Top Stock Magazine July 2015

ew E a

+ The Man behind the Microphone One on One with the Steer Classic judge

+ Bringing Home the Big Win Ontario youth shines in International competition ISSUE 1 JULY 2015

NEW ERA

THE BEGINNING OF A

A look back – and ahead – at the UFA Junior Steer Classic

Top Stock Magazine / Summer 2015

01

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Top Stock Magazine / Show Results

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Top Stock Magazine / Show Results

03

WORDS FROM THE

Welcome to the first edition of Top Stock Magazine.

Every time you turn around, a new show has materialized. This spring saw attendance at those shows soar, and saw the quality increase exponentially along with it. Countless volunteers armed with generous sponsorships, donations, prizes and more scholarship dollars drive enthusiasm around the show circuit. More kids enroll in clinics, spend weeks (months!) searching for their next project and deliberate over the genetics that will bring them success in the ring. And yet, in Canada, there is still no official channel connecting buyers to sellers within this market – until now.

There seems no better time to launch a magazine celebrating the Canadian show industry. However, I am hesitant to call this a magazine launch. We want to aim higher. We are here to be a reflection of the industry, to collect and preserve show cattle history, to be the voice of show-oriented livestock breeders across Canada.

Most importantly, we want to help grow the youth that will continue to be involved in agriculture – many of our nation’s top breeders started out in the show ring and it was this exciting part of our industry that made them dream of a future with cattle.

With that in mind, I invite you to make Top Stock your platform, online and in print. The course of this magazine will be determined by your feedback, and we will devote ourselves to making it a worthy reflection of the industry it serves.

Thank you My words of thanks must be incomplete so they aren’t a thousand lines long. First, I want to extend my gratitude to the advertisers who had faith in this first issue. You will find both industry-leaders and exciting new operations in these pages. That they’ve elected to support the inaugural issue of Top Stock makes me tremendously proud and puts us in amazing company.

Huge thanks to the people who graciously accepted my requests to be interviewed for our first articles. Their perspectives have proven invaluable and have helped us build editorial content that I hope will make this a collector’s edition. As well, the photographers who went above and beyond to provide show photos (and in some cases, identify winners I was not familiar with) have allowed us to put together one of the most complete records of the spring show season that has been assembled. Throughout an exceptionally busy season, both groups donated their time and knowledge and I can’t thank them enough for that. I would be remiss if I didn’t communicate the encouragement I received whenever I mentioned this venture to anyone in the industry – your kind words were a big motivation to me.

And above all, thanks to my writer Piper and advertising representatives Sarah and Tracy for throwing in with me – and to you, our first readers, for making Top Stock happen. – Katie Songer 04

Winning is not a sometime thing; it’s an all time thing.

You don’t win once in a while, you don’t do things right once in a while, you do them right all the time.

Winning is habit.”

• Vince Lombardi

FEATURES SPRING 2015

18 The Beginning of a New Era

A look back – and ahead – at the UFA Junior Steer Classic

12

IN THIS

ISSUE

12 48

48

Bringing Home the Big Win Youth shines in International competition

Behind the Microphone One on one with the Stampede Steer Classic judge

Top Stock Magazine is published four times per year. One year subscription cost $10.00 per year. Top Stock magazine, hereby expressly limits its liability resulting from any and all misprints, errors and/or inaccuracies whatsoever in the advertisement and editorial content published by Top Stock and its said liability is here by limited to the refund of the customer for its payment for said advertisement, or the running of the corrected advertisement, or editorial notice. Notification by the customer of any error must be made within 30 days of the distribution of the magazine. Advertising copy received after the deadline may not be returned for proofing. Changes to advertising copy made after the deadline date will be allowed only if time permits, and will incur the appropriate charges according to time and materials involved in the changes. The opinions or views expressed in the editorials are those of the writer or persons interviewed and not Top Stock magazine. Top Stock does however reserve the right to edit or refuse all material which might be objectionable in content. No material or part thereof may be reproduced or used out of context, without prior specific approval of a proper credit to Top Stock.

Top Stock Magazine / Summer 2015

05

SPRING 2015

CROSS-CANADA COVERAGE

Cover photo taken

by ShowChampions

Below Jacey Massey’s steer waits for the ring at Making Champions ‘15. © Derri Massey.

©© Barn Girls Photography

SHOW INDEX 30 31 32 33 34 36 37 38

DEPARTMENTS

Making Champions GMACK Progress Show Little Royal Regina Spring Show London Junior Beef Expo Farm & Ranch Show Saskatchewan Beef Expo Chinook Jr Stock Show

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06

04 WORDS FROM THE EDITOR 08 CONTRIBUTORS 08 JUNIOR NEWSMAKERS 30 SHOW RESULTS 54 UPCOMING EVENTS 56 ADVERTISERS INDEX

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Top Stock Magazine / Summer 2015

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M A G A Z I N E JULY 2015

ISSUE 1 Editor-in-Chief

Letters to the Editor

Katie Songer

Top Stock Magazine welcomes your

Creative/Art Director

comments, questions and opinions.

JUNIOR NEWS + NEWSMAKERS

Send your letters via email to info@

Katie Songer

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ordered, subject to availability, from

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Contributing Writers

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Sarah Buchanan

The publisher reserves the right

Eastern Canada sbuchanan@gold-bar.com 519.546.3352

to accept or reject any editorial or advertising material.

Office

Tracy Kimmel

Bonanza 2016 ramping up HerefordInfluence show The Canadian Junior Hereford Association is excited to announce that the 2016 Junior Hereford Bonanza will be held from August 9–13th in Olds, Alberta. Juniors from all breeds are encouraged to participate, and the 2016 show will feature an enhanced Herefordinfluence competition and great prizes! Juniors interested in competing should be on the look-out for their Hereford influence projects this fall.

To learn more about these exciting developments, contact Kevin Fraser, 403.932.2406, jkfraser@xplornet.com

Top Stock Magazine

Western Canada

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btkimmel@shaw.ca

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phone 780.875.2089

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CONTRIBUTING WRITER Piper Whelan is a writer and editor from Irricana, Alberta. Raised on her family’s MaineAnjou ranch, she competed in junior shows and 4-H. After graduating from the University of Alberta, she studied at the University of King’s College School of Journalism. Her work has

Katie Songer

Editor-in-chief Creative Direction

08

Sarah Buchanan

Eastern Canada Ad Representative

Tracy Kimmel

Western Canada Ad Representative

Piper Whelan

Contributing Writer

Top Stock Magazine / Show Results

appeared in Atlantic Beef & Sheep and various breed publications.

Top Stock Magazine / Summer 2015

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010

Top Stock Magazine / Show Results

SHOW

RESULTS

Stettler Junior Steer show Date: June 14, 2015 Location: Stettler, AB Judges: ??

Photos:

Top Stock Magazine / Show Results

011

Inset Conley showing at the NAILE, Lousiville, KY. ©© Linde Livestock Photograhy

“I think it was the learning experience – Just seeing how other people do things and how they present their cattle. That was a learning curve for us.”

• Conley on her favorite part of the European experience.

Photo Hailie Conley competes in England. ©© Farming Eye Photography.

012

Top Stock Magazine / Summer 2015

Bringing

HOME

WORDS BY PIPER WHELAN

the

BIG WIN Ontario Youth shines in International Competition

W

hile other Canadian high school students were anxiously waiting for the Easter break, 15-year-old Hailie Conley was on the other side of the Atlantic, shining in a new international competition for young agricultural producers around the world. Conley, whose family runs Vos Vegas Farms at Plainfield, Ontario, is a member of the Northumberland 4-H Club and has shown cattle for five years. While she’s no stranger to the show ring in both Canada and the United States, Conley’s recent trip to the National Young Show Stars Challenge in Malvern, Worcestershire, England, gave her a new, truly international livestock exhibition experience.

This young Angus enthusiast represented Canada in the beef division of the Young Show Stars Challenge, held April 1-2, along with Courtney Walker of North Simcoe County, Ont., and Jack Oattes of Brome County, Quebec. The three junior exhibitors qualified for this opportunity by excelling in the National Junior Beef Heifer Show at the 2014 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto. The Royal already proved a successful show for Conley, who took home the Reserve Champion Angus Female title in the open beef show with her heifer, Vos Vegas Queen of Hearts 30A. It Top Stock Magazine / Summer 2015

was her next win at the famed fair that put her in contention for the trip to England.

“I qualified by winning Reserve Grand Champion Showperson,” she explains.

“Then there were six of us who got to write essays.” The six essays were then sent to the show committee at Malvern. “And they picked the top three to come over as a team.”

Conley was surprised when she learned she was chosen to be part of the team. “I was really excited,” she recalls. “I didn’t think I would be picked because I was the youngest to qualify to go this year, and there were lots of experienced senior members, so I couldn’t believe it.”

The National Young Show Stars Challenge is described by the event’s media department as “a competitive challenge devised to further the skills of young stock enthusiasts and to enable them to display their abilities in a range of beef, dairy, sheep, pig, butchery and auctioneering competitive skills.”

The livestock handling competitions were open to teams, while the Auctioneers and Butchers Challenges were individual competitions. The Three Counties Agricultural Society hosted the event at their showground in the lush Malvern Hills, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the United Kingdom. The 013

Above Jack Oattes, Courtney Walker and Hailie Conley represent Canada at the National Young Stars Challenge, Worcestershire. ©© Farming Eye Photography

Society has long played a role in the area’s agricultural history, being established in 1797 as the Herefordshire Agricultural Society. The show organizers hope the event will continue to draw youth from across the U.K., Ireland and Canada.

Many of the teams competing in the Beef Challenge, open to exhibitors between 1424, represented a specific breed association.

The two-day competition consisted of familiarizing themselves with the two heifers lent to them by local breeders, speaking about the agriculture industry and then getting into the ring to show off their skills. Conley and Team Canada worked with heifers on loan from Paul and Kirsty Westaway of Melview Farming, and there was no time to lose in their preparation with these new animals. “We had only 24 hours.

We got there on the Monday and we got to spend all day with the calves and a little bit on the Tuesday, and then we were off to the show,” Conley explains. “The first day, we just got the calves in, and the judges went around and judged displays and how you talk to the public. And the second day was our show.”

014

This British competition was different from any North American cattle show Conley has competed in. From fitting products and styles to show ring attire, she had to learn quickly and adapt in order to succeed. “It was a lot different than how we show here, so you need to learn how they do it,” says Conley. “They show in groups of three, and we showed two calves at once, and you have to walk the two calves together side by side in the ring, which is really different.”

The beef teams were judged on their presentation and showmanship techniques, as well as their ability to work as a team and convey their knowledge of the industry.

Team Canada placed second out of the 20 teams competing in the Beef Challenge, coming in only four points behind the firstplace team representing the British Blue Cattle Association. Conley was overjoyed to be part of this victory. “It was awesome because it was the highest Team Canada has ever placed over there, so it was an honour to be on that team,” she says proudly.

In addition to their triumph as a team, Conley brought home the memories of a terrific agricultural adventure abroad.

Top Stock Magazine / Summer 2015

“It was awesome because it was the highest team Canada has ever placed there. It was an honour to be on that team.”

Left Hailie showing at the NAILE, Louisville, KY. ©© Photo by Linde Livestock Photography.

Below Conley winning Reserve Champion Showperson at the 2014 Royal Winter Fair, TO. ©© Grant Rolston Photography Ltd.

“I think it was the learning experience of the trip,” she says when asked about her favourite part of the competition. “Just seeing how other people do things and how they present their cattle, and that was a learning curve for us.”

There’s no doubt that Conley’s experience in the British show ring will contribute to her future endeavors and successes. Her plans for after high school are focused on the cattle business. “I hope to pursue my career in the Angus (breed), and start my own herd.” At the moment, she is considering veterinary school as a future option. Conley, who will be starting Grade 11 in the fall, also plays basketball and soccer. This summer

will take her to stock show opportunities in the U.S., including attending the American National Junior Angus Association’s annual show, something she’s definitely looking forward to. “I’m heading to junior nationals in Oklahoma this summer, in July, so that will be my next cattle thing.”

And when the 2015 edition of the Royal Winter Fair rolls around in November?

Conley will be ready to achieve even more than last year. “This year I’m really striving to get Grand Champion Showperson at the Royal,” she explains. “I came so close last year, so I’m hoping I can work really hard and be as attentive as I was last year and go for it.”

Left Conley receiving second place with her team at the Beef Challenge, England. ©© Farming Eye Photography.

Top Stock Magazine / Summer 2015

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Top Stock Magazine / Summer 2015

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NEW ER The beginning of a

A Look Back – And Ahead – At the UFA Junior Steer Classic

A

aron Grant was only 24 years old when he first judged the Calgary Stampede’s UFA Steer Classic in 1999. This was one of the first major Canadian shows that Grant, now a feedlot nutrition consultant with Nutrition Service Associates in Okotoks, Alberta, had the opportunity to judge. “It was just a great experience,” he recalls. “I had grown up showing at the Steer Classic and watching it and helping other people with their steers, so it was a real honour to be asked and extremely exciting to judge that first time.”

Grant returned to the ring again in 2001 and 2006 to judge this well-known stop on the Canadian show circuit. By then, he was less nervous and had a better idea of what to expect. “Most of the people that had steers in the show I knew to some extent, so it is always challenging to judge cattle that are owned by people you know very well,” he says. “But the second and third time, I had settled in, [making it an] even more enjoyable experience because I was able to talk and associate with people while I was judging.”

Lee and Dawn Wilson of Miller Wilson Angus

at Bashaw, AB, are one of the few who have both judged the Steer Classic and exhibited the Grand Champion Steer. They judged the show in 2014 and speak highly of the experience. “It’s different when you sit up in the crowd or are in the show ring and you get one perspective. But when you’re down there on the ground floor and looking at all of the animals, it’s a whole other perspective,” Dawn Wilson explains.

For 32 years, judges like Grant and the Wilsons have evaluated top-quality steers in a show that brings exhibitors from across Canada to compete for the most sought-after steer championship of the summer. The 2015 edition of the UFA Junior Steer Classic will take place on Sunday, July 12 at 1pm in the Agrium Western Events Centre. This year marks a new beginning for the show, as the competition is now geared towards exhibitors between the ages of nine and twenty-one years. By reframing the event as a junior show, it is hoped the Steer Classic will attract both new and experienced youth interested in raising and showing steers.

Photo Samantha McNeil, Glencoe, ON entering the championship drive of the 2014 Junior Steer Classic. ©© ShowChampions

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Top Stock Magazine / Summer 2015

RA WORDS BY PIPER WHELAN

The 1984 Grand Champion Steer, a Maine Anjou x shown by W.R. Stewart and Wise Maine Anjou of Irricana, AB.

The 1984 Reserve Grand Champion Steer, a Limousin shown by Wes & Dennis Lawson of Tofield, AB.

©© Browarny photographics

©© Browarny photographics

Top Stock Magazine / Summer 2015

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The singing of O’Canada at the 2014 show – the first Steer Classic to be held in the new Agrium Western Events Centre. © ShowChampions

The 1985 Grand Champion Steer, a Charolais cross shown by the Big Ten Group, Lloydminster.

The 2014 Grand Champion Steer, a Charolais shown by Megan McLeod of Cochrane, AB.

©© Browarny Photographics

©© ShowChampions

Three Decades of Outstanding Steers

ever since. When he first became part of the show, the steers were shown by hip height.

Miller and the committee measured each steer and mouthed them to ensure they were younger than 22 months. In the 1990s, showing by hip height was ruled out in favour of classifying the steers by breed.

The first Steer Classic took place at the 1983 Calgary Stampede, with Dr. Bill Able judging the show. The Grand Champion was a Charolais steer owned by LV Ranch of Stettler, AB, and San Dan Farm of Erskine, AB. The Reserve Champion Steer was a Chianina-Angus owned by Beaton Ranch of Raymond, AB. Soon, the show grew as it attracted more exhibitors from across Alberta and beyond, with increased sponsorship bringing the Grand Champion prize to a desirable $10,000.

Don Miller, a veterinarian from Cremona, AB, and owner of Sundown Livestock Transplants, joined the Steer Classic show committee in 1988 and has been involved 020

Through his involvement on the committee, Miller discovered that one of the biggest challenges facing the event is those who question the reasons for holding a steer show. “If you look across the crowd, I think that answers it. It brings people from every walk of livestock life and other agricultural backgrounds,” Miller explains. “Purebred people are there to see how [steers in their breed division] fare against other breeds.

Top Stock Magazine / Summer 2015

Left 1987 UFA Steer Classic show in the Big Top. ©© Browarny photographics

There are commercial people there because what they have at home are commercial crossbred steers, and what we’re showing, for the most part, are commercial crossbred steers. As you look across the crowd watching that show, the numbers of people – the spectators – have grown year by year by year.”

Another challenge, Miller says, is the notion held by some that steer shows are all about fitting and favour flash over substance. The aesthetics of a steer show, however, prove to be an attraction for urban Stampede visitors taking in the event. For urbanites looking to see a real-life “fluffy cow,” watching the Steer Classic is an opportunity to come in close contact with beef producers and learn that there’s much more to cattle than looking fancy in the ring. The presentation of beef cattle in general is also crucial in the education component of the Stampede.

While the Stampede used to hold large breed shows and an on-site junior multispecies show in addition to Steer Classic, the presence of show cattle at the 10-day event has diminished greatly in the last decade. Steer Classic plays an important role in representing beef cattle production to Stampede-goers, along with beef displays in the Agriculture Building and industry booths around the grounds, such as the Cattle Trail.

Above The 1987 Grand Champion Steer, a Salers x Charolais cross shown by Flewelling Cattle Co, Longshore Farms, Rob Holowaychuk. ©© Browarny Photographics

Left The championship drive in 2013, the last time the Steer Classic would be held in the historic Big Top. ©© ShowChampions Top Stock Magazine / Summer 2015

This, like the organization of the show, is no small task, and as Miller notes, the enduring success of Steer Classic owes a lot to the hard work of the show committee.

“Sponsorship is a huge part of it,” he says, “and we seem to have a good cross-section of people [on the committee] that do the grunt work, know the people in the industry, and go out and talk to potential sponsors [to] convince them that that’s where their support should be given – Towards the junior involvement and that will further agriculture down the road.”

Wilson notes that in her family’s association with the show over the years, the biggest 021

change she has observed is the rise in the quality of steers exhibited. “Way back in the day, there was such a variety. There was the top end of the steers, and then there was a lot that were just decent market steers, and some that weren’t even finished,” she says.

“Now there are so many on the top end [of the show] that it’s a really extremely tough show to win. Everyone is buying a steer at some point in the year, looking to win the Calgary Stampede.”

The Steer Classic has remained an important event, Wilson believes, because of the high level of competition. “Competition breeds excellence — I really believe that,” she explains. “I think that when people are striving towards a goal, it makes you get better … so I’m a big believer in competition.

I’m a big believer in trying to attain a goal, so everything about it is fantastic.”

Nicona Brost with her Grand Champion Steer in 2013, owned with Curtis Flewelling, Deerview Meats, and Logan Challack. © ShowChampions

Send in the Juniors The decision to add a junior division six years ago was a major change to the Steer Classic, and, at first, raised some doubts with some on the show committee. “In my background, with having two young guys wanting to show, and all of their friends — knowing what kind of interest there was at that level, I felt it might be a possibility,” says Miller, referring to his sons Aaron and Chase, who have both been involved in Steer Classic over the years.

The junior division quickly became a popular part of the show, featuring prize money and scholarships for the Junior Champion and Reserve Champion Steers. Eager Juniors exhibited steers held over from the 4-H year for one last show, as well as calves prepared specifically for a summer on the show circuit. And now, the effort to increase junior involvement takes a big leap forward, with Steer Classic forgoing the open divisions in favour of an all-junior format.

“It’s a huge difference,” says Miller, “[From] the start of the junior movement six years ago to where it is this year in 2015. By far [these] have been the biggest changes that

022

“From the start of the junior movement six years ago to where it is this year in 2015. By far [these] have been the biggest changes that have occurred, and it’s because of our youth involvement in agriculture and in showing cattle.”

• Dr. Don Miller, Cremona, AB

have occurred, and it’s because of our youth involvement in agriculture and in showing cattle.”

This year, the prizes are certain to garner considerable attention, with a $10,000 scholarship and $5,000 in prize money for the Grand Champion Steer. In addition to scholarships and prize money from Reserve Champion down to the sixth-place overall steer, there will be cash prizes for first through fifth places in each class.

The scholarships don’t stop there – There will be two draws for $1,000 scholarships, one going to an exhibitor also competing in Summer Synergy, and one at random.

“It’s a huge change in sponsorship and involvement compared to what we used to have with the old open level,” says Miller.

Top Stock Magazine / Summer 2015

In 2012, the Calgary Stampede celebrated its 100th anniversary. ©© ShowChampions

A BRIEF HISTORY OF STEER CLASSIC

4

Exhibitors have shown more than one Grand Champion over the lifetime of the steer show

4

Exhibitors have shown both a Grand Champion and a Reserve Champion Steer (different years)

WITH CHAMPIONS FROM

BRINGING JUDGES FROM

ACROSS THE CONTINENT

3 14

4

5

6

winners of the Grand Champion Steer award later went on to judge the Steer Classic.

CANADA + UNITED STATES

7

3

2 8

3

1

1

*Grand Champions by exhibitor location

GRAND CHAMPIONS

RESERVE CHAMPIONS

BY BREED

BY BREED

YEARS

“The level of competition among the top-quality steers in the show has been elevated.

The people that are showing take it very seriously.”

• Dr. Aaron Grant

There will still be the opportunity for involvement beyond the junior age category, he explains. Even if you’re past the junior age level, you can continue to help by getting steers ready for the show or by allowing a junior to take responsibility as the exhibitor of a steer you own. After all, it takes a whole team to make a champion, and because of the teamwork involved, the Steer Classic is a family event for many exhibitors. When families work together to bring cattle on the summer show circuit, it helps youth to develop an interest in agriculture, increasing the likelihood that they choose to stay involved in the beef industry in the future.

Miller has already noticed the enthusiasm in those who plan to compete, and he hopes it will entice even more young people to turn their attention toward cattle and the show ring. “We already see it with semen sales for clubby bulls. We’re seeing it in the production of clubby steers in western Canada, and people are already searching out [this year’s top prospects], looking to buy for next year – It’s caused a great deal of excitement.”

Into the Show Ring For the individual chosen to judge Steer Classic, there are numerous factors that make it an event to remember. “I think the fact that it’s one of the most recognized steers shows in Canada and that it draws a number of cattle from western Canada, [as well as some from] eastern Canada [and] some coming up from the United States,” Grant explains. “To judge a show with that reputation was really an honour and made it a great deal of fun.”

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Top Stock Magazine / Summer 2015

INAUGURAL WINNERS OF THE JUNIOR STEER CLASSIC GRAND CHAMPION

GRAND CHAMPION

Colby McLeod

GRAND CHAMPION

Shelby Kent

Cochrane, AB

Graden Kay

Carstairs, AB

RESERVE CHAMPION

Lloydminster, SK

RESERVE CHAMPION

Colton Draves

RESERVE CHAMPION

Kathryn Dolliver

Streamstown, AB

Kathryn Dolliver

Stettler, AB

2009 2010 2011 GRAND CHAMPION

Wyatt Hiller Edmonton, AB

RESERVE CHAMPION

Austin Fisk

Rosemary, AB

Stettler, AB

2012 2013 2014 GRAND CHAMPION

Chase Miller

Cremona, AB RESERVE CHAMPION

Kathryn Dolliver Stettler, AB

GRAND CHAMPION

Brady Scott Eastend, SK

RESERVE CHAMPION

Chase Miller

Cremona, AB

when it comes to how they’re fitted for the show, has continually gotten stronger.”

Wilson and her family have exhibited many steers at the Calgary Stampede over the years, and she enjoys all the fun aspects of being a part of the show. “One, of course, is the camaraderie and the fun stories that happen behind the scenes that you don’t know unless you are in the barns,” she explains, “and there are a lot of those.”

Above Kathryn Dolliver, Stettler, AB with her 2013 Reserve Champion Junior Steer. Kathryn is the only junior to exhibit back-toback Reserve Champion Junior Steers with wins in 2011, 2012, and 2013. ©© Showchampions

Left Megan McLeod, Cochrane, AB, showing her Charolais cross to the Grand Champion Steer title in 2014. ©© Showchampions

“The people that organize that event do so with a great amount of class and respect for the people who are judging the show.

You’re treated extremely well,” he says. As well, he was impressed with the overall conformation of the steers he evaluated on those three occasions. “It’s just really fun to go out and analyze such good cattle … As the quality of cattle goes up, it’s more and more enjoyable to analyze those cattle.”

As he was given the opportunity to see the evolution of the show over several years, Grant saw the overall competition become tougher over that period of time. “The level of competition among the top-quality steers in the show has been elevated,” he says.

“The people that are showing take it very seriously and work on their cattle to a degree that you see in the United States, which is very intense … The presentation of the cattle, Top Stock Magazine / Summer 2015

The other aspect, then, is the competition and the notoriety of winning such a wellknown steer show. “It’s such a big honour to win the Calgary Stampede. It’s something that you dream about,” says Wilson. “The Calgary Stampede is world-renowned; they are just the most incredible organization for letting the world know who they are.

It doesn’t matter where we travel to in the world, they know the Calgary Stampede.

To be able to win any event there is not only exciting, it’s an honour and it’s huge advertising for people.”

A Bright Future There’s a high level of anticipation in the lead-up to this year’s Steer Classic, and the quality of steers entered is expected to be high. “From what we’ve already seen at the jackpot shows, I know there’s going to be a solid set of good-quality steers there,” says Miller. “There’s people talking of coming from Eastern Canada and the United States, so I think our quality will be certainly high.”

025

“It doesn’t matter where we travel to in the world, they know the Calgary Stampede.

To be able to win any event there is not only exciting, it’s an honour and it’s huge advertising for people.

• Dawn Miller, Miller Wilson Angus

Above Lee and Dawn Wilson, Bashaw, AB adjudicating the Steer Classic in 2014. ©© ShowChampions

Right Judge Brandon Callis of Manhatten, Kansas selects the entry of John Nostadt and Martin Koyle, ON as the 2013 Grand Champion Steer. ©© ShowChampions

026

While tough competition is expected, the show will allow Juniors who haven’t competed at the top level before the chance to jump right in and show at Calgary. “It’s certainly going to allow them to come and not feel like they’re up against open-division steers that they can’t even compete against,” says Miller.

For Juniors entering the show for the first time, it will prove to be a valuable learning experience and an opportunity to become more involved in the show steer world. When asked to give advice to new junior exhibitors, Grant emphasizes the importance of reaching out to those with more experience. “Pick people that have experience in showing in previous years,

Top Stock Magazine / Summer 2015

Left A win at the Calgary Stampede steer show is one of the most coveted awards in the nation. ©© ShowChampions

Below Brady Scott, Eastend, SK with his 2014 Junior Grand Champion Steer. ©© ShowChampions

[and] try and gain as much information from them as possible when it comes to their experiences and what they’ve learned.

Find people that can mentor you and help you in future years when it comes to how you develop and the work habits that you’re able to gain from those people,” he suggests.

“And if possible, speak to the judge after the show to gain their perspective. That doesn’t always happen, but it’s certainly good to learn from them as well.”

In addition to the learning experience, the show is the perfect place for Juniors to meet new people interested in showing cattle and catch up with old friends.

“My favourite thing is the excitement in the winners every year. You see the Top Stock Magazine / Summer 2015

excitement in their faces when they’re picked as champion,” says Miller. He also likes to see “how people actually thrive and get along and socialize in the barns.

They’re there to show the best [steers] they have, but also [to visit with friends].

It’s just nice that we’ve made a lot of friends throughout the years.”

Wilson’s advice for new junior exhibitors is to make the most of the experience: “Take in everything that you can.” She also notes that it’s important to recognize just how many good steers will be entered in the show, and that there can only be the two champions. “Understand that you can’t always be that [winning exhibitor], but enjoy that experience 027

because it gives you so much in comparison to just worrying about winning a championship,” she says. “There’s friends to make, there’s experiences to have, there’s knowledge to attain … I admire when someone wins the show. I think it’s an outstanding accomplishment. But I really hope that they take in the full experience of the Calgary Stampede.”

When asked about her favourite memory from the Steer Classic, Wilson found it hard to choose just one, but mentioned how nice it is to see the excitement in the winner. “We’ve had friends who have won the show that we were so thrilled for them — people who have won it for the first time who have never maybe had that big win. That is the most exciting thing to see and the most exciting thing to feel, so there’s plenty of those moments that I can think of when there was someone with tears in their eyes. It’s an exhilarating feeling.”

When this year’s Steer Classic kicks off its new era as a junior show, steer-savvy youth will bring a new energy to the ring. “In the future, what I hope to see is [the show growing incrementally] year by year and junior involvement staying strong,” says Miller.

“It will also entice more kids to stay involved in agriculture. I know for a fact that our scholarship money and our sponsorship money will grow … because of the junior involvement.” In the educational opportunities, the thrill of the competition and the friendships to be made, there is a lot for this year’s junior exhibitors to look forward to when they take to the ring with their steers this July.

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Lot 2 "Bandit" purchased by Heidi Tymko in the 2014 sale

Reserve Champion Open Steer Taber Junior Livestock Show Reserve Champion Open Steer UFA Country Classic, Josephburg

YOUR FUTURE

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Top Stock Magazine / Summer 2015

Contact Tessa at 403.636.1066 to schedule a tour of the calves on pasture at Sundre, AB this summer

Photos: Val Townsend

making champions CLINIC & SHOW Location: Ponoka, AB Date: March 8, 2015 Judges: Kirk Steirwalt, Katie Songer

Grand Champion Steer Lee Jensen

Reserve Champion Steer Chase Miller

Reserve Champion Female Jacey Massey

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Team Grooming

Junior Showmanship

Intermediate Showmanship

Senior Showmanship

Grand Champion Female Tony Schmidt

Clinic Participants Making Champions 2015 Top Stock Magazine / Show Results

gmack

PROGRESS SHOW

Photos: Grant Rolston Photography Ltd.

Location: Lloydminster, AB Date: March 7 - 8, 2015 Judge: Robert Dixon, Vermillion, AB (Open)

Grand Champion Open Steer Katie Serhienko & Brandon Hertz

Grand Champion Junior Steer Chance Jackson

Grand Champion Open Heifer Jayden & Jaxon Payne

Grand Champion Junior Heifer Toby Noble

Reserve Open Steer Cody Sibbald

Reserve Junior Steer

Katie Serhienko, Brandon Hertz

Reserve Open Female

Mainstream Genetics, David Schmidt

Top Stock Magazine / Show Results

Reserve Junior Female Chance Jackson

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little royal

Photos: Little Royal Show Committee

STEER & HEIFER SHOW Location: Vermillion, AB Date: March 14, 2015 Judges: Kurtis Reid, SK (Open)

Jordan Buba, Spruce Grove, AB (Junior)

Champion Open Steer, Champion Junior Steer Katie Serhienko, Brandon Hertz Reserve Champion Open Steer, Reserve Champion Junior Steer Katie Serhienko

Reserve Champ Open Female Riley Pashulka

Champion Open Female, Champion Junior Female Tony Schmidt

did you know?

Reserve Champ Junior Female Tyson Pashulka

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Top Stock Magazine / Show Results

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regina spring

Photos: Rural Route Creations (a division of Dorran Marketing Inc.)

STEER & HEIFER SHOW Date: March 14 - 15, 2015 Judge: Justin Muirhead

Reserve Champion Steer Chance Jackson

Grand Champion Steer Cooper Brokenshire

Reserve Champion Female, Reserve Commercial Female Chance Jackson

Champion Angus

Reserve Angus

Champ Simmental Female

Champ Interbreed Female

Champion Charolais

Reserve Simmental

Reserve Charolais

Reserve Interbreed

Hillary Sauder

Grand Champion Female, Champion Commercial Female Preslie Schmidt

Champion Red Angus Baxter Blair

Reserve Red Angus

Cody Cockburn

Champion Maine Riley Ingram

Reserve Maine

Kolin Piwarski

Champion Hereford Michelle Hordos

Reserve Hereford

James Hordos

Cody Lafrentz (no photo)

Halle Vermeulen

Cassidy Vermeulen

Top Stock Magazine / Show Results

Emma Thomason

Mark Lustig (no photo)

Casie Brokenshire

Rylan Knupp

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junior beef expo BREEDING HEIFERS

Photos: Barn Girls Photography (Jeannine Hamilton, Mel Curtis)

Date: March 21 & 22, 2015

3rd Overall, Champ Angus Michaela Chalmers

Champion Breeding Female & Champion Hereford Jessica Dawn Lasby

4th Overall, Champ Shorthorn Jarod Scott

5th Overall, Champ Simmental Colin Pearson

Reserve Champion Breeding Female & Champion Limousin Scott Barfett

DIVISION CHAMPION Breeding Heifers

Champion Charolais

Champion Crossbred

Champion Galloway

Reserve Charolais

Reserve Crossbred

Reserve Galloway

Allie Wade

Reserve Angus Brett Thaxter 034

Jamie-Lea Wade

Scott Jensen

Clay Howe

Shelby McIlwaith

Liam O’Dell

Top Stock Magazine / Show Results

Reserve Hereford Katie Elmhirst

Reserve Limousin

Laura Scott

junior beef expo

Location: London, ON

Judge: Jake Bloomberg, Berwick, IL MARKET ANIMALS

3rd Overall Market Animal Amanda Scott

Champion Market Animal Kelly Verstraete

4th Overall Market Animal Kali Howe

5th Overall Market Animal Johnathan McNeil

Reserve Champion Market Animal Ashlynn Tellier

Champion Maine-Anjou

Champion Mainetainer

Champion ShorthornPlus

Champion Speckle Park Brooklynn Metcalfe

Sarah Height

Reserve Maine-Anjou

Reserve Maintainer

Reserve ShorthornPlus

Reserve Speckle Park

Reserve Simmental

Jordan Phillips

Madison Robbins

Victoria Weber

Carly Watson

Scott Barfett

Ruby Rose

Elliot Smith

Top Stock Magazine / Show Results

Reserve Shorthorn

Owen Elmhirst

035

farm & ranch show PROSPECT STEER & HEIFER SHOW Location: Edmonton, AB Date: March 26 - 28, 2015 Judges: Kyle Lewis, Spruce Grove, AB (Juniors)

Greg & Amanda Pugh, Edgerton, AB (Open)

Champion Open Steer Katie Serhienko, Brandon Hertz

Reserve Open Steer Kyle Dodgson

Champion Junior Steer Cassidy Serhienko

Reserve Junior Steer Katie Serhienko, Brandon

Hertz

Champion Open Heifer Jock Ockerman Reserve Open Heifer Toby Noble

Reserve Junior Heifer Riley Pashulka 036

Champion Junior Heifer Toby Noble Top Stock Magazine / Show Results

Photos: Saskatoon Prairieland Park

sask beef expo STEER & HEIFER SHOW Location: Saskatoon, SK Date: March 28, 2015 Judge: Lance Leachman, Maidstone, SK

Grand Champion Steer Colt Blacklock

Reserve Champion Steer Callie Steen

Grand Champion Female Cadence Haaland

Reserve Champion Female, Champion Simmental Cole Reid

Reserve Angus

Champion Hereford

Champion Maine-Anjou

Champion AOB

Champion Red Angus

Reserve Simmental

Reserve Hereford

Reserve Maine-Anjou

Reserve AOB

Reserve Red Angus

Kyle Njaa

Wyatt Miller

James Hordos

Morgan Millham

Wylie Vermette

Joanne Schmitt

Hayden Elliot

Emily Froehlich

Top Stock Magazine / Show Results

Brittany Hunt

Megan Hunt

037

chinook junior show

Photos: Grant Rolston Photography Ltd

Location: Claresholm, AB Date: April 8, 2015 Judges: Lee and Dawn Wilson, Bashaw, AB

Reserve Champion Steer Cody Sibbald Grand Champion Steer Lee Jensen

Reserve Purebred Heifer Laurie Morasch

Grand Champion Purebred Female Dakota Townsend Reserve Commercial Heifer Tony Schmidt

Grand Champion Commercial Female Jacey Massey 038

Top Stock Magazine / Show Results

Photos: Grant Rolston Photography Ltd

prospect 2000 STEER & HEIFER SHOW Date: April 12, 2015 Location: Kamloops, BC Judges: Kyle & Jocelyn O’Neil

Grand Champion Steer Hailey Erichuk

Reserve Champion Steer Courtney Friesen

Grand Champion Female Courtney Friesen

Reserve Champion Female Alana Higgins

SKILLS WINNERS 2015

Ch Sr Showmanship Courtney Friesen

Res Sr Showmanship Hailey Erichuk

Ch Jr Showmanship Emalee Higgins

Top Stock Magazine / Show Results

Res Jr Showmanship Rylon Eliot

039

Photos: Prime Cut Publishing (Kim Matthews)

canada’s richest YOUTH STEER & HEIFER SHOW Location: Olds, AB Date: April 18, 2015 Judge: Cally Thomas, Harrold, South Dakota

Grand Champion Steer Lee Jensen

Reserve Champion Steer Megan McLeod

Reserve Champion Female Shallayne Daley

Grand Champion Female Dakota Townsend

Reserve Champion Open Steer Megan McLeod

040

Top Stock Magazine / Show Results

spring classic OLDS JACKPOT SHOW

Photos: Grant Rolston Photography Ltd.

Location: Olds, AB Date: April 19, 2015 Judges: Robert Dixon, Vermillion, AB (Open) Eric Boon, Lucky Lake, SK (Juniors)

Grand Champion Open Steer Lee Jensen

Grand Champion Junior Steer Cody Sibbald

Grand Champion Open Female Cottage Lake & Boss Cattle

Grand Champion Junior Female Shallayne Daley

Reserve Champion Junior Steer Chance Jackson

Reserve Champion Open Female Chance Jackson

Top Stock Magazine / Show Results

Reserve Champion Junior Female Georgia Wray

041

ontario youth forum BREEDING HEIFERS

Photos: Indian River Cattle Co (Juanita Elmhirst)

Date: April 24 - 26, 2015

Other Champions Reserve Speckle Park Breeding Heifer Nadine Smith (no picture)

Champion Angus Denver Bolton

Champion Charolais Jamie-Lea Wade

Champion Breeding Female & Champion Shorthorn Jared Scott

Reserve Angus

Reserve Charolais

Champion Crossbred

Champion Galloway

Reserve Crossbred

Reserve Galloway

Reserve Breeding Female, Champion ShorthornPlus Bailey McConnell

Champion Hereford

Champion Limousin

Champion Maine-Anjou

Reserve Shorthorn

Champion Speckle Park

Reserve Hereford

Reserve Limousin

Reserve ShorthornPlus

Champion Simmental

Reserve Simmental

Owen Elmhirst

Jonathan McNeil

Lexie Colvin

Kayla Boot

Katie Elmhirst 042

Josh Bell

Liam O’Dell

Shelby McIlwarith

Laura Scott

Julie Darling

Samantha McNeil

Cody Rogers

Alexa Avelar

Owen Elmhirst

Top Stock Magazine / Show Results

Elliot Smith

Colin Pearson

ontario youth forum MARKET ANIMALS Location: Markham, ON Judge: Joshua Elder, Dunlap, IA

Champion Market Animal, Champion Crossbred Steer Bailey McConnell

Reserve Market Animal, Champion Simmental Steer Samantha McNeil

Champion Market Heifer

Champion Limo Steer

Cody Leitch

Champion Angus Steer Sylvia Megens

Champion AOB Steer Ashley McConnell

Tyler MacPherson

Top Stock Magazine / Show Results

Champion Maine Steer Jarrett Hargrave

043

island spring beef

Photos: Erin Campbell

STEER & HEIFER SHOW Location: Vancouver Island, BC Date: April 25, 2015 Judge: Russell Sevcik, Hussar, AB

Reserve Champion Steer Courtenay Friessen

Grand Champion Steer Taylor Ross

Reserve Champion Female Jaymie Thompson

1st Year Showman

Res 1st Year Showman

Res Jr Showmanship

Int Showman, Int Fitting

Junior Fitting, Jr Showman Layla Dorko

Makenna Reimer

Caleigh Reimer

Hailey Martin

044

Elsa Defrane

Grand Champion Female Lane Konrad

Billy Paul

Carlin Dick

Res Int Showman

Jake Smith

Senior & Overall Showman

Res Sr, Res Overall Showman Jaymie Thompson

Reserve Junior Fitting

Res Intermediate Fitting

Team Fitting Victoria Hergott, Billy Paul, Ken Paul

Reserve Team Fitting

Kailey Reimer

Top Stock Magazine / Show Results

Marissa Campbell, Jean MacAulay, Hailey Martin

Photos: Top Stock Magazine

spring round-up STEER & HEIFER SHOW Location: Bashaw, AB Date: April 26, 2015 Judge: Tyler Bullick, Duchess, AB (Open) Brody Gardner, Olds, AB (Juniors)

Grand Champion Open Steer Megan McLeod

Grand Champion Junior Steer Trinity Martin

Grand Champion Open Heifer Georgia Wray

Grand Champion Junior Purebred Heifer Jared Couch

Grand Champion Junior Commercial Heifer Wyatt Bradford

Reserve Open Steer Hailey Adams

Reserve Open Heifer Trinity Martin

Reserve Junior Steer Faith Shuckburgh

Reserve Purebred Junior Heifer Will Bradford

Top Stock Magazine / Show Results

Reserve Commercial Jr Heifer Faith Shuckburgh 045

lord of the ring

Photos: Lord of the Ring Show Committee

STEER & HEIFER SHOW Location: Estevan, SK Date: May 10, 2015 Judge: Rob Voice, SK

Reserve Champion Steer, Champion Charolais Steer Cassidy Serhienko

Grand Champion Steer Katie Serhienko

Reserve Champion Female, Champion Simmental Female Riley Lafrentz Division Champion Steers Champ Angus Steer

Reserve Angus Steer

Champ Hereford Steer

Reserve Hereford Steer

Champ Simmental Steer

Reserve Simmental Steer

Champ AOB Steer

Reserve AOB Steer

Reserve Charolais Steer

Reserve Crossbred Steer

Cooper Brokenshire Casie Brokenshire

Cooper Brokenshire Cooper Brokenshire Colten Brokenshire

Hadley Schmidt

Kamrie Kaufman

Grand Champion Female, Champion Crossbred Female Chance Jackson

Carlie Ross

Colten Brokenshire

SKILLS WINNERS

Emily Giesel

Division Champion Females Champ Angus Female

Reserve Angus Female

Champ Charolais Female

Reserve Charolais Female

Champ Hereford Female

Reserve Hereford Female

Champ AOB Female

Reserve AOB Female

Reserve Crossbred Female

Reserve Simmental Female

Preslie Schmidt Zach Graham Justin Carvey

Hadley Schmidt Matt Criddle 046

Baxter Blair

Champ Cloverbud Showman Krisley Webber

Champ Junior Showman

2015

Baxter Blair

Cassidy Vermeulen Haley Brooks Kylie Berner

Casie Brokenshire

Champ Int Showman Justin Carvey

Top Stock Magazine / Show Results

Champ Senior Showman Chance Jackson

ufa country classic STEER & HEIFER SHOW

Photos: Grant Rolston Photography Ltd.

Location: Josephburg, AB Date: May 24, 2015 Judge: Dusty Howell, Penhold, Ab

Champion Open Female Cottage Lake / Boss Cattle Co

Champion Open Steer Lee Jensen

Champion Junior Female Beth Hofstra

Champion Junior Steer Keely Adams

Reserve Open Steer Heidi Tymko

Reserve Junior Steer Regan Repka

Reserve Open Female

Cottage Lake/ Boss Cattle Co

Top Stock Magazine / Show Results

Reserve Junior Female Keely Adams

047

ONE ONE on

With the man behind the microphone at the 2015 UFA Junior Steer Classic

T

his summer, Justin Morrison will join

the ranks of the cattlemen who have taken to the show ring to judge an event that’s become a southern Alberta tradition and major stop on the show circuit. When the 34-year-old purebred Angus breeder was asked to judge the 2015 UFA Junior Steer Classic at the Calgary Stampede, he was thrilled to be given the opportunity.

“I was excited and honoured to be asked,” Morrison recalls. “It’s the toughest steer show in the country, and I was honoured that the committee decided they wanted me and my opinion to do it.”

Morrison has been working towards a career highlight like this for some time.

He became well known working as the manager of Soo Line Cattle Co. Today, he runs Brooking Angus Ranch at Radville,

048

Saskatchewan, with his wife, Tawnie. “We’ve just had our fourth set of calves on the ground,” he says. “We’re just getting going, doing our own thing.”

A life spent raising cattle is a tradition four generations strong in Morrison’s family; his mother, aunts, grandfather and great grandfather all raised cattle. “Everyone in my family has always had cattle,” he says.

Morrison wasn’t born on a ranch, but spent much of his childhood around cattle. “I moved onto a farm when I was in grade seven, but I always spent my summers at my aunt and uncle’s place.”

As a teenager, Morrison realized it was clear where his career path would take him. “That’s what I kind of always wanted to do. I love being around cattle,” he says.

He began his career at a challenging time in the Canadian cattle industry. “A couple years after I graduated was right when BSE Top Stock Magazine / Summer 2015

WORDS BY PIPER WHELAN

“I just love looking at great cattle. It’s fun being able to go out there and be able to see them all in front of you and decide which one you like best.”

Morrison showing his 2014 Champion Angus Female at Northlands Farmfair, Edmonton, AB. ©© ShowChampions.

Top Stock Magazine / Summer 2015

049

judgeINTERVIEW

ALL TIME FAVORITE COW/BULL

FAVORITE SHOW JUDGED

BEST WIN

My all-time favourite show animal was a cow named Soo Line Annie K 6271. We won a lot of shows with her, but more importantly, she introduced me to more people in the couple years that we showed her. It was just incredible the people that we met because of that cow and the amount of business that we were able to do because of her. And not to mention she was extremely competitive in the show ring.

I don’t know if I have one that stands out in my mind. Anytime you can judge a show, either a national show or a large one, really anytime that it’s really competitive, I love doing it when there’s a few animals that are truly special individuals, for me any of those kind of moments. And it doesn’t really need to be a huge show, as long as there’s a couple that are truly special, that’s what I enjoy.

One was when the World Angus Forum was at Spruce Meadows, and we had Champion Female there, and that show because it was so large and so competitive and the facilities and the amount of people there, that was one of the special ones. And then (Soo Line) won with that Annie K cow as well, so that would be one of my favourites. My other favourite was, on the bull side, when we had Champion Pen of Angus Bulls in Denver, and we were the

happened, so it was kind of a scary time.

You weren’t sure whether you were going to be able to do it because there really wasn’t the money to do it.” Nevertheless, Morrison persevered, and his entire career thus far has been focused completely on cattle.

“This spring, we bred 140 cows and 45 heifer calves,” says Morrison. “We have a small show heifer and breeding female sale in the fall, and a bull sale in the spring.”

The Morrisons want to stick with their current breeding program and plans for the foreseeable future, and hope to increase their herd size over time.

Morrison loves the lifestyle that raising cattle offers. “I think the best thing about the industry would be the way of life that you live — being able to raise your family on a farm, and be your own boss, and be able to do the things you want to do on your own schedule.” This is particularly important for him now that he has a family of his own. “It’s pretty rewarding to be able to spend that time raising your family,” he explains. “The way of life is the most rewarding part of it.”

When asked about an aspect of the industry that requires some improvement, Morrison Right Morrison in the marshalling area at Denver during their 2010 Champion Pen of bulls showing. ©© American Angus Association 050

Top Stock Magazine / Summer 2015

first and only Canadians who have ever been able to do that, and that was really neat. It was kind of at a time when Canadians weren’t necessarily accepted down there, and it maybe even changed some of the Americans’ outlook on Canadian genetics.

Right The popular Reserve Grand Champion Steer exhibited by Morrison at the 2008 Calgary Stampede Steer Classic ©© ShowChampions

Above Soo Line Annie K 6271 as the Champion Angus Female at the World Angus Forum held in Calgary, Alberta in 2009.

Above The only Canadian-bred Champion Pen of Angus Bulls exhibited at the prestigious National Western Stock Show in 2010.

©© Grant Rolston Photography Ltd

©© ShowChampions

noted that some beef producers have generally negative attitudes regarding the state of the industry. “I think if everyone realized that we’re all in this together, and if everyone was on board together, it would make the entire industry better,” he says.

there and be able to see them all in front of you and decide which one you like best.”

Exhibiting and evaluating cattle is something this producer is certainly positive about. Morrison showed steers a number of times at Steer Classic when he was younger, and went on the show circuit as part of the Soo Line crew. He’s an experienced judge who’s happy to get in the ring with a class of quality cattle. “I just love looking at great cattle,” he says enthusiastically. “It’s fun being able to go out

Top Stock Magazine / Summer 2015

This year marks the beginning of the new all-junior exhibitor format of Steer Classic.

Morrison is in favour of the transition of the show to a junior event, a positive change that goes hand in hand with getting youth excited about agriculture and interested in starting a career in the beef industry. Of course, staying in the industry depends on whether it’s possible for young people to make a living, just as Morrison discovered when he began his career. “I think it boils down to that it has to be economically viable to them,” he says. “In these last few years when we’ve seen some better prices on the

051

“Don’t compare your chapter two to someone else’s chapter twenty.”

Right Morrison’s Champion Angus Female EA Rose 918 at the 2014 Farmfair International.

Her calf at side, Brooking Bank Note 4040 went on to become one of the top selling Angus bulls in Canada in the spring of 2015. ©© ShowChampionsShowChampions

grain and cattle side of things, I think we’re already seeing more kids coming home or even staying at home because of that.”

Each year, Steer Classic plays a significant role in allowing urban Stampede-goers the chance to see cattle up close and learn about where their beef comes from. While there used to be breeding cattle exhibited at the Stampede, the steer show is the last remaining on-site cattle show during the 10-day event. With that in mind, Steer Classic takes on a greater importance in representing beef cattle production to the many Stampede attendees, and is an opportunity “to showcase some of the best beef in the country for them,” Morrison believes. “Especially in a place where there’s so many people that walk through the gates and can see that right in front of them, instead of the ideas that some organizations would put out there about where (beef) comes from.”

As he continues to build his own purebred operation, Morrison reminds himself of the importance of living up to your potential.

“It’s something I keep in my mind for things in general,” he explains. The ideas that guide how he lives and works have changed as he’s progressed in his career. His current inspiration is excellent wisdom for anyone, especially in a business like the cattle industry.

“The last few years of doing our own thing, there’s a quote that I always try to remind myself of, and it’s ‘Don’t compare your chapter two to someone’s chapter twenty,” he says. “We’re kind of in a time when everyone wants everything right now, and when you’re raising cattle, that’s just not possible … And that’s what I always try to tell myself.”

052

Left Competing at the 2010 Calgary Stampede Steer Classic. ©© ShowChampions

FAVORITE SHOW DAY TIP

ROLE MODELS GROWING UP AND HOW THEY AFFECTED YOU My role models have always slightly changed to where I was growing up, at certain stages and as I’d progress I’d maybe change some of those things. So when I was young and wanting to learn how to fit, I loved watching guys like Lee Wilson and Chub Lundago, and Kirk Stierwalt was really kind of a pivotal person that changed something for me when I’m fitting. And then I guess once I got a little bit older and more interested in the purebred end of things and marketing, Tom Warnyca. I worked for him for a summer and fall, and he really changed my outlook on maybe a little more the purebred factor … There’s lots of people that teach you just one little thing that sticks in your mind, and there’s dozens and dozens of people that affected little things for you.

Top Stock Magazine / Summer 2015

Don’t necessarily worry about doing just one thing amazing … I think if you do one hundred things just an inch better — just worry about everything — and just make sure you’re just a bit better than everyone else, and you don’t have to be a lot better, but just a bit … So if you worry about the back legs and the front legs and the body and the tail head and feeding — if you worry about everything, it adds up to a lot, instead of just concentrating on one thing.

STEER CLASSIC SHOW DAY CRITERIA For me, a steer that has a highdegree combination of structure and balance and muscle, with some looks to go along with it.

WORDS OF ADVICE FOR JUNIORS I would say for kids to work hard and never stop learning, and don’t be afraid to ask for advice from anyone, and just try to be better than what you were yesterday.

find us on the web www.topstockmagazine.com

SEPTEMBER SEPT

5+6 SEPT

26

SEPT

26+27 SEPT

26+27

Miller Show Cattle Steer & Heifer Sale Cremona, AB

Dun-rite Stock and Stables “Brothers from different mothers” Bentley, AB

OCTOBER OCT

04 OCT

10-12

Tessa Nybo Cattle & Clinics Prospect Steer + Heifer Sale

OCT

Townsend Show Cattle/Rock Star Cattle “Backdrop Bound”

OCT

Morinville, AB

Sylvan Lake, AB

17

31

NOVEMBER

Hill Haven “Selections” Shorthorn Sale

NOV

Vandy Cattle Online Steer + Heifer sale

NOV

Duntroon, ON

Estevan, SK

Rawluk/Horner “Back to Class” Prospect Steer + Heifer sale Vermillion, AB

SSS Red Angus/Lazy MC Angus “Cowgirls” Fall Female Sale Calgary, AB

14 27

“November Gold” Club Calf + Prospect Sale Saskatoon, SK

T Bar C “Champions by Design” Club Calf Genetics Sale Regina, SK

DECEMBER DEC

14

Blairs.Ag/Six Mile Ranch “Genetic Focus ‘15” Regina, SK

UPCOMING SHOWS JUL

17+18 JUL

16-18 JUL

22-25 JUL 28

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AUG 1 JUL 30

–

AUG 2 JUL 31

–

AUG 2 AUG

6-8

SEPT

2-6

OCT

2-4

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Top Stock Magazine / Show Results

Westerner Days Beef Cattle Shows Red Deer, AB

Canadian Junior Angus Showdown Olds, AB

Canadian Charolais Youth Association Show Yorkton, SK

Canadian National Junior Hereford Bonanza Fredricton, NB

Young Canadian Simmental National Classic Lindsay, ON

Canadian National Junior Shorthorn Show Brome, QC

Canadian Junior Limousin Conference Stratford, ON

Interior Provincial Exhibition Armstrong, BC

Olds Fall Classic Beef Cattle Shows Olds, AB

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INDEX OF ADVERTISERS Arch Holdings Club Cattle

56

9

Rawluk Livestock

56

55

RK Animal Supplies

43

Dorran Marketing Inc.

10

Spady Farms

54

Dun-Rite Stock & Stables

11

SSS Red Angus

Genex

16

T Bar C Cattle Company

53

Horner Cattle Company

57

Tessa Nybo Cattle & Clinics

28

Lazy MC Angus Lucky Springs Farms Miller Show Cattle

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7

Olds Regional Exhibition

Bow Valley Genetics

Blairs.Ag

056

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2

Townsend Show Cattle

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2

INSIDE FRONT

17

UFA Junior Steer Classic

BACK

58, INSIDE BACK

Wise Maine Anjou Ranch

28

Top Stock Magazine / Show Results

2015-06-11 7:22:27 PM

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Top Stock Magazine / Show Results

Top Stock Magazine / Show Results

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UFA JUNIOR STEER CLASSIC

SUNDAY, JULY 12 2015, 1 - 5 P.M., AGRIUM WESTERN EVENT CENTRE In 2015, the Calgary Stampede is refreshing its steer classic show to be entirely oriented to youth competitors nine to twenty one years old. This is part of the Stampede’s commitment to developing our next generation of agriculture advocates.

From the class winners, one will be crowned Grand Champion Steer and earn $10,000 in scholarships and $5,000 in prize money. 2015 marks the 32nd Anniversary of the Junior Steer Classic.

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Top Stock Magazine / Show Results