Building a multi-generational beef cattle operation
As fourth generation beef cattle operators, husband and wife duo Nanita Blomquist and Ryan Cook are carrying on their families’ legacies. Before they met, both Cook and Blomquist were born into multi-generational beef cattle operations, growing up alongside livestock and learning the ropes at a young age.
“My great-grandpa and my grandpa came up from Dillon, Montana in 1961 and Big Valley is where they picked to relocate their farm,” says Blomquist.
Blomquist’s family was in the purebred Simmental industry. They were big on participating in livestock shows and later moved into the commercial cattle industry. As for Cook, he also grew up on a Simmental farm near Millet, Alberta, before branching off to start his own ranch. He later moved to Big Valley, bringing his herd with him after the two married.
“My family has more of the traditional Fleckvieh Simmentals, while Ryan ran a purebred black and red Simmental operation. So, we have all the colours going on now. It’s actually kind of funny and interesting that we both came together, and we both have Simmentals,” says Blomquist.
The couple first met back in 2001 at Farmfair International, the biggest beef cattle show in Alberta, which has been running for about fifty years.
“We met at a cattle show, and the rest is history,” says Blomquist.
Since then, the two have been inseparable, running their cattle operation in Big Valley while raising their two children, Quade and Emma.
Collaboration and communication
There are always hurdles when running a family operation, but Blomquist says that the key to overcoming them is communication.
“There are challenges in some of the decision-making pieces, but for the most part, everyone's on the same page. And I think that's the thing—communication is key to making everything work,” says Blomquist.
Just last year, the Blomquist and Cook family took on a huge project—they needed to build a barn for calving during the winter months. With plenty of factors to take into consideration, the whole family collaborated to accomplish the task.
“Everybody's got different ideas, so it's good to have everybody,” says Blomquist.
Blomquist and Cook’s eleven-year-old son, Quade, even had some of his own suggestions.
“It's funny because when we built the barn this winter, Quade was already trying to say, ‘well, dad, I think we need to do this and maybe put this fence here,’” says Blomquist.
“He's very methodical and thinks it out. And I think it's important to give him that time and show him that we're listening to him.”
Next generation of cattle ranchers
Blomquist and Cook’s children, Quade and Emma, make up the fifth generation. For Blomquist and Cook, it is important that their children experience and understand the hard work that goes into running a cattle operation.
Although Quade and Emma are still young, they have a deep appreciation for agriculture.
“It’s fun to get to connect with the animals and have fun with them. I help my parents with chores, feeding the animals, and with silaging and harvest,” says Quade.
Just like their parents, Quade and Emma have grown to love their animals, diving headfirst into cattle shows. Emma, whose favourite cattle breed is the Fleckvieh Simmental, just like her grandparents on her mother’s side, says that some of her favourite memories are showing cattle with her family.
As for Quade, who is more partial to the red and black Simmentals because of their fluffy appearance and affinity to be “good mommas,” celebrated an incredible achievement during his last cattle show. Earlier this year, Quade won the Grand Champion Steer and the Grand Champion Female at the district 4-H show.
“You don't see that very often, you know? Usually, it's one or the other, not both categories in the same year—so that was a pretty big thing. It was with our home-raised steer and home-raised heifer. We’re pretty proud of putting that together,” says Blomquist.
“And we had some pretty proud grandparents too. We were all commenting like, ‘I’d never won that!' or ‘I don’t think you had either.’ That was a pretty big accomplishment for our family,” says Blomquist.
After winning Grand Champion Steer, Quade decided to gain even more experience, and took his steer to show at the Calgary Stampede this year.
Understanding where your food comes from
Coming from generations of agriculture, Blomquist understands the importance of knowing where our food comes from, and she is seeing that her children are making that connection too. With the guidance of Blomquist and Cook, Quade made his very own cattle purchase when he was just nine years old.
This year on Father’s Day, the family celebrated with a barbecue, cooking one of the steers that Quade raised himself.
“He knows exactly how hard it was to raise the steer, and it gives him a deeper appreciation. He has that understanding that he has provided our family meal.”
From generation to generation, Blomquist and Cook are happy to pass down their agriculture knowledge, and hope it carries on for generations to come.
“Our kids are already taking so much pride in it, and the life lessons that they've learned already at such a young age are amazing. It’s so cliché, but I'm going to say it—it is a great way to raise your family,” says Blomquist.
“Honestly, I don't think I'd choose another way. They learn a lot.”
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