The Angus Edge Spring 2023

The

Angus Edge

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2022 Commercial Producer of the Year -N- Ranch, Fort Walsh, SK

Hard work, integrity, determination and perseverance while putting family first best describes Roger and Lou Parsonage and the -N- Ranch. The ranch borders the historic town of Fort Walsh, Saskatchewan; which is 40 miles south west of Maple Creek or 30 miles north of the Montana border.

Roger and Lou own and operate the ranch that was established in 1899 when Roger’s grandpa settled on route from Pilot Mound, Manitoba. They have two sons Chuck and Jess. Chuck along with his wife Kyley and three kids are an important part of running the activities of the operation. Although they have their own ranch near Maple Creek, they are very involved in the main part of the operation in calving all the bred heifers, a large number of cows and assisting with annual forage production. Jess along with his wife Tanya and their two children also ranch straight north of the main ranch. This would mark the 5th generation of ranching within the Parsonage family in that area.

In the mid 1960s the first Angus bulls were brought in to compliment the Hereford bulls being used at the time. By the 1970’s it was pretty much

By Brennan Schachtel

Continued on page 8

Official Publication of the Saskatchewan Angus Association Spring 2023

L to R: SAA Director Michelle Potapinski, Derek Moorhead, Roger & Lou Parsonage, Belinda Wagner SAA General Manager and Bob Toner, CAA Business Development

Saskatchewan Angus Association - 2023 Board of Directors

President

Chad Hollinger Neudorf, SK 396-331-0302 hollingerlandandcattle@gmail.com

1st Vice-President

Jordan Sies Grayson, SK 306-728-1299 sieser94@hotmail.com

2nd Vice-President

Kim McLean Regina, SK 306-230-1681 kim.mclean@sasktel.net

Executive Director

Brennan Schachtel Marshall, SK 306-821-2504 eyehillb@gmail.com

Past President

Michelle Potapinski Hodgeville, SK 306-677-7540

windy.willows@sasktel.net

Troy Frick Neudorf, SK 306-728-8911

northernviewangus@imagewireless.ca

Adrian Jungman Duck Lake, SK 306-221-6864

akjungman@sasktel.net

Cathy Monteith Edam, SK 306-317-2048 honeybrookangus@gmail.com

Marlene Monvoisin Gravelbourg, SK 306-648-8200 jpmfarms@sasktel.net

Wade Olynyk Goodeve, SK 306-730-7673 olynyk44@gmail.com

Randy Tetzlaff Viscount, SK 306-231-6969 tetz@sasktel.net

Jim Wright Meadow Lake, SK 306-304-7711 wrightranch@sasktel.net

ANGUS EDGE The

Published by:

Saskatchewan Angus Association c/o 292140 Wagon Wheel Blvd Rockyview County, AB

T4A 0E2

Phone: 306-537-1518 Fax: 403-571-3599

office@saskatchewanangus.com cdnangus.ca/saskatchewan-angus-association

Spring 2023 Distributed to approximately 750 Angus Breeders’ and 1600+ Commercial Producers in Saskatchewan.

3 Issues per year

Summer deadline - May 1

Fall deadline - October 1

Spring deadline - January 15

Hillary Sauder Junior Director Hodgeville, SK 306-677-7542 hsauder12@gmail.com

Roger Reynolds Canadian Director Emerald Park, SK 306-536-6112 erreynolds@accesscomm.ca

Rob Garner Canadian Director Simpson, SK 306-946-7946

nordallimousin@sasktel.net

Sheldon Kyle Canadian Director Redvers, SK 306-452-7545

sheldon@kenrayranch.com Canadian Director

Honourary President Doug Howe Moose Jaw, SK

Belinda Wagner, General Manager Cell: 306-537-1518 office@saskatchewanangus.com

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Saskatchewan Angus Association c/o 292140 Wagon Wheel Blvd Rockyview County, AB T4A 0E2

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President’s Report ... by

Our Saskatchewan Angus Association (SAA) AGM was held January 19, 2023 via Zoom and it was well attended. Representative reports were given; Myles Immerkar, CEO gave the Canadian Angus Association (CAA) report, Jessica Davey gave the Saskatchewan Junior Angus report followed by Garner Deobald who gave the Saskatchewan Stock Growers report. The committee chairman also highlighted our activities over the last year. If you are interested in reading more, the committee reports are printed on pages 12 - 14 in this issue of the Edge, and the complete Annual Report is posted on our website at cdnangus.ca/ saskatchewan-angus-association.

Nominations were held during the meeting to fill board member positions and we are very pleased to have returning directors Adrian Jungman, Marlene Monvoisin and Randy Tetzlaff serving new three-year terms as well as Michelle Potapinski serving out her term as PastPresident. A Canadian director position also needs to be filled for June and we are pleased to have Darren Ippolito stepping up to replace Sheldon Kyle.

Thank you to everyone that participated in our member survey and is assisting with developing our new strategic plan. We look forward to building on past programming and moving into the future with a renewed strategy.

You may have noticed that we no longer share the office in Regina, or have the office phone number, due to the Saskatchewan Livestock Association being dissolved. You can still contact us via email at office@saskatchewanangus. com and call or text Belinda Wagner our General Manager at 306-537-1518. Belinda works mostly from home but if you do need to mail something to us, the address is c/o 292140 Wagon Wheel Blvd., Rocky View County, AB T4N 0E0. We would like to acknowledge the Saskatchewan Livestock Association board and thank them for providing a sponsorship to us that is being used to send a large contingent of our Saskatchewan Juniors to the 2023 Canadian Junior Angus GOAL Conference in Toronto, Ontario this month, and to us assist in showcasing our great Saskatchewan hospitality at the upcoming Canadian Angus Convention in Saskatoon June 8-10.

The Saskatchewan Angus Association was proud to be part of two very successful fall female sales. First up was the

Chad Hollinger

Masterpiece Sale, managed by Castlerock Marketing. It was transformed back to a live, in person sale and was held October 21, hosted at Gold Bar Livestock. The sale was hugely successful and there was a great crowd that gathered for the evening event. The second sale was the All Star Angus Sale hosted at Canadian Western Agribition and managed by the team at T Bar C Cattle Co. This sale garnered a huge crowd and was held the evening of Friday, December 2. On behalf of the Saskatchewan Angus Association, we want to thank and congratulate the sales staff and all the consignors for hosting such outstanding events. It is great to see our industry move forward with such momentum and excitement.

Our Gold and Junior Show in Lloydminster was hosted again at Stockade Roundup. Numbers were down in the Show but once again there was excellent quality and participation from exhibitors both locally and across Saskatchewan and Alberta. One of our biggest events for the Saskatchewan Angus Association is always the Angus show at Canadian Western Agribition. Numbers were up and the quality was deep throughout the barn. Many thanks to everyone who exhibited and attended these events as well as all of our sponsors. We also want to say a special thanks to everyone who volunteered at the shows, it really does take a great community to pull these events together, from processing to marshalling, to judging, being a ringman or announcer and assisting with prize presentations, as well as everything in between. We really appreciate each and every one of our volunteers and supporters.

The SAA sponsors youth shows and 4-H programming each year and we encourage 4-H leaders to contact us to obtain gifts for all members showing Angusinfluence animals at the club level and with any Regional Show winners who will receive Angus Champion swag.

We are planning our next Breeder Information Session for April 23 at the Glen at Crossmount, Saskatoon as a run-up to the CAA Convention. Stay tuned to our Facebook page and the website for more details coming soon. The 2023 Summer Tour is booked for the east central area August 9 and 10 – all are welcome to attend! Watch for more on social media as planning comes together – you can follow the tour group Facebook page at East Central SK Angus Tour as well as our Saskatchewan Angus page.

We look forward to the coming spring and summer events and I wish you all the best with calving and bull sales. 

2022 Commercial Producer of the Year...

strictly Angus bulls being used. The Parsonages say the main advantages to using Angus bulls is low maintenance cattle that get the job done in both their ranching operation and the feedlot sector as well. “Round bales and black

dealing with their rep over the years and have built a very trustworthy, rewarding relationship. The Parsonages have been using the Angus green tags as long as they can remember. Over the years genetics have been purchased from the Short Grass Bull Sale group, the Dillabaugh brothers, Harvey Bowerman and more recently Sunderland Ranch.

cattle are the saviour of ranching” is often said around the ranch. With the ranch being located in rough terrain with rolling hills, extreme snowfalls

During daily ranch activities horses are often used with the exception a sideby-side helps out here and there. They

Like most operations they have also had their share of challenges over the years, that had huge impact on their business including: BSE, drought during the 80s, and “the NDP government”. Adversity has made them stronger and their greatest accomplishments are raising good black cattle and Roger and Lou are proud to have their children and grandchildren as part of the next generation of the ranch.

and hot, dry summers the Angus cows continue to adapt best to the challenges of the environment they are in. The cattle will graze in native pastures up until December with winter feeding consisting of hay and triticale bales.

Annually close to 700 cows will calve with the heifers starting the end of March and the main cow herd calving at the end of April. The steers and heifers are backgrounded through winter with the steers being marketed in April/May and the heifers are grassed through the summer and marketed in fall. The cow herd is often noticed by neighbours as the benchmark of one of the great cowherds in ranching country. The -Ncalves are always in high demand come marketing time too. They primarily market their cattle direct to the feedlots through a buyer rep. They have enjoyed

have 15 brood mares and they have sold colts very successfully for many years. Roger is a well-respected horse trainer, roper, and was the round up boss for the Cypress Hill’s Stockmen’s Association for many years.

One of the greatest accomplishments is being recognized by your peers and the Parsonages are very humble and thankful to be receiving this award. Congratulations to the Parsonage family on receiving the 2022 Saskatchewan Angus Commercial producer of the year. If you’re ever in their neck of the woods I would encourage you to touch base with them and go for a tour, I know I plan to. 

Congratulations Roger & Lou!

From The Director's Chair ...

Well with my first year on the Saskatchewan Angus Association (SAA) board winding up it was only fitting to have an opportunity to write this piece. For those who don’t know me I am a 5th generation farmer at Crescent Creek Angus where we run a mixed grain and cattle operation. Along with my family we have an annual bull and female sale at the farm in Goodeve, SK. We have worked closely with the commercial cattle producers over the years and I am excited to bring that experience and build on future experiences with the SAA board.

It’s been a few years since I have a deadline to follow and meetings to attend. I was fortunate it to start my career in cattle and in the world of social interaction with 4-H. I know many of you reading this article can probably relate to that as well. We all got our taste of 4-H at one time or another. For me I was fortunate enough to start at the age of 6 and carry through the age of 18.

After many years of learning and growing I had the opportunity to attend my first Canadian Junior Angus (CJA) GOAL conference in Regina at the age of 15. That’s where I got my start in the CJA and with Ms. Belinda Wagner. Growing up I never saw myself being a part of planning events, attending meetings, and being responsible for kids but thanks to Belinda for pushing me to try new and different things, I took the next step and joined the CJA board. I was able to serve two terms on that board with many outstanding young cattlemen and friends. There I met people from all over Canada, the United States, and Europe. It was a life

By Wade Olynyk

changing experience and I can say that it definitely shaped who I am today. I got the chance to learn and grow while experiencing everything it takes to be a part of a board.

I am extremely pleased to have an opportunity now to be a part of the SAA board with my fellow breeders. It’s very exciting to attend the meetings where I can learn from the experience some members have and grow ideas that a younger member may have that are more outside of the box. Over the years the board has put on great events for everyone to attend, from the SAA Summer Tour to the Bull Sweepstakes that was a huge success in 2019 and the National Show Jackpot last year at Agribition. It’s amazing to see the board work together to get everyone out and involved in the world of Angus, and especially Saskatchewan Angus where we have some of the greatest cattle operations in Canada contributing to the SAA and its events.

I believe anyone who has a chance to be a part of this board, or any board should take that opportunity. I have taken things from these experiences and brought them home to help manage day to day work, deadlines, and especially interactions with others. The CJA was a huge help for me to transition into events when I went to college and how to participate in discussions in class and when it came to our Student Managed Farm responsibilities in Vermilion. I feel that even though I am a younger member on the SAA board that I can offer a different view as well as a fresh voice when it comes to discussing and planning of up coming events. I am always open for a conversation so call anytime.

I am excited to continue into another year on the board. I hope to see everyone at many of the upcoming events we have planned and of course see you at the Canadian Angus Convention in Saskatoon from June 8th to 10th.

February 2023

Dear Member:

The Saskatchewan Angus Association is pleased to be hosting the 2023 Canadian Angus Association Annual General Meeting and Convention June 8-10 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. The opportunity to host this event only comes to our province once every 7 or 8 years, therefore, we want the event to be special for our guests and members, showcasing Angus cattle and Saskatchewan hospitality. We are expecting 200+ people to attend. We are asking for your support of this event as a sponsor and/or volunteer.

We have an exciting and informative program planned, with industry speakers and displays, a tour of the world renown Livestock & Forage Centre of Excellence, an afternoon of socializing and learning at Norheim Ranching where members will have the opportunity to display their cattle and an evening at the Western Development Museum. Speakers will include marketing specialists, animal health professionals and retail specialists in livestock equipment. Our key-note speaker will be covering mental health challenges. The Saturday night banquet will feature member recognition and will wrap up with the Canadian Angus Foundation’s major fundraiser, Building The Legacy Sale 11.

An information sheet regarding sponsorship packages is available by request. Specific packages can be tailored to specific events such as the tours, the keynote, the banquet, banquet wine, transportation, refreshment breaks, hospitality room, etc., on a first come, first serve basis. Volunteers can help in many ways with such things as shuttling guests, being a tour host, assisting at the registration desk, hosting in the hospitality room, etc.

We appreciate your support of our activities and look forward to hearing from you regarding your participation prior to April 15, 2023. You can also watch for details on registering to attend coming soon. I would be pleased to answer any further questions you may have, feel free to contact me via voice or text at 306-537-1518 or by emailing office@saskatchewanangus.com.

Thank you for your consideration.

Belinda Wagner, General Manager Saskatchewan Angus Association

Saskatchewan Angus Association Committee Reports ...

Commercial Committee

With 2022 in the rear-view mirror, it’s a great time to recap on the many events we sponsored and took part in as a Saskatchewan Angus Association (SAA) Commercial Committee. The year started off being involved in sponsoring the 1st annual Cattleman’s Call event in Lloydminster which featured many local Angus exhibitors of both bull and female genetics to the commercial sector. This event had a great response and is growing in size with many additions for 2023.

The next event was in May where the Livestock Markets Association of Canada held their Annual General Meeting and National Auctioneer Championship, also at Lloydminster. This featured 40+ of the top auctioneers throughout the nation going through a series of items to sell as well as interviews to declare the champions. It’s been a few years since being held in Saskatchewan and it was a packed house at Northern Livestock Sales as well at the awards banquet.

In the fall we had the pleasure of selecting the commercial producer of the year for 2022. It was awarded to -N- Ranch, Roger and Lou Parsonage of Maple Creek, SK. Watch for their feature cover article in the Spring Angus Edge. The Parsonages were presented with a gate sign in early December and will receive Angus green tags compliments of SAA.

SAA also continued our sponsorship at the very successful Edam Fall Fair held at the end of October. This included sponsoring the exhibitor lunch on Friday afternoon. As always, a strong representation of Angus influenced cattle were exhibited and sold over the course of the weekend. In early November was the Yorkton Harvest Showdown where we sponsored an Angus influenced class. The commercial numbers were up quite a bit over 2021 and the reports of the sale was outstanding. At Agribition we handed out gift baskets to the exhibitors in the Stock Exchange Barn. This included the Yards exhibitors, Bull Pen Alley exhibitors, as well commercial cattle exhibitors. The baskets are always well received and gives the committee members a chance to show our appreciation for them exhibiting Angus genetics. Also, on Friday night we sponsored the beef on a bun during the People’s Choice event in bull pen alley.

I would like the thank the members of the commercial committee for their involvement and commitment at these events throughout the year.

Respectfully Submitted,

Brennan Schachtel, Chair

Marketing and Promotion Committee

Over the last couple years, the Marketing and Promotion Committee has focused on rebranding the Saskatchewan

Angus Association which includes the website, a new logo and promotional materials. If you were out and about this fall hopefully you will have seen some new Saskatchewan Angus Association branding on display. The new tradeshow booth will also be out on display this spring. Ads are also placed in the Saskatchewan Stock Growers ‘Beef Business’ magazine twice a year.

The Angus Edge continues to be a valuable resource for Angus breeders and customers across the province. Advertising is available for very reasonable rates and sales and events are also be mentioned on our Facebook page.

The committee continues to concentrate on our 4-H program and are always looking for ways to improve upon our Angus awards to those exhibiting at local achievement days and Regional Shows. Over 300 kids were recipients of the Angus Sunglasses in 2022 for showing an Angus influenced calf. On that note, if you are a 4-H leader or have kids exhibiting Angus influence calves, be sure to be in touch with Belinda to make sure that the 4-H program is put to use for your club.

I would invite you to go check out our website www.cdnangus. ca/saskatchewan-angus-association. There is a lot of great info on here that members could benefit from- whether it’s news and events to a connection to the national website for fast access to things like the herdbook or AngusNOW.

The strategic plan review that the board is undertaking this spring will inform the committee of where to focus efforts for events, technology transfer as well as communication. We are looking forward to feedback from the membership as this will also provide feedback on how to relay information to you! If you haven’t already done so, please make sure to complete the online survey to assist with developing the plan.

Please reach out if you have any questions, thoughts or ideas for the Marketing and Promotion Committee.

Respectfully

Submitted, Kim McLean, Chair

Presented at the Virtual Annual General Meeting on January 19th

Mentorship and Member Engagement Committee

The past year has been a very eventful one for the Saskatchewan Angus Association. It was a lot easier to connect with our members with out the limiting challenges we have faced in the past few years. Through out the past year it was great to see all of our fellow producers once again.

The year started off by sponsoring a webinar that focused on Cattle Market Dynamics. The event featured Travis Hickey, the founder of Cattlenomics and was well attended during a busy January calving season. As a follow up to 2022, the Association sponsored another webinar featuring John Lawton, hosted by the Livestock Marketers of Saskatchewan on January 17, 2023. I hope many producers were able to take part.

Following a busy bull sale season, our April board meeting was held at the Lucky Bastard Distillery in Saskatoon. Following the meeting we held a breeder session that focused on Genomics and Insurance Programs offered by the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (SCIC). The first speaker was Kajal Devani from the Canadian Angus Association (CAA). She discussed various ways to use genomic technology in the beef industry today and what advantages this technology presents in the future. Myles Immerkar, the CEO of Canadian Angus was also in attendance for this event. He gave us a brief update of what is going on at Angus Central in Calgary and answered many questions from the crowd. Following Kajal and Myles was an excellent presentation from Kim McLean and Jodie Griffin on behalf of SCIC. Kim focussed on the Forage Rainfall Insurance program offered by SCIC. Although the deadline had passed to sign up for this program for 2022, the information and discussion was excellent for the upcoming 2023 growing year. Jodie concluded our afternoon session with a very informative presentation on Livestock Price Insurance. The wealth of knowledge and different scenarios that Jodie presented was very beneficial to not only all in attendance but also to pass on our fellow cattle producers. Another highlight to this event was the presence of many of the new Canadian Angus directors from Alberta and Saskatchewan. It was very much appreciated to have them attend our event.

Once again, the Saskatchewan Angus Association was proud to support the annual Angus Summer Tour. This year it was held in Southwest Saskatchewan and based out of Maple Creek. The tour featured stops at eight outfits, ranging from north of Leader to south of Eastend and east of Tompkins. A number of breeders also displayed cattle at numerous stops along the way of the two-day tour. The summer tour has always attracted breeders from near and far and this year was no exception with a large crowd taking part. It is a great event to meet new people and re-connect with others in a very accommodating atmosphere. The 2023 tour is scheduled for the Foam Lake/Yorkton area August 9th and 10th and we look

forward to seeing many there. Feel free to contact any of the board members if you are interested in learning more about hosting this event in the future.

The Masterpiece Sale had a different look this year as the date and location changed. It was held at Gold Bar Livestock in October and was managed by Castlerock Marketing - with an evening sale, our board was able to meet earlier that day. This didn’t allow for the breeder session at the same time, that we had originally planned, but it was excellent to have many board members attend the sale and visit with the breeders in attendance. The other opportunity to sell cattle in a sale that is supported by our Association is the All-Star Angus Sale at Canadian Western Agribition. Both are great opportunities to promote your product and connect with fellow Angus breeders.

The year of 2023 brings a lot of excitement. The April board meeting will be held in Saskatoon again as we gear up for the National Convention in June. Following this meeting we are planning another breeder session. Stay tuned for more information on this event and everyone is invited to attend. Respectfully Submitted,

Jordan Sies, Chair

Show and Sale Committee

Nice to be back to normal for 2022. The Saskatchewan show and sale season was well attended and it was great to see it all back to being a social event as well.

The Masterpiece Sale was changed back to a live sale and moved to an earlier time frame at Gold-Bar Livestock by Moose Jaw. The quality was great and the crowd huge. Well done to all involved. The All Star Angus Sale at Canadian Western Agribition, though not huge in numbers, was very high in quality. The stands were full to the rafters and the bids matched the quality. Congratulations to all involved.

The Lloydminster and Agribition shows were well attended, well run events with no real issues. The quality just seems to get better each year. Lloydminster entries were down a bit and Agribition was back to pre-Covid numbers. Great to be back into Canada Centre West. During the champion female class at Agribition we had a little ceremony for our Heritage award winner David McLean of DM Angus and our long time previous barn boss Shiny (Jim Hallberg). Congratulations to both, two honourees who are very deserving!!

I would like to thank all the volunteers, including the fellow board members, who donated time to each event as well as our sponsors. Without these people there are no shows and they are definitely appreciated.

Respectfully Submitted,

Randy Tetzlaff, Chair

Saskatchewan Angus Association Committee Reports ...

National Convention Committee

Three years in the making, but it is finally coming to Saskatchewan and the “City of Bridges” – Convention 2023!!

Convention was to happen in 2021 and we all know what caused the delay but fret no more and mark your calendars. The Saskatchewan Angus Association is proud to host our Canadian Angus National Convention in beautiful Saskatoon June 8 – 10. The Sheraton Cavalier will be our host hotel with overflow to the Bessborough. Both hotels are located downtown on the scenic shores of the South Saskatchewan River with acres of lush parks and pathways. The President’s Reception will be located in the Sheraton’s “Top of the Inn”, Saskatoon’s only ballroom with a panoramic view of the city and river.

We will offer three days full of tours, shopping, education and experiences with a warm Saskatchewan welcome. Tours will include The Berry Barn and Black Fox distillery along with the state-of-the-art Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence in Clavet. This will surely be an opportunity to learn, understand and experience cow/calf production, forage breeding, and pasture management, etc. Friday afternoon will be hosted at Norheim Ranching, a great atmosphere to

Continued from page 13

display your pen cattle and view demos on the most up to date livestock handling equipment. Friday evening activities will include socializing, drinks and dinner, all while you wander through the historic Western Development Museum “Boomtown”. Some great photo opportunities to be had.

Saturday we will get down to business with the AGM as well as listen to various presentations and sure to inspire will be the speeches from the Junior Ambassador Finalists. Rounding out the day will be the banquet and the Canadian Angus Foundation’s Building the Legacy Sale.

We are working hard to make this event special and would love to have YOUR help as a volunteer or sponsor. Please reach out to myself via email windy.willows@sasktel.net or Belinda office@saskatchewanangus.com if you are interested in working with us.

Respectfully

Submitted, Michelle Potapinski, Chair

Saskatchewan Angus 2022 Heritage Award - David McLean, Arcola, SK

David and Marsha McLean farm near Arcola, Saskatchewan. David has raised Angus Cattle all of his life.

Originally named Diamond Meadows and now operated under DM Angus, their mixed farm has been in the Angus business since 1954 when David’s dad, Jim, bought his first purebred Angus cow. The farm typically had 55 cows and marketed a select group of females and bulls each year.

David and his kids, Kim, Brent and Michele were all members of the Arcola-Kisbey 4-H beef club and several summers were spent showing Angus heifers and steers at the Weyburn Regional Beef Show. He was also an exhibitor at Canadian Western Agribition and Regina Bull Sale for many years.

David was an original consignor to the Black Harvest Sale. David

remembers hearing many times that an all Aberdeen Angus Sale would never work-- the breed has come a LONG ways since then. This sale was very successful with a regular female sale held in November and a Bull sale in April at Johnstone’s Auction Mart in Moose Jaw for many years. At one time many cow herds in the province had cattle carrying the DM prefix.

David was an avid Angus Journal subscriber who would spend all year researching the next up and coming sires. With a significant AI program David utilized exciting sires new to Canada and worked hard at improving the herds EPDs. There isn’t a time you talk to him when he doesn’t talk about a bull or female sale he’s been watching the results on.

For the past twenty years David has marketed his purebred animals by private treaty with a strong commercial customer base. Often customers come and ask which bull is his recommendation for the year and know that he has selected the bull that fits their program needs best.

David (middle) with SAA General Manager Belinda Wagner and SAA Directors Kim McLean, Michelle Potapinski and Brennan Schachtel

Edam Fall Fair ...

Association sponsored the exhibitor lunch on Friday afternoon. Saturday morning offered up the show which included classes of Rancher’s Choice Steer, Prospect Steer, Rancher’s Choice Heifer, Prospect Heifer, Pens of 3 and 5 Open Replacement Heifers, Pens of 3 and 5 Bred Heifers and the Bull Pen Show.

The 32nd annual Edam Fall Fair was held on October 28 & 29, 2022. It kicked off on Friday evening with a people’s choice cow/calf and as well as people’s choice of the bull pen alley. The bull pen numbers were the highest ever with 26 pens being exhibited. There was a nice crowd of people gathered for the evening that also included an auction fundraiser for STARS which raised $10,500. Saskatchewan Angus

Commercial cattle numbers were strong this year with 13 pens of bred heifers and 32 pens of open heifers. A large percentage of the commercial cattle displayed were Angus influenced. The quality of cattle that producers bring out to this event is extremely high. The sale followed on Saturday afternoon and was very strong with bred heifers trading up to $3500. The event is extremely well run with a great

By Brennan Schachtel

board of volunteers and sponsors. If you’ve never been to Edam Fall Fair, I highly recommend you mark it on your calendar for 2023.

Yorkton Harvest Showdown ... By

The Yorkton Exhibition Association held the 33rd Annual Grain Millers Harvest Showdown November 2 - 5. It was a much larger show than last years event as the barns were full of both purebred and commercial cattle. The show featured approximately 90 pens of cattle that totalled about 200 head for the two-day event. The sale cattle numbers were also back to normal and the bred female sale averaged over $3300 which was an all-time record.

The Harvest Showdown also offers producers the opportunity to showcase their programs in the FCC Breeders Alley. This year featured 13 displays. This is a great place to network in a very comfortable atmosphere.

The pen show gives exhibitors many different options to display cattle. This year the different classes were the Futurity open and bred females, pen of bulls, Angus tag females, and commercial females that sold in the sale. These are typically pens of 3 but there were a few pens of 5. Another added attraction to the show is the

single-entry jackpot show for yearling bulls and heifers, King of the Ring and Sweetheart Classic. The show also has a junior event with the Ryan Stilborn Memorial Youth Cattlemen Classic where youth compete in a pen show format with single lot entries. A big thanks to Pheasantdale Cattle Company for sponsoring this event. It was great to see two young Angus enthusiasts win this event.

The Saskatchewan Angus Association is very proud to sponsor the Rancher Endorsed Angus Tag class. This year showcased an outstanding set of Angus cattle from commercial and purebred

Jordan Sies

breeders in both open and bred heifer classes. The show was judged by Andrew Johnson of Johnson Livestock at Peebles, SK. The champion pen of bred heifers was from MCS Angus of Wynyard, SK and Vern Schick of Canora, SK had reserve. J Square S Angus of Melville, SK had the champion pen of open heifers and Northern View Angus of Duff, SK had reserve.

If you have never been to the Harvest Showdown, I would highly recommend you take in next year’s event.

Champion Pen of Bred Heifers MCS Angus

Champion Pen of Open Heifers J Square S Angus

Commercial Activities at Agribition ...

The Saskatchewan Angus Association Commercial Committee was pleased to once again hand out gift baskets to the Angus exhibitors at The Yards and Bull Pen Alley, as well as to all the commercial exhibitors with Angus influenced cattle at Canadian Western Agribition.

The baskets full of goodies are always a welcomed sight during a hectic few days for the exhibitors. It also gives us a chance to have a personal visit and show our appreciation for those exhibiting Angus influenced genetics.

On Friday night we also were involved in sponsoring the food and refreshments during the People’s Choice voting in Bull Pen Alley. It has become a popular event for people to socialize, have supper, and casually tour the bull pens. Thanks to the committee members for helping with the Agribition events.

By Brennan Schachtel

Out and About ...

Calving season is upon us and as always it is an exciting time for producers. Seeing the results of your AI selections, new walking bulls, and female additions and how they may advance your program and add to your marketing strategies down the road is what this business is all about.

With marketing in mind, be sure to start your culling process during calving. Be aware of what you and your customers can tolerate for birth weights, both high and low. This is also a good time to note disposition and udder and foot quality of your cows as you will be seeing them up close and personal more often now than when they are on summer pasture. Calf vigor is also something that should be taken into consideration as I believe vigor is something that is passed along in different sire groups.

The big run on bull sales is just around the corner. The fall sales were pretty strong and hopefully this carries through in the spring bull sale season. If you haven’t done so yet, be sure to reach out to your past customers to check how their purchases have done and just have a visit. With the downsizing of the national cow herd, competition for customers will be increasing so do what you can to try and maintain your customer base.

Try not to get lost in the shuffle when it comes to your advertising for your bull sale. Start early, getting quality pictures and videos for your event. Social media does seem to be taking over from print media as an advertising platform, but I believe they are both important. If you’re like me and not a real “techie”, reach out to some graphic designers to help you along and design ads that will catch attention. Once again there is a lot of competition out there, so try and stand out from the pack.

So far most areas have been receiving lots of snow that should help replenish water sources and get grass off to a start in the

By Bob Toner

CAA Director of Business Development for SK/MB

spring. Hopefully the old adage about fog bringing rain a few months down the road will hold true and we will receive some good spring moisture. It would be nice to see a good spring and summer across all regions for a change.

Here’s to a successful calving season, strong spring sales, and an abundance of grass and crops in the coming year.

See ya down the road,

Bob Toner

Change your attitude with a growth mindset

As the new year entered, my email inbox was flooded with topics around setting goals, making resolutions, or changing practices. Eating healthier and losing that stubborn 10 pounds is often at the top of the list. If your resolution to achieve this goal doesn’t last past February 1st, then you are probably like the majority who end up saying – ‘I tried’.

More seriously, one of my goals for the coming year is to continue to improve myself through my outlook. When we set goals, we believe luck and prayer may help us achieve them. However, researcher Carol Dweck from Stanford University, who has focused her career research on attitude and performance, concluded that attitude is a more accurate predictor of success than intelligence. People’s attitudes are one of two categories; a fixed or growth mindset determined Dweck. What’s the difference, you may ask?

Fixed or Growth Mindset

Individuals with a fixed mindset believe things are how they are and cannot change themselves or the situation. Thus, they avoid challenges, give up easily, and do not value the effort to make a change. As a result, they become easily overwhelmed when they face challenges and lose interest in achievements.

People with a growth mindset seek solutions to problems and believe they can make changes for a better outcome. They embrace challenges, don’t let obstacles get in the way, exert effort to achieve results, and learn from criticism.

Which one sounds like you?

As we enter a new year, there are bound to be setbacks and difficulties we will encounter. How you handle these situations will impact the success you can achieve. For people with a growth mindset, failure is not the outcome; instead, failure is the information we can learn and grow from, leading to new ways to solve a problem.

How can you make changes in your cattle operation or business to develop a growth mindset to help you achieve your 2023 goals?

• Face the challenge head-on – How do you react when you feel like you have hit a wall of resistance? Do you give up or try another option? Many successful people would not have found success if they did not push through when they believed they were in a helpless situation. For example, Walt Disney was fired from his first career because they said he “lacked imagination and had no good ideas.” Had Disney

By B. Lynn Gordon

had a fixed mindset and believed he could not change the situation he would have given up. What about you? Did you try a new practice in your business that did not turn out as you had hoped? Can you bounce back and try other options?

• Follow your passion – You may not believe you have the skill or talent to be a leading seedstock producer, but as the Stanford researcher concluded, intelligence does not predict success. Even without formal training in genetics, animal nutrition, accounting, or business management, if you are passionate about raising cattle, growing crops, or serving in agriculture, let that guide you and fuel your continued spirit. Warren Buffet describes finding your passion and focus with the 5/25 technique. Write down 25 things you care about the most, then cross out the bottom 20. He says that the five that remain are your true passion – everything else is a distraction.

• Overcome paralysis – Are you standing still with your goals because you are over-analyzing them and letting your emotions overtake your mindset? Begin working towards the goals you want to achieve. There may never be that right or perfect time to take the step you wanted, but if you wait and never move forward, you will never know. Taking action will create positive energy and push concern to the back burner.

• Give it your all – Even on challenging days, go the extra mile to do your best to succeed in your achievements. Be willing to push yourself outside the limits you typically have set if you want to reach new heights. If you want to have an on-farm bull sale, what steps must you take to achieve this goal? How can you chip away at building a customer base, improve your genetics, create facilities to host the sale, etc?

• Expect results – I overheard a young cattleman say, “I conducted many trials before I figured out the path to take.” This young man expected results from every attempt, understanding that the results may not be what he hoped for. Still, he was learning, trying, experimenting, and building new knowledge, not to mention building a database to guide the process. Expecting results from each attempt he made gave him the motivation to develop a better, more refined process.

In summary, you can take steps to adjust your attitude to a growth mindset by keeping track of how you respond to situations, staying positive, embracing challenges, and being persistent in the face of setbacks.

Champion Pen of Two

What Changes Are Ahead For You in 2023?

New Year! New Optimism!

We hear this phrase a lot. When it’s a new year, everyone is talking about setting new resolutions and getting energized for what’s ahead. However, what if that is not the way you are feeling entering 2023? Is something keeping you from having that fresh new perspective and exhilaration?

Is it stress experienced from the season, your role, or something more? Could you be experiencing burnout, influencing your daily routine, relationships, and mindset? Production agriculture is not for the faint at heart. The schedule, the responsibility, and the uncertainty associated with it can lead to burnout.

As we move into another busy year, I wanted to share with you some information I recently read about burnout and ways to mitigate it by relating the author’s thoughts to our agricultural lifestyle. The author described three types of burnout – overload, under-challenged, and neglect.

Overload Burnout

One can experience overload burnout when working harder and more uncontrollably to accomplish success at the expense of their health and personal life. This is the type of burnout we often think of when we feel exhausted or see others working at a pace they cannot sustain. They become mentally and physically exhausted. When experiencing overload burnout, we complain that there are never enough hours in the day to get our work done, how tired we are, and how we work longer hours than others.

We overlook our own needs to fulfill work demands and jeopardize our well-being. Working non-stop may appear to be what we need to do to accomplish everything to our satisfaction, yet, putting everything important on the back burner - like attending our child’s sports game or canceling doctor’s appointments sets us up for burnout. In agriculture, it can be hard to separate ourselves from our daily routine. If you wake up thinking about work, go to sleep thinking about work, and dream about work-related issues, your mind can never recharge and refuel.

How to address it:

• Develop self-regulation skills to shift your mindset from negative self-talk to positive outcomes. Instead of saying, “I have to feed the cattle today, shift to saying, I get to be a caretaker of livestock today.”

• Aim to define your self-worth apart from your profession. What roles and identities impact your self-worth – family man, community leader, or helpful friend/neighbor?

• Invest your time in areas outside your work. Is there something you can get involved in that will create a new sense of freedom and inspiration?

Under-challenged Burnout

By B. Lynn Gordon

In agriculture, it’s hard to imagine experiencing burnout from being under-challenged, but it occurs when your role does not stimulate you. You feel like your work is monotonous and repetitive or that you are unappreciated. Cattle need to be fed every day, the irrigation pumps checked, etc. Do you find yourself in a role where your job involves continuous routines?

A person responds to this type of burnout through avoidance –they suppress their thoughts and ideas and isolate themselves from interaction with others or projects. The thought of – “I’m just going to do my job but not care,” or “Why would I put in any extra effort, I do the same thing every day, and no one recognizes my efforts.”

How to address it:

• Feeling under-whelmed makes it hard to care about your accomplishments. Set a goal to learn a new skill or study a new topic, for example, learning more about rotational grazing, marketing, or enhancing welding skills? Taking strides towards something that can refuel your focus can allow you to find new value in your role.

Neglect burnout

In this type of burnout, you feel helpless in the face of challenge. You feel frustrated or uncertain trying to keep up with the demands of your role. You struggle to find solutions to situations, even when situations exist. You struggle to make a positive difference. When things don’t turn out as they should, you shut down, cease trying, and give up. The little things begin to annoy you. You become more negative and create more conflict. Getting up to tackle another day can feel demoralizing.

How to address it:

• Regain control over your role and actions. Learn to say “No” when your plate is overflowing. In agriculture, this is challenging to do. We help others in need, feel guilty saying we don’t have time, and don’t want to find ways to outsource or delegate our work because we feel it’s our responsibility to do it all.

• Have you heard the saying, “find someone to do the $10/hour jobs so that you can do the $100/hour jobs?” Identify situations where you feel a higher sense of resentment; this signals that you need to set stronger boundaries on your time and commitments.

• Try this activity - Conduct an 80/20 analysis and determine what 20% of tasks or projects give you 80% of the results at work. Once you have these results, you can give the most time and energy to the things that matter most.

Research shows that people don’t burn out similarly and recognizing the signs of burnout can be difficult. Burnout is more than a few bad days. It affects our lifestyle, our work, and our relationships. Focus on finding solutions to the challenges you are experiencing, so you can look forward to a year of optimism and achievements or take the time to visit with a professional about finding balance in your life. 

Scenes from CWA 2022

We were pleased to recognize long-time Agribition Angus Barn Boss Shiney (Jim Hallberg) at the show this year. Many thanks for volunteering your time.

Also

Thanks to Erin Yewsiuk Photography for spending the day with us.

Shiney (middle) with SAA Directors (l-r) Kim McLean, Belinda Wagner, Michelle Potapinski and Brennan Schachtel.

Putting Premiums in the Cattleman’s Pocket

The best way to engage with Certified Angus Beef is by raising cattle that qualify for the brand.

Through genetics and progressive management, the opportunity exists for cattlemen to earn premiums on cattle sold. Those premiums translate to more high-quality product available to the consumer through retail or restaurant avenues. When they choose the Certified Angus Beef ® brand, it boosts demand.

"We get to share consumer dollars back through the beef supply chain based on what we’ve achieved at CAB by each player capitalizing on a margin opportunity."

"Folks want the best beef, and they seek it out," said Paul Dykstra, Certified Angus Beef (CAB) director of supply management and analysis. "As a result, the premium structure of the beef industry has developed around the brand and the attributes that it represents."

During Angus University at the 2022 Angus Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah, CAB shared ways producers focused on raising high-quality beef can be more connected with the brand.

The first of its kind, CAB got its start in 1978. Since its inception, 101 other USDA-certified beef brands developed, and as of now, 80 of those also have Angus in the name. While the competition is growing, the brand’s team of 150 diligently works to differentiate CAB from the rest of the pack. Consumers can feel confident purchasing the Certified Angus Beef ® brand, a high-quality product that is the result of Angus farmers’ and ranchers’ commitment to quality. As demand grows, producers receive these market signals in the form of premiums throughout the supply chain. Capturing those takes genetic, marketing and management strategies.

Marketing for a Premium

"The best way for cattlemen to engage with the brand is to help increase supply," said Kara Lee, CAB director of producer engagement.

Accessible premiums motivate that. Nearly 85% of North American packing plants are licensed to certify carcasses into the Certified Angus Beef ® brand. The first and most simple piece of CAB qualification is that cattle be predominantly black-hided, defined as having no white behind the shoulder, above the flanks or breaking the midline (excluding the tail). According to USDA data, more than 70% of fed cattle are Angus-influenced and meet these criteria, Dykstra said.

Then, those eligible carcasses must meet all 10 of the brand’s specifications: (1) modest or higher marbling, (2) 10 - to 16

By Morgan Boecker

square-inch ribeye area, (3) 1,100 lb. or less hot carcass weight, (4) 1 inch or less fat thickness, (5) medium or fine marbling texture, (6) 30 months of age or younger, (7) superior muscling, (8) no neck hump exceeding 2 inches, (9) practically free of capillary rupture, and (10) no dark cutters.

In 2021, CAB premiums reached $182 million, or roughly $500,000 paid daily by licensed packers to owners of cattle qualifying for the brand. That incentive is the market communicating strong demand for the leading brand of premium beef.

"CAB premiums are happening all through the supply chain, even if it doesn’t always get its own line item on a receipt," Dykstra added.

Farmers and ranchers have a history of success in hitting a market target with a financial reward. While retaining ownership through the feedyard is the most direct way to earn CAB premiums, there are more ways to capture some of that. Cattle should be marketed in a way that communicates the potential value they hold under the hide. For seedstock breeders, it's by making sure customers know this potential and the value of the genetics they’re buying, Dykstra said.

"When those commercial feeder calves are weaned in the fall, a phone call to a feedyard or cattle buyer is a basic but great place to start. If they’ve got the genetics backing them up, that’s greater marketability for the seller," he said.

The Right Genetic Base

The more cattlemen produce for the brand, the more beef CABlicensed partners can sell. Last year that total came to 1.234 billion pounds, the second-highest sales year on record. The brand’s goal is to sell more than two billion pounds annually.

“We first have to put two billion pounds of the Certified Angus Beef ® brand in a box, and we don’t do that today,” Lee said. The recent average acceptance rate into the brand is 35%, but it needs to be closer to 50% to reach that goal.

“The number one reason carcasses are not successful in earning the brand most often comes down to marbling,” Dykstra said. “That’s why we talk about it a lot.”

Marbling is a lifetime event and highly heritable, so it’s an easy place for Angus breeders to start. The correlations are relatively weak between marbling and many other traits that are important to cow-calf producers, like performance and maternal function, Lee said. Those weak correlations allow for simultaneous progress across multiple traits in a cow herd.

For Angus breeders who put an emphasis on carcass genetics, an easy tool to identify animals with greater potential for those traits is the Targeting the Brand™ logo. Any registered Angus animal that meets a minimum expected progeny difference (EPD) for marbling of +0.65 and Value Grid Index ($G) of +55 can be marketed alongside the Targeting the Brand logo.

Cattlemen need a balanced cow herd, ensuring cows and bulls are also phenotypically correct. Targeting the Brand is simply a marketing tool – a threshold – to quickly identify those bulls and females with the genetic potential to produce more CAB qualifiers. But it also gives them latitude to look for other economically important traits needed in their commercial programs, Lee said. After marbling, a ribeye too large, heavy hot carcass weight or excessive backfat are the next most common areas where cattle miss certification for the brand.

“We’re not going to capitalize on mating decisions at the consumer level for a few more years,” she said. “So we have to live with those decisions for a long time, whether they’re good or bad.”

With genetics only part of the equation, responsibility falls on cattlemen and women to manage cattle and resources for optimal performance.

Progressive Management

As the leading data collectors in the cattle business, Angus breeders can take it a step further by validating and documenting their management practices.

An easy and effective way to communicate how cattle are cared for at the ranch is through Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) certification or an equivalent program. “But we really need you to tell us that you’re certified,” she said.

“Not because we think farmers and ranchers are doing things wrong and we’re trying to fix their ways. We’re trying to help producers get more credit for the things already being done,” Lee said.

That’s why CAB launched a rancher-facing campaign called “Cut the Bull.” The campaign highlights BQA certification as a tool for truth for farmers and ranchers to verify the good work they do every day raising cattle. If interested, cattlemen and women can share their BQA or equivalent certificate at CutTheBull.info.

Little details go a long way in differentiating the brand from other programs. It helps consumers feel good about their beef and keeps them reaching for the Certified Angus Beef ® brand on grocery store shelves.

“The new dollars in our business come from the consumer,” Dykstra said. “We get to share consumer dollars back through the beef supply chain based on what we’ve achieved at CAB by each player capitalizing on a margin opportunity. Otherwise, they wouldn’t do it.”

Saskatchewan Junior Angus Association Board of Directors

Jessica Davey - President Saskatoon, SK - 306-230-7409 jessicaadavey@gmail.com

Reegan Frey - Vice-President Oxbow, SK - 306-485-6788 reegs0909@gmail.com

Callie Steen - Secretary Dundurn, SK - 306-291-3717 calliesteen.05@gmail.com

Hillary Sauder - Junior Director Hodgeville, SK - 306-677-7542 hsauder12@gmail.com

Directors at Large

Baxter Blair McLean, SK - 306-699-7807 baxterblair17@gmail.com

Chase Bruynooghe Outlook, SK - 306-860-9715 chase.bruynooghe@sunwestsd.ca

Brandy Fettes Gladmar, SK - 306-815-7082 bfettes46@gmail.com

Dylan Frey Oxbow, SK - 306-485-6787 dfrey5145@gmail.com

Rayel Kaczmar Grenfell, SK - 306-451-0075 rayelkaczmar14@gmail.com

Eric Smith Mankota, SK - 306-264-7331 eric.smith33@icloud.com

Allyson Tetzlaff Viscount, SK - 306-231-6968 allytetz77@gmail.com

Connor Tetzlaff Viscount, SK - 306-231-6904 connortetzlaff01@gmail.com

Kylie Willms Dundurn, SK - 306-380-4595 Kyliewillms101@gmail.com

Saskatchewan Junior Angus Report... by Jessica Davey

Welcome to Winter 2023 from the Saskatchewan Junior Angus Association. Our juniors have had a lot of events and opportunities over the past couple of months, such as: the Saskatchewan Junior Angus Gold Show, Agribition Junior Fun Day and Scholarships.

The annual Saskatchewan Junior Angus Gold Show was held on November 2, 2022, in Lloydminster, Saskatchewan at Stockade Roundup. Grayden Kay was our conformation judge for the Junior show. Juniors competed in conformation, showmanship, team grooming, judging, photography, print marketing, and literature. Every year we look forward to this junior event and seeing the juniors there. We appreciate the help from our sponsors, judges, and volunteers for supporting the Saskatchewan Junior Angus Association. This event would not be possible without that support.

The Saskatchewan Angus Association offers two $1000 scholarships annually to our Saskatchewan Junior Angus Association members. These scholarships help our juniors greatly in pursuing their post-secondary education and are held in trust until the Juniors have completed their first semester of school. The two successful applicants in 2022 were Eric Fettes from Gladmar, SK, and myself, Jessica Davey from Saskatoon, SK.

The upcoming Canadian Junior Angus events are GOAL and Showdown. This year Saskatchewan Angus and our Junior Association have graciously provided travel bursaries to 12 Saskatchewan juniors to attend GOAL in Toronto, Ontario from February 18-20. We are sure to gain knowledge, meet new contacts and make new friends!

We are also excited for the 23rd Annual Canadian Junior Angus Showdown which will be held on July 20-22, 2023 in Swift Current, Saskatchewan.

Showdown has many great events for juniors such as: conformation, showmanship, print marketing, sales talk, judging, team judging, team grooming, photography, literature, art, scrapbooking, graphic design, public speaking, Angus cook-off, and Angus spirit of the youth, plus grand aggregate awards! Entries are open and the registration form is online and included in this issue of the Spring Edge. The deadline is June 1st and the late entry deadline is June 20th. Contact us if you need more information, and we can accommodate you!

Phone 306-537-1518

saskjuniorangus@gmail.com

www.saskatchewanangus.com

Our Saskatchewan Junior Angus Association Annual General Meeting is to be held on Zoom this spring where elections will be held for board positions. If you know of any juniors interested in becoming a Director at Large on the Saskatchewan Junior Angus Association Board, please let Belinda Wagner or Jessica Davey know. Director at Large positions are twoyear terms and are a great opportunity for juniors to become more involved in the Saskatchewan Junior Angus Association to gain knowledge, skills, and experience.

There are many other Canadian Junior Angus opportunities available to members. Check out the cdnangus.ca website for more information on awards, scholarships, and bursaries. The upcoming national opportunity deadlines are: Junior Angus Stockman of the Year and Outstanding Young Angus Breeder nominations due April 15, the Robert C. McHaffie Junior Ambassador application deadline is April 30, the Dick Turner Memorial Scholarship Award application deadline is May 15, the U.S. Exchange Trip deadline is May 31 and the Canadian Junior Angus Scholarship application deadline is June 15. There are also Showdown trucking and travel bursaries for those travelling from out of province with May 25th and June 1st deadlines.

If you have any questions or would like to know more about the Saskatchewan Junior Angus Association please don’t hesitate to contact me, or one of our board members. If you are interested in joining as a member or on the board we’d be more than glad to help you!

THANK YOU... to these Sponsors of the 2022 Saskatchewan Junior Angus Gold Show

Taste Drives Demand and Profit

Why marbling matters for beef demand, and how it all depends on production management at the ranch.

Quality starts long before feedyard rations reach the bunk, and it weighs heavily on the bottom line. Brian Bertelsen, vice president of field operations for U.S. Premium Beef LLC (USPB), discussed marbling’s impact on grid marketing at the Certified Angus Beef (CAB) annual Feeding Quality Forum.

"Quality is not a recent trend, but instead a long-term trend," Bertelsen said. With a Choice-Select spread of $12/cwt. in 2020 and $18.50/cwt. in 2021 (the highest in 10 years), the numbers speak for themselves. Prime percentages keep growing, averaging 10% in recent years, but rewards on the grid are actually larger. Our industry is supplying a higher quality product, with better eating satisfaction and consumer demand drives that higher premium in the wake of increased supply. Historically, most Prime is purchased by restaurants. When supplies increase, it allows for wider retail availability.

Bertelsen elaborated, due to decreasing percentage of Select in the industry from 37% to 14% in just six years, the industry has pushed retailers to purchase less Select, and instead buy higher quality meat. "Select may be cheaper for the grocery store, but consumers notice that taste difference," he said.

What does that demand all come down to? Marbling.

"You can use EPDs (expected progeny differences) to build genetic potential—but then you have to manage the animal to express that," Bertelsen said.

By Lauren Mosher

Bertelsen noted that marbling continues to influence the grid and adds to the bottom line.

In the 2021 packer survey conducted by CAB, premiums from cattle qualifying for CAB reached $182 million, or more than $3 million per week paid to producers. The top reason cattle don’t qualify for the brand has always been insufficient marbling.

In search of those premiums, cattlemen may wonder if it’s possible to meet the specification on marbling by feeding cattle longer. Bertelsen said it definitely helps.

"Cattle with the most genetic potential are the ones we ‘ought to feed longer," Bertelsen said. "If an additional three weeks on feed is the line between achieving a higher quality grade, those extra days will increase total value because we’re adding marbling, carcass weight and total dollars per head."

Marbling has the biggest effect on the price per pound of a carcass on a grid, but ribeye size and backfat are the best indicators for muscling and leanness. For cow-calf producers, it’s a balance between carcass quality and maternal traits, Bertelsen said.

And that balance comes down to personal preference, genetics and the market.

Summarizing individual animals marketed on the USPB grid, sorted by Yield Grade, showed that as Yield Grade increases so does carcass weight, marbling and total dollars per head on the grid.

The growing availability of USDA Prime allows grocery stores to purchase more higher-quality product for their shoppers. "Select may be cheaper for the grocery store, but consumers notice that taste difference," USPB’s Brian Bertelsen said.

Specifically, producers must carefully manage body condition scores, herd health, docility, calving season and colostrum. To tweak it even further, bull calves should be castrated early and once weaned, fed grain-based growing rations.

While the calories in corn enhance marbling, the key management component is targeting an optimal end weight or body fatness, he said. That’s where partnering with a seasoned cattle feeder becomes critical. Summarizing individual animals marketed on the USPB grid, sorted by Yield Grade, showed that as Yield Grade increases so does carcass weight, marbling and total dollars per head on the grid.

"How long we feed them depends on the potential for the animal and market conditions, or premiums on the grid," Bertelsen said. "If cattle producers are willing to change their mindset, there can be significant increases in total income through feeding to the proper endpoint and marketing on a value-based grid."

Taking the time to fine-tune marbling potential affects the cattleman’s bottom line and consumer demand, he concluded.

Coming Events...

Feb 18-20 . CJA GOAL Conference, Toronto, ON

Feb 23 Nordal Limousin & Angus Bull Sale, Saskatoon, SK

Feb 24 LK Ranch Bull & Female Online Sale, Oxbox, SK

Mar 4 Ward’s Red Angus Bull Sale, Saskatoon, SK

Mar 7 ........ Belvin Angus Bull Sale, Innisfail, AB

Mar 8 Mar Mac Farms Bull Sale, Brandon, MB

Mar 9 Bar-H Land & Cattle Bull & Female Sale, Langenburg, SK

Mar 10

Standard Hill Connection Bull Sale, Maidstone, SK

Mar 12 ...... Early Sunset Ranch Production Sale, Edam, SK

Mar 13 Blairswest Land & Cattle Online Bull Sale, Drake, SK

Mar 13 South Sask Simmental & Angus Bull Sale, Moose Jaw, SK

Mar 15 ...... Wilbar Cattle Co. Tools of the Trade Bull & Female Sale, Dundurn, SK

Mar 15 KT Ranches Bull Sale, Cherryville, BC

Mar 16 JPM Farms Bull Sale, Parkbeg, SK

Mar 16 All Black Bull Sale, Meadow Lake, SK

Mar 18 ...... Select Genetics Sale, Herbert, SK

Mar 20 Brooking Angus Ranch Bull Sale, Radville, SK

Mar 20 Outlaw Coulee Ranch & Skull Creek Ranch Bull Sale, Eastend, SK

Mar 20 ...... MWC Investments Inc. Online Bull Sale, Darwell, AB

Mar 21 ...... Hollinger Land and Cattle Bull & Female Sale, Neudorf, SK

Mar 21 Abound Livestock/Gold-Bar Livestock/City View

Simmentals Bull Sale, Moose Jaw, SK

Mar 22 ...... CMT Farms Bull Sale, Cochin, SK

Mar 22 Cow Boys Angus Bull Sale, Melita, MB

Mar 24 Top Cut Black Angus Bull Sale, Maple Creek, SK

Mar 24 Wheeler’s Stock Farm Bull & Female Sale, Saskatoon, SK

Mar 25 ...... Working Stiffs Bull Sale, Moosomin, SK

Mar 25 Double F Cattle Co. Bull Sale, Prince Albert, SK

Mar 26 Schwan Angus Bull Sale, Waldeck, SK

Mar 26 Best of the Breeds Bull Sale, Yorkton, SK

Mar 27 ...... Cockburn/Merit Bull Sale, Briercrest, SK

Mar 27 Everblack Angus Bull Sale, Vermilion, AB

Mar 28 Double C Red Angus Bull Sale, Foam Lake, SK

Mar 28 Anderson Cattle Co. Bull Sale, Swan River, MB

Mar 29 Topham Red Angus Bull Sale, Eastend, SK

Mar 29 ...... Hamilton Farms Bull & Female Sale, Cochrane, AB

Mar 29 Count Ridge Red Angus Bull Sale, Brooks, AB

Mar 31 Grasslands Angus Bull Sale, Mankota, SK

Apr 1 Crescent Creek Angus Bull & Female Sale, Goodeve, SK

Apr 1 ......... Sudden Impact Bull Sale, Viscount, SK

Apr 1 Six Mile Ranch Bull Sale, Fir Mountain, SK

Apr 1 Burnett Angus Bull Sale, Swift Current, SK

Apr 2 Momentum Bull & Female Sale, St. Denis, SK

Apr 3 ......... Eastondale Angus Bull Sale, Wawota, SK

Apr 3 Your Choice Angus Bull Sale, Maple Creek, SK

Apr 3

Justamere Farms Bull Sale, Lloydminster, SK

Apr 3 Spirit of the North Bull Sale, Spiritwood, SK

Apr 4 Windy Willows Git ‘R Done Bull Sale, Hodgeville, SK

Apr 5 ......... Howe Red Angus/Whitecap Charolais/Rosso Charolais

Bull Sale, Moose Jaw, SK

Apr 5-6 Kenray Ranch Online Bull Sale, Redvers, SK

Apr 5-6 Nielson Land & Cattle Online Bull Sale, Craik, SK

Apr 6 ........ South View Ranch Online Bull Sale, Ceylon, SK

Apr 6 Taylor’s Red Angus Bull Sale, Cabri, SK

Apr 7 Northern Progress Bull Sale, Battleford, SK

Apr 7 Right Cross Ranch Bull Sale, Kisbey, SK

Apr 8 Triple A Bull Sale, Moose Jaw, SK

Apr 8 ......... Blue Collar Bull Sale, Yorkton, SK

Apr 10 Moose Creek Red Angus Bull Sale, Kisbey, SK

Apr 10 Triple J Farms Bull Sale, Whitewood, SK

Apr 11 Young Dale Angus Bull Sale, Alameda, SK

Apr 11 ....... Top Cut Angus & Charolais Bull Sale, Mankota, SK

Apr 12 Flying K Ranch Bull Sale, Swift Current, SK

Apr 13 Fleury Cattle Co. Bull Sale, Aberdeen, SK

Apr 14 Lines Red Angus Bull Sale, Cantuar, SK

Apr 15 Shortgrass Bull & Female Sale, Aneroid, SK

Apr 15 ....... CAF Outstanding Young Angus Breeder Nomination

Deadline

Apr 15 CAF Junior Angus Stockman Nomination Deadline

Apr 21 Freyburn Angus Bull & Female Sale, Oxbow, SK

Apr 22 ....... Wiwa Creek Angus Bull Sale, Rush Lake, SK

Apr 23 ....... Saskatchewan Angus Breeder Information Session, Saskatoon, SK

Apr 28 Sheidaghan Anghus Bull Sale, Maple Creek, SK

Apr 30 CAF Junior Ambassador Application Deadline

May 1 ........ Deadline for Summer Angus Edge

May 15 CAF Dick Turner Scholarship Application Deadline

Jun 1 Deadline for Entries - Showdown 2023

Jun 8-10 Canadian Angus Convention, Saskatoon, SK

Jun 15 CJA Scholarship Application Deadline

Jun 20 ....... Deadline for Late Entries - Showdown 2023

Jul 20-22 Showdown 2023, Swift Current, SK

Aug 9-10 Saskatchewan Angus Summer Tour, East Central Saskatchewan

Business Directory

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Sometimes the strength within you is not a big fiery flame for all to see, it is just a tiny spark that whispers ever so softly “You got this. Keep Going.”