The CCA
Roundup GREETINGS
One of our mandates at the Canadian Charolais Association is to do what we can to communicate openly with our members; so, we are going to try out a periodic newsletter direct to our members’ inboxes. We aren’t going to flood your inboxes with junk mail—we all get enough of that. We would like to touch base directly with our members—registration reminders, EPD updates and news from your CCA Office! If there’s something that you’d like to hear about, please let us know! As we move through 2017, we’re optimistic not only about the markets, but also the value that Charolais continues to add to your operation. The Charolais sales this spring have momentum; there’s a high demand for those white bulls. We’d like to thank all of our members as we’ve transitioned to our new CCA Online Registry system. We’re working through the kinks and appreciate your patience. We have received positive feedback on a number of levels and continue to improve where applicable and necessary. If you haven’t had the pleasure to speak with her yet, we welcomed Piper Whelan to the CCA team in late January. Piper comes with experience and a keen interest in the beef industry. She grew up on a purebred Maine-Anjou ranch at Irricana, Alberta, and was active in junior shows and 4-H. Piper studied at the University of Alberta and the University of King’s College School of Journalism. She has worked in the journalism and publishing industries for the last few years, and her written work has appeared in several beef-related magazines. Piper is part-time, two days a week, and involved with the daily operations of the association as Registry/Member Services Assistant working closely with Lois Chivilo and Mel Reekie.
Regards, Your CCA Team
CANADIAN ASSOCIATION
MARCH 2017
DNA REQUIREMENTS
As a reminder, and in accordance to the CCA By-Laws: • Walking sires must have DNA on file • AI sires must be Parent Verified (Sire and Dam) • All Full French animals must be Parent Verified • Embryo Transfer calves must be Parent Verified • Donor Dams must have DNA on file If you’re using semen, the sire MUST be Parent Verified
Helpful hint! To ensure the smoothest operation of the new CCA Online Registry system, be sure that your Internet browser program is up to date. It works best when using Chrome as a browser.
Upcoming Events 2017 CCA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING, SASKATOON, SK
The Saskatchewan Charolais Association is hosting the CCA Annual Meeting this summer on June 9–10 in Saskatoon! Friday will be a full day of herd tours and comradery with A. Sparrow Farms, Horseshoe E and Palmer Charolais. Saturday afternoon will be the annual meeting with a guest speaker, silent auction and a dinner banquet to follow. Events will be held at the Saskatoon Inn and a block of rooms has been set aside under Saskatchewan Charolais. To reserve, call 1-800-667-8789
CHAROLAIS WORLD TECHNICAL CONFERENCE 2017
The international Charolais community is returning to Mexico for the World Technical Conference, May 28 through June 2, 2017, in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon. In addition to the technical aspect, there will be herd tours and the inclusion of the National Charolais and Charbray shows within the program. Full program details can be found at http:// charolais.org.mx/congreso-tecnicos/ index-usa.html
CCYA CONFERENCE & SHOW, BARRIE, ON The 2017 CCYA Conference and Show is being held August 2–5 in Barrie, Ontario. Specific inquiries and those interested in sponsoring the event can contact the organizing committee directly at CCYA2017@gmail.com
For those travelling to the show, there is a WESTJET discount code available to alleviate some of the cost. Please contact Mel Reekie at the CCA Office for specific details regarding travel dates, etc.
EPDS
The CCA makes a significant investment each year in genetic evaluation and the calculation of Expected Progeny Differences (EPD). On a semi-annual basis, the entire pedigree, performance, carcass and ultrasound data are sent to AGI where the genetic evaluation is conducted.
SPRING 2017 – BREED AVERAGE EPD BW
WW
YW
MILK
TM
CE
CW
REA
Fat
LY
Marb
Current
1.3
43.4
83.0
21.2
42.9
70.5
17.5
0.41
0.40
0.72
0.16
Sires
1.3
43.1
82.2
21.2
42.7
67.5
17.0
0.42
0.36
0.76
0.11
Dams
1.8
41.5
79.0
20.9
41.7
65.5
17.0
0.42
0.21
0.76
0.11
Current – all calves born in the last 2 years (2015–2016) Sires – all sires with a calf reported in the last 2 years Dams – all dams with a calf reported in the last 2 years
EPD ABBREVIATIONS Trait
Description
Units
BW Birth weight
Describes genetic differences for progeny birth weight. A larger number indicates heavier calves at birth.
Lbs
WW Weaning Weight
Genetic difference for progeny weaning weight. A larger number indicates heavier calves at weaning.
Lbs
YW Yearling Weight
Genetic difference for progeny yearling weight. A larger number indicates heavier calves at one year of age.
Lbs
Genetic difference for daughters’ progeny weaning weight due to their milk production (grandprogeny). A larger number indicates heavier calves from daughters at weaning.
Lbs
TM Total Maternal
Genetic difference for daughters’ progeny weaning weight due to their genes for milk and growth (grandprogeny). A larger number indicates heavier calves at weaning.
Lbs
CE Calving Ease
Genetic difference for unassisted calving of progeny. A larger number indicates easier calving (less assistance).
Unassisted
MILK Milk
CWT Carcass Weight
Genetic difference for progeny carcass weight in pounds. A larger number indicates heavier carcasses.
Lbs
REA Rib-Eye Area
Genetic difference for progeny Rib-Eye area in square inches. A larger number indicates bigger rib-eye muscle.
FAT Fat Thickness
Genetic difference for progeny backfat thickness at 12/13 rib. A larger value indicates fatter carcasses.
mm
Genetic difference for progeny marbling score (quality grade) in marbling score units. A larger number indicates more marbling.
MSU
MARB Marbling LY Lean Yield
Genetic difference for progeny lean meat yield. A larger number indicates more lean meat in the carcass and more yield grade 1 carcasses.
ULTRASOUND DATA
Ultrasound worksheets are found online within your CCA online account. We can accept chute-side ultrasound data for our genetic evaluations. To accept chute-side data we require an electronic excel file with the animals properly identified i.e., tattoos, not just tag numbers.
Sq. In.
%
To access the online worksheets for ultrasound: • Login • Scroll over MY REPORTS • Click on ULTRASOUND BARN SHEET BY YEAR • Enter the year the calves were born • Pick the SEX • Click on PRINT (a pdf file will generate to be printed)