INDIAN RIVER — When the U.S. border closed to Canadian cattle in 2003, American customers stuck by the Elmhirsts, but as Johnny Horton’s country classic Battle of New Orleans notes, "There weren’t quite as many as there were a while ago."

The Elmhirsts have 25 American-owned cows and heifers on their farm, bought since the border closed, and they’re itching to ship them and their offspring south. "Hay’s scarce around here," says Grant Elhirst, who runs purebred Hereford and Simmental operations with his son Billy and daughter-in-law Juanita.

After the U.S. congress has used up its 60 days for evaluating the ruling allowing breeding stock to cross the border, it must make a decision. The Elmhirsts are ready for an open border on Nov. 19 but they’re edgy. Their cattle have birth and health certificates. They’re worried about last minute changes to regulations that will make it more difficult to ship cattle.

He doesn’t expect much demand from Americans for beef cattle at the Toronto Royal in early November. The Elmhirsts expect to be making sales there but most customers will be Canadian. Most buyers at the Royal will be there for the dairy, Grant says.

The real test of the value of purebred cattle will come in Regina, at Agribition whose first day, Nov. 19, coincides with the expected opening of the U.S. border.

Elmhirst expects southwestern Canadian beef men to get some of their market back, but because of the high Canadian dollar, he doesn’t expect the market price to bounce that high.

Nonetheless, the open border will provide more competition for quality cattle. Billy Elmhirst has kept up his southern contacts, waiting for this day, attending and helping at some of the big American shows.

The Elmhirst business was built on breeding and selling fine cattle on both sides of the border.