LETHBRIDGE, Alta. – Showing purebred cattle is a multi-generational
passion for the Buldoc family of Stavely, Alta.
For eight-year-old Kaitlyn Buldoc, it is her tentative introduction to
the adult world as she leads her 800 pound heifer through the sawdust
before the judges.
The 40 lb. third grader is allowed two shows a year. She competes in
junior classes at the Bashaw summer youth show and the Chinook
Livestock Classic in Lethbridge.
Nervous?
“My heart was pounding,” she said after her class at the Lethbridge
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show.
Her red Angus heifer was a bit skittish but with the help of her
14-year-old cousin, Mathew Buldoc, and an indulgent ringman, both
females were guided back under control.
“I’m so scared that something might happen to me,” she said, her blue
eyes wide as she described her moment of struggle. From the stands, she
looked composed and even remembered to watch the judge.
Too young for 4-H, Kaitlyn has been showing cattle since she was four
years old. Her experience comes from learning to do by doing, said her
mother Adrianna.
“I watched the big kids do it and I just go in the ring and do it,”
Kaitlyn said. She prefers the walk through the ring rather than the
hard work of washing, clipping and combing. At home, she has to help
with her two cows and their calves.
She has competed and won against her two older brothers, although this
time her brother Kevin won grand champion heifer.
Later in the day the adult Buldocs readied their Angus entries.
This family has been showing in Edmonton for 100 years, starting with
David Buldoc and his brother Dyce’s grandparents, Steven and Annie
Swift.
The family were originally Shorthorn breeders and when they moved to
the Stavely area in 1952, they reversed the family name and created
Cudlobe Angus with three cows in 1967.
“They’ve been good to us. Mom and Dad really knew cattle well and my
grandfather was an excellent stockman,” said David.
The two brothers starting showing cattle as teenagers, travelling
across the country. They had a choice between farm work and socializing
at the shows. They chose the shows.
Cudlobe Angus cattle have been sold around the world and set sales
records including a $52,000 windfall at Canadian Western Agribition
last year.
This year the family is holding its third annual production sale on
Dec. 11, offering 100 home-raised animals.
While David was at the Chinook Classic, his brother Dyce was hurrying
to finish harvest at their farm. This year’s harvest is late but
promising after three years of drought. However, many customers have
sold off their cows due to feed shortages and the Buldocs are wondering
how many people will be shopping for bulls from purebred herds like
theirs.
“We’re lucky we sell to a widespread population who are in it for the
long haul. Time will tell. There are no sure things in this business,”
said David.
