Dennis Ericson. I'm not sure I need much more to describe this episode. If you have visited with Dennis previously you know his passion for quality stock and marketing. I feel like he was always ring side, ready for a bid, ready to win you that animal! If you haven't had the chance, you will feel it listening to his stories and descriptions. 

A lifetime of experience, I wish I could fit it all in one episode! A lifetime of mentoring young people in the cattle business and sales management. He has seen a few things over the years and enjoyed every step along the way. 

A fellow that many in the business put into the category of life long friend and Legend. 

Thank you to Season 4 sponsors:

Thank y'all for listening. Please leave us a rating and review on your favorite pod catcher. 

Please help to get us on the Sullivan’s Best of the Barns list this year! 

Kurtis Reid

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Happy Canadian Western Agribition travel day everyone! I hope the wind is still and the roads are dry making it a fast trip with the trusty truck and trailer headed into Regina. 

Hereford content inbound! It was a treat to visit with Duncan Lees. A man of great standing in his community, his beloved Hereford Breed and for that matter across the Canadian Beef business. Duncan has been dedicated to his family, their generational legacy within ranching, improving the Hereford breed and volunteering in the Hereford Breed and local community. 

Duncan and Val Lees raised their 4 children outside of Arcola SK. Blair Athol Farms have been in the Hereford breed for over 100 years. The 6 generations of their family have been dedicated to always improving their breeding stock and the land they utilized. Herefords are in Duncan’s blood, his kids blood and now his grandkids blood! The Cattle industry afforded the Lee’s family numerous opportunities with travel, trade missions, quality stock and most importantly life long friendships. 

Duncan’s dedication to building up youth and leading 4H or Junior Hereford projects has left a lasting impression on a generation of cattle men and women. When you ask others about Duncan you will hear it over and over that he is revered as one of the good ones, honest to the core and hard working. 

Thank you to Season 4 sponsors:

Thank y'all for listening. Please leave us a rating and review on your favorite pod catcher. 

Please help to get us on the Sullivan’s Best of the Barns list this year! 

Kurtis Reid

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[email protected]

Facebook @LifestockPod

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https://thecliffsfarm.com/

After reading "A Cattleman’s Walk Down Memory Lane" I knew I had to put something together and tell Mr Gordon’s story on the podcast. I sent out a quick message over social media to a couple of his daughters and we worked it out. After reading the book for the first time I had questions and ideas. Prepping for the episode reading the book for the second time I took that much more from it again. If you’re going to get the book make sure to read page 180 a few times, I sure did. 

I never met Mr Gordon but have heard numerous stories about him. He would have been an extremely interesting person to visit with in real life. I imagine he would have seen me coming from a 100 yards looking like I was going to ask a million questions. 

This episode was a lot of fun and with interviewing the 5 Gordon children you can surely tell they all have a passion for Agriculture and the cattle business. Plus, a strong pride for their heritage and family. 

THANK YOU - Lois McRae, Shirley Kaufman, Sheila Jensen, Lynn Gordon and Bruce Gordon for all their time and efforts in making this episode come together. 

Thank you to Season 4 sponsors:

Thank y'all for listening. Please leave us a rating and review on your favorite pod catcher. 

Please help to get us on the Sullivan’s Best of the Barns list this year! 

Kurtis Reid

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[email protected]

Facebook @LifestockPod

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https://thecliffsfarm.com/

Sitting in the historic Canadian Western Agribition boardroom with Kylie Beck and Shawna Fuchs was cool. Surrounded by pictures of the founding board, the past presidents, past CEO’s and the Marketing posters/Logos of all 50+ years of show history. 

We talk a little about the foundation of Agribition, its first board (Chris Sutter, Barry Andrew, Bill Small, Ken Halverson & Gordon Hollinger), some of the changes over the years and did our best not to get lost in the weeds of our favorite stories and times. Talking about Agribition with anyone that has attended just puts a smile on your face and always stirs up some of those great memories. 

The 25th anniversary of the Beef Supreme is a big topic for CWA 2024! 25 years of winners and fun. 25 years of excellence and unique recognition for the best of the best. Being an Agribition Beef Supreme Champion is as close to Show Ring Immortalization as you'll find in the business.

The future vision of Agribition is strong with a great plan behind it. President Shaun Kindopp wraps up the episode talking about just that. 

Remember to check out the new Junior Steer Jackpot, Friday November 29 in the John Deere Sale arena at 2:00pm. Over $7,000 in cash will be given out.

Thank you to Season 4 sponsors:

Thank y'all for listening. Please leave us a rating and review on your favorite pod catcher. 

Please help to get us on the Sullivan’s Best of the Barns list this year! 

Kurtis Reid

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[email protected]

Facebook @LifestockPod

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https://thecliffsfarm.com/

Yes they are the Reid’s, but we are not related. If we were related I would be a pain in the butt third removed cousin insisting I get the highest level family discounts!! Just kidding. 

I wanted to shake things up a bit and bring on someone young. Gus Reid was at the top of my list. A young man with a passion for cattle and wears a big ole grin of optimism. We all remember being young and having plans, I thought it was a great opportunity to reconnect with those though my conversation with Gus. The generations behind  RK Cattle Co will be respected and learnt from by the generations that will continue it forward. 

In the second part we tap into as I call it, ‘The RK’. Sandy Reid reviews the history of his family, their love for breeding cattle and how starting RK Animal Supply came about. When we talk about the handling equipment and how they had to make the decisions to stay afloat, there are some lessons to pay attention too. You can chase your passion unless you are financially stable and decision to put the business over pride must be made. 

Evertime I go to a zoo now I always think of the specialized equipment and seeing it stored in every day fashion at the RK shop.  

Thank you to Season 4 sponsors:

Thank y'all for listening. Please leave us a rating and review on your favorite pod catcher.

Kurtis Reid

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https://thecliffsfarm.com/

We stick out east in Quebec for episode 41 having Shadybrook Shorthorns with Kevin Dempsey on to talk shop.

The story of Shadybrook is fun to review. The passion that this business can ignite and the love of the breed Mr Pathy charge ahead with, it’s about the goals to improve. Celebrating their 50th year is a tremendous feat and from all of us at the Lifestock Podcast I want to extend a congratulations to the entire Shadybrook operation.

Kevin has always worked in what he loves, Shorthorn Cattle. His belief on cow quality is consistent, the appreciation of where things started to where they are as a team are working towards in very insightful. Working as a team is different than just individual decision, plus that opportunity arising from established networks is key.

Kevin and his family have developed the Shadybrook brand and also utilized opportunity within their own small herd and business ventures.

Thank you to Season 3 sponsors:

- BoviGen Reproductive Services

- Klassen Industries

- Angus World

Thank y'all for listening. Please leave us a rating and review on your favorite pod catcher.

Kurtis Reid

Contact us: [email protected] Facebook @LifestockPod Instagram @LifestockPod Twitter @LifestockPod https://thecliffsfarm.com/

We are Quebec bound to talk a little Herefords and Simmental chatter with Paul and Jennifer Mastine. Plus, raising high end show dogs is not for the faint of heart! 

As long time breeders of Hereford and Simmental cattle it was fun listening to some history on the development of each herd. How the goals of each are similar but the timing for growth and marketing can change for each. Paul and Jen have also been instrumental in bringing youth into the livestock show world and really encouraging the opportunities it opens up. 

Laid back and fun this episode has a pile of great insight to ponder on. Be safe out in the fields putting up hay, getting home in good health will always beat out getting things done faster. Best of luck to everyone!

Thank you to Season 3 sponsors:

Thank y'all for listening. Please leave us a rating and review on your favorite pod catcher.

Kurtis Reid

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My dad is the best! If you have met him, I know you understand what I mean and why my family will all stand behind that. An amazing father figure growing up, dedicated to his family and always had a love for Hereford Cattle and people David set great examples for us. Plus, since turning 23 and getting married, he has become the smartest person I know, my siblings around those same time frames in their lives echo that comment.

I am fortunate to work with him developing our cow herd, learning business, my family history and most importantly how to treat people the right way. His patience is unmatched. He is genuine and heartfelt. He is my dad, my best friend and my hero. 

Thank you to Season 3 sponsors:

Thank y'all for listening. Please leave us a rating and review on your favorite pod catcher.

Kurtis Reid

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I've always associated Bruce Holmquist with just being everywhere! It seems like no matter the event or gathering, he is sure to be there. It was great to hear from him about the World Simmental Fleckvieh Conference and how he will be a part of two of these events in Canada. A wonderful accomplishment for the Simmental breed as a whole on the world stage highlighting Canadian Seed Stock. 

Bruce’s list of organizational affiliation and board activity is very long and impressive. I sure appreciate him talking to us about those positions and how some opportunities came around. I also think him highlighting some of the sacrifices along the way is important too.  

It is clear that the Simmental breed and Agribition hold a special place in Bruce’s heart. He has dedicated most of his adult life to being a part of the industry and working to leave it better for the next members or exhibitors to come. 

Thank you to Season 3 sponsors:

Thank y'all for listening. Please leave us a rating and review on your favorite pod catcher.

Kurtis Reid

Contact us:

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https://thecliffsfarm.com/

Season 4 is here!  

Thank y’all so much for your continued support. We are excited to put together another season of interviews and discussions with industry leaders. 

Our season kicks off with Tyson Buyer from BoviGen. A great story about having a passion, building a plan and making a vision a reality. It’s always great when a plan comes together, even though there can be a few bumps along the road. 

Thank you to Season 3 sponsors:

Thank y'all for listening. Please leave us a rating and review on your favorite pod catcher.

Kurtis Reid

Contact us:

[email protected]

Facebook @LifestockPod

Instagram @LifestockPod

Twitter @LifestockPod

https://thecliffsfarm.com/