Our condolences go out to the family of Mr. Burt Grundy, Canadian Hereford Association president and Ontario director, who passed away in mid-July. Burt’s family continued to participate in Bonanza, the Canadian Junior National Show and the CHA’s annual meeting held July 29-August 2, 2014, in Lindsay, Ont. The Canadian Hereford Association (CHA) vice-president, Daryl Kirton, who represents British Columbia, assumed the role as president. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Burt may be made to OVACC c/o Tina Rudkoski, 7149 McCordick Rd., North Gower, Ont. K0A 2T0, or Ontario Junior Hereford Association, for a bursary in his memory, c/o Justin McLaughlin, 3103 Mackey Rd., North Gower, Ont. K0A 2T0.
Bruce Holmquist, Canadian Simmental Association general manager, as well as CSA director Lacey Fisher and her husband Jacob attended the 2014 World Simmental Fleckvieh Federation (WSFF) Congress in Colombia in July. Along with tours of local farms, sites and events, there were many discussions on research projects happening around the world. The WSFF executive remains the same — Josef Kucera, president, Czech Republic; Johan Kluyts, vice-president, South Africa; Fred Schuetz, second vice-president, U.S.; Bruce Holmquist, past president.
The seventh annual T Bar Invitational golf tournament was once again an overwhelming success, raising close to $50,000, for youth in the beef industry. Chris Poley presented Canadian Junior Angus Association president Michael Hargrave with a cheque for $12,145.60. The money raised was divided among eight national junior breed associations representing nearly 2,000 members and Canadian Western Agribition. “We are extremely happy with this year’s event. With the help of our generous sponsors, we have raised nearly $300,000, which has provided opportunities to a great number of youth,” said Bryan Kostiuk, co-chairman of the tournament. “The tournament encompasses people from all segments of the industry as well as those who wish to have fun and support a great cause.”
The Canadian Angus Association released its full lineup of Canadian Angus Rancher Endorsed Sales, starting in September and running until March. They will present 175 sale dates at 61 auctions. While CAA field staff will visit each location through the sale season, Angus producers are encouraged to do their part to promote the breed. With that many sales and locations, everyone should be able to find a sale location near them. The association also has new field staff this year, including recently retired director Lois McRae in Manitoba and Peter Van Staveren in Ontario.
The Canadian Simmental Association’s (CSA) newly restructured and renamed Friends of Canadian Simmental Foundation (FCSF) held their annual charity auction on July 26, 2014 at Elkhorn Resort in Manitoba in conjunction with the CSA annual meeting weekend. This year’s auction was a tremendous success with a new record amount of $89,570 being raised. Funds raised by the foundation support youth development programs and scholarships as well as research and development initiatives focusing on the improvement of the Canadian beef industry through Simmental genetics. Ken Lewis, FCSF chair, noted, “The phenomenal success of the foundation auctions has come from the amazing broad-based support of the CSA membership and the beef cattle industry with this year being no different.” A special note of appreciation was extended to Bonchuk Farms of Solsgirth, Manitoba for the donation to this year’s auction of a bred heifer for raffle which raised $16,460 which was won by Transcon Livestock Corporation and Beechinor Brothers Simmentals. New Holland Agriculture donated a tractor/baler rental which was purchased by Cudlobe Angus of Stavely, Alberta for $8,750.
Canadian Simmental producers from across Canada gathered at the Elkhorn Resort in Clear Lake, Man., July 25-27 for the Canadian Simmental Association’s 46th annual general meeting. Along with the annual meeting keynote speaker Dr. Dorrian Garrick, of Iowa State University and executive director of the National Beef Cattle Evaluation Consortium gave a presentation on current developments in genomics and EPDs. CSA members elected two new directors to the board, Lee McMillen of Carievale, Sask., and Blair McRae of Brandon, Man., and returning director Kelly Ashworth, Oungre, Sask. Retiring from the board are past president Fraser Redpath and Deanne Youn. The new executive for 2014-15 executive is composed of president Kelly Ashworth, first vice-president John Sullivan, Kazabazua, Que., and second vice-president Lacey Fisher of Amherst, N.S.
The 2014 Canada Beef Annual Forum takes place September 18-19 in Toronto. The theme, “The Power of the Brand —Building Loyal Partnerships” will explore leveraging traditional and non-traditional partnerships within the industry to create brand loyalty. September 18 will be a full day of presentations including the industry panel and the evening banquet dinner. The CBI AGM will follow on September 19 from 8 a.m.-12 p.m.
2014 Young Leaders
Tessa Nybo, Sundre, Alta.
Mentor: Jamie-Rae Pittman, Kyle, Sask.
Tessa Nybo was raised on a commercial cow-calf operation near Sundre, Alta. With her father being a veterinarian she grew up with a passion for cattle and agriculture. Through years of 4-H and showing cattle, Tessa has learned a great deal and is keen to share her knowledge with others, especially young cattle enthusiasts. She does so through her clinic business in which she offers cattle clinics, judging clinics, and public speaking clinics for 4-H clubs as well as at events such as Farmfair International. She also owns a herd of commercial show cattle from which she raises and sells calves for 4-H and jackpot shows. Details of her services, clinics and cattle can be found at www.tessanybo.com. Tessa graduated from the Olds College Agricultural Management program with a major in marketing. She has worked for the Alberta 4-H Branch and AgCareers.com, among other positions and continues to serve on numerous 4-H and industry committees. Tessa and her fiancé, Colin Verbeek, also a CYL mentee, are moving near his family’s farm in Sturgeon County where they will begin building their own cattle operation that will include a purebred Limousin herd. Tessa appreciates the opportunity to acquire practical production knowledge as well as gain a greater perspective on the cattle industry as a whole in addition to networking through the CYL program.
Her mentor Jamie-Rae Pittman lives in the southwest of Saskatchewan where she ranches and farms with her husband, their three young children and her husband’s family. She and her husband operate under the name Pittman Holdings. The cow herd is a commercial cow-calf operation, as well they farm cereal and pulse crops. Jamie-Rae is a co-founder and art director of Bella Spur Innovative Media Inc., a marketing company with roots and a large client base in agriculture. Her involvement with the marketing industry puts her in touch with agricultural producers and agribusiness owners all across Canada.
Stuart Sommerville, Endiang, Alta.
Mentor: Doug Sawyer, Pine Lake, Alta.
Stuart Somerville, his wife Kayla, and their son Robbie live near Endiang, Alberta and work with Stuart’s parents on the family’s mixed grain and cow-calf operation. Stuart completed a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Alberta in 2007 and currently shares his time between teaching in Hanna, Alberta and working on the family farm. He is proud to be the fourth generation to work this homestead, and prouder still to have the chance to introduce a fifth generation to this way of life.
His mentor Doug Sawyer is a cow-calf producer and past chair of the Alberta Beef Producers.
Stacey Domolewski, Taber, Alta.
Mentor: Terry Hockaday, Calgary, Alta.
Stacey Domolewski is from Taber, Alta., where she is part of her family’s Red Angus operation, C.D. Land and Cattle. They calve 180 purebred cows and hold their bull sale the second Saturday of March on the farm. Stacey has been very involved with Junior Angus Associations acting as a director on both the Alberta and Canadian Junior Angus boards. She has really enjoyed the opportunity to help plan and organize junior shows and events. Stacey was also selected as the 2012-13 Robert C. McHaffie Junior National Angus Ambassador where she had the opportunity to attend many shows, events, and tour farms and Angus operations all across Canada.
She graduated from the University of Saskatchewan in 2013 with her animal science degree, and is currently back at the U of S completing her master’s degree in animal science. Upon completion of her degree she hopes to pursue a career in extension and communication, while still remaining actively involved in her family’s farm.
Her mentor, Terry Hockaday is the president of Meristem, an Alberta-based communications company specializing in agriculture with products such as the web-based Meristem Land and Science and NewStream, a digital news service.
To advance the potential in genomics, the Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency (ALMA) is partnering with Livestock Gentec and the University of Alberta on two projects on the relationship between genomics and residual feed intake (RFI). Scientists from Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development as well as Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada are also involved in the projects. Along with ALMA, the Beef Cattle Research Council, Canadian Angus Association, Canadian Charolais Association and Beefbooster are also supporting these projects.
Mel Reekie has been promoted to the role of general manager for the Canadian Charolais Association. Mel joined the association as office manager back in May of 2012.
Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) vice-president Dan Darling was in Calgary, in early summer, to attend roundtables on reforms to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program hosted by Economic and Social Development Canada (ESDC) Minister Jason Kenney. The first roundtable had more than 20 participants from a range of industries, including the cattle sector, that shared its concerns with the recently announced reforms and the impact they would have of its various sectors. The second roundtable involved processors. The CCA is pleased that the recently announced reforms recognize the chronic and long-term labour challenges of primary agriculture but more work needs to be done on the processing side. There is a real concern that the recent changes will negatively impact packing operations. All the opportunity in new market access (and in existing markets) depends on processing profitably. Exemptions or other methods to allow targeted access beyond the levels spelled out in the recent changes need to be considered.
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Minister Gerry Ritz and Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification Michelle Rempel joined Canada Beef chair Chuck MacLean and president Rob Meijer to announce $3,844,800 in funding for the new Canadian Beef Centre of Excellence. “Our government is proud to support this cutting-edge facility. This centre will give our industry a competitive advantage in showcasing Canada’s top-quality meats and will allow our producers to capitalize on new and existing market opportunities,” said Minister Ritz. This state-of-the-art facility will provide space and resources to help the industry promote new beef products, training and education, focused around the technical advantages of Canadian beef, and play a valuable role in marketing Canadian beef domestically and internationally. “The Centre of Excellence will further empower our industry to reach consumers and customers both here at home and around the world to build brand loyalty and generate new marketing opportunities,” said Meijer. With a full commercial kitchen, meat case, classroom, dining facilities and broadcast capabilities, the Canadian Beef Centre of Excellence will become a cornerstone in the Canadian beef industry, and provide a focal point for domestic and international marketing opportunities, and incoming trade missions. The Centre of Excellence should be completed in Calgary in December 2014.
Corinne Gibson of Fir Mountain, Sask, was elevated from the position of president elect to president of the Canadian Angus Association at its recent national convention in Moose Jaw. Tammi Ribey of Paisley, Ont., is the new president elect of the association and Kevin Blair of Lanigan, Sask. moved into the past president’s chair. Several new directors were also elected with Doug Reid and Brett Wildman replacing retiring directors Gary Latimer and Dawn Wilson in Alberta. Shawn Birmingham replaces retiring director Lois McRae in Manitoba; Ryan Currie replaces retiring director Jérôme Richard in Quebec and Trevor Welch replaces retiring director Jim Colodey in the Maritimes. All five new directors will serve three-year terms and be eligible for re-election to a second term.
A Charolais-cross steer owned and shown by Megan McLeod of Cochrane, (photo at top of page) was slapped 2014 UFA Grand Champion steer by judges Lee and Dawn Wilson, Bashaw, Alta. at the Calgary Stampede. Megan was also a recipient of one of the Youth Foundation Scholarships at the stampede. The 1,316-pound Canadian steer is off a purebred Charolais cow and sired by Monopoly. It has been named Champion at nine shows since the fall of 2013 and brought in over $18,000 in cash and prizes.
The reserve Grand Champion, and Hereford Champion steer, is co-owned by Barry Olney, his daughter Emily Geisel, both of Estevan, Sask., and Cody Lafrentz of Bienfait, Sask. The steer is out of a Hereford/Maine Anjou cow sired by the bull Believe in Me. It is the third year in a row the Champion Hereford steer has gone on to place Reserve Grand Champion.
Results from Colonial Days in Lloydminster, Sask. July 16, 2014:
• Classic Steer Stake
— Grand Champion Steer: Bar SK Cattle and Wade Brokenshire, Lloydminster, Alta.
— Reserve Champion Steer: Cassidy Serhienko, Maymont, Sask.
• Heifer Classic Show
— Supreme Champion Heifer: Jenn’s 1406 Fay 135A exhibited by Jennifer Jones, Lloydminster, Sask.
— Reserve Champion Heifer: HLC 1220 Sweet Emotion 36ZA exhibited by Nicki J. Ross and Hollinger Land & Cattle, Duchess, Alta.
• Junior All Breed Beef Show
— Grand Champion Bull Calf: French Fry exhibited by Jarrett Sroka, Maidstone, Sask.
— Reserve Grand Champion Bull Calf: Chica’s Zorro exhibited by Brianna Kimmel, Lloydminster, Alta.
— Grand Champion British Breeds Female: Jenn’s 1406 Fay 135A exhibited by Jennifer Jones, Lloydminster, Sask.
— Reserve Grand Champion British Breeds Female: Justamere 40 Mistress 420A exhibited by Jorja Fox, Lloydminster, Sask.
— Grand Champion European Breeds Female: NGDB Ace of Spades 339A exhibited by Quinn Hoegl, Lloydminster, Sask.
— Reserve Grand Champion European Breeds Female: CMS Poker Annie exhibited by Brianna Kimmel, Lloydminster, Alta.
— Overall Grand Champion Female: Jenn’s 1406 Fay 135A exhibited by Jennifer Jones, Lloydminster, Sask.
— Overall Reserve Champion Female: Justamere 40 Mistress 420A exhibited by Jorja Fox, Lloydminster, Sask.
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