A Different Kind of Sport

      The most popular canadian sports include Hockey, Soccer, Football, Lacrosse, and Baseball, but one sport that most urban people don't know exists as the sport of showing jackpot steers and heifers. Different from showing pure bread cattle, where the intent is to show of your farm and the livestock genetic lines Jackpoting has the soul purpose to win the show and get the check at the end of the day. The first steer show was held in Houston in Texas in the early 1900's. Since then the sport has come along way it is now down to a science.
        I fell in love with the sport when I was 11 years old, I won my first show, Chinook Jr. Classic in Claresholm alberta and I was hooked, no other sports have really crossed my mind since that day. A few of the many things that intrigues me about the sport is that there is always something new to learn, no matter how much you have learned or know about haulter-breaking, feeding or fitting there is always so much more to learn. another interesting aspect is every fall everyone starts of a fresh start with a new steer or heifer so if your not in the winning circle one your you will always have a chance next year!
     Throughout the years the styles of steers have changed immensely. From cattle that only come to you "belt buckle" to a whooping 6 feet tall, constantly changing.


Here are some pictures of cattle throughout time

A 'Belt Buckel' steer from the 50's 

A extreme bull from the 80's

A steer I raised form present day 

A Job Well Done

Hi Again!  My apologies for the absence of any new posts in the past couple weeks. New posts will continue regularly from now on, the fields are seeded, the calves are branded, and the spring cleaning has been done. So I am all caught up for the time being. 

Duty Calls

Hello fellow bloggers, and followers. I apologies for my absence of any new blog posts, here at YV Ranch we are heavy into seeding, with this comes long days. Days spent in the tractor seeding, harrowing and cultivating. These long, long work days gives me no free time. I will carry on the blog when there is an abundance of time, either when it rain's and is to wet to carry on with the field work, or when we are finished, until then so long! 

New Page, Questions and Answers

Since starting my blog up I have had people emailing me asking me questions about agricultural related subjects. I have been answering them to my fullest extent. I have been thinking about this and have realized from my many years in the class room that the majority of the time a question asked is a question that many people have, but just never spoke up. So I would like to let everyone feel free to email me (halnixdorff@gmail.com) or just post on my blog any questions you may have about agricultural related subjects. I will be starting up a new page to answer these questions to the best of my ability, any questions I cant answer I will hopefully be able to find someone that can or leave it open for other people to answer for you. Thanks and ask away!

Down fall of the Canadian Wheat Board

In 1935 the Parliament of Canada created the Canadian Wheat board, the main purpose of the Canadian wheat board was to give farmers across Canada the same fair prices for wheat and barley. The wheat board was a useful tool for many years to help farmers market the grains they harvest, producing tremendous profit. 

Fleming Saskatchewan, built in 1895

Since 1935 Canadian advancements in transportation and technology has come along way.  Recently many farmers feel that the Canadian wheat board has been more harm than help, it is a monopoly, there for no wheat or barley can be sold through any other companies for human consumption. These days many farmers feel the Canadian wheat board has been giving producers the short end of the stick, not giving fair prices for their crops. just last week the conservative party of canada was voted in to the house of commons with a majority number of seats. The agriculture minister promises there will be changes done to the Canadian wheat board, most likely being abolished. When this happens many farmers will rejoice with the happiness of freedom to sell their wheat or barley to whom ever they would like hopefully creating a stronger market with more opportunity. The future is looking bright!

Present day, southern Alberta 

A Smart Choice

Did you know ninety nine percent of the beef you buy from the grocery stores has four owners or more! The farmer who raises the cattle, the feeder who fattens the cattle up, the packing plant who processes the beef, and the grocery store who markets the beef. When ever the beef changes hands, money does as well, causing a inflation in the prices.  What many people don't know, that many farmers and produces sell beef direct in bulk. This can save the consumer up to fifty percent cost, putting MONEY back in to YOUR POCKET. Our farm has been selling custom beef for the past fifteen years. From neighbors to our doctor, dentist, and electrician they all love it and keep coming back for more. A neighbor that bought their first beef off us says "The steak is unreal, its like eating at a fine restaurant every night." All beef is all natural, hormone free, and only feed natural grains and forages. All beef is aged for twenty one days, for maximum tenderness and taste. As well, customer opportunity to pick the cuts off beef you would like. What an opportunity, saving money while buying a great healthy product. For any questions you can ask me to find out more!

The 100 Mile Challenge

With the twenty first centuries ease of transportation its not uncommon for simple ingredients in a meal to come from many different countries. The 100 mile challenge has been around for quite some time, but just recently the popular food network show 'The 100 Mile Challenge' has made it very popular. What a better way to cut down environmental impact while helping local farmers and ranchers. Not to mention it will taste great!

What is the 100 Mile Challenge?

Exactly what it sounds like: you challenge yourself to eat only foods grown, produced and sold within 100 miles of your home. Anywhere from a week to a year... the length of the challenge is up to you. 

Getting Started 

First visit 100mile.foodtv.ca to find out everything you need to know. from meal planing to venders that only carry products form a hundred miles. Its easy and remember You'll feel great when you do!