Sydney Royal Easter Show

I’m in Australia learning about the beef industry here and (honestly) escaping the end of what feels like the winter that will never end.  I arrived on Thursday and spent the weekend at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.  The Royal Easter Show is like nothing we have in Canada.  To best describe it as the Calgary Stampede meets Agribition or for those of you in Eastern Canada, the CNE meets the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair doesn’t even give it justice.  Although it shares the Royal designation with the Toronto Show they are very different and the amount of baked goods, art and handiwork competing is bigger than any fair I have seen in Canada.

Friday was a hot day for a fall show, about 30 degrees Celsius (remember that’s above zero)  but the show was in a canvas building, so there was plenty of shade and they were showing on green grass so it didn’t seem as bad.  After about 40 head of Red Angus went through the ring, Grand Champion Female went to GK Red Bella 26 G42 sired by Red Fine Line Mulberry 26P, owned by Gavin and Kirrily Iseppi.  Grand Champion Bull was Wollumbi Hi Star H53 sired by Red BVR Rab-Star 56C owned by Peter Weiss and David Croker.

After a good rain Friday evening, the humidity broke and it was a much cooler day for the Black Angus show on Saturday.  With more than 160 head in the show, it was a longer day but another good one.  Grand Champion Female went to PC Miss Shiraz H449 sired by HF Tiger 5T, owned by Pine Creek Angus.  The bull classes were topped by Talis Gas Gas G337 sired by Double AA Old Post Bandolier, owned by McLachlan Group.

I was impressed by the quality of the show and how well run they were, both shows had excellent cattle from top to bottom.  There were a fair amount of Canadian genetics in the cattle in the shows and all four champions were sired by Canadian bulls. 

During a break in the Black Angus show on Saturday I managed to catch some of the Brahman show which was happening in the other half of the ring.  It was an eye opening experience for this Canadian kid but that is why one travels after all.  The beautiful thing about attending an event like this is that farmers are the same sort of people everywhere and they always like to visit with other farmers.  This makes meeting new people easier than at other places.  To follow along with the rest of my Nuffield adventures visit havevacationwilltravel.blogspot.ca. 

Posted by Cheryl Hazenberg
Feedback: chazenberg@cdnangus.ca

How to Ensure Prompt Service for DNA Testing

As we move from one lab to the next, I apologize for the delays that have taken place and I want to thank everyone for their extreme patience. Believe me when I say this was not easy on any of us and that we have felt your pain.

While the lab moves forward with their new technology, it is their hope to be running 24 hours a day with the capability of processing 200 samples every 24 hours. In the meantime, their goal is to process 100 samples a day. The only way they can do this is if everything has been properly prepared, meaning that you have requested and sent the proper paperwork with your samples; sending hair samples that have not been set up will slow down the process. Ensure that your samples are clean and are of good quality, and if you are requesting more than one test from a sample, that there is enough sample available (for more than one test the lab needs approximately 80 follicles).

GUIDELINES FOR COLLECTING

HAIR ROOT SAMPLES

FOR DNA and SNP GENOTYPING

Items you will need:

• Hair Sample Envelope (either the envelope requested from CAA or a blank envelope)
• Application form
• Comb or brush
• Tape 

COLLECT HAIR FROM THE TIP OF THE TAIL (SWITCH). THE ROOT ENDS CONTAIN THE DNA. SAMPLES ARE TO BE PULLED, NOT CLIPPED. 

1. Clean the tail switch to remove any foreign material. Comb or brush the tail to remove any dead hair. If necessary, wash clean and rinse with water. Wait for the tail to be completely dry. The sample must be free of urine or manure. Dirty samples will not be processed. Contamination will make the sample unfit for testing.
2. Wrap approximately 5 to 10 strands of hair around a finger, about 2 inches away from the skin, and give a sharp pull. Inspect the hair to ensure that the follicles are attached. Hair strands without follicles do not contain DNA and cannot be tested.
3. Repeat Step #2 until you have obtained approximately 40 to 50 hair roots (if doing more than one test please secure at least 80 hair roots).
4. Place all of the hair roots in the same direction with the long strands pointing straight down. Secure the hairs together with adhesive tape wrapped approximately 1 inch from the follicles. Place the sample in the labelled envelope and immediately seal it to minimize contamination. Hair from only one animal is to be placed in each envelope.
5. If doing more than one animal, WASH HANDS before starting on the next animal or use a clean pair of surgical gloves. This will reduce the risk of cross-contamination of the samples.
6. Repeat Steps 1 to 4 for each animal.
7. Place the completed application form and identified hair sample envelope in a larger envelope addressed to:

                 Quantum Genetixs

                 125 - 15 Innovation Blvd.

                 SASKATOON, SK

                 S7N 2X8

The package may be sent by regular Canada Post mail service.

Following these steps will avoid delays and allow your samples to be processed immediately when they reach the front of the work queue.

Posted by Stacy Price
Feedback: sprice@cdnangus.ca

Did I Miss the March 31st Deadline to Permanent Genotype All My Cows?

The deadline to submit samples for permanent female genotyping was March 31, but if you didn't get your samples in, do not panic!

First, the change in parentage verification policy only applies to bull calves born after January 1, 2015. So bull calves born next year that go on to become herd sires to purebred members will need to be parent verified (DNA matched to their dam and sire). We will already have the sire DNA on file. What can you do to make sure we can at that time also match these bull calves to their dams?

1. Pull hair samples on all your dams, and store these in a dry well-labelled envelope until the time that you might need one.
2. Pull hair on all your dams, and submit them for permanent female genotyping (putting their DNA on file).
3. Pull hair on all your dams and submit them for SNP parentage verification testing. This will not only put their DNA on file but will also verify the pedigrees of your females.

Members do not have to pull hair samples on all their females now, they can do them as cows have bull calves, or as cows are disposed of. The system is flexible so that it works for our members and their different operations. Please do not panic if you missed the March 31, 2014 deadline. 

Although the promotion that allowed us to offer reduced rates on DNA testing is over, the revised prices are lower than they were two years ago. Permanent female genotyping is $12 per test and parentage verification is $18 per test.

If you have any questions about DNA technology and DNA testing, please contact me at 1-888-571-3580. 


Posted by Kajal Devani
Feedback: kdevani@cdnangus.ca

Out In the Field - Reality Gives Perspective

Kajal and I would like to extend a sincere thanks to Cudlobe Farms for allowing us to visit their operation last week. With the development of our new teat, udder, feet and leg project, we were able to test and revise our standard operating procedures. After creating our scoring charts and guidelines within the office, it was important to put them into practice in the field.

Our visit to Cudlobe allowed us to determine which traits were viable to score, and where there was room for improvement in our methods. Since then, we have improved our guidelines so they are more subjective. We are now almost ready to begin collecting data for the project.

We would like to extend a thank you to all of the producers that have agreed to participate in this project. If you have any questions, or would like to get involved, do not hesitate to contact me at any time.

Posted by Matt Bates
Feedback: mbates@cdnangus.ca

My First GOAL Experience

If I were to say it has been an exciting start to the 2014 Canadian Junior Angus Association (CJAA) year, that would be an understatement. It was my privilege to attend the Guiding Outstanding Angus Leaders (GOAL) conference February 15-17 in Calgary, Alberta. CJAA members attended from coast to coast, with an outstanding turnout of 52 members, 26 being first-time attendees. Being my first GOAL conference, all of my expectations were exceeded and it was the best experience to say the least! 

I flew into Calgary from Toronto Friday evening. Events were underway by Saturday afternoon starting with icebreakers and social activities. Shortly after, our first speaker of the event, Alvin Law spoke of “Alvin’s Law of Life.” Combining his life story, being born without arms, with personal insight, his motivation to change his attitude proved that happiness can enhance personal satisfaction. I remember a quote Alvin spoke about quite vividly. He said, “All professional development starts with personal assessment and taken together, everyone wins!” It’s safe to say that he was definitely a highlight of the weekend! 

Later that evening, we engaged in an etiquette dinner presentation by Taylor Hughes, in which we were taught how to “properly” eat a five course dinner. Our skills were definitely put to the test with an outstanding steak dinner to follow. 

The Foundation Legacy Scholarship Panel Discussion was a high point to end off this great evening. Patrick Holland, Breanna Anderson, Katie Dietrich, Travis Hunter and Katie Olynyk were the five finalists who participated in the discussion. CEO Rob Smith as well as Canadian Angus directors asked intuitive questions about the ever-changing beef industry. All participants were very sharp with their answers and I think it is safe to say the beef industry and Angus breed have never looked brighter.

It was an early start to Sunday morning. The first guest speaker of the day, Art Froelich, the President of Agriview, delivered a presentation about agriculture in a global perspective. It was exciting to hear that Canada will be one of the five countries needed to feed the world.  Following Froelich, Dr. Tom Pittman spoke about “Calving from A-Z,” which everyone found very informative and interesting.

Later in the afternoon, a special presentation from former Summer Marketing Interns, Matt Bates, Karla Ness and Katie Dietrich brought back the inner child in many of us! Dressing up from a cow to the farmer, everyone participated in the presentation that was used to engage public school children in the beef industry.  

Following our guest speakers, we boarded a bus to see the big reveal of Angus Central. I, as well as the other Juniors were very impressed. The office tour was not solely the reason for the visit; there were also special presentations to be made. The New Zealand World Angus Forum youth team grand and reserve champion teams and the champion individual received awards. 

We were then let loose to tour Irvine’s Tack & Western Wear and buy all those “needed” jeans and cowboy boots for the upcoming show season. 

The night ended with lots of laughs at the Jubilation’s Dinner Theatre. With an excellent dinner intertwined with scenes from the television show Friends, we all had a night to remember. 

The last and final day of GOAL started with a presentation from CJAA President Michael Hargrave during which he spoke of the numerous opportunities that the CJAA has to offer youth. Following, Fred Taylor, grading contractor for Cargill, talked about when we produce a product, we need to understand the needs and wants of our consumer. The third talk of the day came from Kim McConnell, former founder and CEO of AdFarm. McConnell illustrated the consumption differences between the western world and some of the poorest nations, comparing our habits and what this means in the role of agriculture today. The final presentation came from one of our own members, Austen Anderson, who shared information about the Cattleman’s Young Leaders (CYL) program. 

Closing remarks came from two of the retiring CJAA directors, Katie Wright and Austen Anderson. We thank both of these members for their dedication to the program and for inspiring others to be involved.

From the friendships, memories and experiences I have had, I look forward to attending this conference once again next year, as well as many more CJAA events this summer!


Posted by Sophie Wotten
Feedback: cdnangus@cdnangus.ca