06/04/2026
Beckwith residents Brenda and Rob Murray raise Highland cattle at Sunset Farm in Prospect. This farm was part of a dairy operation which was owned by Brenda's parents, Harold and Margorie Jones, as well as Brenda’s grandparents, Annie-Bella and Adam Jones. Brenda and Rob along with their two children, Robyn and Josh, began raising registered Highland cattle in 1992, and quickly established a successful breeding program.
Their key herd sire, Gusgurlach of Windrush (known simply as "Gus"), produced numerous calves with deep bodies, solid structure, and outstanding performance in the show ring. His offspring included the Get of Sire Champion at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in both 1997 and 1998, as well as championships at the Kingston and Delta Fairs in 1998. Sunset Farm also earned multiple championship titles at Highland Games and Ontario fairs in the late 1990s. In addition, Sunset Farm was awarded Breeder's Herd Champion at several fairs in 1998, including the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, Kingston Fair, Delta Fair, Marmora Fair, and Kinmount Fair. The Murrays have also competed at many notable shows in the United States, including the prestigious National Western Stock Show in Denver, Colorado, the Great New York State Fair in Syracuse, New York, and other locations such as Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Ohio, bringing home with them to Canada many well deserved Grand Champion titles.
Today, Sunset Farm continues to add to this impressive list of accolades. Their current prize bull, Sunset Lock Stock and Barrel, won Grand Champion Bull at the Lombardy Fair in August, 2025. Most recently, in October 2025 at Expo Boeuf in Victoriaville, Quebec, they captured major honours, including Grand Champion Bull, as well as the coveted Premier Breeder award from the Canadian Highland Cattle Society.
This recognition is awarded to breeders whose animals achieve the highest cumulative success in competition, collecting the highest number of points based on their top placings in an individual class at a specific show testament to the dedication and expertise behind Sunset Farm's program.
With deep roots, a commitment to quality, and a passion for Highland cattle, Brenda and Rob Murray and their family continue to build a legacy, one champion at a time. On behalf of Council and the residents of Beckwith, congratulations on your remarkable achievements!
