Canada Beef Industry Tour

Monday

May 18

-- , -- , D

Manhattan – Kansas City – Calgary, Alberta.

Depart from K-State at 5:30 am and we travel by motor coach to Kansas City. Check in for United Airlines flight 503 departing at 9:00 am for Denver. Arrive in Denver at 10:03 and transfer to United Airlines flight 1133 departing at 11:25 am. Find yourself something to eat, because there is no meal service on the next flight.

Our flight lands at Calgary International Airport at 1:55 pm. After going through immigration and customs, we proceed to the baggage claim area to collect our luggage. Here we will meet our Agrotours tour manager, Bruce Kane.

We step outside to meet the driver and load our luggage onto the private deluxe motor coach. Hop aboard and we begin our tour of Canada!

We will take a brief panoramic city tour of Calgary before arriving at our hotel. Check-in to our rooms and take about an hour to settle in and relax.

At 5:30 pm we meet in the hotel lobby to walk to a nearby restaurant for a welcome dinner. We will be joined by Herb McLane, Executive Vice President of the Canadian Beef Breeds Council and recipient of the 2008 Carl Block Award for his exemplary commitment to the Canadian livestock industry. The CBBC is a non-profit organization which supports and promotes the Canadian purebred beef cattle industry. Members include national breed associations that together represent more than 10,000 producers of purebred beef breeding stock. Associate CBBC members are exporters and sector service providers. The Council assists individuals and organizations throughout Canada and around the world to access Canadian purebred beef cattle genetics and related services.

Following dinner, Mr. McLane will provide us with an overview of the Canadian beef cattle industry and share his own experiences in the industry with us.

Overnight at:

Hampton Inn Calgary University

Calgary

Tuesday

May 19

B, -, D

Calgary – Balzac – Airdrie – Olds.

Continental breakfast at the hotel and check-out by 8:20 am. Load up the coach and we head north on Highway 2 for a 20-30 minute drive to Balzac for our first visit of the day.

We have a 9:00 am visit to Alta Genetics, the largest privately owned reproduction and genetic improvement company in the world.

Continue a short distance north to Airdrie to visit Soderglen Ranches, producers of Simmental, Angus, Charolais and Soderglen's own hybrid, MAX. Lunch on own after our visit – there are several fast food restaurants within a one block radius from which to choose.

Next we drive further north to Didsbury for a visit to West Lane Farms. Sarah and Stan Konschuh are breeders of Blonde d’Aquitaine cattle.

Continue to Olds and check-in to our hotel. Tonight we’ll order pizzas from Boston Pizza for dinner.

Overnight at:

Best Western of Olds

Wednesday

May 20

B, - , D

Olds area.

This morning after a continental breakfast, we go next door to Olds Collegeto learn about their animal sciences program and tour the facilities. Olds College maintains a cow/calf herd of 160 cows. The cow herd is Gelbvieh, Angus, and Simmental in a three breed rotational cross to maximize hybrid vigor. These will usually be kept right until slaughter and be sold in a manner that gives the college access to carcass data. First year students in the cow/calf course are responsible for watching these cows during calving. They assist cows when needed, castrate, tag, weigh and do any other procedures that may be required. Second year students work with first year students to see this happen. Second year students also participate in data collection; weaning weight, cow weight etc., and then analyzing the data to rank the cattle for performance. Olds College also demonstrates different technologies and ideas to students such as swath grazing, corn grazing and RFID tags.

We will see the feedlot where, under the supervision of their instructor, students in the Feedlot Management Course and the Feedlot Practicum Course are responsible for the day to day management of all the cattle. Students gain hands on experience with the pay loader and a TMR feed wagon. In groups they are responsible for and gain hands on experience doing pen checking, cattle processing and treatment, bunk calling and feed delivery. Behind the Beef Center are steel sorting pens coming into the beef center, and inside is a modern handling system with a hydraulic squeeze and 2 manual squeezes to accommodate students for labs. They also have a chute side computer used to track all animal treatments. This computer is connected to an RFID tag reader and the electronic scale for automatic data entry.

Lunch on own at the university dining hall.

This afternoon we visit two nearby cattle ranches. The first is Remitall Cattle Company, where the Latimer family has been breeding purebred Polled Herefords and Black Angus cattle for over 50 years.

Our second farm visit is to Smith Simmentals, who are dedicated entirely to the Simmental breed with a focus on Fleckvieh genetics.

Return to our hotel and dinner is on own tonight. You may want to walk down the street to the Olds College campus to get dinner in their dining hall. There are several nearby fast food restaurants, as well as Chinese. Also nearby are one or two family restaurants.

Overnight at:

Best Western of Olds

Thursday

May 21

B, L, D

Olds – Eagle Hill – Lacombe – Edmonton.

After breakfast, we check-out at 8:00 am and head east to Highland Stock Farms where the Matthews family runs over 300 cows on 1500 acres of land. Among these are Purebred Red and Black Limousin, Purebred Angus, a select group of Purebred Simmentals, and a group of Angus-x commercial females.

Next we drive a short distance to Buffalo Horn Ranch in Eagle Hill, home tothe largest registered pure plains bison herd in Canada. We will tour the massive corrals and see the herd of buffalo who roam freely on the ranch, accompanied by owners Peter and Judy Haase who will share the story of their dream to “bring back the bison”. We will enjoy a buffalo burger barbecue at the ranch before saying goodbye to the Haases.

Back on the road for about an hour and a half. This afternoon we will visit the Lacombe Research Centre, one of a network of 19 national agricultural research centres operated by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. The Centre conducts research in field crops and livestock production relevant to the central Alberta region. The Centre's main research focuses on the ante- and post-mortem factors that influence red meat: yield, quality, safety and preservation. The Centre also develops integrated, sustainable crop and animal production systems and crop varieties for the short-season environments of the Parkland and northwestern Canada.

Continue to Edmonton [1.5 hours] and check-in to our hotel.

This evening we will have dinner at the nearby Homefire Grill with a feed consultant from Cargill.

Overnight at:

Hampton Inn and Suites Edmonton/West

Edmonton, AB

Friday

May 22

B, - , -

Edmonton area.

This morning after breakfast, we take a city tour of Edmonton, Alberta’s capital.

This afternoon we will drive a short distance to Jason Hanson Cutting Horses, breeders and trainers of top quality cutting bred horses.We will learn about their extensive training program from starting two year olds to training, polishing, and showing finished cutters, and will see a demonstration in their 90’x100’ indoor cutting arena.

We will next visit Ladywells Farm in Ardrossan, east of Edmonton. The farm will have recently undergone a major downsizing, from having the largest herd of Galloway cattle in Canada down to a 60 cow-calf operation in order to focus more on breeding the rare Canadian White Galloway.

Return to Edmonton for overnight. Dinner on own.

Overnight at:

Hampton Inn and Suites Edmonton/West

Edmonton, AB

Saturday

May 23

B, - , -

Edmonton .

Enjoy a free day in Edmonton! You will definitely want to check out the West Edmonton Mall, the largest indoor mall in all of North America and fifth largest in the world. Inside you will find many shops and restaurants, as well as a water park, ice skating rink and roller coaster!

Lunch and dinner on own today.

Overnight at:

Hampton Inn and Suites Edmonton/West

Edmonton, AB

Sunday

May 24

B, L, -

Edmonton – Maidstone – Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

Early breakfast this morning, and check-out by 8:00. We drive about three hours to Maidstone for a visit to Big Gully Farm, a 3,000 acre mixed production farm. They grow wheat, canola and oats as well as hay and greenfeed. The cowherd numbers approximately 150-180 head of Purebred Horned and Polled Herefords as well as some commercial and Black Baldy females. Lunch on the farm is included, courtesy of the owners, Lloyd and Pam Leachman!

After lunch, we are back on the motor coach and traveling to Maymont for a visit to Voegeli Brothers Charolais. [1.5 hours]

We continue on our way to Saskatoon [1 hour], home to University of Saskatchewan, which we will visit tomorrow. Check-in to our hotel and dinner is on own.

Overnight at:

Holiday Inn Express

Saskatoon, SA

Monday

May 25

B, - , -

Saskatoon – Calgary.

After breakfast, we head over to the University of Saskatchewan to visit their College of Agriculture and Bioresources, one of the most modern and extensive teaching and research networks for agricultural science and business in the world.

Then we begin the long drive back to Calgary, with a stop for lunch and to stretch our legs en route. We will visit Alta Cedar Shorthorns in Acme, about an hour and a half outside of Calgary. Owners Peter and Christine Boake will show us around the ranch and tell us about their Shorthorn cattle operation.

Arrive at our Calgary hotel and check-in. Dinner on own.

Overnight at:

Hampton Inn and Suites Calgary University

Calgary, AB

Tuesday

May 26

B, L, -

High River

Today we will drive an hour south to visit Western Feedlots in High River. With a 100,000 head standing capacity, Western offers programs to meet the needs of cow calf producers, specialized feeders, and market investors. As a result of many years experience and focus on development and adopting new and advanced technologies and management strategies, Western has a long and deeply entrenched position as a leader in Alberta’s beef industry. Among the services provided are buying feeder cattle directly from producers, custom finishing cattle, and purchasing grains and roughages. They also provide financing to their customers.

We continue to the nearby Cargill Foods beef packing plant for a tour. The plant in High River, which opened in 1989, is a fully integrated beef processing facility, with slaughter, fabrication, rendering and hide operations all under one roof. The plant employs 2,000 individuals and has the capacity to process 4,200 head of cattle each day.

Return to Calgary hotel and the rest of the day is free. Dinner on own.

Overnight at:

Hampton Inn and Suites Calgary University

Calgary, AB

Wednesday

May 27

B, - , D

Banff National Park

We depart from our hotel after breakfast for a full day at Banff National Park. Established in 1885, it was the first National Park in Canada and the third in the world. It is part of UNESCO’s Canadian Rocky Mountains World Heritage Site, which includes Banff, Jasper, Yoho, and Kootenay National Parks, as well as Mount Assiniboine, Hamber and Mount Robson Provincial Parks, totaling 20,000 square kilometers of some of the most spectacular and ecologically significant landscapes in Canada.

Upon arrival in the park, we will take the Banff Gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain to experience breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. We will hike the self-interpreted scenic trail, reaching the summit of Sulphur Mountain for the most amazing views of all. When we get back to the visitor center complex, we will have time to get lunch on own at the Summit Restaurant [self serve, cafeteria style], and browse the gift shop.

This afternoon, we will indulge ourselves in the natural mineral waters of Banff Upper Hot Springs. All the amenities of a modern facility are featured in this splendid, historic spa and bath house – against a backdrop of spectacular alpine scenery. [Admission is included, but towel and locker rentals are extra.]

Dinner at Wild Bill’s Legendary Saloon and Bar, located in the town of Banff.

Return to our Calgary hotel for overnight.

Overnight at:

Hampton Inn and Suites Calgary University

Calgary, AB

Thursday

May 28

B, - , D

Olympic Park, Calgary Tower.

Breakfast at the hotel. We depart at 9:30 am for a fun-filled day at Olympic Park! A step-on guide will join us for a tour of the park. We begin our visit at the Olympic Hall of Fame and Museum. The museum holds the largest collection of Olympic memorabilia in all of Canada. Capture the spirit of the Games by holding a Calgary ’88 Olympic torch – one of over twenty Olympic torches on exhibit, dating back to the 1936 Berlin Games. Other highlights of the tour are the Ice House where Canada’s national teams train for bobsleigh, luge and skeleton, and ascending the Ski Jump Tower – the highest vantage point in all of Calgary.

Lunch on own and the afternoon is free.

Together this evening we will go up to the Observation Deck of the Calgary Tower to enjoy awesome panoramic views of the city. If you dare, you will have the opportunity to walk out onto the glass floor with a clear view of the city street 525 feet below your feet!!

Then enjoy a farewell dinner at the Calgary Tower’s revolving restaurant, Sky 360!

Return to the hotel.

Overnight at:

Hampton Inn and Suites Calgary University

Calgary, AB

Friday

May 29

B, - , -

Calgary – Kansas City – Manhattan.

Grab a quick breakfast before check-out, and we depart from the hotel at 6:00 am. Arrive at Calgary International Airport and check-in for United Airlines flight 1122 departing at 8:35 am and arriving in Denver at 11:05 am. transfer to United Airlines flight 598 departing at 12:45 pm and arriving in Kansas City at 3:20 pm.

Welcome home, and thank you for traveling with Agrotours!