The Miller family of Binscarth, Man., has been named the Red River Exhibition farm family for 2013.
The Millers, who run the Silver Creek Bison Ranch, are the first bison farmers to receive the honour.
“This annual award … highlights the values upheld by the successful and resilient people in our rural communities who continually strive for an enhanced way of life for them, their family and their neighbours,” said Garth Rogerson, Red River Exhibition Association chief executive officer, in a statement.
“As innovators and leaders in the agricultural industry and their community, the Millers personify the qualities recognized by this title.”
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Lorne and Louise Miller, along with their children Nolan and Nicole Miller and Jason and Bev Miller, officially received the award earlier this week.
The Millers run a herd of more than 1,300 bison, produce grain and oilseeds on 8,800 acres and maintain a small cattle herd.
Nolan, a director with the Canadian Bison Association and the Manitoba Bison Association (MBA), runs the bison portion of the Miller family farm. The Millers are known as innovators in the bison industry. To preserve the natural quality of bison meat, they don’t use antibiotics or growth hormones in the feed.
The MBA nominated the Millers for the award.
“Having a family like the Millers is a great benefit to the bison industry. The devotion, passion and vigour that they bring to not only the MBA, but the other bison associations they’re involved in as well, will ensure nothing but success for the bison community,” said Len Epp, MBA president.
The Miller’s are the 48th Manitoba family to receive the Red River Exhibition Association farm family of the year award, which began in 1966.
