Monday, November 26, 2012

A Thanksgiving in Canada, Eh!

View out my plane window
about to land in Regina, Saskatchewan.
This past Thanksgiving week, I was in Canada. Yes, that's right, I spent my Thanksgiving in a foreign country! My brother, sister-in-law, 2 fellow cattle women and I spent the week at the Canadian Western Agribition in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. Over the week, I learned a few things about Canadians.
(These are all of course based on meeting a few of the cattlemen and women throughout the barns, not necessarily all Canadians)







#1-They are some of the nicest people you will ever meet! They are always saying hello, good morning, smiling, and cheerful! From going out of their way to help someone carry something, to saving someone a spot on the wash racks, to buying you a drink...they are always looking for ways to make someone else's day a little bit brighter!

#2-Since I mentioned wash racks in the previous number...There is a reason they all wear full rain suits while washing in the morning! If you go in with dry clothes don't expect to walk out the same way! You will, without a shadow of a doubt, walk out with soaking wet clothing! This sometimes would not be an issue, but when it is freezing cold in the barn and you go to leave the wash rack, it tends to be rather cold!

#3-They really do say "Eh!" I just thought this was a bad stereotype, but after hearing it all week, I realized it in fact is not. It's part of their regular vocabulary. Not bashing it, not making fun of it (in fact, I rather enjoyed hearing it).


#4-They have some of the most delicious flavored whiskey I have ever tasted! My favorite was the cherry whiskey used in making a paralyzer (a delicious drink with Kahlua, cherry whiskey{or cherry vodka or regular vodka}, coke, and milk). It was probably my favorite because paralyzer is my favorite drink(known as a Colorado Bulldog in the states). Another one we tried was blackberry whiskey. If you ever get the chance to try that, do it! It's worth it!

and finally...


Congratulations to Dennis Serhienko (Serhienko/Voegeli Cattle Co.),
Shane Michelson (Michelson Land and Cattle),

McAcoy Charolais and Medonte Charolais
owners of this beautiful cow (with heifer calf at side)
 who was selected not only as the Champion Charolais 
female, but also the Supreme Champion Female! Congrats guys!
#5-Their cattle are very different. The way they do things at a show is different. The style of cattle is just, different...there really isn't a better word to describe it. Different doesn't mean bad by any means! But it was a learning experience to see mostly cow/calf pairs in the Supreme Champion drive when in the states,a pair will rarely win overall. Their frame sizes are typically larger, their fitting style and showmanship style is similar but not the same as in the United States. I enjoyed watching how things were done.


Overall, it was a great week! I enjoyed meeting many new people, experiencing things a little bit differently, and spending the week with my brother and sister-in-law(since I hadn't seen them since the State Fair in September).Hopefully I will get the opportunity to return to Agribition next year! See you all there!
TR MS MONTELLA 1572Y
*Champion Charolais Female in the
First Lady Classic
*Reserve Division winner in Charolais Show


HF PZC MS PRIMROSE
*She sells in Denver at the NWSS














HF TWISTED SISTER
*Full sibling to HF MUSTANG SALLY
*Full Sibling Embryos sell in Denver at the NWSS
*Embryos out her full sister Mustang Sally sell
in Denver on the Embryos on Snow Sale