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
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Friday, March 25, 2011
The First Canadian Angus Rancher Endorsed Commercial Replacement Open Heifer Sale
I put a lot of miles on my truck at this time of year travelling to bull sales to represent the Canadian Angus Association and the members. I've spent the past week in snowy Saskatchewan attending some very good sales. I got to take a break from bull sales to attend the first Canadian Angus Rancher Endorsed Commercial Replacement Open Heifer Sale.
The sale was hosted by Duckworth Ranch and was held at the Assiniboia Livestock Auction. Gerry Duckworth had 433 commercial black heifers with an average weight of 700 lbs on offer. Every single heifer had an Angus tag and was age verified. Every animal sold. The sale average was $1,040. The high selling group averaged 749 lbs and sold for $1,450 to Oklahoma. This was a great sale and it was a privilege to attend. I hope other Angus breeders will follow Gerry's lead and that we can have more of these sales in the future.
In closing, the market continues to stay high and people are happy. There is lots of optimism for the cattle industry for the next few years.
Posted by Brian Good
Feedback: cdnangus@cdnangus.ca
The sale was hosted by Duckworth Ranch and was held at the Assiniboia Livestock Auction. Gerry Duckworth had 433 commercial black heifers with an average weight of 700 lbs on offer. Every single heifer had an Angus tag and was age verified. Every animal sold. The sale average was $1,040. The high selling group averaged 749 lbs and sold for $1,450 to Oklahoma. This was a great sale and it was a privilege to attend. I hope other Angus breeders will follow Gerry's lead and that we can have more of these sales in the future.
In closing, the market continues to stay high and people are happy. There is lots of optimism for the cattle industry for the next few years.
Posted by Brian Good
Feedback: cdnangus@cdnangus.ca
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Saskatchewan 4-H Event Report
I had the honour and pleasure of talking to Saskatchewan 4-H members and some of their parents after the 2011 Regina Bull Sale and Show. The show itself was great. It was judged by Wade Beck and it showcased some great Angus animals. Some of our junior members competed for Showmanship recognition and I would like to congratulate Erika Easton, Kristina Ginter and Lexi Hicks for being recognized as superior showmen (or women).
The afternoon planned by Jackie Medvid, the Regional Specialist for the Saskatchewan 4-H Council and Melodi Howkesford-Lee, the South East Regional Specialist, was engaging for me, parents and 4-H members alike. We all learned how to ultrasound animals, how to phenotypically evaluate animals, how Angus animals are evaluated genetically, and how EPDs are calculated and best used. The 4-H members were enthusiastic to learn more about the animals that they spend so much time with, and their passion for beef cattle was certainly contagious. I felt very honoured to be a part of their learning weekend.
The Saskatchewan 4-H council did a fabulous job of organizing a great event. Thank you for all your hard work to put on such a great event.
Posted by Kajal Devani
Feedback: kajal1@cdnangus.ca
The afternoon planned by Jackie Medvid, the Regional Specialist for the Saskatchewan 4-H Council and Melodi Howkesford-Lee, the South East Regional Specialist, was engaging for me, parents and 4-H members alike. We all learned how to ultrasound animals, how to phenotypically evaluate animals, how Angus animals are evaluated genetically, and how EPDs are calculated and best used. The 4-H members were enthusiastic to learn more about the animals that they spend so much time with, and their passion for beef cattle was certainly contagious. I felt very honoured to be a part of their learning weekend.
The Saskatchewan 4-H council did a fabulous job of organizing a great event. Thank you for all your hard work to put on such a great event.
Posted by Kajal Devani
Feedback: kajal1@cdnangus.ca
Friday, March 11, 2011
Now available: Angus A-Tags!
This year Allflex launched the new highly versatile A-Tag and it now comes in an Angus version. In the signature lime green colour which Angus is known for, this one-piece dangle tag is designed for long-term identification.
Benefits of the A-Tag:
- easy one-piece application
- self piercing pinhole tip reduces animal stress with faster healing after application
- longer tag anchor means higher retention in animals with thicker ears
- requires the Allflex one-piece applicator or a Zee tag applicator for quick and easy application
A-Tags are available in bags of 25 in either a cow size (3” x 4.5”) or calf size (2.5” x 3.875”). The cost of the cow size tags is $30/bag and the calf size is $25/bag. Tags can be custom numbered and prices will vary. Contact Cheryl or Julia for more information.
The standard two piece dangle tag is still available and you can view all of our tag products in the catalogue. Tags can be ordered by sending the order form to the office, ordering online or by calling 1-888-571-3580.
Posted by Cheryl Hazenberg
Feedback: mailto:chazenberg@cdnangus.ca
Friday, March 4, 2011
Canadian Angus at the Glenbow!
Six months after having emerged from the basement archives, I can now proudly announce that the Canadian Angus Association archival records have been catalogued and safely stored at the Glenbow Museum & Archives in Calgary, Alberta. The records are open to the public for viewing and our members are encouraged to stop by the Glenbow whenever they’re in town to check out the Association’s bylaw amendments, official correspondence, publications, and other fascinating historical documents.
The Glenbow Museum and Archives have posted an online Finding Aid to assist anyone interested in our history in identifying and locating individual items.
If you go to the Photographs section of the finding aid you can see some of the photos scanned by the Glenbow. This collection includes pictures of important figures in the history of the breed including early proponents of the breed, past board members, and the iconic image of Old Grannie, the first recorded Aberdeen-Angus cow.
This project has been a success so far, but it is by no means complete. As we continue to move forward as a superior beef breed in Canada, we need to continue accumulating and preserving mementos of our progress and growth. It is important to remember that the work we do today in improving and expanding the Angus breed is history in the making.
Posted by Amanda Suhan
Feedback: amanda1@cdnangus.ca
The Glenbow Museum and Archives have posted an online Finding Aid to assist anyone interested in our history in identifying and locating individual items.
If you go to the Photographs section of the finding aid you can see some of the photos scanned by the Glenbow. This collection includes pictures of important figures in the history of the breed including early proponents of the breed, past board members, and the iconic image of Old Grannie, the first recorded Aberdeen-Angus cow.
This project has been a success so far, but it is by no means complete. As we continue to move forward as a superior beef breed in Canada, we need to continue accumulating and preserving mementos of our progress and growth. It is important to remember that the work we do today in improving and expanding the Angus breed is history in the making.
Posted by Amanda Suhan
Feedback: amanda1@cdnangus.ca
Friday, February 25, 2011
2011 GOAL Conference Outstanding
The 2011 GOAL (Guiding Outstanding Angus Leaders) Conference was held February 19-21 in Saskatoon. Saskatchewan Director Laird Senft and I attended the conference with 36 Juniors and Belinda Wagner, the CJAA coordinator and Shelly Easton.
Thursday featured keynote speaker Dr. Scott Vernon of Cal Poly-San Luis Obisp California. His seminar covered communication, motivation and leadership. The evening included dinner at the Western Development Museum followed by a tour and then the attendees presented skits.
Tom Blacklock spoke about Staying Creative in Agriculture on Friday morning, sharing his experiences of retailing his own beef through farmers markets during the BSE crisis.
The Juniors had a full and busy weekend. Bella Spur Innovative Media Inc. gave a marketing presentation and Gordon Roger from Intervet gave a presentation on Opportunities for Youth in Agriculture. The formal banquet was held Saturday night and featured a presentation from Robert C. McHaffie Junior Ambassador Erika Easton. I presented the Association's highlights of 2010.
Belinda deserves a lot of credit and recognition for her hard work. She does a great job and did a lot of work to put on a great conference.
It was great to see the Juniors focus on their future in the Angus breed and make new friends. I am also happy to report that after my presentation, several Juniors have "friended" me and "like" the Canadian Angus Association on Facebook.
Posted by Michael Latimer
Feedback: michael1@cdnangus.ca
Thursday featured keynote speaker Dr. Scott Vernon of Cal Poly-San Luis Obisp California. His seminar covered communication, motivation and leadership. The evening included dinner at the Western Development Museum followed by a tour and then the attendees presented skits.
Tom Blacklock spoke about Staying Creative in Agriculture on Friday morning, sharing his experiences of retailing his own beef through farmers markets during the BSE crisis.
The Juniors had a full and busy weekend. Bella Spur Innovative Media Inc. gave a marketing presentation and Gordon Roger from Intervet gave a presentation on Opportunities for Youth in Agriculture. The formal banquet was held Saturday night and featured a presentation from Robert C. McHaffie Junior Ambassador Erika Easton. I presented the Association's highlights of 2010.
Belinda deserves a lot of credit and recognition for her hard work. She does a great job and did a lot of work to put on a great conference.
It was great to see the Juniors focus on their future in the Angus breed and make new friends. I am also happy to report that after my presentation, several Juniors have "friended" me and "like" the Canadian Angus Association on Facebook.
Posted by Michael Latimer
Feedback: michael1@cdnangus.ca
Friday, February 18, 2011
World Angus Secretariat Meeting in Argentina
This October, Argentina will host the World Angus Secretariat Technical Meeting in Buenos Aires. The Canadian Angus Association is putting together an official delegation of Canadian Angus breeders to represent us.
The meeting takes place October 8-15. The XXXIII National Angus Spring Meeting, the XII National Fair of Angus Calves and Angus Genetics Expo will take place at the same time. The program includes visits to Angus breeding farms, the Liniers Cattle Market and a closing gala dinner that will feature a genetics auction.
Buenos Aires is a beautiful, dynamic and radiant city that features stunning architecture and a vibrant cultural life. There will be time for touring and shopping.
The official Canadian Angus delegation is set to depart from Canada on Tuesday, October 4 and return on Sunday, October 16. Full tour details and pricing will be available by the end of February.
If you are interested in being part of the official Canadian delegation, please contact me to be given priority placement on the information list.
For more information about the Secretariat meeting, please visit the World Angus Secreatariat Argentina website at http://www.wasargentina2011.com/index1.php
Posted by Tina Zakowsky
Feedback: tina1@cdnangus.ca
The meeting takes place October 8-15. The XXXIII National Angus Spring Meeting, the XII National Fair of Angus Calves and Angus Genetics Expo will take place at the same time. The program includes visits to Angus breeding farms, the Liniers Cattle Market and a closing gala dinner that will feature a genetics auction.
Buenos Aires is a beautiful, dynamic and radiant city that features stunning architecture and a vibrant cultural life. There will be time for touring and shopping.
The official Canadian Angus delegation is set to depart from Canada on Tuesday, October 4 and return on Sunday, October 16. Full tour details and pricing will be available by the end of February.
If you are interested in being part of the official Canadian delegation, please contact me to be given priority placement on the information list.
For more information about the Secretariat meeting, please visit the World Angus Secreatariat Argentina website at http://www.wasargentina2011.com/index1.php
Posted by Tina Zakowsky
Feedback: tina1@cdnangus.ca
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Report on January Industry Events
Thank you to everyone who has come out and visited with Julia or myself at recent industry events across the county. Tag sales have been fantastic these last few weeks, and we have received a great response at all the events we have been to. New dates are still being added for March and will be posted very soon, but the Calgary Bull Sale, March 2 and 3, 2011, is confirmed.
In addition to attending Ag Days in Brandon and the Feeder Association of Alberta’s annual Convention in Red Deer, I had the privilege to speak at this year’s Ottawa Valley Annual General Meeting. I was delighted to see the turn out and to hear the positive comments not only about the industry but what the Association is doing. I am very grateful for the opportunity and the invitation to attend.Ag Days in Brandon is a wonderful event and I am sorry that I have never had the chance to attend until this year. With a huge showcase of everything agricultural related, I was pleased to be able to add Canadian Angus Rancher Endorsed Tags to that list. The people that I spoke with over those two days were from diverse backgrounds and very interesting; from producers to consumers every step along the way was represented. Thanks to the Manitoba Angus Association for working with me and helping make that event a success.
Julia made the trip to Camrose, Alberta this year for the Bull Congress and we had fantastic tag sales there. Alberta producers have embraced the Angus Tag Program and are taking full advantage of the Alberta Government’s Age Verification Incentive Program. AVIP is in year two now and producers who applied last year are eligible to apply again. Anyone who didn’t apply last year can still maximize their returns on a 2011 tag purchase.
Expect to see us out and about in March and again this fall. And as always you can mail or fax in your tag order, complete it online or call us at the office. Remember it takes a couple of days to ship tags, so order early.
Posted by Cheryl Hazenberg
Feedback: cheryl1@cdnangus.ca
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