In the 1970s the X-L began to
purchase Hereford and Swiss Simmental cattle instead of the Angus
they had raised for the past 25 years. Although Angus had been
a popular breed in the past, the introduction of new and larger
breeds in other parts of Canada and US created competition that
the smaller Angus could not match. Simmental have the quietest
temperament (an important consideration in handling), milk well
and raise heavy calves. Jaffray ranchers found that their Angus
were not gaining weight at finishing time as fast as the other
breeds. Angus calves decreased in value and ranchers began to
switch to Herefords, or the exotic breeds such as French Charolais
or Simmental, which originate in Switzerland.
The seeds of commitment to the
ranching lifestyle began to develop in the next generation when
Gordon and Lynda bought five Simmental cows for the ranch in 1983.
The next year they began the construction of a log home about
one km east of the old ranch house. In 1989 the trucking company
that Gordon worked for lost its contract and the family had to
make a decision. They could have moved elsewhere with the same
company or Gordon could have looked for other work in the area.
They chose to finish their house and move to the ranch. In the
earlier years of their lives together, return to the ranching
lifestyle was a dormant notion. However, as they grew towards
middle age they saw Elmer and Mary become less able to handle
all the demands of the ranch. Meanwhile, their two sons and daughter
became more independent and the idea of returning home became
more clearly formed. Then the loss of Gordon's job was the impetus
that pushed them forward.
Education and employment opportunities
had taken the two older sons, Marty and Al to the cities of Vancouver,
Lethbridge and Calgary. Al, who had always enjoyed mechanics and
electronics, trained in robotics and automation at the BC Institute
of Technology. When the opportunity arose to acquire more range
and cattle came up in 1993 both sons quit their city jobs to return
to the ranch. Both put a lot of money and time into the ranch
over the next few years.
Gordon and Lynda had hoped there
would be enough income for their sons to stay but there was not.
Marty returned to the "outside" in 1998 to a new job
and new family obligations when he married. For the time being,
only Al remains solidly on the ranch but "Marty will be back,"
says Lynda.
