For those who think it’s a challenge to come up with a gift for Dad on his birthday – think again.
What do you get for someone who has a castle?
What do you get for someone who is about to turn 100 years old?
What do you get for someone who has royal blood coursing through her veins?
You get her a cow.
To be more precise, you get her a Black Angus bred heifer.
That’s what Leo Brietzke of Three Hills, Alta., will be presenting to the Queen Mother at her castle in northern Scotland on Aug. 17, 13 days after her actual 100th birthday.
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The heifer belongs to Brietzke. The idea was supplied by Doug Fee, chief executive officer of the Canadian Angus Association.
The seed for the idea was planted during a World Angus Secretariat meeting last summer where the Queen Mother was elected as Royal Patron.
Maureen Armitage, office manager of the Canadian Angus Association, said Canadian Angus breeders are fond of the Queen Mom because she took the time out to open the World Angus Forum in Edmonton in 1985.
She has owned a herd of registered Angus cattle for years, the profits of which go to a charitable trust in Scotland. Brietzke’s heifer will become a productive member of that herd shortly after the presentation ceremony and lunch at the Castle of Mey.
“They’re right there at her castle,” Armitage said.
“She can look out over the green field and see her Black Angus animals and the ocean beyond. I guess it’s a very beautiful place.”
Brietzke is ecstatic that he was chosen to donate the heifer. He was one of eight breeders that put up the $100 nomination fee to be eligible for the honor. His name was drawn from a hat.
“I don’t have much luck on draws, but maybe that’s because I don’t buy many tickets,” he said.
Brietzke, or Sir Leo as he is now known around town, has owned Black Angus off and on for 45 years. When he was younger his dad had a herd. What he likes most about the breed is that they don’t have horns.
The purebred heifer he donated, named Belvin Canadian Blackcap 38’99, is worth about $3,500. It has straight legs, good size, good conformation and is docile.
It was among the best in his herd, but it wasn’t the top animal. He wouldn’t give that one away – not even to royalty.
“Boy, you don’t ever part with your absolute best, normally, if you’re a cattle breeder.”
Number 38’99 left for Scotland in April, allowing enough time for the heifer to work its way through quarantine procedures before the presentation ceremony. The association paid the exporting costs and Brietzke’s plane fare.
Armitage said the heifer has been inspected by the Queen Mother’s factor, who also happens to be an Angus breeder.
“The factor was actually extremely pleased with the choice. (He) thought it was a fine example of a very feminine heifer with long lines. In his words, ‘It was a credit to Canadian Angus.’ “
Brietzke is turning the trip into a vacation with his wife and daughter, but it won’t be a long one.
“It’s pretty expensive over in them parts you know, especially when you donate one of your best heifers – not that I’m begrudging anything.”
