CSA January 2015 Enewsletter

As decided by the CSA board of directors and effective January 1, 2015 all Simmental sires are required to be genotyped using a minimum 50K SNP panel. Natural Service Sires will now require the same level of genotype testing as AI sires who have had this requirement since November of 2012. This is a higher density, more informative panel that will add value to the Simmental genetic evaluation. All donor females continue to require a 50K test.

If you have any questions, please contact the CSA office toll free at 1-866-860-6051 or 403-250-7979.

REGISTRY INFORMATION

THE HERD LETTER FOR 2015 IS "C"

Genotyping Turnaround Time

In preparation for the upcoming bull sale season,

members are reminded of the need to allow a minimum 4 week turnaround time from the time they send the samples to the lab for genotyping until they receive results.

2015 Annual Membership Fees were invoiced January 2, 2015.

Payment is due upon receipt of invoice. For members with a credit card on file at the office, fees will be applied to your credit card.

Mandatory Identification

Under the Animal Pedigree Act, and per CSA by-laws, it is mandatory that all Simmental animals be identified with an ear tattoo in order to be eligible for registration in the CSA Herd Book. It is the responsibility of all CSA members to ensure that all Simmentals sold as registered animals are legibly tattooed and that the tattoo corresponds with the animal's registration paper. Any member who contravenes a By-law of the Association relating to the individual identification of animals may be expelled or suspended and in accordance with section 61 of the Animal Pedigree Act may be denied the right to have registered or to transfer the ownership of the cattle.

2015 Spring Genetic Evaluation

CSA staff are in the final stages of validating and updating the spring run of the Genetic Evaluation; unfortunately this is somewhat later than usual due to circumstances beyond our control. We understand the need for the new EPDs as you work on your bull sale catalogues and are doing our best to complete this process as soon as possible. We anticipate the new numbers to be available over the next few days and appreciate your patience.

SIMMENTAL COUNTRY NEWS

JANUARY COMMERCIAL COUNTRY NOW ONLINE

Corrections to What's Happening

- Bata/Olafson Bull Sale date is February 10, 2015

- Springer Simmental Sale of Value Based Genetics is Feb. 7, 2015

- Kick off to Spring Bull Sale is March 23, 2015

Front Cover for February Simmental Country

The Simmental Country is looking for a unique photo to front cover of our February Herdsire Issue of the Simmental Country. Do you have one that would work? Send it to Margo at [email protected]. Reminder it needs to be a high resolution photo at 300dpi.

Advertising Contracts

When planning your 2015 advertising, we would like you to consider the advertising contracts available for Simmental Country. These contracts offer free pages of advertising, business card advertising, sales reporting and subscriptions. Contact Kelly or Jane to discuss the contract that is best for your marketing needs.

Four-Issue Contract Annual-Contract

Photos

The Simmental Country is always looking for photos for the front cover of our magazine and to use in promotional purposes. If you have photos you would like to share, please send them to Margo.

What's Happening

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

Deadline for Spring Simmental Country - April 1st.

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

YOUNG CANADIAN SIMMENTAL ASSOCIATION NEWS

National Classic Announcement

The 2015 National YCSA Classic will be held in conjunction with the 2015 Canadian Simmental Association Convention and will take place from July 30- August 2 in Lindsay, Ontario. Please stay tuned for the latest information, as this will be one of the highlights of the 2015 Simmental events.

Scheduled 2015 Provincial Classics

Saskatchewan YCSA Classic

July 29-31, 2015 Prince Albert, Saskatchewan

Maritime YCSA Classic

August 27-28, 2015 Truro, Nova Scotia

Alberta YCSA Classic

July 23-26, 2015 Lacombe, Alberta

Quebec Junior Beef Show

July 2- 5, 2015 Brome, Quebec

Facebook

Like us on Facebook under Young Canadian Simmental Association and you can stay connected to the YCSA and follow us through the events and be up to date on opportunities that are available!

WESTERN CANADIAN COW-CALF PRODUCTIVITY SURVEY

This survey was first conducted in Alberta in the late 1980s, with a second survey in 1998/99. It is now being expanded to western Canada through a combined effort involving representatives from the provincial producer associations, Provincial Agriculture specialists, the Beef Cattle Research Council, Canfax and the Western Beef Development Centre.

The survey asks questions about your operation and your management and marketing practices as they relate to your 2014 calf crop, starting with breeding in 2013 and ending with weaning of your 2014-born calves.

The results of this survey will be used in a number of ways:

Offer historical comparison with previous study findings to determine how the industry has changed given that the last time this survey was conducted was 16 years ago;
Guide extension and research efforts;
Validate anecdotal evidence on production matters;
Identify which management practices are linked to strong production performance;
Generate an updated set of production benchmarks for the cow-calf industry.

The survey is 58 questions in length and is estimated to take between 30 and 45 minutes to complete. The deadline for participation is February 28, 2015.

Participants have the option to provide contact information to receive a complimentary report of their production benchmarks in comparison with regional, provincial and/or herdsize benchmarks, or to remain anonymous. Aggregated anonymous survey results will be shared beginning in the spring of 2015.

The survey can be completed online here. A pdf may be downloaded from that link as well. Hard copies are also available from the ABP office or the provincial contacts listed on the survey.

Your participation in this survey is critical, as ABP need to ensure they have enough numbers to accurately gauge industry benchmarks and trends.

For more information contact Karen Schmid, Beef Production Specialist, Alberta Beef Producers.