I stopped in at Bar 5 for a visit today. Greg and I toured the bio test bulls and heifer groups (PHS has some of each there). I had a chance to see all of the Bar 5 operation including their out farms. Thanks to Greg and Andreas for a great day.

Bar 5 Expert, with his girls.

Sale Day!! The Calgary Simmental Round-Up Sale took place at the stampede grounds. It was a great sale with another full house was in attendance. John and I headed out after to do some Chrismtas shopping for Margo and Lisa. Thank to both for letting us come to Alberta!! We had a great time with all the people we visited on our journey.

Preparing for the sale.

Christmas shopping for our wives in Banff!!

Today we left for Calgary and stopped at Wells' Crossing Cattle Company on the way. We toured with the operation with Chub and then continued on to the Calgary Stampede grounds. Wow, it looks so much different than when we were here in the summer during the stampede and congress. We took a brief look at the sale animals and then were treated to dinner with Chub and friends.

Welcome to Wells' Crossing Cattle Company, owned by Stan and Barb Cichon.

The herd at Wells' Crossing. The weather is almost warm today, only -4 C.

Sale Day!! Two sales took place today. Fleck Fest started off the day and then Fleck Select followed. Both had a full house!!

PHS purchased Lot 129 Gist's Ms Pol Salacious in the Fleck Select Sale.

PHS purchased Lot 20, a flush of BHR Lady Suzannah from Wolfe's Fleckvieh.

John and I stopped at Abraham Land & Cattle Company to see Derek for a brief visit. One of John's heifers from the Royal sale was purchased by this farm. Later that night in Red Deer, we attended the Fleck Select Embryo and Semen Sale. Many were in attendance and a lot of fun was had by all. PHS and Rolling Acres both purchased some lots. After the sale, the Transcon boys treated us to a night at Billy Bob's. Thanks guys!!

What a day!! Beside - 20 C weather again, we had a full day of cattle touring. We saw over 1300 head in our travels. Danny Skeels, of Anchor D Ranch, was our host for the day. Our first stop was Gist Simmentals, a family run operation. They had a great selection of bull and heifer calves for us to see, many sired by Dayton's Pol Newmann. Next we visited with the Stone Brothers. We toured their herd (and their parents herd too), and had a brief visit. After a quick stop for lunch, we saw Danny's cows -- he has about 600 cows alone!! The last stop was R5 Simmentals for a look at their animals. We were treated to a home cooked steak dinner with Danny, Karen and family. Thanks for a great day!!

Danny, John, and Bryan Gist look over the bulls.

The bulls at the Gist farm, many sired by Dayton's Pol Newmann.

John Cartwright and I left from London airport this morning for Alberta. After arriving in cold Alberta (-20 C), we visited Alta Embryo Group. Doug McDermand toured John and I, each of us seeing our own heifers that are there. Later that day, we stopped at Smith Simmentals to tour their herd. Many thanks to Rick and Sandra for their hospitality and a nice visit.

Some of the international visitors and others continued to Bar 5 Stock Farms on Monday for a tour of their operations and a BBQ. It was a nice break for all the hard working folks at Bar 5 after a busy weekend in Toronto.

Heifers in the bio program at Bar 5. If you look carefully, you can see a few from PHS.

The Royal Winter Fair, when the country comes to the city, took place in Toronto, Ontario during the first 10 days of November. The Simmental show was Saturday, and the Bar 5 Extravanga Sale was Sunday night. Over 70 Simmentals were shown in the different classes, representing the many Simmental breeders in our area and beyond. The international visitors enjoyed themselves and their time in Canada.

Heifers in the show ring, judged by Fred Schutz of Buzzard Hollow.

The North American Beef Congress was held in London this weekend. It featured cattle breeds of all kinds but most importantly Simmentals!! PHS brought 4 animals to be shown. Other Simmental breeders from across Ontario were present and had a long but enjoyable weekend. The rain didn't put a damper on the festivities.

PHS Polled Star was the only "traditional" Simmental in her split. Although she didn't move on, she did well in the ring.

We've dropped off our heifer and bull calves at the Bar 5 Bio Test Program. If you are touring Bar 5, keep your eyes open for the PHS calves.

Lisa and I travelled to Cheneville, Quebec to Ferme Gagnon for their 11th annual production sale. The Friday night entertainment lived up to the rumours from last year, and the new Cheneville Idol was crowned (congrats Pat Sullivan!!). They had a great turnout and the auction sale was a success. Many thanks to the Gagnon family for the great hospitality.

The feature heifer calf enters the ring. She's the high seller of the day at $9300 to Chandor farms!!

Lisa and I travelled to Russellville, Arkansas to Dollars Diamond Farm to attend the Quest VII sale. Kent and Glenna were great hosts, along with all the other consigners. Even though the weather had it's ups and downs (no tornados please), we had a lot of fun. Many thanks to everyone from Arkansas and neighouring states, for making us so welcome.

Let the bidding begin!!

Hartwick Dairy Farms purchased AP 3R from PHS to breed to their Holstein cows. AP 3R seemed happy to get in with the ladies and the Hartwick's are very pleased with his disposition and the breeding he's done so far.

AP 3R with his Holstein pen mates!!

Today the Southwest Simmental Club came to PHS for its annual summer farm open house and BBQ. Although the weather didn't cooperate at first, as the afternoon went on, the sun shone and it got hot and humid. We set up tables in the calving bar for the meal and brought the cattle up to the barn for everyone to see.

Guests enjoyed a potluck meal with a variety of salads, hamburgers, and desserts.

The hay is ready!! We are just back from the congress and Andrew is hard at work doing the second cut of hay.

Andrew working on our second cut of hay.

Happy Canada Day!! Our tulip tree is in bloom.

This is a unique tree in our area and it is gorgeous.

The weather here has taken a turn to great heat and humidity. Today it was 32 degress Celcius. The animals have come up for a drink at dusk.

Evening on the farm.

Billy Elmhirst, from Indian River Cattle Company, stopped by PHS for a visit and to check out our herd.

Billy and Andrew looking at some of the cattle.

The good weather has continued and we've completed our first cut baling. We're happy to be done with no rain!

Our farm hand Robin is getting the baling done.

First cut hay has started. We've had a good run of weather and have already cut 80 acres.

First cut hay 2006.

With summer comes an earlier sunrise. This one is great.

Sunrise at PHS.

The weather here is so nice the cows went to pasture today. Two more cows left to calve, they are fashionably late.

AP 14S, sired by Pfalzer. She's only one day old.

Part of the Transcon Livestock team dropped by PHS today. It was Jay Good and Don Obourg's first visit to PHS however, it was a repeat visit for Bob Wilson from years ago. It was a quick tour as they had a flight out of London but they were impressed with our barn and cattle operations.

Part of The Transcon Team, with a guest appearence by Jake the Cat.

Lisa and I attended the Bar 5' Spring Spectacular sale. The turn out was great with no empty seats in the house. People were in attendance from across Canada and around the world. We enjoyed the hospitality of the Nolan Family over the Friday and Saturday. We switched into second gear on Friday night along with those in attendance at the pub. Informative presentations we given on Friday and Saturday about Profitable Cattle Operation by Lee Leachman, the Bovigen GeneSTAR Solutions by Jim Johnson, and Feedlot Operations by Larry Nolan. PHS purchased Lot 1- Bar 5 SA Kaptain 427R and Lot 40 - Bar 5 Polled SA Ms Sinful 438R.

Lee Leachman from Leachman Cattle of Colorado

PHS website launch!

Lisa and I attended the Southwest Simmental Club meeting and social evening. A good time was had by all.

I attended the Double Bar D Farms "Best of Both Worlds" sale in Grenfell, Saskatchewan. A special thank you to the Dimler family for making me feel at home. PHS purchased 3 heifers.

Double Bar D sale

Lisa and I attended the bull sale at Ferme Gagnon in Cheneville, Quebec. It was nice to reconnect with Yves Gagnon and his family.

Ferme Gagnon

Lisa and I attended Robin Bryan’s 60th birthday party!!! Time sure passes quickly.

I attended the Southwest Simmental Club meeting in St. Agatha. I was elected to the board of directors, and look forward to taking an active role.

The calving pens are ready to go. We only have to wait on the cows.

Calving pens