Get out this summer and participate in one of the many cattle functions, whether it’s a Junior show, National show, World show or even one of the fund-raising golf tournaments.
Breeders attending the Canadian Angus Association (CAA) annual meeting in B. C. last month learned registrations rose seven per cent in 2008 to reach 62,283 head. CEO Doug Fee says that is more than half of all purebred beef cattle registrations for the year. The breed’s performance recording program grew by 24,933 head putting a total of 87,216 animals on the program in 2008. A record 77,942 weaning weights were submitted for the calculation of EPDs.
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John Donaldson of West Bolton, Que., was elected president of the association for 2009, moving Bob Switzer of Aneroid, Sask., to the role of past-president. Kirk Wildman of Sangudo, Alta., is the new president elect.
Starting new terms as directors are Roger Hardy of Midale and Shane Castle of Swift Current from Saskatchewan and Frank Strimbold of Topley, B.C.
Keith Kaufmann of Ceylon, Sask., retired from the board.
Canadian Junior Hereford Association members should be applying for the Keith Gilmore Foundation Scholarship by July 1. Since 1988 the Keith Gilmore foundation has provided 140 scholarships for Junior College, University and Post Graduate Studies in Agriculture, Agricultural Journalism or Veterinary Medicine. Recipients will be announced at Bonanza in Princeton, B. C. For more information go to
“Go White, Go Wild” with the Canadian Charolais Youth Conference and Show July 22-25 in Peterborough, Ont. A full four days are planned with meetings, competitions, tours and the windup banquet. For more information phone Merrilee McTeer (519)353-5403 or Katrina Coughhlin (613)897-0044.
The Canadian Red Angus Promotion Society is going great guns with all kinds of initiatives. They will have a presence at the World Angus Forum, Red Roundup plans are already underway. The promotions committee is going strong, as well as the sponsorship and advertising committees. Check out their website at
Kurt Gilmore, of Gilmore Publications, has retired after more than 35 years in the business. The Canadian Hereford Association purchased the Canadian Hereford Digest from Gilmore Publications as of May 1.
Brad Dubeau has taken on the new role of director of communications with the Canadian Hereford Association. In this position he will also oversee operations of the Canadian Hereford Digest as the editor and publisher, producing provincial breeder directories, printed and online sales catalogues, website and other new initiatives. Brad comes from a ranching background, attended Montana State University where he acquired a degree in Ag Business. His most recent positions were with Alta Genetics and Independent Breeders, but he is no stranger to Alberta Hereford breeders as he also managed the Alberta Hereford Association for several years.
Congratulations go out to Tina Schwartzenberger, member communications specialist with the Canadian Angus Association, who tied the knot on May 2. All of Tina’s contact information remains the same but she is now known as Tina Zakowsky.
From July 13-16 one thousand head of the best Angus cattle will be on the grounds at Spruce Meadows, Calgary, Alta. for the World Angus Forum 2009. There will be over 160,000 sq. ft. of cattle and breeder displays from over 200 exhibitors. For the first time ever there will be and International Embryo display highlighting genetics from nine countries. Embryos were implanted in Canada and the resulting calves will represent genetics from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Denmark, England, Scotland, Uruguay, and the United States. Day visitors are encouraged to attend the shows, the sale and the exhibits for free July 14 to 16. Check out
Charolais breeders are feeling pretty pleased with the bull sales that were held this spring. The Charolais sales saw the highest overall sale averages in 28 years. Neil Gillies, general manager of the Canadian Charolais Association, commented that he was extremely happy to see these results as he feels that the Charolais breed can make some serious contributions to the business of producing quality beef, and these sale results indicate that commercial producers are recognizing the advantages of the breed.
Neil Gillies, general manager of the Canadian Charolais Association, attended the World Charolais Technical Conference May 3-10 in Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia.
The 2010 YCSA calendar will be featured at the Canadian Simmental Association Annual General Meeting in British Columbia this summer. All thirteen full-size pages will be auctioned off at the event and all proceeds will go to the Young Canadian Simmental Association. The YCSA will also be selling business card ads and individual dates in the calendar. Don’t miss your opportunity for some great advertisement as the calendars will be mailed out along with the Simmental Country in November.
Canadian beef is getting additional profile this summer, during reruns of the highly successful Pressure Cooker reality television show. Last fall, Canadian beef took centre stage on the reality television show that pits culinary students against one another to create plated dishes from ingredients contained in mystery food baskets. Due to an extremely large number of favour-able letters and calls to SUN TV during the first run of Pressure Cooker, the show will air reruns of the first season, thus elevating the profile of Canadian beef. The original Pressure Cooker was shot on location at Niagara College’s Culinary Institute in Niagara.
