March 2026 Charolais Connection

HTACHAROLAIS.COM

The Charolais Connection

Box 115, Bruce, Alberta T0B 0R0 Ph 780-336-6424

Home Page: www.charolaisbanner.com

Email: robbie@charolaisbanner.com

ISSN 0824-1767

Manager/Publisher

Robbie Chomik

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Candice Chomik admin@charolaisbanner.com 780-208-3525

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Dalyse Robertson subscribe@charolaisbanner.com

FIELDMEN

Robbie Chomik C 780-336-6424 robbie@charolaisbanner.com @RobbieChomik

Justin Harcourt C 306-383-7168 justin@charolaisbanner.com

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The Charolais Connection is mailed to over 8,000 cattlemen nationwide. Those cattlemen include all purebred Charolais breeders, buyers of purebred Charolais bulls from the past six years and all subscribers to the Charolais Banner.

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On the Cover …

Photo: Robbie Chomik

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What an incredible winter we’ve been having.

Yes, some areas desperately need snow for moisture and others have had more than enough, but if I can be selfish for a moment, this warm stretch has been a welcome break and sure makes winter feel shorter.

Did we expect anything different? From the first few bull sales of 2026, it looks like things picked up right where we left off in 2025—if not stronger. At the time of writing, the momentum is impressive.

A year ago, I was writing about the same thing: uncertainty in the political landscape and trade barriers that could become hiccups for our industry. I’ve said from day one that a man‑made problem will be what takes this market down.

The U.S. beef cow herd declined another 1%, making it the smallest inventory since 1961. Total U.S. cow‑calf numbers now sit at 86.2 million head—the lowest in 75

years. 2025 marked the eighth straight year of contraction in overall beef cattle numbers.

Here in Canada, it’s a little harder to find up‑to‑date information. Early 2026 appears to be an expansion year after coming out of historically low numbers. Data from 2025 shows a slight increase in breeding stock, but the national herd remains at its lowest level in decades. A few western auction markets are reporting slightly fewer head coming to town each week, as many calves that would normally sell now were marketed in the fall due to high prices. I strongly believe this sets the stage for calf prices to remain strong all year—and possibly strengthen again in the fall. In some areas, good quality 800–900 lb Char cross steers are crowding the $4,800 mark.

A lot has happened since our last chat: China lifting the ban on Canadian beef, the announcement of several research facilities scheduled to close, and of course the big conversation piece—the

Ranch Review

Robbie Chomik

newly proposed CFIA traceability regulations. Is traceability important? Absolutely. Do we need to sell the proverbial farm to reinvent the wheel? I don’t think so. There’s a lot of discussion ahead.

In this issue, you’ll also find a profile on two people who grew up separate but together in the Charolais industry and share a remarkable amount of common ground.

If you’re reading this and haven’t yet introduced a Charolais bull into your program, remember: the only constant in life is change. Talk to one of our producers—you never know what lies ahead. Next year’s calf crop might just be your best yet.

For complete sale listings, industry news, catalogues, and videos, visit www.charolaisbanner. com.

As we get deeper into bull sale season, don’t hesitate to reach out to Justin or myself. We’re here to help however we can.

Have a great day, and we’ll see you at the next bull sale.

CML Tremor 31L

KAYR Fruition 26K

Turnbull’s Kiefer 66K

Turnbull’s Lego 813L

LAE Troubadour 231K LCY Game Day 45G

Cedarlea The Count 175F WGD Ruger 8J

HWY Kracker Jack 36K

The heifers have been on a full herd health program right from birth on. They will be palpated prior to selling. They are all sired by Cedarlea bulls that were selected for calving ease and maternal traits. The tan/ buckskin heifers will be moderately framed and develop into long, deep bodied maternal powerhouses with a heavy hair coat. The dams of these open replacements were all sired by bulls purchased from some of the leading Simmental breeders in Western Canada: Crossroad Farms, Labatte’s Simmentals, Rendezvous Farms and Wheatland Cattle Company. For more information, please call Ryan Stolson at 1.306.741.9595

Elder Charolais Elder Charolais

16th Annual Bull Sale THURSDAY, MARCH 26TH, 2026

60 Plus Yearling Bulls on Offer

ELDER’S NIKIAS 510N

Elder’s Lazaro 305L x Elder’s Wahkemo 245K

BW 103 Sep 18 WW 975 Adj YW 1614

4th gen polled

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ELDER’S DYNAMIC 559N

Sparrows Pascal 239K x KAYR Covergirl 26Y

BW 106 Sep 18 WW 965 Adj YW 1555

Double polled

Long, smooth made, big time performance out of a very maternal cow family.

ELDER’S NITRO 524N

LT Countdown 9712 PLD x Elder’s Design 3157L

BW 80 Dec 1 WW 1166 ADJ YW 1340

4th gen polled

A low BW, Highly Attractive Countdown son out of a beautiful Raindance daughter campaigned this fall!

ELDER’S NARCO 522N

LT Countdown 9712 PLD x Elder’s Wilma 343L

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4th gen polled

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ELDER’S NUCLEAR 566N

LT Justified 1528 PLD x HVA Falcon 250F

BW 105 Sep 18 WW 900 Adj YW 1428

4th gen polled

A Pen Standout, This Justified son stems from one of our Best Cow Families!

ELDER’S SPARK 5153N

JWX Honky Tonk 5005H x Elder’s Young Love 59H

ELDER’S MOROCCO 556N

Elder’s Lazaro 305L x Elder’s Miss Bardeau 1129J

BW 106 Aug 18 WW 783 ADJ YW 1461

3rd gen polled

A true testament of the Lazaro bulls! Long Sided, Soft Made, Thick Bulls with Hair!

BW 78 Sep 18 WW 815 Adj YW 1422

4th gen polled

Really Square Made, Big Topped son of the JWX Honky Tonk 5005H bull who breeds Consistency!

ELDER’S MAJOR 5189N

CFC 83F Captain 80J x Elder’s Twilight 2170K

BW 95 Sep 18 WW 715 Adj YW 1524

4th gen polled

Quel hiver incroyable nous avons jusqu’à présent! Certes, certaines régions ont désespérément besoin de neige pour plus d’humidité et d’autres en ont eu plus qu’assez, mais si je peux me permettre un instant d’égoïsme, cette période de température agréable a été une pause bienvenue et donne vraiment l’impression que l’hiver est plus court.

S’attendait on à autre chose ? D’après les premières ventes de taureaux de 2026, il semble que les choses aient repris là où nous les avions laissées en 2025, voire en mieux. Au moment où j’écris ces lignes, la dynamique est impressionnante.

Il y a un an, j’écrivais sur le même sujet: l’incertitude du paysage politique et les barrières commerciales qui pourraient constituer des obstacles pour notre secteur. J’ai dit dès le premier jour qu’un problème d’origine humaine serait ce qui ferait effondrer ce marché.

Le cheptel de vaches de boucherie aux États Unis a encore diminué de 1 %, ce qui représente le plus petit effectif depuis 1961. Le nombre total de vaches et de veaux aux États Unis s’élève désormais à 86,2

Les affaires au ranch

Robbie Chomik

millions de têtes, le plus bas en 75 ans. 2025 a marqué la huitième année consécutive de contraction du cheptel bovin. Ici, au Canada, il est un peu plus difficile de trouver des informations à jour. Début 2026 semble être une année d’expansion après une période de chiffres historiquement bas. Les données de 2025 montrent une légère augmentation du cheptel reproducteur, mais le cheptel national demeure à son plus bas niveau depuis des décennies. Quelques marchés aux enchères dans l’Ouest signalent une légère diminution du nombre de têtes arrivant chaque semaine, car de nombreux veaux qui se vendraient normalement maintenant ont été commercialisés à l’automne en raison des prix élevés. Je suis convaincu que cela laisse présager des prix élevés pour les veaux tout au long de l’année, et peut être même une nouvelle hausse à l’automne. Dans certaines régions, des bouvillons croisés Charolais de bonne qualité, pesant entre 800 900 lb, frôlent les 4 800 $.

Beaucoup de choses se sont passées depuis notre dernière conversation: la levée de l’embargo chinois sur le bœuf canadien, l’annonce de la fermeture de plusieurs centres de recherche et, bien sûr, le sujet qui fait

couler beaucoup d’encre: le nouveau projet de règlement de l’ACIA sur la traçabilité. La traçabilité est elle importante ? Absolument. Faut il réinventer la roue? Je ne le crois pas. De nombreuses discussions sont à venir.

Dans ce numéro, vous découvrirez également le portrait de deux personnes qui, bien qu’ayant grandi séparément, ont évolué ensemble dans le secteur Charolais et partagent de nombreux points communs.

Si vous lisez ceci et que vous n’avez pas encore intégré de taureau Charolais à votre élevage, souvenez vous: la seule constante dans la vie, c’est le changement. Discutez avec l’un de nos éleveurs; l’avenir est parfois imprévisible. La prochaine génération de veaux pourrait bien être la meilleure que vous ayez jamais eue.

Pour consulter la liste complète des ventes, les actualités du secteur, les catalogues et les vidéos, rendez vous sur www.charolaisbanner.com.

À l’approche de la saison des ventes de taureaux, n’hésitez pas à contacter Justin ou moi même. Nous sommes là pour vous aider.

Passez une excellente journée et à bientôt, à la prochaine vente de taureaux!

CANADIAN CHAROLAIS ASSOCIATION

Suite #230, 52 Gateway Dr NE Airdrie, AB T4B 0J6

403.250.9242 F 403.291.9324

www.charolais.com @canCharolais www.facebook.com/cdncharolais

PROVINCIAL REPRESENTATIVES:

ALBERTA

President: JILL HARVIE, Olds

Secretary: Amber Shuttleworth, Balzac SASKATCHEWAN

President: DALE WEINBENDER, Canora Secretary: Sarah Hordos, Raymore MANITOBA

President: OWEN SELLMAN, McCreary Secretary: Lana Kraus, Neepawa ONTARIO

President: KURTIS BLACK, Haley Station Secretary: Ashley Baker, Hastings QUEBEC

President: MARK FROST, Kingsey Falls Secretary: Chantal Raymond, Sainte-Eulalie MARITIMES

President: BRETT FRANCIS, Crapaud, PEI Secretary: Nancy Milton, Nine Mile Creek, PEI

STAFF:

General Manager: CRAIG SCOTT

Registry: LOIS CHIVILO

Registry/Member Services: CASSIDY CHALACK(MATTHEWS)

Registry/Member Services: KIMBERLY MEAGHER

French Membership: Bernard Dore 514-910-4935 • bernarddore@videotron.ca

EXECUTIVE:

PRESIDENT: RYAN NESBITT

17100 Cedardale Rd, Nestleton, ON L0B 1L0 905.242.2046, ryan@cedardalefarms.ca

1ST VICE-PRESIDENT: JOSH TAYLOR 1717 County Rd 36, Dunsford, ON K0M 1L0 705.793.2576 C 705.760.5054 joshua.r.taylor@hotmail.com

2ND VICE-PRES: DENNIS SERHIENKO Box 42, Maymont, SK S0M 1T0 306.389.7770 • dlserko@littleloon.ca

PAST PRESIDENT: SHAWN AIREY Box 639, Rivers, MB R0K 1X0 204.328.7704 C 204.724.8823, htacharolais@hotmail.com

DIRECTORS:

DARWIN ROSSO

78 325 4th Ave SW, Moose Jaw, SK S6H 5V2 306.693.2384 • rosso.c@sasktel.net

ARMAND ROY

98 Rang St-Andre, St-Bernard Lacolle, QC J0J 1V0 450.246.9799 C 514.895.0829 • royalch@hotmail.com

ROD McLEOD

293113 Twnshp Rd 263, Rocky View County, AB T4A 0N5 403.540.7986 • rodmcl@telus.net

TRAVIS FOOT

Box 414, Esther, AB T0J 1H0 403.664.3167 C 406.664.0961 footprintfarms1@gmail.com

JOSH REDDEN

5239 Hwy 14

Windsor NS B0N 2T0 902.670.5919 • jhredden@nsac.ca

MICHAEL HUNTER

Box 569, Roblin, MB R0L 1P0 204.247.0301 • mike_hunter40@hotmail.com

KYLE O’NEILL

36244 C&E Trail, Red Deer County, AB T4G 0H1 403.877.2615 • oneill_09@hotmail.com

Understanding the Terminal Sire Index: A Geneticist’s Perspective

In modern beef production, profitability is driven by pounds of high quality beef sold per cow exposed. Genetics play a central role in achieving this goal, and selection indexes have become essential tools for making informed breeding decisions. One of the most valuable of these tools for commercial producers is the Terminal Sire Index (TSI). When used correctly, the TSI helps identify sires that excel at producing fast growing, efficient, high value calves destined for the feedlot and packing plant.

What Is the Terminal Sire Index?

The Terminal Sire Index is a multi-trait economic index designed to rank bulls based on their expected ability to sire calves that are sold for slaughter rather than retained for breeding. Unlike maternal or balanced indexes, the TSI assumes that all progeny are terminal—meaning replacement females will come from a different, maternally focused breeding group. Rather than looking at traits in isolation, the TSI combines several economically relevant Expected Progeny Differences (EPDs) into a single dollar-value score. This score reflects the expected profit difference per calf when using one sire versus another, under a defined production and marketing scenario.

Traits Behind the Index

While the exact traits and weightings vary by breed association, most Terminal Sire Indexes place strong emphasis on:

Craig Scott

• Growth traits (weaning weight, yearling weight, average daily gain)

•Feed efficiency (feed intake, residual feed intake where available)

• Carcass merit (carcass weight, ribeye area, marbling, yield)

• Calving ease (included, but typically weighted less than in maternal indexes)

The economic weights assigned to each trait are based on real world data from feedlots and packers. This ensures the index reflects what truly matters at the point of sale— not just what looks good on paper. Why the Terminal Sire Index Matters

From a geneticist’s standpoint, the power of the Terminal Sire Index lies in its ability to simplify complex genetic decisions without oversimplifying the biology. Individual EPDs are useful, but they can also be misleading when viewed in isolation. For example, selecting solely for high growth may unintentionally sacrifice carcass quality or efficiency. The TSI accounts for these trade offs automatically.

For commercial producers using crossbreeding systems— particularly those employing British × Continental or specialized terminal sires—the TSI helps answer a critical question: Which bull will leave the most profitable calves at harvest? When bulls are ranked by TSI, producers can be confident that higher ranking sires are expected to generate more revenue per FROM THE

..continued on page 20

CANADIAN CHAROLAIS ASSOCIATION

Suite #230, 52 Gateway Dr NE Airdrie, AB T4B 0J6

403.250.9242 F 403.291.9324

www.charolais.com

@canCharolais www.facebook.com/cdncharolais PROVINCIAUX REPR É SENTANTS: ALBERTA

Presidént: JILL HARVIE, Olds Secretary: Amber Shuttleworth, Balzac SASKATCHEWAN

Presidént: DALE WEINBENDER, Canora Secretary: Sarah Hordos, Raymore MANITOBA

Presidént: OWEN SELLMAN, McCreary Secretary: Lana Kraus, Neepawa ONTARIO

Presidént: KURTIS BLACK, Haley Station Secretary: Ashley Baker, Hastings QUEBEC

Presidént: MARK FROST, Kingsey Falls Secretary: Chantal Raymond, Sainte-Eulalie MARITIMES

Presidént: BRETT FRANCIS, Crapaud, PEI Secretary: Nancy Milton, Nine Mile Creek, PEI

PERSONNEL

General Manager: CRAIG SCOTT Registry: LOIS CHIVILO

Registry/Member Services: CASSIDY CHALACK(MATTHEWS)

Registry/Member Services: KIMBERLY MEAGHER

French Membership: Bernard Dore 514-910-4935 • bernarddore@videotron.ca

EX ÉCUTIF:

PRÉSIDENT: RYAN NESBITT

17100 Cedardale Rd, Nestleton, ON L0B 1L0 905.242.2046, ryan@cedardalefarms.ca

1ST VICE-PRÉSIDENT: JOSH TAYLOR 1717 County Rd 36, Dunsford, ON K0M 1L0 705.793.2576 C 705.760.5054 joshua.r.taylor@hotmail.com

2ND VICE-PRÉSIDENT: DENNIS SERHIENKO

Box 42, Maymont, SK S0M 1T0 306.389.7770 • dlserko@littleloon.ca

ANCIEN PRÉSIDENT: SHAWN AIREY Box 639, Rivers, MB R0K 1X0 204.328.7704 C 204.724.8823, htacharolais@hotmail.com

ADMINISTRATION:

DARWIN ROSSO

78 325 4th Ave SW, Moose Jaw, SK S6H 5V2 306.693.2384 • rosso.c@sasktel.net

ARMAND ROY

98 Rang St-Andre, St-Bernard Lacolle, QC J0J 1V0 450.246.9799 C 514.895.0829 • royalch@hotmail.com

ROD McLEOD

293113 Twnshp Rd 263, Rocky View County, AB T4A 0N5 403.540.7986 • rodmcl@telus.net

TRAVIS FOOT

Box 414, Esther, AB T0J 1H0 403.664.3167 C 406.664.0961 footprintfarms1@gmail.com

JOSH REDDEN

5239 Hwy 14 Windsor NS B0N 2T0 902.670.5919 • jhredden@nsac.ca

MICHAEL HUNTER

Box 569, Roblin, MB R0L 1P0 204.247.0301 • mike_hunter40@hotmail.com

KYLE O’NEILL

36244 C&E Trail, Red Deer County, AB T4G 0H1 403.877.2615 • oneill_09@hotmail.com

DE LA CHAROLAIS ASSOCIATION CANADIENNE

Comprendre l’indice terminal d’un taureau:

Craig Scott

Dans la production actuelle de viande bovine, la rentabilité est déterminée par le nombre de livres de viande bovine de haute qualité vendues par vache exposée à la saillie. La génétique joue un rôle central dans l’atteinte de cet objectif, et les indices de sélection sont devenus des outils essentiels pour prendre des décisions éclairées en matière d’élevage L’un des outils les plus précieux pour les producteurs commerciaux est le “Terminal Sire Index (TSI)” ou Indice terminal d’un taureau. Lorsqu’il est utilisé correctement, l’indice TSI aide à identifier les taureaux qui excellent dans la production de veaux à croissance rapide, efficaces et de grande valeur destinés au parc d’engraissement et à l’abattoir. Qu’est-ce que l’indice terminal d’un taureau ?

L’indice terminal d’un taureau est un indice économique multi caractères conçu pour classer les taureaux en fonction de leur capacité attendue à produire des veaux qui sont vendus pour l’abattage plutôt que retenus pour la reproduction. Contrairement aux indices maternels ou équilibrés, l’indice TSI suppose que toutes les progénitures sont terminales—ce qui signifie que les femelles de remplacement proviendront d’un groupe de reproduction différent, axé sur les qualités maternelles.

Plutôt que de considérer les caractères isolément, l’indice TSI combine plusieurs Écarts Prévus sur la Descendance (EPD)

économiquement pertinents en un seul indice de valeur monétaire. Cet indice reflète la différence de profit attendue par veau lorsqu’on utilise un taureau par rapport à un autre, dans un scénario de production et de commercialisation défini. Les caractères derrière l’indice

Bien que les caractères précis et les pondérations varient selon l’association de races, la plupart des indices terminaux de taureaux mettent fortement l’accent sur :

• Caractères de croissance (poids au sevrage, poids à l’âge d’un an, gain moyen quotidien)

• Efficacité alimentaire (consommation d’aliments, consommation résiduelle d’aliments si disponible)

• Qualités de la carcasse (poids de la carcasse, surface d’oeil de longe, persillage, rendement)

• Facilité de vêlage (incluse, mais généralement moins pondérée que dans les indices maternels)

Les poids économiques attribués à chaque caractère sont basés sur des données réelles provenant de parcs d’engraissement et d’abattoirs. Cela garantit que l’indice reflète ce qui compte vraiment au point de vente—et pas seulement ce qui semble bon sur papier. Pourquoi l’indice terminal des taureaux est-il important

Du point de vue d’un généticien, la puissance de l’indice terminal des géniteurs réside dans sa capacité à simplifier les décisions génétiques complexes sans trop simplifier la biologie. Les EPD pris individuellement sont utiles, mais ils peuvent également être trompeurs lorsqu’ils sont considérés isolément. Par exemple, la sélection

..continued on page 20

calf, assuming management and marketing conditions match the index assumptions.

Terminal vs. Maternal: Knowing the Difference

It is important to stress that a high Terminal Sire Index does not make a bull a good choice for producing replacement females. Terminal sires often excel in growth and carcass traits but may be weaker in fertility, longevity, or maternal performance. This is not a flaw—it is specialization.

Genetic progress accelerates when producers match the right genetics to the right job. The TSI is most effective in systems where replacements are sourced separately, allowing terminal sires to focus

L’ASSOCIATION

exclusively on performance and end product value.

Practical Use on the Ranch

In practice, the Terminal Sire Index should be used as a primary sorting tool, not the only one. Producers should first identify bulls that fit their calving ease, structural soundness, and management requirements. Within that acceptable group, the TSI provides a powerful way to rank bulls based on profit potential.

Used consistently over time, selection on a well designed terminal index leads to:

• Heavier, more uniform feeder calves

• Improved feedlot performance

• Better carcass value and grid

premiums

• Stronger alignment with market signals

Final Thoughts

The Terminal Sire Index represents the practical application of genetic science to real world beef production. It distills vast amounts of performance, carcass, and economic data into a tool producers can trust. When paired with sound management and a clear breeding strategy, the TSI is one of the most effective ways to drive long term profitability in terminal beef systems.

In short: the Terminal Sire Index helps ensure that every calf born is genetically designed to pay its way—right through to the rail.

CHAROLAIS CANADIENNE, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18

uniquement pour une croissance élevée peut involontairement sacrifier la qualité ou l’efficacité de la carcasse. L’indice TSI prend automatiquement en compte ces préoccupations.

Pour les producteurs commerciaux utilisant des systèmes de croisement—en particulier ceux employant des taureaux terminaux britanniques x continentaux ou spécialistes terminaux — l’indice TSI aide à répondre à une question critique : Quel taureau laissera les veaux les plus rentables à l’abattage ?

Lorsque les taureaux sont classés selon l’indice TSI, les producteurs peuvent être sûrs que les taureaux de rang supérieur devraient générer plus de revenus par veau, en supposant que les conditions de régie et de mise en marché correspondent aux hypothèses de l’indice.

Terminal versus Maternel : Connaître la différence

Il est important de souligner qu’un indice terminal élevé ne fait pas d’un taureau un bon choix pour produire des femelles de remplacement.

Les taureaux terminaux excellent souvent en croissance et pour les

caractères liés à la carcasse, mais peuvent être plus faibles en fertilité, en longévité ou en performance maternelle. Ce n’est pas un défaut— c’est une spécialisation.

Le progrès génétique s’accélère lorsque les producteurs associent la bonne génétique au bon objectif. L’indice TSI est plus efficace dans les systèmes où les femelles de remplacement sont sélectionnées séparément, ce qui permet de se concentrer exclusivement sur les taureaux éprouvés sur la performance et la valeur du produit final.

Utilisation pratique à la ferme

En pratique, l’indice terminal des taureaux devrait être utilisé comme un outil principal de tri, et non comme le seul. Les producteurs devraient d’abord identifier les taureaux qui correspondent à leur critère de facilité de vêlage, à la conformation fonctionnelle et aux exigences de régie. Au sein de ce groupe acceptable, l’indice TSI fournit un moyen puissant de classer les taureaux en fonction du potentiel de profit.

Utilisé de manière cohérente au fil du temps, la sélection sur un indice

terminal bien conçu conduit à :

• Des veaux d’embouche plus lourds et plus uniformes

• Amélioration des performances lors de l’engraissement

• Meilleure valeur de la carcasse et primes selon le classement

• Alignement plus fort avec les signaux du marché

Réflexions finales

L’indice terminal des taureaux représente l’application pratique de la science génétique à la production bovine réelle. Il distille de vastes quantités de données sur la performance, les carcasses et l’économie dans un outil auquel les producteurs peuvent faire confiance. Lorsqu’il est associé à une bonne gestion et à une stratégie d’élevage claire, l’indice TSI est l’un des moyens les plus efficaces pour assurer la rentabilité à long terme dans les systèmes de production bovine terminale.

En résumé : l’indice terminal des taureaux aide à garantir que chaque veau né est génétiquement conçu pour rentabiliser son chemin— jusqu’à la carcasse.

JEFF: 204-242-4448 KEEGAN: 204-384-6913

C2CHAROLAISJEFF@GMAIL.COM WWW.C2CHAROLAIS.COM

FOOTPRINTS SIR 521N SIRED BY DCR BLUEPRINT J7

FOOTPRINTS SIR 36N SIRED BY DCR BLUEPRINT J7

FOOTPRINTS SIR 5N SIRED BY LT COUNTDOWN 9712 PLD

The Lessons That Began in the Barn

Dr. Jody Carrington

(assisted by Dr. Aaron Grant)

There’s a particular smell that never really leaves you once it’s in your bones—the show barn, fresh sawdust, hair adhesive, and coffee that’s been on a little too long. For those of us raised in and around agriculture, it doesn’t matter how far we wander or how many letters we collect behind our names; that smell can stop us in our tracks. It feels like home.

There’s a particular smell that never really leaves you once it’s in your bones—the show barn, fresh sawdust, hair adhesive, and coffee that’s been on a little too long. For those of us raised in and around agriculture, it doesn’t matter how far we wander or how many letters we collect behind our names; that smell can stop us in our tracks. It feels like home.

Neither my husband, Dr. Aaron Grant, nor I could have known growing up just how much the agricultural industry would shape the people we would become— or that it would eventually stitch our lives together. We didn’t grow up together. We didn’t date at junior shows or meet at a sale barn. And yet, we spent years

unknowingly crossing the same paths, standing in the same barns, and circling the same show rings, including many long days at the Calgary Stampede, Edmonton Farm Fair, and Agribition. Agriculture has a funny way of doing that—quietly weaving threads long before you notice the pattern.

Agriculture has a funny way of doing that— quietly weaving threads long before you notice the pattern.

Roots That Run Deep

I grew up in Viking, Alberta, a small town that teaches you early what matters and what doesn’t. There’s no hiding in a place like that, which turns out to be a gift. It was there I was taken under the wing of my best friend, Leigha Rattray, and her family—particularly her father, the late and great Gord Rattray of Rattray Charolais. Gord didn’t just teach cattle. He taught people. He had a way of making you feel like you belonged long before you were sure you did, often with a signature clap on the back hug. Under his mentorship, I learned what good stock looked like—but more importantly, what good humans looked like. My very first cow calf pair, affectionately named Bubbles and Suds, became my formal introduction to the Charolais breed. They were patient teachers, as good cows often are, and they started a lifelong relationship with a breed—and a community—that would ground me no matter where life took me.

Gord didn’t just teach cattle. He taught people. He had a way of making you feel like you belonged.

In 1993, I had the honour of serving as Secretary of the Canadian Charolais Youth Association, guided by that year’s President, Kasey Phillips, with Leigha serving as Vice President. It was more than a title—it was a front row seat to what happens when young people are trusted, mentored, and invited to take responsibility. The

often without ever calling it that.

Those early years taught me how to show up, how to listen, and how to work—really work—for something bigger than myself. The cattle community became my first template for connection, responsibility, and belonging. No matter how far I’ve travelled since, those

Jared & Heather McTavish

306-435-4925 Home | 306-435-9842 Cell

Moosomin, Saskatchewan

mctavishfarmsltd@gmail.com

Another Farm, Another Path

Aaron’s connection to the Charolais breed was forged not in the purebred spotlight, but in the practical, demanding world of commercial cattle production. Growing up in the commercial cattle business, Charolais cattle became an integral part of the Grant Farms breeding program—not out of sentiment, but because they worked. The breed’s power, performance, and remarkable ability to cross seamlessly with other breeds made it a natural fit as the operation evolved.

Although opportunities later took the family into the purebred Salers industry for 15 years, the Charolais breed resurfaced when the Grants sought to market bulls on a larger scale. What began as a business decision quickly became something more enduring. Acquaintances within the breed became close friends, and respect for the cattle deepened into respect for the people behind them.

Over the years, Aaron’s relationship with Charolais extended well beyond the home farm. He has judged Charolais shows internationally, including the World Charolais Congress in 2006, and later served on the Supreme Judging Panel at Canadian Western Agribition—where that year, a Charolais bull stood out as an easy and fitting choice for Supreme Overall. For Aaron, the breed has always represented what the best of agriculture offers: consistency, adaptability, and a community that stands behind its cattle and its people.

Aaron didn’t just like cattle; he loved the industry. He loved the people, the rhythm, the constant problem solving, and the way agriculture demands both humility and confidence—sometimes in the same breath. That love took him far from home, first to school in Oklahoma, then to Texas A&M, and eventually to Michigan State University, where he completed his PhD in ruminant nutrition.

His career carried him through years in the commercial feedlot industry, where theory meets reality in a hurry. Today, he works as the resident nutritionist in the dairy and beef industries for Supreme International. While his day to day work looks different than it did when he was younger, the foundation remains the same: feed the animal well, respect the producer, and never forget that agriculture is equal parts science and trust.

Charolais cattle became an integral part of the Grant Farms breeding program—not out of sentiment, but because they worked.

Feed the animal well, respect the producer, and never forget that agriculture is equal parts science and trust.

Your word matters. Your reputation matters. And how you treat people when things go sideways matters even more.

When Paths Cross (Eventually)

Ironically, when Aaron and I finally met “officially,” it wasn’t in a barn at all. It was online—before online was cool (some 18 years ago). And yet, even then, agriculture found a way in. One of the first things that caught my attention was a photo of him standing in a judging ring. For anyone who grew up showing cattle, that image tells you everything you need to know: discipline, presence, pride, and an understanding that how you carry yourself matters.

By the time we realized how many times our paths

had likely crossed over the years, we had no shortage of credible witnesses and stories to confirm it. Of course we had been in the same places—Billy Bob’s and The Swamp, to name a few. Of course agriculture had been quietly doing its thing long before we caught on.

Different Professions, Same Foundation

While Aaron leaned deeper into animal science and nutrition, my own path took me into clinical psychology. After completing my PhD, I spent more than 20 years in practice, working with families, leaders, and

McAvoy Charolais Farm

communities around mental health and relationships. I’ve since authored three books focused on connection, regulation, and the reality that we were never meant to do any of this alone.

On the surface, our careers couldn’t look more different. But at their core, they are remarkably similar. Both are rooted in systems. Both require patience. Both demand an understanding that what you see on the surface is rarely the whole story. And both are deeply influenced by the agricultural values we grew up with— show up, do the work, and take care of the living things entrusted to you.

In recent years, I’ve found myself returning more and more to the agricultural world, speaking to producers, industry leaders, and rural communities around the globe. And every time I do, it feels like exhaling. In an increasingly divisive world, there is something profoundly grounding about being in a room full of farmers, ranchers, and ag professionals talking about what matters most—weather, markets, family, and the quiet hope that next year will be a little better than the last.

The Things That Still Matter

One of the greatest gifts agriculture gave us is an understanding of trust. In this industry, the most important deals you’ll ever make are often sealed with a handshake. Conversations over coffee, at a kitchen table, or during a game of crib carry weight. Your word matters. Your reputation matters. And how you treat people when things go sideways matters even more.

In a world that feels increasingly fast, transactional, and disconnected, these values can feel almost radical. And yet, they are exactly what our nervous systems— and our communities—are craving. Agriculture figured this out long before it ever became a headline.

Raising Kids with Roots

Aaron and I have three (mostly amazing) kids, now all teenagers, and when it came time to decide where to raise them, the answer was easy. We wanted to come home. We wanted them to grow up in a small town, where people know your name, notice when you’re gone, and show up when it counts.

We wanted them to understand that roots don’t limit you—they steady you. That you can leave and explore

and build big lives, but you should always know where home is. Agriculture taught us that cycles matter, seasons change, and there is dignity in both staying and returning. Our kids have grown up hearing the stories—of show days, long hauls, great cows, hard years, and even harder lessons. They’ve learned that resilience isn’t about toughness; it’s about connection. About knowing who you belong to and who belongs to you.

Coming Full Circle

The Charolais breed—and the agricultural industry more broadly—taught us everything important long before we could name it. It taught us how to work, how to lead, how to fail, and how to come back the next day

anyway. It taught us that progress doesn’t happen alone, and neither does getting through the mess that is being human, especially these days.

As our lives continue to evolve, our connection to agriculture remains constant—not as nostalgia, but as a living, breathing foundation. It’s in how we raise our kids. It’s in how we show up professionally. And it’s in the quiet certainty that no matter how complicated the world becomes, some things are still simple.

Good cattle.

Good people.

Strong communities. Those lessons are in our bones.

And they always will be.

Good cattle. Good people. Strong communities. Those lessons are in our bones. And they always will be.

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When I think of it, scrotal circumfer ence and scrotal palpation is one of the quickest, repeatable and fact revealing information we can get for our clients’ bulls. We have talked about the breed minimums in the past and how they are there for a reason. Some breeds “get away” with less scrotal size, but we have also seen that as average scrotal size has gone up through selection, because it is quite heritable, fertility improves. We are probably reaching the point where scrotal size continuing to rise could see a detrimental effect on fertility. We all know the yearling that has a scrotal size above 43 may be troublesome. Also, mature bulls that get close to 50 cm and over seldom stay in the breeding herd long. This article will shed more light on checking scrotal size and the differences in tapes used, or the difference in technique below the 49th parallel. I am only sure on the technique used in Canada, Australia and the United States, so I can’t comment on the measurements we see from other countries.

For many years now, veterinarians and producers in Canada have been using the “reliabull” tape that has the spring loaded mechanism in it. The beauty here is that it allows consistency in the pull, and really, we should all be within 1 cm of each other if measuring consistently. Producers can all get a tape and learn the technique quite easily if wanting to check for themselves. It is a matter of pulling the testicles gently down into the scrotum. This is where they would hang if it’s warm out, but in the winter,

Scrotal Circumference in 2026

Roy Lewis, DVM

they are pulled up to allow for temperature regulation. Once down, the tape is placed around the widest part of the scrotum and pulled tight until the plunger just starts to show red. The measurement is then made out of the front part of the block. This is a repeatable measurement, and one that if everyone is doing this, producers and veterinarians alike in Canada, we should be close.

A feed company has been doing a study or fact finding summary of all the bull sale results in the fall, focusing a lot on scrotal circumference. This compares everyone’s results to each other and whether they are using this specifics companies’ feed and mineral program. I know the pure researchers would downplay this as not controlled research, but the number of bulls is very high, and I believe it does show real trends. You are also confidentially ranked against each other that has merit for the individual producers as they see how they do against each other in the same breed. Also, you can definitely see the breed differences, and they look like we would expect, which lends credibility to this study.

It also shows a difference in scrotal size overall if you are on their mineral program. This adds credence generally in the adage that good quality minerals and nutrition added into genetics should increase scrotal size. This study has gone on for a good number of years, and the results are pretty consistent each year. The old wives’ tale that “You can’t starve the testicles or the horns out of cattle” is then really not true. We are always worried about really anything that could affect fertility. It often goes back to nutrition, and there are probably many unknowns with nutritional issues leading to

poor fertility and potentially smaller scrotal size. Have a good nutritionist hired and a sound mineral program. When purchasing bulls, if you do it enough yourself, you can have a pretty good idea if the scrotal measurements you are seeing make sense. Year to year, you know which breeders’ circumferences make sense and that they are measured accurately. Purebred breeders will almost always buy bulls that have above average scrotums for their age. When looking at size correlated to birthdates, as we always know, the scrotal size will be increasing upwards of two cm a month between 10 15 months of age. Comparing a scrotal from a 12 month versus a 15 month old bull, then I would commonly see when exactly you are going to use the bull. Is it right away, in which case fertility needs to be high, or a young bull still may need time to grow. That is why the most accurate measurement and semen test occur just before you are going to use the bull. Many producers even thought they buy bull semen tested, if breeding season is a long way off may retest him just before breeding in case something has happened. When looking for your next herd sire, always have a good look at the testicles, and I think don’t hesitate to ask or read in the catalogue everything from the health status of the herd to the nutrition program to the scrotal circumference, semen results and any other pertinent facts that will help you determine the best choice for your herd. It is a decision that should not be made lightly. Veterinarians are very transparent about semen forms, so all relevant information should be there.

Canadian Beef Industry Statement on AAFC Research Cuts

submitted jointly by The Canadian Cattle Association and Beef Cattle Research Council.

The Canadian Cattle Association (CCA) and the Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC) are concerned about Agriculture and Agri Food Canada (AAFC) reductions affecting research farms, facilities, programs and research expertise at Nappan (Nova Scotia), Quebec City (Quebec) and Lacombe (Alberta). We recognize the fiscal pressures facing the federal government; however, the cuts will have far reaching impacts for cattle producers, the beef industry, consumers and Canada’s efforts to grow the economy and diversify export markets.

In the past decade, Canada’s beef producers increased their own research contributions by over 600%, viewing research as an investment in future economic growth and competitiveness. Public good research remains essential where market incentives are limited, or independent expertise is required for regulatory, trade and consumer confidence. AAFC’s national capacity is particularly important to maintain in the areas of food safety, carcass quality and grading, and forage breeding and management.

“Canada’s beef producers rely on a stable, high‑performing public research network to deliver the tools, evidence and innovations that keep farms resilient, food safe and our sector competitive,” explained CCA President Tyler Fulton. “When research capacity is lost, it isn’t quickly rebuilt. Cattle producers and the public pay the price for years and even decades.”

Negative Consequences for Beef and Forage Research

Forage is the foundation of the beef industry. Canada cannot have a competitive beef industry or efficiently respond to industry priorities without abundant and productive forages. The capacity to continue building in these vital programs has been lost through the closure of the Lacombe, Nappan and Quebec research stations. Extensive work conducted at the Lacombe Research and Development Centre exploring extended grazing practices allowed producers to cut winter feeding costs and survive through the BSE crisis. While a small number of beef producers had begun attempting this practice, clear guidance by Dr. Vern Baron at AAFC Lacombe allowed other producers to begin implementation when it was needed most. In recent years, Dr. Baron began collaborating with AAFC researchers in Quebec led by Dr. Annie Claessens and Dr. Annick Bertrand, to develop higher yielding, winter hardy alfalfa varieties. At AAFC Nappan, Dr. Yousef Papadopoulos, John Duynisveld and Dr. Kathleen Glover have been focused on forage and grazing strategies for Atlantic Canada’s unique climate and acidic soils. Among multiple accomplishments, they have developed grazing management programs for Eastern and Atlantic Canada and bred improved trefoil, red clover and alfalfa (e.g., AAFC Trueman) varieties that have been adopted across the country. This research program has developed more productive and economical pasture mixes for Eastern Canada

and low cost methods to rejuvenate pasture stands that would also improve forage germination and establishment. Critically, collaborations between these AAFC sites and agricultural universities led to a highly productive network that benefits forage and beef producers across the entire nation. The effectiveness of this network and the benefits it provides to Canadian beef producers are compromised by the loss of these facilities.

Beef grading is fundamentally important to pricing beef carcasses. With the closure of AAFC Lacombe, Canada has lost its only robust meat science program and will not have the scientific expertise needed to address questions of grade equivalency in any of the foreign export markets the Canadian beef sector is hoping to diversify into. The team of beef grading researchers at Lacombe developed the instrument grading technology that is currently in use worldwide. Dr. Oscar Lopez Campos at Lacombe has been responsible for upgrades to Canada’s beef grading system for several years, working to harmonize it with the U.S. system. He has examined methods to go beyond simple “yield grade” estimations and has developed ways to fabricate individual beef carcasses to optimize the value of the cuts in each carcass. His accomplishments also include developing a methodology to translate Canadian beef carcass quality grades into Japanese equivalents to bolster Canadian beef marketing efforts. The Lacombe research station was also home to the food safety team led by Dr. Xianqin Yang. Food

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safety research solves problems before they reach Canadian or international consumers. This program developed and validated procedures that packing plants use to wash hide on carcasses, carcass rinses and pasteurization methods and improved methods to clean conveyor belts, knives and other equipment. These advances have contributed to significant decreases in E. coli O157:H7 related food safety recalls in Canada. After a major E. coli outbreak in 2012, Dr. Yang determined how to safely cook needle tenderized beef so that Health Canada could label it appropriately. Food safety is a common “non tariff trade barrier.”

We fully recognize the fiscal pressures facing the federal government and understand that spending reductions are necessary given the unprecedented situation Canada is facing. In anticipation, we engaged AAFC, requesting and trusting that industry priorities be considered. Elimination of critical expertise in forage breeding, carcass grading and food safety seems shortsighted and may have long term impacts on ensuring the stability and longevity of Canada’s beef industry.

Where Do We Go from Here?

Research is an investment, not a discretionary expense. The BCRC believes the decision to close the Nappan, Quebec and Lacombe research stations may result in long term, debilitating consequences for our industry including:

• The potential loss of unbiased, independent expertise in Canada in critical areas including forage breeding and management, beef quality,

carcass grading and food safety.

• The potential loss of innovative and effective forage breeding and management solutions that can respond to adverse conditions including cold, drought, flooding and poor quality agricultural soil.

• The potential loss of Canada’s ability to respond to food safety concerns and crises with science based evidence and action plans.

• The potential loss of Canada’s ability to modernize our beef carcass grading system in response to changing genetics, management practices, consumer preferences and international market demands.

When considering the loss of critical capacity in these research areas, BCRC Chair Dean Manning noted, “Efficiency should mean smarter coordination of a national network, not the erosion of irreplaceable expertise. While the intent may be efficiency, the reality is that Canada loses the capacity to generate the learnings and innovations that maintain and improve sustainable and safe food production.” He added, “I believe that Canada’s beef producers are ready to partner on solutions rather than the elimination of critical research capacity.”

The CCA has requested that if the closure of these facilities stands, critical capacity and programs be transferred as outlined below.

• Maintaining a national carcass quality and grading research program is critical. The CCA requests that Dr. Oscar Lopez Campos’ program be transferred to

another institution such as the University of Guelph, which has a federally inspected research abattoir.

• We understand that Dr. Xianqin Yang’s position may be transferred to Lethbridge Research and Development Centre. The CCA requests that this be confirmed to ensure adequate support is available to maintain the critical food safety research being conducted.

• The CCA requests that the Nappan and Quebec City forage breeding programs be maintained or transferred with researchers maintaining access to forage breeding plots and support.

• If AAFC chooses to cancel projects midway through their completion, the CCA requests that the investments industry has made be refunded.

The CCA and the BCRC remain committed to constructive engagement with Minister MacDonald and AAFC officials to ensure critical research capacity is preserved, transitions are well managed and producer‑funded projects deliver the intended outcomes.

For further information, contact: Tracy Herbert

Knowledge Mobilization and Communications Director

Beef Cattle Research Council

306 850 5026

herbertt@beefresearch.ca

Tina Zakowsky

Communications Manager

Canadian Cattle Association

403 451 0931, zakowskyt@cattle.ca

Calf Vaccinations

Newborn calves gain temporary (passive) immunity against disease when they ingest colostrum from the dam, since this “first milk” contains maternal antibodies. After a few weeks or months, this temporary protection begins to wane, however, and calves must build their own immunities. Vaccinating calves at the proper time can help protect them until weaning age. Vaccinating them too soon, however, may not stimulate much immune response. If the calf still has maternal antibodies in its system, these tend to interfere with building its own immunities. Thus, the big question is when to vaccinate, and with what, for optimum immune response in the calf. Dr. Steve Hendrick, a consulting veterinarian and epidemiologist at Telus Agriculture in Lethbridge and former Associate Professor in the Department of Large Animal Clinical Services at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (and recipient of the 2025 Western Canadian Association of Bovine Practitioners and Boehringer Ingelheim Veterinarian of the Year Award) says ranchers should always discuss a herd health program with their own veterinarian, but there are some general guidelines that may be helpful.

“Vaccination is a way to have controlled disease exposure. We don’t want our animals to go through disease conditions, so if we can give them a little exposure to a weaker strain, or a controlled exposure, they are better off than having to fight off a more severe natural infection,” he explains.

“It would be nice if all calves could also be boostered before they leave the farm, so they would stay healthy for the next owner (such as the feedlot), but even getting one dose into them would do a lot for our industry,” he says.

“Here in western Canada, we advise most of our clients to use a BVD vaccine, and it’s usually a 5 way modified live virus vaccine. This, along with a clostridial vaccine, is probably most important for calves,” he says.

There are additional vaccines that are important in some regions. “On ranches that have a lot of summer pneumonia, some veterinarians advocate use of a vaccine against Mannheimia (what we used to call Pasteurella haemolytica) or Histophilosis. I routinely recommend this for herds that have problems with these bacterial infections. If a herd has had a problem in the past, it’s probably wise to add this vaccine to prevent problems in the future,” says Hendrick.

If calves are vaccinated at branding age for some of the pathogens that cause pneumonia, the vaccination they receive at weaning time acts as a booster. Some ranchers don’t vaccinate at weaning; they simply sell the calves. “For replacement heifers, however, or any calves you might be keeping over winter, it is important to vaccinate at weaning age, to gain the benefit from that protection,” he says.

Timing

The big debate is when to give the vaccinations. “Most of my clients are still vaccinating calves at about 1 to 2 months of age, when they are

Heather Smith Thomas

branded. Some herds experience disease earlier than that and may need to work with their veterinarian to decide whether to vaccinate calves sooner, maybe using an intranasal product. Purebred herds that calve early and put pairs through a calving barn are more likely to use intranasal vaccines at birth,” he says.

“In some situations, where calves are born later in the season, out on grass in May and June, ranchers found it so hot and dry in July when they brought them in to vaccinate, that we started vaccinating those calves at birth instead. The stress of trying to vaccinate in July was too much,” he says. There are challenges when gathering cattle off grass, putting them through a dusty corral with the stress of sorting and vaccinating.

Some herds now give vaccinations at birth. “This isn’t ideal; it wouldn’t be my first choice. But faced with whether to vaccinate at birth or not giving any vaccines, we chose to vaccinate at birth, and I can’t honestly say we’ve had worse results. We don’t know whether this means the calves didn’t have much of a challenge these last few years, or that the vaccine is helping.”

He also talked to some of the drug company technical services veterinarians about using clostridial vaccines early. “Even though it says on the label to not give this before one month of age, we haven’t seen any problems giving the vaccine to very young calves. We also haven’t lost calves to blackleg or some of the other common clostridial diseases, so I feel comfortable giving clostridial vaccination at birth. These herds have been vaccinated and boostered on a regular basis, so their

calves may also be getting good protection (at least temporarily) from colostrum,” says Hendrick.

The best age for giving BVD and IBR vaccines is still debatable. “From what I’ve seen in the literature, if you vaccinate calves that have high levels of maternal antibodies from colostrum, the thought has always been that those antibodies will mop up the antigen in the vaccine and the animal won’t develop a good response,” says Hendrick.

Immune Response

There are two types of immunity, however. “One is cell mediated; some immune cells are non specific and just clean up whatever foreign material they see. This is the first part of the immune system that develops and is very important for most of the diseases a calf faces. We believe there is probably an increase in this type of immunity with early vaccination, even though we might not see much increase in titers or antibody response. We feel that if these calves do get exposed to the disease, they at least have good cell mediated immunity from early vaccination. We feel this is very important for some of the viral infections. This is why I feel ok about switching some herds to vaccinating at a younger age. If calves are branded at a later age, I recommend vaccinating at branding time,” he says.

It is important to work with your veterinarian and come up with a plan based on what has worked in the past for your herd and what diseases you have. “We see some baby calf pneumonia that probably isn’t Pasteurella. It’s probably BRSV or some other virus, rather than bacterial. If you’ve worked with your veterinarian and made a diagnosis, you can be more specific about which vaccine you choose.”

Intranasal Vaccines

There is an intranasal viral vaccine, and it may work in some

herds. It stimulates local immunity in the nasal passages, where the virus would normally enter. “You are basically stopping this entry, or minimizing the virus’s ability to get into the body and set up infection. It’s almost one step earlier than giving vaccine under the skin, to be absorbed by the body. The virus gets into the nose and goes on into the body before the generalized immune response can attack the virus,” he says.

“Some ranchers say intranasal vaccine has worked well for them, and others have used it and didn’t think it helped much. I think it depends on what the calves are exposed to. If a disease is bacterial rather than viral, the viral product won’t help,” says Hendrick. The intranasal vaccines won’t cover all the diseases that might be causing your problems. You have to know your enemy, to choose the right weapon.

This is why you need to work with your veterinarian and have diagnostics on what is causing disease in your herd. Then you are better able to select the appropriate vaccines, rather than just using what your neighbor uses, or what you read about for certain products.

Ongoing Battle

“We are starting to learn more about the different pathogens that might be in the nose at different ages. There are probably more problems than we earlier realized, and unfortunately we can’t vaccinate for all of them, and what works one year may not necessarily work another year,” he says.

“In general, the core vaccines for any herd would be at least a BVD and clostridial vaccine for the calves,” he says. Some years are worse than others for calf diseases, depending on weather, stress and pathogen levels in the environment which can change from year to year and you may have a disease that goes through the herd. Vaccination

is one of the ways to help minimize or control it.

“Vaccinating calves for scours is sometimes done, but in most cases I feel it makes more sense to vaccinate the cows to provide that protection via colostrum. There are situations, however, when people are calving in highly contaminated environments and feel they need to vaccinate those calves at birth,” says Hendrick.

Vaccination may not work as well some years because ability of calves to mount good immunity depends on many factors. “If they are challenged with too much exposure to pathogens, or stressed by severe weather or inadequate nutrition, they may still get sick,” he says.

It is also important to handle vaccines properly so they can be effective. They should be stored at proper temperature. Modified live vaccines should be used quickly after being opened and put into the diluting agent. Otherwise the vaccine may be worthless by the time you put it into the animal.

“Cleanliness, proper vaccine technique and injection sites, needle size, etc. are all very important,” he says.

“I remember one wet year at one of the research farms when I worked at the university; it was a wet day when they wanted to brand calves and they were wet when we vaccinated them. We ended up with a lot of abscesses from those injections. We shouldn’t have done them that day, but we were desperate to get it done, and had the help to do it at that time. Maybe it wasn’t even good timing for optimum immune response,” says Hendrick.

This can be a challenge for ranchers who have to schedule a branding/working cattle at a specific time when the kids are home on a weekend to help, or the neighbors can get together to do it.

February 21

P&H Ranching Co. & Gallelli

Charolais Bull Sale, 1 pm, Innisfail (AB) Auction Mart

February 21

February Freeze All Breeds Frozen Genetics Sale, Online

February 22

McKeary Charolais & Diamond L Ranch Tradition Bull Sale, 4 pm, Compeer (AB) Community Hall

February 22

Rosedale Farms & Roselea Cattle Bull Sale, North Central Livestock Exchange, Clyde, AB

February 24

Mallory’s Charolais Bull Sale, DLMS Farm Gate Timed Auction, Westlock, February 25

Beck Farms & McCoy Cattle Co. Bull Sale, 2 pm, at the farm, Milestone, SK

February 27

HEJ Charolais 21st Annual Bull Sale, 1 pm, at the farm, Innisfail, AB

February 28

Quebec Select Bull Sale, at Ferme Claude Lemay, Shawinigan, QC February 28

Pure Production Charolais Sale, 1 pm, Hoards Station, Campbellford, ON February 28

Kay R Land & Cattle Bull Sale, 1 pm, at the farm, Waskatenau, AB February 28

Prouse Ranch 6th Annual Bull Sale, at the farm, Invermay, SK

March 1

Legacy Charolais 9th Annual Bull Sale, 1 pm, at the farm, Botha, AB

March 1

Big Sky Cattle Company Private Treaty Bull Sale, at the farm, Consort, AB March 2

Parsons Cattle Company Bull Sale, 6 pm, VJV Auction Mart, Ponoka, AB

March 2

Beechinor Bros. Simmentals & Charolais Bull Sale, 1 pm, at the farm, Bentley, AB

March 2

Calendar of Events

KSL Simmental & Charolais 8th Annual Bull Sale, 2 pm, at the farm, Beaverlodge, AB

March 3

Johnson Ranching Bull Sale, 1 pm, at the ranch, Amisk, AB

March 3

Doll Ranch 46th Annual Production Sale, 1:30 pm, Kist Livestock, Mandan, ND

March 4

Twin Anchor Charolais Bull Sale, 6 pm, Holloway Sale Barn, Castor, AB

March 4

Pine Bluff Charolais & Fern Simmental Bull & Female Sale, Farm Gate Timed Online, Love, SK

March 4

Schweitzer Ranch Summer Two’s Charolais Bull Sale, DLMS Farm Gate Timed Auction, Dawson Creek, AB

March 5

Nahachewsky Charolais Bull Sale, Farm Gate Timed Online, Norquay, SK

March 6

Nish Charolais 20th Annual Bull Sale, 6 pm, Perlich Bros. Auction Mart, Lethbridge, AB

March 6

Future Farms & Charworth Charolais Select Charolais Bull Sale, 1 pm, Innisfail (AB), Auction Mart

March 6

Meridian Agriculture Co. Ltd Charolais Bull Sale, 1 pm, Acadia Valley, AB

March 7

Turnbull Charolais 6th Annual Bull Sale, 1 pm, at the farm, Pincher Creek, AB

March 7

Ferme Louber Annual Bull Sale, 1 pm, at the farm, Ste Marie de Beauce, QC

March 7

Phillips Farms Charolais Open House & Private Treaty Bull Sale, at the farm, Estevan, SK

March 8

Southland Charolais & Angus Bull Sale, 1 pm, Heartland Livestock, Swift Current, SK

March 9

Palmer Charolais 15th Annual Bull Sale, 2 pm, at the farm, Bladworth, SK

March 10

Desertland Cattle Charolais Bull Sale, 5 pm, at the ranch, Sedalia, AB

March 10

Harvie Ranching Bull Sale, 1 pm, at the ranch, Olds, AB

March 10

Ron Way Charolais & Friends Bull Sale, Renfrew Pontiac Livestock Facility, Cobden, ON

March 11

Sweetwater Ranch Bull Sale, Taber Ag Plex, Taber, AB

March 12

Oakstone Land & Cattle Bull Sale, DLMS Farmgate Timed Auction, Bawlf, AB

March 12

Creek’s Edge Land & Cattle Bull Sale, Farmgate Timed Online Auction, at the farm, Yellow Creek, SK

March 12

Effertz Key Ranch Bull Sale, 1 pm CST, Rugby Livestock, Rugby, ND

March 13

Northern Classic Charolais & Simmental Sale, 1 pm, Evergreen Park, Grand Prairie, AB

March 13

CK Sparrow Farms Bull Sale, 2 pm, at the farm, Vanscoy, SK

March 13

JG Larson Livestock Charolais Bull Sale, TEAM Online Auction

March 14

Transcon’s Red Deer County Bull Sale, 1 pm, Innisfail (AB), Auction Mart

March 14

Blackbern/Whitewater 15th Annual Charolais Bull Sale, 1:30 pm, Renfrew Pontiac Livestock Facility, Cobden, ON

March 14

Continental Connection Bull Sale, Pinnacle View Farms, Quesnel, BC

March 14

Horseshoe E Charolais 28th Annual Bull Sale, 2 pm, at the farm, Kenaston, SK

March 16

Simple as Black & White Bull Sale, 1 pm, Medicine Hat (AB) Feeding Company

March 16

TRI N Charolais Ltd 11th Annual Bull Sale, 2 pm, at the farm, Lenore, MB

March 16

Cedarlea Farms Bull Sale, 1:30pm, at the farm, Hodgeville, SK

March 18

Saddleridge Charolais Bull Sale, Bow Slope Shipping, Brooks, AB

March 19

Footprint Farms Bull Sale, 3:30 pm, at the ranch, Esther, AB

March 19

White Meadow Charolais Bull Sale, Farm Gate Timed Online, Pipestone, MB

March 19

W2 Farms, Blairs West & Copper Kettle Cattle Bull Sale, at the farm, Drake, SK

March 20

Scott Stock Farm 13th Annual Bull Sale, 1 pm, at the farm, Crossfield, AB

March 20

High Bluff Stock Farm Bull & Female Sale, 2 pm, at the farm, Inglis, MB

March 20

Blue Moon Cattle Co. with guest Nier Charolais Bull Sale, 1 pm, at the farm, Beiseker, AB

March 21

Rollin’ Acres/Whiskey Hollow & Guests 15th Annual Bull Sale, 2 pm, Maple Hill Auction, Hanover, ON

March 21

Balamore Farm Ltd. 14th Annual Bull Sale, 2 pm, at the farm, Great Village, NS

March 21

Lazy S Charolais Bull Sale, 1 pm, VJV Auction Mart, Dawson Creek, BC

March 21

K Cow Ranch Bull Sale, 1 pm,

March 21

Sliding Hills Charolais 20th Annual Bull Sale, 1:30pm, at the farm, Canora, SK

March 21

Spiritwood Bull Sale, Spiritwood (SK), Auction Mart

March 21

Tee M Jay Charolais Bull Sale, 1 pm, Ashern (MB) Auction Mart

March 22

Select Genetics 20th Annual Bull Sale, 1 pm, Forsyth Ranch, Herbert, SK

March 23

Highway 21 Group & Brayshar Charolais Bull Sale, 1 pm, at the ranch, Hanna, AB

March 23

Pleasant Dawn Charolais 25th Annual Bull Sale, 2 pm, at the farm, Oak Lake, MB

March 23

Diamond W 24th Annual Bull Sale, 1:30 pm, JTM Livestock, Minitonas, MB

March 23

Stockman’s Trilogy Bull Sale, Vermillion Auction Market

March 24

Poplar Bluff Stock Farm with Eureka Valley 10th Annual Bull Sale, 2 pm, at the farm, Chauvin, AB

March 25

HTA Charolais Bull Sale, 1:30pm, at the farm, Rivers, MB

March 25

Charmark Ranches Bull Sale, 1 pm, at the ranch, Gem, AB

March 26

Elder Charolais Farms 16th Annual Bull Sale, 1 pm, at the farm, Coronach, SK

March 26

C2 Charolais Bull Sale, 1 pm, at the farm, La Riviere, MB

March 27

McTavish Farms 15th Annual Bull Sale, 1 pm, at the farm, Moosomin, SK

March 28

DanG & Friends Charolais Bull Sale, 2 pm, at the farm, Colborne, ON

March 28

Cornerview Charolais Bull Sale, 1:30 pm, at the farm, Cobden, ON

March 28

Lazy S Cattle Co. Bull Sale, 6 pm, VJV Auction, Rimbey, AB

March 28

Limestone Charolais Bull Sale, 1 pm, Clinton (BC) Rodeo Grounds

March 28

Dry Creek Ranch Bull Power Sale, Dawson Creek, BC

March 28

Heart of the Peace 6th Annual Bull Sale, DLMS Farm Gate Timed Online

March 28

Borderland Cattle Company Bull Sale, 1:30pm, at the farm, Rockglen, SK

March 28

Stephen Charolais, Bar H Charolais & McCorriston Acres Bull Sale, 1 pm, Whitewood (SK) Auction Mart

March 28

McAvoy Charolais Bull & Open Heifer Sale, 1:30 pm, Saskatoon (SK) Livestock Sales

March 29

Best of the Breeds Bull Sale, 1:30 pm, Heartland Livestock, Yorkton, SK

March 30

Mutrie Farms & Shore Simmentals Bull Sale, DLMS Timed Farm Gate

March 31

White Lake Colony Charolais Bull Sale, 1 pm, Balog Auctions, Lethbridge, AB

March 31

Top Cut 36th Annual Bull Sale, 2 pm, Stockman’s Weigh Co., Mankota, SK

March 31

Prairie Distinction 12th Annual Bull Sale, 1:00 pm, Stride Exhibition Grounds, Neepawa, MB

April 1

White Cap/Rosso Charolais & Howe Red Angus Bull Sale, 1 pm, at Whitecap Charolais, Moose Jaw, SK

April 2

Daines Cattle & O’Neill Livestock 31st Annual Bull & Female Sale, 1 pm, Innisfail (AB), Auction Mart

April 2

Hunter Charolais 15th Annual Bull Sale, 1:30 pm, at the farm, Roblin, MB

April 3

McCaffrey Cattle Co. Annual Bull Sale, at the ranch, Edam, SK

April 4

Saunders Charolais 21st Annual Bull Sale, 1 pm, Keady (ON), Livestock Market

April 4

Maritime Beef Test Station 52nd Bull & Female Sale, at the test station, Nappan, NS

April 4

Vermillion Group 40th Annual Bull Sale, 1 pm, Lakeview Charolais, Marwayne, AB

April 4

Transcon’s Virden Simmental & Charolais Bull Sale, Heartland Livestock, Virden, MB

April 6

23rd Annual North of the 49th Bull Sale, 1:30 pm, at the farm, Halbrite, SK

April 6

Spirit of the North Bull Sale, 1 pm, Spiritwood (SK) Auction Mart

April 10

June Rose Charolais Bull and Female Sale, 1 pm, Simpson (SK) Community Hall

April 11

Eastern Select Bull & Female Sale, 1 pm, Hoards Station, Campbellford, ON

April 11

51st Annual Vanderhoof Bull Sale, 1 pm, BC Livestock, Vanderhoof Stock Yards

April 11

Brimner Cattle Co. Bull Sale, 1:30pm, at the farm, Manor, SK

April 18

Lindskov’s LT Ranch 45th Annual Bull Sale, 11 am, at the ranch, Isabel, SD

July 15-18

Canadian Charolais Youth Association Conference & Show, Carp, ON

August 5-17

2026 Charolais World Congress, Australia

Upcoming Sales

SOUTHLAND CHAROLAIS & ANGUS BULL SALE

SWIFT CURRENT, SK - MARCH 6, 2026

CEDARLEA BULL SALE

HODGEVILLE, SK - MARCH 16, 2026

THE 2026 BLAIRSWEST BULL & FEMALE SALE

DRAKE, SK - MARCH 19, 2026

BALAMORE FARM LTD.

THICKNESS SELLS BULL SALE

GREAT VILLAGE, NS - MARCH 21, 2026

HIGHWAY 21 GROUP CHAROLAIS, ANGUS & SIMM/ANGUS BULL SALE

HANNA, AB - MARCH 23, 2026

HTA CHAROLAIS ANNUAL BULL SALE

RIVERS, MB - MARCH 25, 2026

C2 CHAROLAIS & SIMMENTAL ANNUAL BULL SALE LA RIVERE, MB - MARCH 26, 2026

MCAVOY CHAROLAIS BULL SALE

SASKATOON, SK - MARCH 28, 2026

BEST OF THE BREEDS BULL SALE

YORKTON, SK - MARCH 29, 2026

SPIRIT OF THE NORTH BULL SALE

SPIRITWOOD, SK - APRIL 6, 2026

JUNE ROSE CHAROLAIS BULL & FEMALE SALE

SIMPSON, SK - APRIL 10, 2026

POLEY

Alta

Balamore

Big

Blue

Bohrson

Charworth

Chomiak

C2 Charolais 25,79

D & L Plewis Charolais

Daines O’Neill Livestock .................................

DanG Charolais

Danyluk Farms

Davis-Rairdan ..................................................

Diamond W Charolais

DLMS .......................................

Dogpatch Acres Charolais

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Gallelli Charolais

Harvie

Cattle Ltd. ........................... 79

Howe Coulee Charolais

Howe Red Angus

Hurlburt, Ryan