Lloyd Hatch’s contribution to the agricultural scene was extensive. He was born, and raised on a farm south of Oak Lake. Later, he bought a farm, added some acres to it, and named it “Pleasant Dawn Farms”. There, he and his wife, Wilma Elizabeth (Tully) lived and raised their four children: David, Tully, Mary and Fred.
Lloyd was an avid stockman. In 1940, he acquired a herd of Suffolk sheep and two years later he purchased four purebred Polled Shorthorn heifers. This marked the beginning of a very successful mixed farming operation. It was a fine example for the young farmers of the province to study and copy.
In the 1950’s and 1960’s, Lloyd showed his Suffolk and North Country Cheviot sheep on the fair circuit and they frequently won competitions. In 1956 at the Toronto Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, he was dubbed “Manitoba’s Ace Sheepman” because of his prize animals and his knowledge and ability to handle sheep. He was also selected as a judge at the Toronto Exhibition on four different occasions.
Lloyd followed a very rigid code of honour while raising, showing, and judging cattle. Because of that, he was deeply respected and trusted. His Polled Shorthorn herd were highly prized. He entered competitions and won many ribbons and awards throughout the years. A bull,” Pleasant Farm Mark”, sired on the Pleasant Dawn Farms, as shown on the Western Canada Circuit and at the Toronto Royal. This famous animal was retired undefeated.
Mr. Hatch won the “Premier Breed Award” in 1971 at the Canadian Western Agribition in Regina. He received the prestigious “Builders of the Breed” award from the “Shorthorn World” organization. He was even well known by people beyond Canada’s borders. He judged at the Palermo Shorthorn Show in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1978.
Mr. Hatch served faithfully as a member and officer of schools, churches, conservation boards, agricultural societies, exhibition boards, as well as sheep and cattle associations. His priorities and pleasures have always centered around his family, friends, and the livestock industry.
He was highly respected in his community because people knew him as a hard worker, a perfectionist, a formidable opponent, a staunch friend, and a person of laudable characteristics including integrity, courtesy and good manners.