FROM THE CANADIAN CHAROLAIS ASSOCIATION
Value Adding Craig Scott, General Manager
CANADIAN CHAROLAIS ASSOCIATION 2320, 41st Avenue NE, Calgary, AB T2E 6W8 403.250.9242 F 403.291.9324 www.charolais.com @canCharolais www.facebook.com/cdncharolais
PROVINCIAL REPRESENTATIVES:
ALBERTA President: Stephen Cholak, Lamont Secretary: Deb Cholak, Lamont SASKATCHEWAN President: Jordan Moore, Redvers Secretary: Saskatchewan Livestock Asso., Regina MANITOBA President: Michael Hunter, Roblin Secretary: Rae Trimble, Portage la Prairie ONTARIO President: Josh Taylor, Dunsford Secretary: Doris Aitken, Mount Forest QUEBEC President: Mark Frost, Kingsey Falls Secretary: Chantal Raymond, Sainte-Eulalie MARITIMES President: Brett Francis, Crapaud, PEI Secretary: Nancy Milton, Nine Mile Creek, PEI
STAFF:
General Manager: CRAIG SCOTT Registry: LOIS CHIVILO Registry/Member Services: HAYLEA JONES French Membership: Bernard Dore 514-910-4935 • bernarddore@videotron.ca
EXECUTIVE:
PRESIDENT: KASEY PHILLIPS Box 420, Waskatenau, AB T0A 3P0 780.358.2360 C 780.656.6400 kphillips@mcsnet.ca 1st VICE-PRESIDENT: SHAWN AIREY Box 639, Rivers, MB R0K 1X0 204.328.7704 C 204.724.8823 htacharolais@hotmail.com 2nd VICE-PRES: RYAN NESBITT
17100 Cedardale Rd, Nestleton, ON L0B 1L0 905.242.2046
ryan@cedardalefarms.ca PAST PRESIDENT: MIKE ELDER Box 216, Coronach, SK S0H 0Z0 306.267.5655 C 306.267.7730
mjelder@sasktel.net
DIRECTORS:
DARWIN ROSSO 78 325 4th Ave SW, Moose Jaw, SK S6H 5V2 306.693.2384 rosso.c@sasktel.net ROGER MALONEY 2420 Jermyn Line RR 1, Indian River, ON K0L 2B0 705.295.6439 C 705.761.7316 malrog64@hotmail.com MATHIEU PALERME 814 Pink Rd., Gatineau, QC J9J 3N3 819.682.2723 C 819.213.3143 matpalerme@yahoo.ca JEFF CAVERS Box 237, La Riviere, MB R0G 1A0 204.242.3467 C 204-242-4448 c2charolais@inethome.ca LORNE LAKUSTA Box 37, Andrew, AB T0B 0C0 780.365.2079 C 780.719.0264 spruceviewcharolais@gmail.com ROD McLEOD 293113 Twnshp Rd 263, Rocky View County, AB T4A 0N5 403.540.7986 rodmcl@telus.net
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The purebred beef associations, along with their members are entrusted with the genetic improvement throughout the beef industry. Purebred stakeholders have responded by spending millions of dollars on genetic research used to advance the beef industry. This has provided us with the very best tools, all of which are useless, if not utilized. We as producers need to be very mindful of what retailers want, and then do everything in our power to produce it. We have a lot of tools in our toolbox; let’s use them. The advancement of genomic information available, the accuracy of EPDs, plus ultrasound data are some of the most significant tools we have. A lot of this information can be difficult to understand, but most purebred producers have an understanding and not only can but want to answer your questions and concerns. These tools are important for the seedstock producer, but equally if not more valuable for the commercial breeders. At the end of the day, we are all working together for better beef. Retail giants such as Costco are demanding that as an industry we improve. Costco is matching their demand with action including progressing prime grading from 1% to 5% within four years. Some of the technologies utilized to achieve this include: • Pre-harvest identification of cattle via genotyping. • Implementation of new management and feeding protocol. • Ultrasound verification of grade. The Canadian Beef Breeds Council (CBBC) gives breed associations an avenue to work together, and it is crucial that we continue to work together. One of the projects that is Charolais Banner • February 2022
being developed is the Canadian Beef Innovation Network project (CBIN), which is a platform for genetic innovation and technology adoption that leverages data science to advance outcome-based decision-making tools that further enhance sustainable beef production in Canada. CBIN will facilitate research, development, and utilization of innovative genetic improvement technologies for the benefit of all segments of the Canadian beef supply chain from primary production through to consumer. It seems like a mouth full, but the goal of CBIN is to ensure directed and optimal genetic improvement of the Canadian beef herd. This will include providing genetic evaluation and performance prediction data points for outcomebased breeding decisions, lead innovative genetic research and technology transfer programs, and enhance data capture and management systems to assist with implementation of processes that will accurately and consistently yield animals specifically designed for targeted retail programs and/ or specific performance parameters valued by stakeholders within the beef value chain. The beef industry is under the public eye, specifically various environmental, health and social groups. We as producers know that we are doing a great job of being stewards of the land and environment, but we might not be doing a good job of telling our story. One of the keynote speakers at the Canadian Beef Industry Conference was Professor Timothy Caulfield, an unrivalled communicator who debunks myths and assumptions about innovations in heath care. Part of Professor Caulfield’s message was that we live in a world of fear and misconceptions, where today’s society is more likely to believe a celebrity’s endorsement ..continued on page 16
