Barry LaBatte was inducted into the Canadian Simmental Association (CSA) Hall of Fame on November 13, during the 2013 Canadian Western Agribition.Earl Ballard, formerly of Hanley, now of Saskatoon, SK was inducted during the same ceremony.

Presenting the plaque (L to R): Fraser Redpath, CSA President, Kelly Ashworth, CSA First Vice-President, and Barry LaBatte. Photo courtesy of Darryl Snider, CSA

The following biography by Brenda LaBatte, was read prior to the presentation of the plaque:

"Barry grew up on a farm by Gladmar, SK, that has been in his family since his great grandfather homesteaded there in 1912. His parents retired and moved because of health reasons, leaving Barry to take over the farm at nineteen years old, but his Dad stayed involved as much as he could and interested forever. Together with his son now, after a hundred years, they are the fourth and fifth generations farming that homestead.

Barry's interest in cattle dates back to about 1970, when a neighbour imported a couple of Simmental heifers from Switzerland. He spent a lot of time with that neighbour and his cattle, and grew more and more interested. There had always been cattle on the farm, but he learned it wasn't just the cattle, it was the Simmental breed that sparked his interest.

He took an A.I. course and started breeding commercial heifers, then he bought his first half-blood Simmental heifer at the very first Canadian Western Agribition in 1971. He imported two heifers of his own from Switzerland in 1974. Since the beginning, it was all about the breed. Specific strains and colours weren't all that was important to him, he just wanted to produce and provide good cattle.

He and a few others joined together and started the South Central Simmental Association and was instrumental in the beginning of the Simmsational Sale and has been part of that sale for all 36 years .He started marketing bulls, consigning to the Dembiczak and Bouchard Bull Sales in Moose Jaw, and then advanced to being the LaBatte Simmentals and Guest Bull Sale. Barry was a member of the South Central, the Saskatchewan, and the Canadian Simmental Associations, having different roles, including serving as President of the Canadian Board for two years.

Barry and Brenda have one son and one daughter. Lynlee and his wife Hayley and their three boys live in Gladmar. Janalee and her husband Tim and their three girls farm at Ceylon. Barry and Lynlee have been farming together since 1998. Interestingly, Barry's time and interest leads more to the cattle and Lynlee's to farming the land."

Following the ceremony, Barry said, "I was totally surprised. I'm deeply honoured and feel very humbled to receive this honour from the CSA".