Featuring: Scott Bodell, Golden Harvest Ranches

Excelling in the Real WorldBy Piper Whelan

Editor’s note: This is the third profile of our new column “Excelling in the real world.” The Limousin Voice is proud to feature another young beef producer who has chosen the Limousin breed. These “under 30” represent the next generation of committed Limousin breeders.

For Scott Bodell, raising Limousin cattle is part of a legacy that began before he was even born. He got his start in the beef industry through his parents, Lorne and Flossie Bodell. Both Lorne and Flossie have roots in the early days of the Limousin breed in Canada, and Bodell and his three siblings went through the 4-H program with Limousin projects and were active in the junior Limousin program. Today, Bodell, along with his wife Jaime and son Cole, operates Golden Harvest Ranches at Sherwood Park, Alberta with long time friend Scott Kelder,

who went through the junior program with Bodell. With this successful partnership, Bodell is able to carry on his family’s legacy of raising Limousin cattle, with a passion, he states, that was handed down to him. “I know a lot about the breed and genetics. So I obviously had a leg up starting with this breed as opposed to other ones.” One of Bodell’s proudest accomplishments with Limousin cattle is his success at cattle shows. Noting the promotion that comes with showing cattle, Bodell values showing cattle primarily as an enjoyable endeavor that connects him to his family’s legacy and achievements. “It has been kind of a hobby because I’ve worked in the oil patch and I’ve been a full time farmer, so I’ve had my family help take care of the cattle,” Bodell explains. “And it’s more of a hobby so I can go to the shows in the fall and be competitive and try to accomplish the things my dad did when he was younger.” One of Bodell’s most recent achievements in the show ring was exhibiting the Champion Limousin Female at Farmfair International 2011. “She was fourth in the top five of the Supreme (Female Show). They invited a bunch of extra cattle (into the Supreme) ... so that’s a pretty big accomplishment to rank that high in comparison to other breeds.”

In looking towards the future of the Canadian beef industry and his own beef program, Bodell is looking back at the Limousin legacy with an interest in fullblood Limousin genetics to meet the current market demand for increased yield. “We want to work on genetics and get to the point where when people need a cross back to the fullbloods for yield, because Limousin is really known for its yield and carcass traits, its efficiency,” Bodell explains. “That came from the fullbloods ... And we’ve bred away from that a bit to make cows a little more functional, sound, and increase longevity. And so when we need to go back, to have a terminal cross to increase yield, I think it’s important we have a fullblood.” This focus on the past genetics successes of the Limousin breed is one of the ways that Bodell is improving his own herd, an effort that keeps him working towards the future.

When asked what energizes him to keep moving forward with his beef operation, Bodell, 27 years old is quick to cite his past successes as his motivation, particularly with his show cattle. “Our successes over the last few years have gone from being successful at the junior level to being successful at the open level against everyone, so it’s a large step,” he recalls. Being able to make it on their own in the cattle industry as young breeders has inspired the forces behind Golden Harvest Ranches to continue working towards their goals. “Our successes have driven us to reach higher peaks,” Bodell proudly states.With a strong connection to the Limousin breed and the achievements of older generations, along with new ideas and opportunities, Bodell and his herd are looking towards future successes in the Canadian beef industry. The Limousin breed, Bodell predicts, will play a prominent role in the industry’s future. By looking into the genetic benefits offered by Limousin cattle, particularly with interest in fullblood genetics, Bodell sees a thriving future for Canadian Limousin breeders to take advantage of. “I think if we’re poised to take on that role, if we have enough volume, so that premium that is paid by the packers and the feeders will dictate what type of cattle that the commercial man is going to use,” Bodell states. “And I think if we are poised with those numbers and the industry is pushing our way, then we have a really good chance to follow up a larger portion of the market.” This outlook and his attention to the successes of the past and how they can improve the future will allow Scott Bodell to carry on his family’s Limousin legacy for many years to come.

Limousin Voice Christmas 2012 36