March 2025

Regional Association News

2024 O.A.A. Honorary President is Graham McLean

Graham McLean (with his wife Karen and daughters Shauna and Jenna) operated Melmac Angus Farms near Melbourne, Ontario alongside his brother Murray. Their father Ronald started the herd after selling his Holsteins in 1974. Ronald loved Herefords as he had Champion Hereford Steer in the Queens Guineas in the early 1950s but he thought there was more opportunity in the Angus breed. Murray and Graham became partners in 1996 where they grew their herd to 40 cows with a small cash crop enterprise of corn and soybeans. Melmac Angus was named the Ontario Purebred Breeder of the Year in 2010 and 2014, an award they were very proud of. They also accepted a Canadian Angus Association 50-year long-term recognition award in 2023.

Graham gave freely of his time as a volunteer for many organizations, especially the Angus industry. He was president of the Western Ontario Angus Association and Ontario Angus Association. He also served on the Canadian Angus Association board from 2018-2023, where he served as president in 2022. We thank Graham for his many years of dedication to the Angus breed.

2024 O.A.A. Purebred Breeder of the Year recipient is Don Currie Glen Islay Angus

Thank you to the Ontario Angus Association for this honor.

Glen Islay Angus started in 1968 with the purchase of the Killreen herd of 63 head from the Ottawa valley. We expanded our herd to 200 Angus cows, and 30 Hereford cows by 1985.

We have had the very good fortune to have marketed our genetics to every province in Canada, and to 11 other countries. During a nine-year period in the 1990’s we bred 11 grand or Reserve grand champions at the Royal, also a grand champion bull at the agribition, a national supreme champion bull in Australia, a Royal supreme champion bull in England, and a national champion bull in Mexico.

Currently we have 25 cows on our home farm, and another 20 cows on our farm on Manitoulin Island. While we have always experienced excellent demand for our surplus females, and have helped to establish many successful herds, our main focus and purpose has always been to consistently supply the commercial bull market. Our totally home bred herd is straight Canadian genetics, and genomically tested and selected for tenderness since 2008.

We truly enjoy our Angus cattle and particularly value our customers and friends that help to enrich our lives.

Thanks again for this special recognition, we appreciate it very much.

Sincerely Don and Jeannette.

2024 O.A.A. Commercial Breeder of the Year recipient is J& E Meats

Josh and Emma run a birth to beef operation on their family farm in Croton, ON. They have a commercial cow herd of Angus and Limousin influence, and sell 100% of their beef direct to consumer through their on farm store and butcher shop, J&E Meats.

They’ve been selling direct to consumer since 2018, and over the last 7 years have perfected their niche of large, double muscled carcasses coupled with rich marbling, taste and texture. They dry age all of their beef 25 days+ on the bone, and craft unique “hard to find” cuts (as well as familiar favourites) to retail to their growing customer base.

In 2020, Josh introduced pure bred Angus sires to the commercial herd (primarily limousin influenced at the time) in order to allow for diversified genetic makeup, and flexibility to keep replacement heifers.

“I was looking for something to integrate into our program to produce F1 cross replacement heifers. The depth and length out of the Angus Genetics achieve that, while improving carcass traits” Josh Butler (Riverside Hill Farms Inc)

Emma has noticed the “Black Angus” difference on the rail at the butcher shop, and subsequently in the end result product.

“We are seeing more even, consistent carcass sizes and marbling since implementing the Angus influence – which yields a higher quality product for our customers. They’re used to the very best from us and that’s exactly what we raise for them!” Emma Butler (CEO J&E Meats)

Josh and Emma have been married for 9 years, and have 4 children between the age of 2yrs and 7yrs. In addition to raising beef they also produce lamb and raise chicken under the chicken farmers of Ontario Artesian Program.

“We are so grateful and flattered to be nominated and accepting this award! It’s an unexpected treat and a humbling experience”

2024 O.A.A. Show Bull of the Year award Clarks Stunner 16L

Owned by Clarke Family Farms Inc. Breezy Knoll Livestock