EDMONTON – Ron and Donna Elder’s bull calf outsmarted, outplayed and outlasted 68 other heifers and bulls to win the Charolais Sir-Vivor futurity and bring its owner $30,000.
“We’re absolutely thrilled,” said Donna, of Coronach, Sask. “This pays for our trip out here.”
The bull was originally selected to be sold in the World Charolais sale a day after the Sir-Vivor futurity, but at the last minute the family entered the bull calf, Elder Sergeant 7455, in the Sir-Vivor futurity event.
If it did well there, then great; if not, it would be sold in the sale as planned. It’s the first time the same bull won the $15,000 Sir-Vivor bull championship and the $15,000 Immunity championship.
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In the Sir-Vivor event organizers sold 52, $700 memberships for the right to judge the heifer and bull calves. They sold an additional 46 memberships valued at $50 to the international visitors at Farmfair for the World Charolais Congress.
The members voted for their favourite animals. Charolais producers paid $200 for the right to enter their heifers and bull calves in the event. There were 42 bulls and 27 heifer calves entered.
“It’s very popular. It creates a lot of excitement,” said Darren Paget, of Donalda, Alta., and a Sir-Vivor organizer.
Members’ names were drawn throughout the evening. The last member left won immunity and could select any animal to take home. Harry Airey of Rivers, Man., chose Elder’s bull.
The selection of the calf by the international breeders and the other members was a vote of confidence for their breeding program, said Donna.
The day the calf was born, the family knew the muscled bull calf had show potential.
“My husband can look at a calf when it’s born and know if he’s going to be in the show string,” said Donna.
“We believe he’s the type of animal that’s good for the industry.”
A heifer owned by Carmen and Donna Jackson of Inglis, Man., was voted the Ladies Sir-Vivor champion and won $1,500 in cash and $1,500 toward an embryo flushing program.
