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CSA website|
Contact Us |
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ISSUE |
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SAVE THE DATE |
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Mark August 1
- 2, 2009 on your calendar and plan to join the CSA for the
2009 CSA AGM in Sun Peaks B.C. Further information to follow. |
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BEEF IMPROVEMENT
INFORMATION |
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Please note the
following breed improvement information:
CSA Releases New EPD:
The new Canadian EPD calculated by AGI
are now available on the CSA website.
http://search.simmental.com
EPD are presented for calving
ease, growth and carcass characteristics. Information on the
new EPD is available on the website. The evaluation was
conducted by AGI using only the Canadian dataset. The new
evaluation included external EPD on Simmental cattle from ASA
and South Africa as well as EPD on Angus and Red Angus cattle.
In addition embryo calves were directly included in the
genetic evaluation for the first time.
Breed average EPD
for the current population are:
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CE
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BW
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WW
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YW
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MCE
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Milk
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MWW
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SC
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CWT
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REA
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Fat
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Marb
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2.7
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3.0
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36.3
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60.4
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-0.4
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7.3
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25.5
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0.17
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3.4
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-0.03
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0.005
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0.06
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Although rank correlations with the
previous North American evaluation are high breeders may
notice some significant differences in the EPD on individual
animals.
These may be driven by a variety of factors
including:
1. New data added to the evaluation between June
2008 and November 2008
2. New animal model for calving ease
and maternal calving ease
3. Implementation of new genetic
parameters for carcass traits
4. Loss of US data in the
genetic evaluation – this will be particularly noticeable on
young sires or animals with very limited pedigree ties in the
Canadian dataset.
It is important to remember that while
presented on a similar scale, results from the Canadian
evaluation cannot be directly compared with past evaluations
or with the ASA evaluation.
CSA AGI Genetic Evaluation
Spring 2009 Breed Average
Ultrasound and
Carcass: The CSA is still offering the carcass
and ultrasound rebate program. Producers interested in
scanning calves aged 320 to 430 days are encouraged to contact
a UGC certified ultrasound technician. A complete list of
certified technicians can be found at
www.ultrasoundbeef.org
Producers who are feeding out calves and
are interested in collecting carcass data are encouraged to
contact the CSA directly.
Cow Herd DNA
Project Deadline Extended:
Due to inclement weather conditions
across most of the country this winter, the deadline for the
cowherd DNA program has been extended. Please see the
February Simmental Country, and February E-newsletter for new
deadline. Members can contact the CSA office for forms
and details on the program.
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REGISTRY INFORMATION |
2009 Herd Letter is "W"
The beginning of 2009 brings with it a
new calf crop. A reminder to all that the herd letter
for 2009 is "W", the letter "V" is not used.
Transferring Ownership for Registered Animals
It is that time of year again and
Transfers are arriving very frequently.
We would ask
that you take some extra time when completing the Transfer
area on the back of the registration papers - as we are seeing
more and more information that is incomplete. When we don’t
have complete information it can delay your transfers
unnecessarily.
Please remember to provide the following
Buyer information:
- Provide the CSA member # (when at
all possible)
- Provide the first & last name (& Farm Name
if applicable)
- Provide the complete mailing address for
the Buyer – including the “postal code”
- Provide the Sale
Date
- If females have been “bred”, please provide the
Name & Registration number of the Service Sire &/or AI Sire
- Lastly, remember to sign where applicable (e.g. for both the
transfer & the breeding information)
Thanks so much for
your attention to this important Registry procedure.. |
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YCSA NEWS |
Thank You
The YCSA would like to thank all those involved with the CSA
Foundation Auctions. Thank you to the individuals, breeders and
businesses who donated to these great events, and thank you to
those bidders and buyers who make these events so successful. Without the
support of all these individuals, these events would not be possible.
Thank you, as well, to the CSA and the CSA Foundation for
their continued support to the YCSA. Without their
leadership, support and encouragement, the past, current and
future members of this program would not be who they are
today.
New Members
The YCSA board of directors is starting to plan for
another exciting year in 2009. To learn how you can
become more involved, or for further information please
contact Emily Grey,
YCSA Coordinator, or one of the
YCSA board
members. They would love to hear from you. |
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CSA MEMBERSHIP
ANNOUNCEMENTS |
New addition at Boss Cattle Co.
John and Margo Cartwright are pleased to
announce the arrival of their little herdsman.
Austin Marshall
Cartwright was born on December 28th, weighing 6 lbs & 10
ounces. His Dad, Mom and big sisters look forward to
introducing this new little farmer, and future YCSA member to
the Simmental family.
The Passing of a Friend
It is with great
sadness that the family of
Ray Ziemmer
announce his passing on
Dec. 14, 2008. Ray was born at the Craigmyle Farm on Dec 23,
1931. Ray and his wife, Cherrone, owned and operated Cheray
Simmentals. His work led him down many paths in the fields of
banking, seismography, teaching, consulting and finally back
to his true love – farming, which he did for over 55 years. He
had an incredible thirst for knowledge and a fun-loving sense
of adventure. He was always willing to try anything. Ray was
very involved in his community, the Alberta Simmental
Association, and local 4-H clubs. He loved helping others.
Ray’s great passions in life were his family, his friends and
his farm. He took great pride in his farming, especially his
cattle and machinery. He had an immense love of nature and
animals and was happiest when surrounded by this and his
family. Ray will be greatly missed by family, friends and all
who knew him.
Our condolences go out to Ray’s mother
Bessie, wife Cherrone, children, grandchildren, family and
friends.
Simmental Breeders Awarded 2008
Conservation Award
Lake of
the Prairies Conservation District would like to congratulate
the Glasman family as their 2008 Conservation Family Award
winners. Miles and Bonnie Glasman along with their two sons,
Jared and Matthew are the fourth and fifth generations
respectively to run the farm. In 2009 the farm will celebrate
its 100th year. They farm 4500 acres between their 200 pure
Simmental and Angus cattle and annual cropping practices.
Conservation practices are an important part of their strategy
to keep the farm sustainable for generations to come and are
used in both the cattle and cropping sides of the operation.
They have installed solar powered livestock watering systems
since before the CD’s inception in 2001, and are currently
utilizing our 2008 Alternate Livestock Watering System and
Riparian Stewardship programs to purchase a new watering
system and fence some of their cropland for swath grazing.
Over-winter grazing is another strategy that is used to reduce
buildup of manure on one site. Riparian areas are protected
where possible and wetlands are maintained. On the cropping
side, peas are included in the rotation to reduce the need for
nitrogen application and all fertilizer applications are
reduced by using GPS, precision application system. We are
proud to have the Glasman farm as our conservation farm family
of the year and wish them success in the future.
Please
send us your Membership Announcements to have them
included in the next Enews. |
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SIMMENTAL
COUNTRY 2009 DEADLINES |
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Please make sure to note the
following deadlines!
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ISSUE |
DEADLINE |
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March |
February 1st |
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April/May |
March 15th |
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June/July/August |
May 15th |
Issues for Commercial Country
are January and September. Deadlines are December 1st
for the January Issue and August 1st for the September
Issue. |
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS |
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Click
here
for complete calendar of events |
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QUOTE OF THE MONTH |
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"Remember that life's most
treasured moments often come unannounced."
... Author unknown |
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