Lakeland College Students Innovate in Genetic Diversity Practices

Students at Lakeland College are making significant strides in the field of genetics through hands-on experience at the Student Managed Farm (SMF). In the animal science technology program, second-year students can choose between industry practicums or managing one of the farm’s units. Two students, Kay Lee Zbudovski and Brooklyn Van Sickle, opted for the purebred beef unit, aiming to blend their family cattle heritage with modern advancements in genetic diversity.

Van Sickle, who hails from a purebred operation near Bowden, Alberta, is pursuing a degree in livestock science. She is also one of the coordinators for the Round Up Sale and marketing for the unit. “On the purebred unit, there are 16 of us working together to run our purebred operation,” Van Sickle explained. “As a collective, we make all decisions impacting the herd together, relying on each other’s experience to advance the herd here.”

The students are deeply involved in the management of the herd, conducting herd checks, calving checks, and vaccinations. Those focusing on genetics and breeding analyze breed books and animal pedigrees. They are also bringing in frozen genetics from sires across Canada and the USA to enhance the herd through artificial insemination.

Zbudovski highlighted the importance of bulls in their operations. “That’s where most of our commercial producers come in, because they’re looking for purebred sires,” she noted. The unit features both red and black Angus cattle, which they breed with the intention of providing high-quality bulls to commercial producers. “For our females, we want to keep putting out the genetics that we’re producing here into other people’s herds,” she added. “This year, we’re keeping many of our heifers back to grow our herd.”

The culmination of their work is showcased annually at the Round Up Sale, where the SMF collaborates with other units to host industry representatives and producers on the Vermilion campus and online. This year’s sale is scheduled for March 28, with the purebred unit set to offer 12 bulls for auction. “Success for the year is measured by how much our bull sales are at the end of the year at the Round Up,” Zbudovski explained. She emphasized the importance of the quality of calves produced and the unit’s ability to keep pace with industry trends.

The unit is also diversifying its sales strategy this year. After a suggestion from a team member, they decided to participate in a consignment sale, a first for Lakeland College. “It was a way for us to put our genetics out there and our college name as well,” Zbudovski said. “We were making a little bit of history.”

In preparation for the consignment sale, the unit reached out to the Northern Angus Select Sale for assistance. They were guided in selecting a heifer deemed suitable for the sale, ultimately choosing OAV First Class 2N, known for her robust qualities and excellent pedigree. “2N is one of our best heifers,” Zbudovski stated. “We would have been happy to keep her, but we are proud to offer her to the industry.”

Van Sickle expressed enthusiasm for the new experience. “We learned how to be involved in a consignment sale and all the different things that go into it,” she said. The collaborative effort not only strengthened their teamwork but also emphasized that having a successful year is not solely about financial returns. “It’s about having customers that come back and love our products and meeting our goals as a team,” she concluded.

Through their innovative approaches and commitment to genetic diversity, the students at Lakeland College are not just preserving a family legacy; they are actively shaping the future of the cattle industry.