50+ Years in the making

KAYR Tremor crowned Agribition Supreme Champion Bull

For the Phillips family of Kay-R Charolais of Waskatenau, AB, winning Supreme Champion Bull at Canadian Western Agribition is the culmination of more than five decades in the purebred business. Together with their partners, KFC Farms Ltd. of Abbotsford, BC, and Didsbury, AB, they led KAYR Tremor 7015L to the most coveted title in Canada — a first Supreme win for both operations in the toughest Supreme Drive in the country.

“There are so many good cattle in that final drive,” says Kord Phillips. “If you go into Supreme thinking you should win it, you’re going to be disappointed a lot more times than you’ll be happy.”

He describes the moment as “pretty surreal and humbling.”

“You always hope you might have a chance, but a lot of stars have to align for it to happen. When they slapped Tremor, I could see Dad was kind of in shock — and I was in shock. I didn’t really move for the first five seconds. It’s something we’ll never forget.”

Their partners at KFC Farms echo their sentiments: “The Agribition Supreme title is highly sought after. We are very excited for the Phillips family and glad to be a part of it.” The Supreme slap was so unexpected that KFC owner Ken Friesen had already boarded his flight home, learning of the Supreme title while taxiing into Calgary.

Tremor’s story is a unique one. Sired by popular AI sire RBM Keystone H41 and out of the influential donor KAYR Lainey 502, Tremor was purchased out of the 2024 Kay-R Bull Sale as KFC’s first-ever Charolais bull.

The 502 cow has been a consistent producer: A full sister to Tremor sold to two breeders in Mexico, a maternal sister was Reserve in her division at Agribition, and seven ET maternal siblings were born at Kay-R this spring, but Tremor is the only bull from the Keystone x 502 mating.

Although the plan was always for Tremor to see the show ring, he has proven to be very much a working bull. He walked as a yearling at KFC Farms, and as a two-year-old, bred heavily at both operations. Kay-R expects 30 to 40 natural calves from him this spring, and KFC will offer a Tremor son in their April 4 bull sale.

“When we bought Tremor, we appreciated the shape and softness this bull had. Now, as a two-year-old, he has that added power and structural soundness. We are excited to see what next year’s calf crop brings,” says Ashley Anderson, KFC Farms manager.

Tremor’s show career culminated this fall with Champion Charolais Bull at both Farmfair and Agribition before going all the way to Supreme. His first semen will be offered in the New Year’s Resolution Sale on Dec 31.

The Phillips family is quick to credit the people behind the scenes — their fitting crew at the show and especially mom Arlana, who kept everything running at home during the fall show run. “We wouldn’t be here without her.”

Supreme champions at Farmfair

Supreme Champion Female and Champion Simmental Female
RF Scream 3121 (by RF Caliber 014G) and her calf RF Scream 5141 (by WHF/JS/CCS Double Up G365), exhibited by Kade Rancier, and Rancier Farms, Killam, AB. Photo Credit: ShowChampions

Supreme Champion Bull and Champion Angus Bull
Ter-Ron Eldorado 185L (by Greenwood Four Mile 47J), exhibited by Murray Ranches, Tilley, AB. Photo Credit: ShowChampions

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This was first published in Volume 5 Issue 4 of ABP Magazine (Winter 2025). Watch for more digital content from the magazine on ABP Daily.