ARCOLA - Corey Lees is a born and raised farm boy, who lives on the original homestead of the farm of his grandparents Archie and Alma Lees. The farm is located northwest of Arcola.
The homestead was built in 1882, and the original brickhouse, where Lees' parents George and Annette Lees now reside, was built in 1904.
Lees is married to Tasha, and they have three daughters, Emma, Kyla and Becca. They also have the family dog Bobby, who guards the farm.
Glenlees Farm has a herd of 170 cows, with 125 of them purebred registered polled Herefords and the other 35 commercial stock.
The purebred stock is serviced by four or five purebred bulls, while the commercial stock has a red angus bull in with the herd.
When Lees was nine years old, he joined 4-H, and followed in his father's footsteps with showing cattle.
As Lees grew older, he became more involved in the show ring and has continued with his passion.
The farm is a family affair, and no hired hand is on the site. All of the work is done by father and son.
His daughters are also involved in 4-H, and Emma won the Arcola steer show this summer. Emma has shown across Canada, while Kyla and Becca have done so from Ontario to B.C.
Over the years, this family farm has built a very reputable name with selling cattle across Canada.
In the spring, when the calves are born, some are selected to be in the show ring.
In 2021, a bull calf was picked, but at the time they had no idea what this calf would bring them.
Glenlees AXA Evolve ET 112J is owned by the Lees, AXA Farms from New Brunswick and River Valley Farm in Ontario. Evolve remained on the Lees farm until his showing career was over.
Evolve had an excellent top line, great feet and a gentle disposition. In 2021 he won the Junior Bull Calf Championship at the Canadian Western Agribition.
The following year, they returned to Agribition with Evolve as a yearling bull. Once again Lees went home with a win, this time as the Yearling Championship Bull and the overall Reserve Bull.
Evolve was a two-year-old bull this year and in his last year in the show ring. First they travelled to Toronto to take part in the Royal Winter Fair.
On Nov. 4, they entered the show ring with top-notch competition. Evolve once again led the show by taking home the two-year-old Championship Bull and Reserve Bull overall.
Returning home, it was time to prepare for Agribition.
“These are big shows, and the competition is tough,” said Lees.
It would be all hands on deck to get ready. At times five or six people are grooming Evolve.
“Tasha is always in the back keeping everyone together,” said Lees. “It is a family event.”
Once again Lees would take his bull Evolve into the show ring, and this time he was named Champion Polled Hereford Bull, which qualified him for the CN Supreme Class.
Nerves were beginning to run high as this was against 37 other bulls of all breeds from across Canada.
As the judge walked around the ring and passed by Lees, he returned and slapped Lees on the back, which is the signal for the win. Lees and Evolve were now the CN Supreme Championship Bull.
Evolve was undefeated in his showing career. He will now return to the farm and move to Ontario to do his job as a herd sire.
Not only did their bull win, but they also won the Cow/Calf Championship Polled Hereford and were in the top 10 of the supreme finalist.
Glenlees 27C Daisy 40F is owned by Glenlees, but her calf, MHPH GL 240J Daisy 115L, is partly owned by Medonte Highlands Farm in Ontario.
With the year completed, Lees plans to have some downtime before he thinks of the next prospect that may enter the ring.
