The Young Canadian Simmental Association (YCSA) is the leading youth program in the Canadian cattle industry today. The program focuses on education, teamwork, and hands-on experience for young, future cattle people. Events are held throughout summer and fall in different areas across the country for youth to participate in. See our EVENTS page for a listing of the events in your area!

The YCSA events include many different activities to arm our youth with the tools they will require to become not only better cattlemen and cattlewomen, but better business people as well. Along with the traditional showing of cattle at YCSA Classic Events, competitors must also complete herdsman and sire summary quizzes, and compete in an animal judging competition. Additionally, several other competitions are also often held, such as graphic marketing, sales talk, public speaking, and team showing. All of these events are completed WITHOUT parental assistance. The age groups involved in the YCSA range from under 10 to 25 years old, so the youth are always actively helping each other out. It is a great environment for youth to learn to work together and learn from each other. The younger competitors have a chance to learn how to work more independently, and the older youth have the opportunity to fulfill leadership roles, that will be so fundamental in their future endeavors in life. Most importantly is the life-long friendships that arise out of this program. The weekend events always include lots of fun evening activities, such as the Beef Bowl competition, wiener roasts, socials, camping, and even a Simmental Idol! There is no end to the creative ideas our National Youth Board and members of the YCSA will come up with to do for entertainment at each and every event!

Anyone can become a member of the YCSA - even if you do not have registered Simmental cattle! If you would like to become a member, you can CONTACT US or go to the next YCSA Event in your area, and we will have the applications forms where you can instantly become a member!  Don't miss out on all the FUN!

  HISTOR

 YOUNG CANADIAN SIMMENTAL ASSOCIATION,  "THE NEXT GENERATION"

Enthusiasm was the key to the organizational meeting of the “Young Canadian Simmentalers” held in Calgary, Alberta on December 13^th and 14^th, 1980. Selected representatives from across Canada had been asked to attend and bring their ideas for a youth group to work directly with the provincial Simmental associations under the umbrella of the Canadian Simmental Association. The C.S.A. Youth Committee had previously discussed a number of proposals concerning a junior our youth organization and the meeting represented the culmination of its efforts. The Canadian Simmental Association Board or Directors had received indications that interest was high among junior members, and the board was ready to recommend and support a youth association. The meeting would decide whether the young people wanted an organization of their own and would be willing to put a lot of hard work into starting and maintaining a viable association. The answer was a resounding yes!!!

A lunch on Saturday, December 13^th gave the group a chance to get acquainted then everyone moved to Highfield Stock Farms at Okotoks for a quick tour of the impressive facilities. Following the tour, the group settled down to the serious business of discussing the proposed Youth Organization. First on the agenda were the questions: “Do the young Simmental breeders want a youth organization?” and “What do you think the purpose of such a group should be?” The youth representatives had no problem with the first question a unanimous “Yes”, but there were a variety or responses regarding the group’s purpose. The show ring seemed to be the initial choice by the majority, but as the meeting progressed an abundance of other ideas surfaced. After things slowed down a bit, Earl Ballard, Youth Committee Chairman, and Alex Mills, Youth Coordinator, were asked to tell the meeting what the C.S.A. Board of Directors had in mind as goals for a junior association. Earl felt these goals included some promotion by way of show ring, but the main intent was to encourage future members of the C.S.A. and to train youth to become potential Directors of both the national and provincial Simmental Associations. Alex felt such a group should go beyond the 4-H level with a view to an apprenticeship program with members learning management, etc. While building up herds of their own for equity, or for sale, or to use as a foundation herd. These suggestions resulted in a further landslide of ideas for the potential junior group.

Youth members stressed that they did not want “just another club or junior association”. Definite projects and specific programs would result in long-lasting benefits to the individuals and the breed should be the priorities. They also felt that their time in such an organization should be used to the best advantage with obvious results. Another idea concerned promoting Simmental cattle as a second enterprise for a young farmer involved in the family farm instead of buying another piece of expensive land, build up a good herd of on available land already owned. Young people usually related better to other young people, and the representatives present felt this was one field where the Young Canadian Simmentalers could work with the commercial cattlemen and their families.

Highfield generously provided an excellent supper, after which discussions continued. The youth representatives were then taken back to the hotel where they held a meeting of their own to decide on concrete proposals for the general meeting to be held the next day.

The meeting reconvened Sunday, December 14^th at 9:05 at the Canadian Simmental Association boardroom, where the Youth Committee listened with amazement to the well-constructed proposals by the youth. They had certainly done their homework and deserved top marks for their efforts!

Members present stressed they felt it was vital to the Y.C.S. to work closely with the Executives, Directors and membership of the Canadian and provincial Simmental associations. Interest was also expressed in working at various shows and sales and assisting with the marshalling of cattle, promoting Simmental cattle on local levels and with commercial cattlemen and generally learning more about all aspects of the cattle business.

Another area of great concern to young Simmentalers was the difficulty they have in purchasing top-quality animals at prices they can afford. Various methods of circumventing this problem were put forward, including leasing a top heifer from an established breeder, partnerships with breeders and purchasing on a time payment plan, all of which required the backing of C.S.A. members to succeed.

A highlight of the morning meeting was a letter presented to the Chairman, Earl Ballard, by Ted Pritchett, the Editor of Simmental Country. In part his letter stated, “Recognizing the importance of youth in the future of our country and the Simmental business, I am pleased to offer two 1,000.00 scholarships to be used in conjunction with the planned Junior Breeders Program.” Details were to be arranged later, but the scholarships were to be used to further a young breeder’s practical experience or practical education. Simmental Country would also provide summer employment for young people interested in learning more about the publication business, and would co-operate with the Junior Program to promote its activities by running news releases as well as ads promoting members and their activities. Mr. Ballard thanked Ted Pritchett and Simmental Country for their very generous gestures and the participants in the meeting also expressed their appreciation.

The meeting was successful because of the active, enthusiastic involvement of young people. Their participation would then and still today ensure the future of the Simmental breed and add new depth to the programs of the Canadian and provincial Simmental Associations.

Taken from Simmental In Canada, 1967 – 2005, Celebrating 38 Years of Progress.

Printed in Canada and distributed by the Canadian Simmental Association

Copyright by Gerry Kaumeyer