Touring the Canadian Beef Centre of Excellence

On Tuesday, August 21st, the Canadian Angus Association summer staff had the privilege of touring the Canadian Beef Centre of Excellence, which proved to be both an educational and eye-opening experience.

Located in the Canada Beef office in Calgary, the Centre impresses upon arrival, with an elegant desk and a large board room to its right. We were greeted by Rachel, the coordinator, who explained how they use their board room as both a meeting place and an entertainment place. She taught us about Canada Beef’s role in the industry and how the CBCE fits in. Their main purpose is training and education.

The demonstration and test kitchen area has cameras installed to enable a 360-degree viewing experience. This is where Chef Cameron and Director Mathieu teach and present the culinary opportunities of Canadian beef. We got to try beef chips and jerky. Beef chips are made with rendered beef fat, tapioca flour and spices. They are similar to a pork rind with a crunchier texture. My supervisor Tina Zakowsky described them as “highly addictive”, and History Project Intern Brandy Thaxter named the samples the highlight of the trip.

Kiani Evans, my fellow Archivist this summer, says that her highlight of the tour was “being able to see their chefs in action, from trying out new ways of utilizing cuts to experimenting with different materials in order to help the preservation of meat. I enjoyed learning about their mission and how they help chefs and homes alike find new ways of using beef.”

Cassidy Wise, another summer student working on the Member Service Team, agreed with Kiani, saying “it was exciting to see culinary experts who have the same passion for beef as the producers who labour to grow that beef. As someone who grew up with cattle, it is great to meet other people with passion for the industry who see it from a totally different perspective.” She was especially impressed with butcher Abe van Melle and his enthusiasm for beef even after working in the industry for nearly 50 years. Abe helped design the beef fabrication room. He was working on developing new products in this space when we toured.

I would like to thank the Canadian Beef Centre of Excellence for taking the time to give us this wonderful experience. It was a pleasure taking part in this tour, and it is a place I think every beef fan should visit. You can learn more about the Centre on the Canada Beef website at canadabeef.ca/centre-of-excellence


Posted by Patrick Lambros, Archivist

Feedback: cdnangus@cdnangus.ca

T'was The Night Before A Cattle Show

It was the night before showing and all down the aisle

Exhibitors are prepping after travelling miles.

After finding the area where they will be stalled,

Parents and children start unpacking, what they've hauled.

As the cattle get comfortable, and snuggle up in a row,

A cute little peewee walks by with her hair in a bow.

When all of a sudden the announcement comes through

"Bring your entries to office, we need them. Thank you"

Away to the show office they flew in a flash,

With papers in hand, as well as their cash.

 Exhibitors organized their show numbers with care,

As in the morning, there is little time to prepare.

The morning came quickly, a bright sunny day.

The cattle are groomed as they munched on their hay.

For some its time to get dressed in their best,

While others stay back and continue rest

From shirts to belts, everyone has their own style,

But mom's always say the best thing is a smile.

The announcer comes on, into his mic he's blowing,

"The judge has arrived, come on let's get showing"

They were judged by more than a glance while in hand,

And only a champion would advance to be grand

He's first, she's second, they're third. Who was placed?

Class winners were announced but all showed with such grace.

Although we can't all be winners at the end of the day

Practice and commitment in the end is what pays

Despite the longs days there is no other place,

For it's not the banners or ribbons we chase.

It's not for the fame or the awards we think of,

Cattle shows are really about the people and animals we love. 

Written by Hailie Conley  

‘Twas the Night before Harding State Fair

‘Twas the night before Harding, when all through the grounds,
Not a creature was stirring, not even the hounds.
The cattle were stalled in the barns with care,
In hopes that 'Harding State Fair' soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of red ribbons danced in their heads.
Both farmer and wife sat out by the stall,

Relaxing with a cold bevy after such a long haul.

When down the road there arose such a clatter,

Everyone looked to see what was the matter.

With one final swig, farmer rose from his chair,

Wondering what gave his show string a scare.

The pink and gold sky gave just enough light,

For the farmer to see a very strange sight.

A rusty ol' rig came through the dust,

Packed to the roof about ready to bust.

The driver’s tanned arm propped up on the door,

It had to be Jimmy, the farmer was sure.

Unloading in the dust his spunky heifers came,

And he whistled and shouted and called them by name...

“On Simmental, on Angus, on Shorthorn, on Charolais,

On Hereford, on Maine on Limo, on Gelbvieh.

To the end of the barn; to the end of the alley,

Come, boss! Come, boss! Come, boss!"

Then with a loud bang the trailer door shut,

The last heifer taking off like a dumb nut.

Up from their chairs the farmers arose,

As the heifer came running from down below.

She was red and white with stubby little horns,

Her Hereford curls covered in dirt and thorns.

Her head was still shaggy; not even clipped,

As she ran into the barns, Jimmy came with a show stick.

The look on his face was clear as can be,

He was about to show this heifer who the boss would be.

He reached forward with his show stick,

Grabbing the halter; making it look so slick.

The heifer pulled back not knowing what to do,

As little Jimmy prepared for round two.

Everyone stood still and open eyed,

When they made it to their stall and no one died.

Jimmy unloaded his tack just before dark,

Hoping to get some sleep before the morning light sparked.

With one last check and everyone settled in for the night,

He parked his truck and trailer over by a near light.

He jumped into his back-seat make shift bed,

With the same old sweater to put under his head.

He shut his eyes and dreamed the same dream;

Not knowing the next day, he would qualify for the RBC Beef Supreme.

Written by Naomi Best