March 2018 connection web by Charolais Banner

Charolais Connection â&#x20AC;˘ March 2018

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The Charolais Connection 124 Shannon Road Regina, Saskatchewan S4S 5B1 Ph. (306) 584-7937 • Fax (306) 546-3942 Home Page: http://www.charolaisbanner.com charolaisbanner@gmail.com ISSN 0824-1767 Manager/Publisher Helge By Managing Editor Candace By charolaisbanner@gmail.com @ByCandace

MARCH 2018 • VOL. XXXV, NO. 2 From the Field ..........................................................................................8 du champ ................................................................................................10 Canadian Charolais Association ............................................................14 De L’Association de Charolais Canadien ................................................16 Profile – Dale & Marsha Cannon ............................................................19 Industry Info ............................................................................................37 The Importance of Colostrum ................................................................38 The Value of Vaccination........................................................................40 Scrotal Frostbite Can Hinder Fertility ....................................................44 Herd Health ............................................................................................46 How Will BIXS Utilize Blockchain Technology ......................................52 Retained Placenta ..................................................................................54 CCYA News ..............................................................................................58 Can Canola Straw Be Roughage Option for Livestock ........................66 Calendar of Events ..................................................................................67 Index of Advertisers ................................................................................70

Production/Graphic Design Susan Penner charolais.susan@sasktel.net Web Design Dalyse Robertson pdmrobertson@gmail.com FIELDMEN: Alberta & British Columbia Craig Scott 14 Keown Close, Olds, AB T4H 0E7 Res. (403) 507-2258 Fax (403) 507-2268 Cell (403) 651-9441 sbanner@telusplanet.net @craigscott222 Saskatchewan, Manitoba, USA & Eastern Canada Helge By 124 Shannon Road, Regina, SK S4S 5B1 (306) 584-7937 Fax (306) 546-3942 Cell (306) 536-4261 charolaisbanner@gmail.com @CharolaisBanner SUBSCRIPTIONS: $9.45 per year $25.20 – 3 years (Prices include 5% GST) 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.

Printed by Print West, Regina, Saskatchewan Publications Mail Agreement No. 40047726 Postage paid at Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada

On the cover… Pen of steers at Cannon’s feedlot, see the profile starting on page 19. Photo: Helge By Design: Susan Penner

Charolais Connection • March 2018

Postmaster: Please return undeliverable publications (covers only) to: Charolais Banner, 124 Shannon Road, Regina, Saskatchewan S4S 5B1, Canada. Published by the Charolais Banner, Regina, SK (3 times per year - February, March and Fall)

Charolais Connection â&#x20AC;˘ March 2018

POINTS TO PONDER

From the Field Helge By

Well over 7,000 clicks of the camera shutter in the past six weeks, over 40 bull pens toured so far, and sale season is upon us. From all I have seen, you, the buyers, have a tremendous selection of Charolais bulls to select from across the country. I must commend the breeders who have worked hard to breed in calving ease, calf vigour at birth and still have lots of meat and performance. When I think back to some of the first Charolais my family raised 50 years ago, it is quite a change. Virtually no more calving problems and no more big dumb calves that have to be helped suck. There are Charolais bulls and bloodlines now that will calve as well as anything and still give you an identifiable product producing big premiums when selling your calves. In this and the previous issue you

will see advertising for most of the bull sales in Canada and will have to agree excellent quality is available. I hope you enjoy our producer profile about a cow/calf, feeder operation that has a lot of things figured out. The first Charolais bull sales have been very strong with the demand high and the supply no more than in previous years. Already this spring I have seen commercial producers buying their first Charolais bull in many years to breed straight black cows. The message is getting through from the order buyers and feedlots that the quality silver calves will bring a premium as well. We will have a shortage of Charolais bulls when a bigger portion of the cow/calf industry realizes the dollars they are missing by not using a Charolais bull. We need more Charolais breeders, especially in some areas that are almost void of them. If you have

Charolais Connection â&#x20AC;˘ March 2018

thought about becoming a seedstock producer, I would say there is a great opportunity to get started and have a ready bull market moving forward. So as we get into more of the bull sales, if Craig Scott or I can be of any assistance, please donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t hesitate to give us a call. We are always happy to help in any way we can. A reminder too, that all our Charolais Banner and Charolais Connection magazines are online for free at charolaisbanner.com. If you want to go back to past issues or show your neighbour past articles, please do. We also try to keep the sale news very current on our homepage, so you can check out the latest results usually within a day of the sale. We wish you a great calving season and favourable moisture conditions this summer. Until next time, Helge

Charolais Connection â&#x20AC;˘ March 2018

POINT A SURVEILLER

Du champ Helge By

Après avoir photographié plus de 7000 sujets et une tournée de plus de 40 élevages de taureaux, on peut sentir que la saison des ventes est à nos portes. De mes observations, vous, les acheteurs, avez une excellente sélection de taureaux Charolais à travers le pays. Je félicite ces éleveurs qui travaille constamment à l’amélioration de notre race au vêlage, à la vigorosité de nos veaux à la naissance et qui retient toujours une carcasse bien viandée pour une performance plus que désirable. Lorsque je pense aux sujets Charolais que ma famille élevait, il y a plus de 50 ans, on peut remarquer toute une amélioration. Les problèmes aux vêlages et les veaux plutôt balourd qui ont constamment besoin d’aide à téter sont en descente constante. Certaines fameuses lignées de taureaux Charolais ont une superbe aisance de vêlage et qui continu de nous donner un produit de finition qui se distingue par son identité à la race et comme prime de

revenu dans vos ventes de veaux. Dans le magazine de ce mois-ci et celui du mois passé, vous verrez encore plusieurs annonces de ventes de taureaux. J’espère que vous serez du même avis que moi et remarquerez l’excellente qualité offerte. Je vous invite à lire le profil des éleveurs ainsi que les opérations vaches-veaux et de finition qui ont sauront vous inspirer. Les indices des premières ventes de taureaux promettent, la demande est haute et l’indice de l’offre est aussi stable que l’an passé. Nous sommes au début du printemps et il y a déjà des taureaux achetés par des producteurs commerciaux qui ont décidé de faire un retour dans le Charolais après des années pour saillir des vaches noires. Le message des producteurs de parcs d’engraissement est clair; la demande de veaux gris y est et la prime de vente aussi. Je prévoit une demande à la hausse et une offre très basse lorsque les producteurs de vaches-veaux réaliseront l’écart de différence des revenus potentiels lorsqu’ils n’utilisent pas un taureau Charolais.

Suivez, moi sur Twitter! @CharolaisBanner

Charolais Connection • March 2018

Nous avons besoin de plus de producteurs de taureaux Charolais. Il y a une pénurie dans certains coin de pays. Si vous pensez vous lancez dans la vente de semences, je crois que l’opportunité y est. Nous entamons une période très occupée à suivre toutes ces ventes de taureaux. Même si cette période de ventes est très achalandée, Craig et moi sommes toujours disponible pour vous aider. Lâchez-nous un coup de fil sans hésitation. Veuillez aussi noter que plusieurs articles sont disponibles, sans frais, en tout temps sur notre site charolaisbanner.com. Vous pouvez consulter les articles déjà paru et les montrer à votre voisin. Il est aussi possible de visionner les dernières statistiques et rapports de ventes quelques jours après celles-ci sur notre page web. Sur ce, nous vous souhaitons un excellente saison de vêlages et un début de printemps avec le juste montant d’humidité et de soleil. À la prochaine, Helge

Charolais Connection â&#x20AC;˘ March 2018

FROM THE CANADIAN CHAROLAIS ASSOCIATION

Add Value with Charolais CANADIAN CHAROLAIS ASSOCIATION 2320, 41st Avenue NE, Calgary, AB T2E 6W8 403.250.9242 F 403.291.9324 www.charolais.com @canCharolais www.facebook.com/cdncharolais

PROVINCIAL REPRESENTATIVES: ALBERTA President: Stephen Cholak, Lamont Secretary: Jocelyn O’Neill, Innisfail SASKATCHEWAN President: Kelly Howe, Moose Jaw Secretary: Dave Blechinger, Rosetown MANITOBA President: Hans Myrhe, Dauphin Secretary: Rae Trimble, Portage la Prairie ONTARIO President: Ryan Nesbitt, Nestleton Secretary: Doris Aitken, Mount Forest QUEBEC President: Mathieu Palerme, Gatineau Secretary: Chantal Raymond, Sainte-Eulalie MARITIMES President: Ricky Milton, Cornwall, PE Secretary: Jennifer MacDonald, St. Mary’s, Kent Co., NB STAFF: General Manager: MEL REEKIE Registry Manager: LOIS CHIVILO Registry: SALLY STORCH French Membership: BERNARD DORE 514-910-4935 • bernarddore@videotron.ca EXECUTIVE: PRESIDENT: DARWIN ROSSO 78 325 4th Ave SW, Moose Jaw, SK S6H 5V2 • 306.693.2384 rosso.c@sasktel.net 1st VICE-PRESIDENT: ALLAN MARSHALL 35266 Rg Rd 33, Red Deer County, AB T4G 0N3 • 403.277.2594 C403.588.5282 allan@futurefarms.ca 2nd VICE-PRES: MIKE ELDER Box 216, Coronach, SK S0H 0Z0 306.267.5655 C306.267.7730 mjelder@sasktel.net PAST PRESIDENT: BRIAN COUGHLIN RR3 1012 Snake River Line, Cobden, ON K0J 1K0 • 613.646.9741 C613.312.0270 bh.cornerview@gmail.com DIRECTORS: BRENT SAUNDERS RR 3, Markdale, ON N0C 1H0 519.986.4165 C519-372-6196 F519.986.4273 saunders@bmts.com MATHIEU PALERME 814 Pink Rd., Gatineau, QC J9J 3N3 819.682.2723 C819.213.3143 matpalerme@yahoo.ca SHAWN AIREY Box 639, Rivers, MB R0K 1X0 204.328.7704 C 204.724.8823 htacharolais@hotmail.com JIM OLSON Box 882, Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 3C3 204.252.3115 C204.856.6357 lejcharolais@gmail.com KASEY PHILLIPS Box 420, Waskatenau, AB T0A 3P0 780.358.2360 C780.656.6400 kphillips@mcsnet.ca LORNE LAKUSTA Box 37, Andrew, AB T0B 0C0 780.365.2079 C780.719.0264 spruceviewcharolais@gmail.com

Mel Reekie, General Manager

When you’re shopping to replace and improve your bull battery, you look for a bull that is going to breed your cows and please your marketplace. Charolais bulls are functional, they’re proven in various conditions and climates; they’ll add value to your bottom line. Charolais bulls add consistent performance and by providing a sound, consistent product, you’re going to get a return on your investment. When you’re selling, a good bull is a SOLD bull. However, when you are buying, you will probably look at many traits including calving ease, semen quality, sound feet and legs, performance, the list could go on. But, do you also consider a Purebred Registration Certificate? Did your last bull purchase come with a Registration paper? Remember the value of a registration certificate and the tools behind it available to aide in your decisions this spring. A registration certificate represents consistent quality; the breed association and breeder verify the correct information and they support the quality of the information presented. A registration also represents an animal that is genetically stable and that behind the paper, breed improvement measures are continually being completed to provide value and sustainability. Registration and identification are cornerstones to the Association. The CCA collects performance data and monitors desirable traits for overall breed improvement made possible through maintained and detailed pedigrees. As a breeder and member of the breed association, purebred bull producers have contributed a lot of time, effort and information leading to genetic progress to not only their own herd but also the Canadian herd. Genetic

progress is how the Canadian Charolais herd has been able to increase growth performance and improve calving ease over the years leading to a favourable commodity when it comes time to sell. Discuss your needs with your fellow breeders, your neighbours, the auction marts. Find what fits your program. Getting out and being involved with the Charolais breeders is of benefit to everyone’s operation. There’s not only a common goal with the ongoing development of the Charolais breed but also the comradery that brings breeders together. Plan to join us for herd tours and field days across the country. In addition to our consistent, profitable product, our people are some of our greatest assets. Get involved, learn what is happening at the Association level and join us as the Ontario Charolais Association welcomes the CCA Annual General Meeting in the picturesque area of Collingwood, Ontario June 8 & 9, 2018. Support the future of our breed at the annual Canadian Charolais Youth Association Conference and Show being held in Brandon, Manitoba July 25-28 or witness the judging of Canada’s top genetics at the National Charolais Show being held at FarmFair in Edmonton, Alberta this November 7 through 11. There’s no shortage of events to attend, save the dates and see what all Charolais has to offer.

Charolais Connection • March 2018

Charolais Connection â&#x20AC;˘ March 2018

DE LA CHAROLAIS ASSOCIATION CANADIENNE

CANADIAN CHAROLAIS ASSOCIATION 2320, 41st Avenue NE, Calgary, AB T2E 6W8 403.250.9242 F 403.291.9324 www.charolais.com @canCharolais

Ajouter de la valeur avec Charolais Mel Reekie, directeur général

www.facebook.com/cdncharolais

PROVINCIAUX REPRÉSENTANTS: ALBERTA Président: Stephen Cholak, Lamont Secrétaire: Jocelyn O’Neill, Innisfail SASKATCHEWAN Président: Kelly Howe, Moose Jaw Secrétaire: Dave Blechinger, Rosetown MANITOBA Président: Hans Myrhe, Dauphin Secrétaire: Rae Trimble, Portage la Prairie ONTARIO Président: Ryan Nesbitt, Nestleton Secrétaire: Doris Aitken, Mount Forest QUEBEC Président: Mathieu Palerme, Gatineau Secrétaire: Chantal Raymond, Sainte-Eulalie MARITIMES Président: Ricky Milton, Cornwall, PE Secrétaire: Jennifer MacDonald, St. Mary’s, Kent Co., NB PERSONNEL: Directeur général: MEL REEKIE Registry Manager: LOIS CHIVILO Registry: SALLY STORCH Composition française: BERNARD DORE bernarddore@videotron.ca EXÉCUTIF: PRÉSIDENT: DARWIN ROSSO 78 325 4th Ave SW, Moose Jaw, SK S6H 5V2 • 306.693.2384 rosso.c@sasktel.net 1er VICE- PRÉSIDENT: ALLAN MARSHALL 35266 Rg Rd 33, Red Deer County, AB T4G 0N3 • 403.277.2594 C403.588.5282 allan@futurefarms.ca 2e VICE- PRÉSIDENT: MIKE ELDER Box 216, Coronach, SK S0H 0Z0 306.267.5655 C306.267.7730 mjelder@sasktel.net ANCIEN PRÉSIDENT: BRIAN COUGHLIN RR3 1012 Snake River Line, Cobden, ON K0J 1K0 • 613.646.9741 C613.312.0270 bh.cornerview@gmail.com ADMINISTRATION: BRENT SAUNDERS RR 3, Markdale, ON N0C 1H0 519.986.4165 C519-372-6196 F519.986.4273 saunders@bmts.com MATHIEU PALERME 814 Pink Rd., Gatineau, QC J9J 3N3 819.682.2723 C819.213.3143 matpalerme@yahoo.ca SHAWN AIREY Box 639, Rivers, MB R0K 1X0 204.328.7704 C 204.724.8823 htacharolais@hotmail.com JIM OLSON Box 882, Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 3C3 204.252.3115 C204.856.6357 lejcharolais@gmail.com

Lors de vos emplettes pour remplacer et améliorer votre gamme de taureaux, vous recherchez un taureau qui complétera vos vaches et qui plaira à votre marché. Les taureaux Charolais sont fonctionnels, ils sont éprouvés dans diverses conditions et climats et ils contribueront à vos profits. Les taureaux Charolais ajoutent de la performance cohérente tout en fournissant une structure solide chez leur progéniture de façon consistante, le tout produisant un retour sur votre investissement. Quand on vend, un bon taureau est un taureau vendu. Cependant, lorsque vous achetez, vous examinerez probablement plusieurscaractères comme la facilité de vêlage, la qualité de la semence, les pieds et les membres, la performance, et la liste continue. Mais, considérez-vous aussi un certificat d'enregistrement pur-sang? Votre dernier taureau achetéétait-il accompagné d'un papier d'enregistrement? Rappelez-vous de la valeur d'un certificat d'enregistrement et les outils qui sont derrière vous guidant dans vos décisions. Un certificat d'enregistrement représente une qualité constante; l'association de race et l’éleveur de l’animal vérifient les données et ils soutiennent la qualité des informations présentées. Un enregistrement représente également un animal qui est génétiquement stable et que derrière le papier, les mesures d'amélioration de la race sont continuellement atteintes pour fournir de la valeur et de la durabilité. L'enregistrement et l'identification sont les fondations de l'Association. L’Association canadienne Charolais (ACC)recueille des données de performance et surveille les caractèresdésirables pour l'amélioration globale de la race soutenue grâce à des généalogies vérifiées et détaillés. Les éleveurs et les membres de

l'Association de race, les producteurs de taureaux pur-sang ont contribué beaucoup de temps, d'efforts et d'informations menant au progrès génétique non seulement à leur propre troupeau, mais aussi au cheptel canadien. Le progrès génétique est la façon dont le troupeau Charolais canadien a été en mesure d'accroître sa performance de croissance et d'améliorer la facilité au vêlage au fil des ans, menant à un produit favorable quand vient le temps de la mise en marché. Discutez de vos besoins avec vos confrères d'élevage, vos voisins, les encans aux enchères. Trouvez ce qui convient à votre programme. S’impliquer avec d’autres éleveurs Charolais est bénéfique pour tous et chacun. Il n'y a non seulement le but commun du développement continu de la race Charolais parmi les gens, mais aussi la camaraderie qui rassemble les éleveurs. Prévoyez prendre partaux visites de troupeau et auxjournées champêtres à travers le pays. En plus de notre produit cohérent et rentable, les gens qui en font partis, sont un de nos plus grands atouts. Assistez, tenez-vous au courant ce qui se passe au niveau de l'Association et participer àl'assemblée générale annuelle de l’ACC qui sera organisée par l’Association Charolais de l’Ontario dans la région pittoresque de Collingwood, les 8 et 9 juin 2018. Soutenez aussi l'avenir de notre race lors de la Conférence annuelle de l'Association canadienne junior Charolais, qui se tiendra à Brandon, au Manitoba, du 25 au 28 juillet, ou venez au jugement de la meilleure génétique du Canada lors de l'exposition nationale Charolais qui se tiendra à FarmFair, à Edmonton, Alberta, du 7 au 11 novembre. Il n'y a pas de pénurie d'événements à assister, marquezdonc votre calendrier et venez voir ce que la race Charolais à offrir.

KASEY PHILLIPS Box 420, Waskatenau, AB T0A 3P0 780.358.2360 C780.656.6400 kphillips@mcsnet.ca LORNE LAKUSTA Box 37, Andrew, AB T0B 0C0 780.365.2079 C780.719.0264 spruceviewcharolais@gmail.com

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Charolais Connection â&#x20AC;˘ March 2018

NEWS

Industry Info New Technique for Ground Beef Production A new technique developed by researchers at the University of British Columbia can identify unwanted animal products in ground beef within minutes, the school announced in a news release. Using a laser-equipped spectrometer and statistical analysis, food science students led by professor Xlaonan Lu determined with 99% accuracy if ground beef samples contained other animal parts, and could say with 80% accuracy which animal parts were used and in what concentration. The new method can do so in less than five minutes, the scientists said, noting that it could therefore become a transformative tool in food safety regulation. “By using this innovative technique, the detection of food fraud can be simpler, faster and easier,” said the study’s lead author Yaxi Hu, a Ph.D. candidate in UBC’s faculty of land and food systems. DNA testing has proven efficient and accurate in identifying foreign species in meat products, but DNA testing cannot identify offal – hearts, livers, kidneys and stomachs – mixed in with meat of the same species. Researchers Link SAD, Vegetarianism Dutch researchers contend there may be a link between seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and vegetarianism, based on a pilot study. The study noted that SAD often involves recurring depression in autumn or winter, with recovery occurring in spring and summer. The study found that the number of participants who are vegetarian and suffered from SAD were four times higher than the people suffering from SAD in the normal population.

Charolais Connection • March 2018

MANAGEMENT

Importance of Colostrum Heather Smith Thomas

A healthy calf with strong immunity is less likely to become sick. Immunity (the body’s ability to fight off pathogens), is developed in a complex process where the body creates specific weapons called antibodies for fighting specific invaders. Exposure to a certain pathogen such as a virus or bacteria stimulates the body to create antibodies to fight that organism. Antibodies react with the invading agent and neutralize it. Antibodies are carried throughout the body in the bloodstream. If an animal already has antibodies against a specific disease organism, whenever that particular organism invades the body again an army of white blood cells and antibodies converge to kill the invader. Vaccination can stimulate production of antibodies, since vaccine serves as the antigen (like an invading pathogen). The body builds protective antibodies to fight the perceived invader. Then when the animal comes into contact later with the actual infectious agent, antibodies are present in the bloodstream and can inactivate the pathogen. If enough antibodies are present to inactivate the agents that invade the body, the animal will not get sick, and the invasion stimulates rapid production of more antibodies for future protection. With vaccination and natural exposure to various pathogens, a cow develops many antibodies and strong immunity. During the last part of pregnancy she puts these antibodies into the colostrum she produces, so her calf can have instant immunity right after he suckles. Passive Immunity from Colostrum Dr. Andy Acton, (Deep South Animal Clinic at Ogema, SK) reminds cow-calf producers that baby calves have to absorb antibodies from their mother’s colostrum because they don’t get any from her via the bloodstream while they are in the uterus. This passive immunity from 38

colostrum is very important. “There is more to it than the temporary immunity. There are other factors gained from colostrum than just the antibodies absorbed when calves suckle the first time. There is also some absorption of white blood cells of different kinds in that colostrum—from their mother. These are not present in a colostrum replacer you’d buy. Calves get more actual protection from the dam’s colostrum than from a commercial product. Some of the immune modulators that are not actual antibodies are also important to the calf,” he says. Newborns have a limited window of time to absorb antibodies from their mother’s colostrum. “Optimal time is the first 6 hours of life, but may be less in certain conditions– perhaps just the first 2 hours in cold weather. Some factors shorten this window, and some things lengthen it,” says Acton. As soon as the calf suckles, the “open gut” starts to close, to prevent absorption of pathogens. Suckling stimulates the gut to close up, because it’s always a race between the antibodies from colostrum and the pathogens the calf might ingest. If he manages to suck a little bit, or if you feed him a little, the gut closes up quicker than if he had nothing. “The time window for the gut to absorb something in this situation is a lot longer than if the calf gets a small amount of colostrum,” he explains. There are a number of reasons a calf might not suckle its dam right away or may not be able to suckle at all. The dam might be a heifer that refuses to mother the calf, or an older cow with large teats the calf can’t get onto, or a newborn calf born in cold weather that got too chilled and you brought him indoors to thaw him out. Or maybe the dam died or had no milk for some reason. When the producer knows the calf hasn’t suckled, some kind of colostrum alternative is used. “Here at our clinic we use a lot of powdered colostrum products,” says Acton. Charolais Connection • March 2018

When I graduated from vet school there was only one product available, made from whey, and it only had 20 grams of immunoglobulins. It would have taken more than 5 of those bags to get an adequate amount of IgG, however, so it just wasn’t practical,” says Acton. Another option some stockmen use is dairy colostrum, but it’s not the best choice. “Because of the volume produced by a dairy cow (with less concentrated antibodies) you have to give the calf twice as much to get enough benefit. Using dairy colostrum in years past was probably a way to bring diseases like Johnes or salmonella into a beef herd,” he says. For biosecurity purposes it’s best to use colostrum from a cow in your own herd. “Some people also may not have realized that it’s only the first milking that you should use for colostrum— whether from a dairy cow or beef cow. The colostrum is soon diluted by regular milk. Today it’s not advisable to use dairy colostrum because we now have better quality colostrum replacers,” Acton says. “The commercial replacements don’t have the cellular components found in fresh colostrum, because those cells won’t survive the processing, but they do have fairly good IgG levels. One to two of those 100 gram packages will provide a calf with adequate immunity to seemingly perform as well as a calf that nursed from its mother. It is certainly better than nothing.” The best option, however, is to milk some extra colostrum from your own herd, to freeze and save for later use. Saving Colostrum From Your Own Cows If a cow in your herd produces a lot of colostrum (more than her calf can consume at first nursing) or a calf dies at birth and you want to save that cow’s colostrum for another calf, you can milk her and freeze the colostrum continued on page 39

COLOSTRUM, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 38

for future use. “We recommend putting about one liter or quart of colostrum into a plastic 3.7 litre Zip-lock freezer bag, freezing the bag flat, like a pancake. You can stack these packages in your freezer,” he says. These flat packages, with a lot of surface area, thaw out very quickly when you place them in warm water—a lot quicker than a regular pint or quart container. The

frozen colostrum, thawed and warmed to calf body temperature, can be very helpful when you need some. Frozen colostrum is handy for use in emergencies, and it keeps very well without losing quality for at least 6 months or longer. You could collect some at the start of your calving season and it would be fine for use that season, or even the next year if need be.

Even if it’s a year old, it will still be better than anything you can buy. The only thing you need to be careful about is defrosting the frozen colostrum so you don’t destroy the antibody proteins with hot temperatures. It’s best to defrost in warm water (putting the package in a pan of warm water) rather than in a microwave oven.

Breeding Season Will Soon Be Here Many superb herdbulls will be on offer this spring. Know what you need and take advantage of the tremendous offering. If you need assistance with your purchases, give us a call. Helge By 306-536-4261 Charolais Connection • March 2018

Craig Scott 403-651-9441 39

MANAGEMENT

The Value of Vaccination Kathy Larson, MSc PAg, Western Beef Development Centre

Introduction Post-BSE, weaned calf prices did not surpass the previous price highs of 2001 until 2013 (Figure 1). Stagnant calf prices forced cattle ranchers to look for ways to be lowcost. Eliminating vaccination programs is one way to cut costs to save money in the short-run, but the potential losses from disease, illness

operations in Saskatchewan. Anthrax vaccines cost $2 per head and blackleg (caused by Clostridial chauvoei) costs as low as $1 per head. At such a low cost, it is not surprising that 85% of producers in a 2010 survey indicated they vaccinate for Clostridials (Waldner et al, 2013). Respiratory diseases, such as BVD and IBR, are more costly to vaccinate for (~ $4/head) and have been shown

or infertility can quickly outweigh the cost of vaccination. However, it has been stated that profitable, low-cost producers do not cur corners on three managements areas: pastures, bulls and herd health. Producers who opt to not vaccinate may go years without a disease outbreak making the choice to not vaccinate seem like a wise one because of the dollars saved, but it only takes one disease outbreak to make that insurance premium (vaccination) a wise investment. Over time a herd’s immune resistance to disease erodes which can lead to large outbreaks. Diseases like anthrax and blackleg occur when an animal comes in contact with spores that can lie dormant in the soil for years. For example, the anthrax outbreak in summer 2006 resulted in the death of nearly 500 cattle on 150

to have lower uptake by cow-calf producers. A survey by Waldner et al. (2013) indicated only 55.6% of producers vaccinated for IBR/BVDV. BVD control needs to start at the cowcalf level as it can be passed to a calf during gestation resulting in a PI (persistently-infected) calf. PI calves shed the virus in their feces, saliva and mucous, infecting pen mates. PI calves also cause problems in

breeding pastures as the virus circulates through the herd resulting in infertility and the production of future PI calves (Brownlie et al, 2000). It has been estimated that conception rates can drop 5-15% if a PI animal is in a herd (Heurer et al, 2008; Wittum et al, 2001). Western Beef Development Centre (WBDC) Herd Health Program Western Beef follows a herd health program developed in consultation with its herd veterinarian (Table 1). In a typical year, bred cows and heifers will receive a scours vaccination prior to April calving. All animals receive vaccinations for blackleg (Clostridial spp.), Haemphilus somnus, respiratory disease (IBR< BVD< BRSV< P13) and anthrax prior to pasture turnout each spring in late May to early June. Breeding bulls also receive a footrot vaccination prior to the start of the breeding season. The calves are re-vaccinated for blackleg, H. somnus and respiratory disease approximately one month before weaning. Parasite control is provided to the breeding stock in late fall. What are the costs of a typical herd health program? Table 2 contains per dose costs for vaccines used in Western Beef’s herd health program. Producers are encouraged to work in consultation with their vet to come up with a herd health program that suits their operation. All prices are from a local vet clinic that Western Beef sources product from. The herd health program utilized by WBDC costs continued on page 42

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$8315 per year or $26.20 per cow based on Spring 2017 product pricing. This cost does not include needles,

syringes, infrastructure (handling chute and corrals) or labour.

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Cost-Benefit Comparison: Vaccinate for BVD vs Reduced Conception from PI Calf Table 3 below shows a comparison of alternatives for a 150 female cowcalf operation â&#x20AC;&#x201C; vaccinate for BVD or face the risk of reduced conception rates should a PI animal enter the herd. The cost to vaccinate all breeding stock and calves each spring is approximately $1330 ($4 x 182 breeding animals put $4 x 150 calves) which works out to %8.85 per cow ($1330/150). If a PI animal is in the herd, we assume conceptions rates will be reduced 5 percent. Five percent more opens, means 8 fewer calves to wean. Using the average projected price for 550 lb steer and heifers for November 2017 *$2.05 per lb), a 5% reduction in conception rate translates into $9020 in lost calv revenues or a loss of $60 per cow (Table 3) As a producer, would you rather spend the $8.85 per cow to protect your herd from BVD or take a chance and not vaccinate but it could end up costing you $60 per cow in lost revenues? If you are not already doing so, developing a vet-client relationship to determine a suitable herd health program for your operation is key to have your breeding herd performing well and producing healthy calves to market.

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MANAGEMENT

Scrotal Frostbite Can Hinder Fertility Heather Smith Thomas

Cold windy weather is hard on cattle, and bulls may suffer scrotal frostbite. This can lead to temporary infertility and in severe cases may cause permanent infertility, according to John P. Kastelic, DVM, PhD, Professor, Cattle Reproductive Health (Theriogenology) Head, Department of Production Animal Health, University of Calgary. “Factors that can lead to scrotal frostbite include not only cold temperatures and wind, but also lack of adequate bedding and dietary energy. Scrotal frostbite is more common in older bulls because they have a more pendulous scrotum,” he says. A windbreak is essential during winter storms, since wind chill greatly increases the risk for frostbite. Trees and brush can serve as natural windbreaks. “Where there is no natural shelter, the ideal man-made windbreak has 20% porosity (spaces between the boards).” This slows down the wind but doesn’t stop it completely; if you stop the wind it just blows over the top and down and there’s less protected area behind the windbreak. “Inadequate bedding is another problem for bulls if they have to lie down in snow or on frozen ground. Inadequate dietary energy also predisposes them to more cold stress,” he says. Cattle need extra calories in cold weather to generate body heat. Damage from scrotal frostbite can vary greatly. “It’s not the actual cold that causes the problem. Damage comes from subsequent inflammation and heat in the tissues after the cold insult. After the tissue freezes, the inflammation that follows is what causes the issue,” he explains. Evidence of scrotal frostbite is scab formation, usually on the bottom and back of the scrotum. “Fertility problems depend on how extensive the lesions are. Frequently we see small scabs at the bottom and these 44

may be of little or no consequence. There may be a short-term problem and it will resolve fairly quickly. The prognosis gets worse with larger lesions. The rule of thumb is that if the scabby area is less than half the scrotum, in general there’s a better prognosis,” he says. “The worst prognosis is when adhesions form between the scrotum and the testis. You can detect this condition by restraining the bull and palpating the testes, trying to force them up higher in the scrotum.” If they are immobile, that’s a serious problem. “If the testes don’t want to move, or draw the scrotum up with them because of adhesions, this has a much poorer prognosis. There’s little or nothing you can do to overcome this problem because those adhesions tend to be permanent,” says Kastelic. Any bull you have questions about should have a thorough examination. “Start with a complete physical exam, and then collect semen and evaluate it. If a bull has a mild frostbite (a couple inches of scabbing on the bottom of the scrotum), his semen quality may drop for 3 or 4 weeks. If scabbing is more extensive/severe, semen quality may be diminished for 6 weeks or more. If most of the scrotum is affected, with adhesions, he may never return to normal.” The testis has good regenerative capacity, and it takes a severe and prolonged insult to permanently affect fertility. Most of the time, within 6 to 8 weeks, the bull should be back to normal. Thus the concern would be how soon you need him for breeding. If you are calving in March/April and breeding in June/July, most bulls will no longer have a fertility problem after suffering frostbite. If you are calving in January and start breeding in late March, this could be a more serious issue. There’s a shorter interval for those bulls to recover and some of them may not recover in time. Most bulls whose semen quality has Charolais Connection • March 2018

declined will be back to normal if you have a later breeding season, but if you have any question about a bull he should be checked. Then if a bull has an issue with semen quality, you can check him again in a few weeks. “When we do a breeding soundness evaluation we put bulls into three categories: satisfactory, unsatisfactory, and decision deferred. The latter category covers bulls that don’t meet the standards today but we have expectations they will continue to improve. The bull has a problem that has a reasonable chance of improving with time. We use this category a lot with young bulls that may not be quite mature enough to have good semen, and can also use it in a situation with scrotal frostbite where there is damage, but the bull seems to be recovering. In this case, we recommend looking at that bull again in a month or so. This may or may not be too late for anticipated use, depending on how late the calving and breeding season might be,” says Kastelic. In general, all bulls should be examined prior to breeding season, whether or not they had scrotal frostbite. “Even if a bull has been fine in previous years and looks good (no evidence of frostbite or other problems), it’s still a good idea to have him examined to see if anything has changed since the last breeding season.” Some bulls suffer injuries or infection and are not currently sound for breeding, even if they were fine last year. “A breeding soundness exam is not to detect the bull that is fertile, but to detect the bull that is not going to be able to do his job. As the saying goes, we are identifying the studs and eliminating the duds. The purpose of the exam is to detect the bull that has poor fertility—so the producer can replace that one before the coming breeding season.” continued on page 48

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HERD HEALTH

Yearly Bull Health Roy Lewis, DVM

The herd bull is often the most neglected part of most cattle operations. Great emphasis is put on them just before and during the breeding season but the rest of the year bulls are often not thought about. We must be ever mindful of not neglecting the huge genetic potential bulls have on our herds. Protect your investment and help maximize fertility to maximize that genetic potential. I will outline health and management procedures on a yearly calendar assuming breeding season is in the spring. The easiest way is thinking of your herd bulls every time you process the cows and deciding then whether anything must be done to them. People often shy away from handling bulls as they are larger and can raise havoc with even sturdy corrals. There is also the issue of every time bulls are moved the fighting resumes and the pecking order must be re-established. This can be minimized with good facilities and having a large pen or pasture to return the bulls to. Exercise at all times of the year keeps the bulls fitter and the feet and legs in much better shape. Vaccinating of the bulls should correspond to what you do to your cows. All respiratory and reproductive vaccines as well as multivalent clostridials (blackleg) are good to give to bulls. Bulls could be the source or spread of disease especially the reproductive ones like vibrio, leptospirosis, or trichomoniasis, if they are a problem in your area. The additional vaccination our clinic recommends for bulls is the one for foot rot. A lame bull at breeding season is not desirable. This vaccine only protects for one cause of lameness in bulls but the foot rot organism can gain entry through cracks in the bull’s feet. A small investment considering the bull is half the breeding equation. This vaccine we administer at semen

evaluation time as the bulls are caught then and it is an ideal time to vaccinate. Deworming and delicing should be done in the fall with a pour on endectocide plus a drench dewormer such as safeguard. Internal parasites are becoming more of an issue and can build up especially in run down breeding bulls. Use the right dosage for the weight of the bull, don’t skimp. The bulls always are the sentinel animals when it comes to lice. Hair loss may indicate lice but often lots of scurf will lead to scratching especially on hot days. Semen evaluations most often are preformed in the spring before breeding. Producers want them done before bull sales in case decisions have to be made as to new purchases. If insurance was taken out on a bull, it is a very wise move to test before the policy expires in case something has happened over the winter. If a bull has been sick, had swellings develop in the sheath or testicles or had cows returning to heat, then a check of his fertility should be made at that time so a replacement can be found if needed. Older bulls (5 years or greater) have an increasing likelihood of becoming infertile because of things like testicular degeneration. Do as much as possible at semen evaluating time, such as ear tagging if necessary, taking a hair sample in case genetic testing is necessary or checking the eyes for scarring. Get all lumps and bumps and scuttle lamenesses checked out as well. There is never a more ideal time and tagging is made much easier by doing it at the same time as electroejaculation. Many bulls are culled because of feet and leg problems. As bulls mature and get bigger, tremendous pressure is put on their feet and legs especially in the breeding season. Preventive maintenance on their feet by trimming may extend their useful life as well as preventing lameness problems during the breeding season. Again lots of exercise on hard terrain (not peat moss) goes a long way towards

keeping the toes short. Many hereditary conditions involving the feet can be selected against: such as corns, spiral and corkscrew claws. Even when young bulls are selected with great feet it may be necessary to trim them in their later years. Look very closely at your bull’s feet every year. Trimming one to two months before breeding season is ideal. The trimmer can then be more aggressive knowing the bull has several weeks to recover before being turned out. Fly control is imperative for bulls over the summer. If not treated you will notice hundreds of horn flies feeding on the backs of your bulls. Flies have more of a predilection for the bulls so in order to reduce irritation, blood loss and gadding treat. A pour on product cy-lence is quite effective against flies for 60 days. Otherwise fly tags or back-rubbers may be used. Nutritionally treat the bulls like your cows with trace minerals. Maintain a condition score of 2.5 – 3.5. A rising plain of nutrition prior to the breeding season is a good idea. A crude protein level of 12% or higher in their diets is ideal. A leaner bull is more desirable than a fat bull at breeding season. Fat especially in the scrotum can impair fertility for a considerable time. Remember after breeding season when bulls are pulled their nutritional requirements decrease substantially. Since a good breeding bull is always a good investment, he is one worth protecting. If breeding pastures have a lot of bush, make sure bull rings are removed. If hardware (peritonitis) is a problem, placing a good quality magnet in their stomache (reticulum) when bull is first purchased may be good insurance. Most illnesses with bulls come on subtly and weight loss is often the first sign. When checking your bull during breeding season pay particular attention to his gait. Wobbliness or knuckling may be the sign of a back continued on page 48

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SCROTAL FROSTBITE, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 44

Since there’s not much we can do after the fact to help a bull recover from scrotal frostbite (except give him time and hope for the best), the important thing is prevention. The best prevention is shelter and bedding. “Some years ago a lady had bulls that suffered frostbite and she felt sorry for them. Thinking to prevent future problems, she knitted little scrotum warmers and called them oyster ovens. She thought this was a spectacular idea to keep bulls from getting frostbite, not realizing

that scrotal insulation results in poor semen quality. She had envisioned that knitting oyster ovens would be a successful home business, until someone pointed out to her that this was a bad idea. A covering might prevent frostbite, but also warms the testes and does what you are trying to prevent—producing a decrease in semen quality,” says Kastelic. We can’t improve on Nature; we just have to manage bulls in a way to give them natural protection. It’s common in the spring to see small

scabs on range bulls after a cold winter, but those will generally heal with time. An early winter storm may catch producers off guard with inadequate bedding and shelter for bulls, but there’s usually time for a bull to heal unless there is severe damage. A late winter storm or spring blizzard with wind and cold may be more devastating because there’s less time for recovery before the breeding season. “It may also be harder to find a replacement bull that late in the season, because the selection may be more limited,” he says.

years, many a breeding bull has died from a clostridial disease because vaccinating had been missed. In the winter insure bulls are adequately bedded and have good wind protection. Many a good bull has gone down from frozen testicles in a winter storm. Look after those herd bulls as you have paid good money for them and they possess half the genetic potential in your herd. Speaking of

genetics, it is always good to have a sample of tail hairs in case genetic testing is ever done. Let’s insure all your bulls have a good breeding season and outstanding conception rates. Let’s build on the optimism in the cattle industry by helping insure a great calf crop in 2019. Look after those superior herd sires!

HERD HEALTH, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 46

problem. Swelling on the sheath from cuts or broken penises require immediate bull replacement. By implementing the above strategies hopefully a long reproductive life can be attained from your bulls. Always buy your bulls from reputable purebred breeders and make sure they have had their initial breeding soundness evaluation done and are up to date on vaccines. Over the 48

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INDUSTRY NEWS

How Will BIXS Utilize Blockchain Technology? Deborah Wilson, Vice President for BIXsco Inc.

Google Blockchain, and the search results will boggle your mind. You will fall into endless reams of information about Blockchain and Bitcoin. Cryptocurrencies spawned the birth of Blockchain, and the technology has grown and adapted to serve other industry needs. Wikipedia defines Blockchain as a continuously growing list of records, called blocks, which are linked and secured using cryptography. Each block typically contains a hash pointer as a link to a previous block, a timestamp and transaction data. By design, blockchains are inherently resistant to modification of the data. It is “an open, distributed ledger that can record transactions between two parties efficiently and in a verifiable and permanent way.” For use as a distributed ledger, a blockchain is typically managed by a peer-to-peer network collectively adhering to a protocol for validating new blocks. Once recorded, the data in any given block cannot be altered retroactively without the alteration of all subsequent blocks, which requires collusion of the network majority. The launch of the new generation of the Beef InfoXchange System(BIXS) is an answer to the needs and demands of consumers and retailers, and will allow the use of Blockchain technology to function with our current traceability systems. BIXS is operated by BIXSco Inc., and is a webbased data management system, a value-added traceability system adding transparency and verification to beef production. Mintel, a global and award-winning provider of market research, has found that only one in five Canadians trust health claims on food and beverage packaging. Another study out of Dalhousie university found that 63% of consumers feel the claims made on food packaging doesn’t align with 52

what they are eating – vey often referenced as “food fraud”. The results are consumers demand more transparency and accountability from producers, processors and food retailers. The 2017 Edelman Trust Barometer reveals the largest ever drop in trust across the institutions of government, business, media and NGOs. The good news is, of the four institutions, business is viewed as the only one that can make a difference. The belief is that a company can take actions to both increase profits and improve societal and economic conditions in the community in which they operate. The same study also identified that while this situation exists it is precarious at best. Business leaders must step up on issues that are important to society. Businesses can illustrate the benefit of innovations but must address what those innovations mean to employees and customers. There is a tendency or preference by the consumer for selfreferential media and a reliance on one’s peers for information. For over a decade, fragmentation of the beef supply chain has been a major concern of industry stakeholders. Silos function well when each sector works autonomously from the others, but with a demand from consumers for more information on their food, a fragmented system will not meet the demand for information. Issues related to privacy, competition, confidentiality and lack of trust has pervaded the industry. CAPPI, Strawman and Canadian Beef Improvement Network reports all identified that data sharing needs to happen. Until data is shared the industry will not evolve. Some of the most memorable quotes of the research BIXSco Inc. undertook when we took over the Beef InfoXchange System, Feb. 1 of 2016, were: • The Memorandum of Understanding in the beef industry is Charolais Connection • March 2018

“I win, you lose.” • Data is power. • The easiest way to make money is at some else’s expense. These quotes illustrate the lack of trust between segments of the beef industry. The new management at BIXS took what they heard to heart, and set on a path to create new industry partnerships that have never been seen before. To respect existing business models, earn trust, respect privacy and deliver value to the industry. It has been three years of listening, challenging and learning, while sifting through all the wellintentioned advice and recommendations. The BIXS management team is unique, with business, technology, marketing and agriculture knowledge in its background. BIXS supports the integrity of the beef supply chain, providing transparency for all participants while protecting privacy, moving the industry from the disconnected supply chain of yesterday to true value chains of tomorrow. Using blockchain technology BIXS will increase efficiencies, building robust integrated blockchain solutions that will work alongside the new webbased traceability system, which tracks cattle via RFID (radio frequency identification tags), through their lifetime. Using a blockchain as a part of an existing web-based data management system is not unique to BIXS, nor is it unique to the agri-food industry. Blockchains come in many continued on page 53

BXIS, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 52

different forms, both public and private, able to track many things or to focus on only one thing. A blockchain can operate between two parties or multiple parties with defined rules to determine what blocks are added or followed. BIXS sees blockchain as a logical addition to traceability in the beef industry, able to easily track specific information. Traceability, transparency and sustainability support a beef production system, that prioritizes the planet, people, animals and progress. The Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef framework for producers make Canada the first country in the world to launch a producer framework for sustainable beef production, to certify cattle operations and track chain of custody. Our country is considered one of the world leaders in sustainable beef production. With the new enhanced Canadian traceability regulations in place, the integration that BIXS has with Canadian Livestock Traceability

System(CLTS) will become more important, making it easier for producers to comply. CLTS is operated by Canadian Cattle Identification Agency which is tasked by Canadian Food Inspection Agency to track animals in respect to food safety, animal and human health. The BIXS team believes that a producer should only have to enter data one time, and be able to have that data flow to whatever system needs or requires it. The data flow only can happen with the permission of producers, by registering on BIXS, to protect privacy and established business models. The new generation of BIXS allows customization to suit multiple different situations, including the utilization of blockchain technology which is poised to revolutionize the agri-food industry. BIXSco Inc. is a member of the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef and invites everyone to visit www.crsb.ca to understand more about sustainable beef production. Charolais Connection â&#x20AC;˘ March 2018

VBP+ is explained clearly on their website www.verifiedbeefproduction plus.ca and BIXS www.bixsco.com which can fully follow chain of custody over an animals lifetime, or interact with a blockchain in the agri-food sector. Deborah Wilson is Vice President for BIXsco Inc., which operates the Beef Info Xchange System (BIXS). Her role includes business development, partnerships, marketing and communications. Deborah sits on the national council for the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef(CRSB). She served as one of the industry advisers to the Verification committee and is a member of the Marketing &amp; Communications committee, for the CRSB. She has served on both the National and Provincial Boards of the Canadian Agrimarketing Association, receiving their Honour Roll award in 2013. She was a mentor for the Cattlemen Young Leaders program 2016-17, and has served on several breed association boards. Deborah and her husband Bill have been cattle producers for 40 years, with 5 grown children and 10 grandchildren. Six of their grandchildren are being raised on the farm or ranch, participating in 4-H and helping on their family operations. Her goal is to see the cattle and beef industry evolve, ensuring beef leads the way as a sustainable, quality protein for future generations of consumers.

MANAGEMENT

Retained Placenta Heather Smith Thomas

Most cows “clean” soon after calving, shedding placental membranes within 2 to 12 hours. If it takes longer than 12 hours, it is called a retained placenta or retained fetal membranes, according to Dr. Russ Daly (Extension Veterinarian, South Dakota State University). “When I was in practice we didn’t consider doing any kind of intervention until the placenta had been retained up to 72 hours, but our understanding of how best to treat these issues has changed,” he says. Dr. Bill Lias (Interstate Vet Clinic, Brandon, SD) says veterinarians used to recommend removing the placenta if a cow didn’t clean within a day or so, but research has shown that it’s better to just leave them alone. “When I graduated from veterinary school, standard practice was to try to remove those placentas, but in recent years we’ve discovered that is not the way to go for the health of the cow and her future fertility; it’s best to just leave those cows alone,” says Lias. “I still get calls occasionally from people wanting me to come clean a cow, and I have to tell them we don’t do that anymore. There is always risk for damage when we try to remove those membranes. There are attachment sites where the placenta interfaces with the uterine lining-- caruncles in the uterus attach to the cotyledons of the placenta. A cow has a set number of caruncles and if any of those are torn off they do not regenerate. A certain number of these are required to support a pregnancy, so it’s not a good idea to manually try to remove the placenta and risk damage to those caruncles,” he says. “We also run the risk of introducing more contaminants into the uterus when we go in and try to remove the placenta. The standard of care today, and recommendation to producers, is to leave those cows alone, and the majority of them do fine,” says Lias. 54

Often no treatment is required; the membranes come away on their own in a few days (sometimes up to a week or 10 days) and the cow will be fine, but occasionally a retained placenta can lead to serious infection. “Keep the cow in a clean, dry environment until she sheds those membranes. Some times of year, that’s a challenge,” Lias says. Often the cow is better off out in a pasture, moving around, rather than confined in a dirty corral. “The main complicating factor is introduction of infection when those membranes are hanging out and she’s lying in manure or mud,” says Lais. The placenta can act as a wick to bring pathogens right into the uterus. Any cow that retains her placenta should be closely monitored to make sure she does not develop an infection. In those situations the cow will go off feed and have a fever, and she will need treatment. The uterus can generally handle a local infection and clean itself out, but if the infection goes systemic the cow will definitely need help. “Our best advice is to leave the cow alone, in a clean place, and watch her. Most cows will be fine, but if she starts acting sick, consult a veterinarian. If the cow remains normal, with good appetite, she doesn’t need treatment, even if it takes her a week or longer to clean. If they don’t get sick, those cows do fine and rebreed on schedule. Cows are very hardy animals!” says Lias. Daly says that standard practice in the past was for a veterinarian to go in and manually unhook the attachments and remove the placenta. “We thought we had to get rid of it so the cow wouldn’t get an infection. We’ve learned that this intervention can damage the uterus more than just leaving it alone,” says Daly. “When you manually remove the placenta, studies showed that this can delay a functional heat cycle for up to 20 days longer, compared with the cows that were just left alone to shed Charolais Connection • March 2018

the placenta normally. Trying to remove those membranes can do more harm than good,” he explains. A mild local infection will generally clear up on its own and won’t affect the cow’s ability to rebreed on time. The important thing is to watch that cow to see if she shows signs of systemic infection—going off feed, depressed and lethargic, with a fever. “If that happens, you should have a veterinarian examine the cow, and recommend treatment. They may prescribe systemic antibiotics and possibly some anti-inflammatory medication. In severe cases, there may be a need for local treatments such as flushing out the uterus with antiseptic fluids.” This could help clear out the debris and infection. “This kind of treatment would only be needed in a few cases. Most of the time these cows do fine if you just leave them alone. If people worry about the rotten material hanging out, they could trim that part off and leave the rest to come out on its own,” says Daly. People used to think it would be helpful to tie a stick or something to the dangling membranes to add weight to help gradually pull the rest on out, but what’s still in the uterus at that point is still attached; the connections must disintegrate so all of that material can come loose. Those connections will come apart when they are ready. In the past, many cows with retained placenta were also treated with oxytocin or drugs like Lutalyse and prostaglandin after calving. “Most of the data today has shown that these treatments are really not very helpful,” says Lias. “The bovine uterus is no longer receptive to oxytocin about 24 hours after calving, and it has not shown to have much benefit in terms of helping a cow clean,” he says. “Oxytocin is a drug that makes the uterus contract,” says Daly. “It’s not a long-acting drug; it only lasts a short time in the animal’s system. We’ve found that it doesn’t really do much continued on page 56

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REATINED PLACENTA, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 54

in terms of hastening the shedding of fetal membranes. Squeezing the uterus doesn’t help that connection deteriorate,” he says. “There is a tight junction between the placenta and the uterus and oxytocin doesn’t affect that connection; it simply stimulates more uterine contractions.” If the placenta is already coming loose, contractions can help pass those membranes, but if the connections haven’t let go yet (which is usually the case in a retained placenta), it will take time for them to disintegrate and come apart, and the oxytocin does no good. Treatment for a retained placenta (leaving it alone unless the cow gets an infection, and then having your veterinarian examine the cow and advise or help with treatment) will be the same regardless of the cause, according to Daly. Causes Several things may cause a retained placenta, including individual animal conditions and herd-based conditions. Infectious causes could include diseases that lead to abortion. Abortions of any cause can result in retained placenta. Any time a cow calves prematurely— an aborted fetus, twins, or a premature calf—the placenta generally does not come away normally and must take time for the attachments to disintegrate and come 56

loose later. Lias says there are a number of reasons a cow might calve early—an abortion, an infection, a toxic insult, a premature calf, twins, etc. “We almost always see retained placenta in those situations. Nutritional deficiencies can also be a cause. With dairy cows, especially, the cows that are low on calcium or have milk fever have a much higher incidence. Retained placenta has also been linked to vitamin A deficiency, vitamin E and selenium deficiency, and sometimes copper. There may be more nutritional causes than we know,” says Lias. “If producers start to see more than a few incidences of retained placenta, without the common and logical causes (like abortion, twins, dystocia, an induced calving, etc.) they should have their nutritional program evaluated. If you are having normal births but a higher than normal incidence of retained placenta, consult with a nutritionist and see if vitamin and mineral levels in the feed are where they need to be.” Take feed samples and perhaps also some blood samples from the cows to check their mineral status. Other causes for an occasional retained placenta would be cows that are very thin or very fat. Having your cows in proper body condition, with good nutrition and good health are Charolais Connection • March 2018

the best prevention. “An abortion or early calf is probably the highest risk for retained placenta,” says Daly. “Twins often come a bit early, and even when they don’t come early, twins are another reason a cow might retain the placenta. A difficult birth may also be a cause. These are usually individual animal cases rather than a herd problem. If producers are seeing a lot of retained placentas without a reason like an abortion or a difficult calving, this would be a clue that something is wrong in the herd. If its normal calving and you see cows hanging onto the placenta for no apparent reason, the most common herd factor in those situations is deficiency in vitamin E and selenium,” Daly says. Several diseases can cause retained placenta, including Brucellosis and lepto. Use protective gloves when handling a placenta. When the fetus is aborted or the placenta shed, these tissues should always be properly disposed of rather than left lying there, in case it was an infectious situation. The placenta is also a good diagnostic tool. If a cow aborts or a young calf died and there is a retained placenta, salvaging that tissue so a sample could be sent to the lab can be helpful to find bacterial or viral causes of abortion or illness in the newborn calf.

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CANADIAN CHAROLAIS YOUTH ASSOCIATION NEWS

2018 Programs Bret Marshall, Alberta Director

Hi everyone! My name is Bret Marshall and I am currently enrolled as a grade twelve student at Innisfail High School. Last semester, through the dual credit program my school offers, I had the opportunity to attend Olds College as a student in the Meat Processing program; it was an amazing experience. I have been in 4-H for the past 10 years, and have attended 5 CCYA conferences. It is my distinct honor to represent Alberta on the National Board. We are all excited for this year’s new and upcoming events; the new CCYA NATIONAL BOARD charolaisyouth@gmail.com President: Shelby Evans sle379@mail.usask.ca Vice-President: Wyatt Ching w.ching476@gmail.com Treasurer: Aidan Jamieson awjamieson@gmail.com Secretary: Raelynne Rosso littlerosso@hotmail.ca

CCYA Travel Scholarship is one of our best opportunities yet! The application is simple. All you have to do is fill out an application and submit a write up including: your involvement in the cattle industry, specifically your involvement with the Charolais breed. Also, which location is your preference and the events you hope to take part in during the trip. Lastly, what you hope to gain from the trip. You will be required to submit a detailed summary of your travel plans and itinerary, as well as an estimated cost or budget for the trip. This scholarship program gives youth the opportunity to attend American International Director: Bret Marshall blm5012@cesd73.ca Director: Keegan Blehm keegb34@yahoo.ca Director: Tyson Black blackbern@hotmail.com Director: Bradley Fergus bradleyfergus3@gmail.com Ex-Officio: Shae-Lynn Evans evans32s@uregina.ca

Junior Charolais Association, Australian National Youth Stampede, Canadian Beef Industry Conference and many more! Don’t miss out on this great opportunity. The National Board would like to thank all the juniors who submitted their 2018 membership in January. You are able to participate in our programs for the entire year, and to find out more information on those, visit our website at youth.charolais.com or reach out to any one of the National Board members. We are gearing up for the 2018 Conference & Show from July 25-28 in Brandon, MB and we look forward to seeing many of you there!

2018 CCYA Conference & Show Exec. President: Lindsay Verwey Vice-President: Keegan Blehm Treasurer: Randi Verwey Secretary: Kiernan Olson CCYA Provincial Advisors SK: Suzanne Smyth | suzannetylersmyth@gmail.com ON: Karen Black | blackbern@hotmail.com MB: Donna Jackson | Jackson7@mymts.net AB: Kasey Phillips | kphillips@mcsnet.ca Youth Coordinator: Kirstin Sparrow kp.sparrow@hotmail.com

Charolais Connection • March 2018

Charolais Connection â&#x20AC;˘ March 2018

Services

Charolais Connection â&#x20AC;˘ March 2018

GOOD ANCHOR CHAROLAIS HOME OF “GOOD” CATTLE! Don Good and Marion Smyth Box 3261, Vermilion, AB T9X 2B2 780.853.2220 • Don.marion.good@gmail.com

Alberta Breeders

Barry & Lee-Ann Kaiser & family 403.787.2489 Box 209, Hussar, AB T0J 1S0 Barry 403.334.2489 Lee-Ann 403.334.2155 kaiserbarry@gmail.com

Kasey, Arlana, Kord & Peri Phillips Box 420, Waskatenau, AB T0A 3P0

T 780.358.2360 • C 780.656.6400 • kphillips@mcsnet.ca KREATING KONFIDENCE

Charolais Connection • March 2018

British Columbia Breeders

Manitoba Breeders

Charolais Connection â&#x20AC;˘ March 2018

Ontario Breeders Charolais Connection â&#x20AC;˘ March 2018

Quebec Breeders

Saskatchewan Breeders

Charolais Connection â&#x20AC;˘ March 2018

USA Breeders

MANAGEMENT

Can Canola Straw Be a Roughage Option for Livestock Lorne Klein, PAg, Regional Forage Specialist, Agriview, Saskatchewan Agriculture

Canola crops have occasionally been chopped for silage or baled for greenfeed; however, baling canola straw after combing for use as livestock roughage has largely been passed over. Most producers assume that canola stems are shattered during threshing, making baling quite difficult. Surprisingly, this is not the case, partially because of the lower cylinder or rotor speed when combining canola compared to cereals. The stems remain relatively intact as it is the chopper that shreds the stems. With about 10 million acres planted each year, canola is the single largest annual crop grown in Saskatchewan. The crop also appears to yield a relatively large volume of straw, easily making it the single largest annual 66

source of crop residue in the province. Based on some local producersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; experiences, canola straw appears relatively palatable to livestock. They may require an adjustment period, but experience so far is that the livestock appear willing to consume it. Potential issues for the canola crop producer include pod management. Different combines have different capabilities. Some incorporate the pods into the straw row, some spread the pods uniformly across the field while dropping the straw, and others leave a layer of pods underneath the straw row. Another issue is the cost of replacing the nutrients and organic matter removed with the canola straw. This will depend on the cost of commercial fertilizer, which nutrients Charolais Connection â&#x20AC;˘ March 2018

need replacing and the value placed on the organic matter. A reasonable starting point is in the vicinity of ten dollars for a 1,000 pound bale. Nutritionally, canola straw is a roughage of relatively low feed quality. Limited feed testing data show energy levels are 40 to 45 per cent, similar to cereal straw. Protein might be only slightly higher than cereal straw, so supplemental feeding will be required for a balanced cattle ration. There are limitations to using canola straw as roughage. If pesticides applied to the crop have grazing or feeding restrictions, follow the label directions. Another potential caution is clubroot, which can be spread by moving infected crop residue or by spreading manure from animals fed clubroot-infected canola straw.

IMPORTANT ACTIVITIES IN OUR INDUSTRY

Calendar of Events March 5 Coyote Flats Charolais 3rd Annual Bull Sale, 1:00 p.m., at the farm, Coaldale, AB March 6 Built Right Bull Sale, 1:00 p.m., Provost (AB) Livestock Exchange March 6 RRTS Charolais Bull Sale, 12:30 p.m., BC Livestock Co-op, Kamloops, BC March 8 Buffalo Lake Charolais Bull Sale, 1:00 p.m., Stettler (AB) Auction Mart. March 9 CK Sparrow Farms Bull Sale, 2:00 p.m., at the farm, Vanscoy, SK March 9 Footprint Farms Charolais Power Bull Sale, 1:00 p.m, Dryland Cattle Trading Corp, Veteran, AB March 9 14th Annual Northern Classic Bull Sale, Grand Prairie, AB

March 9 Three Choice Bull Sale, 1:00 p.m., Balog Auction, Lethbridge, AB March 10 Horseshoe E Charolais Annual Bull Sale, 2:00 p.m., Johnstone Auction Mart, Moose Jaw, SK March 10 Benchmark Charolais Bull Sale, 1:30 p.m., Renfrew Pontiac Livestock Facility, Cobden, ON March 10 Source For Success Bull Sale, Elmlodge Herefords, Indian River, ON March 11 Steppler Farms 7th Annual Bull Sale, 1:00 p.m., Steppler Sale Barn, Miami, MB March 12 Palmer Charolais 7th Annual Bull Sale, 2:00 p.m., at the farm, Bladworth, SK

Charolais Connection â&#x20AC;˘ March 2018

March 13 McTavish Farms and Guest 7th Annual Bull Sale, 1:00 p.m., at the farm, Moosomin, SK March 13 Harvie Ranching Bull Sale, at the ranch, Olds, AB March 15 Creekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Edge Land & Cattle Co. 1st Annual Bull Sale, 1:00 p.m., at the farm, Yellow Creek, SK March 15 Lazy S Charolais Bull Sale, 1:00 p.m., VJV Auction Mart, Beaverlodge, AB March 15 McKeary Charolais Bull Sale, 2:00 p.m., Bow Slope Shipping , Brooks, AB March 16 High Bluff Stock Farm Charolais and Simmental Bull Sale, 2:00 p.m., Inglis, MB

March 16 Reese Cattle Co. Bull Sale, 1:00 p.m., Innisfail (AB) Auction Mart March 16-18 Cody Sibbald Legacy Classic Junior Show, Medicine Hat, AB March 17 Pleasant Dawn Charolais 16th Annual Bull Sale, 2:00 p.m., Heartland Livestock, Virden, MB March 17 Rollin’ Acres/Whiskey Hollow & Guests 8th Annual Bull Sale, 2:00 p.m., Maple Hill Auctions, Hanover, ON March 17 Ferme Palerme Charolais Bull Sale, Vinoy Test Station, 1:00 p.m., at Ferme Gagnon, Cheneville, QC March 17 Select Genetics Bull Sale, 1:00 p.m., at Forsyth Angus, Herbert, SK March 17 Northern Impact V Bull Sale, North Central Livestock Exchange, Clyde, AB

March 17 Canada’s Red, White & Black Bull Sale, 1:00 p.m., Johnstone Auction Mart, Moose Jaw, SK

March 24 Impact Angus & Charolais Bull & Female Sale, 1:00 p.m., Saskatoon (SK) Livestock Sales

March 19 North West Bull Sale, 1:00 p.m., Kramer’s Big Bid Barn, North Battleford, SK

March 24 Borderland Cattle Company Bull Sale, 1:30 p.m., at the ranch, Rockglen, SK

March 19 Neilson Cattle Co. 28th Annual Bull Sale, at the farm, Willowbrook, SK March 20 Diamond W Charolais, Red & Black Angus 16th Annual Bull Sale, 1:00 p.m., Minitonas, MB March 21 HTA Charolais & Guest Bull Sale, 1:00 p.m., Beautiful Plains Ag Complex, Neepawa, MB March 22 Elder Charolais 8th Annual Bull Sale, 1:00 p.m., at the farm, Coronach, SK March 23 Thistle Ridge Ranch Bull Sale, Taber (AB) Agriplex

Charolais Connection • March 2018

March 24 Cornerview Charolais Bull Sale, 1:30 p.m., at the farm, Cobden, ON March 24 Alameda Bull Sale, 1:00 p.m., Alameda (SK) Auction Mart March 24 Tee M Jay Charolais Bull Sale, 1:00 p.m., Ashern (MB) Auction Mart March 24 Lazy S Cattle Co. Limousin & Charolais Bull Sale, 6:00 p.m., VJV Auction Mart, Rimbey, AB March 24 K-Cow Ranch Bull Sale, 1:30 p.m., at the ranch, Elk Point, AB March 24 6th Annual “Thickness Sells” Bull Sale, 2:00 p.m., Atlantic Stockyards, Truro, NS

March 25 Best of the Breeds Bull Sale, 2:00 p.m., Heartland Livestock, Yorkton, SK

April 7 Maritime Bull Test Station sale, at the test station, Nappan, NS

March 26 Allanville Farms Bull Sale, 1:00 p.m, at the farm, Tisdale, SK

April 7 Saunders Charolais 13th Annual Bull Sale, 2:00 p.m., Keady (ON) Livestock Market

March 27 Prairie Distinction Charolais Bull Sale, 1:00 p.m., Beautiful Plains Ag Complex, Neepawa, MB

April 7 JTA Diamond Bull Sale, 1:00 p.m., at the farm, Courval, SK

March 27 Poplar Bluff Stock Farm & Twin Anchor Charolais Bull Sale, 1:00 p.m., Dryland Trading Corp, Veteran, AB

April 7 Acadia Ranching Charolais & Angus Bull Sale, 2:00 p.m., Bow Slope Shipping Association, Brooks, AB

March 31 Tri-N Charolais Farms & Guests Bull Sale, 2:00 p.m., Heartland Livestock, Virden, MB

April 10 Top Cut Bull Sale, 2:00 p.m., Stockman’s Weigh Co., Mankota, SK

March 31 High Point Charolais Bull Sale, 6:00 p.m., at Sunrise Charolais, Stayner, ON March 31 Transcon’s 22nd Annual Advantage Bull Sale, 1:00 p.m., Saskatoon (SK) Livestock Sales

April 12 Sliding Hills Charolais Bull Sale, 1:30 p.m., at the farm, Canora, SK April 14 Eastern Select Bull & Female Sale, 1:00 p.m., Hoards Station Sale Barn, Campbellford, ON

March 31 Candiac Choice Bull Sale, 1:00 p.m., Candiac (SK) Auction Mart

April 21 Brimner Cattle Co., at Cornerstone Bull Sale, 1:30 p.m., Whitewood (SK) Auction Mart

April 2 North of the 49th 15th Annual Bull Sale, 1:00 p.m., at Wilgenbusch Charolais, Halbrite, SK

April 21 Cedardale Charolais 15th Annual Bull & Select Female Sale, 1:00 p.m., at the farm, Nestleton, ON

April 3 Cedarlea Farms at Git ‘R Done Bull Sale, at Windy Willows Angus, Hodgeville, SK

April 21 Cattle Capital Bull Sale, 1:00 p.m., Ste. Rose (MB) Auction Mart

April 3 Gilliland Bros. Charolais 6th Annual Bull Sale, Alameda, SK April 4 Howe Family Farm/Rosso Charolais Bull Sale, 1:00 p.m., at Howe Family Farm, Moose Jaw, SK April 5 Hunter Charolais 6th Annual Bull Sale, 1:00 p.m., at the farm, Roblin, MB April 5 Ringuette Charolais Annual Bull Sale, 12 Noon, Atlantic Stock Yards, Truro, NS April 7 Vermilion Charolais Group 32nd Annual Bull Sale, 1:00 p.m., North Central Livestock, Vermilion, AB

April 21 Lindskov-Thiel Bull Sale, at the ranch, Isabel, SD June 8-10 Canadian Charolais Association Annual General Meeting, Collingwood, ON June 22-24 Think Outside the Fence, Charolais Banner Breeder School, Weyburn, SK June 29-July 7 World Charolais Congress, Sweden July 25- 28 Canadian Charolais Youth Association Conference and Show, Keystone Centre, Brandon, MB

Charolais Connection • March 2018

LOOKING TO FIND SOMEONE?

Advertisers Index Alta Custom Programs .................................60 Amabec Charolais ........................................63 Angle H Stock Farm .....................................23 Annuroc Charolais........................................63 B Bar D Charolais..........................................63 Baker Farms ..................................................63 Bar H Charolais .............................................64 Beck Farms....................................................64 Be Rich Farms ...............................................61 Blackbern Charolais .....................................63 Bob Charolais ...............................................61 Bo Jan Enterprises ........................................65 Borderland Cattle Co. .............................43,65 Bova Tech Ltd. ..............................................60 Bow Valley Genetics Ltd. .............................60 Bricney Stock Farms .....................................65 Bridor Charolais............................................63 Brimner Cattle Company ...................25,26,65 Buffalo Lake Charolais ................................61 By Livestock ......3,6 9,11,25,26,34,57,IBC,OBC Campbells Charolais .....................................58 Canadian Beef Industry Conference ...........59 Carey, Brent ..................................................60 Cattle Lac Charolais.................................34,39 Cedardale Charolais ................................45,63 Cedarlea Farms..........................................7,65 Charla Moore Farms.....................................65 Char Lew Ranch ...........................................61 Char Maine Ranching ..................................61 Charolais Journal..........................................60 Chartop Charolais ........................................65 Charworth Charolais Farms .........................61 Chomiak Charolais ......................................61 Circle Cee Charolais Farms ...........................61 Cline Cattle Co.........................................50,62 Cockburn Farms............................................63 Cornerview Charolais ...................................15 Cougar Hill Ranch ........................................62 Coyote Flats Charolais..................................61 Creek's Edge Land & Cattle Co. ..............11,65 C2 Charolais........................................34,35,63 Davis Rairdan ...............................................60 Defoort Stock Farm ......................................63 Demarah Farms ............................................65 Diamond W Charolais ...............................8,65 Dog Patch Acres ...........................................32 Dorran, Ryan ................................................60 Double P Stock Farms .............................34,63 Dowell Charolais .....................................31,61 Dubuc Charolais ...........................................64 Dudgeon Snobelen Land & Cattle ..............63 Eaton Charolais ............................................66 Echo Spring Charolais ..................................64 Edge, Dean ...................................................60 Ehr Simmentals.............................................57 Elder Charolais Farms................................6,65 Ericson Livestock Services ............................60 Fergus Family Charolais ...............................64 Ferme Palerme .............................................64 Fischer Charolais...........................................61 Flat Valley Cattle Co................................10,61 Fleury, Michael .............................................60 Flewelling, Craig ..........................................60

Footprint Farms ...........................................61 Future Farms.................................................61 Gerrard Cattle Co. ........................................61 Gilliland Bros. Charolais ..........................48,65 Good Anchor Charolais................................61 H.S. Knill Company Ltd. ...............................60 Happy Haven Charolais...........................34,63 Harcourt Charolais ..................................33,65 Hard Rock Land & Cattle Co. .......................63 Harvie Ranching ..........................................61 HEJ Charolais ...............................................61 Hicks Charolais .............................................64 High Bluff Stock Farm ...............................5,63 Holk Charolais ..............................................61 Hopewell Charolais ......................................65 Horseshoe E Charolais..................................65 Howe Family Farm ..................................51,65 HTA Charolais Farm ..................................3,63 Hunter Charolais ...................................63,IBC JMB Charolais ..............................................63 Johnson Charolais ........................................61 Johnston Charolais ..................................34,36 Johnstone Auction .......................................60 JTA Diamond ................................................31 June Rose Charolais ................................53,65 Kaiser Cattle Co............................................61 Kay R Land & Cattle Ltd...............................61 KCH Charolais ...............................................62 K Cow Ranch ................................................31 Kirlene Cattle ...............................................64 La Ferme Patry de Weedon .........................64 Land O' Lakes Charolais ...............................64 Langstaff Charolais ......................................64 Laurel Creek Ranch ......................................65 Lazy S Cattle Co ............................................25 Leemar Charolais..........................................62 LEJ Charolais.......................................34,37,63 Lindskov Thiel Charolais Ranch ...................66 M & L Cattle Co. ...........................................64 Mack's Charolais...........................................64 Maple Leaf Charolais ...................................62 Martens Cattle Co. .......................................65 Martens Charolais ........................................63 McAvoy Charolais Farm ..........................17,65 McKay Charolais ...........................................63 McKeary Charolais .......................................62 McLeod Livestock .........................................60 McTavish Farms.............................................65 Medonte Charolais.......................................64 Miller Land & Livestock...........................56,64 Murphy Livestock .........................................62 Mutrie Farms ...........................................47,65 Myhre Land and Cattle ................................63 Nahachewsky Charolais ...............................65 Neilson Cattle Company ..............................49 Norheim Ranching .......................................60 P & H Ranching Co. ......................................62 Packer Charolais ...........................................64 Palmer Charolais ..........................................65 Parklane Charolais .......................................62 Phillips Farms...........................................18,65 Pleasant Dawn Charolais ..........................9,63 Poplar Bluff Stock Farm ...............................29

Charolais Connection â&#x20AC;˘ March 2018

Potter Charolais............................................64 Prairie Cove Consulting ...............................60 Prairie Gold Charolais .............................23,65 Pro Char Charolais .......................................62 Qualman Charolais ......................................65 R & G McDonald Livestock......................34,36 Raffan, Don ..................................................60 Rammer Charolais ..........................................3 Rawes Ranches .............................................62 Rebuild with Steel ........................................60 Reeleder, Andrew.........................................60 Reese Cattle Co. ...........................................13 Rollin' Acres Charolais .................................64 Ross Lake Charolais ......................................62 Rosso Charolais........................................51,66 Royale Charolais ...........................................64 RRTS Charolais ..............................................62 Runaway Ranch ............................................25 Saddleridge Farming Co. .............................62 SanDan Charolais Farms ..............................62 Saunders Charolais ..................................41,64 Scarth Cattle Co............................................63 Serhienko/Voegeli Cattle Co........................66 Sharodon Farms ...........................................64 Silver Creek Farms Angus ............................57 Skeels, Danny ...............................................60 Sliding Hills Charolais..............................21,66 Southside Charolais......................................62 Southview Farms ..........................................64 CK Sparrow Farms .......................................IFC Springside Farms ..........................................62 Spruce View Charolais.............................12,62 Squirrel Creek Angus ...................................57 Stephen Charolais Farm ...............................66 Steppler Farms Ltd. .....................................63 Stock, Mark...................................................60 Stockmen's Insurance...................................61 Sugarloaf Charolais ......................................62 Sunblade Charolais ......................................34 Sunrise Charolais ..........................................64 Swistun Charolais .........................................18 T Bar C Cattle Co. ...........17,23,32,33,49,61,69 Tee M Jay Charolais......................................67 Temple Farms................................................66 Thistle Ridge Ranch......................................62 Transcon Livestock Corp..........................48,61 Tri N Charolais .........................................57,63 Turnbull Charolais ........................................62 Twin Anchor Charolais ............................29,62 Valanjou Charolais .......................................12 Vermilion Charolais Group ..........................68 Western Litho ...............................................61 Whiskey Hollow Cattle Company................64 White Lake Colony .......................................62 WhiteWater Livestock..................................64 Wilgenbusch Charolais ........................66,OBC Wilkie Ranch.................................................62 Windy Willows Farms.....................................7 Wood River Charolais .............................55,66 Wrangler Charolais ......................................62 WRAZ Red Angus .........................................26