Scott Fisher, western Ontario sales manager for Mapleseed said JPD Angus “is a wonderful example of a beautifully manicured well-cared for farm, where the cattle get to live their best life.”
Mapleseed and Beef Farmers of Ontario sponsor the competition and award which includes $500 and a bag of forage seed.
JPD Angus is run by the Chalmers family who tend 60 cow-calf pairs, 20 yearling heifers and 20 yearling bulls on 120 acres.
They rotate grazing to protect roots through dry spells and to ensure enough feed for cows and their calves.
Lori and Darryl Chalmers manage the maternity pens, a handling barn, and 50 of the pastured acres. Their sons Evan, Owen and Nolan are all at home and helping wherever needed.
Owen is the lead mechanic and repair specialist.
“It’s a true family effort, “ said Lori Chalmers.
Their daughter Michaela and her husband Chris Stoneman manage the larger group of cattle at a nearby property which has 70 acres of pasture.
The Stonemans also take the lead on genetics and show the cattle at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair and at local qualifying shows.
The Hyatt family of Circle H Farms at Rainy River won this year’s Environmental Stewardship Award.
Shawn, Tracy, Gord and Pat Hyatt manage about 250 cows, 50 bred heifers and more than 130 background calves on pastures that have many trees, riparian areas, ponds and natural waterways.
They practice rotational grazing have installed off-site watering systems, use solar energy and add baled forage to pastures.