When Mike Imler’s bulls walked into the ring at the Calgary Bull Sale, auctioneer Dan Skeels told people to bid now because they won’t be able to afford this breeder’s herd sires five years from now.
Judging from the competitive bidding for the two-year-old Simmentals, Skeels may be right.
This year’s sale was a triumph for Imler, because the Okotoks Simmental breeder is 15 years old. He beat the Simmental sale average by a couple hundred dollars, and won senior reserve champion at the show the day before.
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The Calgary sale was his first venture into the sales ring. His big, beefy champion earned him $3,200 and his other entrant sold for $2,300.
Most teenagers wouldn’t consider spending stolen moments from school in a barn talking to some of the world’s best cattle breeders. A Grade 9 student at Okotoks Junior High, Mike needs his parents to explain to doubting teachers why their son has missed three days of school.
“Mom has to write a note to the school saying I was at the Calgary Bull Sale,” he said.
His parents, Jack and Kerry Imler, run about 250 commercial cows at their Okotoks ranch. But when it comes to Mike’s performance at the sale, they stand back and let him do the work and later, receive accolades from impressed cattle producers.
They also make it clear this is entirely their son’s enterprise. They are not registering cattle in their son’s name as a gift or income tax dodge.
“This is all Mike’s,” said Kerry.
“He does the work,” adds his dad.
Mike got his start in 4-H where he learned the basics of animal husbandry. He also earned good prices for his market steers and heifers to give him the cash to buy into the purebred side.
He bought his first purebred heifers at the Calgary Simmental sale three years ago and has built his herd to 14.
“I’m just kinda getting started,” said Mike. Poised and pleasant, he has a quick handshake for his buyers, who are surprised to discover they bought cattle from a teenager.
His company name is MI Simmentals and he handles his animals’ feeding programs, records and general care. His parents pitch in at calving time and a family friend, Mary Reimers, taught him how to halter break and groom animals for show.
Mike enters his performance records and prints color brochures of his bulls.
There’s time for school work and other activities but working with the cattle is his favorite activity.
“I play hockey but I like doing this best,” he said.
He wants to level off his herd at about 30 because he can’t manage more at this time.
He plans to go to university after high school. When he graduates he’ll come back to the farm where he can continue as a purebred breeder on his own place.
