Trailblazer
Harry Hargrave
Born in Medicine Hat in 1909, Harry Hargrave was raised on the short grass range near Walsh Alberta and that’s where he began his working cowboy career. He rode on the last major cattle drive south with cattle bound for shipment on the great Northern to Chicago in the mid 1920’s
Harry graduated from the University of Alberta with a B.Sc in Animal husbandry in 1932. He was married shortly after, and with his wife Ruth raised 2 daughters.
After graduation he managed the sprawling CY Ranch west of Fort Macleod. From there he joined the federal research station at Manyberries where he was instrumental in the development of new breeds of range sheep and the early experiments, crossing beef cattle with buffalo.
He was later in charge of animal science research at the Swift Current Experimental Farm and in 1949 was made director of animal science at the Lethbridge research station where his work included importing the first Charolais cattle into Canada from the U.S. Southern Alberta’s giant feedlot industry exists today in part because of the vision and research of Harry Hargrave. In 1959 he joined the federal governments PRRA program in Regina, and in 1970 he became Alberta’s trade commissioner, promoting Alberta Beef around the world.
Harry Hargrave dedicated his life to the development of the Canadian Ranching Industry and was respected by politicians, ranchers and cowboys, a rare accomplishment. He died in Edmonton, in 1984.
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