The Arntzen family's first introduction to the Simmental breed began with a 7/8 bull we purchased from Albert Scheffelmaier. We were previously involved in the purebred business with Horned Herefords. However with cattle prices and such, we weren't getting the dollars at the market like we hoped so looked at the exotics to improve that. We were so impressed with the performance and maternal power of the Simmentals that we bought our first purebred cows in 1985 from the Rocker 7N herd which were mostly sired by King Arthur. Thus the beginning of Sun Star Simmentals.

Over the years we purchased our females and bulls from various sales throughout the province and Saskatchewan , and sold off the farm to neighbors as well as marketing at the sales in Lloydminster and Camrose.

Through the 27 years we have seen a lot of changes in the purebred Simmental business. Our focus has changed from traditional and fullbloods with Fleckvieh influence to more of the red and black factor. As the children grew, their involvement in the 4-H program as well as the junior cattle shows, gave us an avenue to showcase our cattle. We currently run a herd of 100 purebreds and 20 commercials and exhibit them at Farmfair International, Lloydminster Stockade and Canadian Western Agribition, as well as Canadian Bull Congress in Camrose, Alberta.

Some of our highlights in this business have been having the Grand Champion and Reserve Champion at the Pride of the Prairies Bull Sale 2003 and followed up a couple of weeks later at the ASA Bull Sale in Camrose with Grand Champion. At Farmfair 2003 we had the exciting honor of being drawn to select a bull out of the Double Crown Bull Classic. Another great highlight was winning Champion bull and Supreme Breeders herd as well as Premier Breeder and Exhibitor at the 2005 Calgary Stampede, many other champions have been raised along the way. However the greatest reward in this business is meeting all the wonderful people involved with Simmentals and it is something we are very grateful for and proud of.

Check out our consignments for this year's Place Your Bet Bull Sale by visiting our Sales page.

 

In 2001 we decided to diversify into the Angus business with the first female purchased at the all Canadian Angus sale. That female, Wells Erica 8L, went on to win Supreme Champion in the Junior Futurity Show at Farm Fair International and was runner up to the Supreme Champion Female in 2003. Along the way, many other females have been added, as well as a red sector. The Angus were added to provide value for our commercial customers running both Angus and Simmental bulls.

We are very happy to have some great partnership cattle and in 2012 at Farm Fair International we were very pleased to have owned the sire of the Supreme Champion bull, along with selling our very first Black Angus female to an elite ranch in Mexico.