Five quiet, docile, black cows and calves are tied to a fence, obviously not bothered by standing in one place for any length of time.

Like most cows, these ones have big wet noses and liquid brown eyes — all the makings of a cute photo. However, these cows are different.
Pure black, heavily muscled, with perfectly groomed hair and impeccable halter manners, they are no certainly ordinary cows.

Having just returned from the junior portion of the World Angus Forum (WAF) these cows are award winning, 100 per cent black Angus, selling for up to $10,000 each.

They’re owned by 3G Ventures, a trio of producers well versed in the finer points of breeding award-winning cattle.

Cole, 15, Randi-Lyn, 17, and Taylor Giles, 13, have been building their herd for the past three years.

This year they attended the first ever youth portion of the WAF, winning three medals: a gold for two year old cow-calf, a silver for mature cow-calf, and a silver for yearling heifer.

This marks the first year youth were able to fully participate.

The enthusiastic producers took five of their herd to the event, but have 13 head in total.

The three decided to breed black Angus because their parents, Clint and Glenda Giles, run a 375-head black Angus commercial operation, and they wanted to stick with a breed that “we know and Canada knows well.”

The three traveled to the WAF in Spruce Meadows to do exactly what other Angus producers were doing. Networking, showing off their cattle, and getting the 3 G Ventures name out there.

“It was exciting, it really gets your adrenaline running,” said Cole of the event.

“We met a whole bunch of people from all over in Europe, Australia, New Zealand.”

The sheer number of Angus also pleased the producers.

“It was just the thrill of going there and seeing all these fabulous cattle in one place,” said Taylor.

The three are focusing on the genetics in their herd, working to produce the best Angus cattle possible.

“We want sort of the genetics to pair up so we get the best genetics that we can,” Cole explained.

The three already know what they want, looking to produce long, deep boned cattle, wide at the top line, hip and rump, with a lot of muscling, a uniform shape for balance, as well as good feet, knees and udders.

“A lot of people really had a lot of interest in our cattle, like from overseas. Everyone thought our cattle looked really good. It was quite a compliment,” Cole said.

As for the next WAF in 2013, 3 G Ventures may attend.

“We might not take cattle but I might try to go then just to see the cattle,” said Randi-Lyn.

The three plan to continue on, expanding and improving the herd while consistently producing better calves.

Cole said he would eventually like to see the herds numbers rise into the 200 range.

Visit www.worldangusforum.com for information on the WAF.

As for favorites, the teens say they couldn’t pick just one of the big beasts out of the crowd.

“When we go to buy them we pick the ones we like so we like them all,” said Cole.

The WAF organizers worked hard to make youth a big part of this years forum, bringing in speakers, judges and hosting seminars.
Doug Reid, an Angus producer and one of the people responsible from bring the WAF to Canada, said youth who are actively involved in agriculture will become the next generation of producers.

“Youth is such a tremendous component of North American agriculture,” he said.

Reid explained that having youth working on farms and ranches means producers don’t have to hire outside help, so money isn’t taken away from the family operation.

By being actively involved they also learn the ins and outs of the industry, preparing them to take over, or start their own operations.
For more information on the WAF in Calgary, or for show results visit www.worldangusforum.com.

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