Colton Hamilton gets back to "The Classic"

And after a year filled with uncertainty, Stampede Steer Classic exhibitors get back to the ring.

Words by Mona Howe. Photos by Loree Photography, Box T Photography, & ShowChampions.

Born and raised just up the road, Colton Hamilton is no stranger to the Calgary Stampede, and 2021 certainly wasn’t his first time setting foot in the ring for the Calgary Stampede Junior Steer Classic. This time, however, Hamilton would be the judge rather than an exhibitor at Canada’s most prestigious steer show.

“It was a really cool honor to judge the steer show, to be part of the history of it,” says Hamilton, who raises cattle with his family at Innisfail, Alberta.

Growing up, showing their purebred Angus cattle at the Calgary Stampede was a can’tmiss event for Hamilton and his family. At that time, prior to Steer Classic moving to its junior format, open breed shows were part of the Stampede’s livestock shows. “I only showed in the Steer Classic one year,” he recalls, “but was always there helping my cousin and friends fit their cattle.” Judge Hamilton’s roots run deep in the cattle industry. His parents, Gavin and Mabel Hamilton, started Belvin Angus 42 years ago. When they were married in 1975, Gavin worked for Colton’s great-uncle, David Bradshaw, at Aberlynn Angus. “This is how our family got started in the Angus breed,” he says. Before then, the breed of choice was Shorthorn for the Hamiltons and horned Hereford for the Churches, his mother’s family. While both are good, solid foundation British breeds, “I’m biased towards the Angus and glad my parents chose that route,” he chuckles.

A couple years after completing his economics degree from the University of Calgary in 2006, Hamilton purchased the original family homestead from his grandmother. It was originally settled by his great-grandfather Matthew Hamilton in 1892. Belvin Angus continues to grow and evolve with the next generation, which includes Hamilton, his sister Quinn and her husband, Brendyn Elliot. Their cow herd numbers have expanded to more than 350 head, supporting their annual bull sale in March and their recent addition of a fall female sale every second year.

Increasing their herd numbers hasn’t been the sole priority though. “It is just as important, if not more, that we use and produce the highest quality genetics possible for our customers,” Hamilton explains.

“Ninety percent of those customers are our commercial bull buyers,” he says, “so we focus on traits that are important to them.”

This means they are constantly breeding efficient, sound, good mothers with good udders. “Cattle that can go out and work and be low input is one thing we strive for.”

Hamilton judges the Angus show at Farmfair in 2019

Image by ShowChampions

This foundation, coupled with the right combination of calving ease and performance, allows them to sell bulls that sire good, functional cattle. And as the industry moves forward, they have added prime carcass traits to their list of priorities. “Balance is a huge key,” stresses Hamilton. “A balance of these traits makes cattle really functional in a lot of different ways.”

Hamilton believes judging cattle, particularly show cattle, goes hand in hand with breeding cattle. He credits both his parents with teaching him how to effectively breed and evaluate cattle. That, along with opportunities to participate in 4-H, Alberta Junior Angus Association shows, Canadian Junior All Breeds Show and other junior livestock competitions, laid the groundwork for his judging future.

Other valuable sources of inspiration include his industry peers across North America, as well as travelling internationally to places like Argentina. “There’s always something you can learn. And you can get left behind in a hurry if you are not advancing and evolving in terms of genetics and data and the traits that are finding success in different environments.”

Having evaluated his first solo show at the local level in 2004, Hamilton has gone on to judge several high-calibre shows on the national and international stage. From the National Angus and Simmental Show in Sweden back in 2012 to the Black Angus show at Farmfair in 2019, Hamilton says there has been many highlights along the way.

More recently Hamilton made the trip to Indian River, Ontario to sort a unique show hosted at the farm of some well-known Simmental and Hereford breeders. “With the Royal in Toronto being canceled again Billy and Juanita Elmhirst went ahead and put together a heck of a show,” he explains. “It was a 260-head deal in their backyard, and it was neat as anything.”

Next, Hamilton is looking forward to judging the Angus show at Agro Feria El Valle in Chihuahua, Mexico this fall. “No matter where it’s at there’s always a neat story to go along with each show you judge,” he reflects. “Knowing that they value your opinion enough to ask you makes it a real honour to judge these shows.” The events, or lack thereof, over past year and half have added a whole new perspective. It has been no small task for the committees putting these shows together, and for the Junior Steer Classic it was no different. Normally hosted in downtown Calgary as one the Stampede’s events, this year the show was held at the Olds Regional Exhibition Megadome.

The Hamilton Family stands in front of the Belvin Sale Barn. From left to right, farm staff Callum Miller, Colton Hamilton, Mabel and Gavin Hamilton, Quinn, Ivy and Brendyn Elliot.

Image by Box T Photography

“I commend the committee and all the people involved for following through and making this show work,” says Hamilton.

It was equally challenging for the exhibitors to have cattle prepared for this level of competition. As a result, there were a few less entries than usual, but it was still a great turn out considering the circumstances.

“I applaud the kids that went to all the work to get these steers ready not even knowing if they would have anywhere to show. The level of dedication amongst these juniors is impressive,” Hamilton remarks.

During the competition Hamilton sorted through at total of 42 steers weighing anywhere from 1,100 to 1,600 pounds. Even though the numbers were down slightly, he found the quality was as high as ever, which he appreciated. “It is always easy to judge good cattle. The more good cattle, the better,” according to Hamilton.

Colton feels Lane Steen's steer for the right amount of finish.

Image by Loree Photography

Sorting through the preliminary splits, he analyzed each steer’s natural muscle, thickness over the top, structure and fat cover, as well as the overall eye appeal of the animal. The steers that rose to the top were sound, clean-fronted animals with some depth of rib, hip and body shape that appeared to have fleshing ability. “I can’t stand here and tell you exactly how the steers would grade once the hides are off, but I can pick out the ones with the most red meat, the ones that will have good value in our industry at the end of the day,” he told the crowd during the show.

He determines which steers are likely to yield higher by looking at their exterior make-up and feeling for fat cover over their rib. But genetics is the biggest determining factor when it comes to marbling in the meat. “Identifying marbling is a combination of real carcass data and EPD’s paired with knowing the animals genetics, and in that case the more data the better,” he says.

“The champion drive was an exceptional group.” Hamilton was pleased with how well the Grand and Reserve Champion steers paired together, both coming out of the heaviest weight class at 1,480 and 1,460 pounds, respectively. “Especially when we got to the championship class of 14, they were the two steers that came together and matched each other well. They were the most impressive phenotypically to look at, plus they were in the heavier end of the show, but still of the weight acceptable in the industry today. They had a nice amount of finish.”

Grand Champion honours were awarded to Kehler Eaton of Lloydminster, AB with his black steer, Barrett, sired by Here I Am. Kehler took home $2,500 cash and $6,250 in scholarships for his efforts.

Judge Hamilton congratulates Kehler Eaton and his Grand Champion Steer at the 2021 Steer Classic.

Photo by AgPlus Photography

Reserve Champion was claimed by Cheyenne Symens of Claresholm, AB and Blue, her Monopoly-sired steer. $1,500 cash along with $4,250 in scholarships were her rewards.

A grand total of $24,000 in cash and scholarships was awarded to Junior Steer Classic Show exhibitors.

In his final remarks Hamilton mentioned, “these kids do a great job clipping, fitting and showing these animals. It is very cool to see the huge amount of effort they put in and that they get out there and continue to do what they love. In the end, that’s what these steer shows are all about.”