ARCOLA — The Blair Athol Farm was established in 1882, and the original homestead is located northwest of Arcola. Its location was chosen as it sits south at the foot of the Moose Mountains and the view was incredible.
Duncan Lees' ancestors immigrated from Scotland in the mid-1800s, arriving in Ontario and later moving to Saskatchewan.
The three brothers built two sod homes on the farm and the third brother built his sod home a short distance down the road.
It was at this time the farm was named Blair Athol after a small town in Scotland. The village in Perthshire is known for Blair castle, which is located near the town.
After living in the sod houses for two years, a log cabin took its place and housed the family until 1905.
A two-story yellow brick home now stands in place of the other houses. Its bricks were made in Arcola and the identical house stands near the edge of Arcola to this day.
The 1905 home has seen many ups and downs, as well as numerous upgrades over the years but still remains standing.
Duncan Lees' family began to raise Herefords and this year marks the 113th year for registering purebred Hereford cattle.
Duncan was raised in the old brick house with his parents and four siblings, and at the time the farm was mixed with cattle and grain.
He married Val and together they built a bungalow on the farm in 1974, not knowing that his dad would pass away in an accident the following year.
This forced Duncan to take over the farm, while his mom remained in the brick house.
The Lees had four children, Lynne, Arden, Jeff and Jarrett. Over the years, they have all helped on the farm, but it is Jeff who has remained and now lives in the old yellow brick house.
In 1990 the family agreed to change over to raising the Herefords and now operates at 90 per cent cattle and 10 per cent crop.
They run about 200 registered cows and six registered bulls. Many of the cows are artificial insemination, so the bull count does not need to be as high.
According to Duncan, the Polled Herefords are docile and have a natural motherly instinct. They are easy breeders and usually calf without difficulty.
When they look to add to the herd, they require the heifer to be feminine looking, with strong features, great feet and even teats that are not too long or short.
Val said their bulls have always been quiet and easy to handle.
In order to create cash flow, a production sale began. It is now in its 26th year and will be held on Oct. 15 at the Blair Athol Farm.
This sale has grown over the years and buyers come from all over Canada and the United States to purchase one of these prized heifers.
The family is heavily involved in showing cattle and it started when Duncan was young, and then it was his children, and it has moved on to his grandchildren.
Jeff’s three children - Jackson who is 11 years old, Hannah, 10, and Josie, 6 - all show cattle with Josie showing for the first time this year.
The Lees farm was recognized as the 2009 Canadian Western Agribition Premier Breeder at the National Hereford Show, and also exhibited at the National Western Stock Show in Denver.
The Bonanza, which is the premier junior national show in Canada, is part of the Lees family as well.
The event is a week long. It showcases Herefords and the members of the Canadian Junior Hereford Association who organizes and presents it.
This year it was held in P.E.I. and in 2024 will be held in Brandon.
Duncan said that when shows are held across Canada, cattle are purchased in the host province; they are housed and trained there. The youngsters then go to the province and show the cattle. It is after the show that the cattle are shipped home.
Duncan and Val have often been at these shows but remained home this year. Over the years they have housed some of the kids that show in the area.
For many years they have shown at the Arcola Ag Show as well and remain a big part of the event.
The six-generation family is going strong and will carry on the Lees tradition on the family farm with raising registered Polled Herefords.
