Farm Family for 2009

Winnipeg - The Red River Exhibition Association (RREA) is pleased to announce that the Turnbull family of Binscarth, Manitoba, has been selected as their 2009 Farm Family of the Year.

Doug Turnbull and Carol Lanz-Turnbull along with their two sons, Ryan and Cody, join an elite group of more than 40 farm families who have been recognized by the RREA since the Farm Family of the Year award was established in 1966. The purpose of this annual award is to profile the diversity of primary agriculture in Manitoba as well as the traditional values of farm families which contribute to the success and resilience of prairie agriculture and the rural way of life.

Doug and Carol met while attending Olds College in Alberta where Doug studied Agriculture Mechanics and Carol studied Fashion Merchandizing, both graduating in 1985. Doug is the fourth generation Turnbull on the farm his great grandfather homesteaded in 1883.

The Turnbulls operate Grip-Fast Farm, an 1150-acre farm which specializes in beef production. Besides their own 24 cow–calf pairs of British cross bred cattle, the Turnbulls custom graze 300 head of beef cattle year around. Their 1150 acres of farmland consists of 1030 acres of improved or planted pasture, 50 acres of unimproved or native pasture and 70 acres of cereal crops.

Modern and innovative managers of their beef cattle operation, the Turnbull’s follow a Low Stress Livestock Management System. Calving occurs on pasture in May and June and weaning in January. In 2005, the Turnbulls received the “Grazier of the Year Award” from the Manitoba Forage Council and Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives. They have adopted a pasture management system with the aim of maximizing grazing capacity through careful selection of grass varieties and pasture rotation. The grazing season has been extended to March in most years by stockpiling perennial forage and by using oats for swath grazing. The Turnbulls have created 15 permanent paddocks ranging in size from 25 to 125 acres.

In addition to managing the farm, Doug sells Quality Tools and Welding supplies, and as time permits, he also does custom welding and construction. Carol works part time as a receptionist at Asessippi Chiropractic Centre and the Russell Personal Care Home.

Son Ryan, who turns 17 this month, is finishing Grade XI and Cody, 15 in February, is finishing Grade IX. Both are active in the farm’s operation. Ryan spent last summer as a youth counsellor at Dauphin Bible Camp and plans to do the same this summer.

The boys enjoy volleyball, ski racing, and badminton as well as youth groups, church and choir. Cody, who is on the student council yearbook committee, was involved in last fall’s production of the musical, Tom Sawyer.

Both Ryan and Cody are former 4H club members. Under a poultry grazing project he initiated, Cody bought month-old chicks which he raised on a diet of grain plus an alfalfa-brome grass pasture. Over the past two years, he has produced 450 birds for slaughter.

The family is also active in the Asessippi Ski and Board Club. Doug has served as President and Treasurer of the ski club and Carol as Co-race Chair for the Mass races held at the Asessippi ski hill. The Turnbull’s attend the Alliance Church and are involved in numerous church activities.

Nominated by the Ag Awareness Committee of the Russell and District Chamber of Commerce.