Winning the grand champion banner never gets old, says Norm Parrent.
The Clyde, Alta., Hereford breeder has won the grand prize at the Calgary Bull Sale four times since 1995, an affirmation of the 35-year-old breeding program he runs with his wife Joanne and sons Marc and Michael.
This year’s winner and high seller at $40,000 came from Michael’s herd, which is raised with the family’s larger group. The family sold 10 bulls for an average price of $9,150.
“We think we are bringing what the industry needs,” said Norm after the March 8 sale where his grand champion sold after some intense bidding to Floyd Anderson of Cardston, Alta., and Doenz Herefords of Warner, Alta.
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Parrent credits a strong circle of friends and mentors over the years who passed on their knowledge about line breeding, selection and balancing pedigrees. He wants thickness, fertility, good colour and overall soundness for the 240 purebred cows he has. And, they must perform like a commercial herd.
“We run it like a commercial operation. If the purebred industry thinks that our top end of the program is good enough and a benefit to the purebred industry, that is a bonus to us,” he said.
The family relies on the Calgary sale for most of its sales. The rest are sold off the ranch, although the Parrents have attended the Lloydminster sale.
Their program selects about 25 bulls from their herd for sale and retention. The rest of the males become steers and head for the beef market where they finish at about 1,450 pounds and produce an AA or better grade with 60.5 percent yield.
The family has tried other breeds but prefers the adaptability of Herefords and admires their ability to survive on the native pastures on their central Alberta ranch.
“We take marginal land and turn it into edible beef.”
Parrent has never worked off the farm and credits the cattle with providing his sons with post-secondary education.
“I never went to town to get a job to support my beef business,” he said.
