Ontario Beef - February 2019

FEBRUARY 2019

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE BEEF FARMERS OF ONTARIO

Branding Proves Success for Ontario Beef

Are Special Calf Sales “Special” from an Economic Standpoint?

Factors Influencing the Ontario Cattle Market Date of Birth Documentation Woes?

Hold onto Your Hats – Winter Calving May Be a Bumpy Ride Change in Ontario Beef Cattle Financial Protection Program Administration Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement Number 0040007029

ON TAR IO BEEF • FEBR U A RY 2019

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Ontario

HEREFORD ASSOCIATION

Ontario

HEREFORDASSOCIATION

contents

COMPLIMENTARY, MEMBER SUPPORTED PUBLICATION February 2019

Volume 60, Number 1

10 Are Special Calf Sales “Special” from an Economic Standpoint?

14 Factors Influencing the Ontario Cattle Market 19 Date of Birth Documentation Woes?

26 Branding Proves Success for Ontario Beef in Ontario Beef Cattle Financial 29 Change Protection Program Administration onto Your Hats – Winter Calving May 36 Hold Be a Bumpy Ride

departments 4 Ahead of the Heard – by Joe Hill, President, BFO 6 The Beef Beat – by Michael Campbell, Policy & Research Analyst, BFO 8 Between You, Me and the Fence Post – by Jennifer Kyle, Editor, Ontario Beef 10 OMAFRA Update - by Megan Van Schaik, Beef Cattle Specialist, OMAFRA 24 Beef Brief – by Michele McAdoo, Executive Director, Brand & Communications, Canada Beef 34 Where the Maple Leaf Flies – by Gina Teel, Communications Manager, CCA 36 Vet on Call – by Katharine Found, DVM 38 INSIGHTS – by Mike McMorris, General Manager, AgSights 40 Canadian Beef Check-Off Agency – by Melinda German, General Manager, The Agency 44 Market Information – by Jamie Gamble, Market Information Coordinator, BFO

ON THE COVER The winter temperatures have certainly been a roller coaster ride this year so far.

No matter what the thermometer says, seeing cattle enjoy a beautiful, clear, sunny winter day, like the one pictured here, makes working with the herd on the stormy days more tolerable, and reminds us that spring is right around the corner!

Don’t miss out on submitting your photos for our May 2019 issue. Please send your spring inspired photos by April 15th to be considered for the cover.

Digital photos that are at least 300dpi are preferred and can be emailed to info@ontariobeef.com.

48 Calendar of Events 50 Spotlight on Food & Farm Care Ontario – b y Kelly Daynard, Executive Director, Farm and Food Care Ontario ONTARIO BEEF • Beef Farmers of Ontario 130 Malcolm Road, Guelph, ON N1K 1B1 • Phone: 519-824-0334 • Toll Free (for Ontario callers only) 1-866-370-BEEF (2333) Fax: 519-824-9101 • info@ontariobeef.com EDITOR Jennifer Kyle CIRCULATION COORDINATOR Bethany Storey ADVERTISING MANAGER Cathy Lasby, Preferred Agri-Marketing Services Guelph, ON Phone: 519-763-8833 • Fax: 519-763-8833 pams@sentex.net DESIGN and LAYOUT Prism Studios Advertising and Design Inc. Guelph, ON PRODUCTION and PRINTING Commercial Print-Craft Limited Woodstock, ON

PROVIDING A FORUM FOR THE ONTARIO BEEF INDUSTRY Ontario Beef is the official publication of the Beef Farmers of Ontario. Contents of this publication may be reproduced only by permission of the Editor and with credit acknowledged.

Opinions expressed herein are those of the author and/or editor and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Beef Farmers of Ontario. Publication of advertisements does not constitute endorsement or approval by Ontario Beef or the Beef Farmers of Ontario of products or services advertised.

Advertising deadlines are January 10, April 15, July 15, September 15 and November 15. The publisher reserves the right to refuse or cancel any advertising, including advertising that is inconsistent with BFO’s Sponsorship Policy, available at www.ontariobeef.com. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of material published, however no responsibility can be assumed for advertising not received in clear, type-written form.

C an adi an P u b l i c a t i o n s M a i l P r o d u c t S a l es A g r eem en t Nu m b er 0 0 4 0 0 0 7 0 2 9 POSTMASTER: Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Beef Farmers of Ontario, 130 Malcolm Road, Guelph, ON N1K 1B1

A h e a d o f t h e Heard • By Joe Hill, BFO President

info@ontariobeef.com • www.ontariobeef.com

Start Connecting I

n January of each year, the BFO Board and staff travel the province to attend the annual meetings of each of our 49 county and district associations. While this is time consuming and sometimes exhausting, it is also one of my favourite exercises. We do our best to coordinate the attendance of a director at each meeting who lives close by or where it’s relatively convenient for them to attend, but I have tried to make a point of attending at least one meeting each year that I have never attended before, often a little further from home. This lets me hear a wider range of opinions and, hopefully, makes me a better board member as a result.

This is the greatest opportunity for farmers to speak with a director and provide their input into the organization’s activities. Aside from our BFO presentation and responding to questions, I like to take time to just simply talk with farmers before the meeting starts, at break, and often afterwards. We can all appreciate that not everyone is comfortable voicing their opinion or asking a question in front of a crowd, so these more private interactions help bring those farmers and their opinions into the conversation.

Something I have come to realize is

that many farmers do not have a very clear understanding of what BFO does and, more importantly, what their check-off dollars do for them and the industry. If this describes you, then it’s time to do something about it.

In 2017, we released our annual report card which provides a four-year overview of the work done by BFO on behalf of our members.

If you are interested in taking a look, you can view this report on our website or you can request a hard copy from the office. I would encourage you to consider attending your local beef association meeting and other events throughout the year. Not only will you hear reports firsthand, but these are great opportunities to meet and talk with other farmers who deal with the same day-to-day challenges, and some of whom might be able to offer solutions or at least some moral support. Another opportunity to think about for next year is attending the BFO AGM as a delegate from your county/district. I know some of you would rather go to the dentist and have a tooth pulled than drive to Toronto and sit in a meeting all day, but you have hundreds of thousands of dollars invested in your farm business and knowing what your association is doing to help protect it should be worth a day or two. After attending my first AGM about 20 years ago, I remember going home a little overwhelmed, but even then, it was clear to me that every farmer should attend at least once. While annual meeting season is behind us for another year

at this point, these suggestions are definitely something to keep in mind for next year.

In the meantime, you have already taken the first step in connecting – you are reading our Ontario Beef magazine. If there is something more that you would like to see included, please contact the office. We are always looking for topics or items to include that are of interest to our members.

We also have a weekly e-mail newsletter free to all members who sign up and we have an excellent easy-to-use website loaded with information that is well worth the time to explore. These are just a few of the great communications services available to you.

Check out the article on page 8 for more details, as well as other ways we connect with our members.

If you prefer a more personal connection, your local president and advisory councillor are great connections to establish.

Additionally, myself and the rest of the BFO Board are always interested in speaking with farmers, whether to discuss a specific issue or just general information, as is our excellent staff at the office. At BFO, we try to share what we do with our members, and we are certainly willing to do more of this. But we are also hoping you can meet us half way by making use of the tools and information currently available and providing feedback and input on where we can improve and what else you need from us.

Let’s connect! OB

BFO BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2018 Joe Hill (Feedlot Director) - President Phone: 519-843-3202 • Email: joe@roberthillfarm.ca Rob Lipsett (Background Director) - Vice-President Phone: 519-371-9850 • Email: lrlipsett@bmts.com Dave Cavanagh (Cow-Calf Director) Phone: 705-740-5212 • Email: homestead_herefords@msn.com Jason Reid (Cow-Calf Director) Phone: 807-935-3224 • Email: reidridgefarm@tbaytel.net Craig McLaughlin (Cow-Calf Director) Phone: 613-646-7820 • Email: cmblackhorse@gmail.com Tom Wilson (Feedlot Director) Phone: 519-862-3662 • Email: wilsonfarms@hotmail.com Jack Chaffe (Feedlot Director) Phone: 519-348-4607 • Email: jdchaffe@quadro.net Jason Leblond (Northern Director) Phone: 705-724-1887 • Email: jsacres5@gmail.com Dan Darling (Interim Eastern Director) Phone: 905-375-4019 • Email: dmdarling13@gmail.com Cory Van Groningen (Southern Director) Phone: 905-779-0602 • Email: coryvangro@gmail.com Kim Sytsma (Director-At-Large) Phone: 613-802-2555 • Email: kim.sytsma@gmail.com Jordan Miller (Director-At-Large) Phone: 289-686-1124 • Email: b.jordan.miller@gmail.com

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BFO STAFF Executive Director Dave Stewart • dave@ontariobeef.com Executive Assistant Cathy Golubienko • cathyg@ontariobeef.com Manager of Policy and Issues Richard Horne • richard@ontariobeef.com Senior Policy Advisor Katherine Fox • k atherine@ontariobeef.com Policy & Research Analyst Michael Campbell • michael@ontariobeef.com Manager of Communications & Marketing LeaAnne Wuermli • leaanne@ontariobeef.com Senior Communications Specialist Jennifer Kyle jennifer@ontariobeef.com Communications Coordinator Bethany Storey • bethany@ontariobeef.com Market Information Coordinator Jamie Gamble • markets@ontariobeef.com

Accountant Amber McIntyre • amber@ontariobeef.com Office Administrator Tammy Purdham • tammy@ontariobeef.com Manager of Producer Relations Dan Ferguson • dan@ontariobeef.com Producer Relations Specialist Jaclyn Horenberg • jaclyn@ontariobeef.com Check-Off Inspector Andy Millar • sunnymeadowscharolais@hotmail.com Provincial Supervisor, Ontario Feeder Cattle and Beef Breeder Co-op Programs Cheryl Russwurm • crfeederfin@wightman.ca Water Quality Specialist Chris Attema • chris@ontariobeef.com

M&L WHITE BEAR 30E

A lot of meat in a moderate frame – moderate birth weight. 30E & 176E are sons of our feature sire M&L Trezegoal 268C

M&L Eclair 57E

ET calf sired by Eclair Nice mix of proven older and more recent bloodlines • Exceptional muscle & depth Dam: WR Yvette 241Y

M&L Valdevie 62E

Wide & deep, with calving ease

Smooth, deep & thick, from a heavy milking dam

M&L 102E

Polled, 1/2 French, long bodied & thick.

Maternal brother working in the herd (exceptional calving ease on heifers)

Catalogue online at www.mlcattleco.com Sale Manager

M&L Witchita 176E

124 Shannon Road Regina, SK S4S 5B1 306-584-7937 Helge By 306-536-4261 Jon Wright 306-807-8424 charolaisbanner@gmail.com

Roger Maloney & Helen Lynett 2420 Jermyn Line Indian River, ON K0L 2B0 705-295-6439 C 705-761-7316 roger@mlcattleco.com

ON TAR IO BEEF • FEBR U A RY 2019

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The Beef Beat

• B y Michael Campbell, BFO Policy & Research Analyst michael@ontariobeef.com • www.ontariobeef.com

Reflecting on Canada’s Old Three-Class Yield Grade System A by

s

all

In addition to what was the three yield

exponentially, with YG2 and especially YG3

k n o w

we

grades (YG1, YG2, & YG3), the vast majority

rising to fill the gap. Similarly, as depicted

now,

on

of graded carcasses have typically fallen

in Fig. 2, AAA+P increases with carcass

15,

into two quality grade categories; AAA plus

weight but experiences diminishing returns;

Canada

prime and AA. This means that, under the

each additional pound brings with it a

away

old system, almost all graded cattle could

smaller and smaller gain in quality grading,

from its three-class yield grade system

be classified one of six ways: AAA+P1,

especially once weights exceed 900 pounds.

and embraced a five-class system in line

AAA+P2, AAA+P3, AA1, AA2, & AA3. One

However, when we look at the combined

with what is currently employed in the U.S.

implication of the change to our yield grade

yield and quality grades mentioned above,

The intention behind this move is to better

system is that this flow of data has come

that’s when we get some interesting results.

facilitate international trade; with aligned

to an end, and will be started from scratch

grading systems, U.S. importers should have

with the five new yield grade classes.

January 2019, moved

A scatter plot of every week of data for the past 10 years (Fig. 3) demonstrates

a clearer picture of how Canadian beef

As it will take time to build new carcass

just how the grades cattle receive are

compares to domestic U.S. product. The

grading data, now is a good time to look

influenced by carcass weight. The solid lines

crux of this change lies in the criteria used

back on the data from our old system and

represent the three yield grades of AAA+P,

for grading; where we previously focused

see what information we can glean from

and the dotted lines represent the three

on “lean meat yield”, or the percentage

it about carcass traits. Such data can give

yield grades of AA. What’s noteworthy

of red meat in the carcass, we will now

us insights into the interactions between

is that, at around 875 pounds, there is a

look at “retail yield” – the extent that cuts

carcass weight, the yield carcasses produce,

clear peak for AAA+P1 – any heavier than

from the carcass end up on store shelves,

and the quality grade the meat receives.

this and the number of cattle receiving

including some trim. As someone who

What implications might data from our

this grade began to go down, replaced by

doesn’t cut the fat off his steak, this change

old system have for navigating production

AAA+P at lower yield grades. Between 900

makes sense to me. Its intention is to align

practices under the new one?

and 950 pounds, not only do lower-yielding

packer and retailer buying decisions, and

In the August, 2017 edition of Ontario

AAA+P carcasses overtake the top yield,

provide guidance for producers to adjust

Beef, I graphed some of this data when

but we see the lower yielding AA carcasses

their production practices.

writing about how carcass yield is impacted

beginning to increase as well. According

Our grading system produces a lot of

by carcass weight (Fig. 1). It’s not news

to our old grading system, between 850

data; every week, we receive figures on

that heavier cattle produce lower-yielding

and 900 pounds appears to be the sweet

the number of cattle graded in Ontario,

carcasses, but as carcass weights get

spot where we maximize the value of cattle

their average weight, and the number of

into the 900-pound range, the number

produced in the province.

cattle given each yield and quality grade.

of cattle graded YG1 begins to drop off

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O N T A R I O B E E F • F E BRUARY 2 0 1 9

In a system that prioritizes quality

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada did an assessment of how cattle produced in Canada may be distributed across the new grade classes. In the sample used, 19.6% graded YG1, 41.9% YG2, 30.1% YG3, 7.5% YG4, and 0.8% graded YG5. If this is reflective of what we will see in Ontario, most cattle will still fall into three yield classes, but the highest yield class will be much more selective, being applied to fewer cattle than has been the case to date. We can almost certainly expect the highest value grading class, AAA+P1, to peak similarly to how we have seen, but may drop off more quickly at higher weights. Until now, yield grade has been overshadowed by quality grade when it comes to valuing carcasses, hence our grades, using more feed and making serious

better integrated into the supply chain and

sacrificing of Y1 gradings to achieve more

yield sacrifices for marginally more AAA+P

becomes a trait better reflected in the price

AAA+P with heavier weights. If yield

carcasses may make economic sense for

offered by packers, it may make sense to

becomes a more important factor in fed

individual producers, which is why for the

take a closer look at how to best balance

cattle pricing, this could add pressure to

past three years Ontario has consistently

the yield/quality grade trade-off.

send cattle to slaughter lighter, with better

seen cattle in the 900-950-pound range.

As part of the research that was

However, for a system where yield grade is

performed leading up to this change,

value gained by cattle producers. OB

SOUND BEEF NUTRITION AND FARMERS FARMACY® PRODUCTS DELIVERED ACROSS ONTARIO. At Grand Valley Fortifiers, we’ve been building sound nutrition into each product we formulate for over 50 years. Our full line of beef minerals, premixes, and supplements are available delivered across Ontario. You can also order and receive Farmers Faramcy® products on the same truck.

www.grandvalley.com

To learn more about our products and find out who your local GVF Beef Specialist is contact us directly at 1-877-625-4400.

ON TAR IO BEEF • FEBR U A RY 2019

7

Between You, Me and the Fence Post •

y Jennifer Kyle, Editor, Ontario Beef B info@ontariobeef.com • www.ontariobeef.com

Communications Round-Up A

s 2019 is now underway, there will be a lot of important information to share and lots of great activities, events and initiatives planned over the coming year. As President Joe eluded to in his editorial, we do our very best to share information and communicate through a number of different channels. With this in mind, I thought I would take a moment to share more information on the many communication services BFO provides for all of our members.

Ontario Beef Magazine Ontario Beef magazine is the official publication of BFO. It is issued five times per year in February, May, August, October and December to over 16,000 beef farmers.

Ontario Beef covers topics of interest in the beef industry, including research, producer profiles, policy issues, market information and industry updates. A complimentary copy of the magazine is sent to all of our active members.

Bull-etin Board E-Newsletter The BFO Bull-etin Board e-newsletter is issued every Friday afternoon to its subscribers.

The e-newsletter captures the headlines of the week, news releases, upcoming events and weekly market information. If you would like to receive the Bull-etin Board in your inbox, visit ontariobeef.com/communications/ bull-etin-board.aspx to subscribe. We also encourage you to share event information with us to post in the Bull-etin Board as well as on our website. Please submit information either online or by emailing Beth Storey at bethany@ontariobeef.com.

News from the North E-Newsletter The News from the North e-newsletter is issued periodically to its subscribers. It contains information on beef production, resources, events and training in Northern Ontario. If you would like to receive News from the North via email, visit beefnorth.com/updates to subscribe.

Ontariobeef.com Our website is home to a wide variety of industry, market, policy, producer and communications information. We hope you 8

O N T A R I O B E E F • F E BRUARY 2 0 1 9

take the time to visit our site and become familiar with the information that is provided.

If you are having difficulty locating something, let us know and we will be happy to point you in the right direction!

Social Media For those on social media, we encourage you to follow, like and engage with us on our BFO social media channels!

Channel Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube

Industry Focused

Consumer Focused

Facebook.com/ BeefFarmersofOntario @OntarioBeef BeefFarmersofON Youtube.com/ OntarioBeef

@OntBeef Ontbeef

Pinterest

Pinterest.com/ ontariobeef

bfoUP Webinars BFO is once again hosting webinars throughout the winter and spring of 2019 for young and beginning Ontario beef farmers and industry members. These webinars are a great way to hear the experience and ideas of industry leaders from the convenience of your own home. Those participating live also have the opportunity to ask questions and interact with other attendees. All bfoUP webinars are recorded and available online after the session.

Educational and Promotional Resource Guide BFO has an inventory of resources for producer, consumer and educational purposes.

BFO’s Educational and Promotional Resource Guide provides a summary of displays, handouts, banners and posters that are available to counties/districts and individuals for loan or purchase to assist in events, fall fairs and ag awareness activities. To access a copy of the guide, please contact Beth Storey at bethany@ontariobeef.com.

Merchandise Catalogue Looking to source swag material to promote the BFO and Ontario Beef brands? Access BFO’s merchandise catalogue online under the Communications tab on the website.

Market Information BFO provides a timely market reporting service for our members and industry stakeholders.

Information is provided primarily by Ontario beef farmers, auction markets, the DTN service and Canfax. There are a number of ways to access this popular information. Please contact our Market Information Coordinator, Jamie Gamble, by email at jamie@ontariobeef.com or by phone at the BFO office, if you are interested in being added to our distribution lists.

Northern • Website – Extensive market Ontario information can be found on the BFO website. Noon reports, daily reports, weekly @BeefNorth reports, individual auction market reports and much more can all be accessed under Market Information. Statistical information can be found under Industry - Statistics. If the statistics you are looking for are not available, contact Jamie for further information.

• Email – Daily and weekly reports are distributed at the end of every day by email.

• Fax – Daily and weekly reports can also be faxed.

• Mail – For those members without online access, we provide the weekly reports by mail.

• Phone – The market information can also be accessed by phone with two pre-recorded reports updated daily. Call our office at 1.866.370.2333 and ask for ext. 301 for the noon report (updated by 12:30pm daily) or ask for ext. 300 for the daily report (updated by 4:30pm daily).

We continuously do our best to communicate with our members as effectively as possible, while understanding there is always room for improvement. Let us know how we are doing! If you have suggestions and ideas on how we can better reach our members, please let us know. We want to make sure we are providing you with the information you need in a format that works for you!

Things to watch for this spring!

• N ew consumer-focused website e-newsletter • New videos to share on social media • bfoUP webinars

and

16th Annual Bull Sale

Saturday, April 20th, 2019 1:00pm at the Farm, Nestleton, Ontario • 30 bulls selected from a cow herd of over 150 breeding females • Our cow herd has been over 25 Years in the making • Longest Running Charolais Bull Sale in Ontario • 100% Polled bulls on offer focusing on calving ease, muscle and growth • Our bulls are affordable! 50% of the bulls sold last year sold between $4000 and $5000

Come visit our display at the East Central Farm Show.

10% off MSRP on all Gallagher Equipment.

17100 Cedardale Rd. Nestleton, ON L0B 1L0

SEE US ALSO AT THE FARM SHOW MARCH 6-7

Join us for our 16th Annual Cedardale Charolais Bull Sale & Gallagher Day, on Saturday, April 20, 2019.

For more directions and details regarding the event, please visit our website or contact us at 905-986-4608. www.cedardalefarms.ca

Bull Videos and Online Bidding available at Liveauctions.tv Trevor, Scott & Ryan Nesbitt 17100 Cedardale Rd., Nestleton, Ontario L0B 1L0 Phone: (905) 986-4608 Scott: 905-242-5058 • Ryan 905-242-2046

info@cedardalefarms.ca • www.cedardalefarms.ca

OMAFRA Update

• By Megan Van Schaik, Beef Cattle Specialist (OMAFRA), and Evan Chaffe, Beef Cattle Livestock Assistant (OMAFRA)

Are Special Calf Sales “Special” From an Economic Standpoint?

I

n a previous article in Ontario Beef (Preconditioning Practices Can Benefit Cow-Calf and Feedlot Producers, October 2018), we discussed some of the benefits of preconditioning practices for calves. The benefits of adopting best management practices associated with vaccinations, disbudding/dehorning and castration, and other preconditioning criteria are well known. Castrating and dehorning at a younger age helps to reduce stress and pain to the animal, while an effective vaccination program is a critical component of disease prevention and overall herd health. These practices are necessary to set calves up for success in feedlots.

Special calf sales in Ontario provide recognition to consignors who follow specific management practices. The requirements differ from sale to sale, but generally involve adoption of specific management practices to improve cattle health and performance and/or include specific breed influence requirements to increase uniformity of lots. With the known health and performance benefits of preconditioning practices and lot uniformity, is there an economic benefit to marketing calves through special calf sales?

Table 1 provides sale data from three different auction locations across Ontario

for 2018 fall calf sales. The data was obtained from the Beef Farmers of Ontario Market Reports between October 1st and November 30th, 2018 and highlight the differences between prices at each auction for special sales and regular sales, and average prices across the Ontario market during the same timeframe. In most cases, calves between 400 and 800 pounds marketed through special calf sales sold

Table 2 – Impact of average market prices at special calf sales versus regular sales

stronger compared to those sold through regular sales at the same location and, on average, across other auctions during the same week.

Table 2 shows the financial impact of marketing strategies (special calf sales vs regular sales) for individual calves sold at 550 pounds (on average) when marketing 50 steers. While special calf sales generally bring stronger prices for calves, there are other factors that will impact prices received for calves between sales and

Table 1 – A comparison of market data between special calf sales and regular sales in 2018

Note: Steer pricing only. Where more than one special sale occurred in a week, special sale pricing was averaged.

Market data obtained from BFO Market Reports and expressed in CAD. *Local same week price summary unavailable. Following week pricing used alternatively.

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O N T A R I O B E E F • F E BRUARY 2 0 1 9

between lots (discussed further below). In 2018, premiums received on 550-pound calves marketed through special calf sales ranged (on average) between $0.20-$0.35 per pound.

What do the trends look like yearover-year? In 2018, as part of a Special Calf Sale Study undertaken by OMAFRA Agriculture Development Branch staff, an analysis of premiums received at

special calf sales over a 10-year period was conducted. Special calf sales, for the purpose of the study, were defined as “sales that have requirements for health and management protocols, and/or have a unique label on calves.” The study looked at prices received for calves at special calf sales at four different locations across Ontario. Some sales were pre-sort sales, while other sales catalogued lots of calves and auctioned them in owner-lots.

Figure 1 shows market data over a 10-year market cycle, comparing special calf sales and regular sale data from four different auctions across Ontario. The dataset covers nine weeks during the fall calf run (September and October each year). The x-axis represents the average sale data (including special calf sales) in a given year across all sales in Ontario over the nine-week period. The red bars represent the per cent difference on prices received for calves marketed through special calf sales at the four auctions Continued on page 12.

Continued from page 10. – Are

Special Calf Sales “Special” From an Economic Standpoint?

Figure 1 – Premiums received at Ontario special calf sales and regular sales over a 10-year within the nine-week period of a given market cycle, expressed as per cent difference to average Ontario sale data for the same time year, compared to the average market period data across the province. The blue bars represent the per cent difference on price received for calves marketed through regular sales at the same auctions, compared to the average market data across the province.

While the data generally shows a positive trend for special calf sales in the province, Figure 2 demonstrates that conditions differ between sales, and these conditions will affect price discovery at each auction. The data in Figure 2 shows the per cent difference between special calf sales at each of the four sale locations and the average sale data across Figure 2 – Premiums received at Ontario special calf sales over a 10-year period at four different auction locations, expressed Ontario over the as per cent difference to average Ontario sale data nine-week period in a given year.

Price discovery will be impacted by different conditions at each sale. Each sale has a unique set of consignors and buyers, and further to that, each sale has different management requirements

ECHO SPRING

CHAROLAIS

ESC 174F Lot 25 Offering French and French-influence bulls in the HIGH POINT BULL SALE, Saturday, March 30 at 6:00pm, Stayner, Ontario Doug H: 705-487-5840 • C: 705-890-8458 Earl: 705-345-7684 • Cory: 705-826-1033 Ryan: 705-718-9005 • Erin: briggserin@hotmail.com 12

O N T A R I O B E E F • F E BRUARY 2 0 1 9

for consignors, which are typically advertised with the sale.

Any combination of vaccination protocols, dehorning, castration, age verification and bunk training will be required for consignors to sell calves through the special sale. These requirements will also influence the buyers and the sellers that attend the sale. Individual auction venues

should be contacted for more information on sale details and consignor requirements.

In summary, special calf sales can benefit both cow-calf and feedlot producers. Depending on the sale, feedlot owners can purchase lots of calves that have been reared under specific preconditioning protocols to attain better uniformity in lots and health of calves. There is opportunity for cow-calf producers to receive premiums on calves through special calf sales. Producers must do some research to understand salespecific requirements for consignors and observe price discovery dynamics at each sale.

The authors would like to thank James Byrne and Steve Duff with OMAFRA for their assistance on the analysis. OB

ON TAR IO BEEF • FEBR U A RY 2019

13

Factors Influencing the Ontario Cattle Market

By Canfax Research Services

O

ver the last three years, regional fed cattle price spreads have been of keen interest to producers. The Ontario to Alberta fed steer rail price spread turned negative in 2016. There are many factors that contribute to regional price spreads including local supply and demand conditions.

U.S. packer competition plays an important role in Canadian cattle price discovery, regardless of which province you live in. This arbitrages prices between Canadian and the U.S., keeps Canadian packers honest and impacts the price paid for all cattle not just those being exported. It does not have to be a big percentage to make a difference. Ontario has a lower reliance on fed cattle exports to

the U.S. (6% 2014-18 average) than the West (12%) or Quebec and Atlantic Canada (21%); but a higher reliance for cows (ON 42%, West 19%, QC/AP 70%).

The U.S. market is as much about the potential of competition and bidding, as it is on cattle actually moving south. This means if Ontario cattle are not qualifying for U.S. plant requirements, there is essentially a captive market for local packers. Over the last five years, Ontario has annually exported 36,000 head of fed cattle and 64,000 head of cull cows to the U.S. on average.

U.S. Regional Herd Expansion U.S. packer demand for Canadian fed cattle and cull cows varies with local conditions.

From 2009 through 2018, there has been a shift in where cattle are in the country. Herd expansion has varied substantially by region creating a mis-match between where cattle are and packing capacity. While beef cow inventories in 2018 were 31.7 million head, essentially back to 2009 levels, inventories in the Northeast were up 14% or 25,000 head from 2009, and the Midwest was up 5% or 513,500 head from 2009. In addition, dairy cow inventories nationally were back at 9.3 million head in 2018, but the Northeast and Midwest combined had 72,700 more dairy cows than in 2009. In total, there are 611,400 more cows in the Northeast and Mid-West in 2018 compared to 2009.

Larger Dairy Slaughter Volumes USDA milk prices at the farm were down 10% from last year during the third quarter of 2018. This was the fourth consecutive quarter of lower milk prices and has resulted in liquidation of dairy cows. However, this liquidation is not equal across the regions. NASS data from 23 states in the Milk Production report, show the milk cow population in the Upper Midwest (IL, IN, MI, MN, WI) and Eastern states (NY, PA, FL, VA, VT) has declined by 61,000 head from October 2017 to October 2018. Meanwhile, the milk cow population in Texas, Kansas and Colorado has increased by 49,000 cows during the same time period (Source: Livestock Market Information Center). Larger dairy cow slaughter in the Upper Midwest and Eastern states has strained packing capacity in the region. While most U.S. cow plants continue to take Canadian beef and dairy cows, the large supplies of U.S. cull dairy cows have pressured the market in the second half of 2018. Once the liquidation of the U.S. dairy herd is complete, this should provide greater flexibility at U.S. packing plants to take cull cows out of Eastern Canada.

In addition, as local cattle supplies have become ample, some U.S. packing plants have chosen not to take fed Holstein steers.

14

O N T A R I O B E E F • F E BRUARY 2 0 1 9

This has shifted these animals from Midwest packing plants into the Northeast, potentially displacing some eastern Canadian fed cattle that would have traditionally went into U.S. Northeast packing plants. In some locations, ample supplies of Holstein steers mean that beef cattle are being discounted closer to Holstein prices.

North American Packer Utilization Moving forward, the North American market will be increasingly challenged by limited packing capacity. The U.S. market has been operating at above 100% utilization (based on a 40-hour work week and current labour) since 2016. By working Saturdays, the increase in marketings has been handled by existing capacity averaging 103% in 2018 and a projected 104.5% in 2019. This has put negotiating leverage firmly in the hands of the packers.

Regionality In Canada, the east has seen packer utilization increase from 85% in 2016 to 92% in 2017 and 95% in 2018. In contrast, the national situation is quite different at 87% in 2018, up from 82% in 2017, with more capacity available in western Canada with the opening of Harmony Beef.

Basis levels are adjusting to encourage producers to shift cattle to regions where there is more packing capacity available (specifically western Canada). At some point, these shifts will be completed and if no additional capacity becomes available, cattle prices will be pressured down.

In 2018, eastern cattle slaughter was up 4% from last year. Steer slaughter up 3%,

heifers down 1%, cows up 15% and bulls down 23%. Ontario represents 94% of total eastern Canadian slaughter.

Utilization rates in eastern Canadian packing plants have historically been around 80%. That shifted with plant closures - Les

Viandes Laroche in October 2015 and Les Viandes Valleyfield in March 2016. This put leverage in the hands of the packers with utilization rates increasing sharply from 2015 to 2018. Utilization is calculated based on a five-day week at plants and therefore any Saturday kills can increase utilization rates to 120% on a weekly basis. In the second half of 2018, there were 14 weeks with utilization at 100% or above.

New Capacity?

As packing plant utilization rates increase across North America – there is potential for regional pinch points developing. While many plants are fully utilized and operating on Saturdays, others are fully utilizing the available labour in their local area, but not their physical capacity. To be clear, there is adequate physical capacity in the U.S. to process the cattle coming; it is a question Continued on page 16.

ON TAR IO BEEF • FEBR U A RY 2019

15

Continued from page 15. – Factors

Influencing the Ontario Cattle Market

of the price at which it will be done and where it is located. Labour challenges are not necessarily at a state or province level but can be extremely local, creating challenges for those operations to increase hours. Many of the old plants that closed when cattle supplies were tight between 2012 and 2015, have been converted to other uses (e.g. chicken or milk processing) and are not in a position to be refurbished and re-opened as another beef plant.

Competition and Plant Limitations There are a couple of things that limit a plant’s willingness or ability to bid on certain types of cattle. First, infrastructure may mean strict heavy weight discounts starting at 1,550 pounds live and being unable to take cattle over 1,600 pounds. Some plants may be able to slaughter 1,600-pound cattle, but cannot handle them on the fabrication floor, making them less desirable to bid on.

Certain classes of cattle that tend to be longer may also reduce competition due to rail height. In contrast, other plants may have the infrastructure to handle heavier carcasses. If all cattle in a region are very close to the heavy weight discounts, it could limit competition between plants.

In December 2015, JBS announced they would no longer accept cattle weighing more than 1,600 pounds. At a 60% dressing percentage, this works out to around a 960-pound carcass weight. Since the fall of 2015, Ontario steer carcass weights have been over 960 pounds from mid to late-October through early-April. This has coincided with the weaker price spread between Alberta and Ontario.

16

O N T A R I O B E E F • F E BRUARY 2 0 1 9

Second, individual plants need approval for exporting to specific markets. This means that while one plant may be approved for exporting to South Korea, Japan or China, another plant (even by the same company) may not be approved. This is not a difference in market access between Canada and the U.S. but a difference between individual plants on either side of the border. Consequently, plants with market access have a competitive advantage over others.

Ontario Cattle Prices Ontario cattle prices in 2018 were impacted by packer utilization rates as ample supplies in the Northeast and Midwest filled available capacity. Ontario rail prices for fed steers were softer than the prior year from March through August, but performed stronger than last year in September through

November. Overall, fed steer prices averaged $247.50/cwt in 2018, down 3% from 2017, and remain well above the pre-2013 levels.

Replacement ratios are calculated as the feeder prices as a percentage of the fed cattle price. The lower the replacement ratio, the fewer dollars the feedlot must pay to replace a fed animal with a feeder. Conversely, a higher ratio means the feedlot must pay more per pound to replace those animals. This can provide an indication of feeder supplies and feedlot competition. In the second half of 2018, Alberta feedlots were paying 1.48 times the price of fed cattle for 550-pound steers, but Ontario feedlots were paying 1.60 times the price of fed cattle for 550-pound steers.

The Alberta and Ontario replacement ratios typically move in tandem with periods of divergence usually short lived as the market quickly adjusts. OB

LIMOUSIN

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PLAN TO ATTEND THESE LIMOUSIN SALES

March 9 - Hollee Limousin Private Treaty Sale • March 23 - Fully Loaded Bull Sale • April 6 - Smart Limousin Private Treaty Sale April 22 - Beezee Acres Sale • April 27 - Starting Line Up Sale

AND PLEASE JOIN US AT THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE ONTARIO LIMOUSIN ASSOCIATION March 2nd - Contact Nancy Lawrence for advance tickets.

Please contact the Breeders listed for your Limousin Bulls and Females.

3 RIDGE FARMS Jon Bell 217294 Conc. 3 Owen Sound, ON N4K 5N5 519-378-4006 roundbale14@hotmail.com ALBERTVIEW LIMOUSIN FARMS Jim and Karen Roffey and Family Walter Stothers 5735 Doane Rd., Mount Albert, Ont. L0G 1M0 Contact Jim Roffey: 905-473-2713 BEE ZEE ACRES Mary Anne & Bill Zwambag RR #4, Glencoe, ON N0L 1M0 519-287-3219 CLARK CATTLE CO. David Clark 2280 McCullough Rd. Port Hope, ON L1A 3V7 905-786-2304 clarkcattle1@hotmail.ca

DARLING FARMS 4172 County Rd 25 Castleton, ON K0K 1M0 905-375-4019 dmdarling13@gmail.com GIBSON FARMS Dave and Emily Gibson 2148 Concession 4, RR1, Ripley Ontario N0G2R0 Dave-519-357-6174 Emily 519-440-9907 HAYSTACK ACRES John & Michelle McLean 3114 Walker Road, RR#2 Harrow, ON N0R 1G0 519-738-0453 haystacklimousin@yahoo.ca HILLSIDE FARMS Ray and Stacie Stanton 4250 King Road, King City, ON, L7B 1K4 416-505-0707 rays@londonproperty.ca

KOYLE FARMS LIMOUSIN Dwight & Catherine Koyle 33429 6th Line, RR#3 Iona Station, ON N0L 1P0 519-764-2697 • cdkoyle@gtn.net AFTER HOURS LIMOUSINS Rob & Erin Weppler 117078 Grey Rd. 3 , Tara, ON 519-375-6108 Rob@gbtel.ca LAKESIDE FARM Wayne and Nancy Lawrence 263657 Southgate Rd. 26 RR#4 Durham, ON N0G 1R0 519-369-2806 POSTHAVEN LIMOUSIN John and Ena Post #7396 Sideroad #20, RR #2, Alma, Ontario N0B 1A0 519-846-9320 ejpost@posthavenlimousin.com

Ontario Limousin Association

Mike Geddes, President • Phone: 519-502-8864

RAIL LINE FARMS Paul and Brad MacIntyre 221 Bruce County Rd. 1 RR #3, Lucknow, ON N0G 2H0 519-528-2423 pcmacintyre@hurontel.on.ca NEW LIFE LIMOUSIN 261269 Conc. 18 Hanover, ON N4N 3B8 519-270-5415 New.life.limousin@gmail.com SMART LIMOUSIN Garry and Sheila Smart 137606 Grey Road 12 RR#2, Meaford, ON N4L 1W6 519-538-4877 www.smartlimousin.com TOP MEADOW FARMS RR # 1, Clarksburg, ON N0H 1J0 519-599-6776 WINDY GABLES LIMOUSIN Bryce & Nathan Allen RR #4, Warkworth, ON K0K 3K0 705-924-2583

Check out our Website for LimoNews: www.ontariolimousin.com

BFO Announces Sharecost Innovation Award Winners

By Bethany Storey, BFO Communications Coordinator The Sharecost Program, administered each year

by BFO, continues to be a well-utilized program with the majority of counties and districts taking part. In support of producer and consumer initiatives, 2018 was a great success with 36 participating counties receiving a total return to the local level of just under $86,000. Each year, counties and districts put forth time, effort and commitment to support local initiatives and programs that promote and raise awareness for the beef industry. In November of 2018, final applications were submitted, including invoices and record of payment for each activity. In return, BFO provided a cost-share of 64% up to a maximum of $2,000 for consumer initiatives and $2,000 for producer initiatives, with a total maximum return of $4,000 per association. Qualifying producer applications ranged from educational workshops to bus trips, while consumer activities included fair involvement, local beef promotion and community sponsorship.

As an additional component of the BFO Sharecost Program, local associations are encouraged to send submissions for the BFO Sharecost Innovation Award. Associations may submit an application for either a consumer or producer project they are especially proud of.

The award is presented based on leadership, innovation, creativity and success of execution, and we received outstanding entries again this

year. BFO congratulates all who took time to get involved in their local community, dedicating their time to these projects. The first-place winner is awarded $500, while second and third place receive $250 and $100 respectively.

In 2018, BFO was pleased to receive four innovative entries from Wellington, Dufferin, Simcoe and Temiskaming. With an outstanding group of entries, selecting only three was certainly a challenge!

Congratulations to our 2018 winners: Simcoe County Beef Farmers, Wellington County Cattlemen’s Association and Beef Farmers of Temiskaming!

1st Place – Engaging Our Future

Simcoe County Beef Farmers, in conjunction with the North Simcoe 4-H beef club, organized a bus tour for their members to learn more about different operations and practices across the industry.

During this tour, participants learned about new antibiotic regulations and vet-client-patient relationships, as well as pain mitigation when dehorning and castrating.

They were also able to discuss and view a variety of operations that demonstrated an Please join Hollee Limousin assortment of cattle and Murray Hill at our housing and pasture management systems.

LIMOUSIN HEIFER AND BULL The hope is that the ‘OPEN HOUSE’ information participants Saturday, March 9th from 10:00am to 2:00pm gleaned from this farm tour will be applicable to at Hollee Limousin their own operations in 11851 Cartwright West Corner Line, the future.

Blackstock, ON

SELLING • Long-aged Bulls • Yearling Bulls • Bred Heifers • Heifer Calves

Watch for us at the Farm Show in Lindsay on March 6th and 7th HOLLEE LIMOUSIN Holli and Brian Lee Janetville, Ontario hmacsand@hotmail.com Cell: 905-447-5173 18

MURRAY HILL FARM Jeff and Denise Byers Blackstock, Ontario info@murrayhillfarm.ca Cell: 905-449-5939

O N T A R I O B E E F • F E BRUARY 2 0 1 9

2nd Place – Cultivating Connections

Second place is awarded to the Wellington County Cattlemen’s Association.

To promote beef farming to young students, Wellington cattlemen took part in the unique Pizza Perfect event held at the Grand River Raceway that hosted

more than 800 third grade students.

Pizza Perfect is a one-day program that explores various agricultural subject areas with interactive, hands-on activities and live-demonstrations. The Wellington County Cattlemen’s Association has participated since the launch of the event in 2006 by organizing a beef station that provides information on beef production and the products produced by the beef industry. They also provide and care for a cow-calf pair at the event and supply beef industry resources that can be provided to both teachers and students.

3rd Place – Explore Where Your Food Comes From

The third-place winner of this year’s Innovation Award are the Beef Farmers of Temiskaming.

In partnership with the Northern Ontario Food Innovation Alliance, they were able to execute a successful “Day in Farm Country”, a self-guided car tour of Temiskaming farms. The Beef Farmers played a key role in organizing the tour and making sure that the beef farm was able to accommodate the participants.

The event was well-attended with approximately 300 guests visiting Potter’s Golden Meadow Farm, a beef farm in Earlton. More than seven farms were involved in the event, which was offered free of charge to those who wished to participate. It was a successful community event with local media and organizations also participating in the day. The Beef Farmers of Temiskaming look forward to continuing this event in the future.

Congratulations to all 2018 winners and entrants; BFO looks forward to receiving more fantastic and innovative entries in our 2019 Sharecost applications. OB

Date of Birth Documentation Woes?

Valid documentation isn’t always accepted, much to the frustration of producers. What are the rules, and what can producers do to minimize their risk of documentation being overlooked?

By Michael Campbell, BFO Policy & Research Analyst

S

ince 2007, Canada has been classified as a “Controlled BSE Risk” country by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). This classification comes with conditions under the OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code that are costly for Canadian beef exports, and do not apply to those classified as “Negligible BSE Risk” countries.

One of the OIE conditions stemming from being classified as a negligible BSE risk country is to demonstrate that infected domestic animals were born more than 11 years prior. Previously, the most recent birth date of a BSE-infected animal in Canada was 2004, but with a case detected in 2015, six months before Canada would have become eligible for an upgrade in its BSE risk status, Canada will now be classified as a controlled risk country until at least 2026.

As part of Canada’s adherence to OIE guidelines, the skull and vertebral column from cattle older than 30 months is kept separate from fresh beef and beef products. In order to determine which cattle require this additional processing, Canada verifies the age of cattle through Date of Birth Documentation and/or estimation by examining the animal’s tooth development. These guidelines also contain the implementation of anti- and postmortem inspections.

The World Organisation for Animal Health has determined 30 months of age to be a statistically sound benchmark for the point at which BSE in cattle is fully developed and poses a risk of transmission. This is considered the international standard for BSE risk in cattle. Canada and Ontario adhere to the Over Thirty Month (OTM) Rule for the dual purposes of indicating that we align our processing sector with global standards and to minimize the likelihood of an industry-crippling instance of BSE entering the Canadian food supply.

Federal rules outline guidelines for using dentition in federal processing plants to estimate whether cattle are older or younger than 30 months of age, and provincial plants adhere to these guidelines.

When is dentition performed?

Dentition is performed up to two times at an abattoir – once during live inspection, and once during post-mortem inspection. If appropriate date of birth documentation is provided indicating the animal is under 30 months of age, live inspection dentition may not be performed. However, in this case dentition should still be expected as part of post-mortem inspection.

What is the process for determining OTM status without date of birth (DOB) documentation?

The third permanent incisor emerges from the gumline at roughly 30 months of age. It is a

coincidence that this takes place at the same age as the cutoff age for BSE risk, and the third incisor is consequently used in federal regulations as an indicator that a bovine is OTM if there is no accompanying date of birth documentation.

There is natural variation between breeds and between individuals in the emergence of the third incisor. Figure 1 summarizes some of the available literature on the relationship between chronological age of cattle and the emergence Figure 1 – Source: A comparison of the USDA ossification-based of the third incisor. maturity system to a system based on dentition, T.E. Lawrence, In speaking with J.D. Whatley, T.H. Montgomery, and L.J. Perino OMAFRA veterinarians, this natural variation has emerge before thirty months of age. As a result, it’s been acknowledged. It is understood as inevitable statistically sound to reject a birth date document that some cattle without age documentation will that suggests a younger age if this tooth is present. have experienced the emergence of the third If the emergence of a fifth incisor does not incisor before the age of 30 months. However, align with the animal’s DOB documentation, there is no other reliable measure by which the the inspector will note the discrepancy. If it’s age of a bovine can be determined to the level considered appropriate, an observation report of precision that will account for this natural may be forwarded to the area CFIA individual variation; there is no way to verify that a bovine responsible for identification and traceability. is, for example, 28 months old. The decision to use This is intended to identify patterns of improper the third incisor as an OTM indicator is made with or accidental date of birth documentation by probabilities in mind to conservatively prevent producers, to allow for follow-up actions on a larger losses to the industry and impacts on public case-by-case basis. The province does not look for health. It is considered less costly to the industry patterns of improper age reporting such as may be for UTM cattle without age documentation to done federally. be occasionally classified as OTM, than a loss in confidence in Canadian beef or BSE entering the What constitutes valid date of birth food supply, resulting in significant trade loss and documentation? potential public health consequences.

According to CFIA guidelines, abattoirs will accept three types of date of birth documentation: What is the process for determining CCIA documents, breed registry documents, and OTM status with DOB documentation?

ATQ documents.

Although eruption of a third incisor is taken as a general indicator that an animal is older CCIA Documents than 30 months, CFIA’s policy is to accept birth These documents are issued by CCIA once a documentation as proof of the animals’ age even producer provides their log of calf birth dates if the third and fourth incisors have emerged. This and a unique RFID tag number assigned to each is to account for natural variability in when these calf. An animal’s RFID tag must match their CCIA incisors emerge. However, according to federal documentation. regulations, if the fifth permanent incisor has emerged from the gumline, the animal will be Breed Registry Documents deemed OTM regardless of what the animal’s date These must be consistent with identification of of birth documentation says. From speaking with a the animal at the time of slaughter via the RFID veterinarian at OMAFRA, it is almost a biological tag number, tattoo, line drawing, or photo. The impossibility that the fifth permanent incisor will

Continued on page 20.

ON TAR IO BEEF • FEBR U A RY 2019

19

Continued from page 19. – Date

of Birth Documentation Woes?

process for obtaining these documents may vary depending on the breed organization.

a producer may submit DOB documentation to an abattoir by email.

ATQ Documents These are documents from Quebec’s traceability program. ATQ documents allow for some birth dates to be estimated. In these instances, the documentation will not be accepted as valid.

What can producers do to maximize the likelihood that DOB documentation will be viewed?

How is DOB documentation submitted?

Date of birth documentation is typically provided to the driver transporting the cattle to the abattoir, who is then meant to submit the documentation to the abattoir staff who accepts the shipment. The abattoir staff, in turn, provides the documentation to the inspector. Alternatively,

Producers have expressed frustration with UTM cattle being classified as OTM despite submitting valid documentation to the abattoir. This is a justified concern; if producers are to expend the effort to ensure their cattle are appropriately documented, they should expect that government protocol be followed when considering that documentation. This is necessary not just for fair treatment of producers regarding the value of their cattle, but for faith in the inspection system itself.

OATTES CATTLE CHAROLAIS BULL SALE 138 Oattes Rd, Cobden, Ont.

Off of Hwy 17, approx 4 miles west of Cobden, onto Oattes Rd, signs posted.

FRIDAY EVENING, MARCH 1ST AT 6:00PM Viewing on sale day from 3:00 to 6:00pm Approx. 20 Charolais Bulls This sale will be a video auction. The bulls will sell via video inside.

All Purebred bulls, 95% done AI. For more info call: Craig at 613-633-0755 or Jack at 613-633-7969 For bull stats and pictures go to prestoncull.com

ANNUAL BRED HEIFER SALE FOR

PRESTON & TERRY CULL & FAMILY at the farm on 923 Spence Rd, Douglas, Ont. SATURDAY MARCH 2ND AT 1:00PM Viewing after 11:00am 70 Charolais X-Bred first & second calf Heifers Bred to large frame Charolais or Red Angus Bulls some with calves at foot.

These heifers are close, due anytime, March, April. Double vaccinated, Scour Boss, and vet checked. For viewing or info call Preston.

Check prestoncull.com for pictures.

Auctioneer • Preston Cull, R.R. #1 Douglas, Ontario

prestoncull.com • 613-649-2378 20

O N T A R I O B E E F • F E BRUARY 2 0 1 9

There are steps producers can take to help prevent their documentation from being missed in the submission process. While they may not be foolproof, they can go a way towards helping you get fair value for your cattle and will help demonstrate due diligence if any issues occur.

Sort out and submit your DOB paperwork in advance Finalizing DOB documentation can be an involved process and errors are easy to make.

Having documentation complete when making shipment arrangements with an abattoir gives time to identify errors, but also allows you to provide the abattoir with documentation in advance of shipment, if you choose.

Choose a transporter you can rely on If you have provided your DOB documentation to the transporter along with your cattle, you don’t have direct control over whether that documentation is submitted to abattoir staff, and a busy day or forgetful moment can result in that documentation staying on the dashboard.

To minimize the chance of this happening, it may help to choose a transporter with whom you have a personal rapport, with a voiced agreement to submit the necessary documentation when your cattle are delivered.

Submit documentation electronically Alternatively, in most cases it should be possible to submit your DOB documentation directly to the abattoir via email, indicating the pot of cattle that it is accompanying. This can be done in place of, or supplementary to, physical documentation delivered by your transporter.

Follow up with the abattoir Following-up after delivery to inform the abattoir that DOB documentation has been submitted can help ensure the abattoir is aware that a particular pot of cattle has accompanying DOB documentation, and can offer the opportunity to address any documentation issues that have arisen.

Concerns can be escalated to OMAFRA/CFIA staff Both OMAFRA and CFIA have staff who are able to receive concerns regarding cattle misclassification at abattoirs; Area Managers for OMAFRA, and Regional Veterinarians for CFIA. Abattoir operators should be aware of the correct staff for their facility. If issues arise regarding DOB documentation, these can be escalated through the abattoir operator to staff at the relevant government agency.

Will Traceability impact issues with DOB documentation?

It is important to note that when we eventually see mandatory, full-chain traceability implemented in Canada, animal ID records will be fully integrated into the movement of cattle. Once this is the case, electronic DOB information will automatically accompany any shipment of cattle to an abattoir, and errors related to documentation being overlooked will be more difficult to make, and will be identified more easily. OB

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Homo Pld • LT BRIDGER x AMABEC Y’S GUY Auctioneers: Stewart James 613-445-3269 Stewart James Jr. 613-222-2815 (Bilingual)

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View catalogue & videos online in early February

WhiteWater Livestock Keith & Karen Black H: 613-646-2673 C: 613-570-8464 Forester’s Falls, ON • blackbern@hotmail.com Blackbern Farm

Kirby & Arlene Hakkesteegt and Family Kirby: 613-848-6917 Angela: 613-922-4671 Brighton, ON • kirbyh@lks.net Kirlene Cattle • @kirlenecattle

Kurtis & Chelsea Black C: 613-585-3873 • Haley Station, ON whitewaterlivestock@gmail.com www.whitewaterlivestock.com Whitewater Livestock • @kurtisblack_1 ON TAR IO BEEF • FEBR U A RY 2019

21

Top 10 Ways to Help Prevent Barn Fires T

hough barn fires are a year-round concern, most barn fires occur in the winter. The colder months are generally the time when feed and bedding storage is greatest, electricity use is high, and equipment repairs and upgrades are made. It is an important time to be extra vigilant.

When it comes to barn fires, prevention is key.

The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), in collaboration with representatives from fire protection and response, insurance, university, farm and commodity organizations, recommends these top 10 safety practices to reduce the risk of fire.

These practices can be implemented without having to make major changes to building structures or equipment.

1. Focus on Housekeeping

Maintaining a clean and organized barn is a simple and cost-effective way to reduce the likelihood of barn fires.

2. L imit the Use of Temporary Electrical Equipment

Extended use of temporary equipment can increase the chance of a fire occurring through degraded outlets and extension cords. Make sure to hard-wire electrical equipment that is used regularly.

3. R egularly Inspect and Maintain Permanent Electrical Systems

The humidity and corrosive gases generated by livestock and the storage of manure can degrade permanent electrical systems. The Electrical Safety Code has specific requirements for the installation of electrical equipment within livestock housing areas. For more information,

see Section 22-204 and Bulletin 22-3-5 in the Ontario Electrical Safety Code and the OMAFRA factsheet, Electrical Systems in Barns, found on the OMAFRA website.

4. Perform Hot Works Safely

When using such things as welders and blow torches, make sure to do the work in wellventilated areas outside of buildings. If the work needs to be done inside farm buildings, ensure the area is well-ventilated, remove all combustible materials, place non-combustible pads under the work area, and have a fire extinguisher readily accessible.

5. Participate in a Risk Reduction Assessment with Insurance or Fire Departments

Many insurance companies and fire departments offer onsite reviews or risk reduction assessments for farms. Take advantage of these opportunities to help identify potential risks and get recommendations to address concerns.

6. Prepare and Implement a Fire Safety Plan

A fire safety plan can help ensure a farm operation is regularly maintaining safety equipment, avoiding or reducing high risk activities and is prepared to respond to a fire.

7. Regularly Inspect and Maintain Fire Walls, Fire Separations and Attic Fire Stops

Fire walls, fire separations and attic fire stops can slow down the progression of a fire within a building and increase the time for people to escape.

8. Regularly Maintain Heaters

Ensure heaters are properly installed, regularly maintained, and suspended well above combustibles or where they cannot be damaged by livestock.

9. S tore and Maintain Motorized Equipment Away from Livestock

Motorized equipment, such as tractors, produce significant amounts of heat, even after being turned off and stored. This heat can dry debris caught in the equipment and cause the material to ignite. In addition, motorized equipment can develop electrical/mechanical failures that provide additional sources of ignition.

10. S tore Combustibles in a Designated Location Away from Livestock

Combustibles such as straw or oil provide the fuel to feed a fire. Isolating these materials in a separate area reduces the risk of a fire spreading throughout the barn.

Visit Ontario.ca/preventfarmfires for more details on the top 10 ways to reduce the risk of barn fires. There are also a number of other resources provided by OMAFRA, including the following new videos on how to reduce the risk: a) Barn Fire Prevention: Housekeeping Tips b) Barn Fire Prevention: Electrical Safety Tips c) Barn Fire Prevention: Hot Works Safety Tips These videos and resources are available at: omafra/gov.on.ca/English/engineer/barnfire/ fireprevention.htm#what OB

Great selection of home tested YEARLING and TWO YEAR OLD BULLS available at the farm.

Miller Land & Livestock George, Dianne, Dwayne & Ashley Miller 406 Conc. 6, RR 1, Jarvis, ON N0A 1J0 SPARROW’S SOLOMON 632D

22

O N T A R I O B E E F • F E BRUARY 2 0 1 9

519-587-2755 • Cell: 519-429-5902 www.millerlandandlivestock.ca Charolais Cattle • Hay • Straw • Feedlot

ON TAR IO BEEF • FEBR U A RY 2019

23

Beef Brief

• By Michele McAdoo, Executive Director, Brand & Communications, Canada Beef

Canada Beef Update C

anada Beef continues to focus on business development and marketing in order to build awareness and demand for Canadian beef. Between travel to Japan in conjunction with the new Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTTP), a major collaborative effort with the domestic foodservice industry, and a new campaign with nationwide hamburger chain Harvey’s, the value of and demand for Canadian beef continues to grow.

Canada Beef Partnering with Restaurants Canada

Every year, Restaurants Canada (RC) holds a national show in Toronto, which brings the

foodservice industry together to shop, taste, learn, connect and grow their businesses. This year, the RC 2019 Show will bring together Canada’s diverse restaurant and foodservice sector from February 24th to 26th.

Canada Beef is collaborating with RC 2019 on the creation of the very first Canadian Beef Pavilion – a sizeable space on the show floor where beef producers, packers and other strategic partners can work together to showcase their Canadian beef products, programs and services. Participating industry partners that invest in their own booth within the Canadian Beef Pavilion have the opportunity to leverage the activation centre. The centre is an interactive space that provides a dedicated area to connect with potential customers, but also an area to work with the skilled staff of the Canadian Beef Centre of Excellence (CBCE) on preparation and sampling of showcased product. This

year’s participating partners are Artisan Farms, Atlantic Beef Products, Beef Farmers of Ontario, Ontario Corn Fed Beef and Victorinox Swiss Army.

Canadian Beef and the CPTTP

Chef Mathieu Paré from the CBCE was in Japan in December as Canada Beef partnered in the Canadian Beef Embassy event as a show of support for the upcoming CPTPP agreement launch. Other partners in the collaborative event included the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA), the Canadian Embassy, Ontario Corn Fed Beef, Alberta Agriculture and Forestry (AAF), and the Japan Meat Traders Association. Primary producers and representatives from packers Cargill, JBS and Montpak were in attendance as well.

This event featured opening remarks from CCA’s Dennis Laycraft; a Canadian

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Beef Advantage seminar delivered by Yuko Onizawa, Canada Beef Associate Director, Japan; and a Canadian Beef Cuts and Culinary showcase featuring specialty cuts chuck roll, striploin and outside skirt as presented by Chef Paré. Meat case displays with featured product and promotional material were also available. Other presentations included a CPTPP overview from the Canadian Embassy, a presentation from Ontario Corn Fed Beef and AAF’s presentation on Alberta Beef.

After the formal presentations, there was a follow-up culinary showcase with toasts from the Japan Meat Traders Association and Canada Beef. A full-service buffet followed featuring eight Canadian beef and veal preparations, three of which were demonstrated during the culinary showcase.

The three featured dishes reflected Canadian culinary influences as this is very important to the Japanese marketers and their aim to differentiate Canadian beef from U.S. beef.

The three dishes were: Tourtière Meatballs with Blueberry Ketchup, a Canadian Campfire Coffee Rubbed Inside Skirt Steak, and Slow Roasted Striploin featuring wild foraged Canadian herbs and spices. The food and hospitality were well-received with very little

remaining in the buffet by the end of the evening.

The Big Game calls for the Big Harv

Canada Beef and Harvey’s are continuing a partnership that has been very successful over a number of years. In previous campaigns, they have proudly supported and showcased Canadian beef producers and farmers.

The new campaign ties Canadians’ love of hockey to their love of a delicious, 100% Canadian beef burger. Promotions for the Big Harv burger will run in 280 restaurants across Canada and will be supported by an e-blast to over 500k subscriber emails.

Harvey’s was founded in Canada in 1959 and remains truly Canadian. “At Harvey’s, we are so proud of our heritage. We were born in

Canada, all of our restaurants are in Canada, and every flame-grilled burger we sell is made using 100% Canadian Beef,” says Ken Harrison, Marketing Director, Harvey’s.

“We’re proud of the fact that we support Canadian farmers every day through our partnership with Canada Beef, and our guests love that every burger has truly come from the place we all call home. No matter how you choose to build your burger at Harvey’s, it was made using 100% Canadian Beef from our 100% Canadian restaurant - and that is a beautiful thing.” OB

April 14, 2019 Lunch/Viewing 12-1pm Live Auction: 1pm 4619 Glendon Dr. Glencoe, ON

RIVER POINT Cattle Co.

Reed & Jane Crawford Reed Cell:519-857-7333 Jane Cell:519-317-5263

riverpointcc@hotmail.com www.riverpointcattlecompany.com

All bulls will have Complete Breeding Soundness Examinations performed prior to sale day (Semen Test, Scrotal Measurement & Examination).

Current weights will be posted. Free board on bulls until May 15th.

Horn/Polled tests & Homo Black tests are done on Simmentals.

Videos & Catalog can be viewed at: www.riverpointcattlecompany.com Auctioneer: Jamie O’Shea 519-477-1238 Ringman: Rex Crawford Rob Flack 519-857-8422 519-940-1748

Guest Consignors: Gord Crawford 519-870-2396

ON TAR IO BEEF • FEBR U A RY 2019

25

Branding Proves Success for Ontario Beef

By Jeanine Moyer

W

ith decades of beef marketing experience, Greg Nolan, President of Artisan Farms Direct (AFD), is combining his strength and knowledge as a beef farmer to develop a new line of customerdriven, locally supplied Ontario beef brands to the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). “I’m a farmer first, but we at Artisan Farms have learned how to fit into the wholesale meat industry and understand what today’s customer is looking for,” says Nolan, who partnered with Beef Farmers of Ontario in 2018 to develop four new Ontario beef brands through the Regional Marketing Initiative (RMI).

The results of the new brands being marketed through AFD are echoing throughout Ontario – from new markets for provincial beef farmers and growing business in slaughter and processing facilities, to happy retail customers and consumers who are excited with the availability of additional options when purchasing quality Ontario Beef.

26

O N T A R I O B E E F • F E BRUARY 2 0 1 9

Bringing beef to the city Artisan Farms Direct is a wholesale meat distribution business, focusing on Ontario

beef and lamb. Founded in 2014, with deep roots stemming from former wholesale beef divisions and Ontario farms, AFD markets to retail, food service, restaurants and butcher shops in the GTA. Operating from a warehouse and distribution centre in Mississauga, AFD has invested in building an extensive supply chain, warehousing system and end-use clients that enable them to purchase cattle from Ontario farmers, opening new market opportunities for Ontario beef. “We focus on whole carcass utilization,” explains Nolan, who works with customers to foster an understanding of how the animals are raised, specific qualities of each beef brand, and encourages them to try new cuts of meat to utilize the entire animal. “This approach, combined with our almost 20 different brands of AFD Ontario beef, have launched us into our unique business dedicated to beef logistics and distribution. It’s working for us and the Ontario beef farmers we are involved with to source cattle.”

Building a brand With funding assistance under the RMI, Nolan and the Artisan team conducted a market survey to determine what types of branded beef would provide new marketing options for Ontario beef farmers and meet the desired needs of new and existing AFD customers. “The result was the creation of four new brands of Ontario beef raised with no added hormones. Springwater Farms is a grass-fed brand raised without antibiotics or added hormones, Premium Angus is a certified Ontario Angus brand, Love Lean offers leaner, AA cuts to meet the needs of consumers looking for leaner beef, and Clearwater Farms, a brand of Ontario beef named after an area of the province where we source some of our cattle,” says Nolan.

The idea was that individually branded products would be better accepted in the retail marketplace because many customers don’t want to compete with each other with the same brand. The creation of multiple brands now offers customers options and even an exclusivity for their menus or meat counters. “These brands have also introduced four new revenue streams for AFD, increasing sales and new customers all at once. We’ve seen a 20% sales boost in the last six months, directly from our new brands.”

Nolan believes the new brands are also enhancing the overall image of Ontario and

Canadian beef. By providing customers with a new choice of local product, the AFD brands are displacing imported products. “We believe even our small initiative adds to the overall image of Ontario beef, as we are all on the same team, and we are able to displace imports from U.S. and Australia,” he says.

BFO PARTNER MARKETING PROGRAMS BFO’s Collaborative Partnership Program (CPP) is a program that started in 2017 and is supported by the Regional Marketing Initiative (RMI). Through the CPP, a cost-shared investment is available to industry partners for projects that align with BFO’s marketing and strategic objectives:

On-farm implementation “Working with BFO through the RMI program has proven Ontario beef has untapped market opportunity,” says Nolan, expressing his gratitude for the program. “Our goal, with the support of the RMI, was to scale up using our existing business model, and to enhance the supply chain to include more neighbouring, smaller niche farmers. We believe in the Ontario family farmer and want to deliver local food to our customers. What better way to serve both ends of the market than by creating a beneficial supply chain?”

The comprehensive brand development program included three phases – onfarm production protocols and manual development, a quality assurance and thirdparty audit system and creation of the final brands, including labels and sales support.

“Beginning in January 2018, we wrote manuals and protocols, incorporating the Verified Beef Production Plus program and elements from the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, among other programs. We also worked

1. Increase market penetration for Ontario beef brands 2. Maximize value of Ontario beef products 3. Enhance consumer confidence in the Ontario beef industry The CPP program is designed to stimulate industry alignment and encourage collaboration with industry partners and organizations to enhance the impact of the RMI. For more information on these projects visit ontariobeef.com/programs. with an auditing and verification company to establish an audit system,” explains Nolan.

“We’re proud of our production programs that allow us to confidently answer any customer Continued on page 28.

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Continued from page 27. – Branding

Proves Success for Ontario Beef

question about how our animals are raised and ensure the product they receive is exactly what we’ve promised.”

Sharing success More than 50 new beef farmers are now working with AFD as a result of the new brands, raising and finishing cattle to meet the required specifications. Nolan notes the new supply demand for cattle raised under the AFD brands are providing farmers a new marketing option beyond a commodity market approach. “And farmers are happy,” he says. “We’re providing carcass feedback to participating farmers and our unique production protocols and value propositions are meeting their farm business needs.”

Nolan admits the success of the program has been overwhelming. Brand acceptance from existing customers and new business growth confirms what AFD had hoped –

28

O N T A R I O B E E F • F E BRUARY 2 0 1 9

that Ontario consumers want to eat locally sourced beef that has been raised under the care of family farms. “What we didn’t expect were the number of phone calls that came in last fall from farmers interested in joining our program,” says Nolan. “It was fantastic to see the interest, but we just weren’t prepared. We’re still learning, and improving our farm onboarding process is a priority right now.” Nolan believes there’s still plenty of room for growth under the new brands – the Artisan sales team are working hard to promote the products and he hopes to bring on new farms to increase supply. “I encourage anyone interested in working with AFD to give us a call, we are always looking for new farmers to work with and enhancing market opportunities for Ontario beef is our goal.”

Looking ahead, Nolan is confident that brand development and evolving customer needs will lead to additional branding opportunities for Ontario beef under AFD. His focus will continue on business development, but the involvement in the

RMI program has fostered new relationships within the beef industry, both locally and provincially that he will continue to focus on, too. “The RMI program has empowered and supported Artisan Farms. We are so grateful for the partnership with BFO, the credibility it brought to us and Ontario beef across the whole country, and the ongoing connections we’ve made in the industry and we look forward to being a part of new opportunities for the Ontario beef industry,” says Nolan.

For more information on AFD or their beef farmer partnership opportunities visit artisanfarms.ca. OB

Change in Ontario Beef Cattle Financial Protection Program Administration A

s of January 1, 2019, Agricorp has become the new Delivery Agent of the Ontario Beef Cattle Financial Protection Program (OBCFPP) and Administrator for the Livestock Financial Protection Board.

Agricorp looks forward to delivering the Ontario Beef Cattle Financial Protection Program and is committed to providing the same high-quality service customers have come to expect from Beef Inc. The shift in administrative responsibilities to Agricorp in no way impacts the function or responsibilities of the Financial Protection Adjudication Board. The adjudication of appeals will continue to be performed by the adjudication board.

As a reminder, to be eligible under the OBCFPP program, sellers of cattle must sell to a licensed dealer, abattoir, meat packer, or auction market. OMAFRA maintains a current list of all licensed dealers on their website at http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/ food/inspection/fpu/fpu_lists.htm. BFO also publishes all changes to the licensed dealer list, including recently added and revoked licenses, in each edition of Ontario beef magazine. If you are unsure about the status of a dealer, please contact Agricorp.

When is the sales date established?

When do cattle sellers need to be paid by?

Is this an extension of credit?

Value of Sale

Seller must be paid by:

Less than $15,000

9th business day following date of sale

More than $15,000

6th business day following date of sale

Live

Sale date or kill date

Rail

2 calendar days following kill date

We would like to pass on a reminder to all cattle sellers to never extend credit to ensure eligibility under the program.

Until payment for a shipment of cattle has gone into default, producers and other licensed dealers may continue to sell cattle to the same licensed dealer even if they have not received payment for the first shipment.

For example, if you ship cattle today you may ship subsequent loads of cattle at any point between today and the next 6 -9 business days (depending on the value of the first sale) and still be eligible for a claim under the program for the first load of cattle if the licensed dealer defaults on payment.

Example 1: a producer ships and sells a load of cattle worth more than $15,000 to a licensed dealer today. Five business days later, the producer ships and sells another load of cattle worth more than $15,000 to the same licensed dealer but still hasn’t been paid for the first load.

Answer: No. The licensed dealer has until 1 p.m. on the sixth business day from the date of sale for sales more than $15,000 to receive payment. In this example, the first load was not in default at the time the second load was shipped. Both loads would be eligible

for a claim assessment under the program if the licenced dealer does not provide payment within the allotted time.

Example 2: a producer ships and sells a load of cattle worth more than $15,000 to a licensed dealer today. Eight business days later, the producer ships and sells another load of cattle worth more than $15,000 to the same licensed dealer but still hasn’t been paid for the first load.

Is this an extension of credit?

Answer: Yes. When the licensed dealer failed to pay the seller by 1 p.m. on the sixth business day from the date of the sale, the payment for the first load went into default.

The producer extended credit to the licenced dealer by shipping a second load to the same licensed dealer before being paid for the first load. In this example, the producer would not be eligible for a claim consideration under the program because they extended credit.

Cattle sellers are reminded to contact Agricorp to report late payments as soon as they occur to ensure eligibility under the program in the case of a claim.

The contact information for Agricorp is as follows: Phone: 1-888-247-4999 Fax: 519-826-4118 Email: contact@agricorp.com Mail: Agricorp 1 Stone Rd. West Box 3660 Stn. Central Guelph, ON N1H 8M4

Timing is everything.

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ON TAR IO BEEF • FEBR U A RY 2019

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Contact an

ONTARIO CHAROLAIS BREEDER to add an Ontario Charolais Bull to your herd bull battery.

Add More Pounds, Add More Dollars

BE IDENTIFIABLE

“Being a commercial cow calf producer, I use a CHAR bull because I have a lot of coloured cows--Reds, Tans. When you throw a CHAR bull with them, you get those easy-keeping, buff coloured calves. The ones that top sales all across Canada and out- perform others in the feedlot. I like the versatility of a CHAROLAIS bull. I like the stretch they put in my calves. I like the temperament of the breed and I love filling the sale ring with quality calves for the next beef producer.”

Brad DeNure, Hoards Station, ON

“We have approximately 150 cows and 5 CHAROLAIS bulls. Calving ease is very important to us, and our CHAROLAIS makes it happen on our herd. We consistently see a premium on our CHAR X calves when we market them at Cookstown. Why would you not want to be at the top of a sale every time with CHAROLAIS influence?”

Kim Weedmark, Merrickville, ON

Check out www.ontariocharolais.com OR contact our secretary Doris Aitken at 519–323–2538 30 O N T A R I O B E E F • F E BRUARY 2 0 1 9

Mark your calendar for the Ontario Charolais Association Annual General Meeting, March 2, 2019 at The Best Western in Cobourg.

Contact Doris Aitken for tickets

4TH ANNUAL BULL & HEIFER SALE with guest consignor Fondoak Farm EPDs:

EPDs:

BW 1.9

BW 3.4

WW 35

WW 60

YW 61

YW 112

Milk 18

Milk 19

MTL 35

MTL 49

CORNERVIEW FRISCO 11F

CORNERVIEW FRESNO 33F

SVY Monument PLD 159Y x Sparrows Coach 467S

Gerrard New York 41A x Sparrows Barlow 254Z EPDs:

EPDs:

BW 0.4

BW 2.2

WW 60

WW 44

YW 122

YW 94

Milk 25

Milk 22

MTL 55

MTL 45

CORNERVIEW FLETCHER 57F

CORNERVIEW FREEPORT 60F

McTavish Hallelujah 79B x Sparrows Barlow 254Z

Mr. Louber Tracker 615A x Sparrows Barlow 254Z

Saturday, March 23, 1:30 pm, at the farm, 1012 Snake River Line, Cobden, ON Featuring: 23 yearling bulls and four yearling heifers.

Sale catalogue is available on cornerviewcharolais.com. Follow us on Facebook.

Contact Brian, 613-312-0270, or Brett, 613-312-1378.

Sale contacts: John Mielhausen, Ontario Charolais Fieldman, 519-378-5076.

Stewart James: 613-445-3269 Stewart James Jr.: 613-222-2815 (bilingual)

Watch the sale live at liveauctions.tv

ON TAR IO BEEF • FEBR U A RY 2019

31

32

O N T A R I O B E E F • F E BRUARY 2 0 1 9

Identifying Genetic Markers that Influence Beef Cattle Reproduction and Fertility

By Lilian Schaer for Livestock Research Innovation Corporation

F

ertility plays a major role in the profitability of beef and dairy animals, but reproductive problems increasingly plague cattle herds, impacting both animal health and welfare and farm business profitability.

According to University of Guelph beef geneticist Prof. Angela Cánovas, the reproductive failure rate in dairy herds of cows that either are not pregnant or lose an embryo runs as high as 36 per cent, and at approximately 30 per cent in beef cattle.

“Whether animals are bred through artificial insemination or natural breeding, some get pregnant and some do not, or suffer early embryonic loss,” says Cánovas. “Part of this variation could be due to genetics and if we know which animals have these traits, we can more accurately select and keep the best animals in a herd.”

Cánovas is leading a research team that has developed new software that has identified areas of the cattle genome that influence reproductive success and failure. This work is now being validated in both beef and dairy herds of various breeds, including collaboration with the American Angus Association. This gives researchers access to a database of almost one million Angus cattle genotypes and phenotypes to validate their findings.

According to Cánovas, it was a previous focus on improving cattle production traits that is a significant cause of the high reproductive problem rates now being seen in cattle herds. This means that when she’s now looking for genetic markers impacting fertility, it’s important to verify this won’t have a negative impact on other traits also being selected for, such as health, feed efficiency and meat quality.

“To be sure that improving a specific trait doesn’t affect others, we need to perform advanced genomic analysis to study the relationship between those other traits – this type of work is also part of the project,” she says.

For example, Cánovas is also leading a related feed efficiency project that is identifying genetic markers associated with higher nutrient absorption. The final objective is to identify markers that will improve reproduction without negatively impacting feed efficiency or, when possible, to identify those markers that will improve both reproduction and feed efficiency, among other traits.

Once the research validation phase of the reproductive project is completed, Cánovas

and welfare. will be collaborating with genetics companies “The beauty of this project is that we can go to commercialize her findings. For example, deep and identify good or bad mutations and the American Angus Association already has whether the problems come from the dam or a specific genotyping panel for Angus, so the the sire,” says Cánovas. “We are able to identify markers identified through this project could at which stage the problems happen, whether be included there for producers to access. before pregnancy or at what stage during According to Cánovas, this type of genetic pregnancy.” improvement work makes it extremely Phase one of Cánovas’ reproductive research important for beef producers to routinely project was funded by Beef Farmers of Ontario measure and record traits in their herds, as (BFO) and wrapped up at the end of 2018. well as genotyping their animals through Additional funding for the next stage, which their breed associations or through software will end in 2021, has been secured from BFO, like Go360bioTrack, a program that had its the new federal Beef Cattle Research Council start in beef genetics testing with AgSights beef research cluster announced by Agriculture (formerly Beef Improvement Ontario – BIO) and Agri-Food Canada last year, the American and lets farmers track everything from Angus Association, Semex and AgSights. OB livestock inventory numbers and animal movements to pedigree, reproduction, health, This article is provided by Livestock Research and body condition scoring information. A Innovation Corporation as part of LRIC’s genotyping option in the software lets users ongoing efforts to report on Canadian livestock perform genetic evaluations of their cattle for research developments and outcomes. economically important traits.

“Canada is not a leader in this area, but other countries complete this routinely in beef,” Cánovas says, adding that the information is critical to helping beef producers and breeders make the best genetic selection decisions, including selecting for animals with strong reproductive traits.

“You will know when an animal is born whether she is genetically a good candidate to keep or not. When you genotype calves, you’ll know which ones could have reproductive problems later on in THE GLEN ISLAY KIND life,” she added.

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33

Where the Maple Leaf Flies: National Update

CCA Action News

By Gina Teel, CCA Communications Manager • teelg@cattle.ca • www.cattle.ca

CPTPP Update - CCA goes to Japan, Vietnam implements agreement CCA Executive Vice President Dennis Laycraft was in Japan in January to promote Canadian beef, this time as part of Minister of International Trade Diversification Jim Carr’s trip to attend the inaugural meeting of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) Commission in Tokyo. As part of this trip, the Minister attended an event hosted by Shinzo Abe, Japan’s Prime Minister, to mark the CPTPP’s entry into force and met with industry representatives to discuss market access for

beef to five per cent, with both set to drop to

In addition, the change in the majority

zero in 2020. Vietnam’s tariff on beef variety

in the U.S. House of Representatives from

meat dropped to six per cent and is scheduled

Republican to Democrat in last November’s

to decline to zero over the next four years.

election further complicates passage, as the

All told, Vietnam will eliminate 31 per cent

democrats are in no mood to give President

of tariff lines on agri-food products with

Donald Trump a win, at least not without

additional cuts over 15 years, according to

exacting some concessions. In truth, anyone

the Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance.

predicting when passage is likely is simply

Vietnam is an emerging market with

guessing. As Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

important growth potential for Canadian beef.

has stated that he does not want to present

In 2017, Canadian beef exports to Vietnam

the text of the agreement to Parliament prior

were $3.9 million with a 20 per cent tariff.

to the U.S. proceeding with their procedures,

signatories

given the changes which may be made in the

Australia and New Zealand already enjoy duty

U.S., the timing in Canada is complicated as

free access to Vietnam under existing trade

well.

Given

beef

from

CPTPP

agreements with the Association of Southeast

There may not be sufficient time for

Asian Nations (ASEAN), the U.S. Meat Export

Parliament to pass the legislation before it

Federation (USMEF) anticipates that Canada

rises in June and Parliament will not resume

and Mexico will benefit most from the tariff

sitting until after the October 2019 election.

reductions.

CUSMA Update: U.S. Government Shutdown

Canadian products, including beef and other

Canada, the U.S., and Mexico signed the

key exports, to the lucrative Japanese market.

Canada-U.S.-Mexico-Agreement (CUSMA) on

Laycraft was last in Japan in December to

November 30, 2018, to modernize and replace

promote Canadian beef prior to the CPTPP

the North American Free Trade Agreement

coming into force on December 30, 2018.

(NAFTA) once each country ratifies the new

On January 14, 2019, Vietnam implemented

agreement through their respective legislative

the CPTPP, making it the latest member

processes. But recently, the U.S. government

country to do so. Their implementation

partial shutdown earned the distinction of

includes initial reductions in import duty

becoming the longest such shutdown in U.S.

rates for beef from CPTPP member countries

history. The many practical issues resulting

including Canada.

from the shutdown will impact progress on

Vietnam joins the initial six CPTPP

the ratification of the agreement, both directly

signatories of Japan, Mexico, Singapore,

and indirectly, in the U.S. where it is called the

Canada, New Zealand and Australia, for

U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). For

whom the agreement came into force on

example, the International Trade Commission,

Dec. 30. Vietnam’s later ratification and

which must complete an economic analysis

implementation date placed them in catch-up

of the impact of the USMCA on the U.S.

mode to match the two tariff cuts that have

economy before implementing legislation is

occurred since Dec. 30. Vietnam’s initial two

introduced, is shut down, as is the office of

tariff cuts immediately lowered the tariff on

the United States Trade Representative, which

bone-in beef to 6.6 per cent and boneless

is charged with drafting that legislation.

34

O N T A R I O B E E F • F E BRUARY 2 0 1 9

Despite all the uncertainty in the U.S., the CUSMA is still anticipated to come into force eventually. Thus, in January, CCA attended meetings in the U.S. to discuss with key U.S. industry allies and partners implementation and other trade issues, as well as areas for further regulatory cooperation within the North American market. CCA also participated in American Farm Bureau Federation meetings in New Orleans, LA, the National Western Stock Show in Denver, CO, and at the end of January, took in the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) annual convention, also in New Orleans. At press time, the CCA was scheduled to travel to Washington, DC, in late January to discuss regulatory cooperation on matters including re-inspection of meat at I-Houses and the timelines for getting live cattle across borders.

CBGA’s top five most asked questions about the new five yield classes In mid-January, the Safe Food for Canadians Act came into force, bringing with

it a number of revised regulations, including

Q2.

an update to the Canadian beef yield

determined?

standards. As of January 15, 2019, Canada’s

How

are

the

five

yield

classes

Q4. Why change the yield classes now?

The yield classes were among the many

Agriculture

and

Agri-Food

Canada’s

items modernized under the Safe Food for

beef yield grade standards changed to five

Lacombe Research and Development Station

Canadians Act, which came into force on

yield classes (replacing the former three

developed an algorithm or formula to

January 15, 2019.

classes), to mirror the United States (U.S.)

facilitate an objective prediction of cut yield

yield grade standards.

the same as the five yield classes in the

Q5. What impact will the different yield classes have on industry?

The Canadian Beef Grading Agency (CBGA)

U.S. It takes into account the rib eye and

has communicated the changes to industry

fat measurements and carcass weight and

From a packer’s perspective it will

and producers, and has come up with a top

kidney, pelvic and heart fat to predict a class

facilitate further segregation of carcasses

five most asked questions about the five yield

of cut yield.

for the cutting floor which should result

class standards to share with readers:

in Q3:

Q1. What is the main difference between the old three classes and the new five classes?

Why

were

the

yield

predictions

changed?

higher

processing

efficiencies.

From

a feedlot perspective, it will facilitate the identification of cattle that were inefficient

The industry proposed the change since

in the feedlot (producing more fat than lean

the North American market for slaughter

meat as they increased weight) facilitating

The former three classes reflected the

cattle is integrated. Using the same cut yield

future discussion for feeding efficiencies;

prediction of lean meat in a carcass (that is

prediction as U.S. packers would support

from a cow-calf perspective, when feedback

minus fat and bone). The five classes reflect

the ability of cattle feeders to evaluate

is communicated from the feedlot regarding

a prediction of cutability or the yield of

economic returns in Canada versus the U.S.

yield performance it should facilitate the

boneless, closely trimmed retail cuts from the

A distribution of carcasses across five classes

identification of more desirable genetics. OB

round, loin, rib and chuck. In other words,

facilitates informed management decisions.

there is no direct relationship between the old and the new predictions for yield classes.

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ON TAR IO BEEF • FEBR U A RY 2019

35

Vet on Call

• By Dr. Katharine Found, DVM

Hold on to Your Hats – Winter Calving May be a Bumpy Ride T

he weather this winter has been, for lack of a better word, unpredictable, to say the least.

Rain with a bitter cold wind one day, followed by snow, then sunshine and double digits – all within the same week! And if you find yourself in the midst of calving during these fluctuating forecasts, you will want to ensure that your colostrum management is the best it can be for the sake of your calves, your profitability and your sanity.

Colostrum is the first milk produced by the dam and is a critical source of antibodies, energy, vitamins, minerals and growth factors for the newborn calf. Antibodies from the dam do not cross the placenta during pregnancy, therefore newborn calves are born with a naïve immune system – they have zero ability to fight off infections. Therefore, it is essential for the health and survival of a calf that they receive antibodies from colostrum.

During winters such as these, disease pressures are often higher, which can lead to more sick calves if we aren’t paying attention to crucial details. It becomes extremely

difficult to keep calving pens clean and dry, no matter how much bedding you seem to add.

And, the change in temperatures and humidity often makes ideal ventilation a challenge. We can’t change the weather. Grumbling about it may be good for our stress relief, but it won’t help the calves. There are, however, a number of things within your control that will help to make this calving season a little less challenging.

First, find time, energy and resources to keep pens cleaner and drier. Use a bedding substance that is more absorbable and use lots of it. Corn stalks might have to be saved for a drier time of the year, or be used in conjunction with straw to help improve moisture wicking capacity. Add lots and add it often to maintain dryness. Decreasing the stocking density in the pens will also help to keep pens drier, if spreading cows out is a possibility within your setup.

Next, it is imperative to ensure all calves receive ample amounts of high-quality colostrum from a clean udder, or from a clean bottle or feeding tube. It is well-defined that dairy calves should receive four litres of good quality colostrum within six hours of birth.

In this setting, where humans are typically responsible for colostrum feeding, this is a goal

that can easily be observed and measured. Beef calves are no different, however, it is much harder to know how much and how quickly these calves acquire their colostrum since we typically allow Mother Nature to control the feeding program.

To manage this uncertainty, more frequent observations may be needed. Whether that is more frequent physical barn checks (at least every four hours), or the installation of calving pen cameras that allow you to rewind to see past events, find a method that allows you to have eyes on the barn more often. All dams should have their udders checked post-calving for visual colostrum quality. Any colostrum that is bloody, or has an abnormal colour, has a bad smell or contains clots or chunks, should be considered unacceptable. In this case, the calf should be given three to four litres of frozen colostrum or sufficient powdered colostrum over the next two to six hours to meet their needs. These feedings can be separated into two to three allotments if necessary, but try to get as much as possible into the calf during the first feeding, for best passive transfer results. Next, if you did not observe the calf exhibiting a strong suckle on an udder that you have checked to have ample amounts of normal looking colostrum, put the calf on the

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O N T A R I O B E E F • F E BRUARY 2 0 1 9

MACK’S CHAROLAIS AND RED ANGUS Wayne and Jacqui Mack Campbellford, ON mack.wj@nexicom.net • 705-768-0057

cow and watch it suck. If the calf does not have a strong suckle, supplement with frozen or powdered colostrum immediately.

Having a good supply of supplemental colostrum on-hand is always a good idea, and can literally be a lifesaver, especially during a challenging calving season. It is acceptable to have a stash of frozen colostrum on hand, but if you choose this method, ensure the product was a good quality sample, collected cleanly, frozen immediately and is stored for no longer than eight weeks in a fridge freezer or six months in a chest freezer. The other major drawback to frozen colostrum is the time it takes to thaw and the possibility of decreasing the quality of the product through improper collection, storage and thawing techniques.

For best results, colostrum should be collected and stored in one- to two-litre portions in Ziploc freezer bags. Freezing immediately is ideal, but if not possible, the sample should be refrigerated within 20 minutes after collection, and frozen as soon as possible after that. To thaw, the samples should be placed in a warm water bath (50oC) to prevent the denaturing of the proteins.

Alternatively, there are several commercial sources of colostrum powders available on the market that provide the calf with the necessary IgG antibodies required for successful passive transfer. These products vary in price, and similar to most things in life, you get what you pay for. Beef calves need 150 to 200 grams of IgG within the first six to 12 hours of life.

Read the labels of these powder products to

“Industry Accepted since 1978”

ensure you are meeting these requirements.

Cheaper products usually contain a lower concentration of antibodies and will therefore not meet the calf’s requirements if only one bag is offered. Be sure to read the labels and not just the price tag. Will one bag be enough?

How much water and at what temperature do you need to mix with the powder to prepare the colostrum correctly? Mixing these products can sometimes pose difficulty so have a good quality whisk and be prepared to add some elbow grease. These products also have an expiry date and therefore its quality cannot be confirmed after this date.

During challenging calving seasons, it’s a good idea to develop a system to check your colostrum management. Handheld BRIX refractometers can be purchased to allow producers to assess the quality of colostrum from a cow immediately. Simply place a drop of colostrum on the refractometer’s slide and read the level, which is displayed as good, fair or poor. A BRIX reading of 22% or higher is considered good and the colostrum can be used. Anything less than this, you should have a plan developed with your veterinarian on how to proceed appropriately to ensure calves receive enough antibodies.

The transfer of passive immunity can also be assessed by working with your veterinarian to measure serum total proteins. A simple blood sample is collected from a number of calves that are one to seven days of age, and is assessed in the clinic. A reading of 5.6 g/ dL suggests successful passive transfer and

excellent colostrum management. A value of 5.2 g/dL or less suggests a failure of passive transfer. This type of testing provides a great deal of useful information, but its downfall is that it is historical information. Once you have results, it’s impossible to improve a calf’s score, given that the calf’s ability to absorb antibodies from colostrum ends at 24 hours of age. But what it does allow you do to is work with your veterinarian to identify why calves are not receiving adequate passive transfer and make changes for the future.

Now is also a good time to work with your veterinarian to ensure your vaccination protocols are an ideal fit for the added challenges this calving season may bring.

Keeping in mind that colostrum is produced six to eight weeks prior to calving, vaccines administered to cows, intended to prevent calf diseases must be on board prior to this time.

Your veterinarian will also be a useful resource to ensure cows are in good health and body condition and are receiving adequate nutrition to ensure they will produce enough colostrum at calving.

When so many things are out of our control, colostrum management is something we can manage that can help make bad days better.

Work closely with your veterinarian to have a clear plan for what to do, how to monitor and when to make adjustments. Healthier calves are worth the extra time and effort, every time. OB

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ON TAR IO BEEF • FEBR U A RY 2019

37

By Mike McMorris, AgSights General Manager mmcmorris@agsights.com • www.agsights.com

VO LU M E 1 1 • I SSUE 5

2019 Could be The Year

Insights

B

38

eef farmers are like all other people.

Faced with any decision involving change, they ask “What’s in it for me?” This may be the year that provides a clear answer to that question.

Many record-keeping initiatives have been started over the past twenty years. These include the Verified Beef Production Plus (VBP+) program, Beef InfoXchange System (BIXS), traceability, management clubs, etc.

The single challenge they all faced, as far as producer adoption, was having a clear and present benefit to those required to change their day-to-day lives and collect more data.

After all, it is a small minority of farmers who like collecting and working with data.

There are many examples of data collection initiatives in the past, but they have pretty unanimously failed. They all shared a common flaw: the wrong parties were driving change. Although the Red Meat Program in the 1980’s is fondly remembered by beef farmers in Ontario, its impact was shortlived. That program, and many like it across Canada, was based on a grant to collect and/ or share data. When the grants stopped, so did the vast majority of the data collection.

This problem is not unique to programs aimed at farmers. The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association attempted to get carcass data moving back through the supply chain some years ago... and it did. Many farmers with a bioTrack account had carcass data for their animals simply streaming into their account.

Alas, the grant that paid packers for data ended and so did packer cooperation.

Since that time, the Canadian beef industry has seen the “greatest value destruction ever” as described by a processor during the 2017 national beef quality audit. Carcass backfat as risen by over 75% since the last audit.

Beef’s competitive position to chicken has suffered. If the industry target is a AAA, yield grade 1 carcass, we are successful a mere 17 per cent of the time. This did not need to happen. If carcass data had continued to flow, then the signal for increased marbling could have been met through genetics rather than the feedlots simply overfeeding.

Over the past decade, I have asked processors how they would like to see

O N T A R I O B E E F • F E BRUARY 2 0 1 9

cattle changed. Ten years ago, one said, “Two tails, black tongue and white feet.”

At the time, there was an overdemand for ox tails, he could sell black (read Angus) tongues into Japan for more than striploin steak in Canada, and white feet could be blowtorched to become “blackened hooves” with an immediate bump up in value. About three years ago, I asked a different packer and he said, “Make them identical.” This would allow processing by robots, solving his labour problem. That is not science fiction, check out robotic lamb processing in New Zealand. Most recently, I asked another packer how he would like cattle changed and his answer was, “Documentation.” In today’s market, he must have information on cattle to protect his brands and his business.

So, what is different now and why might 2019 be a watershed year in data collection?

Simply put, the market is now sending clear and financial signals. About four years ago, you may have heard a lot about “sustainable production” and like me, heard just another buzzword that would pass in time. Then McDonalds and some other heavy hitters in the industry stepped up and put money where their mouths were. That was a game changer.

The sustainable beef pilot initiative, initially limited to Western Canada, has delivered premiums to both feedlot and cow-calf producers, to the tune of $10-$20 per head. That premium amount applies to animals that come from farms that are VBP+ verified... each step of the way and so each producer along the chain gets the premium.

On a 100-cow herd, that adds up. At the feedlot, where margins are normally tight, that is a real boost to the bottom line. And best of all, making it real on your farm is not hard. Contact the BFO office and get onto VBP+. Give AgSights a call to find out about making data collection for VBP+ as simple as possible.

Will 2019 be THE year that beef joins other sectors in the new world of data collection and use? I think the answer is “yes” for the Canadian beef industry. Whether or not it will be a turning point for your business is up to you.

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ON TAR IO BEEF • FEBR U A RY 2019

39

Canadian Beef Check-Off Agency 2018 Year in Review

By Melinda German, General Manager, Canadian Beef Check-off Agency

T

he Canadian Beef CheckOff Agency (the Agency) manages and administers the Canadian Beef Cattle Check-Off, which is collected on each head of cattle sold in Canada. The provincial check-off also collected on each head, is earmarked for provincially-focused advocacy, policy, trade, research, market development and promotion initiatives, while the Canadian Beef Cattle Check-Off is invested into national research, market development and promotion activities on behalf of all Canadian beef producers.

By working with service providers, the Agency ensures national check-off dollars are invested into research, market development and promotion programs that deliver measurable value to the Canadian beef industry. We are responsible for governance, communicating the value of the check-off investment, as well as training and

education of producers and funding partners, regulatory management, and collection and administration of check-off dollars.

The Agency’s last fiscal year ended March 31, 2018 with the Canadian Beef Cattle Check-Off revenue totalling $7,701,203 on cattle marketed. This income was received at $1.00 per marketed head in most provinces, except Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, who collected $2.50 per head for at least part of the 2017/18 fiscal year. Of the total revenue, $905,224 was collected from Ontario, with $431,060 being allocated back to the Beef Farmers of Ontario for provincial investments.

Since then, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Quebec have also moved forward with a national checkoff increase to $2.50, and the Agency continues to work closely with the provincial organizations to facilitate the increase from a grassroots level.

ONTARIO ANGUS ASSOCIATION

Julie Townsend, Secretary-Treasurer P.O. Box 311, Fergus, Ontario N1M 3M7 Phone: 519-787-2397 • Fax: 519-787-2306 Email: secretary@ontarioangus.com • www.ontarioangus.com 40

O N T A R I O B E E F • F E BRUARY 2 0 1 9

Of the total check-off funds collected of cattle marketings in the last fiscal year, 64 per cent was allocated to market development and promotion, 18 per cent to research and 17 per cent was retained by the provincial cattle organizations for regional marketing and research programs. Issues management, recently renamed Public and Stakeholder Engagement, continued as a pilot program last year under the Agency, for a total of $95,239.

The Import Levy on beef and beef products imported into Canada was also collected at a rate of $1.00 per head equivalent, for a total of $947,730. These funds, net administration, are allocated to Canada Beef for the sole purpose of generic beef marketing such as nutrition marketing, recipe development and culinary skills education. The import levy remains at $1.00, until national treatment of an increased check-off is attained.

Continued on page 42.

ON TAR IO BEEF • FEBR U A RY 2019

41

Continued from page 40. – Canadian

Beef Check-Off Agency

A 2018 report showed that on average from 2014/15 to 2016/17, every dollar invested from the import levy resulted in a benefit cost ratio (BCR) of 6.42:1 or a $6 of benefit. In addition, domestic generic beef marketing activities funded by the import levy are currently providing a higher BCR than the average marketing and research activities.

The average BCR for the import levy grew from 2.34 in 2014/15 to 9.92 in 2016/17. This implies that despite positive benefits, underinvestment continues for the industry.

Last year $600,611 was retained for the administration of the check-off, the Agency and the Board of Directors.

The Agency continued its focus on transparent administration of the check-off, communication and updating the agreements with our provincial cattle association partners.

Collection and service agreements were updated with all provinces, which modernized language of the agreements to better align with each organization’s current structure.

A focus on maintaining transparent and separate finances from Canada Beef was also a strong priority, with the Agency beginning to move towards completely independent

finances and accounts to conduct all levy and administration transactions through.

We spent much of the year continuing to develop and refine a strengthened set of by-laws, which encourage a structure more aligned with the needs of the provincial cattle associations. The amendments have been driven by a desire for a more transparent separation of governance of the Agency’s administration and marketing programs.

With the amended by-laws enabling a more robust Marketing Committee to oversee

the strategies, business plans and operations of Canada Beef, the Agency continues to move towards the distinct governance the funders have been seeking.

It was through the provincial funders that we were able to reach out across the

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O N T A R I O B E E F • F E BRUARY 2 0 1 9

country to ensure each province was getting the support and dedication to check-off administration that was needed. The Agency had the privilege to be invited to four provincial annual meetings, six Check-Off Town Hall

meetings, and to speak to over 600 producers and industry stakeholders regarding the investment of Canada’s national checkoff.

The Agency recently launched our first standalone checkoff website at cdnbeefcheckoff. ca. The website facilitates communication between producers, provincial and national partners and the Agency, and aims not only to answer some of the most frequent checkoff questions, but ensure that stakeholders have a place to access frequently updated

information regularly on how check-off is being invested.

Many producers will still have questions about the recent Canadian Beef Cattle Check-Off increase that took place in most provinces, as well as funding allocations, return on investment, and how the check-off is administered.

First and foremost, we encourage you to talk to your provincial cattle association, or your provincial association representative to the Agency, about how your province collects and remits the check-off, and how your province plans to allocate the checkoff between research, market development and promotion, and public and stakeholder engagement.

We also encourage you to visit cdnbeefcheckoff.ca regularly for the latest check-off stories, and to sign up for our monthly newsletter, The Gatepost. Through these channels, our social media presence @ cdnbeefcheckoff and through our provincial and national partners, the Agency will continue to provide measurement and report on progress so the return on investment for the Canadian Beef Cattle Check-Off will be clear to producers across Canada. OB

!

CHECK-OFF DEDUCTION REMITTANCE FORM Every cattle seller (including sales by private treaty) is required under Regulation 54 of the Beef Cattle Marketing Act (BCMA) to pay a $3.00 per head Ontario license fee and a $1.00 per head national levy, for a total of a $4.00 per head check-off. Breeding stock, cull dairy cows, and beef calves are included. Exemptions exist only for cattle sold for the production of milk and veal. Fees are payable by the 15th of the month following deduction. Please note: Licenced Livestock Dealers who sell cattle within seven business days of having purchased them may apply for a rebate with proper documentation.

Firm or Individual Producer Reporting

Forward cheque payable to the Beef Farmers of Ontario with this report. Please retain one copy for your files.

HST Registration No: Period Covered by this Report: a) Number of Head Sold:

Finished:

Stocker:

Breeding Stock Females:

Culls:

Breeding Stock Bulls:

Calves:

I declare that this information represents a true and accurate statement of check-off deductions required to be made under Regulation 54 of the BCMA and the Canadian Beef Cattle Research Market Development and Promotion Agency.

b) Total BFO Check-off ($4.00xa)

Date:

c) HST on BFO Check-off (bx13%)

Signature:

d) Total Amount Owing (b+c)

Print Name: Address:

Mail to: Beef Farmers of Ontario 130 Malcolm Road Guelph, Ontario N1K 1B1

HST# R107797128

ON TAR IO BEEF • FEBR U A RY 2019

43

Market Information

T

•B y Jamie Gamble, BFO Market Information Coordinator markets@ontariobeef.com • www.ontariobeef.com

he

2018

head, up 0.6% from November 30, 2017 and

heifers and cows. As of November 30, 2018,

fed

cattle

1.5% higher than the same time in 2016.

there have been 5,919 head of fed steers

market

traded

Heifer processing volumes have declined

exported, which is down 34.7% from the

in

a

narrow

year-over-year with November 30, 2018

same time in 2017 and 55.4% lower than

pricing

range.

data indicating 125,396 head processed at

the November 30, 2016 volumes. On the

On a monthly

federally and provincially inspected plants.

other hand, fed heifer volumes to the U.S.

basis, the 2018

This volume is down 1.8% from 2017 and

through Ontario ports total 21,761 head

railgrade market

4.6% lower than November 30, 2016. But,

as of November 30, 2018, up 18.8% from

topped in March

the largest increase in processing volumes

2017 but 26.4% less than the same time in

at $255.13 cwt, while the low occurred

this year has been the cull/fed cows, with

2016. Cow exports as of November 30, 2018

in September at $231.25 cwt, which is

103,428 head processed federally and

are sitting at 47,998 head, up 10.4% from

a decline of 9.4% or $23.88 cwt. In 2017

provincially as of November 30, 2018, up

2017 but 20% less than the same time in

the high occurred in May with the low in

12.5% from the same time in 2017 and

2016. Moving into 2019 Ontario fed cattle

September at a decline of 28.48%. From

58.9% more than the same time in 2016.

exports to the U.S. are not anticipated to be

January to August 2018, the market was

With cull/fed cows taking up increased hook

price-supportive with only demand for cows

below 2016, 2017 and the five-year average.

space, the fed cattle volumes have been

expected.

However, from August until December,

backed up to some point. In December of

At 117,234 head, the 2018 cull/fed

prices were above both 2016 and 2017

2018 and carrying on into January 2019,

cow volume sold through Ontario auction

levels with October 2018 trading above the

bids are limited with one packer generally

markets was the largest volume sold since

five-year average for the first and only time

buying for spots. Some packers are buying

2014 and up 13.6% from 2017. Although

in 2018. In the past 20 years the fall low has

for one to two weeks out while others are

the data does not reflect the breeds, be it

occurred in October 45% of the time, while

bought out for a month or more. Despite the

dairy or beef, it would be safe to assume a

it occurred in September 25% of the time.

backlog, prices have remained fairly steady

good portion of the increase in the cull cows

There were several factors affecting the

in the $244-$248 cwt range, but at time

was a result of the renegotiated NAFTA

fed cattle market, with one positive factor

of reporting, mid-January, some increased

agreement and the affect it will have on the

being the boxed beef cut-outs, which were

prices have been noted on cattle being

dairy industry. Comparing month-to-month

trading above 2016 and 2017 levels and

bought out into February from $255-$260

volumes, the increased numbers started to

the five-year average for the entire second

dressed.

show up in April of 2018 and every month

half of the year. Federal and provincial

Export volumes to the U.S. through

following reported larger volumes compared

processing volumes were also up for steers

Ontario

down

to the same month the previous year. The

with the November 30th total at 390,982

considerably for steers, but higher for

cull cow market has been trading well below

ports

in

2018

were

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O N T A R I O B E E F • F E BRUARY 2 0 1 9

the last two years and the five-year average for the entire 2018, with prices declining to an eight-year low in November 2018 at $43.72 cwt on a monthly basis. The last time the price was that low was November 2010 at $42.32 cwt. The early January 2019 prices are around low to mid $50’s cwt which is comparable to the October 2018 price, however monthly average prices have not been this low since early 2011.

243,834 stocker and feeder cattle sold through Ontario auction markets in 2018, which is down 2.9% from 2017, 1.8% less than 2016, but 0.5% more than 2015 volumes. Stocker and feeder prices started out 2018 stronger than 2017, but lower than 2016 and the five-year average. By summer, all weight categories were under some pressure with prices falling below the five-year average, 2016 and 2017. The drought-like conditions in much of Ontario put pressure on the market as feed became a concern. The fall rally saw many categories peak in September/October at prices steady to stronger than the five-year average, 2017 and 2016. But the rally was short lived for heifers under 899 pounds which were under pressure from October to December with some categories experiencing very sharp declines. Heifers 800 pounds and over did decline from October to November and rebound slightly in December, but the trading range through the year was very similar to that of the fed cattle market. The stocker steers also peaked in September to October and saw a price decline into November. December prices were improved slightly over November. The largest price swings this year were noted in the steers 800 pounds and over. OB

The information provided on this report is based on weighted averages for actual data collected.

Input costs are a guideline only and will vary from producer to producer. BFO does not take any responsibility and accepts no legal liability arising from or connected to damages or losses experienced by producers when using this information. This is to be used at your own risk.

Continued on page 46.

ON TAR IO BEEF • FEBR U A RY 2019

45

Continued from page 45. – Market

46

Info

O N T A R I O B E E F • F E BRUARY 2 0 1 9

BEEF EXPORTS - CANADA

United States

Mexico

Jan. 1 - Nov. 30

Jan. 1 -Nov. 30

Total

271,001 tonnes

14,305 tonnes

Jan. 1 - Dec. 29, 2018 Last Year Same Time

BEEF PRODUCTION - CANADA

% Change

Fed

984,014 tonnes

932,083 tonnes

+6%

Non-fed

174,481 tonnes

156,935 tonnes

+11%

BEEF IMPORTS - CANADA

Jan. 1 -Dec. 29, 2018

Last Year Same Time % Change

US

120,217 tonnes

121,534 tonnes

Non-NAFTA

47,973 tonnes

48,460 tonnes

-1%

EU-28 (beef/veal total) 2,079 tonnes

2,103 tonnes

-1%

177,217 tonnes

+1%

Total

179,242 tonnes

-1%

LIVE CATTLE - CANADA IMPORTS

EXPORTS

EXPORTS

Jan. 1 - Nov. 30

Jan. 1 - Dec. 29, 2018

% Change

Purebred

5,501

Slaughter steers & heifers 382,844

-17%

Non-Purebred 173,051 Feeder steers & heifers

194,064

+65%

44,677

-14%

Cows & bulls

LIVE CATTLE EXPORTS - ONTARIO

Week ending Dec. 29, ‘18 Week ending Dec. 22, ‘18 Year to Date

Total to US.

1,458

3,023

117,686

Steers, Heifers, Cows 1,253

2,876

102,801

147

14,855

Bulls

205

ON TAR IO BEEF • FEBR U A RY 2019

47

Calendar of Events

March 6-7 - East Central Farm Show, Lindsay Fairgrounds – Admission $5/person March 6-8 - London Farm Show, Western Fair District, London March 9 - Hollee Limousin and Murray Hill Farm Limousin Heifer and Bull Open House, Blackstock March 9 - Blackbern, Whitewater and Kirlene 8th Annual Charolais Bull Sale, Cobden

February 19 - Cattlemen’s College, Delta Hotels by Marriott Toronto Airport & Conference Centre, Toronto

March 10 - Source for Quality Simmental, Hereford, Charolais and Limousin Bull Sale, Indian River March 12-14 - Ottawa Valley Farm Show, EY Centre, Ottawa

February 20-21 - BFO Annual General Meeting, Delta Hotels

by Marriott Toronto Airport & Conference Centre, Toronto

March 16 - Rollin Acres and Whiskey Hollow Charolais Bull Sale, Hanover

March 1 - M&L Cattle Company Charolais Bull Sale, Indian River

March 19 - Grain Farmers of Ontario March Classic, London Convention Centre, London

March 1 - Oattes Cattle Charolais Bull Sale, Cobden

March 23 - Fully Loaded Limousin Bull Sale, Cookstown

March 2 - Annual Bred Heifer Sale for Preston and Terry Cull and Family, Douglas

March 23 - Cornerview Charolais 4th Annual Bull and Heifer Sale, Cobden

March 2 - Annual Meeting, Ontario Charolais Association, Best Western Hotel, Cobourg

March 30 - 8th Annual High Point Charolais Breeders Bull Sale, Stayner

March 2 - Annual Meeting, Ontario Limousin Association

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GENETICS

Quality Proven Fleckvieh Simmental Breeding Stock

Bulls and Heifers FOR SALE. DNA verified for carcass and feed efficiency.

Ross & Betty Small & Family R.R.#3 Harriston ON N0G 1Z0

Tel: 519-338-2077 • 1-800-461-3504 • Email: doraleegenetics1@sonicwaves.ca See our new website: www.doraleegenetics.com

R.R #5 HOARDS STATION Campbellford, Ontario SALE BARN Dave DeNure 705-653-3660 • Auction Sale Since 1949 • Sale Every Tuesday 12 p.m.

• Three Rings – Beef, Dairy, Pigs • Quinte Cattlemen’s Stocker Sales • Spring and Fall Member of O.L.A.M.A

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Plaunt’s Farm Service

Doug Plaunt • 705-328-5794 • dgplaunt@gmail.com 160 Cricket Hollow Rd. • RR#2 • Little Britain, ON • K0M 2C0

Semen Available!

Bob Wilson 519-855-4990 bob@leachman.com Leachman Cattle Co. in Canada

BEEF FARMERS OF ONTARIO PRIVACY STATEMENT

April 6 - 14th Annual Saunders Charolais Bull Sale, Keady

The Beef Farmers of Ontario (BFO) is committed to protecting the privacy and security of producers’ personal information in compliance with the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA).

Subscribers to Ontario Beef magazine, the official publication of the Beef Farmers of Ontario, do so on a voluntary basis. By subscribing, subscribers are consenting to have their contact information used for the purposes of receiving the magazine and developing an BFO mailing list.

This mailing list will be used for the distribution of the BFO magazine.

The BFO will not sell, trade or otherwise share its Ontario Beef mailing list under any circumstances. A service may be provided whereby items are submitted to the BFO and mailed internally with the magazine but all materials must be approved by and acceptable to the BFO. In rare instances where external, non-commercial organizations, like the provincial or federal government, wish to use the Ontario Beef mailing list to distribute information, the government must provide their mailing materials in a finished format to BFO and/or its mailing house.

BFO will then coordinate the mailing, at the requesting organization’s cost, thus maintaining confidentiality of the list. In cases where the BFO may commission a mailing, the company providing the service is required to sign a mandatory confidentiality agreement.

Subscribers to the Ontario Beef mailing list who wish to have their names removed, should call 519-824-0334 or email bethany@ontariobeef.com. Please allow 15 business days to allow us to update our records accordingly.

BFO’s complete privacy statement, covering areas of information including the electronic update system, Website, membership list and market information can be viewed on its Website at http://www.ontariobeef.com/privacy.asp

April 6 - 21st Annual Smart Limousin Open House and Private Treaty Sale, Meaford April 6 - Annual Meeting, Ontario Hereford Association, Holiday Inn, Peterborough April 13 - 11th Annual Eastern Select Bull and Female Sale, Campbellford April 14 - River Point Cattle Company and Guests Simmental, Shorthorn, Hereford Bull Sale, Glencoe April 20 - Cedardale Charolais 16th Annual Bull Sale, Castleton April 22 - Beezee Acres Limousin Sale April 27 - Starting Line Up Limousin Sale May 11 - Spring Whiteface Hereford Classic Sale, Lindsay August 13-15 - Canadian Beef Industry Conference, Stampede Park, Calgary, Alta.

Silver Springs Farms

Maple Haven

Quality Belgian Blue Cattle

James & Joan McKinlay R.R. 1, Ravenna, Ontario N0H 2E0 Tel: 519-599-6236 jmckinlay@bmts.com

Bred for Calving Ease Sharon & Joe Daniel BREEDER BULLS FOR SALE Tina & Ben Daniel

Breeders of Quality Cattle Simmental • Red Angus • F1 Crosses

Tel: 519-423-6722 • Cell: 519-421-4393 • RR#5 Ingersoll, ON N5C 3J8

Garry & Sheila Smart

“Industry Accepted since 1978”

137606 Grey Rd. 12, RR # 2, Meaford, Ontario N4L 1W6 Phone: 519-538-4877 Cell: 519-372-7459 smartlimo@bmts.com www.smartlimousin.com

Breeding Stock Available at All Times.

YOUR AGENTS GRAEME CRAIG Res: 519-887-9381 Fax: 519-887-8811 Cell: 519-525-0103

McKillop Mutual Insurance Company Box 819, 91 Main Street South, SHANNON CRAIG Seaforth, Ontario N0K 1W0 Cell: 519-440-6256

Sunny Meadows Charolais

North AmericAN LiNcoLN red AssociAtioN Looking for Easy fleshing, Dark red, and a Great temperament? Try a Lincoln Red.

www.lincolnred.org

Selling progressive quality genetics since 1975 ~ polled with French influence.

Tel: 705-887-5142 Fax: 705-887-2341

Andy Millar

109 Bulmer’s Rd. R.R.#2 Fenelon Falls ON K0M 1N0

M ille r Land & L ive st ock

Charolais Bulls, Hay, Straw, Feedlot George & Dianne, Dwayne, Ashley and Cowal Miller

P: 519-760-0892 E: uspecs@roievents.ca FB: UNDERHILL SPECS

RR 1, Jarvis, ON N0A 1J0

Ph (519) 587-2755

Cell (519) 429-5902

Performance live/frozen genetics available!

Commercial Angus

Wright’s

Purebred Red Angus Purebred Black Angus Purebred Hereford

The Seed Family- Greg: 705-648-4274

Greg Wilson 519-590-2348 • Dennis Robinson 519-892-3316

seesonranch@outlook.com 845040 Morrow Rd, New Liskeard Ontario, P0J 1P0

R.R#1, #402144 Hanover, ON N4N 3B8 Tel: 519-369-3658

Carl Wright Cell: 519-369-7489 Ben Wright Cell: 519-374-3335 Laurie Wright Ofc: 519-369-3658

ON TAR IO BEEF • FEBR U A RY 2019

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Spotlight on Farm & Food Care Ontario Year in Review

VOLUME 8 • ISSUE 1

By Kelly Daynard, Executive Director, Farm & Food Care Ontario kelly@farmfoodcare.org • www.farmfoodcare.org

A

s a Platinum Member of Farm & Food Care Ontario (FFCO), Beef Farmers of Ontario plays an integral role in the organization’s success and has done so since the inception of the Ontario Farm Animal Council (FFCO’s predecessor organization) 30 years ago. Many initiatives over the last year have benefitted Ontario’s beef farmers directly.

Communications & Outreach Following the release of the fourth edition of The Real Dirt on Farming late in 2017, several distribution goals for the publication were met in 2018. The 12-page digest was inserted in the Globe and Mail, reaching 200,000 households across the country. Copies were also mailed to elected officials across Canada and Canadian Registered Dietitians. Four million copies of the booklet have now been distributed to Canadians since the publication’s inception in 2006.

2,200 guests and more than 100 volunteers attended Breakfast on the Farm September 8 at the North Gower beef feedlot and grain elevator owned by Dwight and Ruth Ann Foster and their family. This is the biggest event FFCO has ever hosted in Eastern Ontario. Special appreciation goes to the many beef farmers in eastern Ontario who volunteered for that day, helping to answer questions about the feedlot cattle.

In celebration of the twentieth annual Ontario Agriculture Week, October 1-7, FFCO brought together a dozen Ontario commodity groups, including Beef Farmers of Ontario, to bring the farm to Union Station. This Toronto transportation hub sees 300,000 visitors daily, and that’s where 40 volunteers and farmers held a pop-up event to talk food and farming, answer consumer questions, and most importantly, thank them for buying local. In the morning, breakfast sandwiches were passed out to early morning commuters, and in the afternoon a second group passed out allOntario snacks, including beef pepperettes, for the trip home.

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Partnering with Canada Beef and Beef Farmers of Ontario, FFCO hosted two tours for 61 Registered Dietitians (RDs) in the autumn of 2018. In September, Registered Dietitians from SickKids, Toronto Public Health and other Toronto locations visited the beef feedlot of the Schaus Land & Cattle Company near Alliston. In October, a tour for RDs working in Loblaws stores visited Gilbrea Farms near Hillsburgh. Guests were toured through the seed stock cow-calf farm by farmers Bob and Kate Wilson. In an evaluation, over 95% of participants found the tours very valuable. Participants also expressed that opportunities like the farm tour program assists them in their careers by better preparing them to answer questions from clients about food or farming.

Animal Care Initiatives FFCO’s Animal Care Helpline fielded 26 calls in 2018. In cases where the caller was less familiar with animal agriculture, they often felt reassured about the situation in question once they were informed about normal farm practices. Many of the callers are from within the farm community and are concerned about potential situations they see. In March, Farm & Food Care Ontario assisted Beef Farmers of Ontario with a training session for its Animal Care Volunteer Team who are tasked with following up on animal care concerns. Where situations stem from unforeseen personal or financial circumstances, assistance from within the agricultural community can be most effective.

FFCO continued to be active on livestock emergency projects in 2018. In January, the Truck Rollover Guide, developed alongside Beef Farmers of Ontario in 2017, was sent to 450 fire departments across Ontario.

In September, FCCO received notice that a Livestock Emergency Preparedness project had received funding for 2019 from the Canadian Agricultural Partnership through the Agricultural Adaptation Council. This new project will be a continuation of efforts to promote barn fire education and truck

roll over training into 2019.

As part of barn fire awareness work, Farm & Food Care Ontario continues the FLIR (heat sensing) equipment lending program. The FLIR sensor can often detect heat corrosion in receptacles, plugs and panels in livestock barns, which are some of the major causes of barn fires. By using the FLIR modules, farmers can check for potential risks on their own farms. FLIR modules can be borrowed from the Farm & Food Care Ontario office.

In 2018, three Farm Environmental and Farm Animal Council meetings, comprised of FFCO’s Platinum, Gold and Silver members were held utilizing a new hybrid meeting template. The Farm Animal Care council is chaired by BFO’s Dave Cavanagh.

Councils meet collectively in the morning for speakers of common interest and then divide to take a closer look into more special interest topics for each council. The meeting format has been well-received and will be continued into 2019. These meetings are becoming a key venue in Ontario agriculture to bring together stakeholders from across our diverse industry to discuss issues of relevance to everyone and help shape the work that FFCO is doing in the areas of farm environmental sustainability and farm animal care.

Environment Initiatives FFCO is active in the Timing Matters Working Group, which is a coalition of farm organizations that promotes better manure application stewardship. The Peerto-Peer Network is a subgroup that focuses on responsible manure management in the winter months. The team’s mandate is to help identify practical alternatives to spreading manure on frozen or snow-covered ground in an effort to use nutrients more effectively and reduce the environmental risks to local creeks, rivers and lakes.

More information on all Farm & Food Care activities can be found at www.FarmFoodCareON.org

14th Annual

Saunders Charolais Bull Sale With special guests Blue Mountains Charolais & Destiny Simmentals

Saturday April 6, 2019 @ 2pm Join us for presale lunch at 11:00am

Keady Livestock Market - Keady , ON Selling: 32 Yearlings, 2 Two Year Olds & 3 Fall Long Yearling Charolais Bulls 7 Yearling Simmental Bulls

Brent Saunders 519-372-6196 saunders@bmts.com

Darrell Saunders 519-373-6788 dbjsaunders@gmail.com

Todd Campbell 519-379-7565 tcampbell@rbafinancial.com

Saunders Charolais Presale OPEN HOUSE Saturday March 9th from 11 am—2 pm

Stop in for snacks, refreshments and to take a peek at this year’s bull line up!

Be sure to follow us on Facebook for updated pics & videos!