2011 off to a Good Start for the Angus Breed

It's been a busy month in the Canadian Angus office:

• 50 new members joined our Association.
• Membership renewals have been arriving daily in the mail.
• Registrations and tag sales are up as compared to January 2010.
• Our new member handbook was posted on our website.
• Staff representatives attended provincial annual general meetings in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario
• Herd inventories were mailed.
• Staff representatives attended industry events to answer questions about the Canadian Angus Rancher Endorsed Tag Program.

We are currently running about 10 days behind the mail, so if you submit work to the office and require it urgently, please mark RUSH on the oustide of your envelope or the cover page of your fax. Rush charges will apply.

In short, there is much for Angus breeders to feel good about: a busy office staff is a sign that the breed is enjoying success. We've also heard many reports of calving going well, despite the sometimes horrific weather conditions. Spring may be just around the corner if you believe the groundhogs' predictions. Either way, things are looking good for Angus.


Posted by Tina Zakowsky
Feedback: tina1@cdnangus.ca

Invitation to Free EPD Workshop

Hello All! I had the wonderful opportunity to hold an EPD 101 workshop this month and was very encouraged by how useful the breeders that attended said that it was. I will be hosting two workshops, one on the basics of EPDs and one on the paperwork involved in participating in the Canadian Angus Performance Program, on the first Tuesday morning of every month.

The EPD 101 workshop covers what EPDs are, how they are calculated, and how to use EPDs. The Paperwork workshop includes the paperwork that participants need to fill out, and also covers how to read and use the evaluation reports that are given back to members.

The workshops involve accessing slides online while participating in a conference call. Members with dial-up or no internet service can access the slides beforehand and can simply call into the conference call. The workshops are interactive and breeders will have to opportunity to ask questions and share ideas.

To register for a workshop, simply email me at kajal1@cdnangus.ca or call 1-888-571-3580. The workshops I have held so far have been a lot of fun, and I for one came away having learned something new. I'd like to thank all the participants for sharing their ideas and experience with me.

Kajal

Posted by Kajal Devani
Feedback: kajal1@cdnangus.ca

National Western Stock Show in Denver

It was a pleasure to represent the Canadian Angus Association at the National Western Stock Show in Denver, Colorado. It was great to see so many of our Canadian breeders taking part in this event. I would encourage anyone who has not attended or does not regularly attend to consider making the trip in 2012. There are a lot of opportunities to network with our American neighbors and our fellow Canadians. If you are planning on using American genetics in your herd it is especially important to see these cattle first-hand in order to gain a better understanding of their structure and other attributes. Pictures don’t always show you everything.

You can view the show results online.

Posted by Michael Latimer
Feedback: michael1@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

Canadian Angus Staff on the Road

Canadian Angus Association staff will be out and about at upcoming industry events. Cheryl or Julia will be at the Angus booth taking tag orders and answering your questions. They will have limited quantities of tags available for pick up at each location. They will be at the following locations:

January 18 & 19

Ag Days

Brandon, MB

January 21 & 22

Camrose Bull Congress

Camrose, AB

January 28

Feeder’s Association of Alberta Conference

Red Deer, AB

March 2 & 3

Calgary Bull Sale

Calgary, AB

If you can't make it to one of these events, you can order tags online, fax your order form to (403) 571-3580, call the office at 1-888-571-3580 or call the automated tag order line at 1-866-571-8093. We are experiencing a very high volume of phone orders and appreciate your patience.

Posted by Tina Zakowsky
Feedback: cdnangus@cdnangus.ca

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