family and knowledge of the old ways taught daily by her grandparents and great-grandparents. A keen student of all Cree culture, Carol learned that music has healing powers and that children need to be nourished; they are the future, she says, and without them, we don’t have one. Carol is now a Kookum to 13 of her own grandchildren and found light in the darkness of the pandemic by realizing that they needed an elder's time and teachings as much as she did. Chubby Cree has a growing fan base and frequent interest from top-tier talk and reality shows. A quick internet search of their song “Rock Your World” will help explain
why, as does the moving documentary film that features Carol and Noah — Chubby Cree: PiMahCiHoWin (The Journey). Directed by Dr. Jules Kastatian, the film reveals the spiritual journey and unbreakable bond of this grandmother and grandson. In it, Carol reveals her greatgrandfather Harry Powder encouraged her to learn the art of drumming — traditionally a man's privilege. Carol feels that drumming is the heartbeat of Mother Earth. “It brings people together and connects us to spirit,” and is certain that Noah is channelling their ancestors when he plays and sings. “He moves people; his voice is like medicine.” The documentary is a wonderfully powerful story of family, tradition, and the healing power of music. Carol says, “The most important thing is to show the world what my great-grandparents and grandparents taught me and what they want me to share.” Can music change the world? Carol Powder is certain it can. Chubby Cree: PiMahCiHoWin (The Journey) is available to stream at https://watch. telusoriginals.com
Greg Shannon 840 CFCW Morning Show Co-Host Hear Greg Shannon & Co-Host Stella Stevens weekday mornings on 840 CFCW! Email Greg with column suggestions: greg@cfcw.com
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SPIRIT OF THE WEST
Malvena McKinnon The Sister I Never Had BY HUGH MCLENNAN
Banff National Park. The horse she took was a little cinchy. “When you pull the cinch up, he bucks for about 10 or 15 minutes,” she said. “The folks watching looked pretty concerned when I got on, but I knew the storm was over.” The equine gene seems to run in her family. Malvena's mother was an amazing horsewoman and travelled the country with a horse she had trained to perform 52 different tricks. All of her brothers ride horses, and when the family lived in Winnipeg, they staged a
Malvena and the 2015 registered black overo paint stallion WILDCARDGOTCASH
Y
ou should have my sister on your show sometime. She's an amazing horsewoman, and she’d love to be on the Spirit of the West.” These were the words of multi-award-winning country music air personality Louis "The Big Rig" McIvor sometime after he stepped up and gave me a kidney back in 2017. We set up an interview, and it could have gone on for hours. The first thing Malvena wanted to talk about was the Wild Three Horse Race in High Prairie, which she won at the age of 52. Three laps around the track on three different horses, all horses she'd never seen before.
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It was like horseback roller derby, where anything goes. She laughed and said, “When I raced, I had a cap on with my hair tucked under the cap, and when it fell off, the announcer hollered, “And there comes yellow hair in the front!” I wasn't too popular with the Native group there. I had bouncers to look after me and our stuff for the first night until the second race, but the Metis blood runs through my veins." With that, I said, “Since I'm carrying a kidney from your brother, I'm proud to have some Metis blood too.” Malvena had just returned from a ride in the famous Ya Ha Tinda ranch bordering
train robbery re-enactment, jumping onto the train from their horses and acting like train robbers. The finale was Malvena rearing her beautiful paint stallion high in the air and waving to the passengers. A great memory was meeting and visiting with Queen Elizabeth II, who was travelling on the train during one of those episodes. Then, her storytelling switched to her brother, Louis. She said their dad bought him a banjo when he was ten years old, and he took to it right away. The family arranged for lessons and after just a couple of sessions, the teacher said, “He's playing by ear, and he's already better than me. I can't teach him anything more.” All three of her brothers are talented musicians. Malvena’s equine journey started with barrel racing, then moved into cutting and team penning. Then she began starting colts that other trainers couldn't get anywhere with — and she's still doing it. I guess I could call her “the sister I never had,” and I'm pretty proud of her, as are the rest of her brothers. c
Canadian Cowboy Country December 2023/January 2024
PHOTO BY NICOLE LOUISE DALEY
“It was like horseback roller derby, where anything goes.”
WHEEL TO WHEEL
Arnie Jackson A Lifetime Builder BY BILLY MELVILLE
Arnie Jackson receives the George Normand Lifetime Builders Award at the 2023 WPCA Awards Gala from his longtime radio partner Billy Melville (left) and longtime friend and colleague Jimmy Hughes
PHOTOS BY PAUL EASTON
T
hroughout the world, many organizations present special awards given to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to a particular field during their life. The George Normand Lifetime Builder Award is given to individuals who have dedicated a lifetime of service to the sport as a competitor, sponsor, race official, or somehow affiliated with chuckwagon racing and the WPCA. It’s a very special award because it is not always presented annually, and the recipients become part of an exceptional and exclusive group. The award is named for six-time World Champion George Normand who lost his life in a racing accident at the Ponoka Stampede in 1994. For the first time in its history, the 2023 recipient of the George Normand Lifetime Builder Award went to a member
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of the media — longtime Western sports broadcaster Glen Wright. Better known in the chuckwagon and rodeo world as Arnie Jackson. Arnie Jackson’s broadcasting career began in the early 1960s as a student at Western
“... George Normand was Arnie's all-time favourite chuckwagon driver.” Canada High School in Calgary where he, along with future radio personalities Byron McGregor, Dave Maller and Jimmy Hughes, would do Friday morning PA announcements
known as the Voice of Western, communicating to the student body all the news and social activities related to the school. This caught the attention of Arnie’s drama teacher, Dr. Betty Mitchell, who encouraged Arnie to obtain some voice training, which ultimately led to Arnie’s first broadcasting job as a student announcer at CFAC Radio in Calgary in 1962. Over the next ten years, Arnie worked in radio in Calgary, specializing in anything that came through the door and covering several local sports, such as hockey and curling. In 1973 he became the sports director at CKGY Radio in Red Deer, which got Arnie more heavily involved in covering chuckwagon racing and rodeo, and soon he became known as the broadcast voice of Western Sports in Alberta. Over the next half-century, Arnie Jackson would bring Western sports to millions of people. From highlight packages of the Calgary Stampede on CFAC and CBC Television to hosting WPCA Events on Shaw Cable to freelance radio reports, Arnie Jackson did it all. He worked alongside Ernie Afaganis on CBC Television’s coverage of the Rangeland Derby, and in 1997 he was hired by the Calgary Stampede to be Joe Carbury’s backup as the track announcer. For the past twentyplus years, Arnie has been the primary host of the WPCA Chuckwagon Races on local, regional and SiriusXM Satellite radio. Arnie’s passion for Western sports and his love for the people involved in it, resulted in him dedicating parts of seven decades to chuckwagon racing and rodeo. “Nobody works harder at it than Arnie,” says Jimmy Hughes. “I’ve seen every step of it for sixty years.” He has received broadcasting awards from both the WPCA and PRCA. Still, this award is extra special as it not only reflects a lifetime of work, but the award’s namesake — George Normand — was Arnie’s all-time favourite chuckwagon driver. It’s perfect,” says Arnie, “Thank you.” c
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REFLECTIONS
Projection
Now ‘most everybody they know the type Before the work starts they hand out advice From all the knowledge that they’ve attained They’re willing to hand it out again and again… These are the first words in a poem inspired by Don Wudel’s propensity to instruct and explain and immortalized in a Vern Ballentyne drawing known as ‘’The Professor.” It shows Don with his signature no neck, hand waving stance, explaining/instructing a young hand at a branding his acquired knowledge on how best to achieve the goal. In this case, it was how to handle his rope, horse, the position of others and the size and shape of the pen at a branding. It then ends with these words: So you go through the season, And you watch, and you learn You take from his knowledge and find in return Whether you’re dragging calves or out sorting heifers You owe an awful lot to those cowboy professors. What you don’t see are the words and thoughts (we hope this is also true for those who are making decisions for our governments) at the end of this poem. This is the pasture I’d like to ride today. By the time you read these words, we’ll be in the last part of the year or the first of the next. As you reflect on
the year past and look ahead, you’ll see the “Professors” in your life. They’re not always people but may be circumstances, catastrophic or mundane. The choices you made in the past year and before will affect your decisions, like when you’re riding for a new outfit. You won’t know the layout of every pasture, but if you have ‘taken from his knowledge’ and learned to read the land and livestock, you’ll make a hand. If we back up the stock trailer and load these thoughts to haul them into the pasture of this season that we’re in, here’s what I’ve learned. The column is called Reflections; this one could be called Projection. I tend to look back and check my direction from where I started. My wish for you is that you’ll look ahead, aware of where you came from, but see where/who you could be, and ride to it. If we take one of these thoughts (take from his knowledge) and put them in the barn of our spiritual lives, we can learn from Hebrews 13:7-8 — ‘’Take time to recognize the ‘’professors’’ who have taught you how to follow the teaching of God’s word. Pay attention to how they live; they live with truth and consistency. They don’t change with the wind, and we shouldn’t either, Christ didn’t.’’ May the lessons learned carry you into the New Year as you gather and remember the One whose birth we commemorate. c
Bryn Thiessen is a rancher, poet, cowboy and preacher at Cowboy Trail Church in Cochrane. Bryn and his wife Bonny market grass-fattened beef from their Helmer Creek Ranch southwest of Sundre, Alta.
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Canadian Cowboy Country December 2023/January 2024
ORIGINAL ART BY ROB DINWOODIE
BY BRYN THIESSEN
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TRAILBLAZERS
Elmer Kure A Legacy of Conservation BY TIM LASIUTA
Land conservation in Alberta was born in Denmark, nurtured in Illinois and Dickson, Alberta, then bloomed in a one-room schoolhouse converted to a Fish & Game Association clubhouse near Dickson. The Kure family's passion for land and wildlife issues did not begin with Elmer but with his father, Arthur, who moved to
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Dickson in 1924 from Illinois. When he was old enough, Elmer helped clear and then farm the family land for more than 30 years. His faith and philosophy of land were intertwined. His impact on land issues extended from his presidency of the Alberta Fish & Game Association (1958–1960), being honoured with the association’s highest award, the Fulton Trophy (1964 and 1988) and serving
as the first Director of Environmental and Public Relations from 1973 to 1986. He was also honoured as a lifetime member for his contributions to the association. “Both my grandfather and father really appreciated God's gift of the natural world around them and fought to conserve it for future generations to enjoy,” said Kurt Kure Elmers’ grandson, who still lives in the Dickson area.
Canadian Cowboy Country December 2023/January 2024
PHOTO COURTESY DUANE RADFORD
Antelope Creek Ranch opening ceremony.
PEOPLE WHO SHAPED THE WEST
Left: Elmer glassing (using binoculars) for Mountain Goats Right: Elmer at the opening of the Raven Ridge Conservation Site
In addition to his faith, Elmer learned to hunt and appreciate wildlife from his father, Art, who imparted to him a passion for conservation and the strong land ethic that characterized him throughout his life, one that has been passed down to his son, grandson, and great-grandchildren. That passion was part of Elmers’ motivation to preserve natural areas for wildlife and was instrumental in the creation of the North Raven River restoration project. Legendary wildlife writer Bob Scammel writes: “No initiative illustrates the principled, gentlemanly, negotiating skills of Elmer Kure quite like the work he did on Alberta’s first Buck for Wildlife project, the North Raven River restoration. Landowners along the tiny river were naturally somewhat testy, feeling blamed for the degradation and bank destruction and concerned at the prospect of easements for fishermen. The Alberta Fish & Game Association loaned Elmer Kure to the project, and he skillfully brought everyone on-side and together with such arguments as everyone wins — including increased property values — with a restored, world-class trout stream running through the place.” Antelope Creek Ranch was another project that benefited from Elmer’s conservation efforts. As part of the development team, Elmer focused his efforts with Wildlife Habitat
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Canada in partnership with Alberta Fish & Game Association (AFGA), Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC), Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development to purchase a 5,500-acre ranch (formerly the Ward ranch) in 1986 near Brooks to create rangeland managed with specialized grazing systems and rotating crop production which benefits both livestock and wildlife such as
“No initiative illustrates the principled, gentlemanly, negotiating skills of Elmer Kure...” white-tailed deer, antelope, foxes, coyotes, upland birds and waterfowl. His son, Colin Kure, joined the board after his retirement. In 1990, Elmer was honoured with the prestigious “Order of the Bighorn” in recognition of a lifetime of distinguished conservation activism and management of wildlife habitats throughout central Alberta. He was also awarded an Emerald Award in 1993 for his individual commitment to the land-owner habitat program.
Bob Scammell, a longtime friend to Elmer, remembered visiting Spruce View and discussing the future of conservation, noting that they both mourned the losses of conservation gains that were taking Alberta back to 1908. In 2012, three generations joined forces to fight AltaLink over a power line right of way on their riverside land and lost. The Kure legacy includes the late Colin Kure, a prominent AFGA and AESA member, Antelope Creek Ranch board member and proud cattle rancher, Kurt Kure, an environmental engineer, consultant, farmer and partner in Natuckiuk Environmental Inc., which specializes in project management and engineering in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region. His grandson spoke of the long legacy of his family. “They, like me, believed that the providence and goodness of God were displayed in the open spaces of rivers, mountains, plains and forests and all the living creatures that call them home. They were meant for our tending, sustenance and enjoyment. My grandfather and father left a great legacy,” Kurt writes. Elmer passed away on May 24, 2012, in Innisfail, leaving the battle for Alberta in his family's capable hands. He is buried in the Dickson cemetery. Alberta’s greatest conservationist has gone home. c
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RANCHING AND CONSERVATION:
A PARTNERSHIP FOR LIFE
When we lose a ranch, we lose nature. With a legacy of over 30 years working alongside Alberta’s ranchers, the Nature Conservancy of Canada is committed to helping you conserve the land you love.
Start Your Conservation Journey Today! 1-403-609-1482 | alberta@natureconservancy.ca
Photo by Leta Pezderic
WATER WIND FIRE THE CONSERVATION ISSUE Prairie Storm Chasers
PHOTO: SHANNONBILESKI
CELEBRATING EDUCATION, WEATHER AND FOLKLORE FORECASTING
We asked some of the best storm chasers in the West to share a few chosen images, and the intensity of the storms clearly illustrates the danger and the beauty of our extreme prairie weather. Wild weather is the Holy Grail of the Storm Chasers.
cowboycountrymagazine.com
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THE CONSERVATION ISSUE Prairie Storm Chasers
Beth Allan Photographer & storm chaser. Calgary, AB Part of the @prairiechasers team feat. in CBC Docs’ Wild Canadian Weather series. Facebook.com/BethAllanPhotography | Twitter.com/adolwyn | Instagram.com/adolwyn | bethallan.com
A brilliant canola field, an abandoned barn and a dark storm are typical Alberta scenes. Near Trochu, Alta, July 16, 2020
A 20-second exposure of this highly electric storm and a lonely railway crossing, near Miles City, Montana, July 7, 2013
A working windmill and a spectacular lightning bolt, near Hoxie, Kansas, May 24, 2018
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Canadian Cowboy Country December 2023/January 2024
THE CONSERVATION ISSUE Prairie Storm Chasers
Craig Boehm Saskatchewan-based storm chaser & multi-award-winning photographer. Featured in/on National Geographic, The Weather Network, CNN, CTV, Global, CBC, Huffington Post, and many others. Twitter : Skstormchaser | Facebook: SkStormChaser Photography | skstormchaserphoto.com
An abandoned barnyard is backlit by copious lightning, near Assiniboia, Sask, June 28, 2019
This storm created tennis ball-sized hail, west of Buffalo Pound, Sask, July 17, 2022
I chased this storm for six hours; my Top 5 storm chasers dream, near Bulyea, Sask, July 15, 2022
cowboycountrymagazine.com
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THE CONSERVATION ISSUE Prairie Storm Chasers
Shannon Bileski Shannon Bileski is a self-taught landscape photographer from MB with a passion for storms and aurora. Twitter.com/shannbil | Instagram.com/shannbil/ | signatureexposures.com Youtube.com/channel/UCbGxRGCGk8loiOBEvGgWocA
Caught in a “bears cage” of danger, Bengough, SK, July 7, 2019
Flickr Photo of the Year Winner, Weyburn, SK, July 22, 2021
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Tornado supercell, North Dakota, July 22, 2022
Canadian Cowboy Country December 2023/January 2024
THE CONSERVATION ISSUE Prairie Storm Chasers
Braydon Morisseau Braydon Morisseau has been featured by CBC Docs “Wild Canadian Weather,” Weather Network, Weather Channel, National Post, BBC and many others. Twitter: @PrairieChasers | Facebook: facebook.com/BraydonMoreSo | Instagram: @PrairieChasers
Supercell, Grainland, SK July 17, 2022
Elephant trunk tornado southwest of Alexander, MB, Aug 13, 2020
cowboycountrymagazine.com
EF4 tornado southeast of Didsbury, Alta, July 1, 2023
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THE CONSERVATION ISSUE Women's Grazing School
Women’s Grazing School FRESH EYES ON THE RANGE
I did not know what to expect when I attended the first “Southern Alberta Grazing School for Women” in 2004, along with 26 other ranch women in Pincher Creek. Often relegated to the silent minority in the usual “StockMAN’s Courses,” ranch women have much to contribute, and they look at things from a different perspective. The Grazing School was one of the best events I had ever attended for practical range education, and the networking with other like-minded ranchers was fantastic. For 20+ years, this event has been sponsored by Cows and Fish, Multisar, Alberta Conservation Association, Alberta Government, Counties/MDs, and many other affiliates at rural community halls to support the management of grasslands and riparian areas. These schools have been held in various places, from Shortgrass Prairie to Foothills Fescue.
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RANGE OF GRAZING SCHOOL “CLASSROOMS” Pincher Creek – 2004 Stavely – 2005 Brooks – 2006 Elkwater – 2007 Rowley – 2008 New Dayton – 2009 Milo – 2010 Nanton – 2011 Delia – 2012 Foremost – 2013 Pincher Creek – 2014 Patricia – 2015 Elkwater – 2016 Munson – 2017 Stavely – 2018 Milk River – 2019 Online – 2020 – 2021 (581 attendants) Oyen – 2022 Longview – 2023
Like many, I have attended several venues (12, to be exact). Although the core content is similar, each area is unique in its plant species for identification, and different ecosystems provide different grazing capacities and intensities. Range and riparian assessments are the key components of every school, and learning how to do these on your own place is beneficial to your management. Applying the principles of grazing livestock in both areas is key to good range management. Each year, the school provides extra topics such as wildlife/species at risk and ranching, local range research, animal welfare, mental health in agriculture, possible funding sources for enhancement, and weed control, among others. My favourite part of every school is the “Ranch Women” talk, where local ladies present their perspectives on various topics ranging from succession planning, working with weather, family dynamics to the history of their ranch and unique operations.
Canadian Cowboy Country December 2023/January 2024
SSTOCK.ADOBE.COM/PHOEBE
BY ANNE STEVICK
THE CONSERVATION ISSUE Women's Grazing School
Learning from the experience of others is so valuable. The knowledge of all the female presenters is fantastic. Plant identification is always interesting, unique to the area, and a great tool to indicate the health of your grassland. This topic needs to be reviewed annually and is essential in range health assessments. This school teaches attendees how to assess their own range and wetland areas at home and then apply solutions to any problem areas. For instance, some of the comments on things that could be incorporated at home: water source development, moving the salt away from water, rotational grazing, proper rest after grazing period (rest for the grass), appropriate stocking rates (AUM calculations [the amount of forage required by one animal unit (AU) for one month], timing of grazing in sensitive areas (e.g. riparian), and the use of electric fencing to divide pastures or protect riparian areas. After I had attended at least three schools and thought that I knew all the tame and native plants, I decided to do a range health assessment on a tame pasture close to the buildings, as well as a native range assessment on another pasture. What seemed easy at the school became perplexing to me, but a call to Norine Ambrose (Executive Director, Cows & Fish) and a short visit assured me of my methodology and confirmed that I was on the right track. Practice makes perfect! In my opinion, the school’s success is due to the chemistry of so many likeminded women sharing knowledge and ideas about the livelihood they love. The passion of the instructors and the participants for their way of life is truly inspirational. Sharing ideas is always beneficial and opens the mind to new ways of seeing things. c
TOP: From horseback or truck seat, it looks like a “sea of grass” until you are trained to analyze range health. Oyen, 2022. ABOVE: Even a short pasture reveals an amazing array of plants; Milk River, 2019 INSET: It’s a whole new world when you get up close to the range and start identifying the surprising variety of native grasses that co-exist to make a healthy pasture
PHOTOS COURTESY ANNE STEVICK
PARTICIPANT COMMENTS ✮
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“I learned the importance of raising grass and managing it as a business.”
“We are either in a drought, preparing for a drought, or recovering from a drought.”
“I learned there are so many types of grasses and when to best graze them.”
“Maintaining litter [dead or decaying plant residue] is a really good tool to drought-proof your range.”
“Timing of grazing and water source development for better stock distribution.”
Changing water placement to improve grazing distribution in one large pasture.”
cowboycountrymagazine.com
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THE CONSERVATION ISSUE Using Cattle to Reduce Wildfires
Using Cattle to Reduce Wildfires BY ROB DINWOODIE
The summer of ’23 was sweltering hot with no appreciable rain since June, bringing the drought conditions in the Okanagan to their highest. The daytime temperatures had not dropped below 30C for weeks, and everyone was on edge. British Columbia had declared a State of Emergency due to the wildfires that had impacted communities. It started with Donny Creek, the biggest wildfire the province had witnessed, exceeding 100,000 hectares, and it was only late June. July brought hot weather and more wildfires; Crater Mountain fire saw 50 tourists stranded in a lodge with access cut off; the Osoyoos Fire ran on the dry
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grasslands and stopped short of the community of Adams Lake. It went on and on. In late August, I was driving to the south Okanagan to assess an area for Wildfire Risk Reduction (WRR) through Farmland Advantage, a program that the Agriculture Foundation of BC coordinates. This pilot program is designed to reduce the risk of wildfire on private lands by grazing livestock to remove a portion of the “fine fuels” of grasses, shrubs, and the like to reduce the intensity of a wildfire. The areas are selected using a Hot Spot GIS mapping tool, assessing risk based on proximity to structures, Agricultural Land Reserve properties, Species at Risk critical habitat, and occurrences.
Canadian Cowboy Country December 2023/January 2024
STOCK.ADOBE.COM/ LYNDA
THE CONSERVATION ISSUE Using Cattle to Reduce Wildfires
I was listening to the radio when I heard that a new fire had started from a lightning strike on a mountain west of Kelowna. The weatherman came on and announced that a cold system was coming in; the winds would gust up to 50 km/hour from the south later that afternoon and then shift from the west to the North in early evening. It was an eerie forecast, knowing the tinder-dry conditions and the many wildfires already burning out of control. This same forecast was also heard 20 years ago when the Okanagan Mountain fire ravaged South Kelowna, burning down 200 homes. As forecast, the weather shifted later that afternoon, with brisk winds from the south, fanning the fire west of Kelowna into a
cowboycountrymagazine.com
raging inferno. The fire was spotting ahead of the flames as the wind and downslope currents brought the wildfire into an area of Kelowna bordering Okanagan Lake. BC Wildfire Service made valiant efforts as they and the structural firefighters from Kelowna and surrounding communities fought through the night to face what was perhaps one of the most intense firestorms the province had ever witnessed. Throughout that evening and following days, up to 200 structures were lost. This wasn’t the only fire of note in the province, as most days, over 300 fires were burning, many out of control. Everyone was thankful that September brought cooler temperatures and some precipitation.
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THE CONSERVATION ISSUE Using Cattle to Reduce Wildfires
In my 30-year career as a Range Officer, I hadn’t witnessed the intensity and size of the wildfires on the landscape within the last decade. I have helped ranchers in the response to wildfires and on the recovery side. The impact of wildfires has changed, and so has the approach to fighting them and looking for ways to prevent them. There is a very effective Fire Smart program that assists landowners in reducing the risk of wildfire on their properties, but what has been lacking is a larger-scale program of prevention on the bigger landscape. This is where we have seen some headway in BC with the BC Cattlemen’s Targeted Grazing projects, which have looked at using livestock to reduce wildfire threat through reducing fine fuels by livestock grazing and the WRR projects, initiated by Investment Agriculture and Farmland Advantage. These two programs are coming together to examine how wildfire risk can be reduced when private land and Crown range protect the same community. This is precisely what a project near the community of Lumby in the North Okanagan is designed to do. Harvesting of timber by Splatsin First Nation within a community forest on rangelands under license to Coldstream Ranch and the managed grazing of private rangelands owned by the
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same will show how wildfire risk can be achieved using an integrated approach of timber harvest, grass seeding and livestock grazing. The project is in its early stages, but the outcome looks promising. Reduced tree
The land to the right of the fenceline has been grazed and this kept the wildfire from getting into the Crowns (tops) of the trees. This was not a targeted grazed site, but this photo shows the result of grazing to reduce a crown wildfire. This allows firefighters an opportunity to fight a fire where otherwise would have to retreat (which is the case with most wildfires where the wildlands intersect with urban dwellings.)
Canadian Cowboy Country December 2023/January 2024
STOCK.ADOBE.COM/ STAN JONES; ROB DINWOODIE
Choking smoke billowing from a wildfire
stocking, grass seeding of cut blocks, and some boundary fencing were required to contain the livestock in a particular area. The site vegetation will determine the extent of livestock grazing in terms of timing and intensity. Once carrying capacity is understood, a grazing plan and schedule can be developed to ensure the area is not overgrazed. The pastures in areas adjacent to communities are generally smaller, with more intense grazing to achieve a uniform stubble height, which will assist in the event of fire to reduce the intensity. We know that livestock grazing is only one tool that can be applied to help reduce the risk of wildfire. Thinning, prescribed burning and replanting harvested blocks with fire-resilient species are also ways being assessed to aid in prevention. It’s early October, and as I travelled to the south Okanagan to assess one of our WRR projects, I heard wildfires are still burning, and the drought is expected to last into next year. What next year might bring is anyone’s guess, but I can say that using livestock to help reduce risk will no doubt assist in reducing the impact of wildfire. c
THE CONSERVATION ISSUE Science or Folklore?
Science or Folklore? FORECASTING IS THE HOLY GRAIL BY TERRI MASON
It’s difficult to figure out what will happen next with the earth. In the West, the hope is always for moisture. I side with the great Scottish comedian, Sir Billy Connolly, when he said, “I hate all those weathermen, too, who tell you that rain is bad weather. There’s no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothing, so get yourself a sexy raincoat and live a little.”
STOCK.ADOBE.COM/ LEANN BECKLE
Recently, I was pondering the accuracy of the weather forecast and what was going to happen next. We’re in the time zone of “freak” storms, forecast as flurries but ending up as blizzards. We had a big one in 2022 around Maple Creek, Sask, when the power was knocked out for six days in the area (longer on some ranches) when a snowstorm and high winds blew through and snapped off some 600 power poles. The Salvation Army, experts in disaster management, stepped up to the plate, and everyone was fed and watered and looked after. Deep ditches were level with snow, and drifts reached the eaves and above on modern barns. What saved us was the mild temperatures. There was a lot of extra moisture that spring. Perhaps the most devastating time (outside of war) in Canadian history was the Dirty Thirties, a decade of Dust Bowl drought that devastated not only Canada but the U.S. as well. The financial and emotional scars wreaked upon Canadians of that era still linger today. As a kid, I had old friends who lived through that time, and even after so many years, it was difficult for them to talk about it. I remember my late cowboy friend, Johnnie Boychuk, once saying, “Nobody had nuttin’…” Dust storms miles high and miles wide took precious topsoil as far east as New York.
cowboycountrymagazine.com
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THE CONSERVATION ISSUE Science or Folklore?
There was no moisture to speak of for nearly a decade. And, of course, if you’re an Albertan, you’ll remember how the 2017 Calgary Stampede eclipsed their 100th celebration when nine inches of rain fell onto the deep mountain snowpack, and soon the world-famous arena was under three feet of water. That was their finest hour when they rose up and, “Come Hell or High Water” — they held the 101st Calgary Stampede. There was a lot of extra moisture that year. If you’re Canadian, especially a rural Canadian, the big topic is always the weather, and the Holy Grail is being able to predict it accurately. Today, the art of weather predicting — or prognostication (to use a $10 word, as my dad would say), is aided by high-tech tools such as satellites orbiting the Earth. In some cultures, especially in rural Saskatchewan, locals carefully cut out one
as it was explained in his press release, “In order to maintain tradition and ensure accuracy, several toasts of Aquavit in the traditional Scandinavian fashion were made.” To make the predictions, Jeff first divides the spleen into six equal portions, representing January through June. The premise is that a pig's spleen has an innate sense of what the upcoming winter will be like, and a skilled prognosticator can look at the spleen of a mature pig and determine what the pig is preparing for between January and June. There is fat on the spleen, and when interpreted correctly, it will reveal the temperature and the weather expectations for the upcoming months. Any abnormalities in the spleen, like bumps or scars, signify either cold weather or a significant event happening at that time. Is he accurate? Surprisingly so. For
“I hate all those weathermen, too, who tell you that rain is bad weather. There’s no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothing, so get yourself a sexy raincoat and live a little.” — Sir Billy Connolly, Scottish comedian particular annual weather forecast and tape it to the fridge. This detailed forecast is foretold by pig spleen prognosticator Jeff Woodward. Wait, What? Yes, sirree, reading a pig spleen for a weather forecast is a real thing, and it is an art passed from generation to generation. Jeff inherited the job from his late uncle, Gus Wickstrom, a farmer from around the Tompkins area. In fact, his family has been doing these forecasts ever since his grandparents immigrated from Sweden. “He only predicts the first six months of weather each new year, from January to June,” explained his aunt Lynette from Gull Lake. “He says the pigs get the rest of the year off.” It’s a learned skill, prognostication, and the art is not to be taken lightly, but
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southern Sask, February 2023 was eerily on point when he wrote, “February will continue to see highly variable conditions and a reversal of conditions or a snow event around February 10.” My calendar is marked that it snowed on that date. “Environment Canada’s long-range accuracy for predicting the winter weather is about 53 percent, so they miss it half the time,” laughs Jeff. “You can do just as well flipping a coin. The pig spleen prediction is way better than Environment Canada’s.” His next prediction will take place late this year and will cover Jan – June 2024. I’ll post Jeff ’s predictions for southern Saskatchewan on Cowboy’s website. By the way, Jeff is predicting rain for southern Saskatchewan during the first or second week of January. Stay tuned! c
OLD WIVES TALES OR PREDICTIONS? JEFF ISN’T THE ONLY WEATHER PREDICTOR. I DID A COMPLETELY UNSCIENTIFIC POLL AND CAME UP WITH SOME REAL BEAUTIES: “This morning when I got up, there was a ring around the moon with two stars, so it’s going to snow within two days.” — Marie Tanner, Cooking Lake, Alta. “Personally, I am an ant hill person… if you see them piling dirt, it’s going to rain.” — Kylie Bertram Mackie, Consul, Sask. “When poplar leaves turn upside down, it’s going to rain.” — Terri Mason, Maple Creek, Sask. “If you watch your horses and they’re ripping and tearing around in the pasture, a storm is coming.” — Doan Ball, Benalto, Alta. “If the swallows fly low, a storm is coming within a day.” — Deb Mason, Kamloops, B.C. “Red sky at night, sailor’s delight, red sky in the morning, sailors take warning. That’s true 50 percent of the time.” — Tom Reardon, Maple Creek, Sask. “90 days after a heavy fog, there’s a rain.” — Jeff Woodward, Regina, Sask. “Has anyone else heard that if there are a lot of mice, it's going to be a cold winter? We have never in our lives had to deal with mice like we have this year! — Jody Christie Laitre, Alhambra, Alta. “I'm a gopher watcher; if they’re standing on a rock, it's gonna rain, lots of rain if they're on top of a fence post. It honestly holds true.” — Taneile (Pearl) Hammond, Claydon, Sask. Do you have a “sign” that works for you? Let me know, and I’ll include them in our next newsletter, Ranch Rhythms! Terri@cowboycountrymagazine.com
Canadian Cowboy Country December 2023/January 2024
WESTERN EVENTS
PHOTO: BARBARA BOSTOCK
Competitor Walter van der Kamp in the arena during the inaugural Skills of the Outfits — East of the Rockies competition held in Stavely, Alta
SKILLS OF THE OUTFITS Skills of the Outfits was inspired by the Early Californios Skills of the Rancho, An event held in Parkfield, California, by the Californio Bridlehorse Association to honour, demonstrate, preserve and pass on the values and skills of the early Californios stockmen
cowboycountrymagazine.com
and bridlemen and women of the historic working cattle ranches across North America. Judging is based on smoothness, respect for the livestock, the horses and crew members as well as consideration for the facilities.
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WESTERN EVENTS
The Best of 2023
A LOOK BACK AT THE TOP WESTERN EVENTS OF THE YEAR
1 SKILLS OF THE OUTFITS — WEST OF THE ROCKIES, BARRIERE, BC, HELD SEP 22–24, 2023 Congratulations to the winners of the inaugural event held in BC! By the way, the announcer for this event was our own Hugh McLennan. Youth Mya Martindale on Garcia Novice Amelie Zunk on Tip Intermediate Devanee Cardinal on Mountain Open Diquita Cardinal on Cortez Top Hand Curt Martindale
PHOTOS: CORALIE NAIRN; ROD SINCLAIR
SKILLS OF THE OUTFITS — EAST OF THE ROCKIES, STAVELY, HELD AUG 4–6, 2023 Congratulations to the winners of the Skills of the Outfits inaugural event in Alberta! The scores were a total combined from Herd Work, Roping, and Ranch Horse Pattern. Open Dave Shadlock on MooShoo Intermediate Scott Laitre on Honey Novice Judy Bird on Sis Youth Mesa MacDonald on Nippy
cowboycountrymagazine.com
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1. Skills of the Outfits — West of the Rockies opening ceremony 2. 3X Heart of the Horse Champion Dustin Sippola and major sponsor Dave Flundra 3. Dustin Sippola at Horse Expo
NIKI FLUNDRA’S HEART OF THE HORSE
HORSE EXPO
It was a great long weekend shaping up when multi-award-winning horse trainers Greg Garvie, Dustin Sippola and Wade Black each picked their choice colt out of a fine herd from Bar MM Ranches. At the end of four exciting days filled with riding and training demos, thrilling shows of trick riding, inspiring speakers and general fabulousness, it was southern Alberta cowboy Dustin Sippola who earned a hat trick of championships when he was named the 3X winner of Heart of the Horse. For tickets for the August 2024 showcase, visit theheartofthehorse.ca.
He may be relatively new to the colt starting competitions, but when it comes to starting young horses, Dustin Sippola is an old hand. Congratulations to the southern Alberta cowboy who has been racking up wins at some of the most prestigious events in the West, including the 2022 Heart of the Horse competition in Brooks, Alta, the 2022 Saskatchewan Equine Expo in Saskatoon and the Trainer’s Challenge at The Horse Expo Canada held in Red Deer. The next Horse Expo is April 26–28, 2024. Visit horseexpo.ca.
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WESTERN EVENTS 2023 NUTRENA HORSE OF THE YEAR PRESENTED BY AQHA Success in the sport of rodeo doesn’t fall on just the cowboys and cowgirls. Their horses play a huge factor when they step foot in the arena. The awards for the Nutrena Horse of the Year presented by AQHA provide recognition to PRCA’s top horses. Congratulations to the Canadian stock who dominated their field!
STEER WRESTLING Voted into the top spot is EDS Famous Bar, “Eddie,” ridden by Dalton Massey, Tanner Milan, Stephen Culling, Ryan Shuckburgh, Curtis Cassidy, Mike McGinn, J.D. Struxness — owned by Tanner Milan of Cochrane, Alta. Milan acquired the standout gelding in 2020 from Canadian bulldogging legend Lee Laskosky. Rough calculations have Eddie at $335,000 in 2023 earnings alone. Voted into the runner up spot was Dashin Haze, “Tyson,” ridden by Jesse Brown, Dakota Eldridge, Kyle Irwin, Curtis Cassidy — owned by Curtis Cassidy of Donalda, Alta. The amount of money won on this great horse has not been calculated — probably not enough lead in a pencil…
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BREAKAWAY ROPING
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4. Steer Wrestling horse Eddie in action at 2022 CFR. 5. 2023 Everything Equine on the Border Trainer’s Challenge Champion, Braden Bernier 6. Century Mile Racetrack & Casino, Leduc
EVERYTHING EQUINE ON THE BORDER Lloydminster was the scene of Everything Equine, a weekend of clinics ranging from working cowhorse to 4-H horsemanship, held alongside an exciting Trainer’s Challenge between three top trainers, including Trevor Mertes of Cochrane, Alta and Kade Mills of Sundre, Alta. This year, it was local cowboy Braden Bernier of Red Deer Hill, Sask, who earned the big prize. Bernier will be returning in 2024 to defend his title! Everything Equine on the Border in Lloydminster is April 12–14, 2024. For more, visit lloydex.com
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THE HORSES! Horse Racing Alberta just announced their race dates and purses for 2024–2026. The recently signed three-year agreement for live race days has been approved! To see all of the upcoming race schedules for Century Mile near Leduc and Century Downs near Balzac, please visit thehorses.com As well, Evergreen Park in Grande Prairie, Millarville Racetrack in Millarville, Rocky Mountain Turf Club in Lethbridge and The Track on 2 in Lacombe all offer updated race schedules. Check them out and make plans for an exciting day at the races! Thehorses.com
No Wimpy Turns (barn name Onna), ridden by Shelby Boisjoli — owned by Shelby Boisjoli, now of Stephenville, Texas (formerly Langdon, Alta). The 8-year-old mare “Onna”—boasting cowhorse and reining bloodlines—has earned the coveted Horse of the Year title for the second time, 2021 and now, 2023.
PICK UP HORSE OF THE YEAR The top winner of this inaugural category is Baby Hes Hot (barn name Baby), ridden and owned by C algary Stampede Ranch manager T yler Kraft. Baby was born, raised, and trained on Doug Wilkinson’s ranch near Mossleigh, Alta. Tyler Kraft was later named as a pick up man at the 2023 National Finals Rodeo in Vegas.
Canadian Cowboy Country December 2023/January 2024
PHOTOS: WILDWOOD IMAGERY/CHANTELLE BOWMAN; COURTESY LLOYDEX.COM
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WESTERN EVENTS
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PHOTOS: CAVVYSAVVY/TSLN.COM; COURTESY CALGARY STAMPEDE; WILDWOOD IMAGERY/CHANTELLE BOWMAN; (4X)
TOP EQUINE ATHLETES — CANADIAN PROFESSIONAL RODEO ASSOCIATION Voted in by their peers, these top equine athletes dominated their fields. Ladies Barrel Racing Horse with the Most Heart is nine-year-old gelding SR Boots On Fire (barn name Cowboy). Owned, trained and jockeyed by Lynette Brodoway of Brooks, Alta. Steer Wrestling Horse of the Year on both sides of the border is EDS Famous Bar (barn name Eddie), owned by Tanner Milan. Milan acquired the standout gelding in 2020 from Canadian bulldogging legend Lee Laskosky. Team Roping Heading Horse of the Year is 11-year-old Chex Yer Gun (barn name Outlaw) owned by Dawson Graham. He purchased Outlaw as a five-year-old from Tristin Woolsey. The Tie-Down Roping Horse of the Year honours go to Shane Smith and his 14-yearold gelding, El Rey De La Luna (barn name Moon). Smith purchased the horse in Oklahoma back in 2018. For the second year in a row, the Breakaway Roping Horse of the Year award goes to Bradi Whiteside and her horse, Hott for Teacher (barn name Teacher). Owned by Ben Bamford. The Team Roping Heeling Horse of the Year, for the fourth consecutive time, is Coys Smokin Jet (barn name Cruze). He’s now owned by Canadian Champion Heeler Dillon Graham. c
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7. Shelby Boisjoli and Onna 8. Tyler Kraft and Baby 9. Shane Smith and Moon 10. Lynette Brodoway and Cowboy 11. Bradi Whiteside and her horse, Teacher 12. Team Roping Heeling Horse of the Year, Cruze 13. Team Roping Heading Horse of the Year Outlaw
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WESTERN EVENTS ROAD TO THE NFR
Canadians Take Vegas TOP COWBOYS HEAD SOUTH BY TIM ELLIS
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4X Canadian Champion, 3X World Champion Saddle Bronc Rider Zeke Thurston on Calgary Stampede’s Y-24 YoYo Marbles, 2022 CFR.
becomes the first Canadian tie-down roper to qualify for the Finals since Marty Becker made his last appearance in 1997. “I wasn’t even alive the last time a Canadian roped calves at the Thomas & Mack,” reveals the 22-year-old Cooper, who finished eleventh in the regular season world standings. “That was one of my goals when I started out — to be the first Canadian to go back there.” British Columbia steer wrestler Stephen Culling is the other NFR rookie; Manitoba bareback rider Orin Larsen joins Thurston with his ninth straight appearance, while team roping heeler Jeremy Buhler of Arrowwood, Alta, qualified for his 5th National Finals, his third straight.
And, for the first time in 22 years, morethan one Canadian bull rider has qualified for the NFR in the same year. Jordan Hansen and Saskatchewan's Jared Parsonage finished the year eleventh and twelfth, respectively. “That’s been our goal since we started,” suggests the 30-year-old Hansen, who makes his third appearance. “I let him down last year when I got hurt at the end of the year and fell out of the standings.” “I’ll know what to expect a lot more this time around,” says Parsonage, who was shut out of the go-round money during his first appearance in Las Vegas last year. “I experienced it going bad. Now, hopefully, I’ll experience it going good.” c
Canadian Cowboy Country December 2023/January 2024
PHOTO BY WILDWOOD IMAGERY/CHANTELLE BOWMAN.
t the age of 29, Zeke Thurston has already written several chapters in the Canadian bronc riding history book, and he could add another one after qualifying for the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas for the ninth consecutive time. Thurston’s next world championship would tie him with Pete Knight for the most titles among Canadian saddle bronc riders. He’s already won the most championships of any bronc rider on this side of the border in the NFR era, and his three gold buckles tie him with Marty Wood for second-most among Canadians. It would be a worthy accomplishment, to say the least. But Thurston isn’t sure anything he adds to the book would top Round 10 of last year’s Finals. “I would have to say this last championship is my favourite,” confides the Big Valley, Alta, cowboy. “To come in $110,000 back and then in the tenth round, win the average, tie the average record, win the World and the Top Gun (most money won during the NFR) all in one ride, I don’t know if I’ll ever experience that again.” The reigning world champ leads a contingent of ten Canadian cowboys into the Thomas & Mack Center, which includes fellow Albertan saddle bronc riders Ben Anderson, Dawson Hay and Layton Green, who finished 10th in the PRCA world standings with just under $137,000 in earnings. “It’s unheard of that it would take $125,000 just to make the NFR,” offers Green, who qualified for his first NFR in 2017 in fifth place with just $120,613. “There’s a lot more money on the table in the bronc riding.” A pair of NFR newcomers are among the group of ten. Stettler, Alta’s Beau Cooper
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“Merry Christmas!” 38
Canadian Cowboy Country December 2023/January 2024
WHAT WORKS FOR US
Bar 15 Ranch SALTS Conservation Easement BY TERRI MASON
—Katelyn Alm-Durec “Well, my grandfather and my grandmother purchased the ranch we’re on in 1957. My dad and my mom took over the ranch before I was born.
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WHAT WORKS FOR US
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1. Merle moving cattle out after branding 2. Branding crew of friends, family and neighbours 3. Luke Durec, Katie Durec, Flint Lucas and ranch dog Merle heading out to gather 4. Waiting for cattle to come to feed
We all live in the same yard; my grandfather also lived there. About seven years ago, I built a small cabin, and since I got married, we added on to it to have more space for our son, Kelby. It was kind of sad because my grandfather died in 2019, and my son was born in 2020; we missed having all four generations living on the ranch at the same time. We all have outside jobs. I’m a vet tech. So, the ranch work is a partnership because it really does take all of us to run the ranch. Now we’re done weaning, and our cows are preg checked and are out onto winter pasture. Now we’re just trying to get caught up on all the stuff that got left behind over the summer. We winter graze — hopefully until December. By then, we usually start to feed our younger cows and our really old cows. They get a little bit more support, and then usually by January, we’re feeding all the cows. Regarding calving, if we have heifers, which we don’t have this year, our heifers
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usually start calving the last week of February. And our cows usually start about the 20th of March. Calves are all born in the calving field, closer to our house and down along the creek. They have lots of bush to get down in the bottom and calve, and there’s some grass there. It’s a really nice spot to calve even when it’s really cold. It’s out of the wind. Our cows that were raised on our place are good at what they do, and they know how to take care of them. We usually hold our branding the last weekend in May or the first weekend in June. Sometimes it varies. I’m a vet tech by trade, and I still work in a practice. So, I’m maybe fussier than most because I believe that it’s extremely important to get the vaccines done properly so that they are the most effective. Our branding is a very large social event where we get together with our good friends and share in community work; it’s one of my favourite things of the year.
We heel the calves, wrestle them, and the horses hold them. The most important thing is that the calf gets done quickly and efficiently and with as low stress as possible. We’re pretty blessed because we live in a community that’s not only extremely close but also extremely talented. And it’s like a well-oiled machine when we get together. For more grazing, we hold some shares in the Burke Creek Stock Association, which we’re pretty blessed because it’s just off the road from our place. I mean, we hold a very small set of AUM’s. Typically, we would run our bred replacement heifers up there. The last couple of years, it hasn’t pencilled out to keep bred heifers back, so we’ve ended up running some cow/calf pairs up there, which worked out equally as good as the bred heifers. Most of our summer grass is native pasture and the farthest from the house. Regarding the future of the ranch, we were looking for a conservation easement. My dad had heard about Southern Alberta Land Trust Society (SALTS), and the thing
Canadian Cowboy Country December 2023/January 2024
WHAT WORKS FOR US
that drew us the most to SALTS is that it’s run for ranchers, by ranchers, so they’re very realistic about their easements. From my understanding, with SALTS, they’re in the business of saving native grass. If your land qualifies, they assess it and create an individual contract. We got compensation for putting a conservation easement on our land titles. They compensate you with money and capital gains credits because, in theory, the value of your land decreases with the easement. The easement means that the land has to stay pristine, you can sell a quarter, but you can’t subdivide the quarter into five-acre lots and sell it to a developer. The conservation easement on your land title prevents that from happening — ever. Once it’s on your land title, you can’t take it off. There have been a couple of ranches that have sold since they’ve had easements put on them. They had anticipated that the resale value would decrease by
20 percent because of this, but in fact, it added value. Both places sold well over the appraised value. Native grass is amazing. Like with the Nature Conservancy of Canada, their whole idea is to try and preserve these native grasslands because the amount of carbon that they sequester in the native grasslands is, I believe, more than double that of a tame pasture. So there’s this strong movement to preserve what’s left. I believe that the private landowners in southern Alberta are doing more conservation and preservation than the government ever has. The best part about SALTS for me is, hopefully, my husband and I can go on and continue to maintain our ranch as well as my dad and my mom have. My deepest desire is to give my kids the opportunity to ranch. I hope that one day, one of them has a passion for ranching — and that’s what works for us.” c
AT A GLANCE RANCH NAME: Bar 15 Ranch ESTABLISHED: 1957 OWNERS: Glen and Donna Alm / Katelyn and Lukas Durec CLOSEST TOWN: Claresholm, Alta ELEVATION: 3,200 ft ANNUAL PRECIPITATION: 20 inches/year SIZE: 2,000 ACRES; 90 percent native grass BREED: Commercial; Simmental/Black Angus cross HERD: 200 cows BRANDS:
Cattle: BAR over 15 LR
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THE NICOLA RANCH
The Nicola Ranch HISTORY AND MYSTERY BY DARYL DREW, PH.D.
STOCK.ADOBE.COM/ MAXDIGI
PART 1 OF A 2PART SERIES
The Nicola Valley, just north of Merritt B.C., has been integral to the Canadian ranching industry since the days of the Fraser River gold rush. Abundant grass and water made it home to some of the most famous ranches in the Canadian West. The Quilchena, the Guichon, the Douglas Lake, and the Nicola all trace their roots to this valley. Historic buildings of the Nicola Ranch dating back to the 1800s still stand and line both sides of Highway 5A like a Western movie set.
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THE NICOLA RANCH
through the rugged Coquihalla Pass and wintered at Spanish Springs, now known as Godfrey Creek, before heading north. In 1866 Edwin Dalley, a sheep rancher, built a homestead in the valley, and the Clapperton family followed two years later. John Clapperton opened the first post office in the valley in 1869, and George Clapperton cleared land on the south side of the Nicola River in 1870 to build his ranch. In 1882 William Pooley came to the valley and bought George Clapperton’s holdings to begin his ranching endeavours. His wife Jane had originally come to the valley as a schoolteacher. Years later, when William eventually passed away, she continued to run their 2,500-head beef operation,
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TOP: The two-story home of the Gold Commissioner, O’Reilly, in Nicola, B.C. ABOVE: A.E. Howes home in late 1800s
The initial ranching activity in the Nicola Valley centred around the HBC trading posts. Cattlemen lived around the trading posts in what is now Oregon and Washington, but after the Oregon Treaty of 1846, they had to find new grazing lands north of the Washington border. The discovery of gold in the 1850s in what is now B.C. created a massive
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market for beef as towns like Victoria and Barkerville swelled overnight to rival San Francisco in size. Miners were followed by horse and mule packers bringing supplies and livestock. The grazing potential of the valley, with its fain ronde grass and fresh water, was evident to everyone. In 1860 a Mexican packer named Jesus Garcia drove his mules, sheep and cattle
which she called Tamerton, until it was sold to the Nicola Ranch. In 1883 A.E. Howse hiked over the Coquihalla Pass and down into the Nicola Valley with only a pack on his back. He bought local cattle and opened a store hiring packers to supply him. After building up his herd, he drove them over the Coquihalla Pass through rugged terrain and unpredictable weather to Hope, B.C., loaded them on the steamer Reliance and shipped them to Victoria. When the cattle were off-loaded at Cattle Point near Victoria, he was paid $14 per head, which was a good price then. During the 1880s, the Nicola Ranch was the valley’s hub. George Fensome had built two sawmills. O’Reilly, the gold commissioner, had a fancy home built there. The Murray United Church, built in 1876, had a bell cast in England, and A. E. Howse made the windows from coloured glass and putty. The church had been the project of Reverend George Murray, a travelling minister who visited towns and
Canadian Cowboy Country December 2023/January 2024
PHOTOS COURTESY DARYL DREW ARCHIVES
“The Nicola Valley seemed to be a cattleman's paradise...”
THE NICOLA RANCH
communities all over B.C.’s interior. Sadly, on January 11, 2019, the Murray Church was destroyed by arson. The Nicola Valley seemed to be a cattleman’s paradise, the land’s carrying capacity was high, and the winters were relatively mild with light snow accumulations. That illusion was shattered in 1886 when heavy snow and deep freeze temperatures came early and stayed long into the spring. What little hay there was ran out early, and the layers of crusted snow made getting to the grass below next to impossible for cattle. Under grey, leaden skies, snowbound ranchers watched their stock decline from skinny to starving to dead in the snow. Some cattle, too weak to survive even after the snow melted, had to be shot. In the spring, the valley was littered with dead cattle, like casualties from some great war with nature. It was said that the magpies were plentiful, and the coyotes were fat that year. While some ranchers were wiped out, others learned a valuable lesson, and today, hay is a major crop in the Nicola Valley. Times changed, and the old pioneer ranchers passed away or sold off their holdings to bigger ranches like Nicola. The Lakeview ranch owned by A.E. Howse became part of the Nicola this way, and the house he built in 1881 still stands. In the mid-1900s, it was slightly modified by cow boss Bob Hooper who added hardwood
cowboycountrymagazine.com
TOP: John Petersons Ranch Stage Station; Nicola Stage route INSET: Ben Tyner
floors and indoor plumbing salvaged from the old Vancouver Hotel. In 1886 the Canadian Pacific Railway acquired the town of Nicola, and by 1910 there was a newspaper called the Nicola Herald, a courthouse, telephone service and even fresh milk delivery to homes in the valley. The valley ranchers have known prosperity, hard times, a fair share of flamboyant characters, and mysteries. No mystery is more compelling, however than that which surrounds the disappearance and apparent homicide on January 26, 2019, of Nicola Ranch manager Ben Tyner. To his family and friends, his loss is both heart-wrenching and inexplicable. He was 32 years old when
he disappeared. A 6 ‘3”, 230 lbs. and a quiet-spoken man, he was nicknamed “the gentle giant” by his friends. Ben Tyner was born in Florida and grew up near Laramie, Wyoming. He was known to be reserved and very mannerly by those who knew him and for taking great pride in his work. Ben was a voracious reader and an excellent horseman, having worked around cattle and horses all his life. He studied livestock production and was an accomplished leather worker as well. He was interested in travel and having new experiences, and these interests took him as far afield as Russia and Australia. His neighbours knew Ben as a dependable team player who was always there to lend a hand when needed and to keep working until the job was done. It was said that anytime you needed him to help gather cows, brand calves or show up with a horse trailer, Ben was there. He would drop what he was doing to help someone and was perceived as a strong solid cowboy in many ways. Always eager to learn, he jumped at the chance to manage Nicola as it was like a new horizon for him. Ben was hired on November 18th, 2018, and with his horse Gunny and his dog Sue, he was looking forward to managing a historic ranch like Nicola. Sadly, his opportunity was cut short. The valley holds its secrets close, and to this day, no trace of him has been found. c
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COWBOY WAY
Saddle Caddy BY MALCOLM MCLEAN
Two views of Malcolm's ingenious saddle caddy
What do you get when you cross a broken wheelbarrow and a saddle stand?
You get a happy wife and a saddle caddy. My wife absolutely loves this modified wheelbarrow for carrying all her gear to the round pen in one fell swoop. She also likes the fact that we didn’t spend any money on it — here is something you can put together with repurposed parts! And who doesn’t like a homemade Christmas present? Your pocketbook won’t mind either.
WHAT I USED: • One broken wheelbarrow that was headed to the dump • Some leftover scraps of wood • An old milk crate • Some used horseshoes • And a few new screws
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Now, let me tell you about the functionality of the saddle caddy and about why I built it in the first place. The saddle caddy will carry two saddles, two blankets, a flag, brushes and
“A pet peeve I always had was packing a saddle and a whole armful of gear...” grooming products, a long line, a water bottle, multiple halters, multiple bridles, a few sets of spurs, and even your young children. Let me tell you, you can carry all
of that gear and still lead a horse. Another advantage to the saddle caddy is that your saddle doesn’t have to sit on its side on the ground or hang precariously from a rail. The saddle can sit nice and safely out of the way until you are ready for it. A pet peeve that I’ve always had was packing a saddle and a whole armful of gear across the yard just to realize I’ve dropped half of it before I get to where I’m going. I also have many fond memories of saddle stirrups bashing me in the shins as I’m trucking across the yard. Never mind the additional annoyance of trying to open a gate with no spare hands while also leading a horse. If you can identify with any of these, a saddle caddy might be on your wish list this holiday season! Now, to figure out how to break your existing wheelbarrow so as not to feel bad about turning it into a saddle stand… c
Canadian Cowboy Country December 2023/January 2024
PHOTO: SHANNON SWANSON
COUNTRY COOKING
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Canadian Cowboy Country December 2023/January 2024
COUNTRY COOKING
Christmas Treats! Delicious, delightful and definitely homemade, these treats have become holiday staples! Each recipe is easy to make, and ready to share with friends and family during the holiday season! BY CANADIAN COWBOY STAFF
GINGER COOKIES INGREDIENTS
• 3/4 cup shortening • 1 cup white sugar • ¼ cup molasses • 1 egg (beaten) • 2 cups flour • ¼ tsp salt • 2 tsp baking soda • 1 tsp cinnamon • 1 tsp cloves • 1 ½ tsp ginger • White sugar for rolling
DIRECTIONS
1. Cream shortening and sugar. 2. Add molasses and egg. 3. C ombine dry ingredients, add to creamed mixture and mix well. 4. R oll into balls, then into sugar. 5. P lace cookie balls on a parchment lined cookie sheet and flatten slightly with a fork or the bottom of a cup. 6. Bake for 10-12 mins at 350˚ 7. Move to a wire rack and let cool.
PHOTOS: SHANNON SWANSON; MARIE TANNER
Makes 3-4 dozen cookies, depending on cookie size.
CHRISTMAS DAD'S COOKIES INGREDIENTS
• 1 cup butter or margarine • 1 cup brown sugar • 1 cup white sugar • 2 eggs, well beaten • 1 cup fine coconut • 2 cups flour • 2 cups rolled oats • ½ tsp salt • ½ tsp baking soda • 1 tsp baking powder • 1 tsp vanilla • Cinnamon (optional) • 2 cups chopped jube jubes
DIRECTIONS
FIVE MINUTE CANDY INGREDIENTS
• 2/3 cup canned milk (or light cream) • 1 2/3 cup white sugar • ½ tsp salt • 16 marshmallows • 1 ½ cups chocolate chips • 1 tsp vanilla extract • ½ cup chopped nuts, optional
1. Chop your jube jubes (tip — use scissors). 2. Cream butter, brown & white sugar. 3. Add eggs & vanilla. 4. T hen add coconut, flour, oats, salt, baking soda, baking powder & cinnamon. 5. Mix thoroughly. 6. Add chopped jube jubes & mix. 7. Form small balls on greased cookie sheet 8. Flatten with a fork dipped in milk. 9. B ake at 350˚ for 12 minutes until golden brown. Makes 7 dozen cookies Note: This is a very forgiving cookie. Replace the jube jubes with raisins, or chocolate chips or both. Freezes well.
DIRECTIONS
1. I n a saucepan, combine canned milk with sugar and salt. 2. H eat to boiling and cook 5 minutes, stirring constantly. 3. R emove from heat and add marshmallows, chocolate chips, vanilla and nuts. 4. S tir until marshmallows and chocolate are melted and all ingredients are combined. 5. P our into a buttered pan and refrigerate until cool and set. Cut into small squares and serve. Note: These melt easily, so keep refrigerated until just before serving and handle with care as they show fingerprints!
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COWBOY POETRY
A Cowboy’s Christmas Prayer BY S. OMAR BARKER
I ain’t much good at prayin’, and You may not know me, Lord, For I ain’t much seen in churches, where they preach Thy Holy Word. But you may have observed me out here on the lonely plains, A-lookin’ after cattle, feelin’ thankful when it rains. Admirin’ Thy great handiwork, the miracle of the grass, Aware of Thy kind Spirit, in the way it comes to pass, That hired men on horseback and the livestock that we tend, Can look up at the stars at night and know we’ve got a Friend. So here’s ol’ Christmas comin’ on, remindin’ us again, Of Him whose coming brought good will into the hearts of men. A cowboy ain’t a preacher, Lord, but if You’ll hear my prayer, I’ll ask as good as we have got for all men everywhere. Don’t let no hearts be bitter, Lord, don’t let no child be cold. Make easy the beds for them that’s sick, and them that’s weak and old. Let kindness bless the trail we ride, no matter what we’re after, And sorter keep us on Your side, in tears as well as laughter. I’ve seen ol’ cows a-starvin’—and it ain’t no happy sight, Please don’t leave no one hungry, Lord, on Thy Good Christmas Night. No man, no child, no woman, and no critter on four feet, I’ll do my doggone best to help you find ’em chuck to eat. I’m just a sinful cowpoke, Lord, ain’t got no business prayin’, But still, I hope you’ll ketch a word or two of what I’m sayin’, We speak of Merry Christmas, Lord—I reckon You’ll agree, There ain’t no Merry Christmas for nobody that ain’t free! So one thing more I ask You, Lord: just help us what You can, To save some seeds of freedom for the future Sons of Man!
STOCK.ADOBE.COM/ MATTHEW
S. Omar Barker was the Poet Laureate of New Mexico and one of the founders of the Western Writers of America. Well-known as a character, he enjoyed signing his name with his brand, “Lazy SOB.”
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Canadian Cowboy Country December 2023/January 2024
You care for the natural assets that are important to all of us. That’s why we partner with farmers and ranchers like you. We know grazing cattle benefits grasslands, wetlands, healthy soils and biodiversity. We know agriculture. It’s where we work. It’s who we work with. And we want to do more with you.
Z Preserve intact native or tame habitat, while still managing it as you see fit. Eligible lands can qualify for financial compensation with our Conservation Easement Program.
Z Restore your previously drained wetlands and get paid. All restoration work and project costs are covered with our Wetland Restoration Lease Program.
Z Reduce your input costs associated with the conversion of cultivated lands into perennial forage. Get paid per acre on eligible land with our Forage Program.
Z Protect wetland habitat loss, with no management restrictions or caveats on the land title with our Rangeland Improvement Program.
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