CSA February 2013 Enewsletter

As you should now be aware, at the most recent Board of Directors meeting the Canadian Simmental Association (CSA) directors authorized the transition of parentage validation from microsatellite DNA testing to single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) DNA testing. SNP parentage verification came into effect November 15th, 2012. The cost of transition to this new technology is being partially offset by funding provided by Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada through the Agricultural Innovation Program. Parentage verification samples that are submitted and processed between November 15, 2012 and March 31, 2013 will allow CSA to leverage these additional funds. It is for this reason that is imperative that members submit parentage verification samples prior to March 15, 2013. As a result it is strongly suggested that you contact the CSA office by March 1, 2013 to allow time for delivery of your sample kits.

Parentage verification will now be done at a cost of $45 per animal using the Geneseek Genomic Profiler (GGP) panel. In addition to parentage verification, this level of testing allows the genomic data to be used within our research training populations and genetic evaluations, ultimately ensuring maximum value for you as a member. As a result of this transition the estimated turnaround time on parentage verification tests will now be 3 to 4 weeks. Please ensure samples are submitted to allow ample time for tests to be completed.

Once again, we strongly suggest members submit parentage verification samples prior to March 15, 2013 to assist with the smooth transition to this new technology and to allow the CSA membership to fully utilize funding to offset the cost of the transition. We appreciate your support as we move to this next step in improved services being offered by CSA

For further information and to order your parentage forms please contact the CSA office.

To view the Notice in PDF format, click here.

BEEF INNOVATIONS 2013 - JULY 15 & 16, 2013

Mark your calendars - You won't want to miss this!

The Canadian Simmental Association is hosting the BEEF INNOVATIONS 2013 Symposium in Calgary, Alberta July 15 & 16, 2013. This is a must attend event to gain a better understanding of the changing science of genetic improvement and how your business can utilize genomic technologies to capture more value and improve your competitiveness.

This Symposium will be held in conjunction with the CSA Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, July 17th, and the YCSA National Classic on July 17th - 19th. This is a week of Simmental celebrations you will not want to miss.

For further information visit www.simmentalinnovations.com and www.simmental.com.

Calendar of events - click here.

CSA ANNOUNCES NEW RESEARCH COORDINATOR

The Canadian Simmental Association is pleased to announce that Jeff Hyatt has accepted the position of Research Coordinator with CSA effective immediately.

"From a young age, my passion has been to help the cattle industry advance in any way I could and hopefully in a large enough way to actually make a difference. In this position with the Canadian Simmental Association I will be able to continue to achieve that passion. I believe the cattle industry is positioned for great advancement in the upcoming years. I look forward to working with the CSA membership to continue the great work that has been done in the Simmental breed," states Jeff.

For full Press Release click here.

CANADIAN SIMMENTAL ASSOCIATION ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING - JULY 17, 2013

Mark your calendar for the Canadian Simmental Association Annual General Meeting. The week of July 15-19th is a week of celebration for the Simmental breed. The week begins on with the BEEF INNOVATIONS 2013 Symposium. This two day event will focus on bringing information on genomic technologies and research within the beef industry to those who will ultimately determine its value through adoption - the breeders and their customers. The main objective of this symposium is to connect world-renowned genomic researchers with those who are and will be utilizing these technologies within their businesses. Wednesday, the CSA will host the Annual General Meeting, and the week will wrap up with the celebration of youth in this industry at the YCSA National Classic.

July 14 - Calgary Stampede Super Sunday

July 15 & 16 - Beef Innovations 2013

July 17 - CSA Annual General Meeting

July 18 - YCSA National Classic

Event Headquarters

Sheraton Cavalier Calgary

2620 32nd Ave NE

Calgary, AB

Tel: 9403) 291-0107

For complete agenda and further details please visit www.simmental.com or www.simmentalinnovations.com.

REGISTRY INFORMATION

THE HERD LETTER FOR 2013 IS "A"

Credit Card Authorization:

Please contact the CSA office if your credit card information has changed (e.g. card number, expiry date, etc.) This will allow your registration and transfer papers to be processed and mailed without delay.

Online Simmental.com accounts - all users must have a credit card on file, or make arrangements with the CSA office to maintain a $500 credit balance on their account. For more information or to sign up with Online Simmental.com, please go to www.Simmental.com under Registry/Online Simmental.com.

Transferring Registration Papers

When completing transfer information on your sale animals, please provide the following Buyer information:

- Buyer's CSA member # (when at all possible)

- Buyer's first & last name (& Farm Name - if applicable)
- Buyer's complete mailing address, including postal code
- Sale Date of the animal being sold
- Signature of Seller
- Breeding information on bred females - INCLUDING Name & Registration number of Natural Service &/or AI Sire
- Signature of the owner of dam when AI was done and/or Signature of natural service

If you require further explanation, please contact the Registry staff at 1 866 860 6051.

BREED IMPROVEMENT

Spring 2013 EPD

The Spring 2013 EPD have been released and are available on the CSA website, or CSA search site at http://search.simmental.com. Information on breed averages and percentiles can be found at http://www.simmental.com/epd2.htm .

Sire Summary

A complete Sire Summary can be viewed on the CSA website here.

Ultrasound and the Rebate program

Now is the time to be thinking about scanning yearling cattle. The CSA collects and uses ultrasound data from cattle between 300 and 440 days of age collected in valid contemporary groups. Data must be collected by a UGC certified technician and processed through an approved lab. Ultrasound is a good indicator of relative carcass merit and is a key contributor to the CSA carcass EPD. Cost to scan is typically around $20 per head, however the CSA ultrasound rebate program will credit your CSA account $10 for any scans collected in valid contemporary groups. For information on scanning visit www.ultrasoundbeef.com . To obtain barn sheets contact the CSA office or visit your on-line account. The rebate program is available on a first come/first served basis.

Breed Average EPDs - click here to view Spring 2013 Breed Average EPDs

SIMMENTAL COUNTRY NEWS

The February Simmental Country is now ONLINE at www.simmentalcountry.com.

Buyers receiving the Commercial Country Magazine

We have received inquiries on how breeders can make sure their commercial buyers receive a copy of the Commercial Country magazine. Every commercial buyer who has a bull transferred into their name receives a free issue of the Commercial Country, therefore send in your transfers. Not only does this put your buyers on the list, each transfer on all animals sold for breeding purposes makes statistics more accurate. You can also contact Margo to ensure your buyers are on the list. Please note, commercial buyer mailing information is strictly for the mailing of the Commercial Country only. As per CSA Policy, we do not release these names or lists to anyone.

Simmental Country EBlasts

Compliment your advertising initiatives with a Simmental Country Eblast! Send your advertising directly to your target market's in-boxes. With our new Electronic Promotions Package, we will send your advertisement to our contact list, link your advertisement to the What's Happening, and hyperlink your advertisement in the magazine. Contact Darryl, Jane or Margo to find out how Simmental Country can assist in your marketing efforts.

What's Happening

For a listing of Simmental Events visit our Simmental Country website.

YCSA NEWS

National Classic Announcement

The Alberta Young Simmental Association is proud to be hosting the 2013 National YCSA Classic on July 18th & 19th. The Classic will be held in conjunction with the 2013 Canadian Simmental Association Annual General Meeting. Please visit our YCSA website and Facebook page for the latest information. This will be a great opportunity for some friendly competition, meeting new friends and learning new things.

Facebook

Look for us on Facebook under Young Canadian Simmental Association. Stay connected and be the first to know about upcoming events and opportunities.

Alberta Young Canadian Simmental Association

The Alberta YCSA is pleased to announce their scholarship winners! Cathryn Thompson received the Alberta YCS Jaron Arntzen Memorial Scholarship and Grady Brown received the Alberta YCS Heifer Scholarship.

YCSA Board of Directors Contact information

MEMBERSHIP ANNOUNCEMENTS

Please send any membership announcements to Margo Cartwright at [email protected]

May your walls know joy, may every room hold laughter, and every window open to great possibility -- Mary Anne Radmacher