News & Events
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Extended Activities after CSPA AGM
Planning to attend the CSPA AGM in Truro, Nova Scotia from July 4–6? The Victor family of Red Rock Speckle Park are organizing extended activities in PEI for those looking to extend their trip. See details and contact information by clicking on the images if you’d like to join in!
Celebrating Henry Poortinga: A Speckle Park Pioneer in Ontario
CSPA Commercial Cattleman Award Winner 2024
Henry Poortinga's lifelong passion for cattle began in childhood, growing up
on his family's dairy farm. In 1996, a newspaper advertisement for Speckle
Park cattle caught his eye. Intrigued, he purchased his first Speckle Park
animals from Dale Chibri and John and Dale Herbert, becoming the first
Speckle Park breeder in Ontario.
A few years later, Henry expanded his herd with additional Speckle Park
cattle sourced from Western Canada. Today, his operation includes 80
cow/calf pairs and a feedlot where he feeds 50–100 Speckle Park-influenced
calves annually. Henry is a dedicated advocate for the breed, frequently
attending the Ontario Livestock Exchange sale barn to bid on and purchase
Speckle Park calves.
Although health challenges prevented Henry from accepting his award in
person at the Canadian Western Agribition CSPA banquet, his contributions
have not gone unnoticed. On behalf of the CSPA board and membership, we
extend our heartfelt gratitude to Henry for his enduring support and
commitment to the Speckle Park breed.
2025 CSPA AGM
Mark your calendars! The Canadian Speckle Park Association Annual General Meeting (AGM) will take place from July 4-6, 2025, in Truro, Nova Scotia.
In addition to our AGM on Saturday, we are planning exciting tours and a junior event, making this a great opportunity to connect, learn and celebrate our breed. More details will be available soon!
CSPA Announces 2024 Junior Points Show Winners
The Canadian Speckle Park Association (CSPA) is thrilled to announce the
winners of the 2024 Junior Points Show Program. These outstanding juniors
have demonstrated exceptional dedication, skill, and passion for Speckle
Park cattle, and we are proud to celebrate their achievements.
Purebred Show Heifer of the Year: Congratulations to Belle Carter and
her heifer, KFC Hocus Pocus 9L.
Runner up Emily Watson with her heifer, Watson Stetson Parade 48L.
Speckle Park Influence Show Heifer of the Year: Congratulations to
Elli Vogel and her heifer, Legacy Sadie 24L.
Runner up McKenna Webster with her heifer, Manhattan.
Show Steer of the Year: Congratulations to Riley Breuer with his
steer, Louis.
Runner up Mirrah Webster with her steer Aztec.
Overall Showmanship Winner: Congratulations Belle Carter!
Runner up Mirrah Webster.
The CSPA Junior Points Show Program recognizes and rewards the achievements
of our young members across Canada, highlighting the future leaders of the
Speckle Park breed
We would also like to extend our gratitude to all the juniors who submitted
their show results this past year. We applaud each and every one of you for
your hard work and so appreciate your participation in this program!
Congratulations to all our winners and participants! Your efforts continue
to inspire and strengthen our Speckle Park community.
Thank You to Emily Watson of By Grace Livestock Photography
Thank you to Emily Watson of By Grace Livestock Photography for her
incredible generosity and support of the CSPA Junior Association.
Emily graciously donated four stunning framed photos, which were auctioned
to raise funds for the junior association at the Agribition banquet. Her
beautiful photography and dedication to the Speckle Park breed helped
generate significant financial support, contributing to the continued growth
and success of our junior program.
Barry and Elaine Ducherer of River Hill Farm Honored with CSPA Lifetime Achievement Award
The Canadian Speckle Park Association (CSPA) is proud to congratulate Barry
and Elaine Ducherer of River Hill Farm on being awarded the prestigious CSPA
Lifetime Achievement Award.
This award recognizes individuals who have made exceptional and lasting
contributions to the Speckle Park breed and the broader cattle industry.
Barry and Elaine’s tireless dedication, innovative breeding practices, and
unwavering passion for Speckle Park cattle have left an indelible mark on
the breed’s history and success.
Through their leadership and commitment, River Hill Farm has become a
cornerstone of the Speckle Park community, earning respect and admiration
from breeders across the country and beyond. Their efforts have not only
advanced the quality and reputation of Speckle Park cattle but have also
inspired a new generation of breeders to follow in their footsteps.
On behalf of the CSPA and the entire Speckle Park community, we extend our
heartfelt congratulations and gratitude to Barry and Elaine Ducherer for
their remarkable contributions. Your legacy will continue to shape the
future of the breed for years to come.
Alivia Ainslie Wins 2024 Underhill SPECS Youth Stockperson of Excellence Award
The Canadian Speckle Park Association (CSPA) is proud to announce that
Alivia Ainslie has been named the recipient of the 2024 Underhill SPECS
Youth Stockperson of Excellence Award. The award was presented during the
Canadian Western Agribition CSPA banquet, recognizing Alivia's hard work,
knowledge, advocacy and passion for the Speckle Park breed.
Congratulations to Alivia on this outstanding achievement!
The CSPA extends a big THANK YOU to Underhill SPECS for their continued
support. Their generosity and commitment to fostering youth excellence plays
a vital role in encouraging and inspiring the next generation of Speckle
Park enthusiasts.
A Heartfelt Thank You to Carmark Cattle
We extend our most sincere gratitude to Carla Ducherer of Carmark Cattle for her incredible generosity. Thanks to Carla’s donation heifer, the CSPA Juniors successfully raised over $40,000 at Agribition. These funds will play a vital role in strengthening and enhancing the junior program, ensuring its continued growth and success.
Inaugural Taste To Believe Dinner Showcases Speckle Park Beef
SASKATOON, SK — The Speckle Park Reserve group, in collaboration with
Highmark Stock Farms, hosted the inaugural Taste To Believe Dinner Party on
Thursday, July 25th, at the picturesque Champetre County facility just
outside of Saskatoon. This groundbreaking event brought together individuals
from all facets of the beef industry, including cattle feeders, chefs,
butchers, and producers.
Guests enjoyed an exquisite evening with five entrées featuring unique cuts
of Speckle Park beef, each prepared to highlight the exceptional quality and
flavor of this premium Canadian product. The event received overwhelmingly
positive reviews, with attendees praising the taste and tenderness of the
beef.
The success of the Taste To Believe Dinner Party marks a significant
milestone in promoting Speckle Park beef. The organizers hope this event
will serve as a template for similar gatherings across the country,
fostering greater appreciation and demand for this unique breed. The
enthusiasm and momentum for Speckle Park beef continue to grow, positioning
it as a standout choice in the Canadian beef market.
East Gen 2024
Speckles take centre stage at East Gen 2024, held in Truro, Nova Scotia.
Belle Carter, with her heifer, “Watson Stetson Hailey 5L”, was Reserve
Champion Senior Showperson and went on to be named Overall Reserve Champion
Showperson. This dynamic duo rose to the top in a class of 15 other purebred
and commercial cattle.
Congratulations Belle!
2024 Summer Synergy
We’re very proud of this group of juniors representing the Speckle Park
breed at Summer Synergy and participating in the National Junior Speckle
Park Show.
From left to right: Austin Cartwright, Luke Brundige, Mason Zwicker, Mirrah
Webster, McKenna Webster, Kay-Lee Zbudovski, Lily Brundige, Melody Brundige,
Blake Breuer and in front holding the Champion Heifer, Riley Breuer.
2024 CSPA Annual General Meeting
The 2024 CSPA Annual General Meeting, held in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba,
was a great success despite being a smaller group than usual. The event
began at the beautiful Treherne Fairgrounds, where Wilcox Livestock and
Hales Creek showcased a pen of bred heifers, five cow/calf pairs, and a
heifer calf. A special thanks to Anthony Wilcox, Bea Janssens, and Cameron
Dodds for their efforts in making this display possible.
After viewing the cattle and mingling, we gathered for a lunch sponsored by
the Central Prairie Speckle Park Alliance (CPSPA). We extend our gratitude
to CPSPA for their generous sponsorship!
Following lunch, we visited the Farmery Estate Brewery in Neepawa. This
family-owned brewery uses its own barley and hops in the production of its
products. We toured the brewery, got a behind-the-scenes look at the
operation, and enjoyed many delicious samples.
On Saturday, we convened for the official meeting portion of our time
together. The morning began with a presentation from Joseph Gardiner of
Covers & Co., a Canadian cover crop and forage seed supplier. Thank you,
Joe, for sharing your infectious energy, passion, and knowledge around
helping farmers solve problems through plant diversity.
Throughout the day, we engaged in productive and impassioned discussions
about advancing the Speckle Park breed and refining our marketing efforts. A
special thank you to Barb Zerebeski for taking the minutes at this
meeting.
The day concluded with a beautiful meal and wonderful company. We extend our
thanks to the caterers at Canad Inns, and to Ciara Mattheis, Anthony Wilcox,
and Janice Harasymchuk for organizing the AGM weekend. We also extend a big
thank you to Phillip Watson for once again volunteering to auction off the
National Junior Show belt buckles. Lastly, thank you to our AGM
photographer, Emily Watson of By Grace Livestock Photography.
We look forward to gathering for our 2025 AGM in the Maritimes.
2024 National Junior Show
Thank you to everyone who has made our 2024 National Junior Show a
success!
Belt buckle sponsors:
■ Covers & Co.
■ River Hill Farm
■ Carmark Cattle
■ Highmark Stock Farm
■ INC Cattle Co.
Banner Sponsors:
■ Johner Stock Farm
■ Maple Lane Stock Farm
■ Codiak Acres
■ KFC Farms
■ Willow Lane Land & Cattle Ltd.
■ Desert Acres
■ Andchris Farms
■ Windy Valley Cattle Company
■ Hanging Heart Speckle Park, Leigh & Anita McKain
■ Mirrenna Farms
We truly appreciate your support.
CSPA Board of Directors for 2024-2025
We are excited to introduce you to our new CSPA Board of Directors for
2024-2025!
■ President & Co-Chair of the Show Committee, Peter
Watson
■ Vice President & Chair of the Commercial & Breed
Improvement Committee, Craig Brown
■ Director & Treasurer, Harv Fehr
■ Director & Co-Chair of the Commercial & Breed Improvement
Committee, Curtis McAleer
■ Director & Co-Chair of the Show Committee, Carla
Ducherer
■ Youth Director, Makenzie Olson
■ Member at Large, Vince Stenenson
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our retiring President, Janice
Harasymchuk, for her time, dedication, and visionary leadership as the CSPA
President over the past few years. We also thank our former Member at Large,
Art Pruim, for his analytical genius, time, and wisdom shared.
SASKATCHEWAN BEEF EXPO WINNERS
Congratulations to all the youth who brought out a fantastic display of Speckle Park genetics to the Saskatchewan Beef Expo in Saskatoon! And a special shout-out to Elli Vogel who exhibited the Champion Speckle Park Female (Legacy Sadie 24L) and Tristen Perrin who exhibited the Reserve Champion Speckle Park Female (JSP Lucy 39L)!
Upcoming Events
Day | Sale Name | Location |
---|---|---|
7 | X-Treme Speckle Park 2 Year Old Bull & Female Sale | DLMS Farm Gate Timed Auctions |
9 | Deep Roots & Maple Lane Stock Farm Bull & Female Sale | DLMS Farm Gate Timed Auctions |
22 | Integrity Speckle Park Bull Sale | DLMS Farm Gate Timed Auctions |
28 | Summitt 3 Speckle Park Sale | DLMS Farm Gate Timed Auctions |
Day | Sale Name | Location |
---|---|---|
April/May | Lehr Ranching Private Treaty Speckle Park Bulls For Sale | North Battleford, SK |
4-5 | KFC Speckle Park Bull Sale | DLMS Farm Gate Timed Auctions |
6 | Momentum Speckle Park & Angus Bull & Female Sale | Champetre County St. Denis, SK |
11 | Supreme Speckle Park Bull & Female Sale | DLMS.ca |
12 | Leading Edge Speckle Park Sale | Hague, SK |
Day | Sale Name | Location |
---|---|---|
4-6 | CSPA AGM | Truro, NS |
6 | Underhill SPECS Pair Sale | Truro, NS |
7-8 | Extended AGM Activities | Souris, PEI |
7-11 | National Junior Speckle Park Show/Summer Synergy | Olds, AB |
Day | Sale Name | Location |
---|---|---|
25 | Fall Feature Purebred Female Speckle Park Sale | Hanover, ON |
28-31 | Stockade Roundup | Lloydminster, SK |
29–Nov 1 | Manitoba Ag Ex | Brandon, MB |
Day | Sale Name | Location |
---|---|---|
5-8 | Farm Fair International | Edmonton, AB |
7-16 | The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair | Toronto, ON |
26 | National Speckle Park Show & Sale at Canadian Western Agribition | Regina, SK |