May  2014                                   
2014 AAA AGM & Hall of Fame Gala & Awards

 

CAA News

Canadian Angus National Convention

Mark your calendars, make travel arrangements, book your hotel and submit your registration form for the 2014 Canadian Angus National Convention in Moose Jaw, SK.

Watch our website for up-to-date information on Convention.

Submit application and money to Belinda Wagner, SK General Manager.

 

Book your hotel reservation at http://templegardens.sk.ca or 1-800-718-7727. 
Temple Gardens Mineral Spa Resort Code: 35523 or SK Angus

 
 
 

   

Carcass 101:  How beef quality adds value to your cattle

No matter your role in the beef industry value chain, from seedstock to commercial ranch, feedlot, packer or beef marketer, everybody wants two things: profit and a great eating experience for consumers.

 

What does that mean to registered Angus producers? How will the genetic selections you make today affect the viability of the Angus breed in the future? How can you and your bull customers earn premiums for cattle?

 

To help find answers, the Canadian Angus Association and Certified Angus Beef LLC have partnered to offer "Carcass 101," a first-of-its-kind workshop set for June 18 and 19 in Olds, AB.

Marbling is the top driver of beef quality, and the lack of it is the biggest reason carcasses don't grade AAA or Prime, or meet standards for premium brands like Certified Angus Beef  ® (CAB®). Marbling is a highly heritable trait, so genetic selection at the very beginning of the beef value chain makes a big difference to the end product, beef.

 

"Feedlot and cow-calf operators can impact beef quality hugely by focusing on consistent animal health and solid nutrition that boosts rate of gain and the development of internal marbling," says Larry Corah, CAB Vice President of Production. "Starting with genetics that will fulfill carcass trait potential is also crucial."

 

The agenda for Carcass 101 will cover three key themes: carcass quality characteristics, genetic traits affecting carcass quality, and consumer beef demand in Canada and abroad.

Participants will have the unique opportunity to assess live animals - analyzing both phenotype and genotype - then evaluate carcasses harvested from these animals with the help of meat scientist Oscar Lopes Campos of the Lacombe Meat Research Centre.

Other scheduled guest speakers include:

  • Dr. Phil Bass (CAB meat scientist) - Understanding carcass components and value
  • James Bradbury (Canada Beef Inc.) - Global differences in carcass utilization
  • Tom Lynch-Staunton (Livestock Gentec) - Genetics of carcass traits & HD 50K tests
  • Rod Wendorff (CUP Lab) - Is ultrasound still important?
  • Larry Sears (commercial producer) - Utilizing carcass data for the cow-calf producer
  • Ryan Kasko (Allied Marketing Group) - CAB licensed partner on feeding Angus cattle
  • Larry Corah - Growth of quality market and CAB potential in Canada

"The main goal of Carcass 101 is to help Canadian Angus Association members add value for commercial cattlemen - cow-calf or feedlot - who purchase Angus genetics," says Rob Smith, Canadian Angus Association CEO. "The event will demonstrate how our breed development tools, such as performance programs and genomic testing, can impact the quality of beef produced in Canada."

 

"There is a premium-paying market for a higher quality beef for anyone who can deliver it; the challenge is to focus on the right genetics to get that done," says Larry Corah. "With the cattle you have now and the genetic tools available to improve, Canadian cattlemen are in a prime position to fill the demand. Quality beef catches more dollars. Today, it's not unusual to see high-quality pens selling for $100 to $150 per head above base prices."

 

The National Meat Training Centre at Olds College will play host to the Carcass 101 event. Recently updated and expanded, this world-class facility is home to the Olds College Meat Processing program - the only course in North America that offers training in the complete meat process stream, from slaughter to retail.

 

Space is limited for Carcass 101, so early enrolment is recommended to avoid disappointment. Registration cost is $350 per participant and includes a welcome dinner reception on Tuesday, June 17, lunch and supper on Wednesday, June 18, and lunch on Thursday, June 19.

A block of rooms has been reserved at the Pomeroy Inn and Suites at Olds College; call 1-855-800-8815 for reservations. Hotel accommodations are also available at the Best Western of Olds (phone 403-556-5900) or Ramada Olds (phone 403-507-8349).

 

To register or learn more, contact the Canadian Angus Association office at 1-888-571-3580 or visit www.cdnangus.ca .

 

Carcass 101 Agenda                                                            

Tuesday, June 17th
6:00 PM                Carcass 101 banquet

Wednesday, June 18th
9:00 AM               Welcome, schedule and overview
9:30 AM               Evaluation of live cattle
11:15 AM             Carcass parts and value
12:00 PM             Lunch
1:00 PM               Global difference in carcass utilization including new cuts
2:30 PM               Coffee break
3:00 PM               Carcass cutting demonstration
4:30 PM               Day 1 wrap up
6:30 PM               Evening meal

Thursday, June 19th
8:45 AM               Welcome to day 2 - overview
9:00 AM               Genetics of carcass traits
9:45 AM               Ultrasound- Is it still important?
10:30 AM             Coffee break
11:00 AM             Utilizing carcass data for the cow/calf producer
11:45 AM             Feeding Angus cattle
12:30 PM             Lunch   
1:30 PM               How 50K tests work
2:00 PM               Evaluation of carcass/cuts from day 1
3:15 PM               Coffee break
3:30 PM               Growth of quality market & potential in Canada
4:30 PM               Wrap up

Schedule is subject to change.

 

 

 

 

Attention Juniors!!!
Scholarships/Bursaries
Scholarship/Bursaries still available....
Upcoming Junior Shows
Be sure to mark your calendars for the following Junior Shows!
Summer Synergy - July 7-13, 2014, Olds, AB
On behalf of Olds Regional Exhibition (ORE), the staff and volunteers are delighted that we are only 47 short days away from our fifth edition of Summer Synergy! Listed below are four documents which we encourage you to share in order to increase awareness and ultimate participation in Synergy.
  • Synergy News - which discusses Schedule, Online Entries, Scholarship Qualifiers, Sponsorship Recognition and much more!
    • New Rookie Registration and Mentor Program
    • New Master Showmanship
    • New The Production - Parade of Champions
    • New Peewee Ages (6 - 8 as of January 1st)
    • New MNP Parent Pancake Breakfast 
  • How to Enter Online - for any first timers that need a little more instruction with online entries
  • Schedule - although a working document, this gives families a means for planning that exciting week!
  • Class List - a list of all the livestock and skill based classes that each participant can chose from
Synergy Fun Facts...
 
For more information visit www.summersynergy.ca

Showdown - 15th Annual National Canadian Junior Angus Show
July 17-19, Virden, MB
Showdown 2014 is shining on the horizon and there are juniors excited for this awesome weekend! Competitions in cattle presentation, judging, marketing, artistic ability, cooking and much more give ample opportunity for our junior members to show off all of their talents! Make plans to be in Virden, MB from July 17-19, 2014. AJAA is organizing a trailer for cattle heading to Virden - more information to come.
For more information visit CJAA website
.
AJAA Junior Show - August 10-12, 2014, Bashaw, AB
The Alberta Junior Angus Association is busy organizing another exciting show for 2014 in Bashaw, AB. Come and join in the excitement August 10-12!
 
All Breeds - August 13-16, 2014, Bashaw, AB 
For more information visit the All Breeds website.
SAAC News

Hello everyone, time to give you a quick update of your Southern Alberta Angus Club.

 

Congratulations to our new president - Mr. Doug Allen of Allencroft Angus.

 

Hope everyone has had a successful calving season and bull sale.  We would like to thank everyone that has sent in their 2014 memberships.  If you have not sent in your membership form click here. Remember with your membership to let us know of your events ie: bull sales, private treaty sales, or any other relevant information you would like us to forward to SAAC members and we will be happy to pass on a email.  Your membership also allows you to sell in the annual Chinook sale and be a part of future promotions that we are presently working on.  Also, the membership helps to keep  SAAC the most active Angus club in Alberta.

 

The news that many of you are waiting for - the 2014 Cowboy Golf Scramble entry form is here!  Friday July 18th at the beautiful Waterton Lakes Golf Course.  This year we have added a spot for you to purchase your mulligens ahead of time if you wish.  A total of 2 mulligens can be purchased per person, one to be used on the front nine and one for the back nine.  Like to remind  you all that last year we filled up quickly and unfortunately we could not accommodate everyone.  So - get those entries in early, before JULY 4TH, and be entered for that early bird draw. Payment MUST be received with entry to qualify for the draw.

 

For those that are interested the Waterton Lakes Townsite Campground will now take reservations, you can call 1-877-737-3783. We are working on a possible group site at another campground - will keep you posted.

So, don't miss out, get those entries in quick, and see you in July.

 

Remember to follow us on facebook!

 

Your SAAC Board


A few tidbits...

The ANGUS Breed topped the Interclub Awards at the 

Ponoka District Show & Sale 

With 60+ head showing, Angus proved to be best with the following Champions!

Champion Steer - Angus Cross

Reserve Champ Steer - Angus

Champion Carcass Steer - Angus

Reserve Champion Carcass Steer - Angus Cross

Champion Cow Calf - Angus

Reserve Cow Calf - Angus

Champion Heifer - Angus

Reserve Heifer - Angus

Top Rate of Gain - Angus Cross

4-H T-shirts are out and about!

The Angus 4-H T-shirts are making their way out of the office and across the province! Look for this years t-shirt in your area! If you know of a club that has members showing Angus influence animals be sure to send them to our website to fill out the form to send in and receive their t-shirts! 

Record Cattle Prices Spark Increased Demand For Livestock Price
Insurance Program

 

Higher Prices Bring Higher Risk, Says Market Analyst

As Alberta's Livestock Price Insurance Program expands across Western Canada this month, demand for price insurance in Alberta is growing as cattle producers witness cattle prices that have been hitting record highs over the last few months.

 

"Cattle producers are experiencing some of the strongest prices in history on their cattle, and they don't want to risk losing that money if prices fall for some reason. That's why so many Alberta producers are using price insurance to protect the high cattle prices they're seeing today. Participation in cattle price insurance has tripled in Alberta over the last year because it gives producers an Alberta floor price that locks in up to 95 per cent of the future forecasted price on their cattle. And it doesn't put a ceiling on the price they can sell their cattle for if markets keep climbing," explains Brenda Hagen, with Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC) - the provincial Crown corporation that has administered livestock price insurance since the program was first unveiled in Alberta five years ago.

 

No Program Changes in Alberta as WLPIP Expands Across West

Now renamed the Western Livestock Price Insurance Program (WLPIP), Hagen says the success and uptake of price insurance in Alberta was a major factor in the decision to expand it across Western Canada this spring. AFSC will now deliver the program - which has only been available in Alberta - to cattle and hog producers across the West on behalf of the federal and provincial governments.

 

As WLPIP rolls out across the region, there will be no changes to the program in Alberta, says Hagen. "Other than a new logo and website at www.wlpip.ca, it's the same program Alberta producers have used for years to protect themselves from any risk that could cause these high cattle prices to drop below their insured floor price," she says, noting, "We're adding settlement indexes and coverage levels for the other provinces, but coverage and settlement prices in Alberta will still be based on the Alberta cattle market."

 

Cattle Prices Jumped 20 Per Cent

The expansion of WLPIP comes at a good time, says Brian Perillat, a senior Alberta cattle market analyst with Canfax. Cattle prices have jumped about 20 per cent over the last four months - and those higher prices bring higher risk, says Perillat, especially for feedlots and backgrounders that buy high-priced calves and feeder cattle to place on feed or pasture. "Those producers have more money on the table than ever before. And with the increased market volatility that often comes with high prices, producers could easily lose a lot more money a lot faster if they're not using tools like price insurance in today's markets," he explains.

 

Unexpected Risks

While there's every indication today's strong prices will continue through 2014 - due to tight cattle supplies in Canada and the U.S., a weak Canadian dollar, and low feed costs - there are always unexpected risks that can come out of nowhere and change that picture, adds Perillat. "For example, the Canadian dollar can be extremely volatile and negatively impact cattle prices. Or if there's a drought or some other weather concern that results in a small U.S. grain crop, that could reduce cattle prices this year," he explains.

 

"There's too much at stake not to protect the high prices we're seeing today with price insurance. That's why we actively promote WLPIP to our members," says Reg Schmidt, with the Feeder Associations of Alberta (FAA), an industry group that sat on the steering committee that developed livestock price insurance in Alberta. The FAA helps producers finance feeder cattle purchases through a Loan Guarantee Program. "We also finance WLPIP premiums with our loans so every producer can purchase coverage if they wish," says Schmidt, noting that as cattle prices have increased, so have the floor prices producers can lock in with WLPIP.

 

Bankable

About 40 per cent of FAA members enrol in WLPIP through the Cattle Price Insurance Program (WCPIP). Schmidt anticipates that number could double because "producers are realizing price insurance is a necessary part of doing business. It's bankable so they can take it to their lender to access credit more easily. And you don't have to look hard for examples of how WLPIP has helped cattle producers manage their price risk," he says, pointing to the XL Foods plant closure in Brooks almost two years ago due to E. coli concerns. "Feeder cattle fell nearly $20 per 100 pounds at that time, and producers who had price insurance were getting payouts of nearly $200/head," he says.

 

May 29 Calf Deadline

WLPIP programs are available year-round for fed cattle, feeder cattle, and hogs. The only exception is WCPIP-Calf which is offered from February to May due to the seasonality of calf sales, says Hagen, noting the deadline to purchase WCPIP-Calf policies this year is May 29.

For more information about WLPIP, producers can contact their local AFSC Branch, the AFSC Call Centre at 1-877-899-AFSC (2372) or visit www.wlpip.ca.
In This Issue
Coming Events
Click here to see the coming events. To be included in the coming events send your info to the office.
Alberta Angus Association | | office@albertaangus.ca | www.ablertaangus.ca
p. 403-556-9057  f. 403-556-3333

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