Cattle qualify for the event by winning their country’s major national or supreme shows in five regions of the world
EDMONTON — Recognition on the world stage for a job well done is one way to showcase top beef cattle from 72 countries.
Internationally known cattle judge and consultant, P.J. Budler, created the Champion of the World competition for beef cattle seven years ago and it has expanded to recognize top quality animals. So far, 16 breeds are involved and criteria is being created for the Canadian breed, Speckle Park.
“It is the seventh year of the competition and it is amazing how well-represented Canada has been throughout the years,” Budler said in a recent interview during Farmfair International held Nov. 7-11 in Edmonton.
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Originally from South Africa, Budler has become an international beef ambassador, judging dozens of shows around the world and providing consulting services.
Canadians representing Angus, Charolais, Galloway, Hereford, Limousin, Shorthorn and Simmental have been honoured over the years.
Cattle qualify by winning their country’s major national or supreme shows. The first part of the competition divides the world into the North America, South America, Europe and Asia-Africa regions. Judges are then selected from each region to do the final assessments.
From there, four regional champions come up against each other.
“It is the most unscientific way to find a champion but this competition is three steps. The criteria to get to the top is tough,” he said.
This initiative introduces breeders to each other and raises awareness of improvements being made around the world.
It also builds good will so producers can meet each other and build better trade relationships.
“People who excel in this competition have the ability to trade,” he said.
Dale Asser was one of the winners for 2017 with her roan Shorthorn bull, Hill Haven Firestorm 28C.
She owns Hill Haven Shorthorns at Duntroon, Ont., and won grand championships at the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto and Canadian Western Agribition in Regina.
“He is really quite gorgeous,” she said, showing off the bull’s picture as her screen saver on her phone.
Such recognition has helped her build a good reputation as a breeder of sound Shorthorn cattle.
Asser is also relatively new to the beef business but talks like a seasoned professional.
She left downtown Toronto where she was a senior executive with an insurance company in 2000 because she wanted to slow down. She bought some property at Georgian Bay and a neighbour suggested she buy cattle to graze her pastures. He promised to help look after the cattle while she learned the business.
“I didn’t know the difference between an Angus, a Shorthorn or a Hereford,” she confessed.
“I have no idea why I said yes.”
Her friend took her out to look at cattle in the district. Their first stop was an Angus farm but no one was at home so they went to the next place where the family had Shorthorns.
“He was at home and he was a good salesman so I bought two cows that had calves on them and that was the start of it,” she said.
She fell in love with the cattle and decided to substitute her briefcase for rubber boots, determined to learn everything she could about cattle.
She eventually became an independent Shorthorn breeder and built up an award winning cow family called Breathless.
“I didn’t do this on pure luck,” she said.
“I have no shame when it comes to wanting information and calling people. I called people every week. They were always so patient because people want to share information,” she said.
“You have to go ask questions.”
These days she calves out 50 to 60 cows every year and has become a hands-on producer who is tending cows in the middle of the night during calving and feeding cows.
She also bought more land and stages a private production sale every two years on the farm.
Other winners from Canada were:
- Miss World Charolais Champion — PZC Lily 5013 ET-Prairie Cove Charolais, Bashaw, Alta.
- Miss World Angus Champion —
- Red Ter-Ron Diamond Mist, Ter-Ron Ranches, Forestburg, Alta.,and Six Mile Ranch, Wood Mountain, Sask.
- Miss World Hereford Champion — BNC Glenlees 429 71D, Blairs.Ag Co., Lanigan, Sask.
- World Charolais Bull Champion — JMB Fisher 604D, JMB Charolais and C2 Charolais, Brookdale, Man.
