OLDS, Alta. – It’s 5 a.m. and cattle need to be fed and preparations made as families get ready to show cattle at the Olds Fair.
For Ron Daley and Tammi Van Tighem of Carstairs, Alta., summer vacation is taken up with fairs and junior events for their three children: Sawyer, 14, Shallaine, 12 and Cassidy, 10.
Entering these competitions are an essential part of running a purebred beef operation, where promotion is critical to bull sales.
“Even if we don’t win, it is getting your product out there,” Tammi said.
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The family-run Southpaw Cattle Co. has 45 red and black Simmental cows and holds an annual bull sale at the end of March.
Besides salesmanship, such dedication also teaches the children a work ethic: all three must do chores and take their turn in the show ring.
Shallaine is the most enthusiastic and started showing cattle at age two and a half, with the help of grandfather Pete Van Tighhemr. Her mother started at age five so the tradition continues.
After Olds, the children planned to participate in the junior all-breeds show in Bashaw, Alta., and then travel to the Interior Provincial Exhibition in Armstrong, B.C., at the end of August. There is a brief fall hiatus until they enter Edmonton’s Farmfair in November.
Their involvement means plenty of travel, but the family believes it has valuable business and social aspects.
“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Tammi said. “The kids meet such good people.”
This year the family had the grand champion Simmental bull that last year won as a yearling at Canadian Western Agribition, Armstrong Fair and Farmfair.
While Tammi has a long history with cattle, coming from a Blonde d’Aquitaine and Pinzguaer background, her husband was raised in the city but participated in 4-H on his grandparents’ farm.
“He was a farm boy at heart,” Tammi said.
Early in their marriage he bought 20 bred Simmental heifers and their herd was founded, but he has always worked off the farm and now works as a software consultant for the energy company Encana. Tammi runs the farm during the week.
