After over 40 years, a local ranching operation was recognized for its long-standing herd of Black Angus cattle.
The K3 Ranch, located between Rush Lake and Herbert, was presented the Commercial Producers of the Year Award by the Sask. Angus Association.
Jim Klassen, who runs the operation alongside his two brothers, was humble about the award.
"I wouldn't suggest we're ahead of anyone else," said Klassen. "I think we're just that much older than everybody."
The herd began back in the 1980's, as a side project seeking to utilize scrubland unsuitable for the K3 dairy cattle, as well as a way for them to make effective use of excess feed.
"We also ran that dairy farm for 35 years," detailed Klassen. "This was a way of using up the feed that we could not use on the dairy cows. We just found that Black Angus was the most efficient type of cattle to do that for us."
Annually, they turn out close to 120 calving cows. They don't sell mature cattle, but the calves are sold out to interested parties.
As for how this award will affect their operation, it won't.
"We're all old, my two brothers and I," laughed Klassen. "And I'm the youngest. We won't be stepping out and doing anything extravagant."
The plan is to buy more good bulls and run the gauntlet for another year. There is some talk of handing things off to a younger generation, or even maybe selling.
"It's been discussed," said Klassen. "We were thinking about maybe doing it because the price is up on cattle right now. Now would be a good time to get out.
"But why would you ever see at the high?"
If anyone is interested in calves or other business, they are encouraged to call K3 and Klassen at 306-774-7625.