Rick Johnston says JJPH 83T Benchmark 127Y is the best bull calf he’s had in 35 years of raising Herefords.
When he offered him for sale at the Canadian Western Agribition national Hereford sale Nov. 24, he discovered how highly others thought of him, too.
Twenty-two breeders paid a total of $46,000 for a half-interest in semen packages from Benchmark, a calf born in March.
One of those buyers, Bill Biglieni from WLB Herefords at Douglas, Man., said he isn’t worried about the calf’s young age.
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“He’s not perfect, but he really excels in the right areas,” he said. “He’s probably the thickest animal in the barn.”
Johnston of Maidstone, Sask., agreed.
“He’s probably got more top and thickness in him than we’ve had in our Hereford barns for a while,” he said. “Our breed needs a little more muscle.”
Johnston retained half-ownership, and the purchasing syndicate has the right to semen for two years before he can sell it to anyone else.
Biglieni believes Benchmark is the right bull to move the breed ahead.
Without good herd bulls, breeders run the risk of falling behind, he said. The fact that Benchmark looks so promising as a calf could give the syndicate members a leg up on other breeders.
Two three-quarter sisters stood alongside the calf in his stall at Agribition and Biglieni said buyers could see how the pedigree was working.
Benchmark has grand and supreme champion bulls in his background, as well as WLB genetics, and should provide the buyers with a marketing advantage.
Still, there are no guarantees.
“This is not 100 percent,” Biglieni said. “You try to get the odds in your favour.”
Buying semen is a way to hedge risk.
“It reduces your initial investment and the possibility of a high return is pretty good,” he said.
The syndicate members included breeders from across Western Canada and several states.
Demand for Hereford bulls has been strong the last few years.
Johnston said commercial cattle producers want bulls that provide the hybrid cross they need for a true baldy, so they are willing to spend good money on bulls.
The purebred side is also apparently willing to spend.
Johnston said the sale was a highlight of his career, but it is also a validation of his breeding program.
Biglieni said Johnston is a good breeder who hasn’t pushed or pampered his cattle.
He had already singled out Benchmark before he was approached to be part of the syndicate and is taking it as a compliment of his own assessment skills.
“You’re always looking for a new herd bull and I always said if I see him, I’ll know him,” Biglieni said. “I need that rear quarter. It’s going to put us way ahead.”
Although Benchmark finished second in his class in the polled Hereford show, he was the first animal into the sale ring and set the tone for a small but strong sale.
Fifteen lots grossed $117,300, including embryo sales. Another highlight was a $14,000 heifer calf consigned by Crittenden Bros. from Imperial, Sask., and sold to Lakes Ranch of Ashmont, Alta.
Polled Hereford show
The grand champion polled Hereford female was Glenlees 101N Pearl 14X from Glenlees Farms of Arcola, Sask.
Triple A Herefords of Moose Jaw exhibited the reserve, Triple A 45P Jaeden ET 23Y.
The grand champion bull was TH 89T 743 Untapped 425X ET from ANL Polled Herefords at Steelman, Sask., and additional owners Haroldson’s Polled Herefords, Meadow Acres Farms, Phantom Creek Polled Herefords, Brooks Farms and Topp Herefords.
Biglieni showed the reserve, Hi-Cliffe WLB Sammy 13X.
Horned Hereford show
Triple A Herefords showed the grand champion horned female, Triple A 9121 Rebecca 5Y, while Hirsche Herefords and Angus Ltd. of High River, Alta., showed the reserve, GH Adams Domino Lassy 55X.
The grand champion bull was GH Adams Nitro Design ET 37 7X from MJT Cattle Co. Ltd. at Edgerton, Alta., and Hirsche Herefords and Angus.
MJT Total ET 31 1W was the reserve champion from MJT Cattle Co. and Langford Herefords, Perks Ranch and Hirsche Herefords and Angus.
Canadian Western Agribition breed, commercial sale winners:
• Angus:Nielsen Land and Cattle Co. Ltd., Craik, Sask.
• Charolais:JMB Charolais, Brookdale, Man.
• Hereford:Ottawa Valley Herefords, Avonlea, Sask.
The commercial sale overall champions and sale prices from the steer and heifer pen competition were:
•Grand champion pen of backgrounder steers, pen of 10: Rocking S Ranch, Nokomis, Sask. Total weight, 6,025 pounds, and sold for $1.50 per lb.
•Reserve champion pen of backgrounder steers, pen of five: Rocking S Ranch. Total weight, 2,830 lb,. and sold for $1.60 per lb.
•Grand champion pen of feeder steers, pen of five: Blairwest Land and Cattle, Drake, Sask. Total weight: 3,756 lb., and sold for $1.42 per lb.
•Reserve champion pen of feeder steers, pen of five: Rocking S Ranch. Total weight, 4,116 lb., and sold for $1.37 per lb.
•Champion pen of 20 steers: Reed Andrew, Regina, Sask. Total weight, 14,245 lb., and sold for $1.44 per lb.
•Champion pen of 20 feeder heifers: Reed Andrew. Total weight, 13,060 lb., and sold for $1.33 per lb.
•Reserve champion pen of 20 feeder heifers: Sentes Farm, Raymore, Sask. Total weight, 13,810 lb., and sold for $1.46 per lb.
•Champion pen of 10 feeder heifers: Rocking S Ranch. Total weight, 7,088 lb., and sold for $1.29 per lb.
•Reserve champion pen of 10 heifers: Sentes Farm. Total weight: 7,497 lb., and sold for $1.32 per lb.
•Champion pen of five feeder heifers: Horsehill Land and Cattle Co., Edam, Sask. Total weight, 3,794 lb., and sold for $1.10 per lb.
•Champion and reserve pen of open replacement heifers: Sentes Farm. Champions sold for $900 each. Reserve sold for $1,175 each.
•Grand champion pen of bred heifers: Blairswest and Cattle. Ten heifers sold for $1,925.
•Reserve champion pen of bred heifers: Murray Westman, Vermilion, Alta. Ten heifers sold for $1,675.
