>Manitoba Simmental Association - Board of Directors Page

MSA Board of Directors

The Manitoba Simmental Association (MSA) was formed in 1971, when approximately 40 interested livestock producers gathered on November 8th, at the Agricultural Centre in Brandon, Manitoba. The meeting was chaired by Ross Mitchell, Manitoba’s representative for the Canadian Simmental Association (CSA). Dr. Allen Dixon, President of the CSA, and Mr. Leroy Berry, Secretary of the Saskatchewan Simmental Association, shared their views and ideas with the newly formed group. Mr. Sandy Sharp, Executive Secretary of the CSA, spoke to the gathered producers regarding performance data, recordation applications and semen transfer forms.

Nine directors were nominated from various regions to represent the new association across the Province. An election was held and the original executive posts were filled by Allen Lee of Pierson as president, Mel Wolfe of Douglas, as vice-president, and Fred Clement of Rossburn, as Secretary-Treasurer, and as the saying goes … “the rest is history”.

This very aggressive provincial breed association took hold in the purebred and commercial sectors of the beef industry and has grown over the years to its present number of well over 400 members.

The MSA has experienced many growing pains over the years comparable to those that any newly formed organization must encounter. Times have changed, people have changed, and the most notable change of all has probably been in the cattle themselves.

Similarly to all the new exotic breeds that were imported from Europe in the sixties and early seventies, Simmental cattle had to prove themselves. It took time and various genetics to reach what seemed to be the “ultimate” animal type for the particular time. Fads in colour, body type, frame score and genetics came and went. And, really nothing has changed in this respect. We still chase type, colour and genetics, only from different perspectives.

Simmentals were well received in Manitoba as the breeders were very performance orientated. The province has variances in soil and climatic conditions (from very dry in the southwest to damp in the inter-lake regions) which become ideal in most regions to raise purebred and commercial cattle.

2011 MSA Board of Directors

President Darryl Perkin Box 138, Elgin, MB R0K 0T0 Phone/Fax: 204-769-2159 Email: dperkin@westman.wave.ca	Back Row (l to r): Trevor Peters, Terry Woychyshyn, Everett Olson, Rick Dequier Front Row (l to r): David Schultz, Darryl Perkin, Donalee Jones, Jacquie Downey Missing: Leslie Hedley, Todd Collins, Shannon Carvey	1st Vice President Lesley Hedley RR #1 Rapid City, MB R0K 1W0 Phone: 204-826-2765
2nd Vice President Jacquie Downey General Delivery Coulter, MB R0M 1G0 Phone: 204-649-2260 Email: ajdowney@mts.net	Secretary- Treasurer Donalee Jones Box 142, Cartwright, MB R0K 0L0 Phone: 204-529-2444 Email: donalee@midcan.com	Director Todd Collins RR 2, Darlingford, MB R0G 0L0 Phone: 204-246-2166 Email: todd_collins9@hotmail.com
Director Shannon Carvey Box 60, Alexander, MB R0K 0A0 Phone: (204) 752-2285 Email: swindonranch@mts.net	Director David Schultz Box 1143, Neepawa, MB R0J 1H0 Phone: (204) 996-3526 Email: schultz_tan@hotmail.com	Director Rick Dequier Box 1673, Carmen, MB R0G 0J0 Phone: (204) 771-0280 Email: rdequier@westmansteel.ca
Director Trevor Peters Box 385, Rivers, MB R0K 1X0 Phone: (204) 328-7458 Email: trevor.peters@canadamalting.com	Director Everett Olson RR #1, Rapid City, MB R0K 1W0 Phone: (204) 826-2643 Email: everettolson@hotmail.com
Pembina Triangle Rep	Keystone Assoc. Rep	MSA Fieldperson Vacant
YCS President Emily Hickson RR #2 Box 24, Brandon, MB R7A 5Y2 Phone: 204-725-0621 Email: eltonsimm@mts.net		CSA Rep Fraser Redpath Box 121, Mather, MB R0K 1L0 Phone/Fax: 204-529-2560 Email: redsim@xplornet.com