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.

2008 MSA Board of Directors
Photograph courtesy of Simmental Focus/Lois Gould, Publisher
President Neil Carson Box 116, Rossburn, MB R0J 1V0 Phone: 204-859-2816 Email:carson1@mts.net	Back Row (l to r): Lesley Hedley, Marcia Pizzey, Darryl Perkin, Tyson Birmingham, Greg Workman, Marty Madsen Front Row (l to r): Myrna Schweitzer, Fraser Redpath, Neil Carson, Cindy Scott, Gordon Jones. Missing from photo: Norbert de Rocquigny, Bonnie Glasman	1st Vice President Fraser Redpath Box 121, Mather, MB R0K 1L0 Phone/Fax: 204-529-2560 Email: redsim@xplornet.com
2nd Vice President Gordon Jones Box 107, Baldur, MB R0K 0B0 Phone/Fax: 204-535-2273 Email: gjsimmentals@hotmail.com	Secretary- Treasurer Donalee Jones Box 142, Cartwright, MB R0K 0L0 Phone 1: 204-529-2444 Phone 2: 204-726-4193 Email: donalee@midcan.com	Director Marty Madsen Box 714, Hamiota, MB R0M 0T0 Phone: 204-764-2275 Email: glen-lynn_simmentals@mts.net
Director Myrna Schweitzer Box 3A-15, Decker, MB R0M 0K0 Phone: 204-764-2604 Fax: 204-764-2604 Email: schweitzer@mts.net	Director Darryl Perkin Box 138, Elgin, MB R0K 0T0 Phone/Fax: 204-769-2159 Email: dperkin@@westman.wave.ca	Director Marcia Pizzey Box 66, Foxwarren, MB R0J 0R0 Phone/Fax: 204-728-3366 Email: mdpizzey@hotmail.com
Director Greg Workman Box 224, Minto, MB R0K 1M0 Phone: 204-776-2164 Email: gworkman@mts.net	Director Cindy Scott Box 777, Souris, MB R0K 2C0 Home Phone: 483-2500 Office Phone/Fax: 483-2541 Email: cbscott@mts.net	Director Tyson Birmingham Box 46, RR 5, Brandon, MB R7A 5Y1 Ph: 204-763-4738 Email: tybirm@hotmail.com
Pembina Triangle Rep Todd Collins RR #2, Darlingford, MB R0G 0L0 Phone: 204-246-2166 Email:todd_collins9@hotmail.com	Keystone Assoc. Rep Leslie Hedley RR #1, Rapid City, MB R0K 1W0 Phone: 204-826-2765 Cell: 204-573-1939	MSA Fieldperson Vacant
YCS President Richard Bramley Box 2, Minnedosa, MB R0J 1E0 Phone: 204-867-2120 Email:wrangler_cowboy_2@msn.com	CSA Rep Bonnie Glasman Box 1179, Russell, MB R0J 1W0 Phone/ Fax: 204-773- 3279 Email: mjfarms@mts.net	CSA Rep Fraser Redpath Box 121, Mather, MB R0K 1L0 Phone/Fax: 204-529-2560 Email: redsim@xplornet.com