Didsbury-area ranchers Ron and Laurie Hunter were recently honoured as the purebred breeder of the year by the Alberta Angus Association.
The couple, who operate Lauron Red Angus about 16 kilometres east of Didsbury, have 200 Angus heifers. Of those, about 175 are red Angus (the recessive type) while there are about 25 black Angus in the herd. The announcement of the purebred breeder of the year was made early in August at the association's Hall of Fame banquet in Bashaw.
“It was certainly an honour, kind of unexpected,” said Laurie. “We've been breeding purebred cattle for 30 years and been involved in the association in a number of ways.”
Laurie was a director with the Alberta Angus Association (AAA) from 2006 to 2013. The couple's children were also involved with the junior Angus board for several years.
“They've all served as directors and participated in the shows. (We've) helped out any way we could,” she said.
Denise Rice, office administrator with the AAA, said the award is given out annually to ranchers who heavily promote the industry and the organization. Candidates are nominated by their peers and chosen by AAA board members. Candidates also volunteer time to the association and are promoters of youth in agriculture.
“And Lauron does all of that. They're very great volunteers and promoters of Angus. Their whole family has been involved in 4-H and youth throughout (the years),” she said. “It's an overall picture of who is standing out in the industry and being an advocate for us.”
"They're very great volunteers and promoters of Angus."Denise Riceoffice administrator Alberta Angus Association
