2001 Saskatchewan Angus Breeder of the Year
by Kathy Mountenay

Six Mile Red Angus, Clayton & Corinne Gibson & Family

Venturing southwest of Assiniboia, through the hills, the farmland suddenly changes into thousands and thousands of acres of grass and pastureland. You come to the top of a hill and down below looks like a little village and then you realize that what you are looking at is the Six Mile Angus Ranch. It is quite a spectacle to see and something that Clayton and Corinne Gibson are very proud of. It is with great pleasure that I was given the opportunity to go and visit the ranch and write this article to let other people know about the Gibson's and what they have to offer. As you read, you will understand what worthy recipients they are for this honour of being awarded Saskatchewan Purebred Breeders of the Year.

It was ten years ago that Clayton and Corinne were married and soon after they "took over the reins" of the purebred program at Six Mile. The purebred herd consists of approximately 200 head of cows. But, if you talk to Clayton and Corinne for any period of time you will quickly see the importance of their commercial herd. They will be calving over 400 head of commercial cows next spring. When they took over the operation they wanted to focus in on a couple of different areas - #1 was to go through and follow a strict culling process based on structural and maternal superiority, and #2 was to build strong customer relations.

Six Mile is very proud of what they have to offer other cattle breeders. They believe in having a powerful maternal herd. They keep nothing that is open in the fall and pay very close attention to feet, udders, and milk production in their cow herd. Corinne says, "Performance is a very important part of the beef business. We try to raise cattle with as much performance and muscle mass as possible, but we will not sacrifice structural soundness and maternal traits to get it. We believe that Angus cattle are first and foremost a maternal breed and that is one of the main reasons that they are in the forefront of the cattle industry today. It would be a shame to lose sight of that." With this many cattle the next question was how much land do you have to run this many head? The answer took a little while but, Clayton came up with 250 acres for green feed and about 14 sections of land that make up Six Mile Ranch. That is miles and miles of fence to repair!!

Corinne and Clayton were quick to talk about Ken and Roberta Frazer (Clayton's Grandparents). They were the founders of Six Mile Red Angus and still play a very important role on the ranch. In 1967 Ken purchased four Red Angus bulls from Beckton Stock Farm in Sheridan, Wyoming. He used these bulls on Hereford heifers and the Red Angus cross cattle worked so well that the rest is history!! Ken and Roberta had one of the first Red Angus herds in the province. The Frazer's still visit the local auction barns and semi loads of commercial calves are delivered to the ranch. Ken feeds commercial calves through the winter and still has a large number of commercial and purebred cattle out on a share basis enabling them to help many people become involved in the Red Angus breed. And as Clayton and Corinne attest, "Grandpa and Grandma are a constant source of valuable advice and pretty darn good baby-sitters too!"

When reading through their ads you will read, "Where customers become friends". It was made very apparent how important the customers are at Six Mile. "Supporting customers is essential, their success is our success and a direct reflection of our breeding program. We do try to keep in touch with each customer concerning their purchases but sometimes things get a little crazy with the kids, cattle and the ranch. But all we are is a phone call away, and we'll bend over backward to make a customer happy." Clayton and Corinne truly enjoy getting involved with new breeders and seeing their cattle going into start-up herds. Corinne said, "If the cattle can live off the shortgrass here, they will thrive at other places." Their biggest enjoyment is seeing their cattle work in other people's herds and having these customers become repeat buyers. In 1995 a new sales complex was built which now houses their annual Bull & Female Sales. Corinne says, "We are constantly thinking of ways to reward our customers and to assist them in marketing their cattle." They have offered a number of things from different financing programs, to when the customers purchase a female from Six Mile, they are able to sell that female's calf in a Six Mile sale. This year you will have the opportunity to win a commercial Six Mile bred heifer simply by entering your name in the draw at any of the Six Mile sponsored presort calf sales at various auctions this fall, or at any of the purebred consignment sales they will be attending. The draw will be held following their female sale on December 7 at the ranch.

One of the biggest challenges for the Gibson's is trying to balance family commitment with the cattle business. Clayton and Corinne are proud parents of a daughter Callie, son Cade, and a new Abonus baby - Coy! Talk about busy people! Running about 600 head of cattle, looking after three young children, and you can't forget about the new, spacious, beautiful, home that is being built in the yard. Things are never boring at Six Mile! They are hoping to be in their new home in the Fall, so I hope construction goes as planned.

When asked how they deal with such a hectic lifestyle, Corinne was quick to respond that she and Clayton compliment each other. They have shared responsibilities and duties are divided up between the two of them. It seems to be working very well. Clayton and Corinne note that working closely together with Ken and Roberta helps out a lot. The Gibsons also say that they are blessed with a wonderful couple, Walter and Rosemary Wall who have been with the ranch for almost six years now. Clayton say,s "We can always count on Walter and Rosemary. They keep things under control when we have to be away." As well as working on the ranch, Clayton and Corinne volunteer for numerous organizations and associations. Clayton sits on the Fir Mountain Hall Board, the Wood Mountain Rodeo Club, and was a director of their Zone for the Stockgrowers for four years and in 2000 was elected to the provincial board. Clayton has also taken on the Agribition Barn Boss duties for the past two years. In 1999 Clayton was awarded with the Barn Boss Award and is fulfilling the duties once again this year for the National Show. Corinne was elected to the Saskatchewan Angus Association in 1997 as a director. This year she is chairing the National Show Committee and serves on the beef committee for Agribition. Corinne served a 2 year term with the Canadian Red Angus Promotion Society and also served on the Wood Mountain Park Board. They are both strong supporters of the Junior Programs and the 4-H Program. Corinne has judged many Achievement Days and this past summer judged the Swift Current Jackpot Steer Show.

Six Mile was awarded Purebred Breeder in 1999 from the Canadian Red Angus Promotion Society and this is the second time they have been awarded Purebred Breeder of the Year from the Saskatchewan Angus Association. Clayton and Corinne have received the Herdsman Award from the other exhibitors at Agribition and this is an award they are very proud of. They feel a strong kinship with their fellow Angus breeders and believe that it is important to keep active and progressive within your own breed and to support the cattle industry in general. They understand the importance of having their cattle seen and enjoy meeting new people and getting a chance to touch base with customers at cattle events like Agribition. Corinne says, "We attend shows to reach a larger group of cattlemen. As far as showing goes, we do not put a lot of emphasis on the actual show ring itself. We sure do appreciate the champions and sometimes we get lucky too, but competitive showing is a complete science in itself and we just don't have the time to master that. Our cattle are competitive on their own natural merits - what you see is what you get - and our customers can relate to that. It isn't too often that you see a pot load of steers going through the auction ring clipped, fed and groomed to the nines!" Another accomplishment that they are quite proud of is having the High Selling Female at the Red Roundup Sale in 1998 and selling the "Pick of their Herd" in 1999 for $20,500. They have consigned to that sale since the beginning and have purchased a few of the high sellers themselves. Just another example of Six Mile supporting other purebred sellers and adding superior genetics to their own program.

When you have this much going on in the present it is sometimes difficult to picture what the future holds. Clayton and Corinne do see an expansion of the herd. They are planning for approximately 500 commercial females and around 300 purebreds. Callie and Cade are active on the ranch and Six Mile will be around for a long time to come.

When wrapping up the interview, it was emphasized how very much the Gibson's appreciate the support of their customers and fellow breeders. "We are a cattle ranch first and foremost. We love seeing our calves in great demand in the fall just like the many ranches that we market our bulls to. Our goal as a purebred operation is to produce the kind of cattle that do just that for us and for our customers. We love the cattle business and the cattlemen and women we get to be involved with are just an added bonus." Whether it is the purebred or the commercial industry, Six Mile has a whole lot to offer.

If you are ever in the Fir Mountain area take the opportunity to visit Six Mile Red Angus Ranch. You will be treated to great hospitality by wonderful people and get to see an amazing cattle operation. Once again, congratulations on being awarded Saskatchewan Purebred Breeder of the Year.

---

2001 Saskatchewan Angus Commercial Producer of the Year
by Neil Carruthers

Ken & Kristi Wourms & Sons, St. Walburg, SK

Here is an interesting story of how family, friends, hard work and Angus Cattle helped Ken and Kristi Wourms build a successful farming and ranching operation. This operation has grown to 7000 acres and 400 cows in the past 15 years.  The amazing fact is that Ken and Kristi are only in their mid thirties. Back in 1986 when Ken, Lambert and Lillian Wourms' 9th child, was dating Kristi Linkert, he had the opportunity to rent Kristi's parents' farm.  Kristi says, "In 1987 Ken became mentally infected with farming." The initial 500 acres was grain farmed with machinery that Ken pirated from his Dad's place.  It was soon obvious that grass would better suit this land, so a three-year plan was put in place to accomplish this. It was also in 1987 that Ken and Kristi were married, while they both were attending the University of Saskatchewan.

Kristi graduated in 1990 with a B.Sc. He (degree in Home Economics) and after graduation became partners with her parents in The Farm House Inn, a new hotel and restaurant in St. Walburg.  Ken was left behind in Saskatoon to finish his degree in Agriculture and in 1991 also moved back to St. Walburg.  Kristi comments, "I thought I was marrying a lawyer and here he is becoming a farmer and rancher."

Ken is the kind of guy that is always thinking, and on his move back in 1991 he purchased a complete ranching package of 12 quarters and some good Angus cows from Art Callbec of Turtleford.  This was indeed a major step and as Ken puts it, "Art's transition out of farming made it possible for our transition into farming."  This deal with Art has turned into the two of them becoming very good friends.

In an aggressive move, they sowed the whole place down to grass in one year!  In 1991 Ken also purchased his Dad's cows.  So picture this - Ken was finishing his degree in Saskatoon and his wife Kristi was running a new business in St. Walburg, three hours away.  They purchased 12 quarters, sowed it all to grass, calved out a couple hundred cows at Ken's brother Gary's place, and in July their first son was born - talk about busy!  Kristi does say, "As soon as Zachary was born, Ken had to go baling hay."

Long before the University days and big land deals, Ken learned some very valuable lessons from his Dad's farm. When Ken was in grade ten he started to keep the farm books.  This gave him a great appreciation for the real dollars involved with farming, both the incoming money and the very important outgoing dollars.  He mentions that the books were fairly straight forward, based on the fact that his Mom and Dad ran with little debt.

Back to the fall of 1991.  Ken's Uncle Pete was interested in selling his farm.  This farm was the original farmstead of Ken's grandfather.  Ken and Kristi both felt they had enough on their plate.  Ken sought out the advice of some neighbors.  Their advice was to buy it "because everyday you drive past it on your way to your Dad's, you will wish you had."  So they did.

In 1996 Kristi and her parents, Norm and Ennie Linkert, sold The Farm House Inn. That same year Ken and Kristi built a beautiful new house on the original farmstead, and their second son Nicholas was born.

When Ken calved out that first group of Angus cows he was very impressed with the low labour involved.  With this in mind, he felt he could expand his cow herd with an Angus base without increasing labour.  Ken started this by purchasing some top end bulls, both Red and Black, and in 1995 he also bought some purebred black cows from Post Office Ranch of Turtleford.  These cows help produce some of their own bull power.  The Wourms also continue to purchase bulls from breeders that they have dealt with in the past.

To make this all happen, it has been key to keep the former owners of the land engaged.  Ken says that he has been able to avoid many mistakes by seeking the advice of the former owners.  Both Ken and Kristi realize that the growth of their farming operation has come about through some well thought out inter-generation farm ownership transfers.  Because of this, they are thankful to their parents, family, and business partners who have helped make their operation what it is.

With the land base in place, Ken has focused on improving production and has invested much time and considerable resources in making fresh water available to his cattle.  Ken feels that fresh water, good grass management, and good genetics can go a long way IF working together!  These improvements have certainly helped their bottom line.

2001 brings on more challenges with more grain land being taken on.  In order to spread out labor and time, the Wourms' are planning to start calving a month sooner in 2002.  To aid this, a new barn is being built.  They also see an expansion of the cow herd to 600 - 700 cows in the near future!

As busy as they are with their farm work, Ken and Kristi believe their main job is to raise their three growing boys: Zachary, Nicholas and Julien.  Their winters are filled with hockey, power skating, and Can skate, six nights a week.  They are also very involved in the community with coaching and their church.  Ken is the President of the Minor Hockey club and serves on the Heartland Livestock Advisory board and Kristi is on the local health care board.

The Saskatchewan Angus Association was delighted to have Ken and Kristi on hand at our annual meeting to accept their award.  In Ken's acceptance speech he told purebred breeders to continue to expand the genetic lines of the Angus breed and to remember to breed the bulls from the ground up!

As you have read, Ken and Kristi Wourms are true community leaders.  On behalf of the Saskatchewan Angus Association, we congratulate them on being chosen Saskatchewan Angus Commercial Producer of the Year.

Previous News/Winners
2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001