|
As of June of 2004,
Soderglen has again expanded its land base in Southern
Alberta. We feel fortunate to have been able to acquire
3 ranches south of Cardston in the St. Mary’s
River Valley. Granite Ranches has been in the Lowe
family for over a century. The history and integrity
of this ranch will be preserved by Soderglen as Jack
Lowe retires and slows down. The fact that we intend
to operate and care for the land like the Lowe families
before us is why Jack sold it to us. Jack will be
dispersing his cattle on or before the fall of 2005
and that will truly be an opportunity for anyone
who values a lifetime of genetic cultivation.Jack’s
cattle are reputable Angus x Simmental. This cowherd
is approximately75% Angus and 25% Simm. x. Granite
has always selected the top Angus and MAX genetics
they could find in Alberta. Jack’s knowledge
and passion for cattle and breeding is one of his
greatest accomplishments. If we were not in the seed
stock business, these cattle would have never been
for sale. I have made the statement many times that
in my opinion Granite’s
cowherd is the most solid,functional and productive
cowherd I have seen in my travels. If you are serious
cattlemen looking to advance or expand your Angus
cattle and take advantage of a lifetime of dedication
to Angus and Angus x genetics give Jack a call and
load up. Rafter 21 was owned and operated by Ida
Lowe. Ida purchased this ranch and operated separately
from Granite ranches for many years. Ida is Jack’s
wife and one of the most pleasant and hard working
women we have ever had the pleasure to meet. Jack
and Ida would like at this time in their life to
not worry about first calf heifers at 2 am in a February
snow storm. Ida would much rather like to travel
and see the kids and grand kids in her spare time
than calve out any more cows. Jack and Ida deserve
that and I will trust they will enjoy the years to
come.Ida agreed to sell her ranch as well as long
as we would run it well and envelope it into Soderglen
Ranches.
The other ranch which borders
Granite on the south side of the St. Mary’s
River is Rinehart Ranches. Established early in
this century by the Rinehart family it like Granite,
has never been offered for sale. Bill Rinehart,
the last of the boys in the family, was a lifelong
friend of Jack and Ida Lowe. He loved the ranch
and this part of Southern Alberta but his health
was failing and Bill could no longer operate the
ranch. We were negotiating to purchase Granite
when Bill decided if Jack Lowe was selling he would
also agree to sell to Soderglen. Again, this is
a unique opportunity for Soderglen Ranches and
Bill as well. Like his old friend Jack, who he
sold to was more important than for how much. This
I am sure is a unique opinion and speaks to those
of us who come from the land and understand the
personal nature of ranching as well as ownership.
Bill passed away last fall and will be deeply missed
by his friends and neighbours. His sister Helen told
us he was very pleased that we will take care of
his ranch for him once he is gone.Both of these ranches
have a long history in this area and we are proud
to carryon the ranching history and maintain the
integrity of the land for generations to come.
|