January 2010

 

 

#13 - 4101 - 19th St. NE
Calgary, Alberta Canada
T2E 7C4
Toll Free: 1-866-860-6051



Office Manager

Barb Judd


Industry/Member Liaison

Bruce Holmquist


Breed Improvement

Co-ordinator

Sean McGrath


YCSA Co-ordinator
Emily Grey


Registration / Member Services
Perry Welygan
Beth Rankin


Receptionist
Lisa West


Commis bilingue
Denise Dorosz

 

Simmental Country


Sales Representative

Darryl Snider
cell – 403-803-6532

 

SC/CSA Marketing

Co-ordinator
Margo Cartwright
403-250-5255


BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

Everett Hall
President

eahall@bmts.com


Rick McIntyre
First Vice-President

abccattleco@sasktel.net


Ron Nolan
Second Vice-President

rnolan@hatch.ca


Andrew Godfrey

agodfrey@ogilvyrenault.com


Don Lundberg
x-tsimmentals@xplornet.com


John Sullivan
Sullivan.simmentals@bell.net


Randy Mader
rrmader@xplornet.com


Judy Sweet

judsweet@telus.net


Fraser Redpath
redsim@xplornet.com

 

Please take some time to review our privacy policy so you can rest assured that we will only every use your information for member-related communications to benefit you and your fellow members.

If you wish to unsubscribe, please e-mail us

 

 

CSA website| Contact Us   

IN THIS ISSUE  

SAVE THE DATE  - CSA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 
Mark October 8 – 10, 2010 on your calendar and plan to join the CSA for the 2010 CSA AGM at the Victorin Hotel in Victoriaville, Quebec.  This event is being held in conjunction with Expo Boeuf, Quebec's largest beef show. The details around this event are being finalized, so mark your calendar, as you do not want to miss this event.  Details will be posted on the CSA website, put in the Simmental Country, and the Enewsletter, once they are available.

A block of rooms has been reserved for CSA members, however please call early to reserve your room.  This is a very popular event and the hotel will fill up fast.

Hôtel Le Victorin
19, boul. Arthabaska Est
Victoriaville (Qc) Canada G6T 0S4
Phone : (819) 758-0533
Fax : (819) 758-9914
Toll Free : 1 877 845-5344
info@levictorin.com

BREED IMPROVEMENT  

Date Reminders:

Many CSA members are busy calving cows, taking yearling weights and ultrasounding.  It is useful to know the date ranges that are associated with these measurements, so that adjusted values and indexes can be provided and the data can be used in the EPD evaluation for selection and marketing purposes.

Weaning Weight

Yearling Weight

Ultrasound

Age Range

160

250

320

410

300

440

Birthdate

First Day

Last Day

First Day

Last Day

First Day

Last Day

01-Jan

10-Jun

08-Sep

17-Nov

15-Feb

28-Oct

17-Mar

01-Feb

11-Jul

09-Oct

18-Dec

18-Mar

28-Nov

17-Apr

01-Mar

08-Aug

06-Nov

15-Jan

15-Apr

26-Dec

15-May

01-Apr

08-Sep

07-Dec

15-Feb

16-May

26-Jan

15-Jun

01-May

08-Oct

06-Jan

17-Mar

15-Jun

25-Feb

15-Jul

01-Jun

08-Nov

06-Feb

17-Apr

16-Jul

28-Mar

15-Aug

01-Jul

08-Dec

08-Mar

17-May

15-Aug

27-Apr

14-Sep

01-Aug

08-Jan

08-Apr

17-Jun

15-Sep

28-May

15-Oct

01-Sep

08-Feb

09-May

18-Jul

16-Oct

28-Jun

15-Nov

01-Oct

10-Mar

08-Jun

17-Aug

15-Nov

28-Jul

15-Dec

01-Nov

10-Apr

09-Jul

17-Sep

16-Dec

28-Aug

15-Jan

01-Dec

10-May

08-Aug

17-Oct

15-Jan

27-Sep

14-Feb

 

To use the table:

Example: Weaning Date

Select the Birthdate of your earliest calf

January 1

Last Day represents the latest you can collect data for inclusion in genetic evaluation

September 8

Select the Birthdate of your last calf

April 1

First Day represents the earliest you can collect data for inclusion in genetic evaluation

September 8

For maximum data inclusion try to select measurement dates between the first and last day

Optimal Weaning Date - September 8th

If First Day is after Last Day, then you may need to collect data on more than one date

At least 2 calves of the same sex that have been managed together since birth are required to form a contemporary group.

Ultrasound Rebate Program
Members are reminded that the ultrasound rebate program is still in effect. Members receive a $10 credit to their CSA account for all cattle scanned using UGC technology (data must be processed through the lab) that are part of a valid contemporary group. Appropriate scanning age ranges are 300 to 440 days of age, weaning weights must be reported, and at least 2 calves of the same sex must have been managed together since birth to form a useful group.

There are now 10 certified scanning technicians in Canada. Their updated contact information, as well as other certified technicians, can be found at
www.ultrasoundbeef.com

 
DNA
While the cowherd DNA program is ended, members who chose not to participate in this free offering are still encouraged to collect and store DNA on their cowherd. Hair (ensure you obtain root bulbs) can be pulled and stored in an envelope marked with the cow’s tattoo. As well, don’t throw away that old semen. As CSA moves forward the importance of having a DNA databank for research and development is growing increasingly important.
Breed Average EPD
Just a reminder of the breed average EPD for the Spring 2010 Evaluation.

 

CE

BW

WW

YW

MCE

Milk

MWW

SC

CWT

REA

Fat

Marb

Current

7.2

2.8

36.1

60.3

5.5

7.0

25.1

0.13

1.7

0.01

0.005

0.04

Active Sire

7.2

2.8

35.9

60.1

5.5

7.7

25.6

0.13

2.5

-0.01

0.002

0.06

Active Dam

6.5

3.4

36.5

60.1

5.5

7.8

25.9

0.18

2.7

-0.03

0.002

0.07

CE/MCE EPD – calving ease and maternal calving ease EPD are now on a 10 point scale (0-10). Members are strongly encouraged to look at the percentile ranks associated with the EPD to get a feel for where sires can be used most appropriately.
EF EPD – we have had some calls regarding EPD with “EF” accuracy values. EF EPD are based strictly on the breed average EPD for the birth year of the parents and contain no inherent pedigree or performance information from the individual. For example a Calf with a sire born in 2005 and a dam born in 2003, with no other information would receive EF EPD that are the average of the Simmental cattle in the evaluation that were born in 2005 and 2003 respectively.

REGISTRY INFORMATION  
THE HERD LETTER FOR 2010 IS "X"

Transferring Ownership for Registered Animals

When completing transfer information on your sale animals, please remember to provide the following Buyer information:
- Buyer’s CSA member # (when at all possible)
- Buyer’s first & last name (& Farm Name if applicable)
- Buyer’s complete mailing address, including postal code
- Sale Date of animal.
- 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)

Are you collecting semen on a bull?
AI sires must be parentage verified in order to register their progeny. If you are putting a bull into an AI facility, drawing semen on-farm, or even considering drawing semen on a bull in the future, please make sure your bull is or can be parentage verified. A good practice is to pull hair samples on your entire cow herd when they go through the chute for preg checking, vaccinations, parasite control, etc. Place the hair sample (ensure you obtain root bulbs) in an envelope and identify each envelope with tattoo or registration number. Store envelopes in a dry place out of the sun, where you will have them for future reference. If you wish to use pre-printed GenServe Laboratories hair envelopes, please call the CSA office today for a supply of them.

Percentage required for purebred status
Producers purchasing bulls from the United States or semen from American bulls should be aware of differences that exist between Canada and the United States in the percentage of Simmental required to qualify for purebred status. The Canadian Simmental Association requires a male to be 15/16 Simmental to reach purebred status while the American Simmental Association accepts males who are 7/8 Simmental as purebred. It is the responsibility of the purchaser to ensure that these bulls meet the requirement of being 15/16 Simmental if they wish to register that animal in the Canadian Simmental herd book as a purebred.
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YCSA NEWS
Happy New Year and best of luck in the 2010 calving season from the YCS.

YCSA member to represent Canada at the 2010 World Congress in Australia
The CSA will be selecting representation from the YCSA to attend the 2010 World Simmental Congress in Australia. If you are interested in participating in this trip, please contact Emily Grey, and stay tuned for further details.

Thank You

The YCSA would like to say a big thank you to all participants in the first ever YCSA calendar. It was a huge success and 2,500 copies have been distributed across Canada. This will be an annual fundraiser for the YCSA, so stay tuned for the 2011 details. 

The YCSA is looking for New Members
Go online at www.simmental.com for a member registration form or contact Emily Grey, (YCSA Coordinator). Contact your nearest YCSA representative to find out more about upcoming events in your local area. They would love to hear from you. 

YCSA News Makers
The CSA is proud to share the accomplishments of our YCSA members.  Youth members learn a great many developmental skills though their involvement with this program and credit their success to the lessons they've learned through the YCSA and the experiences they have had. If you have a story that you would like to share, please send it to Emily Grey or Margo Cartwright.  We know there are more stories out there, and would like to feature as many as possible.

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SIMMENTAL COUNTRY  NEWS

Please make sure to note the following deadlines!

 

ISSUE DEADLINE
January Commercial Country December 1st
February Herdsire Simmental Country Issue January 1st
March/April/May Spring Simmental Country Issue April 1st
June/July/August Queens of the Pasture Simmental Country Issue July 1st
September Commercial Country August 1st
October Simmental Country September 1st
November/December Simmental Country October 1st

Should you have any questions regarding the new online version of the magazine, or the new electronic options for advertising please do not hesitate to contact Margo, Darryl or Bruce. We would be happy to hear from you.


SIMMENTAL ON THE MOVE
As part of his role as the CSA Industry/Member Liaison, Bruce Holmquist attends and participates in many functions that are on the leading edge in the Beef Industry. To keep our membership informed on the different events he attends, Bruce is now on TWITTER.  Tune in for the latest news from Bruce's travels.
http://twitter.com/#search?q=bruceholmquist

DR DIXON SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
Congratulations to Nikki Armstrong, MB, Melissa McRae, MB and Ashley Proctor-Berkholtz, AB on receiving the 2009 Dr. Dixon Scholarship Award. (Press Release)

2010 WORLD SIMMENTAL CONGRESS IN AUSTRALIA - DETAILS NOW AVAILABLE

WSC2010 Program   WSC2010 Registration & Booking

Invitation to Attend

Dear Breeders,

Australia will host the World Simmental Congress in Melbourne in September 2010.
I would like to take this opportunity to invite you, your partner, friends and industry colleagues to attend the 2010 Simmental World Congress.

Many international and Australian delegates are expected to attend this important event to increase their knowledge of Simmental cattle and the Australian beef cattle industry. The Congress and the pre and post Congress tours will include a range of activities to inform and entertain delegates.  It will also cover topics on innovations in cattle genetics, stud and commercial herd breeding, product quality, management technology and marketing.

The Congress will be held in conjunction with the Simmental Feature Breed Judging at Royal Melbourne Show. A special Congress feature will be an International Young People’s Program.

We invite you to enjoy the Welcome Reception, interactive networking sessions, a Congress dinner, a themed Australian farewell dinner, partners program during the Congress and other tour events.

In addition, the overall Congress program will provide a memorable rural Australian experience and an insight into Australia’s hidden wonders and attractions as delegates journey through a diverse range of terrain, cultures and environments.

We look forward to welcoming you to the 2010 Congress.

Kind regards,
Bill Almond, Chairman, 2010 World Simmental Congress

Web: www.worldsimmentalcongress2010.com                                                                                                                          Phone: +61 2 6772 9066                                                                                                                                                                   Email: simmentals@quadrantaustralia.com


CSA MEMBERSHIP ANNOUNCEMENTS
Birth Announcements

Cassidy Makayla Beres

Oak Hill Farms, Trent, Colleen & Trinitie Beres, have added a second little cowgirl to their herd. Her name is Cassidy Makayla Beres. She was born Friday, December 4, 2009 at 9:19am. She weighed 8lbs, 13.5oz and was 20.25" long.

Kayla Mae Ann McEnery
Proud grandparents, Ron and Carla Nolan, Bar 5 Stock Farms, announce the birth of their granddaughter, Kayla Mae Ann, born on December 17th, 2009, weighing 7lbs 7 0zs and 21 inches. Kayla is the daughter of Joanne Nolan and David McEnery, Acton, ON.


Our Sympathies

Sandra Buschbeck
Our condolences go to Andreas, Sam, Matthew, and the family of Sandra Buschbeck who passed away on January 1st, after a year long battle with cancer. Sandra will be sadly missed by her family, many friends and coworkers at Holland- Chatsworth School where she was a dedicated teacher.

Please send us your Membership Announcements to have them included in the next Enews.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Click here for complete calendar of events

QUOTE OF THE MONTH

"Without faith a man can do nothing; with it all things are possible."
Sir William Osler

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