Canadian Charolais Association News

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 ProvincialrEPrESEnTaTivES:

ALBERTA

President: Stephen Cholak, Lamont Secretary: Deb Cholak, Lamont SASKATCHEWAN

President: Jordan Moore, Redvers Secretary: Saskatchewan Livestock Asso., Regina MANITOBA

President: Jeff Cavers, La Riviere 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: Jason Ringuette, Bridgetown, NS 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: MIKE ELDER

Box 216, Coronach, SK S0H 0Z0 306.267.5655 C 306.267.7730 mjelder@sasktel.net 1st vicE-PrESiDEnT: KaSEY PhilliPS

Box 420, Waskatenau, AB T0A 3P0 780.358.2360 C 780.656.6400 kphillips@mcsnet.ca 2nd vicE-PrES: ShaWnairEY

Box 639, Rivers, MB R0K 1X0 204.328.7704 C 204.724.8823 htacharolais@hotmail.com PAST PRESIDENT: DARWIN ROSSO

78 325 4th Ave SW, Moose Jaw, SK S6H 5V2 306.693.2384 rosso.c@sasktel.net DIRECTORS:

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 JIM OLSON

Box 882, Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 3C3 204.252.3115 C 204.856.6357 lejcharolais@gmail.com LORNE LAKUSTA

Box 37, Andrew, AB T0B 0C0 780.365.2079 C 780.719.0264 spruceviewcharolais@gmail.com rYannESBiTT

17100 Cedardale Rd, Nestleton, ONL0B 1L0 905.242.2046 ryan@cedardalefarms.ca ROD McLEOD

293113 Twnshp Rd 263, Rocky View County, AB T4A 0N5 403.540.7986 rodmcl@telus.net

fROM ThE cANADIAN chAROlAIS ASSOcIATION Female Genotyping in Seedstock and Commercial Herds

Nicki Westersund Neogen, Western Canada Territory Manager, Beef Genomics

Having a strong bull battery is no doubt an effective way to manage genetics and breed in specific traits, but the bulls you use and test only factor into half of the equation. The females you breed and select are just as important and essential to identify strong genetics and tools for future selection. Ideally a well performing female will remain in the commercial herd or the registered herd book for years to come, so isn’t it valuable in knowing early on in that female’s life what genetics she is contributing to your herd? That is where genomic testing your females early on in their lives really holds value. Whether you are a seedstock producer promoting your genetics or a commercial producer trying to diversify or improve your herd there is a lot to gain from DNA testing your females.

If you are a Charolais seedstock producer, you have a unique and valuable opportunity to DNA test females within the herd book through the Genomic Producer Advantage (GPA) program. So why should seedstock producers participate in this program? This program will assist in early predictions of genetic merit of females, as well as provide genomically enhanced expected progeny differences (gEPD’s) to help make breeding decisions. Producers who wish to manage genetic conditions or traits can use DNA testing to identify which animals are carriers or for herd management. Trait management, for example horned polled testing is another key tool in breeding management that is showcased through DNA testing of females. When you combine DNA testing with an animal’s pedigree you generate the genomically enhanced expected progeny differences (gEPDs) for that animal. The difference of gEDPs over traditional expected progeny differences (EDPs) is accuracy. An animal’s gEPDs have a higher rate of accuracy over traditional EPDs as they are based not only on the animal’s pedigree and progeny records, but each animal’s genetic potential. This testing shows an animal’s heritable traits before the animal has even had a single offspring, potentially saving a breeder time and money by only making breeding decisions based on desired traits ensuring herd improvement. Participating in the GPA program utilizes the GGP-100K genomic test, this test generates the gEPDs for the animal as well as allows for cheaper and faster genetic condition tests. This is possible because the GGP100K includes the information for several genetic condition tests, such as Horned/Polled. If you are a commercial producer, you also have options to use genomic testing in your commercial herd, the Igenity® Beef Profile is a great genetic tool to use on crossbred cattle. With 16 traits and three indices plus parentage, this profile helps you make more confident decisions. Using the Igenity Beef Profile, means you can identity animals that have the most genetic potential for the heritable traits of interest in your herd for future generations. In terms of female testing this profile can evaluate each trait to help you sort and rank cattle, see patterns, herd strengths, areas of improvement or weakness and create custom indices on the Igenity Beef Dashboard to meet your goals or help select replacement heifers. The following traits are evaluated in the profile; birth weight, calving ease direct, calving ease maternal,