REGINA – Bull calves ruled this year’s Canadian Western Agribition Charolais sale on Nov. 23.
The high seller came from LA Land and Cattle Co. owned by Chris and Gisele Krozser of Leduc, Alta., with a January bull calf going for $10,500 to Bryan Hicks of Arthur, Ont.
The next high seller was a polled bull calf from Harcourt Charolais of Quill Lake, Sask., and sold for $8,400 to
Milton McKver of Lions Head, Ont.
Third on the roster was a horned bull calf from G 4 Acres, Saskatoon and sold for $7,500 to Acadia Valley Colony of Oyen, Alta.
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In total, 15 lots on offer averaged $4,540. The sale was followed by the national show on Nov. 24.
The grand champion bull was from Ontario breeder Wat-Cha Land and Cattle. The reserve champion was from Palmer Charolais Land and Cattle Co. Ltd. of Bladworth, Sask.
The grand champion female was from Harvie Ranching at Olds, Alta., while the reserve champion was from Voegeli Bros. Charolais at Maymont, Sask., and Footprint Farms.
While this year’s event was satisfying, 2006 will be a red letter year for the white breed when Canada hosts the Charolais World Congress at Farmfair International in Edmonton next November.
Charolais International president Garner Deobold of Hodgeville, Sask., has been working hard to help host the world for the last several years.
The congress comes to Canada every 20 years with the last one held in 1986.
People like Deobold hope to raise awareness of Canadian genetics at next year’s congress and drum up international buyer interest. Canada could offer genetics rather than live animals if BSE embargoes continue to prevent live breeding stock from leaving the country.
About 200 international delegates will gather at Farmfair for meetings, tours, shows and sales.
When Canada was awarded the congress, BSE was not a black cloud looming over the industry. With the American border closed to breeding stock, guests may look but not buy because of import restrictions.
“We hoped it would have been well open by then,” said Neil Gillies, manager of the Canadian Charolais Association.
Still, they hope to see about 300 head on display including an aged bull class where producers can show off their breeding herd sires.
There will also be a full French show, which means all the cattle must be direct descendants of French cattle with no infusion of other breeds to upgrade the cattle to purebred status.
“In some parts of the world, particularly South America, people appreciate full French cattle and their bloodlines,” said Gillies.
However, a new opportunity may open.
The French are looking for polled cattle so some sales could return to the Charolais home base.
“It would be a coup if we could sell some polled genetics back to France,” he said.
