MAYMONT & REGINA, Sask. – Two shiny aluminum cattle trailers sit on either side of the driveway, a testament to this farm’s success.
Red writing on the trailers’ sides proclaims “Champion,” a term that Dennis and Lisa Serhienko have heard a lot in the past five years.
They and Lisa’s family, the Voegelis, have seen success in the purebred cattle show ring and at sale time.
The Serhienkos say the two are linked, which is why they keep showing their Charolais cattle, despite 14-hour days and the cost of moving five people and their cattle across western North America.
Read Also
Powdery mildew can be combine fire risk
Dust from powdery mildew can cause fires in combines.
“You can be very glad when (Canadian Western) Agribition rolls around,” Dennis said as he prepared to make the trip to the Regina show, the last big show of the season.
“But when you are winning, it makes it a little easier.”
Dennis and Lisa grew up showing cattle in 4-H rings.
As a family, they began taking home banners from show events at the Denver Stock Show five years ago.
Now they travel to nine shows a year. The Serhienko-Voegeli cattle travel with other breeders to American events, in Louisville, Kentucky; Kansas City, Missouri; Las Vegas, Nevada, and Houston, Texas.
Dennis said it’s now hard to remember the number of banners and ribbons they have won.
“I stopped counting at something over a hundred,” he said.
Smiles turn serious when the Serhienkos talk about what it takes to mount a successful show season.
“It’s about having the right cattle,” Dennis said.
“We stacked (genetic) traits for years to get solid, commercial animals with strong muscling. That is what the judges want these days and we are producing them. It is what we want in our own commercial cows.
“Gratifying when you win. Humbling when you lose, at home or at a show.”
In the last 12 months, their cattle have won at every show they’ve attended, including top events like Agribition 2000, Edmonton’s Northlands Farmfair and the Calgary Stampede, as well as regional shows such as Prince Albert, Sask., Olds, Alta., and Lloydminster – where they won all four top prizes.
In the last couple of years they have won more than banners.
“A Cover-All building, that was cool,” Dennis said.
“Four trailers. We gave away two. A bunch of Ivomec. Never have to buy that. Agribition last year we won that Royal Bank all-breed supreme bull thing. They just kept putting stuff in the trailer (part of the prize package) and then 10 grand in cash on top it. And that bale processor. That sort of thing keeps you wanting to come out and show.”
The couple spends 30 days a year on the road, but when they’re at home the reality of farming and selling bulls brings their shoes back to the ground. The family has a mixed farming operation with 80 commercial cows and 120 purebred females as well as the bulls.
“We can ask more money for our bulls,” Dennis said
“We build up return buyers and we keep our name out there for the commercial guys who make this business pay for us. That is why we show cattle.”
Added Lisa: “That and we like it.”
