CSA February 2015 Enewsletter

The Ontario Simmental Association is proud to be hosting this year's CSA Annual Convention from July 31st to August 2nd, in Lindsay, Ontario. There are many exciting events being planned for this weekend including the CSA AGM, YCSA National Classic and FCSF Foundation Auction. Stay tuned for registration details that will be released soon. So mark your calendar, this is an event you do not want to miss.

INDUSTRY & MEMBER SERVICES REPRESENTATIVE POSITION

The Canadian Simmental Association (CSA) is seeking a full-time, highly motivated and energetic person for the position of Industry and Member Services Representative. The successful candidate will report directly to the CSA General Manager and be responsible for promoting the CSA and its programs as well as Simmental Country Magazine. For full job description visit the CSA Website.

CSA DESIGN & ADVERTISING CONTEST

The Canadian Simmental Association wants your ideas!

In it's efforts to promote the Simmental breed, the CSA is asking the Simmental community to assist in the designing of upcoming advertisements. If you do not have professional design skills, that is OK! There is no requirement to send in a professional advertisement - we want ideas, concepts, hand drawn scribbles - we want them all. Each idea will be entered into a draw to win an Ipad Mini. Send your ideas to Margo Cartwright at [email protected] or by fax at (403) 250-5121 by March 5th to be entered to win. Maximum of 5 submissions per person.

REGISTRY INFORMATION

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
*** Note: If the animal being sold is owned in Partnership - ALL parties must sign before the transfer can be completed

* 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

It is important that the buyers name and address be completed correctly. Otherwise, errors can result in animals being transferred to incorrect accounts, or duplicate accounts being created for the same owner(s).

Embryo Registrations

When submitting registration information for embryos, a copy of the Embryo recovery / Transfer papers must accompany the request. If the embryos were purchased, the completed and signed Transfer of Embryo Ownership form is also required. Full instructions for Embryo registrations can be found at http://www.simmental.com/registry.html

BREED IMPROVEMENT

2015 Spring Genetic Evaluation

The 2015 Spring run of the CSA genetic evaluation has been updated and the new EPDs are now online.

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

GGP-LD vs GGP-HD

Two types of tests offered by the CSA. Click here for information regarding these two tests.

SIMMENTAL COUNTRY NEWS

What's Happening

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

Deadline for Spring Simmental Country - April 1st.

Contact Jane or Margo to reserve your spot today.

YOUNG CANADIAN SIMMENTAL ASSOCIATION NEWS

National Classic - Lindsay, ON

Stay tuned for the schedule of events at this year's National Classic in Lindsay, Ontario July 30-August 2nd 2015. It is shaping up to be one of a kind event with new highlights this year for the members! Mark your calendars!

Sponsorship

Thank you to all sponsors to date for the 2015 YCSA National Classic. If you wish to become involved by being a sponsor please contact YCSA Coordinator Carla Schmitt at 306-221-7950 or YCSA President Sophie Wotten at 705-464-1713.

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!

CANADIAN COW-CALF SMARTPHONE APP DEVELOPMENT SURVEY - FEBRUARY 2015

The Canadian Hereford, Simmental and Angus Associations have jointly been awarded funding from the Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency (ALMA) to explore the development of a mobile smartphone application ("app") for Canadian cow-calf producers with integration into Canadian breed association performance data. Integrated Traceability Solutions Global ("ITS Global") of Okotoks, AB has been contracted to research and summarize the functionalities Canadian cattle breeders desire in a mobile app. This on-line survey is the first step of the process.

The questionnaire will take ten to fifteen minutes to complete. Survey results will be analyzed collectively by ITS Global, and all individual responses will remain confidential. Only those respondents who express an interest in follow-up will be contacted by ITS Global for further feedback, using only the contact information provided in this survey.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/52XYK3G

If you choose not to respond to this survey but would still like to provide input on the development of a mobile cow-calf app, please e-mail [email protected] . Responses will be accepted until February 28, 2015.

Thank you for participating, your input is important.