2 minute read
President’s Report
CGA PRESIDENT’S REPORT James Jasper
Well, 2021 was quite a year. Dry conditions weighed on many in our industry, leaving them to outsource feed and at times water. Cattle producers had to make tough culling decisions to reduce numbers. With these negatives, I would like to focus on the positive. Many received moisture now and that should leave us optimistic for spring. I think the feeder market stayed strong considering the down pressure of the drought and retail beef is at an all time high.
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I believe that we have an opportunity we have not seen in a few years. With the reduction in the size of the cow herd, feeder prices should remain strong for the next few years. There is also a great opportunity, as a maternal breed, to supply the genetics to build the cow herd back up. The CGA will be looking to make an added push to grab market share through focused advertising, and I hope that the provincial associations will look to do the same. Please feel free to reach out if you have any ideas regarding advertising at the national level.
It was great to get back to a sense of normalcy with this year’s show season. Congratulations to those that were able to receive a banner standing in among, what I believe to be, some of the greatest cattle in the world. Thank you to everyone that exhibit cattle at livestock events and show the world what the Gelbvieh breed has to offer.
I am personally looking forward to visiting with members as bull sale season approaches and wish all of you success in marketing your seedstock.
There is one more positive I need to mention - the 50th year of Gelbvieh in Canada. This is an important milestone for the breed and while many breeds have been imported to Canada, there are only a select few that have continued to stay relevant in the industry. My hope for this breed is not only to stay relevant, but to become dominant over the next 50 years. This will happen through strong membership and a strong board, pushing hard to let the industry know what we already know - Gelbvieh females make the best mother cows and crossing Gelbvieh with any breed improves it!
Watch for upcoming 50th anniversary events throughout 2022. If you wish to volunteer to help, please contact the office, and thanks to those that already are.
