BARRHEAD – Pine Creek Simmentals and Geis Angus Farms have been partnering with livestock farmers in Mexico selling cattle and hosted tours for international guests at this year’s Farmfair.
Alois Kerckhof, owner of Pine Creek Simmentals, has been selling cattle to Mexico for the past seven years.
He built strong relationships and said he is astonished by the passion the Mexican producers have for the industry and the animals.
“It has been unique thing to be able to part of, go down there firsthand and visit the operations,” stated Kerckhof.
A heifer Kerckhof just sold was crossing the border on Jan.10 and the new owner Ivan, had been up to Alberta and came out for the Farmfair tour.
Kerckhof commented on the passion he sees from Mexican producers saying just how proud and excited these people are to be dealing with Canadian farmers.
The Mexican producers are spending the money and investing the time to make the in-person visits, building the relationships, and appreciate even the smallest efforts through-out their time in Canada.
Robert Geis with Geis Angus Farms has had an interesting history with Mexican producers.
“It goes back to my parents actually. It is kind of where I got the first connection,” said Geis.
“My mom and dad dispersed their purebred operation in 2012.”
“Around that time was when there was a big push for Mexican purebred producers trying to improve their genetic pool.”
Mexican producers bought several animals from Geis’ parents and Geis made connections.
He rebuilt the herd and connected with Mexican producers again, making trips to Mexico in the Guadalajara area, and visiting their farms.
Geis makes the majority of his cattle sales to Alberta buyers, but he is working on expanding his sales in Mexico.
Kerckhof was asked to visit Guadalajara, Mexico to judge a livestock show in March 2023.
“It's a unique experience. When you get to go to a show in Mexico it's already different how they do things down there,” remarked Kerckhof.
Kerckhof was part of a three-person judging panel with two local judges from Mexico.
He has been invited back this year to attend the livestock show and is anxious to see Ivan’s new heifer in the show.
“It is nice to see Canadian genetics in Mexico,” shared Kerckhof.
Both Kerckhof and Geis were contacted by a Farmfair representative inquiring if Pine Creek Simmentals and Geis Angus Farms would be interested in being one of the tour sites for the international travellers. They agreed.
Farmfair sets up tours for the international travellers to visit local farms and ranches.
The tour occurs on Sunday after the show ends.
This year the international group included people from Ireland, Scotland, the UK and Mexico.
Pine Creek Simmentals and Geis Angus Farms showed the international folks their setups and their herds for their tour in August.
Pine Creek showed at the Farmfair event and were winners.
Pine Creek Simmentals won Champion and Reserve Champion for the Fullblood Yearling Bull with their entries– Champion Pine Creek Arcon 30L and Pine Creek Rally 951L– Reserve Champion.
They also won Reserve Champion Fullblood Yearling Heifer with their entry Pine Creek Jackie 600L.
