AT THE ROYAL: Top beef bull sells for $15,000

TORONTO — Among all the beef bulls judged at the 2023 Royal Winter Fair, the best of them all was entered by Baker Farms of Madoc.

‘Baker Farms Justified’ is the name of the two-year-old Charolais bull. He was named grand champion of his breed before going on to capture the Supreme Bull honour.

“He’s probably the best bull we’ve ever had,” owner Kevin Baker said. He sold the animal for $15,000 to Wilgenbush Charolais in Saskatchewan after the win at the Toronto show.

The bull was almost immediately transported to Saskatchewan for the November AgriBition show in Regina — and was to be shown by Baker’s daughter Ashley and son-in-law Travis.

Baker said the farm’s last best showing at the Royal was 10 years ago, with a bull that was named grand champion of the Charolais breed. To repeat that feat in 2023 and then get the supreme bull honour “is the icing on the cake,” he said.

Baker Farms, a cow-calf operation with about 25 cow-calf pairs, sells 10 to 15 bulls every spring to local breeders and farmers, according to the owner.