February 2012 Charolais Connection

on the cover…

The Charolais Connection

124 Shannon Road

Regina, Saskatchewan S4S 5B1

Ph. (306) 546-3940 • Fax (306) 546-3942

Home Page: http://www.charolaisbanner.com

Email: charolaisbanner@sasktel.net

ISSN 0824-1767

Manager/Publisher

Helge By

Managing Editor

Candace By charolaisbanner@sasktel.net

Production/Graphic Design

Susan Penner charolais.susan@sasktel.net

Web Design

Dalyse Robertson robertsonp@xplornet.com

Scott Kasprick scott@reaxiongraphics.com

FIELDMEN:

Alberta & British Columbia

Craig Scott 5107 42nd Street, Olds, AB T4H 1X1 Res. (403) 507-2258 Fax (403) 507-2268

Cell (403) 651-9441

sbanner@telusplanet.net

Saskatchewan, Manitoba, USA & Eastern Canada

Helge By

124 Shannon Rd., Regina, SK S4S 5B1 Office (306) 546-3940 Office Fax (306) 546-3942 Res. (306) 584-7937 Cell (306) 536-4261

charolaisbanner@sasktel.net

Liaison française and Web Co-ordinator

Cynthia Beck (306) 436-2007

CBeck@charolais.com

SUBSCRIPTIONS:

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The Charolais Connection is mailed to over 13,000 cattlemen nationwide. Those cattlemen include all purebred Charolais breeders, buyers of purebred Charolais bulls from the past six years and all subscribers to the Charolais Banner.

No material contained in the Charolais Connection may be reprinted without the permission of the Charolais Banner. The publishers reserve the right to refuse any advertisements. The material produced in this publication is done so with the highest integrity, however, we assume no responsibility for errors or omissions. We are responsible for only the value of the advertisement.

Animals in the photographs in the Connection have not been altered by computer enhancement or mechanical methods according to the knowledge of the publisher.

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Publications Mail Agreement No. 40047726

Postage paid at Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada

Postmaster: Please return undeliverable publications (covers only) to Charolais Banner, 124 Shannon Road, Regina, Saskatchewan S4S 5B1, Canada.

Email: charolaisbanner@sasktel.net

Published by the Charolais Banner, Regina, SK (3 times per year - February, March and Fall)

Photo: Neil Gillies Design: Susan Penner

Reserve pen of three bulls at the Canadian Bull Congress Champion Pen of 3 at AB Select Charolais Show & Sale

Ranchers Choice Champion Bull at the Canadian Bull Congress

Whitecap & Rosso Charolais 22ndANNUAL BULL SALE

Wednesday, April 4, 2012 • 1:00 p.m. CST

8 miles south of Moose Jaw on Hwy 2, 11⁄2 miles east

• 25 two-year-old Charolais bulls

• 25 yearling Charolais bulls

• 50 yearling Red Angus bulls

No bulls have been sold off the farm. All bulls have been semen tested. Complete performance data available sale day.

For further information:

POINTS TO PONDER From the Field

Helge By

What a difference a year can make. Last year there was some guarded optimism in the air about the cattle market and the future cattle market. That has proved true and it is with great anticipation that we head into 2012 with what looks like a very bright road ahead.

In mid January the U.S feeder market was continuing higher with reports of a load of 612 pound heifers selling for $2.12/lb. Wow. Market reports show that top 500 to 550 lb. steers selling over $2/lb. fairly regularly. Also lower feed grain prices in the U.S. helped push the futures market to an all time high.

Can this last? Well, with the U.S. having to move into heifer retention and rebuilding of the cowherd, and with the lower numbers we have here in Canada and around the world, I would say that market fundamentals say this can last.

The Beef InfoXchange System is finally up and running after anticipating it for some time. Basically, cow-calf producers who want to take the time to register their calves with their CCIA tag number will be able to go in and see how those calves did in the feedlot and in the packing house. This will be great for producers to see how their cattle perform and what needs to be improved upon in their programs. In time it should add value to the quality operator as they will be able to show how their cattle have done at all levels of the beef chain. Exciting stuff if it works as well as it should with everyone involved working together. I have printed the BIXS overview from their website. If you have read it before skip over it, but it gives the outline of the program and options for those who may not be on the internet or on high speed.

Canadian beef producers have long understood the potential in capturing, exchanging and tracking the specific individual animal data and information made possible through the national animal

ID program. The Beef InfoXchange System, or BIXS, leverages that data to benefit producers by improving communications and individual animal information sharing across the entire beef chain.

BIXS is a national voluntary web-based database designed to capture and exchange data linked to an individual animal’s unique electronic ID tag number, known as the CCIA (Canadian Cattle Identification Agency) tag or RFID (radio frequency identification) tag.

BIXS is a tool to assist in the gathering, tracking and exchanging of useful individual animal information across the beef chain. The system enables participants to communicate, build business opportunities and hone marketing programs based on accurate and reliable individual animal data.

BIXS’ query function maintains cow-calf producer confidentiality yet empowers the system so beef supply chain participants can source cattle on specification and creates communication channels across the supply chain based on individual animal information.

The ability to track and share relevant animal production, performance, health, genetic and carcass data will help improve efficiencies at the ranch, feedlot and processing levels. It will also lead to more precise targeting of beef for specific domestic and international market prospects, and increase the overall quality of beef nation-wide.

The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) spearheaded the development of BIXS as part of the Canadian Beef Advantage (CBA) program, the branding of Canadian beef for domestic and international markets.

The BIXS is now launched to cow-calf producers across Canada and work continues to enable feedlots to begin submitting animal data to BIXS. The system is designed to work efficiently at high speed and for dial-up users with reliable and higher connective speeds. Those users on slow dial-up are urged to access BIXS through a third party they authorize (third party authorization forms are downloadable from the main page of this website).

Interested producers can register and log on to the BIXS database program via the BIXS website by clicking the ‘Registration’

button. In addition, full instructions on how to register onto BIXS are also provided as a PDF link on the home page of BIXS. Further, links are also provided on websites of organizations partnering with BIXS, like Beef Improvement Opportunities, BeefBooster, Pfizer Animal Health’s Pfizer Gold Program, among others.

BIXS will also platform or partner on an information sharing basis with other industry participants including veterinary pharmaceutical firms, veterinarians, IT firms and more. As these agreements are completed BIXS will provide links to these partners on the BIXS main web site.

I found it interesting that total Canadian cow slaughter and cow exports were both down by 12% and 27% respectively to the 1st of December. Now does this mean that producers were selling more heifer calves because of the higher prices and keeping the older bred females? Around the country everywhere I went people were saying that many were getting out of cows and retiring and they didn’t know if there would be any cows left in their area. Well it seems there are more cows out there than most were anticipating and cows need bulls.

When you read this, the first bull sales will already be happening and in this issue you get a preview of some of the Charolais sales in particular the early ones. Last fall in a few of the sales where the bull calves were sold, we saw the best prices those producers had every seen. I think this was foreshadowing the spring sales as the demand for the good Charolais bulls will be stronger than seen for many years. Don’t be disappointed, do your bull shopping while the sales are on and don’t wait until the day you need a bull to try find one.

If you need some help in locating bulls this spring give Craig Scott or myself a call and we will help you in anyway we can.

Until next time, Helge

POINTS À RÉFLÉCHIR Du champ

Helge By

Quelle différence une année peut faire. L’année dernière il y avait d’optimisme réservé concernant le marché aux bestiaux et du futur marché aux bestiaux. C’est avec la grande anticipation que nous entrons en 2012 avec un futur lumineux dans l’industrie de bétail.

En janvier aux États-Unis le marché de bovins engraissés a continué plus haut avec des rapports d’un groupe de génisses pesant 612 livres se vendant pour 2,12$ par livre. Les rapports du marché prouvent que de bœufs de la bonne qualité pesant 500 à 550 livres vendent pour plus de 2,00$ par livre. Aussi le prix plus bas de céréale fourragère aux États-Unis a poussé le marché à terme le plus élevé que jamais.

Le marché aux bestiaux continuera-til comme ceci ? Les principes fondamentaux du marché indiquent que le marché continuera en raison des États-Unis reconstruisant les chiffres de vaches et il y a peu de bétail ici au Canada et autour du monde.

Le Beef InfoXchange System ou BIXS fonctionne après une longue attente. S’ils veulent, les producteurs de vache-veau enregistrent leurs veaux avec le nombre d’étiquette de CCIA. Ils peuvent voir les résultats des veaux aux parcs d’engraissement et à l’usine de transformation; un avantage pour que les producteurs voient comment leurs bétail exécutent et quels besoins d’être amélioré au moment dans leurs programmes. Ce programme devrait ajoutée la valeur à l’opérateur de qualité car ils pourront montrer comment leurs bétail ont fait à tous les niveaux de la chaîne de boeuf. La vue d’ensemble qui suit de BIXS de leur site Web donne le contour du programme et des options pour ceux qui n’ont pas l’Internet ou l’haute vitesse.

Les producteurs canadiens de boeuf ont longtemps compris le potentiel en saisissant, en échangeant et en suivant les données et l’information d’un animal spécifique possible par le programme national d’identification

d’animal. Le système d’InfoXchange de boeuf, ou BIXS, accroît ces données pour bénéficier des producteurs d’améliorer des communications et le partage d’informations individuel d’animal à travers la chaîne entière de boeuf.

BIXS est une base de données volontaire nationale d’Internet crée à capturer et échanger des données liées au nombre d’étiquette électronique unique de l’identification d’un animal individuel, connu sous le nom de l’étiquette de CCIA (agence canadienne d’identification de bétail) ou étiquette de RFID (identification de radiofréquence).

BIXS est un outil à aider au rassemblement, suivant et échangeant d’information utile d’animale à travers la chaîne de boeuf. Le système permet à des participants de communiquer, de créer l’occasion de commercialisation, et d’aiguiser des programmes de marketing basés sur des données précises et fiables des animales.

La capacité de suivre et de partager des données animales appropriées de production, d’exécution, de santé, génétiques et de carcasse aidera à améliorer des efficacités au ranch, au parc d’engraissement et des usines de transformation. Il mènera également une optimisation plus précise du boeuf pour des perspectives commerciales domestiques et internationales spécifiques, et augmente la qualité globale du boeuf répandue par tout le pays.

BIXS est à la disposition des producteurs de vache-veau à travers le Canada et le travail continue à permettre à des parcs d’engraissement de soumettre les données animales. Le système est conçu pour fonctionner efficacement à l’haute vitesse d’internet. Les utilisateurs d’internet sur l’appel téléphonique lent sont invités à accéder à BIXS par un tiers qu’ils autorisent, les formes d’autorisation de tiers sont téléchargeable de la page principale de site Web de BIXS.

Les producteurs qui sont intéressés dans ce programme peuvent s’enregistrer sur le site Web de BIXS en

cliquant le bouton de `enregistrement’. Des liens sont également fournis sur des sites Web de partenariat d’organismes en BIXS, comme Beef Improvement Opportunities, BeefBooster, Pfizer Animal Health’s Pfizer Gold Program.

Associé de volonté de BIXS sur partager l’information avec d’autres participants d’industrie comprenant les sociétés pharmaceutiques vétérinaires, vétérinaires, compagnies d’information technologiques et plus. Car ces accords sont accomplis BIXS fournira des liens à ces associés sur le site Web de BIXS.

Il est intéressant que le nombre de vaches canadiennes abattues et le nombre de vaches canadiennes exportées aient été tous deux en baisse de 12% et de 27% au le 1er décembre. Les producteurs vendent-ils plus de génisse en raison des prix plus élevés et est-ce qu’ils gardent les femelles multipliées plus âgées ? Dans le pays partout peuplez disaient que beaucoup de producteurs vendaient leur troupeau de vache et prennent leur retrait. Ils n’ont pas su s’il y aurait des vaches restantes dans leur secteur. Puits il semble qu’il y a plus de vaches dehors là que les la plupart prévoyaient et ces vaches ont besoin de taureaux. Il est évident qu’il y a plus de vaches dans le pays que prévoyaient, et ces vaches elles ont besoin de taureaux.

Les ventes tôt du charolais ont lieu déjà. L’automne passé dans quelques unes des ventes de taureau, nous avons vu que les meilleurs prix que ces producteurs avaient jamais vus. C’était une annonce des ventes de printemps ; la demande de bons taureaux du charolais sera plus forte que vue pendant beaucoup d’années. Ne soyez pas déçu, magasin pour des taureaux tandis que les ventes sont allumées et n’attendez pas jusqu’au jour où vous avez besoin de taureau pour essayer et à le trouver.

Si vous avez besoin de l’aide localisant des taureaux appelez Craig Scott ou moi-même et nous vous aidera de quelque façon que nous pouvons.

À la prochaine, Helge

The 2011 Year Was Okay –2012 Should Be Better

Neil Gillies, General Manager, Canadian Charolais Association

CANADIAN CHAROLAIS ASSOCIATION

2320 - 41st Avenue N.E.

Calgary, AB T2E 6W8

Phone: (403) 250-9242

Fax: (403) 291-9324

E-Mail: cca@charolais.com

Home Page: www.charolais.com

PROVINCIAL REPRESENTATIVES:

ALBERTA

President: Lyle Bignell, Stettler

Secretary: Lisa Paget, Carbon

SASKATCHEWAN

President: Orland Walker, Hudson Bay

Secretary: Dave Blechinger, Rosetown

MANITOBA

President: Harry Airey, Rivers

Secretary: Rae Trimble Portage la Prairie

ONTARIO

President: Brian Coughlin, Cobden

Secretary: Doris Aitken, Mount Forest

QUEBEC

President: Francois Couture, Notre-Damedu-Bon-Conseil

Secretary: Laurent Jourdain

MARITIMES

President: Ricky Milton, Cornwall, PE

Secretary: Jennifer MacDonald, St. Mary’s, Kent Co., NB

STAFF:

General Manager: NEIL GILLIES

Registry: JUDY CUMMER

French Liaison: CYNTHIA BECK

306-436-2007 CBeck@charolais.com

EXECUTIVE:

PRESIDENT: WADE BECK

Box 5, Lang, SK S0G 2W0

Ph (306) 436-4564

email: wcbeck@sasktel.net

1st VICE-PRESIDENT: BRENTSAUNDERS

RR 3, Markdale, ON N0C 1H0 (519) 986-4165 Fax (519) 986-4273

email: saunders@bmts.com

2nd VICE-PRES: CAMPBELL FORSYTH

Box 3, Eriksdale, MB R0C 0W0 (204) 739-2678 Fax (204) 739-5547

email: cmforsyt@mts.net

PAST PRESIDENT: LYLE BIGNELL

Box 1055, Stettler, AB T0C 2L0 (403) 742-6792 Fax (403) 742-8128

email: lylebignell@hotmail.com

DIRECTORS:

BERNARD BEGIN

1630 Rg St-Martin, Ste-Marie, PQ G6E 3A8 (418) 387-7514 Fax (418) 387-5623

email: louberfarm@hotmail.com

BRIAN COUGHLIN

RR3 1012 Snake River Line, Cobden, ON K0J

1K0 (613) 646-9741 (613) 312-0270

email: cornervu@nrtco.net

URSULA CORPATAUX

Box 397, Erskine, AB T0C 1G0 Ph/Fax (403) 742-3337 ucorpataux@xplornet.com

DORY GERRARD

RR 2, Innisfail, AB T4G 1T7 (403) 227-5632 Fax (403) 227-2583

email: info@gerrardcattlecompany.com

JOHN WILGENBUSCH

Box 4, Halbrite, SK S0C 1H0

(306) 458-2688 Fax (306) 458-2371

email: wilgenbusch@sasktel.net

RICKY MILTON

4558 Rt. 19 RR 2, Cornwall, PE C0A 1H0

(902) 393-8699

email: rmilton@upei.ca

Isn’t it ironic that the cattle industry, which has been in doldrums for literally 8 years, can bounce back in such a relatively short period of time? Starting in 2011 the purebred and commercial industry has been receiving a long-awaited increase in prices on all classes of livestock, which means that making a few bucks is now a possibility.

Expectations for the Charolais breed are indeed equally positive. The demand for Charolais sired commercial calves has been as strong as ever and orders for Charolais x Angus silver calves are not even close to being filled. Every indication is that the competition for Charolais bulls is going to be very robust this coming spring, as all signals are that demand may outstrip supply.

An added pre-Christmas gift for the breed was a contract for 310 2011 born Charolais purebred animals to Kazakhstan.

Quoting from WorldAtlas.Com;Kazakhstan is at the crossroads of Asia and Europe and is the 9th largest country in the World. It is bordered by the Russian Federation on the N.W. through to the N.E. China to the S.E. Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan to the South and the Caspian Sea to the S.W.

This contract was initiated when a request was made by an incoming Kazakh delegation to the Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership (STEP) prior to the Farm Progress show in Regina in 2011. The Kazakh’s group request was to tour Charolais farms during their visit, so STEP contacted Hawkeye Land & Livestock Ltd. who hail from Hodgeville, Saskatchewan, and they agreed to assist with their request. Garner Deobald toured them to the Howe and Rosso Charolais farms in the Moose Jaw region and the group was impressed with the cattle operations and this greatly influenced the purchase of Canadian animals. There were 33 contributors for this shipment ranging in numbers from 1 head to 60 head (10 bulls 50 heifers), from Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta.

Hawkeye Land & Livestock Ltd. are a family operated business with Garner Deobald working with the Kazakh group

on obtain the agreements while Lori and Kylie Deobald attended to many of the logistical and administrative aspects of this venture. Hawkeye also collaborated closely with Rod and Kristi Guilford of Xports International Inc. from Clearwater, Manitoba. Garner commented; Rod and Kristi have been involved with the export of Canadian genetics to Eastern Europe and central Asia for a number of years and their experience was invaluable and much appreciated on this project.

The Kazakh Company that purchased the animals is called Agrofirm Dievskaya Ltd., which is owned by Oleg Vladimirovich Danilenko, and his son Oleg Olegovich Danilenko. They operate a 265,000 acre spread in central Kazakhstan which is basically the same environment that exists in the the prairie conditions of western Canada.

The journey started at the Winnipeg airport on December 11th, 2011, for Garner Deobald and me, as we were accompanying the animals. Five cattle liners delivered 310 animals to the airport from the quarantine stations at Oak Lake and Clearwater, Manitoba, and following processing they were divided between 34 crates and loaded aboard a Korean Airlines 747, which was bound for Astana, Kazakhstan via Brussels, Belgium. The total flight time including stoppages was 17.5 hours. The temperature in Winnipeg was minus 10, plus four in Brussels and minus 31 when we arrived in Astana. The temperature in the hold for the cattle was plus 16 degrees. It was literally quite a sight when the plus 16 air mass mingled with the minus 31 degree air mass when the hold doors were opened.

The turnaround time for the plane to leave was two hours so the ground crew did not waste any time unloading the livestock onto the apron. Loading all of the animals into the trucks for the journey to the ranch was not as fast as the transport were reconfigured grain trucks with pup trailers, which took some time to load. The good news was that all the animals had come through the first travel stage in good shape.

It took about 7 hours to get all of the animals loaded and on the road for a 750 kms trip to the ranch. At approximately noon of the next day the animals reached their destination, and to the delight of all of the parties involved, the animals scampered from the trucks to the pens showing no signs of undue ware and tear. It had been almost 60 hours since the animals had been loaded onto the trucks from the quarantine stations in Manitoba until their arrival in their new home in Kazakhstan, so the

animals ecstatically engulfed the hay and water in front of them.

Over the course of the next few days we discussed all aspects of the importation including feed rations, health care, average daily gains, the taking of weights and measures, EPD evaluations, and future year animal registrations. Garner supplied them with a copy of the Canadian registration papers and also a translated version of the registration papers in Russian. We also exchanged a series of gifts and shared toasts of

cognac to the future of Canadian Charolais in Kazakhstan.

This trip was in part an adventure as it is not an everyday event. The new owners were very courteous and made us feel welcome by extending us a large amount of farming hospitality, which was certainly appreciated.

We departed the country with the distinct feeling that they were impressed with the Charolais cattle, and we had the comforting feeling that the new arrivals were in good hands.

Calving Guidelines

Roy Lewis DVM

This time of year it is always good to review our procedures and methods for the newly arriving calf crop. The goal is to deliver as many lively calves as possible with a minimum of stress. The biggest loss in the cow-calf sector comes at calving time. Hopefully the following points will enlighten even the most experienced cattlemen or cattlewomen. I know very few calving problems exist these days, but anyone can learn something from the following points.

• Good facilities are imperative to properly examine cows safely, thoroughly, and cleanly and causing minimum stress. A maternity pen will pay for itself numerous times over by utilizing it for vaginal exams allowing calves to nurse and treating recently calved cows. One person is then in total control of the calving. Producers often comment how they cannot believe they did without one all those years.

• Always be critical of yourself when pulling a calf. The goal is to get out a lively baby not just an alive calf. If you find calves after pulling are grunting from pain have swollen legs or seem slow to rise and suckle perhaps the pull has been too excessive. In some cases it may have been too fast. Pull only in unison with the cow’s contractions.

• Always check the viability of the calf first. The best is to stick your fingers down the throat for the swallowing reflex or pinching between the toes. Gently pushing against the eye for a blink reflex is also done. If any of these reflexes are sluggish it indicates a stressed calf, which may not withstand a hard pull like a vigorous calf. With backwards calf a gloved finger can be placed in the rectum and feel for the sphincter pressure. This can be sluggish though even in a very lively calf. You may even be able to feel the pulsing of the

umbilicus. A calf kicking very violently is often running out of time.

• Keeping yourself and the cow as clean as possible is imperative. All producers need to wear obstetrical gloves on every examination. For women if they are too big rip off the fingers and wear tight latex gloves. Wash the cow up good with a surgical scrub such as betadine or hibitane. By keeping the cow clean you minimize the chances of uterine infection, as rebreeding in the subsequent season must be considered as well. A good nonirritating sterile lubricant is also imperative for prolonged or dry calvings.

• The force of no more than two people should be used to pull a calf. If using a puller keep in mind this force rule still applies. It is very easy in the heat of the moment to apply excessive pressure with a calf jack (upwards of 2000 lbs.)

• Never Never pull a calf in improper position. We always need three things coming. Two front legs and a head for a forwards presentation or two back legs and a tail for a backwards presentation.

• If more or less than two legs are present sort it out first. There is a simple trick to distinguish back versus front legs. The first two joints of the front legs bend the same way. The two joints in the back legs bend the opposite way.

• Investigate if 30 to 40 minutes of hard contractions and no progress. A misnomer by many farmers is if the water bag has not broken they have lots of time. This is totally false the calving process starts internally and the water bag breaking has no relevance on this.

• Investigate if no progress after 90 minutes in heifers and 60 minutes in cows.

• Always assist a backwards calving. If you see the dewclaws pointed upwards often a backwards

calf is impending. The umbilical cord will pinch off approximately when the tail head is coming through the vulva. At this point it is wise to pull relatively quickly as the calf may start breathing. This is the only time a fast extraction is advised. Initially pull the calf straight back making sure the tail is between the back legs.

• Check for twins after an assisted calving especially a backwards calf or when more than two legs were felt. With twins the TOP calf must come out first. Schistosomas reflexus (inside out calves) can present with all four legs and be mistaken for twins.

• Twins come in all possible malpresentations but the vast majority are one backwards and one forwards. Some herds especially the exotics have upwards of 8% twins. Cows with a history of twins will often repeat. Remember most heifers born twin to a bull calf are sterile freemartins and should not be kept as replacements.

• If frank blood is seen from the anus or vagina investigate. This could indicate a tear, excessive straining or placental separation.

• If two to three hours of abdominal discomfort persist a vaginal exam is in order. A breech or uterine torsion present this way.

• Breech calvings (backwards tail first with both legs tucked forwards) are best handled by a veterinarian. It is very very easy to rip the uterus when repositioning these so often veterinary assistance is a wise move. It is not uncommon for the backwards twin to be coming breech.

• ALWAYS recognize your limits. Some producers are more experienced than others so if not making any forward progress after assisting for 15 to 20 minutes get help. You will be tired by then and excessive time inside the cow can damage her reproductively. Limit the help to ONE other person either a spouse or experienced neighbor

otherwise phone your veterinarian.

• Recognize a closed or partially closed cervix. This structure dilates internally when parturition is pending. A closed cervix feels like a doughnut the middle of which you can insert a finger into. As it dilates it feels like a thin band of tissue encroaching into the vaginal vault. Sometimes especially in older cows the cervix may not dilate properly and a c-section may be needed.

• For a head back purchase a head snare or use a chain behind the ears and through the lower jaw. Every year too many jaws are broken from twine placed solely on the lower jaw. Keep in mind often with a head back it indicates lack of room in the pelvis. Heifers that present this way usually are c-sections.

• For one or both front feet back gently push the head back in and try and bring the legs up. Check if enough room. The shoulders should be able to be pulled through without the front feet crossing.

• Stimulants for a sluggish calf include snow or cold water poured in the ear, straw up the calf’s nostril or respiratory stimulants such as dopram (pr). This is a prescription respiratory stimulant and can only be gotten under veterinarian supervision. This is either given intravenously or put under the calf’s tongue.

• In order to establish proper breathing put the calf in the dog sitting position. We pull both legs straight back and this allows both lungs to oxygenate evenly. Hanging a calf does nothing other than putting pressure on the lungs from the abdominal organs, which is counterproductive. Most of the fluid, which drains out, is simply coming from the stomache and the fluid remaining in the lungs will be absorbed naturally.

• If the meconium (first manure) has stained the calf yellow this should raise a red flag. These calves are often more susceptible to calf hood diseases since the birthing has been delayed. Consult with your veterinarian on whether prophylactic antibiotics are necessary.

• ALWAYS double wrap the chains above and below the fetlock (first joint) with the pull coming off the bottom of the leg. This spreads out any force and goes a long way to avoid broken legs.

• A good source of COLOSTRUM is imperative. The natural source is better than any commercial products but some that are available now aren’t bad. Keep frozen and thaw out in a warm water bath. Calf needs about 1-2 liters at birth within the first six hours.

• Fat heifers and cows are prone to tearing at calving from internal fat

pushing out the vaginal area. Often one to two weeks later a large necrotic lump will extend out the vagina. Your veterinarian may remove this and will often suture up the tear it leaves.

• A prolapsed uterus usually occurs immediately to several hours after calving. It is advisable to get cattle right up after calving to avoid these. This is a veterinary emergency and very quietly moving a cow to an area where she can be handled is advisable until help arrives. This is not a heritable condition so if the cow breeds back (most will) she can be retained in the herd. Prolapsed vaginas come out before calving are smaller (one gallon) and are heritable.

• In weighing calves I’ve always been skeptical of calf slings as a source of navel infection. Keep slings very clean and if possible cut a large hole in them so irritation is not created in the navel area. Some herds with problems with navel ill use prophylactic antibiotics in this regard.

• Hiplocks are generally stifle locks. Relax your puller and position it straight down between the heifer’s hind legs. This is only possible with the heifer down in lateral.

By adhering to a lot of these principles a few more calves will be saved and you will have more cows breed back helping to increase your profit margin.

MANAGEMENT

Feeding and Breeding

Bryan Hicks, DVM

Getting cows back in calf for people who want to calve in January or February is sometimes very difficult. Some A.I. programs have been dropped because heats are not detected and due to poor pregnancy rates. The solution is to put the bull out because his only job is breeding. It is all he has to do all day and he usually is pretty keen because it is not bad work. But even the bull will only breed cows that cycle and will only settle cows that are fit to conceive.

Working in the dairy industry where year round calving is a must, year round breeding is also a necessity rather than a seasonal inconvenience. Given the fact that a cow is a cow is a cow, what affects fertility in a dairy cow also affects fertility in a beef cow. Also, with the level of immunity against most diseases that we have today, I believe that 99% of our infertility problems are nutritional in origin. I am suspicious that the remaining 1% of problems are also nutritionally related.

Number ONE nutrition issue is energy. Mother Nature will not allow a bun in the oven to survive if the stove does not have enough wood in it. Not only will a cow not carry a pregnancy if she is energy deficient –her ovaries will start to shut down if she is maintained on this type of feeding program for more than a month. It usually takes 3 cycles on a good ration before the ovaries respond. This results in a longer breeding season and a longer calving season the next year. Extra energy after calving allows the cow to cycle, milk more and have a bigger calf at side. Unfortunately, the two year old that raises the biggest calf will be the first one open if the energy level is

not adequate.

Number TWO nutritional issue is the calcium to phosphorus ratio. Assuming that there is some mineral being fed, the ideal ration has the calcium being presented at twice the level of the phosphorus. Grass based rations will need a little calcium added and alfalfa based rations will need a little phosphorus added. The amounts will depend on your soil type and plant maturity, so having some analysis done is recommended. Cows provided adequate amounts of mineral can compensate for imbalances if given enough time. I recommend increasing the phosphorus level slightly in the 3 weeks prior to the start of the breeding season. Dry cow mineral (020) fed at about 2oz per head per day will do the job. Phosphorus is bitter and cows normally will not eat it free choice, so if you have no method of feeding it then a dry cow mineral lick will work. Cows not showing heats will normally start to cycle well. It works but I don’t know why. The link between increased phosphorus and visible heats has not yet been explained by science.

Number THREE nutritional issue affecting breeding is soluble protein. Soluble protein is defined as the amount of protein that is digested in the first two hours after ingestion. Protein is digested to produce urea which the cow utilizes to feed her system. Urea in excess is detrimental to pregnancies. A bag of urea states on the label that it is not to be fed to breeding animals. But some urea is necessary, it is the term excess that is important. Imagine, if you will, that the cow’s rumen is similar to a combine. You can put a good steady amount in the front end and the combine works well, but if you put in a big slug then grain comes out the

back. The same applies to protein into the cow’s rumen. If it is a blend of soluble, rumen digestible and bypass protein then the rumen is able to handle the flow. If the majority of the protein is soluble then the cow must excrete the excess urea produced from her system. The unfortunate part is that the excess urea that is excreted takes progesterone along with it as it leaves and it is progesterone that is necessary for a pregnancy to be maintained. Once again the 3 cycle scenario appears to apply. Cows fed excess soluble protein can cycle for about 6 weeks before a negative effect is noticed; however they respond quickly once normal levels are re-established. Soluble protein is found in early first cut, young second cut, baglage and lush green grass. Farmers have been heard to complain that they might as well not artificially inseminated for the last 3 weeks before turn out and it seems the bull took a month to figure out what to do. When asked what the feeding program involved, the answer is usually the same: “It can’t be the feed because they were getting the best second cut. They went out into knee high grass and they still didn’t breed”. Wrong! It is the feed. Too much soluble protein is the culprit. Once the grass hardens up in June then the solubility drops rapidly. The problem is solved but the damage has been done. Feeding proper amounts and types of protein is a narrow road with a ditch on either side giving two miles of ditch for every mile of road. The best way to stay on the road is to feed good hay –not the best hay or baglage –while trying to breed and if it is dry enough, get the cows out before the grass gets too high. Providing dry hay to cows on lush pastures has also proven beneficial.

Why does a successful commercial cattleman breeding Black Angus on black cows suddenly decide to sell his bull battery and buy Charolais bulls? The answer is simple – profit.

Brian

and Carla Hicken, Hicken Ranches, Raymond, Alberta, started in the cattle business with 40 Simmental cross cows in 1996. Brian explains how it all began, “I also do construction so it was more of a hobby than anything. It wasn’t long until I felt that cattle were something I really wanted to expand in, so over the next few years, I continued to build my herd and purchased more grass. I decided very fast that I didn’t want to have 1700 pound cows or hay burners around, so I sold the entire herd of about 300 in 2002. That same year I found 300 nice open heifers at Beazley Ranches in Brooks. They were going to be the perfect sized cow, between 1100 and 1300 pounds.”

“Over the next seven or eight years, I continued to build my herd with smaller framed black Angus heifers or young cows, bought some more grassland and decided to get pretty serious about the cattle business.”

“I also told him that when he came to town with 1500 Charolais x Angus calves, people would be taken back by it. The feeder will know and he will have to let the secret out. He’ll pay a premium because they have performance, they grow and they grade,” Bob Perlich, Perlich Auctions, Lethbridge, explains.

“Things were going well, except the black Angus cows bred to black Angus bulls just didn’t quite have the size of calf I needed to make the profit I was looking for. So, I was sitting in my good friend Bob Perlich’s office one day and asked, “What do you think about breeding my entire herd to Charolais bulls?” He said, ‘Well, you’re crazy enough to do it and I think it’s a great idea.’”

Brian continues, “So, all of a sudden I had a lot of black bulls to sell and a lot of white bulls to buy. At this time I was talking about breeding 1500 head and owned about 15,000 acres of grass plus some rented grassland. Anyway, the rest is

This was a great improvement from my 550 lb. Angus x Angus breeding program. ❞

❝

PROFILE – HICKEN RANCHES

Candace By

Perlich Bros Auction Market

history.My third Charolais calf crop was sold November 2nd, 2011 at Perlich Auction in Lethbridge. My 1200 lb. cows have been weaning silver and buckskin calves weighing between 650 and 700 lb. on the steers with about a 210 day weaning. This was a great improvement from my 550 lb. Angus x Angus breeding program.”

“Calving was never really an issue when I was considering the change. I am not afraid to use a 115 to 120 pound birth weight Charolais bull coming out of a 1800 pound purebred cow. When you put that bull on a 1300 pound Angus cow, the birth weight won’t be that big. There is so much more stretch and length to the Charcross calves they come way easier than 110 lb. Angus calf,” Brian tells.

“It really is the best of both worlds. You get a shot of performance from the Charolais and grading ability from the Angus. Basically, you have the perfect product,” Bob Perlich states. “I am an advocate for Canadian beef, as we have some of the best beef in the world. However, I wanted to demonstrate that if you had enough silver numbers, you would get the premium and it was proven in the last three years. This year Hicken Ranches sold some of the highest selling calves in the country.”

Bob philosophizes, “If you want performance and grading you have to cross with something. It’s pretty hard

to beat looking at a yellow calf. If you like a blonde, you will always like a blonde.”

So what keeps more people from making the move to bigger profits by using Charolais bulls in a crossbreedingprogram? Bob answers, “It is the unknown factor of stepping out on the edge and actually trying it. What would happen when you took that product to town? The thing of it is, Brian is not afraid of a new venture, he wants a profitable bottom line and he’s not scared to face a

Carla and Brian Hicken

Pens of black heifers at Hicken’s Bred Heifer Sale in early December where he sold 1300 heifers he’d purchaed the previous fall and bred

❝ continued on page 30

Palmer Charolais/Nielson Land & Cattle Co.

CHAROLAIS, RED & BLACK ANGUS BULL SALE

March 5th, 2012, 1:00 p.m. at the Palmer farm, Bladworth, SK

ON OFFER: 33 Yearling Charolais Bulls • 22 Black Angus Yearling Bulls

11 Red Angus Yearling Bulls • 15 Open Angus Heifers Box 17, Bladworth, SK S0G 0J0

Bob & Monette Palmer T 306-567-5460

Velon & Leah Herback T 306-567-5545

124 Shannon Road, Regina, SK S4S 5B1 T 306-584-7937 • Helge 306-536-4261 From hard working operations that make their living in Agriculture NielsoN laNd & Cattle Co.

Candace 306-536-3374

Larry & Laurie Nielson •

Sired by the out cross red bull Red Blu Dawn Cross Over 305S a bull we owned and used on both heifers and cows with great results.

Class winner at Manitoba Livestock Expo and Agribiton this TC Aberdeen 759 son is out of a two year old SAV Final Answer daughter. Bred in calving ease in an attractive package. He is in the top 1% for milk & total maternal.

Thick, top, volume and hip. This rugged Merit 8789U out of a Freedom daughter will add pounds.

NRA ABERDEEN 5Y

RED NRA X OVER 10Y

RGP RAVIOLI 12Y

Correct, complete, this 3rd Gen Polled herdsire prospect is good. Sired by Merit 8789U, his EPD are in the top 10% for weaning and yearling.

HVA REGENT 87Y

Manager: Charolais Connection • February 2012 27

SELLING: 55 YEARLING BULLS

All are polled

BUY FROM A PROVEN PERFORMANCE PROGRAM

We provide Birth Weights, Adjusted Weaning and Yearling Weights, A.D.G. on feed... plus EPD’s (check our EPD’s against the breed averages!) Pleasant Dawn performance bulls will give you more pounds, more dollars and more profit! Remember…you still get paid for your calves by the pound!

Our family has been supplying quality herdbulls to the beef industry for over 30 years. Our selection goals are geared to get you the best bull possible for your program.

WE STRESS:

• CALVING EASE • MATERNAL STRENGTH

• STRUCTURAL SOUNDNESS • PERFORMANCE

Our goal... Customer Satisfaction

challenge. His commitment and determination has made him a success in all facets of his life.”

Brian has been using buff coloured Charolais bulls and found that he gets 7/10 tans, really nice looking tans. If he is using white bulls, he’ll get 7/10 silver, 1 darker grey and 2 tan. If they are throwing tans, there is a zero chance of getting a funny coloured one. He feels that if they were all light silver, that would be the ultimate. There were no more rat tails than slicks or fuzzy when he was using black on black. “I don’t think you would get any if you were using straight black Angus cows. If you don’t know what is in the cow, a touch of Simmental could be doing it. I was only discounted 3-5 cents at the end of the sale when we ran in five or six in a group.”

The talk in town when that first group came was immediate. “They were in awe, they were surprised at the quality, length, substance and hair coat. They were shocked the animals looked that good – spectators and buyers included, “ Bob tells.

“People called to see how the sale sold. It was not a sorted sale. The traders were not concerned when a mouse coloured one could have been sorted off. At the most, there may have been 5 rat tails out of 1500. In order to be efficient in the cattle business, you have to crossbreed. More pounds bring more dollars.”

“Guys are still holding back. Seeing it once, isn’t believing it yet. They

There were no more rat tails than slicks or fuzzy when he was using black on black.

Bob Perlich

Buckskin calves

will have to see it more, to be convinced to try it.”

The sale on November 2nd, 2011, should go a long way to proving the silvers are profitable. 595 silver steers and heifers out sold the 312 tan steers and heifers by nearly $10/head and were $90 higher than the 246 black steers and heifers from the first calvers. One buyer from southern Saskatchewan purchased 213 head of

silvers from this sale to go to grass. He runs 2500 grassers, of which 200 were silvers last year. He commented that he “would run all silvers if I could afford them and find them. I love them on grass as it is hard to beat silvers at the end of the day.”

“Now is the time for the Charolais breed. This is a real opportunity and breeders need to get on the band wagon. There could be a shortage of Charolais bulls and somebody has to do the homework to see the business grow and ensure their spot in this growing market. How you treat a customer after a sale is important.”

Hicken concludes, “this program has simply given us better profit,

more vigor and made selling calves in the fall a lot of fun. In keeping in contact with buyers of the calves, they seem to be doing great in the feedlots with great daily gains, good vigor with very little sickness. These calves have also seemed to bring more dollars per pound than regular market value. All in all, I would recommend this program to all of my friends!”

All in all, I would recommend this program to all of my friends!

In order to be efficient in the cattle business, you have to crossbreed.

Some photos compliments of the CCA Ad & Promo Committee

2011 – A Supreme Year

3Charolais Wins All Breeds Bull Calf Champion at Brandon

WHITECAP REVOLVER 69Y, (DWK Till’s Echo 3N) exhibted by Whitecap Charolais Moose Jaw was named All Breeds Jackpot Bull Show Champion in Manitoba Livestock Expo, in Brandon.

5Charolais Wins Supreme at Lloydminster

CSS SIR GRIDMAKER 2W (KAYR Grid Grid Iron 430S), exhibited by Cedarlea Farms, Hodgeville, Char Mo Charolais, Edmonton, AB and CSS Charolais, Paynton was named Supreme Champion bull at the Lloydminster Stockade and Roundup Show for the second year.

5Charolais Win Supreme at Saskatoon

MVY WYNONA 95W (PCC Balistik 441P) exhibited by McAvoy Charolais, Arelee, was named Supreme Champion Female at Saskatoon Fall Fair 2011. MVY WYNONA 39Y (Pleasant Dawn Hybrid 37W) exhibited by McAvoy Charolais was named Reserve Champion at this year’s Cinderella Classic at Saskatoon Fall Fair.

5Charolais Wins Supreme at Maritimes Show

CORNERSTONE

5Charolais Wins Legends of the Fall CML ENCORE 4Y, a Sparrows Sanchez 715T son, exhibited by McLeod Livestock, Balzac, Alberta, was crowned Legends of the Fall Champion Bull at Farmfair 2011, Edmonton, Alberta.

WHAT-A-GAL 2W (WCR Sir Fa Mac 2244) exhibited by Cornerstone Charolais, Cornwall, PEI won Supreme Female honours at the Maritime Fall Fair in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

5Charolais Wins Supreme at Erin ROLLIN ACRES OH YEAH 8X (PCFL Ultimate 14R) exhibited by Rollin’ Acres Charolais, Shelbourne; Whiskey Hollow Cattle Co., Norwood and Loval Farms, Warkworth, Ontario, was named Supreme Champion Bull at the Erin Show, Erin, Ontario.

5McLeod Wins Farmfair Junior Supreme Megan McLeod, McLeod Livestock, Cochrane, Alberta, won Supreme Champion Female in the Farmfair Junior Show, in Edmonton, with CML PLD Ginny 6U.

5JMB Wins Reserve Supreme Bull Pen at Canadian Western Agribition JMB BOOMER 108Y, JMB BOOMER 106Y and JMB BOOMER 101Y, all out of SVY Kaboom Pld 7113T, with an average weight of 1,228.7 lb. and an average age of 319 days won the Charolais division. This pen exhibited by JMB Charolais, Brookdale, Manitoba, went on to be Reserve Supreme Pen.

4

CSS SIR GRIDMAKER 2W (KAYR Grid Grid Iron 400S), exhibited by Cedarlea Farms, Hodgeville; Char-Mo Farms, Leduc, AB and CSS Charolais Paynton, won the RBC Beef Supreme Challenge at this year’s grand finale Canadian Western Agribition Show. MVY WYNONA 95W (PCC Balistik 441P, calf - Pleasant Dawn Hybrid 37W), exhibited by McAvoy Charolais, Arelee, made the Top Ten Finalists in the Female division.

5Jackson Wins Supreme Steer

Tomina Jackson, High Bluff Stock Farm, Inglis, MB exhibited the Supreme Champion steer at the Roblin 4-H Regional Livestock Show judged by Linda Fox, Dauphin. The 1335 lb. steer was purchase by Roblin Veterinary Services for $2.17/lb. Tomina's steer went on to be Champion steer in the Jackpot Steer Show in Dauphin, MB and placed 2nd in the Charolais class, UFA Steer Classic, Calgary Stampede.

3Wilgenbusch Wins Reserve Charolais Pen at Agribition

JWX MR. BULLET 930Y, JWX DREAM WALKING 601Y and JWX BROKEN ARROW 179Y, all out of JWX Silver Bullet 524W, with an average weight of 1132.7 and an average age of 308 days won Reserve Charolais Pen. They were exhibited by Wilgenbusch Charolais, Halbrite.

Charolais Wins RBC Beef Supreme Challenge Bull

Manitoba Youth Win Purebred Heifers through Grant Moffat Herd Builder Award –2011

Kayla Zamrykut, a 20 year old producer from Rorketon, Braden Calvert, a 16 year old producer from Carberry, and Raina Syrnyk, a 16 year old producer from Ethelbert were the

2011 recipients of the Grant Moffat Herd builder Award.

Grant Moffat, Holmsyde Charolais, Forrest, went missing in August, 2006. The funds generously donated by cattlemen, friends and relatives across the country were offered as a reward for tips leading to his whereabouts. After a year, a committee handling the funds made a decision to channel the money to Manitoba youth for the purpose of starting their own purebred herd.

Angus Female to enhance or start their purebred herd of cattle.

Thanks to the generous support of producers at the Fund Raising Auction at the Manitoba Beef Producers Annual Meetings, the Grant Moffat Herd Builder Awards will be presented again in 2012 with the application deadline being September 1st. For application and donation information, visit www.grantmoffat.com.

Phone: 250-459-2282

Fax 250-459-2228

anchorranch@telus.net

CHAROLAIS BULLS FOR SALE

Herdsires are selected for calving ease & balanced EPDs

• Polled

• Long bodied, lots of hair

• Good feet and legs

We welcome your visit and phone call CELEBRATING

Grant invested a lot of energy in actively helping youth get started in the business and this seemed the most fitting way to utilize the funds. Over twenty applicants submitted essays, making the selection exceptionally difficult. The participants were evaluated on desire, need and previous expression of interest in the industry. To date 12 Juniors from across Manitoba have benefited from the program.

Each of the three youth were awarded up to $2000 towards the purchase of a heifer selected from a Manitoba purebred sale.

Kayla Zamrykut purchased a Charolais heifer, Braden Calvert purchased a Polled Hereford heifer and Raina Syrnyk purchased a Black

Special thanks to producers who donated $500 gift certificates: Moose Creek Red Angus, Stewart Cattle Co, Mar Mac Farms, Manitoba Simmental Association, Forsyth Bros. Charolais, High Bluff Stock Farm, Steppler Charolais, Winn Man Farms, ABH and Rock’n “H” Herefords, Leveldale Polled Herefords, Brent Carey and Ward Cutler.

This year's supporters of the Grant Moffat Fund were: Dane Guigiom, Westwood Land and Cattle, Joe Bouchard, Darren Keown, Cliff Graydon, Winn Man Farms, Todd Clayton, Bob Beleski, Doug Allison, Rodney Pearn, Major Jay Fox, Scale Solutions, Jodie Griffin, Art Petkau, Stewart Cattle Co and High Bluff Stock Farm.

38

YEARS IN CHAROLAIS

Kayla Zamrykut Braden Calvert Raina Syrnyk ROB

CHARHEAD RANCH

Bulls sell at REGINA BULL SALE

Sunday, March 11th

2 Two-Year-Olds

7 Yearlings

CANDIAC CHOICE BULL SALE

Sunday, April 15th

1 Two-Year-Old

7 Yearling

MEL 4Y – Dark Red – Polled Born Jan 10/11 at 95 lb. Adj 205 DW 749 lb.

Sired by MEL 41W out of first calf SVY Deliverance daughter

CHARHEAD RANCH

K & S Williamson • Melanie Roth  Box 598, Indian Head, SK S0G 2K0 (306 )695-2073

CHR 41Y – Tan – Polled Born Mar. 10/11 at 101 lb. Adj 205 DW 762 lb.

Sired by Wrangler On Fire 49T out of a Martel granddaughter

Quicksilver 123Y • BW 98 lb.

Dogpatch Showdown 21Y • BW 104 lb.

Showdown 932W x JWK Impressive DO40 ET BW 0.1 WW 41.1 YW 89 M 25.7 TM 46.2

Dogpatch Norseman 42Y • BW 106 lb. SHSH Pld Broker 1P x Westdale Montana Pld 13M BW 1.8 WW 45 YW 89 M 22.9 TM 45

Crossbreeding Systems Necessary to Beef Industry

Kris Ringwall, Beef Specialist, NDSU Extension Service

Once the industry decided that the walls would not cave in when Hereford bulls were mated to Angus cows or vice versa, the world of beef cattle systems was created.

In the beginning, life was simple because all a producer needed to do was take an established herd of purebred or straight-bred cows and put a different breed of bull with the cows. Given that, the world of crossbreeding started to emerge.

As a point of significance, for many producers, such crossings were considered improper in those days, and one perhaps could even use the word sacrilegious. For younger producers, those concepts seem foreign because beef cattle genetics is a much broader pool of genes sourced from many distinct breeds of cattle.

So why bring up the past? It is a reminder of what followed those initial crossings because each breed had been meticulously tracked and the parentage documentation exhaustive. Some extraordinary results even were becoming visible to the naked eye.

These so-called crossbred calves excelled in growth. They were very vigorous from birth through death. They withstood the stresses of the environment better and were all around better calves, so producers loved it.

A term called heterosis (hybrid vigor) was put forth. It is a term that technically refers to the measurable and non-measurable advantage in the calf that was greater than the average of what one would expect based on the average measureable performance of each parent breed.

If a producer ever received a gift

from Mother Nature, this was it. This was the beginning of crossbreeding in commercial cattle production. Commercial production systems soon were developed to explore and document the advantages of crossbreeding, and more refined breeding systems were established.

The classic black baldy was produced and named. The Hereford and Angus-crossed calves excelled. When the females were kept as replacements, these crossbred cows had improved fertility and successful pregnancies. This was good. However, as with so many people, being good is never good enough.

If the traditional English-bred cattle would respond to crossbreeding, why not search the world and bring in more breeds? Producers did just that. They brought in new breeds that were distinctly different from the traditional breeds.

Real advantages

Again, the classic black baldy cows were bred to imported Charolais cattle. Calf growth mushroomed after that. These “terminal” calves excelled in red meat production and feedlot performance. These classic crossbreeding programs were welldocumented and the advantages were real. The premise of a good crossbreeding program was to keep the production unit (cow) smaller and refine the costs to make the cow practical. The terminal sire advantage is that all the pluses achieved through heterosis would be maintained, plus the cow would have the unique traits associated with the selected breed. This was good.

The beef cattle breeding systems

were expanded to handle even more breeds. Programs either maximized production through terminal sires or more sophisticated rotational breeding programs that allowed for the inclusion of new breeds on the maternal side as well. This meant that the world of beef production was not limited to black baldy cows.

The issue is not the validation of the benefits of crossbreeding in today’s cattle, but rather the dismissal of crossbreeding systems. The reason is improvement in individual breeds. Seedstock producers have improved their genetics through selection to leave the impression that increased production attained through selection outweighs any advantages attained through heterosis or the crossing of unrelated breeds.

So what is the point? In the genetic world, remember that measurable and non-measurable advantages are evident as diverse genetics are crossed. That is simply a fact. More importantly, the concept of crossbreeding systems was placed on the back shelf. As a result, the tool chest shrunk. As producers explore new ways to address beef systems in the current world, a large tool chest is needed.

As producers look to downsize cows, those early black baldy concepts are real. A small cow is not efficient if she only has the capacity to wean a small calf. Real efficiency comes when the small cow produces a calf that exceeds her own capacity to grow. This means terminal sires. In addition, it means crossbreeding systems are needed.

It is nothing new, just a reminder.

New Programs Announced

Candace Alexander, Director

I hope that everyone’s calving season has been going well. My name is Candace Alexander and I am currently a director for Ontario on the CCYA National Board. I would like to start by inviting everyone and their children to attend the CCYA conference this summer in Olds, Alberta. You can find all of the information at youth.charolais.com. The conference will be held in conjunction with the Summer Synergy Show but it will still operate independently with the same great activities and events as usual. Watch for more detailed information in the coming months.

CCYA National Board charolaisyouth@gmail.com

President: Michael Hunter 780-581-9005 mike_hunter40@hotmail.com

Vice-President: Luke Marshall futureal@telusplanet.net

Treasurer: Kirstin Sparrow kp.sparrow@hotmail.com

Secretary: Sarah Weinbender sarahbarah_8@hotmail.com

We had our annual winter meeting from January 7th-8th in Saskatoon this year. We got a lot accomplished at this meeting to provide our youth with the best conference possible and plenty of opportunities for you to check out. One new program we have put into place this year is the “Buy and Show Program.” If any CCYA youth member buys a Charolais heifer they have the opportunity to be reimbursed up to $125. For more information check out our website. More exciting news that we have to offer you this year is our addition of commercial classes in Olds, Alberta. We will be having a commercial heifer calf class, 2-year old mature female class and a market

Director: Autumn Jackson a_jackson_22@hotmail.com

Director: Travis Jozwiak jozwiak@telus.net

Director: Candace Alexander candace641@hotmail.com

Director: Michael Hogg topcharolais@hotmail.com

steer class. We hope that everyone will be able to bring their commercial herd this year and show off the reasons for breeding Charolais.

We have very unfortunate news that Katrina Coughlin will be stepping down as our youth coordinator this summer to pursue other career aspects. She has been a great asset to the national board and she will be sincerely missed. We cannot thank her enough for all of the time and effort she has put into the CCYA. Thank-you for everything!

Please check out our website for more exciting information and I hope to see everyone this summer in Olds, Alberta!

CCYA 2012 Conference

President: Russell Gallelli

Vice-Pres: Luke Marshall

CCYA Provincial Presidents

AB: Russell Gallelli 403-804-7442

MB: Haylan Jackson 204-564-2547

ON: Candace Alexander 519-353-5029

SK: Brandon Sparrow 306-292-9820

CCYA Provincial Advisors

SK: Darwin Rosso 306-693-2384

ON: Katrina Coughlin 613-897-0044

MB: Donna Jackson 204-564-2547 / Barb Airey 204-328-7103

AB: Loretta Paget 780-877-3985

Youth Coordinator: Katrina Coughlin katrina_coughlin@hotmail.com

Solving the Efficiency Puzzle: Are We Missing Something?

Drovers CattleNetwork news source

Source: Scott Lake, Beef Cattle Extension Specialist and Gary Moss, Professor University of Wyoming

There has been a tremendous buzz throughout the beef industry the last few years and the buzz is “efficiency”. Almost every symposium and popular press publication has at least one talk or article about efficiency.

Indexes (residual feed intake and residual average daily gain) have been developed and accepted by the Beef Improvement Federation and most breed registries. All this is with good reason. Feed input costs are usually the largest single expense for beef producers. If feed costs could be reduced or outputs per unit of feed increased, profitability would increase. However, as we explore and find new methods to select cattle (i.e. efficiency), it appears we are heading into an arena that has more “unknowns” than “knowns”.

For example, reducing feed costs have obvious beneficial implications, but at what cost? And are the advantages truly as beneficial as we think? Do we understand the ramifications of selecting for efficiency?

As we search for new ways to increase efficiency and ways to make our systems more profitable, are we forgetting about knowledge that is already available? Feed intake is an extremely important topic and when applied correctly, can have a marked impact on the finances of an operation. But, doesn’t it make more sense to utilize the increase in efficiency that heterosis provides and select bulls for profitability rather than efficiency?

Research reported in the 1980s (Short et al.) described the order and importance of nutrient partitioning and assimilation. It was concluded that energy was not partitioned evenly nor randomly, but rather had

defined biological orders of importance. Basal metabolism was the first order of importance for nutrient use, followed by requirements for growth, energy reserves (storing fat), pregnancy, resumption of estrous and reproductive processes.

The question we don’t understand is how animals with varying efficiencies partition nutrients. It seems likely that highly efficient animals for one trait must partition their use of nutrients differently from animals with lower efficiency. This may seem elementary, but it is important to remember that all consumed are to be partitioned to support important metabolic functions.

So what makes one animal more efficient than another? Assuming two animals with identical nutrient requirements eat the exact same amount of feed, why does one animal gain more weight than another? Do animals with greater efficiency utilize more of their energy for metabolism or growth and subsequently less for other processes, such as reproduction?

There is evidence that selection for efficiency alone can exert some detrimental effects on production in both sheep and cattle. Factors such as age of puberty could be negatively associated with feed efficiency. Scientific reports indicate there is a correlation between age at puberty and duration of post partum interval in cattle. If age of puberty in cattle is increased through selection, there is a possibility of affecting the cows’ ability to rebreed in a timely manner each year. Data in this area are inconclusive and should be sorted out before selection decisions are based on perceived economic advantages of selecting for feed efficiency alone.

How big of an economic value is

associated with increased feed efficiency? One of the misunderstandings of RFI and efficiency is that these values do not necessarily translate to profitability. A recent evaluation of Grow Safe data from bull tests conducted at the University of Wyoming demonstrated that selection for RFI, or efficiency, does not translate to performance or profitability. In the bull test referred to, the difference in feed intake between the low testing RFI bull (in this case, a low RFI value is good) and the second highest RFI bull (again, in this case, a high value is bad) was a little over 3 pounds of feed per day.

If this is translated to a cow and her performance, that would equate to about $54 of extra feed over the course of a 6-month winter-feeding period that the high RFI cow would consume compared to low RFI cow. Assuming they perform similarly in efficiency to the bull test. Fifty-four dollars per cow of feed savings would be fantastic! However, the cow consuming more feed also produced a calf that would perform 20 percent better than the low RFI cow. So if the low RFI calf weighed 500 pounds at weaning, the high RFI cow produced a calf weighing 600 pounds (again assuming that calf performance will reflect that of the bull).

With today’s cattle markets, even after considering an $0.08 slide, the heavier calf is worth about $96 more than the lighter calf. Simple math tells us that even after subtracting out the added feed costs, the heavier calf was worth $42 more than the lighter calf.

Dr. Steve Paisley, University of Wyoming, has begun ranking bulls on test by RFI, as well as by a traditional ADG and feed to gain ratio. By combing these tests, a bull purchaser can see which bulls

performed in the upper third of all three tests. Those are the bulls that have the greatest potential to increase a producer’s profitability. It is also important to remember that an RFI ranking at a bull test is simply an index and only applicable for comparison of animals on that test. It is possible that the bull with the best efficiency ranking in one test could end up middle of the road in another test, or even worse than the bulls/cows that you already own. Please don’t misunderstand; RFI is a fantastic tool that allows beef cattle producers to make informed decisions about animal selection. However, it is a tool and should be used in conjunction with the other tools that producers already use for selection criteria. The assumption that cows and calves perform similarly to the bulls on test is not proven. Bulls are usually placed on a fairly high plain of nutrition in a lot. How does test performance translate to cows foraging on range grass or “limitfed” hay during winter?

Considering the vast differences in physiological processes that occur for

nutrient digestion and assimilation between a forage and grain diet, it is questionable if there is a direct correlation between efficiency measured with forage diets compared to grain fed diets. If cattle producers want to increase profitability and whole system efficiency, reproduction can have one of the greatest impacts simply because even small calves are worth more than no calves.

One of the real puzzles in the beef industry is why don’t more beef cattle producers crossbreed cows? As we chase efficiency and ways to be more profitable, think about this, crossbred cows produce on average 1.5 more calves in their lifetime, mainly because they stay in the herd on average 1.5 years longer. Crossbred cows also have an approximately 2 percent increase in weaning ratio, wean calves that are 18 percent heavier, and those calves gain 0.1 pounds/day more throughout their lifetime. If maintaining the right color is of importance, there are many breeds that will help maximize growth and are available in black, red, white and every shade in between.

Maybe the best scenario of both worlds is to utilize RFI in a production index as described above, and select for efficient high growth bulls in a crossbreeding program. Thereby, taking advantage of the benefits of both heterosis and feed efficiency. Feed efficiency is an important tool for selection that when used in conjunction with other tools, can have a beneficial impact on profitability.

However, for breeding cows and bulls, feed efficiency or RFI is just one aspect of production that should be considered as a selection criteria. The most important measure of production efficiency is producing the most pounds of quality beef per unit of forage or concentrate. This index clearly differs by cattle type, reproductive performance, forage/feed type, and the environment of each production enterprise. If cattle producers want to increase profitability and whole system efficiency, reproduction can have one of the greatest impacts simply because even small calves are worth more than no calves.

Due to health reasons, the Little Valleyview Ranch, Tip, Betty and Debbie Henderson, sold part of our herd.

We would like to thank P&H Charolais, Innisfail for buying a pot load of cows and thanks also to Reg Howe, Buffalo, for buying a pot load of Red Angus cows.

We wish them every success with them.

Alberta Breeders

Quebec Breeders

Saskatchewan Breeders

February 11

IMPORTANT ACTIVITIES IN OUR INDUSTRY Calendar of Events

P & H Ranching Co. Ltd. Bull Sale, Innisfail (AB) Auction Mart

February 18

St Martin (Quebec) Test Station Sale

February 20

“Tip the Scale Bull Sale”, Vikse Family Farm, Donalda, AB

February 21

29th Annual Performance Tested Charolais Bull Sale, Rawes Ranches, Strome, AB

February 24

HEJ Charolais Bull Sale, 1:00 p.m., Innisfail (AB) Auction Mart

February 25

Beck Farms & McCoy Cattle Co. Bull Sale, 1:00 p.m., Optimum Genetics, Regina, SK

February 25

Chomiak 8th Annual Bull Sale, Viking (AB) Auction Market

February 25

Asbestos (Quebec) Test Station Sale

February 26

Pro-Char 1st Annual Bull Sale, 1:30 p.m., at the farm, Glenevis, AB

March 3

Ferme Louber Annual Bull Sale, 1:00 p.m., at the farm, Saint-Marie de Beauce, QC

March 3

High Country Bull Sale, Pincher Creek, AB

March 3

Clear Lake Charolais Bull Sale, Tiger Lily, AB

March 4 & 5

93rd Annual Pride of the Prairies Bull Sale, Lloydminster (SK) Exhibition Grounds

March 5

Palmer Charolais & Nielson Cattle

Red & Black Angus Bull Sale, 1:00 p.m., at the farm, Bladworth, SK

March 8

Charolais Power 2012, 1:00 p.m., Dryland Cattle Trading Corp. Veteran, AB

March 9

South Central Alberta Charolais Breeders Bull Sale, 1:00 p.m., Innisfail (AB) Auction Mart

March 9

A. Sparrow Farms Bull Sale, 2:00 p.m., at the farm, Vanscoy, SK

March 9

9th Annual Northern Classic Bull Sale, Grand Prairie, AB

March 10

Horseshoe E Charolais Annual Bull Sale, 2:00 p.m., Johnstone Auction Mart, Moose Jaw, SK

March 10 Vente Synergie, 12:30 p.m., Ste-Sophie de Levard, QC

March 11

107th Annual Regina Bull Sale, Evraz Place, Regina, SK

March 13

McTavish & Guests Charolais & Red Angus Bull Sale, 1:00 p.m., at the farm, Moosomin, SK

March 15

Buffalo Lake Charolais and Shorthorns Bull Sale, 1:00 p.m., Stettler (AB) Auction Mart

March 16

Double L Ranch Bull Sale, 1:00 p.m., Innisfail (AB) Auction Mart

March 16

Northern Alliance Bull Sale, 1:00 p.m., Spiritwood (SK) Stockyards

March 16

Family Tradition Bull Sale, 2:00 p.m., at Rolling D Charolais, Dropmore, MB

March 17

Pleasant Dawn Farms 10th Annual Bull Sale, 1:00 p.m., Heartland Livestock, Virden, MB

March 17

Rollin’ Acres & Guests 2nd Annual Bull Sale, 2:00 p.m., Maple Hill Auctions, Hanover, ON

March 17

Lanoie Bros. Charolais Bull Sale, 2: 00 p.m., Johnstone Auction Mart, Moose Jaw, SK

March 17

Vinoy & Quyon (Quebec) Test Station Sales

March 17

Sandan Charolais Bull Sale, 1:00 p.m., at the farm, Erskine, AB

March 17

26th Annual North Central Charolais Breeders Bull Sale, 1:30 p.m., Nilsson Bros. Livestock Exchange, Clyde, AB

March 19

White is Right Bull Sale, Perlich Bros. Auction Mart, Lethbridge, AB

March 20

Provost Bull Sale, Provost, AB

March 20

Valley Charolais Bull Sale, 12:30 p.m., BC Livestock Co-op, Kamloops, BC

March 21

Wawadash Farms Bull Sale, 1:00 p.m., Dryland Cattle Trading Corp.

Veteran, AB

March 22

Maple Leaf Charolais Annual Bull Sale, 1:00 p.m., Lakedell (AB) Ag Center

March 22

Diamond W Charolais 10th Annual Bull Sale, 1:00 p.m., Valley Livestock Sales, Minitonas, MB

March 23

Winn Man Farms 11th Annual Bull Sale, 2:00 p.m., at the farm, Winnipegosis, MB

March 24

Transcons Mountainview Angus and Charolais Bull Sale, Innisfail, AB

March 24

Wilgenbusch Charolais North of the 53rd Bull Sale, 1:30 p.m., at the CSS Charolais Ranch, Paynton, SK

March 24

Benchmark Charolais Bull Sale, 1:30p.m., Renfrew Pontiac Livestock Facility, Cobden, ON

March 25

Murphy Livestock Charolais & Angus Bull Sale, 1:00 p.m., Western Pride Auction Mart, Bonnyville, AB

March 25

Best of the Breeds Bull Sale, 2:00 p.m., Parkland Livestock Auction, Leross, SK

March 26

North West Bull Sale, 1:00 p.m., Kramer’s Big Bid Barn, North Battleford, SK

March 26

Harvie Ranching Bull Sale, at the ranch, Olds, AB

March 27

Steppler Farms 1st Annual Bull Sale, Steppler Sale Barn, Miami, MB

March 28

Hi-Weigh Charolais Breeders Bull Sale, 1:00 p.m., Neepawa (MB) Fair Grounds

March 29

Elder Charolais 2nd Annual Bull Sale, 1:30 p.m., at the farm, Coronach, SK

March 30

Perrot-Martin Charolais Bull Sale, 1:00 p.m., at the farm, Naicam, SK

March 30

K-Cow Ranch & Family Bull Sale, at the ranch, Elk Point, AB

March 31

Southland Breeders Bull Sale, Rockglen, SK

March 31

Gilliland Bros. Charolais Bull Sale, 1:00 p.m., Alameda (SK) Auction Mart

March 31

Impact Angus & Charolais Bull & Female Sale, 1:00 p.m., Saskatoon (SK) Livestock Sales

March 31

Forsyth Bros. & Tee M Jay Charolais Bull Sale, 1:00 p.m., Ashern (MB) Auction Mart

March 31

1st Annual High Point Bull Sale, 6 p.m., Carmarthen Lake Farms, Singhampton ON

April 1

Cattleman’s Classic Multi-Breed Bull Sale, 2:00 p.m., Heartland Livestock, Virden, MB

April 2

9th Annual North of the 49th Bull Sale, 1:00 p.m., at Wilgenbusch Charolais, Halbrite, SK

HC 115Y • 3rd Gen Polled Special Edition x Alcatraz As complete and correct as they come

HC 134Y • Polled Silver Bullet x Rio 17P Solid made from one of our best cow families A Charolais family operation for over 30 years Jay Good 403-556-5563 Darren Paget 403-323-3985 Shane Michelson 403-363-9973 Glenn Norton 780-542-0634 Bob Wilson 403-540-3084

Hunter Box 300, Sundre, AB T0M 1X0 403/638-9377 Fax 403/206-7786 email: transcon@transconlivestock.com www.transconlivestock.com TODAY’S SOURCE FOR TOP QUALITY POWERFUL GENETICS Marketing cattle for GERRARD CATTLE CO. McLEOD LIVESTOCK D GRANT FARMS PRARIE COVE CHAROLAIS HIGH BLUFF STOCK FARMS ROLLING D CHAROLAIS FOAT VALLEY STOCK FARM JOIN THE EXCITMENT “VISIT OUR WEBSITE” www.transconlivestock.com Celebrating 45 years of professional sales management

YOUR SOURCE FOR CONVENIENT PERFORMANCE Hunter CHarolais Bull sale Thursday,

April 3

Cedarlea Charolais & Windy Willows

Angus Bull Sale, 1:00 p.m., Windy Willows Farm, Hodgeville, SK

April 4

White Cap/Rosso Charolais & Howe/Cockburn Red Angus Bull Sale, 1:00 p.m., at White Cap Charolais, Moose Jaw, SK

April 5

Hunter Charolais Bull Sale, 1:30 p.m. D.S.T, at the farm, Roblin, MB

April 7

Manitoba Bull Test Station Sale, at the test station, Carberry, MB

April 7

Saunders Charolais 7th Annual Bull Sale, 2:00 p.m., Keady (ON) Livestock Market

April 7

Vermilion Charolais Group Bull Sale, 1:00 p.m., Nilsson Bros. Livestock Exchange, Vermilion, AB

April 12

Size Matters Bull Sale, 1:30 p.m., at Sliding Hills Charolais farm, Canora, SK

April 14

S.E. Sask Breeders Bull Sale, 2:00 p.m., Square D Sale Site, Langbank, SK

April 14

Eastern Select Bull & Female Sale, 1:00 p.m., Hoards Station Sales Barn , Campbellford, ON

April 21

Cornerstone Charolais & Red Angus Bull Sale, 1:00 p.m., Whitewood (SK) Auction Mart

April 21

Cedardale Charolais 9th Annual Bull & Select Female Sale, 1:00 p.m., at the farm, Nestleton, ON

April 21

Lindskov-Thiel Ranch 30th Annual Bull Sale, at the ranch, Isabel, SD

April 28

Wienk Charolais 43rd Annual Bull Sale, at the ranch, Lake Preston, SD

April 29

Asbestos 2 (Quebec) Test Station Sale

June 10-27, 2012

World Charolais Congress, United Kingdom

July 9-13, 2012

Canadian Charolais Youth Conference and Show, Olds, AB

Wat-Cha N’th Degree daughters are awesome, broody, nice uddered and milking well. A

• Sparrows Fargo – Calving ease and plenty of growth

• Winn Mans Quigley 539X – We teamed up with HTA on this MD Ali Trade son at Winn Man’s Bull Sale

great promise Walking

Charolais Connection • February 2012 59

EVC 24W & 8Y

LT Thundering Wind Herdsire Prospect

Two year old KBK Rally daughter is doing a good job Everview Charolais... A Sample of Our Pastures

WaT-Cha n'Th DegRee 50n Still going strong at 8 years of age

TRaDemaRk

BRT 41Y Sparrows Coach

BCN 27Y Sparrows Coach

KBF 4Y

Winn Mans Lanza

KBF 6Y Winn Mans Lanza

KAB 3Y

Winn Mans Lanza

on the cover…

TheCharolaisConnection

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The Charolais Connection is mailed to over 13,000 cattlemen nationwide. Those cattlemen include all purebred Charolais breeders, buyers of purebred Charolais bulls from the past six years and all subscribers to the Charolais Banner.

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Published by the Charolais Banner, Regina, SK (3 times per year - February, March and Fall)

Photo: Neil Gillies Design: Susan Penner

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Why does a successful commercial cattleman breeding Black Angus on black cows suddenly decide to sell his bull battery and buy Charolais bulls? The answer is simple – profit.

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        

   

        

      

 

    

  

           

Carla and Brian Hicken

 ❝ 26 Charolais Connection • February 2012

 continued on page 30

Powerful topped, long bodied herdsire out of our Rhapsody bull Merit 8789U. 3rd Gen Pld he has the meat and style to be good.

A son off our Easy Blend son HTA Countdown 9103W. Length, hair, style and 4th Gen Pld. A bull that can work anywhere.

Sired by the out cross red bull Red Blu Dawn Cross Over 305S a bull we owned and used on both heifers and cows with great results.

Class winner at Manitoba Livestock Expo and Agribiton this TC Aberdeen 759 son is out of a two year old SAV Final Answer daughter. Bred in calving ease in an attractive package. He is in the top 1% for milk & total maternal.

Thick, top, volume and hip. This rugged Merit 8789U out of a Freedom daughter will add pounds.

NRA ABERDEEN 5Y RED NRA X OVER 10Y

RGP RAVIOLI 12Y

Correct, complete, this 3rd Gen Polled herdsire prospect is good. Sired by Merit 8789U, his EPD are in the top 10% for weaning and yearling.

SELLING: 55 YEARLING BULLS

All are polled

BUY FROM A PROVEN PERFORMANCE PROGRAM

We provide Birth Weights, Adjusted Weaning and Yearling Weights, A.D.G. on feed... plus EPD’s (check our EPD’s against the breed averages!) Pleasant Dawn performance bulls will give you more pounds, more dollars and more profit! Remember…you still get paid for your calves by the pound!

Our family has been supplying quality herdbulls to the beef industry for over 30 years. Our selection goals are geared to get you the best bull possible for your program.

WE STRESS:

• CALVING EASE • MATERNAL STRENGTH

• STRUCTURAL SOUNDNESS • PERFORMANCE

Our goal... Customer Satisfaction



 

                    

Bob Perlich

Buckskin calves

continued on page 32

Some photos compliments of the CCA Ad & Promo Committee

             

Charolais Wins Supreme at Lloydminster

CSS SIR GRIDMAKER 2W (KAYR Grid Grid Iron 430S), exhibited by Cedarlea Farms, Hodgeville, Char Mo Charolais, Edmonton, AB and CSS Charolais, Paynton was named Supreme Champion bull at the Lloydminster Stockade and Roundup Show for the second year.

Charolais Wins All Breeds Bull Calf Champion at Brandon WHITECAP REVOLVER 69Y, (DWK Till’s Echo 3N) exhibted by Whitecap Charolais Moose Jaw was named All Breeds Jackpot Bull Show Champion in Manitoba Livestock Expo, in Brandon.



Charolais Win Supreme at Saskatoon

MVY WYNONA 95W (PCC Balistik 441P) exhibited by McAvoy Charolais, Arelee, was named Supreme Champion Female at Saskatoon Fall Fair 2011. MVY WYNONA 39Y (Pleasant Dawn Hybrid 37W) exhibited by McAvoy Charolais was named Reserve Champion at this year’s Cinderella Classic at Saskatoon Fall Fair.

Charolais Wins Supreme at Maritimes Show CORNERSTONE WHAT-A-GAL 2W (WCR Sir Fa Mac 2244) exhibited by Cornerstone Charolais, Cornwall, PEI won Supreme Female honours at the Maritime Fall Fair in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Charolais Connection • February 2012

Charolais Wins Legends of the Fall CML ENCORE 4Y, a Sparrows Sanchez 715T son, exhibited by McLeod Livestock, Balzac, Alberta, was crowned Legends of the Fall Champion Bull at Farmfair 2011, Edmonton, Alberta.

Charolais Wins Supreme at Erin ROLLIN ACRES OH YEAH 8X (PCFL Ultimate 14R) exhibited by Rollin’ Acres Charolais, Shelbourne; Whiskey Hollow Cattle Co., Norwood and Loval Farms, Warkworth, Ontario, was named Supreme Champion Bull at the Erin Show, Erin, Ontario.

McLeod Wins Farmfair Junior Supreme Megan McLeod, McLeod Livestock, Cochrane, Alberta, won Supreme Champion Female in the Farmfair Junior Show, in Edmonton, with CML PLD Ginny 6U.

JMB Wins Reserve Supreme Bull Pen at Canadian Western Agribition

JMB BOOMER 108Y, JMB BOOMER 106Y and JMB BOOMER 101Y, all out of SVY Kaboom Pld 7113T, with an average weight of 1,228.7 lb. and an average age of 319 days won the Charolais division. This pen exhibited by JMB Charolais, Brookdale, Manitoba, went on to be Reserve Supreme Pen.

Jackson Wins Supreme Steer

Tomina Jackson, High Bluff Stock Farm, Inglis, MB exhibited the Supreme Champion steer at the Roblin 4-H Regional Livestock Show judged by Linda Fox, Dauphin. The 1335 lb. steer was purchase by Roblin Veterinary Services for $2.17/lb. Tomina's steer went on to be Champion steer in the Jackpot Steer Show in Dauphin, MB and placed 2nd in the Charolais class, UFA Steer Classic, Calgary Stampede.

Wilgenbusch Wins Reserve Charolais Pen at Agribition

JWX MR. BULLET 930Y, JWX DREAM WALKING 601Y and JWX BROKEN ARROW 179Y, all out of JWX Silver Bullet 524W, with an average weight of 1132.7 and an average age of 308 days won Reserve Charolais Pen. They were exhibited by Wilgenbusch Charolais, Halbrite.

Charolais Wins RBC Beef Supreme Challenge Bull

CSS SIR GRIDMAKER 2W (KAYR Grid Grid Iron 400S), exhibited by Cedarlea Farms, Hodgeville; Char-Mo Farms, Leduc, AB and CSS Charolais Paynton, won the RBC Beef Supreme Challenge at this year’s grand finale Canadian Western Agribition Show.

MVY WYNONA 95W (PCC Balistik 441P, calf - Pleasant Dawn Hybrid 37W), exhibited by McAvoy Charolais, Arelee, made the Top Ten Finalists in the Female division.

  

  

Bulls sell at REGINA BULL SALE

Sunday, March

CCYA National Board charolaisyouth@gmail.com

President: Michael Hunter 780-581-9005 mike_hunter40@hotmail.com

Vice-President: Luke Marshall futureal@telusplanet.net

Treasurer: Kirstin Sparrow kp.sparrow@hotmail.com

Secretary: Sarah Weinbender sarahbarah_8@hotmail.com

CandaceAlexander,Director

Director: Autumn Jackson a_jackson_22@hotmail.com

Director: Travis Jozwiak jozwiak@telus.net

Director: Candace Alexander candace641@hotmail.com

Director: Michael Hogg topcharolais@hotmail.com

               

CCYA 2012 Conference

President: Russell Gallelli

Vice-Pres: Luke Marshall

CCYA Provincial Presidents

AB: Russell Gallelli 403-804-7442

MB: Haylan Jackson 204-564-2547

ON: Candace Alexander 519-353-5029

SK: Brandon Sparrow 306-292-9820

CCYA Provincial Advisors

SK: Darwin Rosso 306-693-2384

ON: Katrina Coughlin 613-897-0044

MB: Donna Jackson 204-564-2547 / Barb Airey 204-328-7103

AB: Loretta Paget 780-877-3985

Youth Coordinator: Katrina Coughlin katrina_coughlin@hotmail.com

Alberta Breeders

Quebec Breeders

Saskatchewan Breeders

YOUR SOURCE FOR CONVENIENT PERFORMANCE





March 29

 

March 30

 

April 7

 

April 21   

April 21

 

April 28

  

April 29



June 10-27, 2012

 

July 9-13, 2012

 



Everview Charolais... A Sample of Our Pastures

Wat-Cha N’th Degree daughters are awesome, broody, nice uddered and milking well. A total outcross to the red factor cattle. Sired by Sparrows Fargo, this future herdsire shows great promise

BRT 41Y Sparrows Coach

BCN 27Y Sparrows Coach

KBF 4Y

Winn Mans Lanza

KBF 6Y Winn Mans Lanza

KAB 3Y

Winn Mans Lanza