Volume 21 Issue 2 September 2022 What’s Inside Simmental Meet Commercial Producer’s Objectives
1
Gate Post — Making a Difference within the Industry / Faire une différence dans l’industrie
10, 26
Breed Improvement — 4 Nickels – The Cow Side Paradigm / 4 sous – Le paradigme du côté maternel
14, 30
Vet’s Advice — Johne’s Disease Identification Specifically in Purebred Herds
20
What’s Happening
60
Publication Mail Agreement # 40012794
Simmental Meet Commercial Producer’s Objectives Westman Farms committed to producing quality commercial cattle
Story By Lee Hart
T
heir passion for the agriculture industry along with a commitment to producing quality cattle over four generations of farming, were no doubt two of the main factors earning the Westman family of Vermillion, AB recognition as the Alberta Simmental Association Commercial Breeders of the Year for 2022. On the farm that was started in the mid-1920s, has for about the past 50 years relied on a cross breeding program built around Simmental genetics to produce a high performing commercial cow herd that in turn is able to produce equally high performing steers and top quality replacement heifers. "It is certainly an honour as well as humbling to have our farm and our beef program recognized by the association," says Derek Westman, who along with family members owns and operates Westman Farms. "Ever since my dad and grandparents introduced the The Westman family Simmental cattle to the farm in the 1970s they have just had an excellent fit in producing the type of cattle that we wanted and worked well with our operation. Each season our steers are sought after by cattle feeders and our long-standing replacement bred heifer program attracts buyers from British Columbia to Quebec. "My dad was instrumental in helping to build the foundation of the herd we have today. I wish he could have been here to share in this award." (Murray Westman passed away in 2018.) Westman Farms, located about 15 miles south of Vermillion, first started by Derek's great grandfather John Batke in 1926 has been a long-standing mixed farming operation. On the beef side they run about 700 head of mature cows — that includes Red and Black Simmental crossed with Red and Black Angus, along with a commercial herd of straight-bred Full Blood Simmentals. Along with the mature cowherd, for nearly 25 years they have also run about 700 head of Simmental/Angus crossbred heifers, to be pastured for the summer and bred, to be sold later in the year as bred replacement heifers to other producers. On the cropping side they produce about 6,000 acres of annual crops that include wheat, canola, peas and corn. Those acres include about 300 acres of soft white wheat and 1,000 acres of corn cut for silage as part of the winter-feeding ration. Principals of the farm today include Derek and his wife Chelsy and their two young children Taryn, 3, and Kenzi, 6, along with Derek's mom Leslie, still involved with the farm activities.
Commercial Country
Return Undeliverable: Canadian Simmental Association #13 - 4101 - 19th St. NE, Calgary, AB T2E 7C4
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