Last day of farm tours sees some great cattle

Our last day of touring Alberta herds was blessed with glorious sunshine while we visited two herds whose genetics have been used a lot in the UK.

Willabar Angus is run by Andy and Ramona Hart who have 180 cows. This herd with 68 years of breeding behind it does things a little different from all the rest of the herds we have seen as they calve their cows in August so they can sell bulls at 18 months instead of a year like most others breeders. Demand for Willabar “long yearlings” is strong with this year’s bulls averaging over $4000.

Cows were in good condition as they were not nursing but they were of good size with meat in all the right places. One of the highlights of the tour was seeing a big long fleshy Vermillion Dateline son out of a Bold Ruler daughter – he would be the biggest bull we have seen on our travels. Most heifers went back to Mytty in Focus and were in nice condition for calving.

Willabar Dateline son

The last stop on the tour was to Cudlobe Angus from Dyce, Adrianna, David and Margaret Buldoc. Cudlobe is one of the leading herds in Canada for carcass traits particularly for marbling. The family run 400 cows in a very picturesque part of Alberta with the Rockies in the background. We saw about half of the herd and were impressed with length of the cows and their milking ability, these well sized cows were making a great job of their calves with many of the best calves by Cudlobe Payweight. 

Cudlobe cows

As with all the rest of our visits the hospitality today was great and everyone has really gone out of their way to make this an enjoyable trip. We have seen many examples of fantastic cattle and have learnt lots about different bloodlines. However, I reckon many of us will be on a diet now due to the fantastic food we have eaten on our visits.

I would like to thank Eddie for organising this trip and all of our hosts for making this such a great 5 days Thank you very much

I am of to the Pre Forum tour which takes us up to the Rockies and then on to the Calgary Stampede which I am really looking forward to, the only cattle we will see is a visit to Alta Genetics. 

On Monday the World Forum begins were there should be about 1500 head of cattle on display with over 500 Black Angus in the show and over 300 Red Angus with the rest made up of herd display cattle and the world Forum Embryo Calves. I will hopefully have time to let you know what happening over here next week and to tell about the show and cattle on display.