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Thanks to the directors for having the faith in electing me president of the BCHA. I would first like to thank Keith Miller for every thing he has done for our Association. It has been his hard work and dedication to the Hereford breed that got us through some of the toughest times breeders have ever faced.
There are many opportunities out there; we just have to work harder than the other breeds to capitalize on them. We have to get out and listen to what the commercial end of the industry needs. Be sure to check the schedule of the Hereford influence calf sales in your area, these sales are a great way to meet and support Hereford bull buyers. The Directors are working with the Local Clubs to get as many of our breeders out at these events. The Fall is a great time to call past bull buyers, to see how the bull has worked out that you sold them. We have to be proud of the cattle that Hereford breeders have taken out to some of the summer shows, and congratulate them on a job well done. A lot of the shows had the Herefords out number the other breeds. It is important that we keep our cattle out in front of the public at all times.
For those who weren't able to make it to the Hereford weekend in Salmon Arm be sure to make plans to attend next year. At the AGM the members agreed the Association was in good fiscal shape because of good management, but now we have to be more proactive and aggressive. The show was the largest Hereford show in the province, and the quality was high. The food at the party that topped the weekend off was great, the cook was given a loud round of applause, and all agreed that the same facility and most important the same cook should be used for next year.
The directors of the BCHA will be putting an advertising program together that will have a different look from the past. We encourage as many of our members to participate when they are called upon. If we are going to take some of the market share from the other breeds we have to be aggressive, and get out and work our butts off. Our membership is made up of breeders from different business backgrounds. Many of our members are very successful in their other business interests, and they did not become successful without a lot of hard work. The Association will be working hard to promote Herefords, and will be a resource for breeders to get information and guidance. As far as getting our cattle sold each individual breeder has to get out and promote their cattle. The market share won't come to us unless we go out and get it.
I look forward to the year ahead, and invite the members to keep in contact with the directors with suggestions, and comments on the direction the Association is taking.
Murray Gore
Hereford Influence Calf Sales
Oct 14 - Vanderhoof Auction Market, Vanderhoof
Oct 14 - Valley Auction Market, Armstrong
Oct 16 - BC Livestock Producers Co-op, OK Falls
Oct 17 - BC Livestock Producers Co-op, Kamloops
Oct 18/19 - BC Livestock Producer Co-op, William Lake
Oct 31 - BC Livestock Producers Co-op, Kamloops
Nov 8 - BC Livestock Producer Co-op, Williams Lake
Feb 17/07 - 12th Annual Pine Butte Ranch Bull Sale, Agricentre, Kamloops
The above dates for the Hereford Influence Calf Sales are a good opportunity to make contact with your customers and their buyers. In his President's message Murray Gore is asking all the breeders to visit one the sales in your area. It is good public relations to do that and cements the relationship with your customers. If the calves you customer is selling are good then can be proud to have raised the bulls that did the job for them. Lyle Roberts, the new NMDP Manager will be attending sales at Armstrong, OK Falls, Kamloops and Williams Lake. Her is not able to be at Vanderhoof and Armstrong on the same day.
Most Hereford breeders would probably agree that the only thing better than an ocean view is an ocean view that includes a field of grazing Hereford cattle. Nearly 40 past, present and future Hereford breeders enjoyed just such a sight at the WCHC Field Day and Semi-Annual Meeting hosted by Colin, Diane and Ross Springford at Springford Farm in Nanoose Bay, July 22.
WCHC president Murray Gore used the brief semi-annual meeting to float the idea of moving the Evergreen Sale to the fall. A fall date might help to attract more entries as it would open up the opportunity to sell heifers and steers to 4-H members and sell cow-calf pairs as separate lots. Members favoured a late September date so as not to conflict with prairie sales. The matter will be decided at the WCHC annual meeting in December.
Members were also fortunate to hear from Gordon Stephenson who made his first official visit to Vancouver Island as general manager of the CHA. Stephenson offered an update on the U.S. border situation and discussed the benefits of moving to a new breed registry and performance evaluation system. He also expressed optimism about the decision to combine the CHA Annual Meeting with Bonanza to create Hereford Week in Canada.
In another development, Daryl Kirton noted that the National Hereford Show Committee is discussing the prospect of banning the use of aerosol products at shows. He cited health concerns and poor public perception as the key factors behind the idea.
Shade and water were at a premium during the afternoon when business gave way to food and fellowship. Highlights included a barbecue and hay ride tour of the farm, as well as the opportunity to view the Springford herd.
Peter Van Dongen
Wayne Burgess of Del Bonita, Alberta judged the Vanderhoof Show on August 19 and for his grand champion he selected the lone yearling entry from Richardson Ranch at Tlell, BC, Tlell 19N Little Rock 8N sired by Blair Athol 20 The Rock ET 19N. The reserve grand champion was a Morley Polled Hereford entry Morley Sean 7S a son of Morley Milan 6M.
In the female section Jamie Richardson of Tell took her entry Haroldson's Kali 035J ET 58N to senior and grand champion spot.. Reserve senior and reserve grand champion ribbon was claimed by Kenny Richardson of Tlell with Tlell S5 Roma 6P, sired by Witanya Batavia and her Medallion 58M heifer calf at side. Junior champion was Tlell 36N Kema 8S, sired by HF 4L Beyond 36N entered by Jamie Richardson. Reserve junior was CCR Tlell 29F Blu Lisa ET 536R.
Richardson Ranch received the premier exhibitor and premier breeder banners and also picked up the Reserve Supreme Champion Beef Cow and Reserve Supreme Champion Beef Bull over all breeds
Friday evening Sept 8 was set aside to host the BCHA Annual General Meeting. The Salmon Arm Fair attracts many breeders and since time always seemed to be short it was decided to move the meeting time to Friday evening. A lot of important business and reports were handled in a short time. To highlight a few of the developments from the meeting it has been decided that we should once again do a joint ad campaign where the breeders and the BC Hereford Association each contribute to two page ads in Country Life and Beef in BC over the period of a year. Murray Gore alluded to this in his report and you will b hearing from the committee on their plans to make this effort more meaningful to the breeders and buyers alike.
We have new committee members on the Williams Lake Bull Sale Committee. We thank Mike Doherty and Chuck Wiggins for their efforts on behalf of our Association and welcome Darlene Borrow and Leona Wright who will be sitting on the Bull Sale Committee at Williams Lake..
As far as the Provincial Bull Sale is concerned it looks like that is a dead issue and my personal opinion is that was can look forward to BC Livestock holding a "range bull sale" once again. Copper Creek Ranch would like to move their bull sale into the time slot vacated by the Provincial Bull Sale and contributors to the Clifton Bull Test Station at Keremeos will be invited to join them. We will try to keep you posted on what happens in this regard.
The website should be coming to a computer near you shortly. Our committee has been working to make it meaningful, full of information and up to date as well as provide a section for classified ads selling or buying cattle the address will be bchereford.ca.
The Junior President Morgan Godfrey will be sending a survey out to find out what the Juniors of the province would like to see happen to make them become more involved. If you are junior be sure to answer that survey as it is important to the Junior organization.
The CHA will be sending a video to all 4-H clubs with the offer of a complimentary membership and activation fee for one year to all new members. The BC Hereford Association has passed a motion that we will pay for the activation fees all present members of the BC Junior Hereford Association showing a 4-H project. Details have yet to be finalized so we will try to keep you posted.
Our newly elected President, as you can tell by hi opening remarks , is Murray Gore of Surrey. Murray is a partner with Ed Conroy in Kootenay Polled Herefords of Castlegar. We have a new person on the Board of Directors, Ross Springford of Nanoose Bay. Ross is not new to the Hereford industry, having risen thought the ranks of the Junior program. Ross and his parents, Colin and Diane Springford raise Polled Herefords at Nanoose Bay. There is nothing like breaking a new Director in right off the bat, as Ross was elected Vice President.
Wilson Clifton of Keremeos decided to not let his name stand for reelection nor did Thor Spencer and we thank them for their contribution to the association. Wilson has been a Hereford breeder for over well over 40 years and has seen a lot of trends come and go in the Hereford industry.
Saturday Sept 9 saw the MOE show at Salmon Arm Fair take place. Although it threatened rain it held off until the day was finished. Judge for the show was Ian Harvie of Olds, Alberta.
Starting off the day were the bull calves and Copper Creek Ranch at Princeton saw their CCR 57G Stamina ET 199S declared champion and the winner of the Dan O'Brien Memorial Trophy. Kootenay Polled Herefords took reserve calf champion on Kootenay 230L Selkirk 950S.
The grand and reserve grand champion bulls were also from Copper Creek . CCR 117F Rock Solid ET 314R was champion and his stall mate CCR 29F Revolution ET 1134R was reserve. Copper Creek had best pair of bulls with Echo Valley Farm from Lumby taking second place.
Things heated up in the female classes with the placings close in all classes. Echo Valley Farm took first in the heifer calf class as well as the challenge class wit their outstanding heifer Echo Valley 87J Stacey 47S. Copper Creek Ranch placed second, third, fourth and fifth in this class, virtually racking enough points in one class to insure their right to claim premier breeder and premier exhibitor for the show. Copper Creek Ranch did not enter the challenge class leaving the way clear for other breeders to rack up points for next years show.
South Alder Farms of Aldergrove took the junior champion ribbon with Tall Timbers Robin 3R, a heifer they purchased at the Evergreen Sale in May ad Echo Valley took their calf "Stacey 47S" to claim the reserve champion banner. Willow Height Herefords of Keremeos stood second to the junior champion with WHH MB Rainbow 40R.
Jim & Leona Wright of Triple Court Farm, Aldergrove claimed top spot in theolder yearling heifer class with TCF Standard 4N Lady 3R while South Alder Farm too second spot with SAF 005 Roxie 134R.
The two year old with calf at foot saw Willow Heights Hereford, Lila and Andy Rupp claim first spot with WHH Icepack 18P and Echo Valley come in at second with Ech Valley Priscilla 12P. It was the older cow/calf pairs that were senior and reserve senior champions and Springford Farm of Nanoose Bay claimed grand champion ribbon with Blair Athol 17K Cassie 57M while Kootenay Polled Herefords of Castlegar wrapped up the reserve spot with Square D Lexus 950M.
Best pair of females went to Copper Creek with second spot claimed by Echo Valley Farm. The winner of the 2006 challenge class was South Alder Farm with their entry SAF 3K Pixie 119P. Triple Court Farm took second with TCF Miss Dunbar 11P, third was Willow Height Herefords with WHH MB Icepack 18P, fourth was Triple Court on TCF Standard Lady 6P and fifth was Echo Valley on Echo Valley 87J Priscilla. All the breeders in the challenge class are all to be congratulated on getting these females back to the show as cows with calf to foot. A lot can happen from calf to two year old..
On Sunday the Bull Calf Jackpot Class, sponsored by AMW Polled Herefords of Abbotsford and North Bluff Farms of Aldergrove saw 13 bull calves paraded before a panel of three judges. Barry Brady of Heffley Creek, Dan Speller of Westwold and Keith Bostock of Salmon Arm placed the bulls and composite score was used to declared the winners. Taking first place and $360 was Frocklage Farm of Aldergrove with FFWB 1S Frocklage Online. Second with $270 was Kootenay Polled Herefords with Kootenay 230L Selkirk 950S. Sharing third and forth money of $225 was Glen Stalker of Castlegar with GSH 16S and Tom Charlton of Aldergrove on Bard 29F Skyboom ET 14S. Taking fifth spot and $45 was Echo Valley 87J Sarge 20S.
Raymond Turney from Nanoose Bay is pleased he bought a Hereford heifer last fall from Brost Bros. BBSF 6N Rosex 46R was champion overall at the Island Spring Show and at the Agri-Fair at Abbotsford she claimed that right again. At Agri-Fair Raymond received the jackpot prize money as well as a vest donated by North Bluff Farms. The reserve grand champion ribbon went to Mitchell Krause for Tall Timbers Robin 3R as well as a vest donated by Kootenay Polled Herefords.
At the PNE Raymond Turney was not to be denied the Overall Female Champion banner again, as well as receiving a vest from Kootenay Polled Herefords and $150 from the West Coast Hereford Club. The Reserve Champion Heifer was another Hereford shown by Sarah Erskine who received a vest from Thunder Ridge Farms and $100 from the West Coast Hereford Club. The champion Hereford Steer was shown by a first year member from Mission, Dustin Frost who also received $150 from the West Coast Hereford Club. Catlin Huestis of the Lower Mainland Club at Abbotsford was the recipient of $100 from the West Coast Hereford Club for her reserve champion Hereford steer.
Two members received $100 each for having the two top Hereford heifers bred by a West Coast Hereford Club member, Sarah Erskine got her heifer from the Elzinga's of Somenos Farm at Duncan while Spencer Krause had his heifer come from South Alder Farms.
At the Williams Lake 4-H Show in August the top gaining steer over all breeds was a Hereford bred by 141 Mile Ranch at 150 Mile House and shown by Jenna Schmid. She received the third high price of the day, just behind the grand and reserve grand champion steers.
These kind of stories a common place and we need to let people know it is happening with Herefords.
The nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) has purchased a a third of the Pine Butte Ranch at Cranbrook for one million dollars. Pine Butte hold a lease agreement for the land and should be able to continue raising Herefords, but this agreement protects the rolling grasslands and hayfields from development. Ray and Hugh wished to see the land protected and so this arrangement was mad taking place officially on July 1. Unfortunately Ray's wife and the matriarch of the ranch did not live to see this dream come true and she died in February, shortly after the Pine Butte Ranch Annual Bull Sale.
Nominations will be accepted by the Directors for Honour Roll and memorial Scroll nominations. These nominations have to come through the Board of Directors and must be made by Dec 1 for submission by January 1/07. The rules have been tightened up somewhat and if you have any questions you can get on the computer and look it up on the Hereford website or call this office and I will help you all I can.
A long time Hereford breeder and a true friend of the breed passed away recently at the age of 97. Louise Clifton of Keremeos drove her car until she was 90 years old and was still clear in the mind and still quite agile when she passed away. Wilson said she was still trying to tell him how to manage his money. I guess once a Mother, always a Mother. Our condolences to all those who have lost loved ones.
For those of you who laboured through the last newsletter with the notice of meeting I must apologize. I had it in the correct order when I took it to the printer, but the printers gremlin took over and it came out back to front. Because I was under a deadline to get it out it went as it was but I am sure some of you may have been wondering what was going on.
Don't forget that the deadline for the spring NACE EPD run is Nov 1. If you need details go to the October Hereford Influence newsletter or give CHA a call at 1 8888 FOR CHA. Also remember that any registrations in 2007 need to be verified by some tail hair from your bull, in other words a DNA profile. The same goes for any transfers as the sire named has to have a DNA profile as well.
Thanks for being Hereford breeders and I believe we have a bright future ahead of us if we can breed cattle that have substance, width, good feet, legs and calve with ease to a smaller cow.
Keith Miller
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