Canadian Angus Foundation Update

The Canadian Angus Foundation has had one of its best years ever. We successfully raised $26,280 in the Baldy Fundraiser, half of which was donated to the ‘Kids with Cancer Society’. We also had a great turnout for the Junior Ambassador competition that featured some of the best youth that our Angus fraternity has to offer. Ultimately Austen Anderson of Swan River, Manitoba was selected as our ambassador for the upcoming year. Austen will travel to the World Angus Secretariat in Argentina as well as several shows and sales across Canada.

A few new opportunities for our Juniors include the chance for one CJAA member to have $500 of their travel paid to the GOAL conference in Regina this February. This is awarded through the Canadian Angus Memorial Fund and is open to members of the CJAA. To enter submit a paragraph stating ‘How you will benefit from attending GOAL’ to mlatimer@cdnangus.ca; be sure to include your contact information.

The inaugural Dick Turner Award will be presented at the 2012 Canadian Angus Association annual general meeting in Lethbridge. The criteria for the award will be announced early in 2012 so keep reading the Junior Connections newsletter and Angus World for more information.

The Canadian Angus Foundation functions to preserve and expand the Angus breed for future generations through education, youth development, scientific and market research, and historical restoration. More information about the Canadian Angus Foundation is available at http://www.canangusfoundation.ca/ or by email to mlatimer@cdnangus.ca.


Posted by Michael Latimer
Feedback: mlatimer@cdnangus.ca

Red and Black Baldy Fundraiser Check Presentation

For the past several months the Canadian Angus Foundation has carried out the Red and Black Baldy Fundraiser. The challenge was issued to President Kirk Wildman, Rob Smith and me, to raise money with the highest fundraiser having their head shaved during the banquet at the 2011 Canadian Angus Annual Meeting in Clear Lake, Manitoba.

In the end, all three of us had our heads shaved. The campaign raised a total of $27,280 with half of the proceeds going toward the Canadian Angus Foundation and half going toward the Kids with Cancer Society. On Monday, July 4, Kirk, his son Thomas and I presented a check to the Kids with Cancer Society Executive Director, Val Figliuzzi for $13,640. The Kids with Cancer Society is a tremendous organization that works toward a very important and worthwhile cause.

I am very proud of the level of support we received from the members of the Canadian Angus Association. We were supported by 145 different individuals, farms, families, and other agricultural groups. Many of these donors represent more than one person which makes this even more significant. It is now the most successful fundraising campaign in the history of the Foundation. When we initiated the campaign, I was skeptical as to the amount of money that we would be able to raise. I couldn’t believe that anyone would pay a wooden nickel to see Kirk, Rob, or me shave our heads in the middle of summer. It didn’t take long for me to realize that it had nothing to do with any of our hair. It had to do with the cause we were supporting in that everyone either knows someone or has been affected by cancer themselves and are very passionate toward the cause. The members of the Canadian Angus Association, whether they contributed to this campaign or not, should be extremely proud of this accomplishment. It truly shows the generosity and passion of everyone in the agriculture industry.

Posted by Michael Latimer
Feedback: michael1@cdnangus.ca

Incoming CEO Joins the Baldy Fundraiser

Rob Smith, who will take over as CEO of the Canadian Angus Association on July 1, has decided to risk his hair and join the Baldy Fundraiser. Rob has some serious catching up to do as our totals have increased thanks to two generous donations this week.

Our current Robert C. McHaffie Junior Ambassador and Canadian Junior Angus Association President Erika Easton sold a heifer at her family's recent bull sale and donated the money to the fundraiser. She raised over $5,000. At the Towaw bull sale, the Wildman family sold raffle tickets on a heifer and raised over $7,000. Well done Erika and the Wildman family!

Our current totals stand at:

Kirk Wildman - $8,225
Michael Latimer - $7,100
Rob Smith - $0

Remember, the individual who raises the most money in this fundraiser will have his head shaved at the annual meeting on June 11 in Clear Lake, Manitoba. The individual who donates the largest amount gets the honour of shaving the hair.

Let's all pitch in to help Rob get a "clean start" when he takes over CEO responsibilities from Doug Fee on July 1.

All money raised through this project will be equally split between the Canadian Angus Foundation and the Kids with Cancer Society. Click here to donate online, and specify if you are supporting Michael, Kirk or Rob in the comments field.

Posted by Tina Zakowsky
Feedback: tina1@cdnangus.ca

Association Staff Get Educated

The Canadian Angus Association staff had the opportunity to get out of the office and get some mud--and manure--on our shoes.

We visited Alta Genetics to see how semen is collected and Davis-Rairdan to see how cows are flushed to retrieve embryos. At both locations, we were taken through the entire process from the time an animal arrives through the semen or embryo being shipped. It was helpful for our staff and for the staff of Alta Genetics and Davis-Rairdan to understand each others' processes and procedures.

We then went to visit Wendy and Doug Newton of Heart Bar Cattle in Crossfield. Wendy and Doug graciously donated three of their cows as recipients for the embryos that the Canadian Angus Association staff won at the 2009 World Angus Forum embryo auction. Two of the embryos took, and we staff are the proud owners of two black Angus calves. Doug and Wendy are caring for the calves on our behalf and are donating their time and resources to do so. We will be selling the calves and donating the money raised to the Canadian Angus Foundation. More details about this project will be unveiled this summer; please watch our blog and website for details.

The staff would like to offer our sincere thanks to Alta Genetics and Davis-Rairdan for taking time from their busy schedules to teach us about what they do. We would like to thank Doug and Wendy Newton of Heart Bar Cattle for donating recipient cows for our embryos and for caring for our young calves. Finally, we would like to thank our members for allowing us to close the office for a day so we could have an opportunity to learn more about the business.

Posted by Tina Zakowsky
Feedback: tina1@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

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