Photo supplied. Show Bull of the Year and Grand Reserve Champion Charolais Bull Calf Double Vision at the Royal Winter Fair. Pictured from left to right are Fair judge Kasey Phillips, Jim Mayberry, Patrick Leahy, Wayne Mack, Matt Leahy, Sharodon Farm members Heather and Wyatt and Steve Burgomaster at the halter, Mara Rammler, Laura Robson, Sarah Dainard and Helen Burgomaster.
The Burgomaster family of Omemee has been active in the Millbrook Agricultural Society family for many years, with members serving on the board and running cattle shows with the late Bob Hall, who is Helen’s father. The family raises Charolais cattle on their farm, called Sharodon farm after owners Don and Sharon, who have passed on the primary responsibilities to son Steve and wife Helen. Last fall, one of their bulls made the cover of the Charolais Banner, the national breeders’ magazine, after a stellar performance of one of their bulls at the Royal Winter Fair.
The Burgomasters began raising a commercial herd using Charolais bulls which are a fairly recent breed introduction to Canada, arriving in 1956. The large, creamy coloured breed is the leading terminal breed for siring (fathering) in commercial herds, due to their size, their fast growth and excellent muscling features. By 1971, the Burgomaster family had shifted from commercial (cross-breed) herd to a purebred Charolais herd, which opened the door to showing their animals in competitions.
The family participates in many shows throughout the season, always starting with the Millbrook Agricultural Fair for practical as well as sentimental reasons. This event is close to home both physically and emotionally, with Helen helping her late father Bob Hall run the cattle shows each year. Because of its June date, the Millbrook Fair is typically the first one of the season, so it’s a good place to start.
Preparing an animal for a show is a like preparing an athlete for a major competition. As the date approaches, there is more attention paid to the diet and exercise, as the animal must be trained to follow the routine required at a show. And then there’s the grooming. These animals have trims, washes and blow dry treatments and the even have hair products applied to their coats. Clippers are used in the weeks prior to a show to train the hair in a certain manner, with increasing frequency as the show draws near.
Participating in shows is a family affair, with children and nephews participating as the family travels across the province and beyond throughout the season. As Steve explains, even their competitors feel like family, and there is more comradery than competition amongst the participants when off the stage.
The show season culminates at the Royal Winter Fair in November. This year, one of Sharodon Farm’s bull calves was selected as the Reserve National Champion Bull for the breed at the Canadian Beef Show. The prize bull, named Double Vision, also earned a second significant prize at the national fair, and taking the title of the Calf Champion of the year. This is a particularly difficult prize to secure for a number of reasons. First, this prize is earned throughout the season, as bulls collect points at a series of shows which are tracked to recognize consistent performance. Consistency in looks and behaviour can be elusive in bull calves, which are like growing adolescents. In addition, contestants in this category face the most intense competition, facing off against with five classes of animals.
The judge at the Royal Winter Fair who is also a major breeder, purchased a half interest in the Double Vision along with another breeder from the prairies immediately after the competition. The half interest was sold “with possession”, meaning the bull is now living the life of a stud out west. Next season he will run in the yard with the girls on the second farm in Saskatchewan providing his sire services. The Burgomasters retain a half interest in the animal’s semen sales, and will sell a limited number of semen packs for artificial insemination to breeders seeking to upgrade the quality of their breeding stock. Semen specimens are sold in what are called straws. The value of the specimens has increased along with the pedigree of their herd.
Helen and Steve both have jobs off the farm, but close to animals; Steve is a meat inspector and Helen works at Millbrook Valley Animal Hospital. In their spare time, they continue to breed their 25 Charolais cows, keeping a few bulls to diversify the herd. Congratulations for this significant achievement. See you at the Fair in June! KG
