The National Show and Royal Winter Fair

On November 4th I boarded a plane which would lead to a whirlwind adventure with Rob Smith and David Bolduc. First stop was Winnipeg to meet up with my Alberta counterparts and rent a car to travel to the National Show in Brandon. I was proud to Show off Brandon’s Keystone Center to Rob and David. Barns, show rings, restaurants, convention halls, the Wheat Kings, and our hotel all under one roof. I remember David saying I wish we could pick this up and take it to Calgary.

We attended the Manitoba Beef Producers supper that night had a delicious Certified Angus beef supper. The next morning I awoke early to help tie cattle in and got to tour the barns and visit with breeders. I helped out at the show by handing out banners to the champions. Congratulations to 6 mile for winning Grand Champion Female in the Red and Black Angus show. We had to leave early and I did not see who won Grand Champion Bull.There were some tense moments as we were driving back to Winnipeg to make our flight when a detour took us right through the middle of Portage Le Prairie.

We arrived in Toronto to our Beautiful Hotel in the shadow of the CN tower. This was my first time being outside of the Toronto airport and I was excited to see the city. The next morning I got on to the wrong shuttle bus to go to the Toronto Royal but ended up getting there in good time all the same. The show was spectacular, with competitors from Indiana to the Maritimes, Quebec and Ontario. The 4-H junior show was going on all afternoon in the next ring which was very entertaining. That evening I met George Earley from Ontario who toured me around the Hall of Fame before I met up with David and Rob in the Angus Barn.

The next morning we got up early and boarded our planes back to the frozen prairies that had been engulfed in winter since we left. In two hours I will be boarding a plane for Edmonton and Farmfair international. Hope to see you there.


Posted by Austen Anderson, Robert C. McHaffie Junior Ambassador
Feedback: cdnangus@cdnangus.ca

2011 World Angus Secretariat in Argentina

Every two years Angus Associations from around the world gather to share ideas and build relationships and form a united Angus front on a global scale. This year the World Angus Secretariat, now a conglomerate of 20 different Angus Associations, met in Argentina. Official delegates from Canada included Canadian Angus Association President David Bolduc, Past President Kirk Wildman, CEO Rob Smith, Junior Ambassador Austen Anderson, and Breed Development Specialist Kajal Devani. The official delegates attend the World Angus Secretariat Technical meeting where all the Associations share their technical challenges, and together the secretariat makes recommendations for adopting technology. At this year’s technical meeting we discussed SNP-based parentage verification, using genomic information in genetic evaluations and the benefits of data sharing between the Associations.

Also from Canada were 30 participants, the largest group of participants present in Argentina. The next numerous group of participants was from the Czech Republic who had 17 participants from their country. I really enjoyed the opportunity to get to know the 30 participants from Canada. You get to know people quite well if you have the chance to travel at length with them.

All Canadian participants would agree that this trip to Argentina was an incredible opportunity to witness Argentinean hospitality, to meet Angus enthusiasts from all over the world, to network and promote Canadian Angus genetics, and to establish strong working relationships. The trip gave me the opportunity to compare notes with breed development staff from 20 other Angus Associations. I recognize that most of them face the same challenges that we do, and I learned some new ways to approach different challenges.

While we were in Argentina, our Junior Ambassador, Austen Anderson, was an exemplary representative for Canadian Angus and Canadian juniors. He is creating a collection of all the photographs that were taken in Argentina so that they can be shared with all our members. So, keep an eye out for these!

Our hosts introduced us to Argentinean beef, wine, culture, Tango, heritage and people. The Canadian participants came back with a better understanding of how things are done all over the world, and in Argentina especially. Argentina is very heavily influenced by Europe, especially by the Spanish and Italians. Their Creole horses are beautiful, and they relish their gaucho traditions. 98% of Argentineans eat beef every day of the week, and their beef preparation methods were very tasty! Argentina is a very diverse country with arid mountain regions as well as more tropical southern regions. They struggle with infrastructure for roads and trade barriers that we can empathize with. And yet, they have huge operations with up to several thousand purebred Angus in their operations. Argentinean Angus breeders utilize a lot of American and Canadian genetics, and enjoy good relationships with many Canadian Angus breeders.

We look forward to the next Secretariat meeting which will be held with the 2013 World Angus Forum in New Zealand. The New Zealand Angus Association has designed a very fun Forum challenge for youth participants. You can read more about this by clicking on the following link: http://www.worldangus.com/.


Posted by Kajal Devani
Feedback: kajal1@cdnangus.ca

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

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