Kayla Zamrykut, a 20-year-old producer from Rorketon, Braden Calvert, a 16-year-old producer from Carberry, and Raina Syrnyk, a 16-year-old producer from Ethelbert were the 2011 recipients of the Grant Moffat Herd Builder Award.
Grant Moffat, Holmsyde Charolais, Forrest, went missing in August, 2006. Funds generously donated by cattlemen, friends and relatives across the country were offered as a reward for tips leading to his whereabouts.
After a year, a committee handling the funds made a decision to channel the money to Manitoba youth for the purpose of starting their own purebred herd.
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Grant invested a lot of energy in actively helping youth get started in the business and this seemed the most fitting way to use the funds.
Over 20 applicants submitted essays, making the selection exceptionally difficult. The participants were evaluated on desire, need and previous expression of interest in the industry. To date 12 juniors from across Manitoba have benefited from the program.
Each of the three youth were awarded up to $2,000 towards the purchase of a heifer selected from a Manitoba purebred sale.
Kayla Zamrykut purchased a Charolais heifer, Braden Calvert purchased a Polled Hereford heifer and Raina Syrnyk purchased a Black Angus female to enhance or start their purebred herd of cattle.
Thanks to the generous support of producers at the fundraising auction at the Manitoba Beef Producers annual meetings, the Grant Moffat Herd Builder Awards will be presented again in 2012 with the application deadline being Sept. 1. For application and donation information, http://www.grantmof fat.com.
