All wellies and no rain on fourth day of Congress tours

Prairielaine Rosebud (Rommel's dam)

Our fourth day started of very wet, so some of us decided we needed to go and get wellies, so off we headed to a UFA store which is a farmer’s general store. Think the staff got a shock when a bus load of tourists came in to the shop at 8.30 in the morning, after getting sorted out off we went to our first stop at Breamar Angus were we also saw some cattle from Arda Angus. 

Before I tell you about the cattle, by the time we had arrived at the ranch which was an hour’s drive south there was no rain and we had a beautiful day of weather so if anybody need some wellie boots only been on for an hour I know where you can all get them.

Breamar Angus of 80 cows is run by Peter Boak who is a grandson of Frank Slezina of Southolm Angus, Peter last year got the pick of the Southolm herd and we were lucky to see some cows from this famous herd. These older cows were good and carried good size with fleshing ability. One cow Southolm Beauty 33L had just been bought by John Elliot to join his donor herd in Canada, she was a good TC Stockman 365 daughter who I expect will have progeny in the UK after she is flushed. 

A typical Southholm cow

We then saw the show teams of both Breamar and Arda Angus. They were a good bit smaller than the cows, as that is the type they like to show to suit the judges over here.

Our next stop was to the Impressive Hamiltons Ranch owned by Rob and Gail Hamilton. Though we only saw a small portion of their 400 cow herd most of us were really taken with the fleshing ability of the cattle with good breed character and legs. Though they may not be as big as some of the Angus back home these were good cattle and would look good in anyone’s pasture. 

We saw HF Tiger 5T a 2 year old bull which is one of the favourites for next week show and is full brother HF El Tigre 28U who was one of the better yearling bulls we have seen on our travels. It was good to see this 28U as I had placed him 1st last year at Farmfair where I was judging. We were then treated to more steaks and desserts which everybody really enjoyed, but I think there will be some diets starting next week when we get home as the hospitality has been out of this world.

HF Tiger 5T

HF El Tigre 28U

Our last stop of the day was to Doug and Bevs Coldstream herd which most of you will have herd of as they have exported many cattle to the U.K which have done well. Doug was born not far from Wedderlie and in the same town as John Elliot Snr. We saw a bull Coldstream Paradox who was well like. This bull had good fleshing and walked well for a mature bull, the cows were in good working condition with some good paradox calves at foot.

Coldstream Paradox

Also at Coldstream were some cattle from BJ Cattle Company from the Scheirlinck family and Donor cows from John Elliot. BJ like to produce cattle maybe more suited to the UK market as he likes to see size and power in his cattle. We saw some big fleshy heifers and a bull BJ’S Enforcer 808 who Rawburn own a half share in, he was a big bull with great width and a good head and we will likely see calves at Rawburn soon of him.

BJs Gammer 802

John’s Donors were some of the biggest cows we have seen on our travels they have mainly come out of the Hoff, Prairielaine and Argwen herds we got to see Rawburn Rommel’s dam and sister who were very impressive. After seeing the cattle it was time – yes you have guessed – for another BBQ this time Salmon which was served with lots of whisky and wine. You can tell Doug’s from Scotland! Everybody really enjoyed themselves and on the bus home we had songs from Karen and John Elliot Snr to keep everybody amused.
Tomorrow is our last day on Eddie’s tour and we head south of Calgary to see Willabar and Cudlobe Angus.