Airey enters Ag Hall of Fame
- Details
- Published on Wednesday, August 5, 2015
By Sheila Runions
Banner Staff
Manitoba Agricultural Hall of Fame held its annual induction ceremony on Thursday, July 16 in Portage la Prairie. Among the eight “outstanding individuals” to be admitted to the esteemed hall is Rivers’ own Harry Airey. The Hall of Fame press release states members are inducted “in recognition of their significant contribution to agriculture — provincially, nationally or internationally.”
Born in 1943, Harry Airey has spent all 72 years in RM of Daly; he farms the land (SW 27-12-22) established by his grandfather, Thomas Airey. Following his schooling in Rivers, he began farming with his dad, Clib Airey. In 1965 he took over the family farm and two years later his new bride (Joan Bennett) joined him there.
In 1972 he purchased his first Charolais and some 30 years later, he still raises this breed, to such a standard he has received several awards.
Once Harry was empassioned by Charolais cattle, he wanted to further their popularity so he became an artificial insemination technician in order to promote the breed. In addition to this work, he chaired the Breed Improvement Committee for Canadian Charolais Association (CCA). Harry served on the breed committee for nine years and was second vice-president of CCA. He has also been president of Manitoba Charolais Association and was actively involved with that organization from 1986-2013 when HTA Charolais was sold to son Shawn (Tanya).
Harry believes Charolais cattle have superior performance and record of performance (ROP) of his animals has been of upmost importance. HTA Charolais has shown cattle across Canada and United States and sold heifers to both countries as well as Russia. Airey’s Charolais embryos were exported to purebred breeders in Sweden, who produced a bull that was, because of his quality, the only bull allowed in Sweden’s herd book at that time. Harry’s ROP efforts saw him working on the ROP board and the Charolais Herd Analysis and Records Management program.
In 1988 HTA received the Premier Purebred Producer of Manitoba award from Manitoba’s Department of Agriculture. In 1998 CCA nominated the farm as a seed stock producer; they won that honour roll award from North American Beef Improvement Federation based in South Dakota. In 2002 Harry was named to the CCA Honour Roll and in 2015, he was inducted into Manitoba Agricultural Hall of Fame.
Besides Charolais-specific volunteer work, Harry has been a director, vice-president and president of Douglas Bull Test Station. In addition to cattle, he farms 3,000 acres of pasture, hay and grain. He led Rivers 4-H Beef Club for 18 years when his three children were involved and now that his grandchildren are in the program, he still lends his support to that youth organization.
His kids were also involved in sports and at the time, Harry coached baseball, hockey and ringette teams which included Raymond, Lori or Shawn. He is also an active curler so shared his time and energy on the board of Rivers Curling Club. In 2009 Harry joined the board of Rivers & Area Community Foundation; he remains a director today. Foundation president (and his cousin) Donna Morken nominated him and says Harry’s “quiet demeanor combined with his let’s-get-it-done attitude never fails to keep all foundation directors on point and completing the task at hand.” No doubt he brings this same attitude to any board which is deserving of his time.
