Local cattle farmer Albert Mutcher was recently featured on the June 2024 cover of Canadian Cattlemen magazine and in the latest Better Farming magazine for his 73-year agriculture career.
Mutcher has been farming in Stephenfield since he was 18. He is now 91, so after 73 years, he is still managing his cattle herd on his own and hopes to pass on his passion to his great-grandchildren.
Mutcher was born and raised on the farm and just fell into livestock farming. He worked at home until he was 18, and then he went out on his own and started a farm with eight head of cattle.
At one time, Mutcher built his herd of up to 300 head of cattle and farmed 2,500 acres of grain. Now he is downsizing his herd and has rented out his crop acres.
Sharing his passion for agriculture with his community has always been a priority for Mutcher. He has been a part of his local fair board for 55 years and started his local livestock committee 65 years ago. He has also been involved in 4-H and has judged many cattle shows over the years.
Mutcher has two granddaughters, a grandson, four great-grandsons, two great-granddaughters, and another on the way.
When Mutcher’s grandchildren were six years old, he gave them all one cow, and that got them started, as they all showed an interest in livestock.
Each cow had a calf every year, and when it sold, Mutcher put the money in a trust that they couldn’t touch until they turned 18. So, all of the grandchildren had a pretty nice little trust fund when they turned 18.
Mutcher plans to do the same now for his great-grandchildren. He even hopes that some of his great-grandchildren will be cattlemen when they grow up.
Granddaughter Taylor Nicolajsen and her husband have cattle, while granddaughter Karla Last’s career has led her to crop and soil science and business ownership.
“The importance of healthy animals and soils for sustainability all started with him and the life lessons he shared with us when we were young, as well as making economically smart choices in life, both business and personal,” said Karla Last.
Mutcher’s granddaughter Karla Last has many memories over the years on his farm.
“All of the grandkids have lots of great memories from our childhood. When they still lived on the farm, we would always go to the barn and drink from the pump that fed water to the cows,” said Last. “It was the best and coldest water. I remember trips to the vegetable storage shed and then feeding the cows in the pasture. That is where we all learned to drive. And trips to the vet with prolapsed cows.”
Last notes that she and the other grandkids are all extremely proud of their grandpa and how well he has done for the age of 91.
“We have always been proud and honoured to be his grandchildren,” said Last. “A lot of community members often say to us how amazed they are of how many cattle he still has. He has quite the astounding reputation in the cattle industry, especially at the local cattle auction marts for selling quality beef. The amount of effort and care he puts into his handling facilities is also a point of pride. It’s not often that you have to wait to be loaded up. He is often asked to judge at beef shows because of his knowledge and workmanship. He has a keen eye on cattle and enjoys teaching and mentoring the younger generation. He loves to see the younger generation doing what he loves.”
Still today, Mutcher’s grandchildren often stop in at the house or the pasture so that their kids can learn from him the same way that they did.
At 91-years-old, Mutcher has no signs of retiring or slowing down. He loves what he does and is committed to doing it for as long as his health allows him too.
“He still loves to tend to his well-maintained yard and well-known ‘red tulips.’ Needless to say, he is still very active, and his age is not slowing him down. Whether he is sorting cattle, hunting or playing with his great-grandchildren.”
Standard Photo by Mallorey Bergen
