The official publication for the Manitoba Charolais Association
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HIDDEN LAKE MY MOO 1G
P: 204-573-7882
CEDARDALE ZEAL 125Z
RPJ ANNIE 627D
PRO-CHAR WINCHESTER 6D
STEPPLER CCYA 2018 41E
You to
The
publication for the Manitoba Charolais
Publisher Prairie Pistol Designs Melissa McRae RR 1 Box 57 Brandon, MB R7A 5Y1 204-573-9903
Photos Provided by Cline Cattle Co., HTA Charolais, Hidden Lake Stock Farms, Sunshine Oak Charolais
We are still currently seeing and living these excellent prices in the cattle world. This is great to see everyone getting rewarded for all their hard work
Winter is upon us and some of us are well into calving, while others are just gearing up to get started. All in all winter has been okay so far in most areas.
Bull sale season is just getting started and Bull catalogs are hitting mailboxes. The quality of Charolais bulls runs deep throughout the province. We have some of the best seed stock producers in the country!
There is no better time to use a Charolais bull. The breed has much to offer and has come a long way. If you’re after a big performance or calving ease type bull, the options are out there.
Wishing all the ranchers a great calving season
Owen Sellman
Rae Trimble-Olsen to Rae Trimble-Olson for her many years of dedication as secretary/treasurer for the MCA Board of Directors.
(l-r): Tyler Stewart, Rae Trimble-Olson (Secretary/Treasurer), Michael Hunter, Owen Sellman (President), Scott Baron (1st Vice President), Justin Robertson, Shawn Airey (CCA Director), Jeff Cavers (2nd Vice President)
Missing: Hans Myhre, Trent Hatch, Jared Preston , PRESIDENT
Owen Sellman Box 255 McCreary, MB R0J 1B0
1ST VICE PRESIDENT
Scott Baron B ox 1335 Carberry, MB R0K 0H0
2ND VICE PRESIDENT
Jeff Cavers Box 237 La Riviere, MB R0G 1A0
SECRETARY/TREASURER
Lana Kraus Box 81, Neepawa, MB R0J 1H0
CCA DIRECTOR AT LARGE
Michael Hunter Box 569 Roblin, MB R0L 1P0
CCA DIRECTOR FOR MANITOBA
Shawn Airey Box 639 Rivers, MB R0K 1X0
DIRECTORS
Hans Myhre R.R. #4, Comp. 9A Dauphin, MB R7N 2T7
Trent Hatch Box 123 Oak Lake, MB R0M 1P0
Justin Robertson Box 110 Amaranth, MB R0H 0B0
Jared Preston Box 790 Ste. Rose du Lac, R0L 1S0
Tyler Stewart Box 26 Foxwarren, R0J 0R0
C: 204-835-2214 Northof50charolais@outlook.com
Juniors
C: 204-573-7882 baron_scott8@hotmail.com Ag-Ex Scholarship
H: 204-242-3467
C: 204-242-4448
c2charolaisjeff@gmail.com 4-H
H: 780-581-8815 mbcharolaisassoc@gmail.com
H: 204-937-2531
C: 204-247-0301
H: 204-328-7704
C: 204-724-8823
H: 204-638-5664
C: 204-648-6416
mike_hunter40@hotmail.com Ad & Promo Commercial
htacharolais@hotmail.com Bulletin
hans@myhrelandandcattle.com Website
C: 204-721-3078 pleasantdawnfarms@gmail.com
C: 204-871-3086 barjgenetics@gmail.com Social Media
H: 204-732-2054
C: 204-647-5416 jppreston223@gmail.com Scholarship Social Media
H: 204-847-2213
C: 204-847-0612
sunbladecharolais@hotmail.com Ag-Ex Commercial
JUNIOR SHOW
ENTRY DEADLINE: MARCH 15th, 2026
Open to participants 6-21 years of age as of January 1, 2026 Follow
President: Chase Airey
Vice-President: Kendra Hinsburg
Secretary: Brynn Steppler
Treasurer: Blake Airey
Manitoba CCYA Directors: Fischer Cavers & Madisyn Robertson
Adult Advisor: Dalyse Robertson
mbjrcharolais@gmail.com
4H Token Reminder
Please
Lana Kraus: mbcharolaisassoc@gmail.com
Shayden Manz - Rivers, MB
Attending: Lakeland College, Crop Technology
Samantha Thorgilson - Lundar, MB
Attending: Lakeland College, Agribusiness
Julie Grudeski - McCreary, MB
Attending: Lakeland College, Vet technology
Ethan Myhre - Dauphin, MB
Attending: University of Saskatchewan, engineering
Applicants must be a Manitoba resident between the ages of 17 and 21 years of age that is registered. Applicants must be in post secondary education (college, university, trades program) and is using Charolais genetics in their herd or families herd. (proof of acceptance my be provided before the monies is given out)
» Resume must include: Name, Address, Community Involvement, Cattle Industry Involvement (ie. 4-H , junior shows, etc), Three references, Education achievements and post secondary ambitions
» Proof of Charolais genetics to be provided. (Copy of the Charolais animals reg. paper. Must of been purchased in the last three years)
» A picture of the applicant will also be needed after the applicant is selected for announcement purposes
» Essay Topic
Please answer the following in essay format. Answers must be typed. Please do not exceed the number of words allotted.
1. Why is the Charolais breed influential for Manitoba beef producers? (250 words)
2. How will you contribute to the beef industry in Manitoba in the future, either through the education you are seeking, the personal career you are seeking or otherwise? Does the Charolais breed fit in those plans? (250 words)
All applications to be sent to Scott Baron Box 1335, Carberry, Manitoba R0K 0H0 baron_scott8@hotmail.com
The Dick and Sandra Hamilton Family
Dick and Sandra Hamilton were married in 1978 and soon after moved onto the family farm where they still reside today, beginning their farming journey alongside Dick’s father, Jim Hamilton. Always a mixed operation, the farm at that time consisted of 400 seeded acres and a solid herd of 30 commercial Shorthorn cows.
Over the decades, steady expansion and dedication have seen the operation grow to 3,600 seeded acres and approximately 350 commercial cows today.
Their busy life together included raising two sons. Their oldest son, Matthew, chose a path off the farm and is currently a professor of human rights at the University of Winnipeg, having previously taught at the University of Toronto. Their younger son, Michael, and his wife Kayla work alongside Dick and Sandra on a daily basis, living less than a mile away. Their children represent the fourth generation being raised on the Hamilton family farm.
Sandra fondly recalls one of Michael’s early grade teachers once commenting that “Mike was destined to be a farmer,” noting how he was always looking out the classroom window, concerned about what might be happening back on the farm.
With both Matthew and Michael involved in minor hockey and Dick coaching, winters were spent either in the cattle pens or at the hockey rink—where much of that era’s socializing took place. Dick and Sandra credit those everyday interactions, raising cattle and farming together, for the close family relationships they enjoy today.
Over the past 45 years, the Hamiltons have incorporated more than 60 Charolais bulls into their breeding program—all sourced from Manitoba Charolais breeders—demonstrating unwavering support for local programs. Of their current 13-head bull battery, every bull is Charolais, including their heifer bulls. Ten of those 13 were purchased from Steppler Farms.
Their first Charolais bull was a 1981 model purchased from Spruce Haven Charolais of Morden, Manitoba. Dick recalls that their preferred type of Charolais has never changed—the Spruce Haven bull closely resembling today’s ideal: a larger-framed bull that sired growthy offspring and proved to be an excellent herd sire.
Sandra recalls walking the pens at Steppler Farms in 2000 when she was the first to spot a Wyoming Wind son, DSY 1K. Both Dick and Sandra liked the bull immediately and made the purchase. The bull was André’s calf, and they fondly remember a young André proudly selling his very first bull that day—his cheeks glowing with excitement.
Like Dick’s father Jim before them, the Hamiltons finished the majority of their calves for many years. They maintained a longstanding relationship with the late Harold Orr of Clearwater, Manitoba, a well-known order buyer. Following Harold’s passing, McSherry Livestock of Teulon, Manitoba began purchasing calves directly off the farm at 11 to 12 months of age, supplying repeat buyers from Ontario’s Amish community.
The growthy, docile, white-hided feeder cattle are aggressively bid on by repeat buyers, valued for their strong performance, excellent feed conversion, and heavy rail weights desired by the eastern market.
During the BSE era, when feed grain prices were low—oats ranging from $1.50 to $1.75 per bushel—the Hamiltons retained ownership of select cattle, exporting finished animals to a Nebraska packing plant with the help of Harold Orr. Those cattle averaged returns of approximately $1,000 per head, making expansion both viable and profitable at a time when $300 calves were common.
The connection this family has with their herd is evident. Calving begins January 1, show up for a visit in pen winter months you will be greeted by many a cows and calves seeking that daily brush or rub. In late winter and early spring, it’s common for local residents to drive by just to admire the cow-calf pairs.
Dick shares that every year a local woman—“70 years young”—stops to admire the cattle. Though she’s never raised livestock or lived on a farm, she always comments on how clean and well-kept the cattle are.
When asked why Charolais, the answer comes easily. The Hamiltons value an above-average sized female with docility, the ability to withstand harsh winters, raise a heavy calf on grass, and then feed and market that calf at 11 to 12 months of age—often averaging 1,000 pounds or more.
With nearly all 350 breeding females white in color, Windy Ridge Farms’ program stands as proof that the modern Charolais female is maternally driven and deserving of recognition beyond the breed’s reputation as simply the number-one terminal sire.
When purchasing bulls, they seek natural muscle, excellent hair coats that pass on to calves, and docility as a must. Preferred birthweights range from 100 to 108 pounds, noting that in a January calving program, a calf with a bit more body has a better ability to adapt to the cold.
Having witnessed the evolution of the Charolais breed over the past 45 years, Dick believes today’s Charolais cattle are exactly where they need to be.
provided by the :: Beef Cattle Research
find videos and more resources at ::
As the calving season approaches, beef cattle producers are preparing to give newborn calves the best possible start to life. From managing difficult births to ensuring adequate colostrum intake, early intervention and proven management practices can make a big difference in calf health, survival and long-term productivity. Here are six of the most valuable BCRC calf management resources to use this calving season:
#1: Be Prepared To Assist with a Difficult Calving
Calving is one of the most critical times in any operation. Problems during birth can affect both calf survival and future cow fertility. Difficult births (dystocia) may occur when a calf:
» Presents backwards
» Has a leg turned back
» Is too large to pass easily
Watch the calving intervention video for step-by-step guidance.
#2: Use the Calf VIGOR Scoring System To Assess Calves
Checking a calf’s vitality immediately after birth helps determine if intervention is needed. The VIGOR scoring system uses five objective measurements to evaluate a calf’s health.
A low VIGOR score signals the need for quick action, such as:
» Providing colostrum
» Addressing respiratory issues
» Offering other supportive care
The BCRC’s VIGOR scoring guide (on page 15) explains:
» Why scoring is important
» What the results mean
» How to respond to calves with low scores
Early assessment gives calves a better chance at survival and long-term productivity.
#3: Recognize and Treat Respiratory Acidosis in Newborn Calves
Sometimes a calf is born weak, unresponsive and unable to suckle—often called a “dummy calf.” One cause is respiratory acidosis, when carbon dioxide builds up in the calf’s blood during prolonged birth. Watch the Calf 911 video and respiratory acidosis for guidance.
#4: Ensure Calves Receive Adequate Colostrum
Colostrum is a newborn calf’s first line of defense, providing antibodies, energy and nutrients in the first hours of lifeColostrum timing is critical. Ideally, calves should consume colostrum within 2 hours of birth, and antibody absorption drops rapidly after 6 hours.
The following are some best practices for feeding colostrum to newborns
» Feed by bottle or tube, if necessary.
» Freeze colostrum in large, labeled Ziplock bags, laid flat and used within a year.
» Slowly thaw frozen bags of colostrum in a bucket of warm water; never thaw colostrum in the microwave because this will destroy antibodies.
» Using high-quality colostrum from the herd to avoid disease risks. Watch the colostrum handling video and colostrum guide for detailed handling tips to reduce calfhood disease and improve survival rates.
#5: Watch for Early Signs of Dehydration in Calves
Scours and other illnesses can quickly lead to dehydration, the leading cause of death in affected calves.
Watch for the early signs such as:
» Reduced skin elasticity (using the skin-tent test)
» Sunken eyes
» Poor suckle reflex
» Lethargy
Watch the Calf 911 video for Guidance
#6: Learn Proper Techniques for Tube Feeding
When calves are unable to nurse or too weak to suckle, tube feeding is a necessary skill. The BCRC’s esophageal tube feeding guide covers:
» Safe and effective esophageal feeding practices
» Correct tube placement and proper calf positioning
» How to prevent aspiration
» Using separate equipment for sick and healthy calves to reduce disease spread
» Feeding liquids at body temperature
Watch the tube feeding video provides valuable techniques to improve calf survival rates and overall herd health.
A successful calving season relies on preparation, early intervention and effective management practices that give calves the best possible start to life. By putting these resources into practice, producers can improve calf survival, reduce health problems and build stronger, more productive herds.
(To measure heart rate, put your hand on the calf ’s chest. Take pulse for 15 seconds and multiply by four.)
Ag Ex was held Oct 28- Nov 1 2025. It was a small show, but the quality was deep. The week started off with the little lady classic heifer jackpot and the bull calf jackpot. The Charolais breed was well represented in the champion drive of the little lady classic heifer jackpot. Congratulations to HTA Charolais from Rivers Mb with HTA Wynona 593N, and Hidden Lake Stock Farms of Carberry Mb with Hidden Lake Nancy 13N. In the Bull calf jackpot JMB Norm 509N from JMB Charolais of Brookdale Mb and Hidden Lake Nate 2N of Hidden Lake Stock Farms of Carberry Mb made it into the champion drive.
The Charolais show was held Oct 31, 2025. Judge Dale Hecht of Grove City Minnesota sorted through the cattle. Judge Dale awarded HTA Charolais, Chase Airey, the honor of Grand Champion Female with SVY Starstruck 437M. And congratulations also to KCH Cattle, Kendra Hinsburg, for being awarded Reserve Grand Champion Female with KCH Sugar Cookie 542N. And in the bull show it was a sweep for JMB Charolais with JMB Norm 509N being crowned as Grand Champion Bull. While JMB Noble 507N was slapped reserve champion bull. HTA Charolais took home the banner for Premier Exhibitor and Steppler Farms was awarded Premier Breeder.
Also, a presentation was made at the end of the show thanking our retired secretary Rae Olsen for her 14 years of service. Thank You Rae! Thank You to our terrific sponsors. Every year we call on you and you donate without hesitation. Are show marshals, ring people and show clerk. You guys do a fantastic job every year. As well as Tyler and Nikki Stewart for all the help with all the little things during the show. And our new secretary Lana Kraus for jumping in with both feet and helping.
Thank you and Congratulations to all the exhibitors. Getting ready for this show is a huge expense and demands a lot of time at an already busy time of year. Without each and everyone of you this show would not be possible. Thank you!!!
Scott Baron Ag Ex Rep
Champion Junior Heifer Calf
KCH SUGAR COOKIE 524N, exhibited by KCH Cattle Co., Rapid City, MB
Reserve Champion Junior Heifer Calf
HTA SONJA 5135N, exhibited by HTA Charolais., Rivers, MB
Champion Senior Heifer Calf
C2 Berkley 22N, exhibited by C2 Charolais, La Riviere MB
Reserve Champion Senior Heifer Calf
HC Zelma 507N, exhibited by Hunter Charolais, Roblin MB
Champion Junior Female
SVY STARSTRUCK 437M, exhibited by HTA Charolais., Rivers, MB
Reserve Champion Junior Female
C2 KENZIE 4134M., exhibited by C2 Charolais, La Riviere MB
Champion Junior Bull Calf
JMB NORM 509N, exhibited by JMB Charolais, Brookdale, MB
Reserve Champion Junior Bull Calf
HIDDEN LAKE NEIL 507N, exhibited by Hidden Lake Stock Farms, Carberry, MB
Champion Senior Bull Calf
JMB NOBLE 507N, exhibited by JMB Charolais, Brookdale, MB
Reserve Champion Senior Bull Calf
HIDDEN LAKE NATE 2N, exhibited by Hidden Lake Stock Farms, Carberry, MB
GRAND CHAMPION FEMALE
SVY STARSTRUCK 437M, exhibited by HTA Charolais., Rivers, MB
RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION FEMALE
KCH SUGAR COOKIE 524N, exhibited by KCH Cattle Co., Rapid City, MB
GRAND CHAMPION BULL
JMB NORM 509N, exhibited by JMB Charolais, Brookdale, MB
RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION BULL
JMB NOBLE 507N, exhibited by JMB Charolais, Brookdale, MB
Open Show
Show Judge: Cody & Bobbi Carson
Champion Junior Heifer Calf
HTA SONJA 5135N, exhibited by Chase Airey, Rivers, MB
Reserve Champion Junior Heifer Calf
HIDDEN LAKE NANCY 13N, exhibited by Paisley Baron, Carberry, MB
Junior Female
SVY STARSTRUCK 437M, exhibited by Chase Airey, Rivers, MB
Reserve Champion Junior Female
C2 KENZIE 4134M, exhibited by Fischer Cavers, La Riviere MB
GRAND CHAMPION FEMALE
SVY STARSTRUCK 437M, exhibited by Chase Airey, Rivers, MB
RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION FEMALE
C2 KENZIE 4134M,
exhibited by Fischer Cavers, La Riviere MB
Thank you to all our show sponsors
North of 50 Charolais, Double P Stock Farms, Wright Livestock, Crocus Valley Farms, R & G McDonald Livestock, Steppler Farms LTD., Sunshine Oak Charolais, Hard Rock Land and Cattle Co., T BAR CATTLE Co., Hunter Charolais, C2 Charolais, Johnston Charolais, Myhre Land & Cattle, KCH Cattle, JMB Charolais, Hidden Lake Stock Farms, LEJ Charolais, Charolais Banner, HTA Charolais, White Meadow Charolais, Cline Cattle Co., Sunblade Charolais, Pleasant Dawn Charolais, High Bluff Stock Farm, Manitoba Charolais Association
MARCH 16
LENORE, MB
Tri-N Charolais Ltd. 11th Annual Bull Sale
MARCH 19
White Meadow Charolais Bull Sale
MARCH 20
PIPESTONE, MB
INGLIS, MB
High Bluff Stock Farms Bull& Female Sale
MARCH 23
OAK LAKE, MB
Pleasant Dawn Charolais 24th Annual Bull Sale
MARCH 25
HTA Charolais Bull Sale
MARCH 28
Tee M Jay Charolais Bull Sale
MARCH 31
RIVERS, MB
ASHERN, MB
NEEPAWA, MB
Prairie Distinction 12th Annual Charolais Bull Sale
MARCH 26 LA RIVIÈRE, MB
C2 Charolais Bull Sale
MARCH 31
Scholarship Deadline
APRIL 2
ROBLIN, MB
Hunter 15th Annual Charolais Bull Sale
APRIL 4
Transcon’s Virden
JULY 15
AUGUST
VIRDEN, MB
& Charolais Bull Sale
