ITUNA - Brunthill Farms has been named the Shorthorn Saskatchewan Commercial Breeder of the Year.
The award to the Martin family at Ituna was made at the recent Canadian Western Agribition in Regina.
“It (the award) was really a surprise. I couldn’t believe it when they first sent me a letter,” said Jim Martin when contacted by Yorkton This Week.
While Jim Martin might have been surprised, the heritage of the farm suggests long support for the shorthorn breed.
Martin explained the family actually immigrated from Scotland where they operated Brunthill Farm raising shorthorns.
Arriving in Canada in 1903 the family homesteaded – Jim’s great grandfather also named Jim -- retained the farm name, and “in 1903 bought their first shorthorns.”
Through the decades Martin said they have on occasion tried other breeds – a black angus bull, or a red angus.
“We’ve tried others an odd time,” he said, but added they’ve stayed pretty much shorthorn.
“They’ve improved lots,” he said, noting the breed has changed over the years to meet current trends.
At one time Martin said they ran a few purebred cattle, but added they found the paperwork associated with registered cattle more onerous than they felt it was worth.
So today it’s a straight commercial cow/calf herd running around 450 cows, and backgrounding the steers to 850-900 pounds.
And, “we do the grain side,” added Martin.
Then just for some added work they raise Clydesdale horses.
Working with Jim is son Jared -- the fifth generation Martin on Brunthill Farm.
So does Jim Martin have any advice for a young farmer given their decades running cattle near Ituna?
“You’ve just kind of got to stick to it. Don’t expect to make a lot. You’ve got to like it,” he said.
