SEPTEMBER 2025
COMMERCIAL PRODUCER LIKES PERFORMANCE OF STRAIGHT-BRED SIMMENTAL CATTLE
VOLUME 25, ISSUE 2
Along with producing calves with excellent weaning weights, Dallas George says one other feature that’s important to them as they have raised Simmental cattle on their Manitoba farm for the past 50 years, is working with a breed with a great attitude.
what’s inside
George, who along with his wife Danielle and family, own and operate D & D Farms in Virden, southwest Manitoba, says at calving and processing time and really anytime they are working with cattle, it is important to be around animals they can trust.
1 D & D Farms
Commercial Producer Likes Performance of Straight Bred Simmental Cattle
8 From The Gatepost
CSA Association 2025 Convention Highlights
12 Breed Improvement
Hitting The Target with the Selection Equation
18 Vet’s Advice
Change to Supply Alternatives & Advertising About Antimicrobials
De La Race 34 Amelioration Atteindre La Cible Avec L’equation De Selection
“Simmental have proven to be a very docile beef breed,” says George, who is the third generation on the 200-head commercial cowcalf operation. “We are often working in close quarters with cattle, and at calving time my wife and I take turns checking the herd, and my dad, who is 84, is still at the farm every day, so I have absolutely no tolerance for poor temperament in cattle. The odd time you get an animal that looks at you sideways, well I’m sorry they are going down the road. But for the most part it is just an excellent, easy-going breed to work with.” The farm was started by George’s grandfather, who immigrated from England in the 1900s. George’s parents, Donald and Donna later took over and named it D & D Farms, and the farm name by chance still remains appropriate as Dallas and Danielle are principal owners and operators today. They also have two daughters, Casey, 15 and Laney, 13, who are interested in 4-H as well as hockey. The farm has a landbase of about 4,000 acres with about half in pasture and hayland and 2,200 acres in annual cropping. George’s dad introduced the first Simmental genetics to the farm in 1975 as he had Hereford cows bred to Simmental using A.I. service. Liking the markings and performance of those calves he bought their first Simmental bull in 1976. “As I was growing up I got involved in 4-H and gained an interest in showing cattle,” says George. He soon found work helping Blair and Lois McRae of Mar Mac Farms in Brandon preparing their Simmental and Angus cattle for the show ring. And then later he also worked for 17 years helping Scott and Orycia Anderson of Mountain View Farm in Swan River to prepare and show cattle at various shows and sales. Working with the Andersons, he says they often would have as many as 20 to 25 head of Black Angus cattle at a show. “It was just a great learning experience,” says George. “Over the years I helped prepare cattle for shows and prepped probably 800 to 1000 bulls of various breeds for spring bull sales. One of the main benefits is that I gained a real appreciation for all beef breeds. Simmental has worked well for us, but I have respect for the qualities and values of every beef breed.” On the D & D Farm homeplace, George’s dad continued with the cross-breeding program over the years. “When I graduated high school and began working on the farm, we eventually settled on the Simmental breed. We will still use some Angus genetics in our breeding program but since about 1997 it’s been mostly a straight-bred Simmental herd on the farm.” They include some fullblood Simmental genetics in their breeding program, but their herd is predominately Red and Black Simmental. “They are all Simmental, but really I consider them almost three different breeds,” says George. “They all bring their own features and quality into the herd, I see the good in everything.” In 2022, D & D Farms was named commercial breeder of the year by the Manitoba Simmental Association.
69 What’s Happening
Publication Mail Agreement # 40012794 Return Undeliverable: Canadian Simmental Association #13-4101 19th St. NE, Calgary, Alberta Canada, T2E 7C4
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