History of Sunny Valley Simmentals...

Sunny Valley Simmentals was established in 1972 by Don & Bea Bates (Linda’s Parents). Over the next few years they built a herd of cows by purchasing heifers from elite breeders and also importing a few females. In 1986 when Linda & Wayne were married the herd was expanded. At that time they were fullbloods.

For many years now we have been marketing females through various sales. First with the Hanley Hi Lite group, then with Prairie Partners and at Simmsational for the last 17 years. Last year`s Agribition (2008) marked the 32 year that we have consigned to the Agribition sale.

We have shown cattle at Saskatoon Fall Fair and Agribition since the mid 70’s. We have been blessed with numerous champions throughout the years. They include 2 Agribition Reserve Champion Bulls. During the ten years that the People’s Choice bull show was held at Agribition, Sunny Valley had 13 class winners, 2 Reserve Champions and 2 Champion Bulls. The first 3 years our bulls were selected by the draw winner. We have also been fortunate to win Champion Pen of Bulls in the Commercial Show at Saskatoon a number of times including 6 out of the last 7 years.

In 1991 we established a bull sale in Saskatoon with Bar L Simmentals in which we marketed 20-30 bulls each year. In 2004 & 2005 we were on our own and since 2006 have been with Ringstead Angus. The bull sale has been a great experience for us. It has put us more in tune with the commercial industry. We are all in this together and must raise functional cattle that are what the market demands. We have been there through some good years and some not so good years. But we have always been there promoting what we believe in, Simmental Cattle. Our herd has changed over the years as we strive to produce cattle that will work. The addition of Red & Black Simmental has been a great asset to the industry and has helped to establish Simmental as a leader in the commercial industry.

Our son Tyler and daughter Amanda became addicted to the Simmental business at a very young age. They have been actively involved in the YCS, 4-H and helped out at the fall shows for a long time. They are each developing their own elite herd of females and plan to be in the business for a long time. They are a major part of the operation and are helping make many of the decisions around here.

 

The future looks great at Sunny Valley. We plan on being here for a long time to come.