AHCAj Cattleman's Award
- Oct 23, 2017
- 4 min read
Every year, the American Highland Cattle Association awards the AHCAj Cattleman's Award to one junior who plans on starting or growing their own herd. This year, I was selected as the recipient of the $1000 prize towards the purchase of an animal. From October 13 -16, my family and I travelled to Star Lake Cattle Company in New Hampshire, Shat Acres Farm in Vermont, and Double LL Farm in New York. The trip happened during the peak fall foliage; the beauty was absolutely breathtaking. In this blog, I will explain the different farms we visited and the animals I am able to purchase from each farm.
The first stop was at Star Lake Cattle Company in Springfield, NH. Amid the thousands of color-changing trees, tons of highland cattle grazed peacefully in their own little heaven. Star Lake's operation houses very impressive show-quality highlands. We began by visiting the animals that just returned from being shown at KILE the weekend before. In this pasture was STR Maggie, one of the heifers I am able to purchase. Maggie and her dam won the Grand Champion Cow/Calf at KILE, proving her show-potential. After visiting Maggie, we went up to the barn of weaning calves. Calves that are being weaned are very loud, haha! We headed to the herd where my other option for a 2017 heifer resides. This heifer does not have a name yet, but she is the calf of STR Kiara and STR Ruthless Game. After spending some time combing the animals, we headed to the namesake of the farm, the lake.
Visiting Star Lake Cattle Company was a treat! Their impressive farm is something to aim for in the future. Each animal was impressive. Todd and Kathy were very kind and gracious hosts. Before we left, we snapped a picture of all of us and then headed to our next stop, Shat Acres Farm in Plainfield, VT.
We arrived at Shat Acres at around 6:30 pm. Ray and Janet, owners of Shat Acres, invited us to their farm countless times and this was the opportunity that finally made this trip possible! After a delicious dinner with short ribs from Greenfield Highland beef, we settled down for the night to prepare for our busy day ahead. On Saturday morning, we headed to the Montpelier Farmer's Market where Ray and Janet sell their beef. The market displayed magnificent local foods and items (like rocks) from VT. As a future business owner, I loved seeing the different ways that they sold their meat and learned the best ways to market it. While they were at the market, my family and I headed to Ben and Jerry's and the ski mountain at Stowe, VT.
When the market was over, we headed back to the farm in Plainfield to see the herd. Shat Acres has much success crossbreeding Highlands with Shorthorns. Shat Acres had the first ever Sovereign Heifer in the American Highland Cattle Association. At the farm in Plainfield, I admired Shat Acres Raisin Hope and Shat Acres Vixen. Shat Acres Vixen is the daughter of the past Roll of Excellence heifer and has Cinnamon Bear as her sire. Every animal at the farm was extremely impressive in terms of structurally correctness, as well as the ability to produce animals for beef production. After visiting the animals in Plainfield, we headed to their farm in Greensboro Bend, VT, about 30 miles away. We had the opportunity to see many more highlands and shorthorn crosses. I had never seen so many highlands in one area; it was truly fascinating! At this farm, I liked Shat Acres Veronica and Shat Acres Tatiana. This decision is going to be very difficult! Visiting Ray and Janet was such a nice treat. They were excellent hosts and I can't wait to see them soon!
Our last stop of the trip was at Double LL Farms in Boonville, NY. Six hours away from Shat Acres, we slept over at Ray and Janet's and then headed out early Sunday morning. When we arrived at the LeClar's, we were greeted with huge smiles! We mingled with their herd of Highlands, the only herd of exclusive Highlands that weekend. One of the heifers I looked at, Ferdilla, was super calm and allowed me to lead her around with a halter. The following weekend, she was headed to the Cornhusker Classic in Nebraska. She was an adorable animal and very friendly. Next, we headed into another pasture to see the rest of the herd. Dick LeClar owns a team of oxen. As the first pair of Highand Oxen my family or I have ever seen, they were very impressive. The LeClar's were super generous and friendly. While talking to them inside after checking out the animals, I mentioned that I am planning on attending the NWSS in Denver, CO and needed an animal to show for showmanship. Dick kindly offered one of his animals for me to show. I am so thankful for that offer and hope to show one of them this upcoming January.
This trip was an amazing experience that I will never forget. I thank each person that helped make this weekend a fun time. My family had a road trip for the first time in a long while, making it a family vacation as well. I know I have a very difficult decision ahead, but I know I will be blessed with an amazing animal and tons of people willing to help me with whatever decision I choose.
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