In Olds, Alberta, not far outside Calgary, Harvie Ranching stands as a testament to the lasting tradition of family farming. For more than four decades, members of the Harvie family have dedicated themselves to the production of top-quality cattle. Cole Harvie, a second-generation cattle rancher, and his wife, Jill, now lead this family operation. In the past two years, since taking over from Cole’s parents, they have expanded their embryo program, increased the marketing of Charolais genetics and continued to breed the top cow families the operation is renowned for.
When Cole Harvie’s parents established Harvie Ranching in the mid-1970s, they began with purebred Herefords and later ventured into purebred Charolais cows. Today, the ranch is home to around 250 cows, with an almost equal mix of Charolais and Herefords.
Expanding the A.I. and embryo program
Harvie’s role on the farm took root when he returned from college in Dodge City, Kansas, where he had attended on a livestock judging scholarship. Having completed an A.I. course during his time there, Harvie and his brother Scott devoted themselves to strengthening the ranch’s A.I. and embryo program, which has since become a cornerstone of their operation.
“Eighty percent of our cattle will get A.I. first before they even get put out with bulls, and we put in around 70 to 80 embryos a year ourselves,” Harvie explains.
Additionally, they have become a leading force in exporting embryos worldwide, with an impressive annual export volume of 200 to 250 embryos, making them Canada’s largest exporter of Hereford embryos.
Cole Harvie stands with Harvie Ms Hilda 45L, who was named Junior Reserve Intermediate Champion at Farmfair International 2023. Photo courtesy of Harvie Ranching.
Breeding philosophy
The ranch’s breeding philosophy has remained unwavering over the years, prioritizing the use of top cow families as the foundation for their cattle breeding program. Harvie mentions they often introduce new sires through A.I. and closely assess their performance with their top cows.
“If [a sire] works really well on our top cows, well, then he’s a fit, and if he doesn’t work on our top cows, that will be the last we ever use them, and we move on,” he says.
This approach is not only cost-effective but also essential for advancing their herd and keeping their genetic and embryo offerings more exciting.
Emphasizing both performance and maternal qualities, the Harvies aim for cows with strong maternal instincts and easygoing temperaments.
A key factor contributing to the ranch’s success is their short calving season, roughly 50 days, in the thick of Alberta’s harsh prairie winter. Approximately 90% of calving occurs within the first 30 days of this already brief window, underscoring the operation’s commitment to calving efficiency.
“We don't have time to baby anything,” says Harvie. “They’re in and out of the barn as quick as Mother Nature will allow us. We don’t have extra space for cows that don’t want to be motherly.”
By maintaining a 50-day calving period, the Harvies have improved herd fertility, eliminated cow families that had late calvings and reduced open rates.
Their dedication to their breeding program has yielded remarkable results in the show ring, with national and world champions gracing their ranks across North America, Europe and Australia. Furthermore, they have hosted an annual bull sale on the second Tuesday of March every year for the past 15 years, showcasing their top-tier genetics.
Charolais cattle from the Harvies’ Hilda cow family graze on the ranch near Olds, Alberta. Photo courtesy of Harvie Ranching.
Hereford and Charolais: A complementary combination
Part of the ranch’s winning formula is its combination of Hereford and Charolais cattle. Each breed brings unique benefits, creating a well-rounded herd.
The Harvies admire the Hereford breed for its maternal tendencies and good temperament, as well as its international recognition. They have traveled internationally to meet like-minded breeders and tour their operations, forging invaluable connections and opportunities for their business.
“One of my proudest accomplishments is that I can go all around the world and see my genetics and have people excited to use my genetics,” Harvie says.
To enhance their commercial success closer to home, the Charolais breed is well suited to the domestic market, as it is highly sought after in feedlots and at auctions. These attributes complement the Hereford breed well, and as a result, Harvie Ranching sees numerous customers using both Hereford and Charolais bulls to create crossbred animals that perform well commercially.
“In Canada, they’re definitely one of the strongest combinations,” Harvie attests.
In addition to the natural qualities of their cattle breeds, the Harvies rely on performance data collection and expected progeny differences (EPDs) to bring out the best in their genetics, using an online herd management tool to track factors such as weight, breeding dates and veterinary records, enabling them to make informed breeding and herd health decisions.
Jill and Cole Harvie stand with a cow-calf pair at the Alberta Hereford Showcase. Photo courtesy of Harvie Ranching.
Setting the foundation for a strong future
Like many others in the industry, the Harvies have been challenged by high costs and the financial burden of succession planning. With two young daughters who may want to carry on their family’s legacy in ranching and cattle breeding, ensuring the long-term success of the ranch is a top priority for Cole and Jill.
“We would love to pass down the farm and be able to do it successfully and retire without having to sell anything or any land,” Harvie explains.
Part of that future begins with new ventures, such as their upcoming trip to the National Western Stock Show in Denver. The Harvies plan to take a carload of bulls down to the show for the first time, eager to present their cattle and make a lasting impression.
With a career in cattle ranching already marked by success and with no signs of slowing down, Harvie attributes some of his family’s prosperity to learning from the experiences of others. He says the “shortcut to the top” is finding mentors, seeking guidance from experts and learning from seasoned cattle breeders, as the value of their knowledge cannot be understated.
