Brandon, MB. – BMO celebrated a time honoured tradition with the hard working farm families of Manitoba this week by announcing its 2024 Farm Family Award winners for 2024.
The BMO Manitoba Farm Family Awards recognize the impressive contributions to the agriculture community across the province and the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba has been pleased to assist with this worthwhile venture.
This year’s three recipients include Jim Brown of Dizzy Acres, Steven Mangin of Mangin Bros Dairy Ltd and Dallas Johnston of DJ Cattle Company,
Dizzy Acres is a 4,200 acre mixed farm south of Brandon. In addition to growing wheat, canola and soybeans, the Browns have 120 head of black angus. While Brown’s farm was first settled in 1930, Dizzy Acres was established in 2004.
The Mangin Bros. Dairy meanwhile is located near Holland and Steven’s grandparents started the farm in the 1960’s. Soon after the farm became a milk dairy. As the industry evolved, so did the family farm. After building a new dairy barn in 2003, Steven and brother Jamie took over the farm seven years ago. By that time, the farm had grown to milking over 100 cows and cultivating 2,100 acres.
Following a devastating fire in the summer of 2022, the Mangins recommitted to the industry by rebuilding a state of the art dairy barn a year later. The farm today has 120 cows milking at all times and manages the total cattle herd of 250.
DJ Cattle Company was established in 1945 by Dallas’ grandparents and after his parents assumed operation of the farm in 1985, Dallas, Lynne and family took over ownership twenty-five years ago.
The farm has been primarily a beef operation with cereal grain and forage crops for feed. Currently, the Johnstons’ raise purebred Black Angus.
All three generations of the Johnstons have been involved as volunteers within the community – from curling and hockey to Community fall suppers. Dallas is currently an Executive Director with the Provincial Exhibition and is also the Manitoba Director on the Canadian Angus Association.
All three award recipients this year demonstrate a strong commitment and passion to the agricultural way of life. They excel at building their businesses with a focus on new efficiencies, sustainability and technology while actively volunteering within their respective communities.
Presentations were made to the families during Thursday night’s evening performance inside the Keystone Centre’s main arena during the Winter Fair.
BMO has a longstanding history of supporting Canada’s agricultural community. Celebrating these families for their pioneering spirit and wide stewardship of our resources is just one way that they show their gratitude.
Like BMO, the Provincial Exhibition takes pride in supporting agriculture in Manitoba, including recognizing local farm families with this prestigious award. The Provincial Exhibition values and appreciates their efforts to become involved in as many communities in Manitoba.
The 2024 Royal Manitoba Winter Fair continues Friday and Saturday in Brandon. For more information on this week’s schedule or for more ticket information feel free to visit www.provincialexhbiiton.com.