CSA June 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 at the Lindsay Exhibition. There are many exciting events being planned for this weekend including the CSA AGM, YCSA National Classic and FCSF Foundation Auction.

Registration

For Registration forms click here.

Registration discount before June 15th, 2015!

For more information please visit the Ontario Simmental Association website.

Schedule of Events

Click here for a full schedule of events for CSA 2015 Convention.

Lodging

Days Inn & Suites, Lindsay, ON: Please book before July 1st under the group code: CSA Convention, for July 31st to August 2nd.

Room Rates Available in the Block

50 Classic Queen Suites - 2 queen size beds. Group rate $129.95/night after July 1st $159.95
40 Queen Suites - 2 queen size beds and a pullout couch. Group rate $139.95 after July 1st $189.95

11 Commerce Road, Lindsay, Ontario | Canada

Reservations by e-mailing candace@daysinnlindsay.com

Reservations by phone (705) 328-0100.

www.daysinnlindsay.com

Simmental Innovations Conference

Friday, July 31, 2015

10:00 am Bruce Holmquist - CSA

General Manager

Welcome and Introductions

10:10 am Dr. John Crowley -Geneticist - University of AB

Research Associate - Livestock Gentec, and Director of Scientific & Industry Advancement Canadian Beef Breeds Council

➢ Simmental Innovations Update

10:40 am Coffee Break

10:50 am Dr. Katie Wood -Dept. of Animal & Poultry Science

University of Saskatchewan

➢ Epigenetics and Fetal Programming in the Beef Industry - What you feed your pregnant cows matters more than you may think

11:15 am Dr. John Crowley

➢ Genetic Improvement in other Countries - The Irish Cattle Breeders Federation system

12 noon Lunch

12:45 pm Dr. Wade Shafer -EVP - American Simmental Association

➢ Genetic Evaluation In Cowboy Language

1:30 pm Scott Matthews -Cargill Ltd.

➢ The Role that Seed-stock Producers play in Beef Production

➢ Genomics in the harvest sector, now & in the future.

2:00 pm Dr. Wade Shafer

➢ International Genetic Solutions - What is it?

2:30 pm Break

2:45 pm Dr. Stephen Miller -Geneticist - AgResearch, NZ

➢ What has DNA research done for other sectors?

3:30 pm Genomic Question and Answer Panel

Dr. Wade Shafer, Dr. Stephen Miller, Mr. Scott Matthews

4:00 pm Closing Comments

REGISTRY INFORMATION

THE HERD LETTER FOR 2015 IS "C"

Transferring Registration Papers

Partnership Animals - when an animal is in a partnership all parties are required to sign the transfer.

Mailing New Certificates - transferred certificates are mailed to the previous owner (seller) unless a request is made to mail to new owner.

BREED IMPROVEMENT

Genetic Evaluation

The data for the fall 2015 genetic evaluation has been submitted, expect new EPDs in July.

Member Submission Deadline Dates for Fall Evaluation

In order for data to be included in CSA genetic evaluations, it must be received by the CSA office by November 1st for the Spring Evaluation and by May 15th for the Fall Evaluation.

Beef Improvement Federation Conference - Biloxi, MS

The Canadian Simmental Association will be sending representation to this event from June 9th to the 12th.

NEWS FROM THE ASA

The Original Genotyping was in Error

W/C Wide Track 694Y has been found to be CA (Fawn Calf) free! Both his sire and dam were tested free, and to date, 20 progeny have been tested free as well, which prompted further testing. After further investigation, Wide Track tested free of the genetic defect. Werning Cattle Company, South Dakota and Genex Cooperative, Wisconsin, and the American Simmental Association appreciate the Simmental Industry's patience and understanding during this very difficult past two weeks.

Statement from Jon Beever:

In relation to the naming of W/C WIDE TRACK 694Y (2588250) as a CA-carrier (CAC), we have conducted further testing that indicates the bull is in fact CAF, and that the original genotyping was in error.

After initially testing the bull as CAC, the test was repeated twice using additional DNA samples isolated at the same time and putatively belonging to the bull, those tests also indicated that the sample was CAC. Following this testing, the notification of his carrier status was made. However, during a follow-up that included genotyping of the bull's sire and dam, both parents were determined to be CAF. Thus, a new straw of semen was acquired from the bull this morning (May 7) and genotyping completed today. Using this new and independent sample, the bull genotypes as CAF.

We are currently in the process of conducting an investigation as to how the error occurred. This should be completed in the next day or two. Currently, we believe that the original sample assigned to the bull was switched during the previous DNA isolation process with one of 65 additional samples handled at the same time.

SIMMENTAL COUNTRY NEWS

Summer Simmental Country Deadline - July 1st

Queens of the Pasture Advertising Special

Highlight the queens of your pasture in our Summer Issue of Simmental Country!

A half page, full color advertisement for $500 + tax!

Herd matriarchs, cow families, donor cows, show female, etc! Call now to reserve your space!

Queens of the Pasture Photo Contest

We are holding our annual photo contest again! Submit your photos by June 15th for your chance to win a full page, full color advertisement in the Summer Issue AND have your photo appear on the Front Cover of this issue.

Get out your cameras and send in those pictures!

Please be sure to send in high resolution photos. Photos must be 8.5 x 11 at 300dpi. All photos submitted will become the property of the Canadian Simmental Association.

Send photos by June 15th to mblack@simmental.

What's Happening

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

Deadline for Summer Simmental Country - July 1st.

Contact Meghan or Jane to reserve your spot today.

YOUNG CANADIAN SIMMENTAL ASSOCIATION

National Classic - Lindsay, ON

This year's National Classic will be held in Lindsay, Ontario July 30-August 2nd, in conjunction with the 2015 Canadian Simmental Association Convention.

Schedule of Events

Registration & Entry Form

Cattle Entry Form, Competitions & Membership Form

Accommodations

Thank all sponsors to date for the 2015 YCSA National Classic to date!

Title Sponsors:

New Holland

Canadian Simmental Association

Simmental Country

Diamond Sponsor:

Maxwell Land & Livestock

Platinum Sponsor:

East Central Ontario Simmental Association

Gold Sponsors:

Sully's Farm

Peterborough Country Cattlemen's Association

Ferme Gagnon Inc

Nolara Farms

Anchor D Ranch Simmentals

TD Canada Trust

Ottawa Valley Seed Growers

V5 Simmentals

Genex

Black River Simmentals

Silver Sponsors:

Dr. Everett Hall

Elm Tree Farms

Kingfield Farms

Hi-Tech Farms

Farm Credit Canada

Mar Mac Farms

McIntosh Ranch

Spruce Grove Cattle Company

Robson Acres

Whitewater Livestock

Triple Rose Simmentals

Donovandale Fams

Dennis Carew

Victoria County Cattlemen's Assocation

Maple Key Farm

Cedar Creek Simmentals

Navan Fair

Fullblood Simmental Fleckvieh Federation

McCormack Family Ranch

Destiny Simmentals

Foley Simmentals

Dr. Victoria Crane & Mike Thomas

Xcel Livestock

Bronze Sponsors:

Ontario Simmental Bells

Anne & Harold Cheslock

Rick-Sha Farms

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.

Provincial Junior Simmental Shows

Saskatchewan YCSA Show

- CANCELLED

Quebec Junior Beef Show

- July 2 - 5, 2015 Brome, PQ

Alberta YCSA Classic

- July 23 - 26, 2015 Lacombe, AB

Manitoba Youth Beef Round Up

- July 31 - August 2, 2015 Neepawa, MB

Maritime YCSA Classic

- September 25 - 27, 2015 Windsor, NS

Ontario Trillium Classic

- November 6 - 7, 2015 Toronto, ON

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!

FRIENDS OF CANADIAN SIMMENTAL FOUNDATION

Friends of the Canadian Simmental Foundation - The FCSF is excited to show you our new website at www.simmentalfoundation.com. The website outlines the work that the foundation is doing, the board of directors, scholarship opportunities and current recipients of the scholarships. The Friends of Canadian Simmental Foundation (FCSF) is a not-for-profit registered charitable Foundation dedicated to scholarship and educational support of youth in the business of agriculture and Simmental cattle. The Foundation is governed by a board of directors who are heavily involved in the Simmental industry and who have a vested interest in educating youth, developing leadership, and encouraging young people to be a part of the agriculture industry. The Friends of Canadian Simmental Foundation belongs to all of those that had the vision to believe in bringing the Simmental breed to Canada, those that supported and have developed it over the past 47 years, and those that see the value it brings to the generations of the future.

Friends of Canadian Simmental Foundation Auction - August 1, 2015

Wow what an exciting offering we have for our fundraising auction! There will be over 45 auction items including a Wrangler from New Holland, sports tickets, concert tickets to Taylor Swift, artwork and much more.Along with the donation heifer from Elm Tree Farms - the Wotten Family, there are also several lots of unique and exclusive genetics. In the Female section we have a Flush on STF Relentless (US Reg 2737025) from the famous 2-time American National champion, STF ONYX 451W. The ONLY Onyx daughter in Canada, the well-known donor Bar5 Lady Siska 409M, along with embryos from 3D Full Throttle x Bens X-tasy 4X.

There are several exclusive lots of semen

including LFE Riddler, JF Milestone 999W, RF Captain Black, MRL Capone 130B, - Erixon High Roller, RJY Chrome 8B, IPU Liner, Alta's Gunner, Anchor D High Noon and your choice of 10 straws from bulls offered by Genex.

For a complete listing of auction items watch the website at

www.simmentalfoundation.com, your annual meeting package, our Facebook page and the catalog that will be mailed in June. Thank you to all of those that have supported this event by donating items. For more information please contact Ron Nolan at - 905-330-5299 or Deanne Young at 780-696-3643.