This was the year the Berting family jumped the fence.
After years of watching from the stands as spectators, the family from Middle Lake, Sask., arrived eager and ready to compete at the Saskatoon Fall Fair, held Nov. 9-12.
Garry and Donna Berting and their four children started preparing for the show weeks ago.
“For the most part, we’ve been showing in 4-H, but now we want to get into the purebred showing. This is a nice show to start at because it’s not so big. You don’t get lost in all the action,” said Garry.
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“We felt the kids were big enough and they wanted to help and contribute. The more experience they get, the better they get at doing it. It’s just like anything else.”
Cost and close proximity to the fair were also major considerations.
“The show’s convenient for us. It’s only a little bit over an hour for us to come into the city and we thought it would be a good experience for our kids,” said Donna.
“They’re really pitching in and doing a good job and working hard. I think they’re enjoying themselves.”
The Bertings entered most of the classes over the four day event, showing four Speckle Park and five Black Angus. They have a small mixed farm operation with 70 calving cows in both breeds and are relative beginners with Speckle Park.
“We’ve only had them since late 2009, so we’re somewhat new to the breed. We’ve been really enjoying them so far,” Garry said.
The Bertings were the lone entries with Speckle Park at this year’s fair. Speckle Park are a Canadian homegrown success story, first introduced in the North Battleford, Sask., area.
The breed’s unique Canadian pedigree attracted the Bertings along with the animal’s vibrant hide colour.
“It makes them stand out,” Garry said.
Speckle Park were also a good fit for the family because they value easy keeping.
“We cull heavy for temperament in our herd. That’s why we chose these cattle,” said Garry.
Added Donna: “We want something our kids are capable of handling.”
Three of their four children attended the fair: daughter Grayson, 14, and 13-year-old twin sons, Ryker and Huxley. Braxton, 16, stayed home to attend to farm chores and school.
Huxley said he’s not missing math lessons but wasn’t looking forward to getting up at 4 a.m. to wash and clip the animals for the 9 a.m. showing. Grayson said she enjoys the fair but brought homework with her.
The mood in the barns was considerably more upbeat this year than in past years, said Brenda Sapergia, livestock manager for Prairieland Park. Purebred and junior class numbers remained the same while commercial numbers doubled over last year with more than 160 entries.
“Last year cattle prices were way, way down and this year they’re back up to reasonable,” she said.
