CBDA Fall Newsletter 2016

Canadian londe d’Aquitaine

ASSOCIATION

2016 BOARD of DIRECTORS DAVID KAMELCHUK | President

Box 32 Ellscott, Alberta T0A 1B0 P: 780-675-1227 | E: littlecreekagroforestry@gmail.com

NICHOLAS BOYD | Vice President

73 Clairfiedds Dr, West Guelph, ON N1G 5H9 P: 519-835-9099 | F: 905-659-0116 E: oneoakblonde@gmail.com

REED RIGNEY | Secretary

Box 5959, Westlock, AB T7P 2P7 P: 780-348-5308 | E: rigney@clearwave.ca

MYRNA FLESCH | Treasurer

Box 334, Stavely, AB T0L 1Z0 P: 403-549-2371 | F: 403-549-2374 E: westwind@telusplanet.net

RYLAND CLEARY

310 Ch Bourassa, Ste. Anne De La Rochelle, QC JOE 2B0 P: 450-539-0385 E: slyrye12345@hotmail.com

PAUL FEE

6211 Line 9 North, Waubaushene, ON LOK 2C0 P: 705-835-2581 E: feehavenfarms@hotmail.com

PAUL FERGUSON

21 Crystal Rd., RR3, Jasper, ON K0G 1G0 P: 613-275-2422 | E: ferguson.maryellen@gmail.com

ASHLEY MCNEVAN

4426 County Rd., RR3, Hastings, Ontario K0L 1Y0 P: 705-295-6208 | E: hilltoporchardfarm@gmail.com

BILL VAN BAKEL

7060 Line 28 RR 2 West Perth Dublin, ON N0K 1E0 P: 519-345-2518 | E: vbb@ezlink.ca

The Canadian Blonde d’Aquitaine Association is not responsible for any claims made in an advertisement appearing in this newsletter.

Cover Photo Contest Winner: Pat Filz, Forty Acre Blondes

Cover Photo Contest Winner: Shellie Wolfe, Dusty Acres Blondes

Canadian Blonde d’Aquitaine Association c/o Canadian Livestock Records Corporation 2417 Holly Lane, Ottawa, Ontario K1Y 0M7 Phone: 613-731-7110 | Fax: 613-731-0704 Email: cbda@clrc.ca Web: www.canadianblondeassociation.ca

Member Updates from the CBDA Board Le Conseil d’administration du CBDA vous informe des plus récentes nouvelles The switchover of DNA services from Genserve Labs to Delta labs has resulted in more animals not passing DNA parentage tests. The new lab has higher standards for matching parents when using Micorsattelite DNA technology. The Board passed a motion to follow the previous standards until the end of 2016 which will alleviate the backlog of failed tests without harming the integrity of our herd book. The new SNP DNA tests will be up and running in the fall of 2016, will be much more accurate and almost eliminate problems matching when parentage is in fact correct.

For the past two years (2014-2015) the CBDA has been providing EPD and performance services to the membership free of charge. In order to cover the costs of the service the CBDA has instituted a $5/cow charge for the program beginning with the 2016 calf crop. This will allow the member to send in Birth, Weaning and Yearling information, receive performance reports and EPD’s for the cow and her offspring born in that year. This charge is siginificantly lower than the BIO membership fee of approximately $450/year +$1/cow and allows our breeders with smaller herd sizes to particiapte in the program at a more reasonable cost.

On-going issues with CLRC service were discussed.

There have been many member complaints to the Board especially over the past year. The Board is looking into alternatives to the CLRC and has written a strongly worded letter to the CLRC Board of Directors demanding immediate action on their issues.

Please read the article asking for member feedback elsewhere in the Newsletter - we need to hear from our membership.

Le transfert des services d’ADN de GenServe Labs à Delta Labs a donné lieu à plus d’animaux qui ne passent pas les tests de filiation d’ADN. Le nouveau laboratoire a des normes plus élevées pour faire correspondre les parents lors de l’utilisation de la technologie de l’ADN Microsatellite. Le Conseil a adopté une motion de suivre les normes précédentes jusqu’à la fin de 2016, qui permettra d’alléger le retard des tests échoués sans nuire à l’intégrité de notre livre généalogique. Les nouveaux tests SNP ADN seront opérationnel à l’automne 2016, et seront beaucoup plus précis et permettront d’éliminer presque tous les problématiques lorsque la filiation est en fait correcte.

Les deux dernières années (2014-2015) le CBDA a fourni des services d’EPD et de performance aux membres gratuitement. Afin de couvrir les coûts du service, la CBDA a mis en place un frais de 5 $ / vache en commençant par la récolte de veau 2016. Cela permettra au membre d’envoyer l’information sur la Naissance, le Sevrage et à l’Âge d’un an du veau, recevoir des rapports de performance et les EPD pour la vache et sa progéniture née cette année-là. Ces frais sont significativement inférieurs à la cotisation BIO d’environ 450 $ / an + 1 $ / vache et permet à nos éleveurs avec de plus petites tailles de troupeau à participer dans le programme à un coût plus raisonnable.

Les problèmes en cours avec le service SCEA a été discuté. Il y a eu de nombreuses plaintes formulées à notre conseil d’administration, en particulier au cours de la dernière année, par nos membres. Le Conseil est à la recherche d’alternatives et a rédigé une lettre au Conseil d’Administration du SCEA exigeant une action immédiate pour résoudre leurs problèmes. S’il vous plaît lire l’article demandant la rétroaction des membres ailleurs dans ce Bulletin d’information - nous avons besoin de l’avis de nos membres.

To access the Members Only Section on the website, please contact a Board member for the password. This page features current and archived Board minutes, as well as AGM minutes and committee reports since 2005.

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

LE MOT DU PRÉSIDENT

Hello all, well summer flew by and the combines are trying to do their work, but out west things have been slowed down by typical cool, dreary September weather. Regardless, we are looking forward to the end of this month when we will be hosting the national in Olds, Alberta. It is guaranteed to be a great time and hopefully we will see turn-outs similar to 2013 when we hosted last. There will be cattle from BC to Ontario at the show so it should be a good representation of the best the breed has to offer. If you are still sitting on the fence about whether or not you will be able to make it, I’m sure there will be no regrets if you decide to make the trek. We would love to have you out.

Bonjour à tous, l’été a passé vite et les moissonneuses-batteuses essaient de faire leur travail, mais dans l’ouest la température fraiche et ennuyante de Septembre ralentie les travaux. Peu importe, nous attendons avec impatience la fin du mois lorsque nous accueillerons la Nationale à Olds, en Alberta. Le plaisir est garanti et nous espérons voir autant de monde qu’en 2013 lors de la dernière Nationale en Alberta. Il y aura des bovins venant de la Colombie-Britannique jusqu’à l’Ontario à l’exposition, ça promet d’être la meilleure représentation que la race peut offrir. Si vous êtes encore indécis si oui ou non vous devriez y participer, je suis certain qu’il n’y aura pas de regrets si vous décidez de faire le voyage.

Nous serions ravis de vous avoir.

You should have received a letter in the mail with the 2016 AGM notice and proxy vote. The meeting will be held on Saturday, October 1st at the Ramada Inn. There are 3 positions open on the board of directors this year so if you have nominations or if you would like to be on the board either show up at the meeting or send in a nomination to Bill Van Bakel.

It looks like the show season is in full swing in Ontario and it proves to be a highlight for all of those who participate. We all love seeing the updates on Facebook and the Websites with who the big winners are from fair to fair. Also keep an eye open for your catalog for the Cream of the Crop Sale which will be back at Hoard’s Station in Ontario at the end of October. It looks like there is a very good selection of bulls and females in the sale this year.

The CBDA board of directors had a meeting on August 4 with keeping the CLRC as our service provider being the main issue discussed. We are currently looking at alternate service providers due to the ongoing issues with service and turn-around times on animal registrations.

Please take some time to read the article in this issue and respond to the request for your opinion on whether or not you are pleased with the service provided, either positive or negative. As a board we do not want to make any decisions without giving you, the breeders, the opportunity to voice your opinion.

Hope to see you all at either the National or the Cream of the Crop sale this fall.

Vous devriez avoir reçu une lettre dans le courrier avec l’avis de convocation et le formulaire pour voter par procuration de l’AGA 2016. La réunion aura lieu le samedi 1er Octobre au Ramada Inn. Il y a 3 positions ouvertes sur le conseil d’administration cette année, donc si vous avez des candidatures ou si vous voulez être sur le conseil d’administration vous pouvez être présent à la réunion ou faire parvenir une candidature à Bill Van Bakel.

Il semble que la saison des expositions est en plein essor en Ontario et un moment fort pour tous ceux qui y participent. Nous aimons tous voir les mises à jour sur Facebook et les sites Internet énumérant les grands gagnants d’une exposition à l’autre. Aussi, garder la venue du catalogue pour l’exposition Cream of the Crop qui sera de retour à Hoard’s Station en Ontario à la fin d’octobre. Il paraitrait qu’il y ait une très bonne sélection de taureaux et de femelles dans la vente cette année.

Le conseil d’administration CBDA a eu une réunion le 4 août et la question principale abordée était de garder la SCEA comme notre fournisseur de services. Actuellement, nous étudions la possibilité d’utiliser un autre fournisseur de services en raison des problèmes de services et du délai sur les demandes d’enregistrement d’animaux.

Nous vous demandons de prendre le temps de lire l’article dans ce numéro et de nous donner votre avis sur si oui ou non vous êtes satisfait du service fourni, que ce soit positif ou négatif. En tant que Conseil, nous ne voulons pas prendre de décisions sans vous, les éleveurs, offrir la possibilité d’exprimer votre opinion.

Au plaisir de vous voir tous, soit à la Nationale ou à la vente du Cream of the Crop cet automne.

David Kamelchuk

David Kamelchuk

PROVINCIAL CONTACTS ALBERTA / BRITISH COLUMBIA Reed Rigney Phone: 780-348-5308 Email: rigney@clearwave.ca www.albertablondecattle.com

ONTARIO Steve Acres Phone: 613-836-4190 Email: stevenjacres@sympatico.ca www.ontarioblondes.com

MANITOBA / SASKATCHEWAN Pat Filz Phone: 306-634-2174 Email: fortyacreblondes@sasktel.net

QUEBEC Maureen Landry Phone: 819-336-3966 Email: blondaquitaineqc@hotmail.com www.blondaquitaineqc.com

I M P O R T A N T We Need Your Feedback Regarding the CLRC The CBDA Board of Directors has fielded numerous complaints from our membership regarding service issues at the CLRC over the last few years. Due to this deteriorating service quality the CBDA Board is exploring alternatives for our registry provider.

Moving from the CLRC would be a major change. That is why the CBDA Board needs to hear from our membership prior to making a decision. This change would require the purchase of a new registry system, and the employment of a service provider to manage this system and other day to day operations that CLRC currently provides - registry and membership; CBDA contact via phone, email, mail; Financial book keeping services.

In terms of the registry system the Board has pin-pointed a system provided by ABRI based in Australia. This system is used by most (all?) Breed Associations in Australia as well as many others around the world. The Australian Blonde Association uses it as does the Canadian Angus, Hereford, Maine Anjou, Salers and Murray Grey.

Here are some further points:

• The ABRI system would replace the databases at the CLRC

and BIO and combine the two separate systems into one.

Pedigrees, EPD’s and actual performance info would be available on the same page. However ABRI charges for each EPD run so we would only do a few each year whereas BIO runs them weekly.

• We can customize how ABRI sets up our system so that we have similar options to the current CLRC site.

• BIO would no longer be our performance service provider, but all past information would be transferred to the new ABRI system.

• With this new system we would also be able to introduce some new EPD’s at no extra cost during set-up. As an example Gestation Length and Docility.

• The ABRI system has very easily navigated online registration and performance entry systems which our members can use to enter their own information. Members who have used ABRI assure us that it is a much easier system to use than CLRC or BIO.

Financial Implications • ABRI has quoted us $12,000 to create a new Breed Registry and Performance database.

• We need to pay CLRC $4000 to get out of our current agreement and for data transfer.

• We need to pay BIO $2000 to get out of our current agreement and for data transfer.

• The Canadian Beef Breeds Council (CBBC) has pledged a $4000 grant to help with the transition.

• Annual operating costs paid to ABRI for technical support,

training, performance/EPD calculations and backup hosting of our data would be $3500.

• Some of this annual operating cost would be covered by

members participating in the Performance Program. The CBDA Board has instituted a $5/cow fee for the current performance program. We estimate that our membership is currently paying $2000+ to BIO for the same services.

• The Canadian and Australian dollar are similar in value with

the Canadian usually being stronger so there will be less cost fluctuation (especially up) as compared to an American or European system for upgrades or ongoing service.

Cost Summary The CBDA would have an initial cost of $14,000 to create our new system and get out of current agreements. Annual costs are itemized below.

CURRENT CLRC Supplies Accounting BIO (members) TOTAL

CURRENT 12,000 0 2,000 2,000 16,000

PROPOSED Service Provider Supplies Accounting ABRI annual fees TOTAL

PROPOSED 14,000 1,500 2,000 3,500 21,000

• Moving the registry will increase our annual costs by an estimated $5000/year, and would also require an initial $14,000 investment to set-up the new system.

• The CBDA is budgeted to have about $65,000 at the end of 2016.

• Fees have already been increased for 2016/17 to mirror other Associations, and further increases to cover new operating costs are not feasible at this time.

• Any further cost savings would need to be made by cutting promotional efforts (Promotional program for Provincial Associations, Connection).

Another Alternative • • • •

Reed Rigney is willing to become the service provider.

He would pay the $14,000 initial investment.

He would pay the annual ABRI fees ($3500), invest in office equipment needed and purchase office supplies as needed.

This would be a five year minimum contract to provide the service, and in that period he would leave charges at the same level as the current CLRC charges, and would not increase them after that without discussion with the CBDA Board.

• The office would be run out of his home. There would be a separate computer, email address, and phone number (cell phone) for Association business.

• This changeover wouldn’t cost the CBDA or its members anything.

• He does have experience running a not for profit Agricultural Research group. He did all the basic accounting duties and budgeting for the Association, which had significantly more assets and cash flow than the CBDA.

Summary Member issues with the CLRC have been a source of discussion at most of our Board meetings for a number of years, and we have sent numerous letters and had numerous discussions with the CLRC regarding these issues. Despite assurances from the CLRC that they were improving the situation the frequency of member issues has increased, and it appears that the service has actually been getting worse. This has been especially true over the last year. We are not the only Association with these problems - one breed Association has already left the CLRC, and we have had discussions with others that are extremely frustrated. Blonde breeders who have experience with other Breed registries describe service in terms of weeks versus describing CLRC service in terms of months. A new registry system will combine the herdbook and performance recording into one system that is more easily used and navigated by users.

On the negative side is the significant cost to setting up the new registry as well as increased operating costs. There are also the hidden issues that always pop up in significant changes such as this. This has happened with the switch in DNA service providers as we have had problems getting parental matches at the new lab due to higher standards there. Lastly there is the concern over movement to a smaller and possibly less stable registry service provider - what happens if/when they cannot provide the service anymore? This is also a concern with the option of using Reed Rigney although the economic implications are no longer a concern in that case.

WE NEED TO HEAR FROM YOU! The CLRC requires one year notice in order for us to leave, so if we notify them in 2016 we cannot officially leave until Jan 1, 2018. With this in mind the Board has set a date of November 1, 2016 as the deadline for your written submissions (email or letter mail). Submissions must be sent to Vice President Nicholas Boyd oneoakblondes@gmail.com or 73 Clairfields Dr West Guelph, ON N1G 5H9. These submissions must clearly and specifically outline the arguments for your position; simply stating yes or no does not help the Board in its decision making process. A decision whether to notify the CLRC of our intention to leave will be made at the December 2016 Board meeting.

I M P O R T A N T Nous avons besoin de vos commentaires concernant la SCEA Le conseil d’administration de la CBDA a reçu de nombreuses plaintes de nos membres en ce qui concerne les problèmes du service à la SCEA au cours des dernières années. En raison de la qualité du service qui se détériore le Conseil de la CBDA explore d’autres alternatives pour notre fournisseur de registre.

Quitter la SCEA serait un changement majeur. Voilà pourquoi le Conseil de la CBDA a besoin d’entendre les idées de nos membres avant de prendre cette décision. Ce changement nécessiterait l’achat d’un nouveau système d’enregistrement et l’emploi d’un prestataire de services pour gérer ce système ainsi que les opérations journalières que la SCEA fournit actuellement - registre et l’adhésion ; contact avec la CBDA par téléphone, courriel, courrier ; services de tenue de livres comptables.

En ce qui a trait au système d’enregistrement, le Conseil a trouvé un système fourni par l’entreprise ABRI de l’Australie. Ce système est utilisé par la plupart des (toutes les ?) Associations de Race en Australie, ainsi que beaucoup d’autres à travers le monde. L’Association Blonde de l’Australie l’utilise tout comme l’Angus Canadien, Hereford, Maine Anjou, Salers et Murray Grey.

Voici quelques autres points:

Implications financières

• Le système ABRI remplacerait les bases de données de la SCEA et BIO et

• ABRI nous a présenté une soumission de 12 000 $ pour

combinerait les deux systèmes distincts en un seul. Pedigree, EPD et les informations réelles de performance seraient disponibles sur la même page.

Cependant, ABRI charge pour chaque essai d’EPD donc nous ferions faire seulement quelques essais par année alors que BIO en font chaque semaine.

• Nous pourrions personnaliser la façon dont ABRI configurerait notre

système de telle sorte, que nous aurions des options similaires au système actuel de la SCEA.

• BIO ne serait plus notre fournisseur de services de performance mais

toutes les informations existantes seraient transférées vers le nouveau système ABRI.

• Aussi, avec ce nouveau système, nous pourrions introduire de nouveaux EPD sans frais supplémentaires lors de la programmation. Par exemple, Temps de Gestation et Docilité.

• Le système ABRI est facile à naviguer, nos membres pourraient entrer eux-

mêmes leur propre information en rapport à l’enregistrement en ligne et la saisie des performances. Les membres qui ont utilisé ABRI nous assurent qu’il est un système beaucoup plus facile à utiliser que celui de la SCEA ou BIO.

• La valeur du dollar canadien et du dollar australien sont semblables avec celle du Canada étant généralement plus forte donc il y aurait moins de fluctuation des coûts (surtout vers le haut) par rapport à un système américain ou européen pour les mises à niveau ou le service continu.

créer une nouvelle base de données du Registre de Race et Performance.

• Nous devrons payer à la SCEA le montant de 4 000 $

pour sortir de notre accord actuel et pour le transfert de données.

• Nous devrons payer à BIO le montant de 2 000 $ pour sortir de notre accord actuel et pour le transfert de données.

• La Canadian Beef Breeds Council (CBBC) nous a promis une subvention de 4 000 $ pour aider à la transition.

• Nous devrons payer à ABRI le montant annuel de 3

500 $ pour couvrir les coûts d’exploitation, le support technique, la formation, la performance / calculs EPD et la sauvegarde de nos données.

• Une partie du coût annuel d’exploitation serait

couvert par les membres participant au programme Performance. Le Conseil du CBDA a mis en place un frais de 5 $ / vache pour le programme de performance actuelle. Nous estimons que notre « membership » paie actuellement le montant de 2 000 $ et + à BIO pour les mêmes services.

Sommaire des coûts La CBDA aurait un coût initial de 14 000 $ pour créer le nouveau système et de sortir des accords actuels. Les coûts annuels sont détaillés ci-dessous.

COURANT SCEA Fournitures Comptabilité BIO (membres) TOTAL

COURANT 12 000 0 2 000 2 000 16 000

PROPOSE 14 000 1 500 2 000 3 500 21 000

PROPOSE Fournisseur de service Fournitures Comptabilité ABRI frais annuels TOTAL

• Le déplacement du registre augmenterait nos coûts annuels par environ 5 000 $ / an et nécessiterait également un investissement initial de 14 000 $ pour mettre en place le nouveau système.

• La CBDA prévoit un surplus d’environ 65 000 $ à la fin de 2016.

• Les frais ont déjà été augmentés pour 2016/2017 pour refléter d’autres associations et d’autres augmentations, pour couvrir les nouveaux coûts d’exploitation, ne sont pas réalisables en ce moment.

• D’autres économies des coûts devraient être réalisés en réduisant les subventions de promotion (Programme promotionnel pour les associations provinciales, Connection)

Une autre alternative • • • •

Reed Rigney est prêt à devenir le fournisseur de services.

Il paierait le montant de 14 000 $ pour l’investissement initial.

Il paierait les frais annuels de 3 500 $ à ABRI, le matériel de bureau nécessaire et les fournitures de bureau au besoin.

Il y aurait un contrat de cinq ans minimum pour fournir le service, et durant cette période les frais demeureraient pareils que les frais actuels de la SCEA, et ne les augmenteraient pas sans en discuter avec le Conseil de la CBDA.

• Le bureau serait géré hors de son domicile. Il y aurait un ordinateur séparé, adresse e-mail et le numéro de téléphone (téléphone cellulaire) pour les affaires de l’Association.

• Ce changement ne coûterait rien à la CBDA ou à ses membres.

• Il possède déjà l’expérience en administrant un Groupe de Recherche Agricole à but non lucratif. Il s’occupait de toutes les fonctions comptables de base et budgétaires de l’Association, qui avait beaucoup plus d’actif et de flux de trésorerie que la CBDA.

Résumé Depuis un certain nombre d’années, les plaintes des membres concernant la SCEA sont une source de discussion à la plupart de nos réunions du conseil d’administration et nous avons fait parvenir de nombreuses lettres et nous avons eu de nombreuses discussions avec la SCEA sur ces plaintes. Malgré les promesses de la SCEA qu’ils amélioreraient la situation, la fréquence des plaintes des membres a augmenté et effectivement, il semble que le service ne fait qu’empirer. Particulièrement vrai au cours de la dernière année. Nous ne sommes pas la seule association avec ces problèmes – il y a déjà une Association de Race qui a quitté la SCEA et nous avons eu des discussions avec d’autres qui sont extrêmement frustrées. Des éleveurs Blonde qui ont de l’expérience avec d’autres registres de races décrivent le service en termes de semaines par rapport au service de la SCEA en termes de mois. Un nouveau système de registre combinera le livre généalogique et les enregistrements de performances dans un système qui est, pour les utilisateurs, plus facile à utiliser et à naviguer.

Le côté négatif est le coût significatif pour la mise en place du nouveau registre ainsi que l’augmentation des coûts d’exploitation.

Il y a aussi les problèmes qui apparaissent toujours après, suite à des changements importants comme celui-ci. C’est arrivé avec le changement de fournisseur de services d’ADN, puisque nous avons eu des problèmes, au nouveau laboratoire, pour faire correspondre la filiation parentale en raison de normes plus élevées. Enfin, il y a aussi l’inquiétude de transférer à un fournisseur de services de registre plus petit et peut-être moins stable - ce qui se passe si / quand ils ne peuvent plus fournir le service ? Ceci est également une préoccupation avec la possibilité d’utiliser Reed Rigney bien que, dans ce cas, les implications économiques ne seraient plus un sujet de préoccupation.

NOUS AVONS BESOIN DE VOS COMMENTAIRES! La SCEA exige un préavis d'un an pour que nous partions, donc si nous les avertissons en 2016 nous ne pouvons pas officiellement quitter avant le 1er janvier 2018. En considérant le tout, le Conseil a fixé la date limite pour recevoir vos propositions écrites (courriel ou courrier postal) au 1er Novembre 2016. Les propositions doivent être envoyées au vice-président Nicholas Boyd oneoakblondes@gmail.com ou au 73, Clairfields Dr West, Guelph (Ontario) N1G 5H9. Ces propositions doivent décrire clairement et précisément les arguments en faveur de votre position ; indiquant simplement oui ou non ne contribuera pas au Conseil dans son processus de prise de décision. Une décision d'aviser la SCEA de notre intention de mettre fin à notre entente sera faite lors de la réunion du conseil d'administration de Décembre 2016.

Canadian Blonde d’Aquitaine Association

National Meeting, Show & Sale SEPTEMBER 30 to OCTOBER 1 | Olds, Alberta SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE! Please contact Reed Rigney for more information on how to become a sponsor.

SCHEDULE

of

OUR SPONSORS

EVENTS

We would like to thank the following sponsors:

WED/THURS

SEPTEMBER 28/29

ALBERTA AGRICULTURE AG INITIATIVE FUND BAR K FARMS BELLVUE BLONDES BOGART CATTLE COMPANY CRYSTAL FARMS DUSTY ACRE BLONDES FEE HAVEN FARMS HI PRO FEEDS LES FERMES CLEARIDGE

9:00AM to 9:00PM Arrival & stalling of cattle.

Must be in by Thursday evening FRIDAY

SEPTEMBER 30 2:00PM to 5:00PM National Blonde d’Aquitaine Show 8:00PM to 12:00AM Hospitality Room at Olds Ramada Inn SATURDAY

LITTLE CREEK FARMS MAN/SASK BLONDE ASSOCIATION ONE OAK BLONDES ONTARIO BLONDE ASSOCIATION QUEBEC BLONDE ASSOCIATION STEVE ACRES VAN BAKEL BLONDES WEST WIND BLONDES WILLOW SPRINGS STOCK FARM

OCTOBER 1 1:00PM to 5:00PM National Blonde d’Aquitaine Annual General Meeting (Ramada Inn)

ACCOMODATION IN OLDS

6:00PM Banquet & Silent Auction at the Olds Royal Canadian Legion SUNDAY

OCTOBER 2 10:00AM to 3:00PM Multi-breed events at the Show Grounds

Best Western Hotel 403-556-5900

Ramada Inn (Host Hotel)

403-507-8349

Approximately $120/night

Rooms blocked under “National Blonde AGM” until August 28 (check-in 3 pm)

Circle 5 Motel 403-556-7755

4:00PM Release of cattle

$145/night for a Double Queen Room maximum 4 people

INFORMATION ON ENTRIES Entries must be made on-line and further info is available at www.oldsregionalexhibition.com or by contacting Reed Rigney. All Entry fees for the Blonde d’Aquitaine show will be paid by the Alberta Association.

Entry deadline is September 15.

Approximately $100/night

CONTACTS Reed Rigney |Show & Sale (780) 348-5308 |rigney@clearwave.ca Dave Kamelchuk |CBDA - National Meeting (780) 675-1227 | littlecreekagroforestry@gmail.com Olds Regional Ex | General Inquiries (403) 556-3770 | office@oldsagsociety.com

in memory SHIRLEY M. BILTON APRIL 15, 1922 - JUNE 27, 2016 (age 94)

Shirley was a lifelong cattleman; a legend, a leader and an innovator. He received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Canadian Blonde d’Aquitane Association in 2015 and was instrumental in achieving the first ‘homozygous polled’ full blood Blonde d’Aquitane animal recognized in the breed in the world. He worked very hard marketing the genetics internationally with West Wind embryos and semen producing offspring across the globe. Shirley was truly dedicated and a visionary in bettering the Polled Blonde d’Aquitane breed. He will be missed by all that knew him.

Forty Acre Blondes_Layout 1 2016-09-01 4:49 PM Page 1

r e c B A l o y n t de s r o F We invite you to walk our yard in your boots…

Don Mehler & Pat Filz P.O. Box 418, Lampman, SK S0C 1N0 306-634-2174 • Cell 306-421-6987 FortyAcreBlondes@sasktel.net

Come have a look-see!

news PROVINCES from the

ALBERTA / BRITISH COLUMBIA

After what seemed like a very short summer the National in Olds, Alberta is just a couple weeks away (Sept 30 & Oct 1). If you haven’t made your plans yet we would be very pleased if you decided to join us. Olds is a great little town with a view of the Rocky Mountains, and only 45 minutes from the Calgary Airport. Early October is also a nice time to visit our Province as the weather is normally good. For those of you that are planning to show cattle the entry deadline is September 15th so don’t miss your opportunity. More details can be found elsewhere in the Newsletter.

Along with the National being held in Olds, there will Blonde cattle at Farmfair International held in Edmonton, Alberta. If you are interested in exhibiting, entries close October 1st and the event is held November 8-12 in conjunction with the Canadian Finals Rodeo.

The Alberta Blonde Bull test is being held again this winter, and the bulls will be fed at Willow Springs Stock Farm just as they have the past three years. Bulls will be arriving for the warm-up period on Saturday November 19th. Saturday November 19th will also be the date of the Alberta Blonde Association AGM, and it will be held at Willow Springs Stock Farm as well - the home of the Rigney family. For more information on either event please contact Reed Rigney @ 780-348-5308.

MANITOBA / SASKATCHEWAN

Hello to all the people out there! This had been a year of extremes concerning the weather. Take it or leave it, there is nothing much we can do about it. Saddest part of this year was the passing of the long time breeder of Blondes, Shirley Bilton. He will be sorely missed by all...

Bull sales we brisk again this year, a fair number of new people to us purchased bulls in order to improve their herds. Some were ones that knew the breed and went back to it, some totally new to just trying them out. In any case, good luck to them all and hope the breeding season was a success.

Cattle prices have declined a bit but are still well within the acceptable range. Part of the downtrend is due to the U.S herd expansion rate which is pushing prices down.

The telling part will be when the majority of the calf crop hits the auction barns this fall. This time is coming along very fast. It always seems like summer just flies past as we Canadians get such a short one and have to cram in everything we want to do at once.

Stats Canada reports state that herds have increased, the most since 2012. This is mainly because there has been a growing number of heifers retained in all herds.The numbers are still below the 10 year average but are improving.

Our Douglas Bull Test Station has undergone a management change this year with expectations that the same great quality of care will be shown the animals that are consigned.

The Blondes have been on test here for about 15 years and have led in lean meat yield and rib eye size. This is open to any one who has a registered animal from any Breed as well as from any province.

The Man/Sask meeting voted to continue to give a gratuity to all 4H members who have blonde or blonde cross animals as their project. Each year we seek out those who qualify.

The National will be on at the end of September which is always a great time for all that can make it there. Seeing as how harvest is reasonably early this year, perhaps more will come and enjoy the camaraderie of the Association.

We are are all looking forward to seeing and visiting with as many as come.

ONTARIO

QUEBEC

The summer of 2016 seems to be a challenging one to say the least.

It has been an extremely dry one even in my part of the province.

I’ve had to purchase hay, fed hay and even sold off some stockers, which is the earliest I’ve ever sold my calves. I’ve heard and had some texting with some members on facebook on dry weather conditions. Teeny said the grasshoppers would need to pack a lunch to cross the Plumton’s pastures! The pastures at home with the recent rain in August have started to once again provide grass for the cows, saving a little hay for when the snow flies.

Nouvelles de l’Association Blonde d’Aquitaine du Québec

Over the Top Cattle Company hosted our annual picnic this year on July 10th in Pontypool, Ontario. A great turn out of Blonde members, the weather even cooperated with a bright sunny day. I don’t think many of us would have complained even if it had rained! The cattle looked exceptional, with lots of questions being asked on pedigrees, who the dam or sire of this one or that one was. Food and more food, so many choices to choose from, if anyone left the picnic hungry it was your own fault! Our day ended after our mini auction entertainment.

Thanks to Dave McNevan for being our auctioneer once again!

The Mr. Fee t-shirt was returned to the auction table, OneOak Blondes having the top bid! The famous pitchfork went home with Bogart Cattle Company. When all said and done the mini auction raised $1275 for the OBdAA. Thanks to Ashley, Tyler and Family for such a great day!

The fair season is upon us, with Campbellford kicking it all off!

Twenty six head from 5 different breeders made up the show at Campbellford. Paul Fee is keeping track of the points for our Top Male and Top Female for the 2016 show season. Good luck to all participants!

The Blondes were well represented at the Hasting Plowing Match. Bogart Cattle Company had Crystal Charlie on display along with a yearling heifer. We ended up selling $ 325 worth of tickets on our new raffle. Thanks to everyone who helped out and to Eric for making it all happen.

The OBd’AA is looking for volunteers to help man the booth at the IPM. If you can spare a few hours it would be greatly appreciated. Please contact Clare Kuepfer or John Plas.

If anyone is interested in sending cattle from Ontario to the Canadian National in Alberta, please contact Paul Fee who is making trucking arrangements with Knill transport to leave after the Lindsay show.

Le 23 avril 2016 nous avons eu l’assemblée annuelle des membres, Gilbert Gauthier a été réélu président, Clémence Landry vice-présidente et les directeurs sont L. Pierre Léger, Sébastien Desgagnés, Laurent Desrosiers et Ryland Cleary et un poste vacant.

Pour l’Expo Bœuf (Victo) 2016 cette année, les membres présents à l’assemblée annuelle de l’Association Blonde d’Aquitaine du Québec ont adopté un moratoire pour l’année 2016 qui est d’accepter des animaux purs sangs à 94-99 % au jugement pareil comme l’année dernière. Sur le certificat d’enregistrement de l’animal il devra avoir la lettre R ou D pour être accepté au jugement. Nous espérons que ce moratoire encouragera plus d’éleveurs à y participer.

Le 25 mai 2016, l’Association a placé une commande de 30 semences de taureaux français Blonde d’Aquitaine auprès de Cogent Canada qui sont les représentants désignés d’Évolution International (anciennement Sersia France). Les semences sont rendues à Toronto et les éleveurs devraient avoir des nouvelles de Cogent Canada bientôt si pas déjà fait.

Pour plus d’information sur votre association, vous pouvez toujours visiter le site Internet de l’association au: http://www.blondaquitaineqc.com

News from the Québec Blonde d’Aquitaine Association On April 23rd 2016 we held the Québec annual general meeting, Gilbert Gauthier was reelected President , Clémence Landry Vice-President and the directors are Ryland Cleary, Sébastien Desgagnés, Laurent Desrosiers and L. Pierre Léger with one vacant seat.

In regards to Expo Boeuf (Victoriaville) 2016, the members present at the annual meeting of the Québec Blonde d’Aquitaine Association renewed the 2015 moratorium for 2016 which is to accept pure blood animals 94-99% in the judgment. On the animal’s registration certificate, it must have the letters R or D to be accepted in the judgment. We hope that this moratorium will encourage more breeders to participate in this year’s show.

The Cream of the Crop sales catalogues have been sent through Canada Post the 2nd last week of August, hopefully you’ve received your copy. Check for updates to the catalogue on The Canadian and or The Ontario Blonde d’Aquitaine website’s along with the Ontario facebook page. There maybe some late entries being posted.

On May 25th, the Association placed an order of 30 French bull semen straws with Cogent Canada who are the designated representatives of Evolution International (formerly Sersia France). The order has arrived in Toronto and the breeders should receive news from Cogent Canada soon if not already done.

Looking forward to seeing everyone at Hoards Station on October 29th.

For more information you can always visit the association’s website at : www.blondaquitaineqc@hotmail.com

Steven J. Acres

Maureen Landry

These numbers were in the Blonde Connection. I still have animals in my herd out of the top four bulls shown for their high calving ease in Canada. I have a son to West Winds Zephyr ( showing the top weaning weight in Canada ) getting semen drawn from him to head to Australia. I have been working and studying EPD’s very hard to build a good solid herd.

Here is a sample of our upcoming heifer bulls. He was born April 13, 2016 and had a birth weight of 71lbs. Son of West Winds Zeke.

Here is a sample of our upcoming cow bulls . He was born April 20, 2016 and weighed 98lbs. He is also a son of West Winds Zeke.

West Winds Zeke also was the sire to the reserve grand champion steer at this years 4-H achievement day.

West Winds Zeke pictured as a three year old. I have 63 calves off him and 100% unassisted. His EPD’s w/b are CE 96% BW84% WG99% Milk66% PWG73% YG97% He is a half brother to West Winds Woody .

W BL

T ES

ND I W

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Deebran PLD Jail

S E D

Breaker 28Y Single Polled Bull

A bull liked by all who see him and his homozyous polled son.

West Winds Breaker

36B

Semen available on both Fullblood Bulls BLONDE D’AQUITAINE CATTLE | MYRNA FLESCH & SHIRLEY BILTON ESTATE CONTACT: MYRNA FLESCH EMAIL: westwind@telusplanet.net | Box 334, Stavely, AB T0L 1Z0 Phone 403-549-2371 | Fax 403-549-2374 | www.telusplanet.net/public/westwind