Merry Christmas Angus Enthusiasts

With only one week to go before Christmas, the staff of the Canadian Angus Association would like to take this opportunity to wish all of our members, customers, blog readers and Canadian Angus enthusiasts a very Merry Christmas.


Our office will be closed on Friday, December 24 and Monday, December 27 for Christmas. We will also be closed on Friday, December 31 for the new year's holiday. We return to business as usual on Monday, January 3.


We're going to take a short break from the blog over the holiday season. We will post again on Friday, January 7.


We wish you all the best for a safe, healthy and happy holiday season and look forward to working with you in 2011.


Posted by Tina Zakowsky

Feedback: tina1@cdnangus.ca

Plush Angus Herd Dispersal

The Canadian Angus Association is having a complete dispersal of its Red and Black plush Angus herd. These cuddly little animals make great Christmas gifts for the young or old Angus enthusiast. You can choose from black and red bulls, heifers and calves or get an entire family! These purebred plushies come with a Certificate of Authenticity with their own unique name, tattoo and birth date. We have a limited quantity of these animals, and they’re going to go fast! Call Joanelle at 1-888-571-3580 to reserve your new herd addition today!

Bulls: $30
Heifers: $20
Calves: $15
* Prices do not include GST or shipping.

View more photos on the Canadian Angus Association website.

Posted by Julia Lindsay
Feedback: julia1@cdnangus.ca

'Tis the Season

The Canadian Angus Foundation is asking for consideration in your holiday giving plans this year. The Foundation is the charitable arm of the Canadian Angus Association. Established in 1993, the Foundation promotes research, historical preservation, education and youth development. A charity, the Foundation can't meet its objectives without financial support from the beef cattle community.

There are numerous programs that you can choose to support. Consider the following:

Support the Foundation by making a donation to support the Junior scholarship fund or the Dick Turner Scholarship Fund.

The Canadian Angus Association maintains the archives for the Foundation. We graciously accept historical Canadian Angus memorabilia which is displayed in the office.

We have received requests for copies of the Canadian Angus History Update (1985). If you have extra or unwanted copies, please donate them to the Association so we can pass them on to people who have lost theirs.

Assistant General Manager Michael Latimer and President Kirk Wildman have entered into a friendly competition to raise money for the Canadian Angus Foundation and the Kids with Cancer Society. Whoever raises the most money before the 2011 Annual General Meeting will shave their head at the AGM. Donations are being accepted online at http://www.canangusfoundation.ca/ toward Michael or Kirk. All money raised will be equally split between the two charities.

You can also make a donation to the Foundation's general revenue fund and allow the fund administrators to choose where your money can best be utilized.

Donations can be made online, by calling the office at 1-888-571-3580 or by mailing a cheque to Canadian Angus Foundation, 142, 6715-8 Street NE, Calgary, AB T2E 7H7.

If none of these options appeal to you but you want to support the Foundation, suggest your own project or fundraising idea. Contact Michael Latimer (michael1@cdnangus.ca) with your ideas.

The Canadian Angus Foundation Board of Directors thanks you in advance for your consideration, and extends their best wishes to you for a happy holiday season.

Posted by Tina Zakowsky
Feedback: tina1@cdnangus.ca

Agribition Report

First of all, congratulations to everyone for a great Agribition week! The cattle looked great, the winners deserved, and the sale was beyond successful!

High seller of the Masterpiece sale was Lot 3 – Geis Baloo 13’08 with ½ interest going to KBJ Round Farms for $27,000. 60 lots grossed $245,150 with the average being $4,086.

Grand Champion Female went to Red Redrich Glory Road 248X & Red Redrich Cherokee 248U with Reserve going to Red McRae Reba Lee 121W.

Grand Champion Bull went to Red Ter-ron Real Deal 01W and Reserve was Red Wheel Alliance 22U.

For more information on Sale and Show results, visit the Agribition website show results page.

The Canadian Angus Association was in attendance with Commercial Fieldman Brian Good, Assistant General Manager Michael Latimer, CEO Doug Fee, and myself. We had a tag table set up in the Angus barn with the Saskatchewan Angus booth. There were tags available to order as well as a place to get your questions answered. The booth was well received for being our first tag table at a major event, and I thank everyone for coming by to say hello and order some Angus tags!

Tags are always available to be bought. If you didn’t get a chance to stop by, call the office at 1-888-571-3580.

Thanks again to everyone for coming out and showing off the best the Angus breed has to offer! Our breeders did an outstanding job, and kept all the barn visitors talking with their top quality animals.

Posted by Julia Lindsay
Feedback: julia1@cdnangus.ca

Going to be at Agribition? Stop by for a visit!

The Canadian Angus Association will have four people from the office attending Agribition in Regina, SK this year. We will be wandering the grounds, visiting with all our wonderful breeders as well as taking tag orders on site.

If you haven’t ordered tags for your 2011 calves yet, need a couple extra, or have any questions about anything from the Alberta Age Verification Incentive Program to age verification, we can help you.

Stop by the Saskatchewan Angus booth located outside the old Masterpiece Sale ring if you are in need of anything. Julia will be there taking tag orders from you Wednesday through Friday, and the tags can be waiting for you when you get back to the farm.

If you're attending Agribition, plan to attend the Commercial Cattlemen's Beef on a Bun on Friday evening. This event immediately follows the Commercial Cattle Show in the Stadium West at approximately 6:00 p.m.

Good luck to everyone showing their Angus cattle! We look forward to seeing you in Regina.

Posted by Julia Lindsay
Feedback: julia1@cdnangus.ca

2010 Farmfair a Success

On behalf of the Canadian Angus Association, I would like to commend the Angus exhibitors at Farmfair for their hard work in displaying a group of cattle that from top to bottom we can be proud of. Angus is the number one breed in Canada because of the quality of our cattle and the dedication of our breeders.

I would also like to thank the Farmfair organizers for their dedication in arranging for numerous international guests to attend the various breed shows along with a tour of several local producers, among whom Angus was a major influence. I think most people will agree that opening new markets and improving international relations is essential for the well being of not only our purebred industry, but also of Canadian agriculture in general.

If you would like more information about Farmfair or show results, visit the Farmfair website.

Posted by Michael Latimer
Feedback: michael1@cdnangus.ca

October a Great Month for Angus in Canada

In the words of Brian Good, October was "the best month I have seen since working for the Canadian Angus Association in the commercial sector."

Cattle prices at Innisfail were good, with all weights of cattle bringing $100-$150 better than last year. Angus tagged cattle topped the market at Burnt Lake Auction. Black Angus led at Swift Current. Very good Angus cattle brought excellent prices at Perlich Auction. Prices were also strong at Keady in Ontario who reported an excellent Angus sale.

The Southern Alberta Angus Club hosted a steak fry at Medicine Hat. Hern Ranches sold their calves for sale-topping prices. Jim Hern said that he couldn't believe more people aren't using Angus tags in their Angus influenced cattle. So producers, don't forget to promote the Angus tag program to your commercial customers and ensure that you transfer the registration certificate into your customer's name.

Mankota remains the only auction so far to host an all-Angus-tagged, all-age-verified sale. This year there were 2,700 head on offer and people came from all over Canada to attend. The prices topped all other sales so far this year.

We have also received compliments in Quebec for the ATQ Angus tag program. Producers from other beef breeds have taken notice of the Angus tag and are very complimentary about the program. ATQ Angus tag sales have been brisk and we are very pleased with the uptake from Quebec producers.

There are dozens of Canadian Angus Rancher Endorsed sales left on the calendar for November and December. And it's not too late to get Angus tags for your cattle with at least one registered Angus parent.

Posted by Tina Zakowsky
Feedback: cdnangus@cdnangus.ca

Chickadee Dispersal Sale

Kajal Devani and I had the honour of attending this dispersal sale at the Innisfail Auction Mart on October 29. The sale brought a great number of buyers from the immediate community all the way through the United States. The turnout was tremendous, and all the animals were greatly appreciated by fellow breeders.

Leading off the sale was Red YY Dsgn King 522R. The crowd immediately showed their support for Chickadee, with the bull selling for $8,500 to Double Bar D. The next feature bull lot of Red Ter-Ron Wallace 142W brought another wave of support selling for $8,500 as well to Lauron. This bull was the high seller this past March at Ter-Ron’s bull sale, and many of the bred heifers in the sale carried his service.

With a herd mostly under 5 years old, this sale offered a great selection of red and black Angus genetics. 112 live lots grossed $490,350. The high selling cow was $10,000 with the average being $4,378.

Kajal and I are honoured to work with such an outstanding community of breeders. We’d really like the thank Jim and Laurel King & family of Chickadee Farms for extending the invitation to attend their dispersal sale.

Posted by Julia Lindsay, Intern
Feedback: julia1@cdnangus.ca

World Angus Secretariat 2011 Technical Meeting in Argentina

As October draws to a close and the first snowfalls and snowstorms have hit, Canadians are already starting to think about warmer climates. Some Angus breeders are thinking about travelling to Argentina next year.

The 2011 World Angus Secretariat 2011 Technical Meeting is being held in Buenos Aires from October 8-15, 2011. The Canadian Angus Association plans to put together a tour for a Canadian delegation, similar to the delegation that went to Ireland in 2007. We will post details on our website soon. If you may be interested in attending and want to be added to a mailing list to receive information by email about the Canadian tour, send an email to cdnangus@cdnangus.ca and put Angus Argentina 2011 in the subject line.

The first Angus breeding cattle were imported to Argentina in 1879. Angus is recognized as Argentina's leading beef breed, with more than half of the 50 million head of bovine livestock identified as purebred Angus or predominantly Angus crossbreeds.

Buenos Aires is a beautiful and vibrant city known for its architecture and cultural life. The XXXIII National Angus Spring Meeting, the XII National Fair of Angus Calves and Angus-genetics Expo take place at the same time as the technical meeting. Argentina has also promised a fun social program that includes an opening cocktail party, trips to Angus breeding farms, the Liniers Cattle Market and an unforgettable closing Gala Dinner featuring a genetics auction.

For more details, visit the World Angus Secretariat 2011 Technical Meeting website at www.wasargentina2011.com.

Posted by Tina Zakowsky
Feedback: tina1@cdnangus.ca

Beef and Wine Tasting Events in BC

I was in BC on the weekend for a Canadian Angus Association first: we partnered with a BC winery and hosted two wine and beef tasting events in BC.

Beef and wine go together very well, and the Canadian Angus Association through the Canadian Angus Rancher Endorsed program has partnered with Cedar Creek Estate Winery to cross promote Canadian beef and wine to consumers. We will formally launch this partnership at Friday's Red Roundup gala event.

On Saturday, October 16, our first tasting event was held at Lepp Farm Market who have just become our newest licensed participant in the Canadian Angus Rancher Endorsed program. An estimated 1,250 people came out to enjoy the sunshine and samples of Canadian Angus Rancher Endorsed beef and Cedar Creek Estate wine. It turned out to be the second-busiest day in Lepp Farm Market history, second only to Thanksgiving. On Sunday, October 17, we set up at the BC Liquor Store on 39th & Cambie in Vancouver and served an additional 300 interested consumers.

Consumers generally recognize the name Angus but don't really know what it is or why it is better. One on one is the best way to educate consumers. They want to know about the beef they are eating. The consumers at our tasting events wanted to know where the beef was from, what Angus is, and how Angus beef differs from "other" beef. They also asked for the recipes for the samples we were serving and wanted to know where they can purchase Angus beef. Canadian Angus Rancher Endorsed beef is available across Canada; find a location serving it near you by visiting www.rancherendorsed.com.

Special thanks for the effort and help from everyone involved as it was a great weekend.

Posted by Michael Latimer
Feedback: michael1@cdnangus.ca

It's a Big Week for Canadian Angus Rancher Endorsed Sales

We're mid-way through October and the office is a flurry of activity. Today is the deadline for breeders to submit their weights for the next National Cattle Evaluation. The phones are busy and the mail--paper and electronic--is pouring in. Our field staff are also very busy as we're in the heart of the fall sale run.

We have three Canadian Angus Rancher Endorsed Sales taking place today, and three more tomorrow. In fact, between today and next Friday, there are 44 Canadian Angus Rancher Endorsed Sales! It's a very big, busy week for the Canadian Angus Rancher Endorsed Sale program.

Our field staff are sending positive reports on the sales that have taken place so far. Prices are higher than last year and things look good for a successful fall sale run for the Angus breed. Good cattle continue to sell well and command good prices. Poor quality cattle don't do as well. And Angus tagged cattle continue to be in demand with buyers looking specifically for Angus tags.

Our field staff are often asked why anyone using Angus genetics wouldn't use Angus tags to visually and electronically identify their Angus influenced animals. Remember, all you need to purchase tags is one registered parent. We offer a number of ordering options and ship the tags direct to you.

If you're selling cattle with Angus genetics this fall, be sure to get Angus tags in their ears. And whether you're buying or selling, take the time to visit a Canadian Angus Rancher Endorsed Sale--there are lots to choose from and there's sure to be one near you. Don't forget to say hi to our field staff.

Posted by Tina Zakowsky
Feedback: tina1@cdnangus.ca

My Summer in the Archives

I spent my summer down in the Canadian Angus Association basement sorting through old photos, trophies, microfilms, herd books, and outdated floppy disks. I’ve seen everything from the pedigrees of the first Canadian Angus cattle to photos of past board members and staff with awesome 80s haircuts. It was so interesting to see how Angus and their owners have changed over the years.

One particular highlight of the summer was coming across a filing cabinet full of old letters and original bylaw amendments dating back as early as 1910! Another cool find was an album full of pictures from the Queen Mother’s visit at the 1985 World Angus Forum in Edmonton. It was also very interesting to see old photos of Junior members who have grown up and still raise Angus!

The Canadian Angus Association has come a long way since its incorporation in 1906. We have established good relationships with countries on nearly every continent; we have seen an impressive number of families reach the milestone of having raised Angus for 50 years; and we have implemented numerous programs to promote the Angus breed in Canada. All of this is plainly visible in the documents, photos, and artefacts we have stored in our basement!

At present, we are working towards having a large part of our archives preserved permanently at the Glenbow Museum & Archives in Calgary. That way, rather than sitting in boxes in our storage room, important pieces of our Association’s history will be organized and accessible to the public. On behalf of my colleagues at the office I would like to thank everyone who has sent us photos or newspaper clippings over the years that we still use today to help tell the story of our Association’s history.

Posted by Amanda Suhan
Feedback: amanda1@cdnangus.ca

EPD 101 Workshop in Manitoba

I travelled out to Brandon, Manitoba last Wednesday riveted by the beautiful fall colors and gorgeous scenery. I was welcomed by 11 Angus breeders and 2 commercial producers who took the time out of their very busy harvesting to attend a workshop on EPDs.

We discussed what EPDs are, how they are calculated and how they should best be used. This is the first of a series of workshops on EPDs that will be offered by the Association. The next workshop will describe the paperwork involved in participating on the Canadian Angus Performance Program. We will go through the paperwork that members receive and how to complete the worksheets. And, we will discuss the reports provided back to member explaining how to read and use these.

I’d like to thank Arlene Kirkpatrick for organizing the evening, and all the members who took the time to be there last Wednesday. It was a pleasure for me to meet so many enthusiastic breeders in person, and for me to be able to discuss genetic evaluations with them. In addition, it was greatly beneficial for us to have had the commercial customers’ perspective as well.

Everybody came away from the workshop having learnt something new and I encourage all breeders to take the time to come to the workshops as they are available in your area, or contact me to do it online.

EPDs are great selection tools that describe the additive genetics within our animals helping Angus breeders reach their breeding goals in a shorter time frame. I welcome you to contact me with any questions or comments that you might have.

Posted by Kajal Devani
Feedback: kajal1@cdnangus.ca

Field Staff Training

On Tuesday, the Canadian Angus Association's part-time and seasonal field staff gathered in cold, wet and foggy Calgary for some training and to gear up for the fall sale run. Although some sales have already taken place, the run starts in earnest on October 4 and the field staff will be on the road for long stretches at a time.

Canadian Angus Association office staff took the opportunity to refresh our field staff on policies and procedures that they often receive questions about. We covered the Canadian Angus Association's commercial programs; the benefits of the Angus tag program along with which animals qualify for tags and ways to order; requirements to register cattle in the Canadian Angus Association herdbook; how to use EPDs; the Canadian Angus Association's genetic defect policy; and the Canadian Angus Rancher Endorsed program.

We encourage all of our members, both purebred and commercial, to attend at least one sale this fall. Look for the following representatives in your area:

Western Canada:
Brian Good 403-391-4037
Ken Cox 780-672-6860

British Columbia:
Jack Brown 604-888-0862

Manitoba
Blair McRae 204-728-3058

Ontario
John Duivenvoorden 705-431-0319

Quebec/Maritimes
Wayne Gallup 819-826-3026

These guys will be putting in lots of hours promoting the Angus breed and our programs over the fall sale season. Be sure to say hello when you see them.


Posted by Tina Zakowsky
Feedback: tina1@cdnangus.ca

Inaugural Feedlot Challenge

Michael Latimer and I represented the Canadian Angus Association at the Feedlot Challenge 2010 sponsored by Pfizer Animal Health. It was held at Easter Day Feedlot north of Coaldale, Alberta. This is a beautiful location with absolutely stunning scenery.

Ten teams of four competed in skill tests that involved vaccinating and implanting cattle in chutes. The teams also had to handle cattle from horseback and write a test. Three Pfizer veterinarians acted as judges. Prizes were awarded during the evening following a barbecue.

This was the first time this event was held and it was enjoyable. It looks like it took a lot of work to organize but it was worth it. This was a very good deal that promises to be bigger and better next year.


Posted by Brian Good
Feedback: cdnangus@cdnangus.ca

Showing Angus at this Fall's Gold Shows?

The Canadian Angus Association 2010 Gold Show season started in July and continues through the end of November. The Gold Show program was developed in 1989 by the Canadian Angus Association to provide an incentive for breeders to move between regions to show cattle. Each year we present four awards: Black Show Bull of the Year; Red Show Bull of the Year; Black Show Female of the Year; Red Show Female of the Year.

If you plan to show animals that you have not yet registered, please contact the Registry department and start the registration process as soon as possible. We cannot make exceptions to our registration policies for Gold Show animals, so please ensure that you leave plenty of time for possible parentage spot tests, genetic defect testing requirements, and to provide missing information. All animals entered in Canadian Angus Association sponsored Gold Shows must be registered before the show.

You may want to mark your registration RUSH on the outside of your envelope or the cover page of your fax to ensure your animals will be registered in time for the show. Don't wait for the last minute to register your animals and risk not being able to participate!

In accordance with the Canadian Angus Association's Environmental Policy, the use of paint and colouring on animals in Association-sponsored shows is prohibited. The Board of Directors is responsible for checking all animals entering the show ring and refusing entry to any with paint or artificial colouring.

Please visit the Gold Show page on our website for more information.

Posted by Tina Zakowsky
Feedback: tina1@cdnangus.ca

Fall Feeder Sales Start Next Week

It's hard to believe that September is already here. At the office in Calgary, the staff are still wondering when summer will arrive on our doorstep while Eastern Canada is once again in the grips of a heat wave and Maritimers are bracing for the arrival of Hurricane Earl. But a sure sign that summer is over is the arrival of the fall Angus sales, which start on Friday, September 10 at Winnipeg Livestock Sales and continue through Thursday, December 9 at Sekura Auctions Ltd. in Drayton Valley. We even have a few spring sales in March and April. All the sale dates are listed on our events calendar on our website.


The Canadian Angus Association has worked hard to develop relationships with auction markets and offer Angus sales across the country. In just 10 years, we have gone from 5 sales to 157! Check the list of sale dates and you are sure to find one near you.


These sales are an excellent market for your Angus-tagged cattle. We are the only beef breed with a tag that guarantees breed genetics. Only Angus tags qualify your commercial cattle for Canadian Angus Rancher Endorsed beef programs. Licensed participants will be present at this fall's Canadian Angus Rancher Endorsed sales seeking Angus-tagged cattle for their beef programs.


The Canadian Angus Association will also have field representatives at nearly all sales. When you attend a sale, be sure to say hello.

Posted by Tina Zakowsky
Feedback: tina1@cdnangus.ca

New Canadian Angus Performance Program Deadline: October 10, 2010

The deadline to submit all performance data for the Spring 2011 National Cattle Evaluation has been changed to October 10, 2010. In order to have your performance data included in the November NCE, all data must be in the office by October 10; data can be submitted online or by mail.

However, most pastures are very green this year and many Canadian Angus Performance Program members were planning on leaving their cattle out as long as possible. If you do not submit your data by October 10th, you should still submit it as soon as possible. Data that gets submitted after the deadline will be used to calculate Interim EPDs (P+) for members until it is used in the next NCE in June 2011. Interim EPDs consist of Parental Averages (P) and the trait information that is submitted.

If your Herd Inventory and Application for Registration has been processed and you received an RFI (Request for Information) sheet from us, please provide your corrections or changes in writing and return it to the office by fax or mail. To ensure accuracy, we cannot accept revisions by telephone. The registration fee for an animal on which an RFI has been issued will be held for 90 days, but we strongly recommend that you respond to an RFI as soon as possible. If you have received a Missing Data-Herd Inventory sheet, please update it and return it to us as soon as possible. Once your inventory is complete, 205-day worksheets will be generated for you.

We realize that deadlines are sometimes difficult to meet when so much of our business is dependent on variables like the weather, however, data that is submitted shortly after it is taken is much more accurate and leaves more time to complete everything.

Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any questions at all.

Regards,
Kajal Devani
Feedback: kajal1@cdnangus.ca

Dick Turner Memorial Scholarship Fund

The recent loss of Angus legend Dick Turner and the creation of a memorial scholarship fund in his name has brought the Canadian Angus Foundation to people's minds and conversations. We have received a number of donations in Dick's memory, and the Canadian Angus Foundation is grateful for your support.

Some people have asked if they can make a donation without using the donation envelopes that were distributed earlier this year. The answer is yes, of course. You can send a cheque made payable to the Canadian Angus Foundation and write "Dick Turner Memorial Scholarship" on the memo line. You can also contact us in writing with your Visa or Mastercard number if you prefer to pay with your credit card. We also accept credit cards by phone; please call our toll-free line at 1-888-571-3580 and ask for me or Michael Latimer.

There is no deadline for contributions to the Dick Turner Memorial Scholarship Fund. Donations can be made at any time. Donations can also be made in memory of any deceased Angus breeder to the Canadian Angus Foundation Memorial Scholarship Fund established earlier this year. All donations, whether for scholarships, research, archives, education, youth development or a special project of your choosing, are welcome at any time. Donations over $20 are eligible for a tax receipt and are graciously acknowledged on our website and in our annual report.

To learn more about what the Canadian Angus Foundation does, please visit the website. The Canadian Angus Foundation thanks you for your support.


Posted by Tina Zakowsky
Feedback: tina1@cdnangus.ca

You’ve Tagged them as Angus, Now Sell them as Angus!

The 2010 Angus feature sale dates are set! This year we are pleased to have the support of 67 auction markets across Canada who will be hosting 157 sales for Angus tagged cattle. Click here for the complete list of sales.

You'll notice that we have changed the name of the sale program this year: Canadian Angus Certification Program Sales are now Canadian Angus Rancher Endorsed Sales. All the cattle being sold at these 157 sales that are tagged with the exclusive Angus RFID tag qualify for Canadian Angus Rancher Endorsed beef programs. Buyers from our licensed participants will be on hand at sales to source cattle with guaranteed Angus genetics for their Angus beef programs.

The sales are also listed on our online events calendar. Times and dates may change subject to weather conditions and we recommend that you confirm details with the auction(s) of your choice.

It's not too late to qualify your cattle for Canadian Angus Rancher Endorsed Sales! Please contact Cheryl (cheryl1@cdnangus.ca or 1-888-571-3580) if your Angus calves need tags. For information on the program, visit our website.

To ensure that your age verification will be ready by the date you want to sell, please ensure that you get your age verification requests submitted early. Remember that this service is provided free of charge when you purchase Angus tags.

Our field staff look forward to visiting with you at Angus feature sales starting in September.


Posted by Tina Zakowsky
Feedback: tina1@cdnangus.ca

Help an international visitor learn

Canada has a special visitor for the next several months. Jessica Denning, the Senior Aberdeen-Angus Ambassador from the Aberdeen Angus Cattle Society in Scotland, is visiting Canada until the end of November. Jessica plans to work her way across Canada learning about Angus production practices in Canada.

Jessica arrived in Canada just in time for Showdown. After a few days of extreme heat and humidity, she arrived in Calgary just in time for unseasonably cold temperatures and rain and hail. Our weather extremes have not scared her away, although she is seeking more agreeable weather conditions and the opportunity to visit more areas of Canada.

If you would like to show Jessica some Canadian hospitality and could use an extra set of hands helping out over the next few months, please contact the Canadian Angus Association office.

Posted by Michael Latimer
Feedback: michael1@cdnangus.ca

Updating our member handbook

Staff at the Canadian Angus Association are working on updates to the member handbook. We have received some feedback from members since the handbook was distributed in 2006 and are working to incorporate suggestions for improvement. So now is a good time to ask if there are ideas that haven't made it to us.

Do you have any suggestions for improving your handbook? Is there anything that you think is missing or that could be better explained? What do you most often use your handbook for? How can we make it more useful for you?

Please send your comments and suggestions to tina1@cdnangus.ca.

Posted by Tina Zakowsky

2010 International Livestock Identification Association Conference

Calgary hosted the annual International Livestock Identification Association (ILIA) conference this past week. I had the opportunity to represent the Canadian Angus Association along with Doug Fee. We, along with participants from Australia, Canada, the United States and Mexico discussed topics around the theme of livestock traceability in North America. Over the two days at Spruce Meadows, focus was specifically on animal health, the economics of traceability, how consumer demand affects traceability and the deployment of such systems. The conference concluded Wednesday with a tour of Western Feedlots and the Highwood Auction Market in High River.

Canada was recognized repeatedly as a world leader during these discussions along with Australia, Brazil, Uruguay and New Zealand. Consumer trust was also repeatedly discussed as it is vital to maintain and grow domestic meat markets. Traceability is a method by which this can be achieved. It also allows for a quick and easy investigation when an animal health concern which threatens our export markets arises. By developing these systems the opportunities for market re-entry after a closure are enhanced as we can prove the safety of our product.

All in all an educational and informative few days. I encourage all producers to continue age verifying their animals and invest some time to learn what CCIA and the governments are doing to assist and move Canadian traceability forward.

Posted by Cheryl Hazenberg
Feedback: cheryl1@cdnangus.ca

Showdown 2010

The Canadian Junior Angus Association's Showdown 2010 was held in Saint Hyacinthe, Quebec, from July 8 to 11. This was an excellent event in which the Juniors were able to participate in a wide range of events including Print Marketing, Sales Talk, Showmanship, Judging, Team Judging, Team Grooming, Photography, Literature, Art, Scrapbook, Graphic Design, Public Speaking, Cook-off, Herdsman, Spirit of Youth and even showing cattle.

The Friday barbecue was held at Ranch Angus Noiseux which is owned by Guy Noiseux. At the recent Canadian Angus Association annual general meeting, Guy's brother Luc was presented with an honourary president pin. Ranch Angus Noiseux was also the site of the cook-off.

The conformation show was held Saturday with a good turnout of cattle. Although the cattle were primarily from Quebec and Ontario, 65 Juniors from across Canada attended the event.

At the Saturday evening awards banquet, Belinda Wagner and Laurie Noiseux were greeted with a standing ovation for their tremendous efforts in organizing Showdown.

Two international competitors also participated in Showdown this year: Jess Denning, the Aberdeen Angus Senior Ambassador from the UK, and Tennessee's Montgomery Dempsey who is part of an exchange program with the Red Angus Association of America.

Congratulations to all the competitors who attended Showdown. And kudos to all who helped the event run smoothly. This is a phenomenal event that all members should be proud of.

Posted by Michael Latimer
Feedback: cdnangus@cdnangus.ca

Deadlines and Reminders

It seems like it's always a busy time of year for Angus breeders, and for almost anyone involved in agriculture. We would like to remind you of some upcoming deadlines to ensure they aren't forgotten:

If you are an authorized user and register your animals online, July 15 is the deadline to register your Spring 2010-born calves online for $15 regardless of age. If you are not yet an authorized user but want to take advantage of these savings, you need to contact us (registry@cdnangus.ca) very soon to be set up as an authorized user.

If you are on the Canadian Angus Performance Program, your 2010 spring born calf records should be submitted to us by July 15 to allow us adequate time to process your 205 day worksheets.

Showdown is currently underway and the first Gold Show is only a couple weeks away. Please submit your show animal registrations as soon as possible and mark them rush. We will do our best to work with you to accommodate your deadlines but please keep in mind the possibility of parentage spot tests, genetic defect testing requirements, and possible missing information. All animals entered in Canadian Angus Association sponsored Gold Shows must be registered before the show. Don't wait for the last minute to register your animals and risk not being able to participate.

We'll have an update from Showdown for you next week.

Posted by Tina Zakowsky
Feedback: tina1@cdnangus.ca

Barbecuing Canadian Angus Rancher Endorsed Beef

There's something about Canada Day that makes people want to barbecue. It sometimes seems like almost every community across the country is having a barbecue as part of their Canada Day celebrations. This is good news for the beef industry as there will be lots of burgers and steaks on grills in backyards and communities from coast to coast.

As the weather has warmed up, staff here at the Canadian Angus Association have been barbecuing and taste testing Canadian Angus Rancher Endorsed products. We've looked up retail locations where we can find Canadian Angus Rancher Endorsed beef and headed to the store to buy frozen burgers and fresh steaks.

As we've compared notes, we may disagree on who makes the best frozen burger or which type of steak is best, but we all agree that we are proud of our Canadian Angus Rancher Endorsed program and the products under this label.

I encourage all Angus producers--purebred and commercial--to visit the retailers selling these products. Licensed participants are getting new packaging materials printed with the Canadian Angus Rancher Endorsed logo as they use up their existing supplies, so you may have to look for their name in some locations.

Try a Canadian Angus Rancher Endorsed product and let us know what you think. They're buying your cattle so don't hesitate to support their product and programs. The Canadian Angus Association has proudly endorsed these products and we're sure that you'll not only enjoy them, but that you'll be proud that the box or the sign says "Angus".

Posted by Tina Zakowsky
Feedback: tina1@cdnangus.ca

More Annual Meeting Highlights

If you haven't visited the Angus News page on our website in the last few days, we encourage you to do so.

We have included a detailed summary of the annual general meeting in Halifax complete with lots of photos. You can read about the President's Reception on the tall Ship Silva, the lobster dinner at Murphy's on the Water (and see Doug Fee wearing a plastic bib!), the Robert C. McHaffie Junior Ambassador Competition... I could keep going, but you should just click here to read all the details for yourself.

Our hats are off once again to our hosts, the Maritime Angus Association. Job well done Betty Lou and crew!

Posted by Tina Zakowsky
Feedback: tina1@cdnangus.ca

Canadian Angus Association 2010 Annual General Meeting

Any description of the 2010 Canadian Angus Association Annual General Meeting would be amiss if it did not begin by recognizing the warmth with which the Maritimers welcomed us into their city and province. Angus breeders from all across Canada travelled to Halifax to attend the event; industry partners and representatives from other associations were all present. And, we heard repeatedly, that it was worth the trip!

Halifax is a port filled with history and culture. We thoroughly enjoyed visiting Pier 21 where several breeders found their family names on the wall that recognizes immigrant families who first landed in Canada. Some of us found ourselves enraptured in the 1800 reenactment of Alexander Keith’s brewery establishment. Angus breeders had the opportunity to tour two wineries and a lobster pound – both excellent pairings with our delicious Angus beef. As guests at the President’s reception, we were whisked away on the Tall Ship Silva on which we sailed around the port. The harbour had a relaxed and rejuvenating effect on everyone who was present.

This was a wonderful setting for the Annual General Meeting where Angus breeders and industry partners came together to form strong relationships and a positive outlook for our industry in the coming year. Angus breeders are so pleased to welcome Kirk Wildman as our president for the next year, and congratulate David Bolduc on being nominated as the president elect.

We had the opportunity to travel with our Quebec and Maritime Fieldman Wayne Gallup to visit MacMaster Choice Meats in Antigonish, NS. MacMaster Choice Meats is owned and operated by Frank MacMaster and is currently the only Canadian Angus Rancher Endorsed licensed participant in the Maritime region. Frank also joined us at the AGM by participating in the roundtable discussions and was very generous in supplying and donating Canadian Angus beef for the banquet.

The speech portion of the 2010-2011 Robert C. McHaffie Junior Ambassador Competition was carried out at Murphy’s restaurant along the waterfront in Halifax, NS. Erika Easton of Wawota, SK was declared the winner at the banquet. Erika will be an excellent representative of the Canadian Angus Foundation at many national and international events throughout the upcoming year.

This was the first Canadian Angus Association Annual General Meeting that we have attended as staff members of the Association and we were both grateful for your warm welcomes, and the encouragement that we both received from members. We were both so happy to see how passionate and committed all our members are to the Angus breed and the Association. We thank you all for travelling from far and wide to attend.


Posted by Kajal Devani and Michael Latimer
Feedback: cdnangus@cdnangus.ca

Some fees are changing June 30

Some Canadian Angus Association fees will be changing on June 30. These fee changes result from decisions made at the February 2010 Board of Directors meeting.

At the meeting, the Finance Committee reported serious concern that our fee structure has not kept pace with inflation and explained that we have been able to keep registration and membership fees at the 1982 level only because of activity growth and access to grant programs.

The Board of Directors accepted the following changes to the fee schedule, effective June 30:

• Cost of providing mailing labels be $100 plus 3 cents per label

• An electronic download of member addresses be $250 for a one-time use

• Charge to register an imported animal be $50

• Charge of $25 for Geneprob reports, reduced to $15 if it can be provided electronically

• Cost to register a herd name be $25

• Cost to register tattoo letters be $25

All members will receive a revised fee schedule in the mail with their 2009 annual report by the end of the month. You can also download a printable PDF file by clicking here.

Changes to registration, transfer and membership fees will not occur until January 2011.

Posted by Tina Zakowsky
Feedback: tina1@cdnangus.ca

Alberta Angus Association Awards Banquet

Sunday evening, Doug and I had the privilege of attending the Alberta Angus Association Hall of Fame Gala. This event was scheduled after the annual meeting in December was cancelled because of inclement weather. The following breeders were entered into the Alberta Angus Hall of Fame:

Mike & Ella May Rodgers (Breed Builder category)
Cudlobe Farms (Contemporary Breeder category)
Triple S Red Angus (Contemporary Breeder category)

Alberta Angus' 2010 Honorary President, Dr. Ben MacLeod, was also recognized although he will not officially receive his award until Saturday at the Canadian Angus Association's annual meeting. Dr. MacLeod shared with the crowd some very valuable life lessons.

Doug Fee also presented the plaque for the 2009 Red Show Bull of the Year. Red Ter-Ron Realdeal HFX 01W, owned by Terry Adams and Rob Adams of Forestburg and Keith Adams of Calgary, won the award but are unable to attend the annual meeting and accept it there.

Congratulations to the award winners and the hall of fame inductees. Without the support and vision of these dedicated breeders, the Angus breed would not be in the leading position it is today.

Posted by Michael Latimer
Feedback: michael1@cdnangus.ca

Government of Alberta develops plan to help cow-calf producers cover cost of RFID tags

Starting July 1, eligible Alberta cattle producers will be able to take advantage of the province's 3 year, $15 million program when they purchase Angus tags. The Age Verification Incentive Program will provide a discount of up to $3 per age-verified animal, based on the number of animals a beef producer has, or plans to have, age verified from the previous year's calf crop. For anyone who has already purchased their tags this year, the government will reimburse them directly; a separate Producer Application form is required.

Alberta producers will be required to fill out and sign a program form and mail or fax it along with an Angus tag order form to the Association office. Forms will be available on our website starting June 30.

For further information, contact Cheryl or Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development online or by phoning 310-FARM (3276).

Posted by Cheryl Hazenberg
Feedback: cheryl1@cdnangus.ca

CFIA announces de-listing of bar-coded tags

The CFIA recently announced that they will continue with the plan to de-list bar-coded identification tags. Effective July 1, 2010, all cattle moving from their location or leaving the farm of origin will be required to be tagged with an approved Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag.

To read the entire press release from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency click here.

If you require additional Angus tags to meet these requirements, contact Cheryl at the Canadian Angus Association office, or order your tags online. Remember to order them early as we will be unable to ship tag orders from June 28 to July 1.

Posted by Cheryl Hazenberg
Feedback: cheryl1@cdnangus.ca

Livestock Markets Association of Canada annual convention

Last week I attended the Livestock Markets Association of Canada (LMAC) annual convention in Winnipeg, Manitoba. This year's event in Winnipeg was another good deal. Congratulations to Rodney Burnett, the 2010 champion from Valley Auctions. The event was well attended with over 350 people at the auctioneer competition. Lots of commercial breeders in attendance from across the country.

The Canadian Angus Association has been involved with this group since 1998. We were approached about sponsoring the auctioneer competition. Since many of the auctioneers also conduct purebred sales it seemed like a good idea. All the breed associations came on board and we each sponsor a buckle, with a different breed sponsoring the champion buckle each year. This year the Canadian Angus Association sponsored the buckle for the third runner up. Congratulations to Rob Bergevin of VJV Stavely who received our buckle this year.

This is a great event and I'm already looking forward to next year's convention.

Posted by Brian Good
Feedback: cdnangus@cdnangus.ca

Last Call for AGM Registrations

When you think of Angus, the eastern coast of Canada is generally not one of the first things to come to mind. If I told you to picture Halifax, Nova Scotia, you would probably picture tall ships, lobster and friendly Maritimers. But in just a few weeks, Canadian Angus members will experience legendary Maritime hospitality with an Angus twist.

June 19 is the Canadian Angus Association's annual meeting. The Maritime Angus Association has lined up events and activities to help you play tourist for an extra two days before the meeting. And if you really want to make a holiday of it, why not head out extra early and take in the Maritime Junior Show and Field Day on June 12?

Time is running out, and so are the available hotel rooms. Flight deals can still be found, so register today.

The annual general meeting is a great opportunity for members to express their opinions and interact with other members. Excercise your right to vote, meet other Angus breeders from across Canada, take in presentations about issues facing our breed and of course experience what Halifax has to offer.

Come "wander the waterfront" in Halifax with the directors and members of the Canadian Angus Association. It's sure to be an amazing experience.


Posted by Tina Zakowsky
Feedback: cdnangus@cdnangus.ca

Register your show cattle early

If you plan to show Angus cattle this summer, you can save yourself money and stress by getting them registered well in advance of the deadlines. Most shows, including Canadian Angus Association Gold Shows, require purebred cattle to be registered in order to participate. Last-minute requests cannot always be accommodated, especially if the animal is randomly selected for a parentage spot test or we are missing information. Registering early also means you won't have to pay rush fees.

The changes to the genetic defect policy that took effect in January may also have an impact on the calves you intend to register and show. As of January 1, 2010 calves that have known carriers of a genetic defect in the first two generations (parental and grandparental) of their pedigree, without an intervening free result, need to be tested free of the causative gene to be eligible for registration. It may take 3-4 weeks for test results to be returned before an animal can be registered. Planning ahead can help you avoid disappointment and ensure your cattle can compete this show season.

June 10 is the registration deadline for Showdown, and Gold Shows start in July. Click here for the full Gold Show schedule.

Remember: the younger the calves are when you register, the cheaper it is to register them.

Posted by Tina Zakowsky
Feedback: tina1@cdnangus.ca

Information Meetings in Manitoba

Last week, I was a guest speaker at some producer information meetings the Manitoba Angus Association hosted about our Canadian Angus Rancher Endorsed program. Both went great with 46 people at Brandon and 22 at Ashern. I was joined by Hamiota Feeders who gave a presentation about how to get your calves ready for this fall's auctions.

People in Manitoba are hungry for information about our programs. If you missed my presentation about the Canadian Angus Association and Canadian Angus Rancher Endorsed, go to our website to learn more. Our website has lots of great information on it about Angus tags, help with your registration questions, and of course the Canadian Angus Rancher Endorsed program. You can also call our office at 1-888-571-3580.

Lois McRae, Canadian Angus director for Manitoba, and Arlene Kirckpatrick, Manitoba Angus Association secretary, both deserve a big pat on the back for doing a really good job putting on these meetings.

If you use Angus cattle in your breeding program, whether you raise purebred or commercial cattle, use Angus tags to qualify your cattle for Canadian Angus Rancher Endorsed. The participating beef programs need more Angus tagged cattle to meet demand. It's not too late to get your tags. Tag your calves now to get ready for the Canadian Angus sponsored feeder sales this fall.

Til next time,
Brian Good

Feedback: cdnangus@cdnangus.ca

Watch us on tv!

If you live in Alberta or can tune in Access television, check out the program Innovative Business in Alberta on Saturday, May 8th and Saturday, May 29th at 11:30 am. The Canadian Angus Rancher Endorsed program will be featured.

Calgary - Channel 13
Edmonton - Channel 9
Lethbridge - Channel 13
Red Deer - Channel 9
Medicine Hat - Channel 13

Alberta is returning to a strong economy. In order to stay competitive and on the leading edge, companies are developing creative approaches and initiatives that will maximize their growth and the growth of their clients. Whether in the resource sector, agriculture or the First Nations, this episode of Tune Into will introduce you to some extraordinary companies building a bright future for all Albertans. Participants featured in this episode are:

• Alberta Women Entrepreneurs
• Canadian Angus Association
• Goodfish Lake Development Corporation
• Laricina Energy

The Canadian Angus Association is very excited about this opportunity to educate producers and consumers alike about Canadian Angus Rancher Endorsed. Tune in, and let us know what you think.

Posted by Tina Zakowsky
Feedback: tina1@cdnangus.ca

Promoting Canadian Angus Beef in BC

I've just returned to the office from a short trip to British Columbia. I travelled with Deb Verbonac and Ben Graham from AdFarm to lend support to some of the participants on the Canadian Angus Rancher Endorsed program.

We attended a meat tasting at La Rua Restaurante in Whistler, BC. Special thanks to Mario Enero for being such a great host. This event was put on by Alberta Meats which is made up of Heritage Angus Beef, Sturgeon Valley Pork, Canadian Rangeland Beef and Bision Inc. and Cedar Creek Winery. The event was attended by chefs and restaurant owners in the Whistler area and was very well received.

We next attended a meat tasting at Earls Yaletown in Vancouver. This was also hosted by Alberta Meats and was attended by approximately 50 chefs and owners of restaurants in Vancouver as well as representatives from food markets in the area. These two events are a great start to getting Canadian Angus beef on more restaurant menus.

We also had the opportunity to visit the Lepp Farm Market and Hopcott Premium Meats, two very modern markets that specialize in local products. These two groups do an excellent job of promoting local agriculture and are differentiating products and adding value for local producers. I think this is a business model that we will see a lot more of over the course of the next decade as consumers increasingly want to know where their food comes from.

This was a very progressive group of people that are breaking new ground in helping a cross-section of agriculture sectors. They are working hard and assuming a lot of risk to break into new markets. They should be commended for a job well done. This isn't the normal route that the Canadian Angus Association travels, but we see a need to connect with consumers to get more Angus beef on menus. This may be best done through working with the foodservice industry.

Special thanks go to Ken Friesen of KFC Farms for helping to organize the tour and acting as tour guide/chauffeur.

Posted by Michael Latimer
Feedback: michael1@cdnangus.ca

Having our voices heard

On Tuesday, April 27 I will have the opportunity to present to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food (AGRI). The Committee is embarking on a cross-Canada fact-finding tour in order to meet young farmers and discuss with them the various challenges and issues in their sector. They will also discuss the programs which have been introduced to attract young farmers, facilitate funding, share information, promote the farming profession and provide training. This committee is made up of Members of Parliament who represent all major parties.

This is a great opportunity to have the issues that face the cattle industry brought to the attention of our federal government. As I will have limited time, the specific issues that I will be addressing are access to financing and farm succession planning. There are many other issues that are of concern to the industry but these are the ones that I feel could be realistically addressed by this committee.

What issues do you see young farmers facing, and do you have ideas for making agriculture a more appealing career choice for young people? Share your thoughts with us at cdnangus@cdnangus.ca


Posted by Michael Latimer

About Genetic Defects

Genetic defects in beef cattle have been receiving some attention recently and many breeders have some questions. We have added an information sheet to our website that summarizes the basic facts about genetic defects. You are welcome to print it and share it with your fellow breeders and customers.

Genetic defects are present in every beef breed. These are inherited conditions, not diseases, and they cannot be spread by contact or air. There are very few carrier animals in the Canadian Angus herdbook and even fewer confirmed cases of affected calves. Recent advancements in DNA technology enable us to test for the genes that cause defects and prevent breeding carrier animals.

We regularly update our website with the most current and comprehensive information about specific genetic defects and which animals have been tested. Questions about genetic defects can be directed to me.

Posted by Kajal Devani
Feedback: kajal1@cdnangus.ca

Hero Burger Restaurant Review: Cooked to perfection and tastes homemade

While we don’t often do food and restaurant reviews on our blog, I wanted to take the opportunity to share an experience I had last week with everyone. While on vacation in Ontario I had the chance to eat at a Hero Certified Burger location in Richmond Hill, which is north east of Pearson International Airport. I was extremely curious to see if Hero Burgers lived up to the hype I’ve heard since they joined as a licensed participant in the Canadian Angus Rancher Endorsed program. Let me assure you that they did not disappoint. From the moment I walked through the door which proudly displayed the Canadian Angus Rancher Endorsed logo, I was impressed. The service was fantastic and the food was excellent. With a choice of burger size from a 4 oz, 6 oz or 8 oz there is something for everyone. Then they cook your burger after it is ordered, it makes you seriously consider which of their toppings to add. With a choice of 7 different cheeses and portobello or sautéed button mushrooms, fire roasted peppers and Canadian Peameal bacon just to name a few. It was obvious that this is going to be much more than a typical run of the mill fast food hamburger. It was served quickly, cooked to perfection and tasted like something homemade.

We should be proud as a breed that we are a part of this company’s success. While currently they are only located in the Greater Toronto Area, anyone who is there or going through should stop in and see for yourself, one of the many success stories since the launch of the Canadian Angus Rancher Endorsed Program. I applaud Hero Burgers for their use of 100% Canadian Angus beef and their promotion of that. Remember as producers your chance to be a part of this is easy. Purchase your Angus RFID tags and use them in animals sired by one registered Angus parent. For further information, contact me.

Posted by Cheryl Hazenberg
Feedback: cheryl1@cdnangus.ca

Last Month for Bull Sales

It's the last month for bull sales, and this Saturday is an especially busy day with a number of members hosting sales. Commercial fieldman Brian Good has put on a lot of miles visiting commercial customers at sales and promoting the use of Angus genetics and Angus tags. Brian reports that the fat market has moved up and the grassers are in demand, creating interest in the top end bulls. Marginal bulls remain tough to move. It appears that quite a few replacement heifers will be bred this summer.

Whether you are buying or selling, remember that bulls sold as purebred must be transferred into the name of the buyer. Don't forget to check our events calendar to find Angus bull sales near you.

Posted by Tina Zakowsky
Feedback: cdnangus@cdnangus.ca

Visit Halifax this June

This year's Canadian Angus Association annual general meeting takes place in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The Maritime Angus crew has planned an event that is sure to have something to please everyone.

If you've always wanted to explore Canada's east coast, you can plan a holiday around Angus events. The Maritime Angus Junior Heifer Show & Field Day takes place June 11-12 and the Canadian Angus Association annual meeting events take place June 16-20 with the AGM on June 19. The Westin Nova Scotian is offering convention room rates from June 13 to 22. Book by May 21 to take advantage of the special rates for Canadian Angus Association members and for best selection.

For more information on things to do and the schedule of events, visit the Canadian Angus Association website. Be sure to take advantage of the $25 early bird registration discount and register by May 15.

Posted by Tina Zakowsky
Feedback: cdnangus@cdnangus.ca

Celebrating a Lifetime in Angus

I am honoured to report that I have been invited to attend Lillian McBride's 100th birthday party this weekend.

Lillian is the wife of the late Jack McBride. They were married for an amazing 74 years. Lillian and Jack ran Riverbend Farms near Sylvan Lake, Alberta, and were honoured with the Canadian Angus Association's 50 Year Award in 1998. The McBride Angus cattle appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1954 and won the Parrish & Heimbecker Rye King of the World award in 1955 and 1957.

This weekend, I will join her family in honouring Lillian and her remarkable life. I hope you will all join me in saluting the Angus breeders who persevered and help us get to where we are today.

Posted by Doug Fee.
Feedback: cdnangus@cdnangus.ca

Do you have your Angus Tags yet?

It is that time of year again; spring is in the air across the country. Maple syrup is flowing in Quebec, the prairies are seeing warmer weather, calving is under way and it is snowing in Calgary. It’s time to purchase your CCIA required RFID tags for this year’s calf crop. While you could go out to your local farm supply store and pick up a bag of tags off the shelf, but why? Angus tags are available through the Canadian Angus Association. Producers in Quebec can now order Angus ATQ tags directly from ATQ. The Angus RFID tag is the only tag you need. It is quick and easy to order and any calves that are progeny of one registered Angus parent are eligible for the tags.

With last year’s launch of the Canadian Angus Rancher Endorsed program, there are participants from British Columbia to Nova Scotia looking for Angus tagged animals. The only requirement by producers is to use the Angus tags. Every Angus tag is eligible for free age verification services by the Association staff and the tags are delivered right to your mailbox. Knowing that the weather during a Canadian spring can turn from beautiful to downright nasty on a dime why not take advantage of the convenience of direct delivery? Tags are available in bags of 25 and are shipped in numerical sequence. Green dangle tags are available in addition to the RFID tag and can be ordered as matched sets with the RFID tag or blank.

For more information or to place an order, click here.

Posted by Cheryl Hazenberg
Feedback: cheryl1@cdnangus.ca

Remember to transfer!

It's been a busy winter with many bull sales. Whether you are buying or selling, we would like to remind you that bulls sold as purebred must be transferred into the name of the buyer. This is a requirement not only of the Canadian Angus Association, but it is also a legal obligation under the Animal Pedigree Act. According to the Animal Pedigree Act, a transferred paper needs to be provided to the buyer within six months after the sale date if an animal is sold as a purebred.

Registration certificates:

• Identify the animal by its permanent mark, the tattoo.
• Identify ownership of the animal.
• Identify the three-generation pedigree of the animal.
• Show the identification of animals that have tested free for genetic defects, as well as those who have tested as carriers of genetic defects.
• Qualify offspring for Angus tags and open marketing opportunities for owners of registered seedstock.
• Are legal documents recognized by the Animal Pedigree Act.
• Are a guarantee of authenticity backed by the Canadian Angus Association.

Commercial bull buyers must have registered Angus bulls in order to purchase Angus tags and qualify their animals for Canadian Angus Rancher Endorsed. We have 12 licensed participants across Canada actively searching for Angus tagged cattle. These participants have indicated that there is a shortage of Angus tagged cattle. You can find licensed participants in your area on the Canadian Angus Rancher Endorsed website.


Posted by Tina Zakowsky
Feedback: cdnangus@cdnangus.ca

Calgary Bull Sale

Doug and I had the pleasure of attending the 110th annual Calgary Bull Sale and show.

Congratulations to the Show Champions:

• Grand Champion Angus Bull: Belvin Wanderlei 25'09, owned by Belvin Angus
• Reserve Champion Angus Bull: GH Adams Freedom Mick 207W, owned by Adams Hirsche

The high seller at the Angus sale was Belvin Warrior 6'09 which sold to Pahl Livestock for $20,000.

65 Angus bulls grossed $19,750. The average price was $3,380.77 which was up $300 from 2009.

Thank you to all the exhibitors for having a strong set of Angus bulls that reflect the depth and quality of the Angus breed.

Posted by Michael Latimer
Feedback: cdnangus@cdnangus.ca

Watch for our staff at bull sales

Commercial fieldman Brian Good is on the road at a number of bull sales. Brian's tentative schedule for the next two weeks is:

• KFC Farms February 26 & 27
• Remington March 2
• Lloydminster Bull Sale March 7 & 8
• Bar EL March 11
• ARDA March 12
• LLB March 13

CEO Doug Fee and Assistant General Manager Michael Latimer will be at the Calgary Bull Sale on March 3 & 4.


Don't forget to check our events calendar to find Angus bull sales near you.


Posted by Tina Zakowsky
Feedback: cdnangus@cdnangus.ca

2010 GOAL Conference

The 2010 GOAL conference was an outstanding event. It was very beneficial to our Junior members to have time to get together where they are able to socialize, learn life skills and gain insights into the industry with minimal parental involvement and without the added pressure of caring for cattle at an event.

The Juniors had the opportunity to tour the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, GenServe Laboratories and the Canadian Light Source. The Board of Directors of the Canadian Angus Association joined the Juniors on Friday evening for dinner as the Board meeting was also held in Saskatoon. The Juniors then went to play on waterslides and enjoy sundaes.

On Saturday, 1998 Olympic gold medallist in women's curling Joan McKusker, gave the keynote speech titled "Ordinary People do Extraordinary Things". The day wound up at Champetre County, a small French community east of Saskatoon, where the Juniors had to find their way out of a maze, enjoyed sleigh rides, supper, entertainment from a five-time Australian bull whip champion and square dancing lessons.

Sunday our very own Kajal Devani gave a presentation to help Juniors understand population genetics and management of genetic defects. Many came prepared with questions. We learned that candy is a great motivator to encourage participation!

It was great to see the Juniors form new friendships and achieve a sense of camaraderie. We really appreciate being invited to join in the weekend activities. We really enjoyed ourselves and learned a lot.


Posted by Michael Latimer & Kajal Devani
Feedback: cdnangus@cdnangus.ca

Business Tools for Purebred Cattle Producers

In this tough financial time when lenders are less able to give loans to agricultural producers and profit margins are tight, it is more important than ever to have a comprehensive understanding of your operation costs. The Canadian Beef Breeds Council, an industry association that represents all of Canada's purebred beef cattle producers, has created a program that will help you analyze your cost of production along with the benchmarked average of all producers. The program has been custom designed for Canadian purebred beef producers and the information can be shared with your accountant or bank.

The CBBC program is a management tool designed to help you make critical financial decisions. A series of "webinars" started last month, but producers can join the program at any time. If you did not receive a copy of the program, it is available online.

Posted by Michael Latimer
Feedback: cdnangus@cdnangus.ca

It's Bull Sale Season

Bull sale season has begun. You can find many bull sales listed on our Events Calendar. You can also look up registered animals for sale in our online sale catalogue listing. Both of these services are free if you take advantage of the Canadian Angus Association's Pedigree Extract Service.

The cost for a pedigree extract is $2/animal if the registration number is sent electronically in an Excel file and $5/animal if the registration number is not sent electronically or if only the tattoo is provided. Photos can be added at a cost of $3/animal. Contact Kajal to request your pedigree extract.

Posted by Tina Zakowsky
Feedback: cdnangus@cdnangus.ca

Weekend in Saskatchewan

It was cold and stormy in Saskatchewan this weekend, but that didn't stop dedicated cattle producers from braving the wintery weather to attend the Saskatchewan Cattlemen's Association and Saskatchewan Angus Association annual meetings.

Dale Easton, Karla Hicks, Jason Frey and Adam Knutson have been acclaimed to the provincial board of directors. There will be an election in Saskatchewan for the Canadian Angus Association board of directors. Kevin Blair and Jon Fox were nominated for the seat that will be vacated by Bob Switzer in June, as his term as Past President ends. Nominations will be accepted until January 31. For more information or to nominate someone, contact Belinda Wagner at office@saskatchewanangus.com.

Saskatchewan's 2010 Honourary President is John Willmott and Howe Red Angus is the 2010 Breeder of the Year for Saskatchewan. Congratulations to these deserving honourees.


Posted by Michael Latimer
Feedback: cdnangus@cdnangus.ca

Are You Smarter than the Canadian Angus Juniors?

The Juniors and I would like to invite Canadian Angus breeders to challenge us with questions. There is a prize for the member who stumps us!

Please submit all your Canadian Angus related questions to me at kajal1@cdnangus.ca. You can ask about the Canadian Angus Performance Program, genomics, or the name of the first Angus animal born in Canada. I will take all the questions to the GOAL conference in February and will try to answer them with the help of all the Junior members attending. Questions and answers will be posted on the website after the conference.

The deadline to submit your questions is February 16.

Good luck members! Even better luck Juniors!


Posted by Kajal Devani
Feedback: cdnangus@cdnangus.ca

Provincial Annual Meetings

We have a few notes to share about the recent annual meetings in Manitoba and Alberta. CEO Doug Fee attended both and reports on positive meetings and two gung-ho groups of people.

The Manitoba meeting was well attended. "Hats off to the Manitoba Angus Association for running a meeting with four other breed associations. It's great for everyone to meet in one place like this," Doug said upon his return. He also reports that the roundtable discussions were excellent and provided some great ideas.

Doug, Assistant General Manager Michael Latimer, and four of the five Alberta directors attended Sunday's Alberta Angus annual meeting. Gary Latimer and Cecilie Fleming, the Canadian Angus Association directors for Alberta were re-elected by acclamation. Congratulations to Doug Reid, recipient of the Cecilie Fleming Spirit of Angus Award and Emily Pugh, recipient of the Dorothy Banks scholarship. The new directors of the Alberta board are Richard Latimer, Ricki Fleming, Carolyn Congdon, Laurie Hunter and Blake MacMillan.

Doug reports that the big challenge for Angus producers in 2010 is to get Angus tags into qualified commercial animals. Visit our website for information on the Angus tag program.

The next meeting is the Saskatchewan annual meeting on Saturday. Michael will attend on behalf of the Canadian Angus Association.

Posted by Tina Zakowsky
Feedback: cdnangus@cdnangus.ca