“In March 2012, Iowa became the third state to pass the Agriculture Protection/Reporting “Ag Gag” making it illegal to gain employment to a farm under false pretenses with the goal of misrepresenting farm activities. Kansas and North Dakota passed legislation more than a decade ago similar to Iowa’s and Utah’s. This law is in effect for both livestock and crop farms. Former Iowa representative and third-generation farmer Annette Sweeney was instrumental in getting the law passed in Iowa.”(AG Media Summit) I ran across this article and it made me think that this is something livestock producers should be seriously considering in Canada.
Beef Australia 2015 is rapidly approaching, and is to be held May 4 to May 9, 2015. Leader Tours Inc. have put together a 14-day agricultural tour from April 30 to May 16, 2015 which will include Australia’s National Beef Exposition — Beef Australia, which is held every three years in Rockhampton, Queensland. The tour offers visits to beef operations as well as some free time on the Gold Coast. Click here for more details. Deadline to book on this tour is Sept. 1 so don’t miss out.
For Canadian seedstock producers the Olds Fall Classic will operate Oct. 3-5, 2014, in Olds Alta., at the Olds Regional Exhibition facilities. Breeds include Black Angus, Blonde d’Aquitaine, Charolais, Hereford, Limousin, Red Angus, Shorthorn, Simmental as well as the Stars of Tomorrow Jackpot Calf Show. Online entries deadline is September 15.
Alberta Agriculture has offered up to $3,000 to the Canadian Beef Breeds Council so it can rebate 50 per cent of the $149 registration fee for Alberta producers who attend the Livestock Gentec Conference August 12-14 in Edmonton. Alberta producers are encouraged to contact their breed association for more information on the conference and the rebate.
The Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame selected three accomplished ambassadors for Canadian agriculture to join its prestigious ranks in 2014. The late Walter Browarny, Charles Froebe and Lorne Hepworth will be formally inducted into the national hall of fame at a ceremony on Sunday, November 9, 2014 at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto, Ontario. “Canadian agriculture thrives on a diverse group of individuals constantly pushing boundaries to drive our industry further,” says president Judy Shaw, Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame Association. “This year’s inductees highlight the importance of taking an innovative approach — whether you are a farmer or a photographer — to make a lasting difference to our industry and our nation.”
Walter Browarny changed the face of livestock photography with his clean, simple approach to capturing Canada’s beef breeds. His legacy as Canada’s cameraman of livestock lives on in the bank of more than two million images he created — setting the standard for his brand of authentic livestock photography that naturally features the best attributes of his subjects. Walter was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta and was nominated by the Canadian Beef Breeds Council.
Charles Froebe of Carman, Man., championed the creation of Canada’s national canola farmer association, improving marketing options and cash flow for farmers. Lorne Hepworth began his lifelong career in Canadian agriculture as a veterinarian in rural Saskatchewan, moving into provincial politics and leaving his biggest legacy for Canada’s plant science industry through his work with CropLife Canada and GrowCanada.
Breeders attending the Canadian Simmental Association AGM and YCSA National Classic, July 25-27 in Riding Mountain National Park were also offered a boat cruise on Clear Lake, the Riding Mountain National Park buffalo tour, a Genomics and EPD presentation by Dr. Dorian Garrick and a Ukrainian dance performance in addition to the Saturday evening banquet and Friends of Canadian Simmental Foundation Auction.
There were many generous donations to this year’s auction. A special thank you goes out to Bonchuk Farms, the 2014 Friends of the Foundation, for their donation of Lot #1-BLCC 42A. New Holland Agriculture made a generous donation of a 150-hour rental of a New Holland Tractor (T6 Series) and a new Round Baler. New Holland also provided sponsorship of the weekend events.
The Canadian Beef Breeds Council (CBBC) has appointed Dr. John Crowley as its director of scientific and industry advancement. Dr. Crowley was formerly with Livestock Gentec in Edmonton. He will continue to work in Edmonton and maintain a working relationship with Livestock Gentec, while fulfilling his duties for CBBC.
At Canadian Western Agribition this fall the Red and Black Angus, Gelbvieh, Polled and Horned Hereford, Limousin, Shorthorn and Speckle Park breeders will hold their national show and sale. Additional shows are scheduled for the Charolais, Maine Anjou and Simmental breeds.
The Canadian Angus Association hosted the first annual Carcass 101 event in partnership with Certified Angus Beef (CAB), supported by the Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency (ALMA) at Olds College on June 18-19. Thirty-one participants took part in the two-day event to learn about carcass traits. On the first day Brody Gardner evaluated three live steers ready to go to the Olds College National Meat Training Centre, then asked the participants to rank the steers based on their traits and how they would grade. The group then put on hairnets and lab coats before entering the cutting room where Dr. Phil Bass, a meat scientist with Certified Angus Beef, explained the various parts of the carcass and their value, and how carcasses are graded in Canada.
James Bradbury, the director of market development with Canada Beef Inc., looked at what consumers are seeking from the beef industry and current trends facing the industry. Then Drs. Bass and Brad McLeod, a meat instructor at Olds College, gave a cutting demonstration on a carcass and explained how this skill has changed with the development of many more specialty cuts.
The second day featured John Crowley of Livestock Gentec, Rod Wendorff of Windy Ridge Ultrasound Inc., and Larry Sears of Flying E Ranche. Crowley covered the importance of genetic selection and the use of genomic technology with the Zoetis 50K test. Wendorff explained how ultrasound can aid in selection while Sears gave a rancher’s view on how carcass data can be used in cow-calf herds.
Ryan Kasko of Allied Marketing Group gave his perspective on feeding Angus cattle in Alberta. Then the group moved to the meat training centre to analyze the carcasses of the cattle they rated the day before. Oscar Lopez Campos from Lacombe Meat Research Center in the meat science department led the session with the animal carcasses. Larry Corah, vice-president, supply development from Certified Angus Beef rounded off the day with his findings on the growth potential for the quality beef market in Canada.
Each year, ALMA hosts FutureFare, its annual feature celebration that provides industry, government and academia attendees with an opportunity to discover the names and faces behind the initiatives that are transforming Alberta’s meat and livestock sector. For FutureFare 2014, over 245 participants came to the River Cree Resort just outside of Edmonton to learn more about the successes of ALMA partnerships directly from the partners themselves.
Under the theme of “Feeding the Demand,” FutureFare 2014 kicked off with an evening reception featuring Cameron Bruett, JBS U.S. head of corporate affairs, and Clint Dobson, ALMA senior research and policy manager. Bruett is also the chairman of the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, and his talk the following day kept everyone totally engaged. To learn more go to the Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency website and check out News and Events.
Marta M. Haley, director of Global Market Access (Canada) for Elanco Animal Health will speak on the challenges and opportunities for a food-secure tomorrow at the annual Livestock Gentec Conference August 12-14 in Edmonton. Some say Canada is ideally positioned to assist the world as it strives to reach a food-secure future. The three critical elements of rising to the challenge centre around innovation — the discovery and adoption of new technologies to do more with less; choice, in how to best produce and select foods to meet the price, taste, and nutritional requirements of various geographies and populations; and finally trade to allow food to be produced where it is most economical and sustainable and can deliver it to those who need it.
Leaders from across various industries have come together to form the first Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (CRSB). With over 68,500 beef farms contributing more than $33 billion to Canada’s economy and conserving over 50 million acres of Canada’s environmentally significant grasslands, the roundtable aims to be a leader in the continuous improvement and sustainability of the beef value chain. Fundamental to the success of the roundtable will be science-based information, multi-stakeholder engagement, communication and collaboration.
“The roundtable represents a breakthrough for the Canadian beef industry,” said Cherie Copithorne-Barnes, chair of the CRSB. “It’s important for industry stakeholders to come together to combine their expertise to ensure the industry remains economically viable, environmentally sound and socially responsible for future generations.” To view the full membership, find out how to become a member, or for more information visit the CRSB website.
The Canadian Angus Association (CAA) honoured 300 years of membership at the National Convention banquet on Saturday, June 7, presenting three 50-year and two 75-year long-term recognition awards. The awards recognize breeders who have been a member of the association for 50 and 75 consecutive years. The 50-year recipients are Doug Henderson of Alberta; the Willms family of Saskatchewan; and Peak Dot Ranch of Saskatchewan. Isla Bank Angus/Stables family, Saskatchewan and the Harold Spady family, Alberta were recognized for 75 years of continuous membership and commitment to the agriculture industry.
Doug and his wife Linda Henderson operate Douglas J Henderson and Associates Ltd. (DJH). They are dedicated to the promotion of top-quality livestock that help to advance the agriculture industry. Doug is a life member of the Canadian Angus Association.
The Willms family reside in Saskatchewan. Jake and Bernice live on the original homestead and began the family farm. Today the third generation of the Willms family are working on the farm. Tom Willms and Bryan Willms with his wife Tracey and children Kylie and Owen are the operators of Wilbar Farms. Terry and Barbara Moneo are the founders of Peak Dot Ranch. The ranch is located in the rolling hills of Saskatchewan and is one of the largest purebred breeder operations in Canada. It is a family-run operation that raises 750 mature cows.
Isla Bank Angus was established in 1938 by Robert Stables. Today the operation is run by Iain Stables. Iain is a great-nephew to Robert Stables. The farm is located in Delisle, Sask., and continues to grow.
The Spady family farm, Valleymere Angus, is located in the Battle River Valley near Alliance, Alta. Jack Spady began the herd in 1937 and then Harold Spady continued the family farm until he passed away. Today, both of Harold’s sons help to operate the family farm. The cattle business has helped the Spady family to make a living for the past three generations.
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