Black Angus bull | Agribition champion, owned by Remitall Farms, sold for $62,000
REGINA — A few hours before the big show, Richard Latimer was being circumspect about his bull’s chances at Canadian Western Agribition’s RBC Beef Supreme championship.
No one knows what may happen when 36 bulls representing a wide range of breeds and type are displayed before a panel of five judges scoring each animal individually.
However, the entire Latimer family was clearly overjoyed when Remitall F Prospector 110Z, a Black Angus bull, got the slap.
The bull was crowned supreme champion at Northlands Farmfair in Edmonton earlier in the month and then sold for $62,000 to Clint Smith of Breed Creek Angus of Mankota, Sask., Nov. 28.
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Remitall Farms of Olds, Alta. is a family owned operation that has been in the purebred business for five generations. They have raised Shorthorns, Polled Herefords and now 400 Black Angus cows.
Remitall cattle have often stood in the Top 10 selections at the supreme championship, but this was the first time they entered the winner’s circle.
The bull has had a tremendous run at shows going back to 2012 and will be on display at the Latimer spring bull sale before moving to the Breed Creek herd. They already have about 25 calves and more are coming.
“He is a paternal type bull, but he will have attributes to give to the female string,” said Richard.
The bull was also part of Remitall’s supreme grand champion pen of bulls at the 2012 Agribition and the 2013 grand champion bull at the Olds Fall Classic. It was also named reserve Canadian show bull last year.
The supreme female came from Garth and Angela Rancier of Killam, Alta., with a black Simmental named RF Certainly Flirtin 220Z. The cow is owned in partnership with Westman Land and Cattle of Vermilion, Alta.
They too have made the top 10 but have never won this particular honour. The 2012 cow is from a family called Flirtin and is heading back to the Rancier farm to be part of the breeding herd.
The Ranciers are active show people who use these shows to promote their herd with its strong emphasis on cow families.
“We really like this cow line,” said Garth after winning at Agribition.
“We have shown this cow and her mom and her granddam.”
The cow has been flushed for embryos four times, so a half dozen of her calves will be available for sale in spring.
Each family won $10,000 plus other prizes in the annual Supreme challenge.
Winning this show is the pinnacle of achievement for the families who work hard to produce high quality beef cattle, said Lance Leachman, speaking on behalf of the panel of judges.
“We had the opportunity to do well in this show four years ago and we’ve had opportunities to do poorly in shows. We have stood on both sides,” he told a packed house.
His family operates Big Gully Cattle at Maidstone, Sask., which won the supreme championship with a Hereford bull in 2010.
“I can guarantee the parties that end up winning here tonight will have a life changing experience,” he said.
Leachman said a range of types were on display, but each was a well balanced animal with something to offer the commercial industry.
“Every breed has something that they really excel at,” he said.
“If we are to excel as beef breeds against other protein sources, we have to be able to be a bit more united and more positive.”
