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

Canadian Angus Association's First Feedlot of the Year Award

At the recent Canadian Angus Association annual general meeting, CEO Doug Fee presented the Association's first Feedlot of the Year Award to Ed and Glori Dalke of High Ridge Feeders and Harry and Brenda Dalke of Shannondale Farm. The Dalke Brothers, as they are known in the industry, were chosen in recognition of their work feeding and promoting Angus and Angus cross cattle.

Both locations feed about 3,500 head of cattle, some of which are custom fed. They purchase black Angus calves tagged with Angus tags in the fall from different locations in Western Canada, namely Brandon, Virden, Mankota, Medicine Hat and Maple Creek.

Their location in Morden means that they can grow cereal grains and corn for their feedlots. They also are able to market the cattle east, west and south for various branded Angus beef programs.

We are very proud and excited to present this award to Ed and Glori and Harry and Brenda for their dedication to Canada's Angus breeders.

Posted by Brian Good
Feedback: cdnangus@cdnangus.ca

The Baldy Fundraiser

Past president Kirk Wildman’s family had a challenging year after their oldest son Thomas was diagnosed with leukemia. To show support, the staff created the Baldy Fundraiser where all the money raised will be split between The Kids with Cancer Society (http://www.kidswithcancer.ca) and the Canadian Angus Foundation (http://www.canangusfoundation.ca). The Kids with Cancer Society supports families as their children fight cancer. The Canadian Angus Foundation supports youth development, historical preservation and education and research.

The premise of the fundraiser was that members would donate towards one of the three “candidates”, Kirk Wildman, Michael Latimer and Rob Smith. The person with the most money donated towards him would have his head shaved at the AGM. Up until the final moment, Kirk Wildman was in the lead. Thomas was very excited to have the opportunity to share the bald feeling with his dad.

The Wildman family donated a Buffalo Sabres hockey jersey autographed by Ryan Miller for auction. Sandy Margetts was immensely generous; not only was she the highest bidder for the jersey but she then presented the jersey back to Thomas with instructions for him to “stay well and grow into it fully”. There was not a dry eye in the banquet hall at that moment.

At the final moment just before Kirk’s head was shaved, the members in attendance donated an extra $5,000 to have all three candidates shave their heads. Kirk, Michael and Rob patiently endured a stream of people who came up to help make each of them bald. We’d like to thank them for volunteering for this fundraiser.

We’d also like to thank Doug Wilson from PSL Sabirnet Systems for donating his time to create the promotional graphics on our website. Our most heartfelt thanks to the members, the Juniors and the industry partners who donated funds towards this cause. We commend the Juniors who supported the fundraiser, in particular Erika Eastman who donated a heifer at their sale and Austen Anderson who donated one of his paintings for auction. The heart and strength of the Angus community is truly evident in the over $25,000 that was raised.

Donations can still be made on the Foundation website (http://www.canangusfoundation.ca), or by contacting Michael Latimer at 1-888-571-3580 until June 30.

To see photos, please visit http://www.cdnangus.ca/members/agm.htm#BaldyFundraiser

Posted by the Canadian Angus Association staff
Feedback: cdnangus@cdnangus.ca

May 8 & May 10 deadlines

There are three significant deadlines for Canadian Angus Association members in the next few days:

Sunday, May 8 is the last day that rooms are being held at the Elkhorn Resort & Spa for the Canadian Angus Association annual general meeting. The room rate is $130 per night and the group code is CDNANG. To reserve a room, call 1-866-355-4676. There is still time to register to attend the meeting, tours and banquet, but we recommend you register as soon as possible as space is limited.

The deadline for performance data to be included in the Fall 2011 National Cattle Evaluation is May 10. If you need worksheets or have questions about the deadline or the Canadian Angus Performance Program, please contact Kajal at 1-888-571-3580.

May 10 is also the deadline for Canadian Junior Angus Association members to apply for the Red Angus Association of America and American Angus Association exchange programs. The application forms are available on the Canadian Junior Angus Association website.Keep up with all of our deadlines and upcoming events by subscribing to our electronic newsletter and visiting our Events Calendar.


Posted by Tina Zakowsky
Feedback: tina1@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

Manitoba Angus Annual General Meeting

I had the pleasure of attending the Manitoba Angus Association’s General Annual Meeting last weekend, and although the attendance was low, the spirits were high and the welcome that I received was, as usual, very warm.

The members that did come out discussed the Keystone Classic and details of other shows and sales planned for this upcoming year. Each committee presented a report to summarize 2010 and members had the opportunity to ask questions and voice their opinions on what worked well and how the association might serve them better.

Manitoba will be hosting the Canadian Angus Association Annual General Meeting this year. There is much planning and prep work involved in hosting an event like this and Arlene has called upon members that might wish to volunteer.

The election process resulted in the following members placed to lead the association in the next few years:

• President: Shawn Birmingham for another 3-year term
• Vice President: Dallas Johnston
• Canadian Director: Lois McRae by acclamation
• Remaining Directors:
  - Kent Topham for a 1-year term
  - Doug Stamler
  - Dan VanSteelandt
  - Allan Nykoliation for a 3-year term
  - Ron Batho
  - Larissa Hamilton for a 1-year term (new board member)
• Arlene Kirkpatrick: Secretary/Treasurer
• Honorary President: Vaughan Greenslade

It was a little sad that no juniors attended the meeting and none had voiced their interest to run for Junior Director to a board member. This position remains open and I encourage all juniors in Manitoba to contact Arlene and get involved with their Association.

Arlene did a fantastic job of organizing the entire event. And, dinner with 5 different beef breeds was a great opportunity to network and keep an eye on the competition.

It is clear to me that Angus is still a word that people say with pride in Manitoba. Manitoba breeders remain passionate about their cattle and their lifestyle, and it was wonderful to be home for the weekend.

Posted by Kajal Devani
Feedback: kajal1@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