Border rancher
Well-known member
Hi again, I think we have just about said all there is to say about what R Calf and it's groupies have done to the Canadian cattle industry. We have been called a lot of unflattering names. Those of you who feel that way about your Northern neighbours will not change your opinions for anything, and we are just wasting our time trying to do that.
I am always surprised that the "R Calf perspective" seems to be something new to a lot of you, an idea and attitude that has evolved in the past few years.
In about 1970 we were invited to consign 3 of our horned Hereford bulls to a bull sale in a small Mt. town. The group hosting the sale was trying to get a variety of bloodlines for their customers to choose from. A few other breeders from Canada, as well as ourselves were selected to sell along with the Montana producers. Buyers from Canada also were, of course, invited and encouraged to attend. It sounded like an excellent idea for all involved.
BUT, when we drove in to the fairgrounds we were greeted by a group of angry women carrying placards that read "Canadians go home!" and various other unfriendly signage. I don't know if the "Montana Cowbelles" stll exist as an organization at this time but that organization and others like it must have been the forefathers of today's R Calf.
The sale lasted only a couple years after that. Along with the unwelcome Canadian sellers that didn't bother with the event after that year, the sale also lost a much larger number of Canadian buyers, who at that time were prepared to pay top prices for their choice of bulls. The loss of those buyers caused the loss of a good, close to home bull auction for the Mt. producers.
I know that my "bull sale" example is not just like today's situation but I have to wonder if R calf members (the ones that really are in the cattle business) will be the real losers down the road a few years!
I am always surprised that the "R Calf perspective" seems to be something new to a lot of you, an idea and attitude that has evolved in the past few years.
In about 1970 we were invited to consign 3 of our horned Hereford bulls to a bull sale in a small Mt. town. The group hosting the sale was trying to get a variety of bloodlines for their customers to choose from. A few other breeders from Canada, as well as ourselves were selected to sell along with the Montana producers. Buyers from Canada also were, of course, invited and encouraged to attend. It sounded like an excellent idea for all involved.
BUT, when we drove in to the fairgrounds we were greeted by a group of angry women carrying placards that read "Canadians go home!" and various other unfriendly signage. I don't know if the "Montana Cowbelles" stll exist as an organization at this time but that organization and others like it must have been the forefathers of today's R Calf.
The sale lasted only a couple years after that. Along with the unwelcome Canadian sellers that didn't bother with the event after that year, the sale also lost a much larger number of Canadian buyers, who at that time were prepared to pay top prices for their choice of bulls. The loss of those buyers caused the loss of a good, close to home bull auction for the Mt. producers.
I know that my "bull sale" example is not just like today's situation but I have to wonder if R calf members (the ones that really are in the cattle business) will be the real losers down the road a few years!
