Chad Wilson of Wawota is no stranger to working with cattle. He grew up on the family farm outside Wawota and has been involved with raising cattle all his life.
As a young child, he participated in various junior cattle functions, both locally and nationally. Following high school, Wilson enrolled in a two-year agricultural program in the U.S. Upon returning home he worked in the oilfield and continued to be an integral part of the day-to-day operation on the farm.
Following his father’s death in 2006, Chad then committed to full-time farming and continues the farm operation under the registered name of Haroldson’s Polled Herefords.
The herd consists of 180 head of cattle. The cattle are marketed through two annual sales, the bull sale in April and a female sale in October, as well as events such as Agribition and by private treaty. Over the years, Haroldson’s Polled Herefords have been awarded many championships, including being named Premier Breeder for nine consecutive years at the Agribition’s National Polled Hereford Show.
In 2019, he raised one particular bull, named Haroldson’s United 33D 36G. United was first shown as a calf at Agribition, winning the President’s Cup, an all breeds bull calf competition as well as being awarded the title of National Grand Champion bull at the Polled Hereford show.
Following the show, the bull was sold to current partners, Hoffman Ranch in Nebraska and Poplar Meadows Angus in B.C.
United was recently shown at The Cattlemen’s Congress in Oklahoma City which is the national show for various breeds. The national show is usually held in Denver but due to COVID-19 restrictions, the event was moved to Oklahoma. Again, due to COVID, Chad was unable to attend the show where he was also invited to judge.
“I missed out on the opportunity to judge the Junior Hereford Show,” explains Wilson, who goes on to say, “I’ve judged shows all across Canada but this would have been my first opportunity to judge a major show in the United States.”
And so, from the internet at home on the farm, he watched the bull show via livestream.
Haroldson’s United 33D 36G was selected as the U.S. National Champion Polled Hereford Bull.
The national champions from all breeds are then qualified to enter the Supreme Show. Haroldson’s United was selected the Supreme Bull of all breeds. As one friend described, “it is like winning the Stanley Cup.”
“This is the first time we’ve had a U.S. National Champion,” says Wilson. “It was very exhilarating and pretty overwhelming.” You could say he threw his hat up in the air during that special moment of the win.
“It’s such a sense of accomplishment,” comments Wilson. “And I’m very thankful for everyone helping out along the way.”
This makes it all worthwhile, working with the cattle every day.
