2007 CONTEMPORARY BREEDER OF THE YEAR

Alberta Angus Hall of Fame Induction

“LLB Angus” – Lee & Laura, Trish and Jackie Brown, Erskine, AB

Written by Rob Smith, Presented by Colton Hamilton

Things have come a long, long way since Lee Brown bought his first Black Angus heifer in the late 1960s as an 11-year-old child. He wanted a purebred because the Angus-influenced cows in their commercial herd seemed to produce better than the rest. Through the late 1960’s and early 1970’s, he would try most of the new exotic cattle, but would always return to Angus. Lee says, “I just like everything about Angus, they have everything commercial men want – breed easier than Angus. Today we are selling bulls into Charolais and Simmental cross herds, 30 years ago I never anticipated the Black Angus wave that would surge over North America. I’ve tried all the other breeds. Nothing is as trouble free and easy to work with. If you are going to have numbers, they have to be Angus.”

Lee & Laura have been Angus breeders since before it was fashionable to do so. They remember the “lean” years, but always followed the ‘words of the wise’ who said, “Hold on to those Angus cows, it will get better.” And it certainly has. Lee has been marketing his purebred Angus breeding stock from Erskine since 1972 through annual on farm production sales. Since 1987 LLB has sold genetics around the globe through its present day sale format.

The LLB Spring Spectacular Bull & Female Sale was the first purebred sale of its kind to offer both purebred and commercial breeding stock in the same sale offering. Their bulls sell to the top commercial and purebred operations in Canada and the United States. Their customer base is three quarters commercial and one-quarter purebred breeders seeking outcross genetics. Steve Lasby said this fall, “You know, I believe if you haven’t worked an LLB sale, you aren’t worth much because everyone who is anyone has worked their butt off for Lee & Laura.”

Lee says, “We have to offer commercial cattlemen the right genetics, we cannot compromise on quality. Now as we move into our third decade we finally have the numbers, volume and quality of cattle to attract more people to the sale. We are in the right breed at the right time and happen to have the experience to make it all work. We try to give 110% back to our customers by looking after their every concern.” Laura adds, “We keep our eyes open and borrow and learn from everyone. It’s not as if you can ever say you are satisfied with where you are in life. We are always on the lookout for a better herd sire, promotions or sale ideas such as adding bred or open commercial heifers to our herd.”

What keeps LLB still working hard after all these years of success? Lee says, “Success comes with a feeling of accomplishment, part of it is financial, but you have to be happy doing what you love. We happen to love our lives and our cattle. We are glad that we can now offer the quality and volume which keeps us top of mind if someone needs a pot load of bulls.” In addition to the benefits of sheer numbers, LLB has also diversified its beef production. Says Lee, “We fall calve some and also feed commercial cattle; being diversified has helped out a lot. The key to agriculture is to develop product that markets in such a way that you have more than one or two pay-days per year.” Laura goes a bit further and adds, “There is more to it than just success marketing cattle – it’s about the friends and the community atmosphere we live and work in which really counts.”

The Browns showed their cattle extensively during the 70’s and 80’s, having had Champion Bulls and Females at Canada’s largest shows including Farm Fair and Agribition. LLB Gambler 22W was the 1990 Grand Champion Black Angus bull at Denver, the only Canadian bred and owned bull to ever win this prestigious title. The show ring was a valuable tool in helping LLB establish its customer base early in its development. Lee looks back over the years and adds, “We last showed to any extent in the early 90’s, though our girls continued with 4-H and Junior Shows until they were too old and we support our local Ranchers Bull Congress in Stettler. I have been called upon to judge numerous cattle shows across Canada, I really enjoy doing the judging and evaluating the cattle. The show circuit works and it was a part of our early promotion.” He continued, “The word of mouth promotion we obtain from satisfied commercial cattlemen is by far more valuable to us. So we put our effort where there is the most reward.”

But when success is had with LLB cattle from fellow breeders, “That is far sweeter than winning yourself,” says Laura Brown. Lee wants to keep his operation a hands-on operation; too much volume means values are compromised. He notes, “Right now I want to be able to still talk to my customers and help them solve problems if they have any. I want to know at the end of the day that where LLB genetics are concerned that people have been treated fairly.” Lee adds, “I’ve found commercial cattlemen are getting better informed every year. They are researching their bull purchases more and more. Our sale catalogue tries to give them as much information as possible on pedigrees, breeding, performance and our overview of the merit of a particular bull or female. I like to think that we can produce a cow or a heifer bull for just about any program or for any discriminating cattleman whether it’s a show heifer, a 4-H prospect or a pen of bulls for a commercial cattleman.”

Lee and Laura’s daughters, Trish and Jackie, have contributed greatly to the success of LLB. They have been instrumental in the day-to-day operation of the farm and now take an active role in management and promotional decisions when time is available. The girls toured and sold bulls right from an early age, working alongside Lee & Laura – “Showing, calving cows, breeding, feeding and selling; they can do anything!” Both Brown daughters were long-time members of the Erskine 4-H Beef Club with Trish serving a two-year-term as an Alberta 4-H Ambassador. Trish is a banker in Red Deer, a perfect profession considering her University of Alberta Ag. Business Management degree. Jackie graduated from the U of A last spring with a Bachelor of Commerce and is employed in the Calgary energy sector.

“Motivation and commitment to hard work is what I learned,” says Trish. “Mom and Dad have always provided an excellent example of dedication and I got that lesson early. Farm kids always seem to have a lot more responsibility and that has stuck with me. As a banker, I try to bring a business perspective to everything I do, realizing your heart is and should be part of the decision-making process.” Trish is grateful for the network being an Angus breeder has afforded her. “I’ve got to meet a lot of people that are lifelong friends. The Angus fraternity is global and we are brought together by a love of cattle and lifestyle. I can be at a work function with someone on a Wednesday night and find we both know Bob Switzer!”

Jackie hopes to always continue to be part of LLB. “Maybe not as my full time job, but I will always have cattle. I am born into it and don’t know any different. I have a passion for it and find it fulfilling.” The single biggest difference to growing up “Angus” as opposed to another formative path, to Jackie as least, was exposure. Exposure to: travel, hearing Mom & Dad’s stories, going to sales; a different atmosphere and more experience. Both girls believe LLB’s commitment to the ‘business of beef’ gave them perspective to see the ’bigger’ picture of the industry for Canada and the world than just one farm. Jackie says, “The ethics I learned from Mom and Dad and how their business has evolved, adapted, and changed over time has given me tenacity and patience.” Lee and Laura agree, “The fun part of the Angus business is the people. We can travel across North America, and know someone in just about every town. It is a “people business,” says Lee. “If it weren’t for the people, it would be hard to be very passionate about the business.”

The Brown’s genetics have circled the globe and today their bulls and females are sought after by leading commercial and purebred cattlemen. One could say the Brown’s have it all, but they don’t look at it that way at all. They are still looking for ways to improve their herd and sale. They care deeply about the state of agriculture in general, and like cattle producers everywhere their faith in the cattle industry and its future remains steadfast.

Nominated for the Alberta Angus Association Hall of Fame jointly by Rob Smith & John & Pat Duivenvoorden, John believes that LLB goes “above and beyond” most Angus breeders in stimulating business by supporting as many sales as he does. By placing such a vast number of orders, John estimates that tens of thousands of dollars are made across Canada every year for members of the Angus fraternity. LLB proves to be one of every Canadian Angus breeder’s best friends and most supportive fellow breeder.

When Lee and Laura married in late 1978, Lee gave up his original prefix of LBX and obtained LLB, the present, and now Hall-of-Fame worthy prefix. They had 50 cows and 5 quarters of land. Today, they have 750 cows and 6800 acres. There is another 2000 head in the feedlot and 2500 acres of wheat, canola and barley. In 1987, LLB sold 40 bulls. In 2007, they sold close to 250. The relativity, however, is firmly in check for Lee: “I remember when we sold six bulls a year it was lucky.” My, how times have changed. LLB is the largest Angus breeder in Canada. They prove you can do serious and successful business with Angus cattle. They stimulate enough commerce for scores of Angus breeders across Canada. They are dedicated and a credit to our fraternity. And that is why LLB Angus is being inducted into the Alberta Angus Hall of Fame.

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LLB Angus was inducted into the Alberta Angus Hall of Fame as the 2007 “Contemporary Breeders of the Year.” We again would like to thank the Alberta Angus Association for this award, John & Pat Duivenvoorden and Rob Smith for nominating us and Colton for making the presentation.