Feature: David Gray

‘Wow, amazing, trip of a lifetime’ – words I thought I would only use when describing my trip to South Africa following the British Lions earlier last summer.

But the same could be said of my adventures and experiences gained from the World Angus Forum in Canada, touring round some of the top herds in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Montana, USA, as well as making the memorable trip down to the Palermo Show in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Very rarely have I experienced as many greeting hugs and kisses from so many women as in Argentina but that’s another story!

David Gray enjoying some chill time in the Rockies

Much will have been written about the success of the forum. It really was a wonderful event topped off with the presentation of some of the finest cattle in the world. Arriving on the Friday before the forum started gave us some extra days to do our own pre-forum tour conducted by John Elliot, Jun, where we took in the Coldstream, Hamilton, Belvin and Remital herds over the week-end (as well as managing to lose some money in the hotel casino!). In hindsight, I would have been better spending my money on some embryos. But unlike Jim Logan buying Hereford embryos, mine would have been black!

Sunday began with the World Secretariat Meeting where presidents and chief executives from all the leading Aberdeen-Angus countries gave a brief update on the development of the breed in their country. Discussions were also held on the future direction and problems currently facing the breed, followed by a presentation by delegates from Argentina for the 2011 World Secretariat meeting.

Unbeknown to me, I was to make a speech on the Society’s Youth Development Programme in the UK which I managed to talk my way round before heading off to the “World’s Greatest Outdoor Show” – the Calgary Stampede Finals day.

This really was fantastic. The atmosphere and sun, combined with the adrenaline of watching the competitors risking every bone in their body, really made it a fascinating experience. The rest of the week incorporated the showing of Red Angus, Black Angus, the Futurity Show and the Young Guns. What a show it was. The level of stockmanship, presentation and the quality was tremendous.

After the forum, with Niall Lynch and John McEnroe and family, we set off on our own post-forum tour which took in several ranches in Alberta – Adams Hirshe, Willabar, Remington and Ballyheather and Stevensons, VDAR, Leachman, Vermillion, GDAR and Rollin Rock Angus ranches in USA.

We also visited three semen collection centres where we saw some of the top bulls and most influential bulls used in the breed around the world, such as SAV Traveller 004 and SAV Net Worth 4200. By the end of that week, we were back in Canada and in the Saskatchewan area where we were very impressed with the Six Mile red and black herd, Peak Dot and Southland Angus ranches.

Emphasis in North Amercia is on smaller cattle, but with quick 400 day growth rates

Assessing the cattle in both Canada and Montana, it is clear to see the huge importance placed on the maternal side where the drive is for a very fertile feminine cow with tremendous udder. The focus is on smaller cattle that perform with quick growth to 400 days with the emphasis placed on marbling traits and line breeding to bulls with these desirable traits. Although this is now coming up with its own problems, the end product and the quality of the steaks I can assure you is superb. Hence the reason I am still sporting a bit extra flesh myself!

Next stop was Argentina. I flew down with Colton and Quinn Hamilton (Belvin Angus) and Brody Gardner (Diamond T Angus). Arriving in my Canadian summer gear of a vest, shorts and flip-flops, I got a major shock when I stepped off the plane and remembered I was now in the southern hemisphere and it is winter time. Alejandro Salamme, who I had met at the forum, picked us up and we were off to the show grounds.

Entering the huge Palermo stock barns was a wonderful spectacle. On my left was close to 600 black and red Angus and to the right, the rest of the breeds used in the country, the majority of which were Brangus, the popular Angus/Brahman cross. I was introduced to Juan Ezcurra, an advisor to 35 Angus herds throughout Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay. He was in charge of 85 animals at the show. Right from the word go, I was asked if I had experience of clipping. I was immediately given a set of clippers, pointed towards an eagerly awaiting bull and told to get on with it.

After passing the test and given a few Argentinean pointers, I was then left with four Angus to prepare. Together with Alejandro’s brother, Javier, who I was staying with, we were responsible for these animals for the remainder of the show. Wednesday was calf show day for both heifers and bulls and although I had none in the classes, I was asked to prepare a couple and even had the opportunity of showing them in the ring.

Heifers and cows were judged on the Thursday and again I was involved in preparing and showing. Each division champion went through to the grand female champion class. It was very exciting with many of the 150,000-plus visitors each day passing through the cattle barns and stopping off at the judging.

From the offset, one thing which was very apparent – the type of Aberdeen-Angus I am used to seeing at the top of the line in the UK is different to the type chosen at this show. Any beast verging on above-average size was far too big for the judges at Palermo. But the cattle were very correct, easy fleshing with beautiful Aberdeen-Angus heads and an abundance of hair.

David Gray showing a first prize winner at the Palermo Show

Friday, July 31, was the show of bulls and the last day of showing. Again the huge crowds packed round the show ring as the bulls were prepared and shown. A bull from EL Cholo that I was looking after – sired by a past Palermo champion – won his class and was third champion in his division. He then went on to be the third top priced bull at the sale, making 18,000 pesos.

Grand parade at the Palermo Show

Another bull brought out by another of Juan’s teams was reserve overall champion. So it was a great day for the team resulting in celebrations going on well into the night – and two of the guys getting their heads shaved with the cattle clippers. Thankfully I managed to keep my hair on!

The Sunday night was another social occasion with all the stockmen getting a free steak plus as much drink as we wanted – all paid for by the exhibitors of the champions and reserve champions of each of the breeds. A good idea for Stirling, perhaps??!!.

The following night was the Aberdeen-Angus dinner, organised by the Association Argentina de Angus, in conjunction with the female sale where the champion sold for 62,000 pesos. I was left to prepare two females for the sale and lead them round the ring.

Next day was the bull sale where I had three bulls to lead round. I took huge pride in bringing out, preparing and leading the El Cholo bull although I had no idea at the time what he had sold for. However, I had figured out it must have been pretty good due to the round of applause it received.

I would like to thank the Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society for giving me this wonderful opportunity and allowing me to gain experience I might never have had if it wasn’t for the Youth Development Programme. I would urge all young enthusiastic breeders to enrol in the competition and really embrace all it has to offer through friendships, experience, hands-on learning, extra qualifications and the chance to have a trip of a lifetime.