2004 Saskatchewan Angus Breeder of the Year
Justamere Farms, Lloydminster, SK
by Neil Carruthers

In 2003, when most of us were wondering how BSE was going to affect our operations, the crew at Justamere was moving forward and excited about the fall. The people at Justamere continue to possess this positive attitude. For Justamere, the fall of 2003 started with a most successful Sale of Year in October, highlighted by the $12,000 sale of Justamere Time Regulator. The fall continued on with numerous wins at Lloydminster Stockade Roundup, Edmonton Farm Fair, and then wrapped up with their bull EXAR Master being declared Grand Champion Black Angus Bull at Agribition. Two months later, their great run was topped off with the Justamere crew being nominated The Saskatchewan Angus Breeder of the Year.

So just who makes up the A crew @ at Justamere? Justamere Farm Inc. is a multi-generational family ranching operation. The Lloydminster Division is headed up by Jon and Shelly Fox and children Tyra, Jonny, and Jim Bob. Lyal Fox Jr. and his wife Rose and family are also very active in the Lloydminster farm. Justamere also has a ranch at St. Rose du Lac, Manitoba, operated by Jon and Lyle's parents, Lyal and Virginia, and another son Jay.

To get the full history behind Justamere, you have to go back 105 years, to when Jonathon Fox II moved from Minnesota up to the Lloydminster area, and started farming. The Justamere international reputation was first earned during the years that Jonathon Fox III was heading up the operation. Recognition of the operation was first gained in breeding and showing Percheron Horses; later Shorthorn and Polled Hereford cattle carrying the Justamere prefix were made famous. Jonathon Fox III was a visionary and this was very evident with his focus on customer service. He coined the phrase A To please you we certainly will try... our motto is to satisfy. @

The need to have a positive attitude and to enjoy what you're doing was instilled in all generations. This is very evident when you speak to Jon B you can't help but get caught up in this positive attitude.

The Angus herd was started in 1976 by Lyal and Virginia. A major advancement took place in 1978 with the purchase of the WACO herd, owned by Lloyd Pickard. It's the original WACO cows and the bull Boot Strap Source that gets a great deal of credit when Jon talks about their Angus cow herd. From 1978 to 1990, the Angus herd was virtually a closed herd, and the best heifer calves were retained. This gave the Fox's the time necessary to create a strong cowherd. Since 1990, the Fox's have been aggressive at adopting the best genetics they can find. A major purchase that has had a positive impact on their herd has been the Rolling Rock Cows from the United States. The search for top bulls to add to their program brought them to Express Ranches in Oklahoma. EXAR Show Me The Money was one of their first purchases. This bull gave the Fox's their first big Angus win when Show Me The Money won the Sweepstakes show in Edmonton in 1999. They have had great success with many Express Ranches bulls, and their current Agribition Champion is EXAR Master, a bull they own with Express Ranches.

The Fox children, for many generations, grew up showing livestock. So you could say it's in their blood. Jon feels that the show ring is still a very important part of the purebred business. It is a great place to compete and compare your cattle with others. And it is still a great place to meet potential customers. This fall, you will be able to see Justamere cattle at many fall shows, including Lloydminster, London, Toronto, Edmonton, Saskatoon, and Regina. Jon invites all to stop by the stalls and take a look. Jon gives a lot of credit for the success of their show cattle to Ryan Archdekin, their herdsman. Justamere has three sales a year in the Lloydminster area. Their female Sale of the Year is held the 3rd Monday in October. Their bull sale in held the 3rd Saturday in April, and their bull customer Commercial Bred Heifer sale is held the 2nd Saturday in December.

The Foxes would like to thank the Saskatchewan Angus Association for this honour and add that it would not be possible without their valued customers support. The Saskatchewan Angus Association congratulates the Fox family of Justamere for being named the Breeder of the Year.

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2004 Commercial Producer of the Year - Ambros Farm, Kerrobert, SK 
by Larry Toner

	The history of the Ambros operation begins with the immigration of Jud's father, Alf, to the Kelfield area from Estonia. In 1944 he married Bertha and began farming. A registered seed business was established almost immediately and remains in place today. Ambros Farm now consists of 3 generations - Jud & Dianne, David & Glenna and their children Evangeline and Jacob - working 1200 acres of pasture land with 100 mother cows and 1300 acres of cropped land. Jud has received a 35 year recognition from the registered seed growers but can't understand that because he says "I'm not that old!". Their movement into the Angus business in the mid 40's was gradual, beginning with the milk cows and an Angus bull, only because neighbours on both sides had Herefords and it was an easy sort if they got mixed up. They live on the edge of a large valley and picking up some of that land meant more concentration on the beef business with the benefit of some 1200 acres of native pasture. If you have ever driven semi in West Central Saskatchewan you will know Kelfield Coulee - the Ambros Farm is on the west side north of Highway 51. The hill is one of the hardest pulls you will find anywhere and Jud has pulled many dead trucks up that hill, including mine.
Some of the first Angus bulls used came from a neighbour, George Srigley and the foundation was laid for their long time involvement in the business. Subsequent years saw bulls supplied by many local and distant breeders but in recent times the Toner herd has supplied the herd bulls needed. The current herd bull battery is actually all bred by Colin and Pat Toner, the fourth generation of Toners to supply bulls to the Ambros operation - Colin and Pat call their operation Fourth Spoke Ranch.
	Jud's Auto Sales, a used car marketing business, which also runs at the Ambros Farm, supplied Colin with at least two of his trucks as well as trucks and cars for most of our kids, and is one more thing that brings many visitors to Jud & Dianne's home. There never has been much need to change breeds as far as Jud is concerned, he was very busy with their other businesses and the cows had to do their thing on their own and he let them. The dividends are now showing - their calves pretty well topped the market this fall at Provost on the day that they sold, some smaller 400 - 450 lb. steers bringing $1.51 and a large draft of 500 lb. plus calves bringing $1.33. David's remark to his dad was "Looks like you've been doing a pretty good job!"
Jud says David's keenness is rubbing off and certainly hopes a complete transition of management can be carried out in the next few years. David has diversified as well, with a market garden project featuring melons and pumpkins. This was the first year, and it was very encouraging. It is a certainty though that the Angus cows will continue to be running in the valley and will remain an important part of the Ambros operation as David believes strongly in the merits of our Angus breed. Congratulations to Ambros farm, a successful, diversified agriculture production and supply business on being selected 2004 Saskatchewan Angus Commercial Producer of the Year.

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