A hundred years of Hereford cattle
BY KIM LANGEN
A hundred-year-history of breeding top cattle has brought industry fame to a local family.
The Mitchell family, who run Roselawn Polled Herefords north of Killarney, were gifted with a beautiful award on Saturday, during the annual Manitoba Hereford Association Field Day, held this year on their farm.
Albert Rimke, Canadian Hereford Association director, presented the plaque to Wally and Jackie Mitchell, to acknowledge their long family history of 100 years of breeding registered purebred Hereford cattle.
“It’s a framed plaque, with a photo of our farm lasered onto real cowhide,” said Wally Mitchell. “I’m going to hang it in my office. It felt good to get it. There’s not many breeders that have 100 years with the same cattle breed in one family. It was a good deal.”
The Mitchells also captured a top award during the field day, he added.
“We won the champion two-year-old cow and calf as well,” said Mitchell.
Judges for the event included local auctioneer Allan Munroe, Tony Dekeyser of Medora, and Chad Wilson of Wawota, Saskatchewan.
Some 112 head of Hereford cattle were penned in for the sanctioned breed show, which has been running for around two decades, and is hosted by a different breeder each year, he said.
The Mitchells hosted the event around 10 years ago, and this year Wally Mitchell was also honoured with the presentation of a 50-year membership pin with the Hereford Association.
Around 90 people attended the afternoon event, with around 70 of them sitting down to a wonderful dinner at 5:30 p.m.
“It was catered by the Ninga Café, and as you might imagine, it was roast beef,” said Mitchell. “I hope it was Hereford beef.”
Both Wally and Jackie were kept hopping throughout the lively event, working and keeping their guests happy.
“We were very busy all day, and it was a good day,” said Wally. “We enjoyed it, and so did everyone else. Will we continue for another 100 years of cattle breeding in the family? I hope so. They are interested in keeping it going.”
HEREFORD CATTLE A FAMILY AFFAIR – Members of the extended Mitchell family gathered together for a photo, during the recent Manitoba Hereford Association Field Day held on the Mitchell’s Roselawn Farm. From left are: Shandie Parobec (Brady’s partner), Logan Penner, Brady Mitchell, Kailey Penner, Hannah Penner, Nick Penner, Jackie and Wally Mitchell (holding the 100 Years of Breeding Purebred Herefords plaque presented to them), Don Mitchell (Wally’s brother), Barb Vanrobaeys (Wally’s sister), Marlin Vanrobaeys, Albert Rimke (Canadian Hereford Association Director – who presented the plaque), and sitting up front is Mary VanDaele.
PLENTY OF PENS OF PEDIGREED CATTLE – An impressive 112 head of pedigreed Hereford cattle were neatly penned up at Wally and Jackie’s Roselawn Farms last Saturday, August 25, on show for the Manitoba Hereford Association Field Day. Around 90 people attended the annual event, with 70 of them sitting down for the (you guessed it!) delicious roast beef supper.