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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.
As you plan your trip, please take a look at the
attached, as
it outlines some other activities you may want to take
advantage of while you are in Sun Peaks (please note this is
the 2008 calendar of events however it will be similar for
2009). More details regarding the AGM will be
available soon. |
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BREED IMPROVEMENT
INFORMATION |
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Please note the
following breed improvement information:
Date Reminders:
It is yearling weight and ultrasound
season for many, and weaning season for some. In the midst of
calving, and marketing members are reminded of the date ranges
that are used for inclusion of data in the THE program and
genetic evaluation. The following date table can assist in
determining ideal dates for data collection (weather
permitting):
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Weaning (160 – 250 Days)
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Yearling (320 – 410 Days)
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Scanning (330 – 440 Days)
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Birthdate
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First Day
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Last Day
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First Day
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Last Day
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First Day
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Last Day
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January 1
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June 10
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September 8
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November 17
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February 15
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November 27
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March 17
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February 1
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July 11
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October 9
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December 18
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March 18
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December 28
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April 17
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March 1
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August 8
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November 6
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January 15
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April 15
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January 25
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May 15
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April 1
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September 8
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December 7
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February 15
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May 16
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February 25
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June 15
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May 1
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October 8
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January 6
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March 17
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June 15
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March 27
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July 15
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June 1
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November 8
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February 6
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April 17
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July 16
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April 27
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August 15
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July 1
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December 8
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March 8
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May 17
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August 15
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May 27
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September 14
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August 1
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January 8
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April 8
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June 17
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September 15
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June 27
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October 15
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September 1
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February 8
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May 9
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July 18
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October 16
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July 28
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November 15
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October 1
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March 10
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June 8
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August 17
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November 15
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August 27
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December 15
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November 1
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April 10
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July 9
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September 17
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December 16
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September 27
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January 15
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December 1
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May 10
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August 8
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October 17
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January 15
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October 27
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February 14
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To use the table:
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Example: Weaning Date
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Select the Birthdate of your earliest calf
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January 1
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Last Day represents the latest you can collect
data for inclusion in genetic evaluation
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September 8
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Select the Birthdate of your last calf
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April 1
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First Day represents the earliest you can collect
data for inclusion in genetic evaluation
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September 8
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For maximum data inclusion try to select
measurement dates between the first and last day
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Optimal Weaning Date - September 8th
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If First Day is after Last Day, then you may need
to collect data on more than one date
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Ultrasound and
Carcass: The CSA ultrasound rebate program is
still in effect. Data collected in valid contemporary groups,
using a UGC certified technicians and labs is eligible for the
rebate. 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.com. 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 across the
entire country this winter the CSA has extended the cow herd
DNA program to April 30th, 2009. Contact the CSA office for
forms. All samples must be submitted to GenServe Laboratories
no later than May 31st, 2009. The DNA project allows members
to move onto SNP based parentage testing which is lower cost
than the current microsatellite technology. As well, it
provides a level of insurance should a calf need to be parent
verified and its’ mother is deceased. Further the program
allows for participation in CSA research and development
through various projects.
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REGISTRY INFORMATION |
THE Billing (1st
installment):
A reminder to Total Herd Enrollment
(THE) participants the first installment for 2009 will be
billed to your CSA account April 1st. Payment is due upon
receipt of invoice. For members with a credit card on file at
the CSA office, fees will automatically be billed to your
credit card. The 2nd installment will be invoiced on October
1st. Please note that in the event an animal is shipped or
sold between installment billings, the second installment is
still due and payable by the member who enrolled the cow.
Credit Card
Authorization:
Please contact the CSA office if the
particulars pertaining to your credit card have changed (e.g.
card number, expiry date, etc.). This will allow your
registration and transfer papers to be printed and mailed
without being delayed..
Rush DNA Tests
If there is a case where you must ask
the Lab to “rush” your hair samples, please ensure that you
order the DNA application form from one of the CSA staff
members. We will then put a signature line on the application
form where you will sign/authorize the Rush. ** Please do not
write any rush instructions on the application form without
the CSA’s knowledge - as it delays processing your DNA
samples.
Do your Herd Sires have
DNA?
Now’s the time to make sure all your natural
service sires have been DNA tested. If you have purchased any
bulls recently, it is your responsibility to ensure they have
DNA on file in accordance to CSA bylaws.
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.
Embryo Procedures:
1) Ensure that you have entered the Embryo calf into our
Herdbook (via your Online system).
Important calf
entry-note: The embryo “entry box” should be answered as Y-es.
That way it allows you to enter the Tag (the - Complete
Tattoo: if the recip is a registered Simmental dam), the Birth
Year (BYR), and the Breed Make-up (e.g. if Simmental:
SMSMSMSM, if Angus/cross: ANANXXXX)
2) Print-off a “THE
Embryo Data & Registration Form” from the Downloads-section of
our Simmental website www.simmental.com
3) Complete the
form, separating the embryo calves by “flush”. Since our
embryo Bylaw states that only 1 embryo from each flush must be
Parentage Verified (PV) – you must indicate “Y” in the DNA box
for the embryo you wish to take a hair sample from. Then, we
can order the parentage kit and provide you with the required
Application Form and sample envelopes.
4) Lastly, when
returning the “THE Embryo Data & Registration Form” you must
send copies of the Embryo Transplant Forms. It helps if you
write the tattoo of the resultant embryo beside the
appropriate Recip Dam on the form (as it helps us manually
track the embryo activity for that particular Flush). |
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YCSA NEWS |
National YCSA Classic and Annual
Meeting
The 2009 YCSA National Classic will be held in Prince Albert,
Saskatchewan from July 28th to the 31st in conjunction with
the Prince Albert Fair. Look for registration forms online
soon on the CSA website. For more
information please contact Jenna Holmquist at
cowgirl_200@hotmail.com or Emily Grey at
emilygrey29@hotmail.com.
National YCSA Board meeting
The 2009 National YCSA Board meeting will be held on April 4,
in Calgary, Alberta. YCS Representatives from across Canada
are expected to participate and are more than willing to bring
your thoughts to the table. If you have any topics to add to
the agenda talk to your provincial YCSA President or
Emily Grey.
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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MCDONALDS EMAIL HOAX |
Please find attached an email from
McDonald's Canada regarding the erroneous email which was
recently widely circulated. McDonald's Canada is one of the
largest customers and retailers of Canadian Beef and we all
look forward to that continuing.
Email from
McDonald's Canada
The past week has brought some
unwarranted attention to McDonald's Restaurants of Canada
Limited with regards to our beef sourcing which contained
information that was completely erroneous. As Senior
Vice-President of Supply Chain Management for McDonald's
Canada, I simply wanted to take this opportunity to share with
you the response that we've passed along to those seeking
clarity and closure on the issue. I strongly encourage you to
forward this message to anyone making inquiries to your
organization on the topic.
Sincerely,
Jeff Kroll
Message from
McDonald's Canada
There have been a number of
people at McDonald's Canada who've seen the email circulating
about where we source our beef. Please feel free to pass my
response on to anyone who has sent the email to you.
This email is a hoax.
We currently source 100% of our beef from farms and ranches
right across Canada and have no plans today to purchase any
beef from South America. In the past we've purchased small
quantities of beef
from New Zealand, Australia and the
United States, but have always sourced the vast majority of
our beef from Canada.
The first email on
this topic originally surfaced in the US in 2002 - at that
time referencing the Texas Cattle Feeders Association - and it
has resurfaced again in 2005, 2007, and again in 2008.
McDonald's representatives in the US have spoken with the
Texas Cattle Feeders Association and they deny any association
with the email. In 2009, a
Canadian version emerged that's
practically identical to the one that originated in the US.
McDonald's Canada
remains one of the largest purchasers of Canadian beef, and we
are proud supporters of the Canadian beef industry.
I
hope this clears up the confusion.
Jeff Kroll
Senior Vice-President, National Supply
Chain
McDonald's Restaurants of Canada Limited
2 McDonald's Place
Toronto, ON M3C 3L4
Office: 416.446.3761
Fax: 416.446.3588
eMail:
Jeff.kroll@ca.mcd.com
Visit us on the web
www.mcdonalds.ca |
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WSFF COUNCIL
MEETINGS IN NAMIBIA |
The Namibian Association has arranged a
most interesting program from October 11 to 19, 2009 for the
World Simmental-Fleckvieh Federation council meeting. This
event is not only for representatives, all breeders and
friends are invited to attend. Please see their website
(www.simnamibia.com) for all of the details. Should you have
any questions regarding this event, please contact Claus PETER
Massmann, or one of the organizing committee.
cpeterm@iafrica.com
Fax (0027) 0866846740
Mobile (0027) 082 926 2113,
Invitation from the Organizing Committee
The Namibian Simmentaler breeders and our Committee cordially
invite Simmental-Fleckvieh breeder and their friends all over
the world to the major event of the 2009 Simmental-Fleckvieh
calendar. We are proud to have been given the opportunity to
stage this event and look forward with pleasure to welcoming
you in our warm-hearted, sunshine country. Namibia not only
has the oldest desert in the world, the Namib, but also the
oldest Simmental-Fleckvieh herds outside Europe. We have
organized a program that will include a wealth of wildlife,
beauty of nature, visits to very interesting old established
Simmentaler studs and a minimum of board room.
Your
sincerely,
Mr. Sidney Martin
Chairman of the Organizing
Committee. |
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CSA MEMBERSHIP
ANNOUNCEMENTS |
The Simmental community keeps
growing. Congratulations to all of these families, we look
forward to meeting these little ones at the upcoming Simmental
events.
Denae Verna Anne McGrath
Congratulations to CSA Breed Improvement
Coordinator and Columnist Sean McGrath and his wife, Tanya, on the
birth of their daughter,
Denae Verna Anne McGrath, on March
6th.
Corben Harold Enright
Darold and Kara Enright of Tweed, ON, are
pleased to announce the arrival of their son,
Corben Harold Enright, born on March 6th, weighing 6 lbs 6
ounces.
Brandon Turpin
Congratulation to Brad and Tracy Turpin, Brandlee Simmentals,
Stirling, ON, on the birth of their little boy, Brandon
Turpin, on January 16, 2009.
Please
send us your Membership Announcements to have them
included in the next Enewsletter. |
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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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February Herdsire
Issue |
January 1st |
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March/April/May Spring
Issue |
February 1st |
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June/July/August
Queens of the Pasture Issue |
May 15th |
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October |
September 1st |
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November/December |
October 1st |
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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"Enjoy all you have while
pursuing all you want."
... Jim Rohnant |
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