CSA April 2013 Enewsletter

A big Thank You to Wheatland Cattle Company who generously donated two semen lots in their annual bull sale in support of the Young Canadian Simmental Association program.

The three doses of Wheatland Bull 680S and three doses of Wheatland Bull 131L "Teddy" were auctioned off during the Wheatland Cattle Co. Focus On The Future Bull Sale on March 28,2013 in Alameda, SK. The total amount raised was $4,350.00 and all proceeds went to the Young Canadian Simmental program.

Thank you to Wheatland Cattle Co. for their ongoing support of the YCSA program.

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO MEMBERS

Canadian Simmental SNP Parentage Transition

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.

STAMPEDE TICKETS FOR BEEF INNOVATIONS 2013 - JULY 14, 2013

Will you be attending BEEF INNOVATIONS 2013? Would you like to attend the Calgary Stampede while you are visiting the Calgary area?

The Canadian Simmental Association is reserving a block of tickets for the Sunday Showdown, on July 14th. Tickets are priced at:

Showdown Sunday July 14th Rodeo at 1:15 pm- tickets are $38.40

Showdown Sunday July 14th Wagons at 7:45 pm- tickets are $51.90

If you would like to be a part of the CSA group attending this event, contact Margo Cartwright at [email protected] or (403) 250-5255 by April 30th to reserve your tickets.

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

Calendar of events - 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 Monday 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 Showdown Sunday

July 15 & 16 - Beef Innovations 2013

July 16 - CSA Banquet and Garth Sweet Simmental Foundation Auction

July 17 - CSA Annual General Meeting

July 16-18 - YCSA National Classic, Okotoks, AB

Event Headquarters

Sheraton Cavalier Calgary

2620 32nd Ave NE

Calgary, AB

Tel: (403) 291-0107

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

GARTH SWEET SIMMENTAL FOUNDATION AUCTION - JULY 16, 2013

This year's Annual Garth Sweet Simmental Foundation Auction will be held on Tuesday evening, July 16th, in conjunction with the CSA AGM Banquet in Calgary, AB.

The feature lot, a Bred Heifer has been donated by RPlus Simmentals, Estevan, SK. Thank you to the LeBlanc family for their generous donation and support of this auction.

Other items up for auction are sporting event tickets, artwork, gift certificates, advertising opportunities, catalogue credits, semen and giftware. We are accepting donation* items for this year's auction. Donations are always welcome. If you have an item to donate, please contact Ken Lewis (780) 818-3829 or Deanne Young (780) 696-3643.

Funds raised are used to support CSA research and development projects, youth scholarships and the Young Canadian Simmental Association program. Thank you to all donators, bidders and buyers of the GSSF Auctions. It is because of your generous support that this event is such a great success.

*Donators of qualifying items will be issued an income tax receipt.

For more information on the Garth Sweet Simmental Foundation, contact Stewart Ainsworth, GSSF President at (780) 785-3136.

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

REGISTRY INFORMATION

THE HERD LETTER FOR 2013 IS "A"

Genetic Evaluation Deadline for Total Herd Enrollment (THE) herds:
In order for data to be included in CSA genetic EPD evaluations, it must be received by the CSA office no later than JUNE 1st for the Fall Evaluation and NOVEMBER 1st for the Spring Evaluation!

Spring Calving Season - Calving Data Reminder:
With the end of Spring calving season, now's the time to complete your calving data. THE participants are encouraged to submit data on their entire calf crop. Herds with multiple ownership, or herds which are operated as a single unit, should submit calving information on all animals together under a single or master herd number. This does NOT affect ownership or registration requirements, however it does ensure that calves are handled correctly in the genetic evaluation and that proper credit is given to the animal's genetic merit.

Reminder on Transferring Bulls:
The Simmental breed has once again experienced another amazing spring bull sale season! The CSA would like to remind you of the importance of transferring your bulls. A registration paper is an excellent promotional tool for Simmental genetics, plus transfers on all animals sold for breeding purposes makes statistics more accurate.

CSA Policy on Genetic Defects

The CSA encourages producers to report to the CSA office Simmental influenced animals suspected of having a genetic defect. These reports are handled with utmost confidentiality and are part of our ongoing commitment to genetic improvement for the Canadian Beef Industry. Visit the CSA website for the CSA Policy on Genetic Defects

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 .

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

Ultrasound Rebate

The ultrasound rebate program is still in effect. A CSA member account credit of $10 is available for all scans collected on animals in a valid contemporary group. Cattle must be weighed and scanned and the images must be processed through a certified lab. Cattle should be scanned between 320 and 430 days of age.

Scrotal Measurements

The CSA encourages members to submit scrotal measurements that have ben collected on their yearling bulls. This information is required in the calculation of the scrotal EPD. Measurements can be submitted via the online system or on yearling data collection forms.

SIMMENTAL COUNTRY NEWS

Deadline for Queens of the Pasture Simmental Country: July 1st, 2013.

Contact Darryl, Jane or Margo to reserve your spot today.

Queens of the Pasture Photo Contest

We are once again looking for a front cover for the Queens of the Pasture issue of the Simmental Country and are running our annual Photo Contest. So get out your cameras and start snapping those photos. The deadline for the contest is June 15, 2013. The winner of the photo contest will receive one free page of advertising in the Summer 2013 (June/July/Aug) Simmental Country and the winning photo will appear on the front cover. Send your photos to [email protected].

*Photos must be 8.5" x 11" at 300 dpi, and all photos submitted will become the property of the Simmental Country.

What's Happening

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

T BAR INVITATIONAL GOLF TOURNAMENT - June 25-26, 2013

You're invited... to join TBarC on June 25th and 26th at Dakota Dunes Golf Links to be part of the 6th Annual T Bar Invitational Golf Tournament. This award winning, top ranked course is built for golfers of all skill levels.

The T Bar Invitational was formed to help make a positive impact on the future of our juniors. Since 2008, the tournament has grown tremendously, raising over $191,000.00 going directly to seven National junior breed associations representing over 2000 members. This will be applied towards the development of junior advancement. In 2013, 10% of the proceeds will once again be donated to the Canadian Western Agribition Junior Beef Extreme for the development and awareness of youth in the beef sector.

Enjoy the 18 holes of golf and their 2013 Guest Speaker - Myles Immerkar - Semex Global Beef Manager speaking on Global Beef Trends.

TBarC has a vast range of levels of involvement available and would be happy to help customize a package that is best suited to you and your company needs.

Visit the website at www.tbarinvitational.com

The Canadian Simmental Association and the Young Canadian Simmental Association would like to say Thank You to TBarC and their staff for their dedication to and support of youth associations across Canada.

BEEF 2013: INTERNATIONAL LIVESTOCK CONGRESS

Mark your calendar for ILC Beef 2013
Wednesday July 10, 2013

at the Deerfoot Inn & Casino,

1000, 11500 - 35 Street SE in Calgary, Alberta

The early bird catches the worm!
Early Bird registration rates are in effect until May 24, 2013.

Come and attend BEEF 2013 and hear the excellent line up of expert speakers covering topics from industry and global economy, research, food safety, and retail perspectives.

For more information and to register visit www.ilccalgary.com

Hotel Accommodations
Being that BEEF 2013 is being held at the same time as the Calgary Stampede, there are no more rooms available at the Deerfoot Inn & Casino. However, we have a block of rooms available at the sister hotel, Service Plus Inns & Suites, right across the street from the Deerfoot Inn & Casino at a great rate of $189.00 plus taxes. If you will need hotel accommodations, book your room before they book up at the Service Plus Inns & Suites by calling 403-236-7529. When you book, tell them you are with ILC and the reservations booking code is GKYILC3. By giving this code, you will receive the special conference rate. Service Plus Inns & Suites, 3503-114 Ave SE, Calgary, AB, T2Z 3X2 www.serviceplusinns.com.

The Canadian Simmental Association is a proud sponsor of the International Livestock Congress.

YCSA NEWS

National Classic Announcement

The Alberta Young Simmental Association is proud to be hosting the 2013 National YCSA Classic on July 16-18th. 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.

YCSA Classics and Youth Events

July 5-7: Quebec Junior Beef Show
July 16-19: Alberta Wildrose Classic, in conjunction with the YCSA National Classic, Okotoks, AB
July 29- Aug 1: American Junior Simmental Association Summit Leadership Conference
July 30 -Aug 1: Saskatchewan Tiger Lily Classic, Prince Albert, SK
August 2-4: Manitoba Youth Beef Round Up, Neepawa, MB
August 22-24: Maritimes YCSA Classic, Truro, NS

Agricultural Youth Engagement Foundation presents the 2013 Agriculture - Count It Farm Education Workshop

YCSA members have been invited to participate in the Agriculture Youth Engagement Foundation conference to be held in Red Deer, AB, Saturday June 8, 2013. The purpose of the conference is to bring together youth from across Canada and around the world and provide them with the tools they will require to be successful. It's a great opportunity to make those professional contacts and learn something about another part of the country and the world.

This year we will be hosting Agriculture: Count It! which will, through the use of a simulated farm, teach youth the basics of accounting principles, and how understanding this topic can help make you more successful. Workshop specific content will be mixed with hands-on application of knowledge gained as well as purely fun activities. The purpose of the foundation is to engage youth in agriculture at a young age and help them share their passion.

Saturday, June 8th, 2013
Red Deer College, Red Deer, AB
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Registration Fee: $30.00
Open to ages 12-23

For more information visit www.youthengagement.net

Facebook

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

YCSA Board of Directors Contact information

MEMBERSHIP ANNOUNCEMENTS

Florence Lewis, Rock Ridge Simmentals, Russell, ON, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, March 26th, 2013. Florence was a staple on the Ottawa Valley Show circuit and will be missed by the Simmental and show community. Her love of her Simmental cattle was clearly evident in every aspect of her life. She was known to get up through the night to do calving checks and was often seen walking the laneway with a calf in tow. Our condolences go out to Florence's husband Terry and her family and friends.

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