REGINA – It’s no simple task to earn a 25 percent return on investment in one month.
But that’s exactly what a newly acquired $20,000 purebred polled Hereford heifer did for its new owners Dave Bull and Daryl Kirton of Aldergrove, B.C.
Haroldson’s Rose ET 74D, a 1994 embryo transfer calf out of Haroldson’s Raider and Tee-Jay Yellow Rose, beat out 15 of the best heifers from other breeds to win $5,000 at the Upjohn First Lady Classic jackpot heifer show at Canadian Western Agribition.
At the halter was 16-year-old Chad Wilson, son of Neil and Lenna Wilson of Haroldson’s Polled Hereford’s of Wawota, Sask.
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Chad had shown the farm-raised heifer in junior Hereford events this summer before it sold in the family’s production sale in late October. During the summer, it won national champion female at the junior member’s premiere show, Bonanza.
After making a hasty telephone call home telling his parents about the win, Wilson said he didn’t know whether any of the prize money was earmarked for the showman.
“Dad’s the one that did all that,” he said, referring to showing arrangement with the heifer’s new owners.
And even though Wilson said $20,000 was “lots of money” to pay for a heifer, the sale stipulated his family would keep the heifer’s first calf, due this spring, and her first embryo flush.
Duncan Porteous, general manager of the Calgary-based Canadian Hereford Association, said the win is proof the Hereford breed has changed over the years: “We’re competitive.”
Winnings of $3,000 for reserve grand champion heifer went to Rob and Gail Hamilton and Mabel and Gavin Hamilton of Hamilton Farms, Innisfail, Alta., for their Angus heifer, HF Miss Annie 79D, out of Oneill’s Cosmo and HF Miss Annie 31X.
Owners of 130 heifers each paid a $50 entry fee to enter the show.
