Ontario Beef - October 2020

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE BEEF FARMERS OF ONTARIO

BEEF ON T A R I O

ONTARIO LICENSED DEALERS LISTING • COST OF PRODUCTION NETWORK • WORK CONTINUES AT NEW BEEF RESEARCH FACILITIES IN ELORA • OCTOBER 2020

THE SEASON OF

GATHERING

Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement Number 0040007029

THE ADVANTAGES CAN’T BE DISPUTED

• Hereford-sired feedlot steers had better weaning weights, better daily gains in the feedlot, and better feed conversion compared to other steers.

• Performance data shows 10% better gains than yard averages.

• Better dry matter conversion average by 9.2% When feed prices are high, feed efficiency is up to 10 times more economically important than ADG. • Documented research shows that hybrid vigour is greater in white face cross cattle due to genetic purity of the Hereford breed.

• The docility of Hereford cattle has a large impact on not only gains but also meat quality traits over less docile animals.

Hereford influence cattle are the best choice for your feedlot. Let the white face give you an advantage in the market. IT WILL PUT YOU IN THE BLACK. Contact us today about the hereford plus program.

CORP CREEK FARM Bill and Jill Corp and Family OMEMEE, ON 705-799-7488 (Bill’s cell) 705-772-9345 (Jill’s cell) corpcreekfarm@hotmail.com Registered Breeding Stock HIDDEN-VIEW POLLED HEREFORDS Joe & Karen Paszternak NORWOOD, ON 705-957-3739 or 705-957-7470 karen.paszternak@gmail.com Cows & heifers for sale

www.ontarioherefords.ca

WHISKEY LANE LIVESTOCK Hereford and Angus Scott, Paula, Jason and Shelby Cornish INDIAN RIVER, ON 705-295-2925 705-878-3248 (Scott’s cell) 705-341-3220 (Paula’s cell) wll@nexicom.net Visitors Always Welcome

LIAN MOR POLLED HEREFORDS Wallace & Fern Pugh & Trevor & Amy Pugh MONO, ON Wally &Fern lianmor@sympatico.ca • 519-941-8515 Trevor & Amy tpugh27@yahoo.com • 519-939-7486 Breeding stock available O’SHEA FARMS Jamie and Mel O’Shea DENFIELD, ON 519-477-1238 osheafarms@hotmail.com Bulls & Females for Sale

Lois Batty,ON President – 705-328-4302 KAREN PASZTERNAK Dr. | Norwood, • 705-957-3739 • karen.paszternak@gmail.com www.ontarioherefords.ca PRESIDENT JILL AND BILL CORP | Omemee, ON • 705-772-9345 • ontarioherefordassociation@outlook.com SECRETARY MANAGER

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE BEEF FARMERS OF ONTARIO

BEEF ONTARIO

October 2020

Volume 61, Number 4

COMPLIMENTARY MEMBER-SUPPORTED PUBLICATION

CONTENTS 4

Ahead of the Heard

5

Steve Toms of Fortinos Takes Title of Ontario’s Finest Butcher

6

The Beef Beat

7

Calendar of Events

8

Between You, Me and the Fence Post

10

Connecting with Consumers

12

Ontario Beef Market Development Update

14

OMAFRA Update

16

CCA Update

18

Research Update: Work Continues at New Beef Research Facilities in Elora

19

Canada Beef Update

20

Cost of Production Network

22

AgSights Update

24

Helping Farmers Make Better Herd Management and Breeding Decisions

26

Ontario Beef Cattle Financial Protection Program Licensed Dealers Listing

28

Market Information

34

Wellness on the Farm

12

18 ON THE COVER The harvest season and its colourful presence has arrived across the province.

Traditionally, September and October have been a time for gathering with family, friends and neighbours to harvest the year’s crops and to celebrate Thanksgiving. The year 2020 has been described by many adjectives, but traditional is definitely not one of them. Gatherings and harvest will take on a much different look this year, but regardless, winter’s prep work still needs to get done. In this issue of Ontario Beef, you’ll find information on BFO’s policy and government relations efforts and an update on Ontario Beef consumer engagement and market development activities. Work also continues at the new beef research facility in Elora, which is highlighted in this issue. Lastly, with fall stocker sales happening across the province we want to share an important reminder with our members to work with licensed dealers to ensure you are protected under the Ontario Beef Cattle Financial Protection Program. A complete listing of licensed dealers can be found on page 26 and regular updates are made to this listing on the OMAFRA website. Wishing a safe harvest to all of our members.

Don’t miss out on submitting your photos for our December 2020 issue.

Please send your winter-inspired photos by November 10 to be considered for the cover.

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

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 LeaAnne Wurmli 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 Beck’s Printing Services, Brantford, 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

AHEAD OF THE HEARD

By Rob Lipsett, BFO President info@ontariobeef.com • www.ontariobeef.com

The Season of Gathering T

he last six months have been nothing short of “stormy”, challenging and unpredictable, which is how us farmers usually describe one of our favourite topics, the weather. Fortunately for us, this year’s early harvest season has given us all something to be grateful for. Sunshine and warm temperatures gave us a jump start on harvesting corn silage, combining soybeans and planting wheat. Pastures are also doing well in many parts of the province with timely rains in August and warm temperatures throughout September. As the season of Thanksgiving approaches, this fall we can be thankful for the weather, if nothing else.

In late August, Richard Horne, BFO Executive Director, and I appeared before the Ontario Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs.

Our comments to the Committee focused on the need for more stable and viable funding for Ontario’s Risk Management Program; enhancements to AgriStability; tweaks to the Canadian Agricultural Partnership to allow costshare funding for manure storage, perimeter fencing, and expansion activities; and lastly the need to support development and expansion efforts of the province’s processing facilities through infrastructure enhancements, access to labour, and market development.

Throughout August and September, BFO Directors and staff hosted a number of virtual meetings with MPPs, including the Ontario Finance Minister, to discuss a number of issues like the RMP, processing capacity and Bill 156. We also worked together with the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association to host a number of environmental-focused farm tours for several MPs across the province. Thank you to all of our host farms for showcasing your environmental stewardship and allowing us to use your operations for these important discussions.

With respect to the provincial Bill 156, Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act, 2020, we were pleased to hear the section of the Act with respect to preventing persons from stopping, obstructing, engaging or interfering with livestock transportation vehicles has been put into effect.

Although the legislation came into force at the end of July, the underlying regulations have not been finalized. BFO will be submitting comments on BFO BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2020 Rob Lipsett (Background Director) - President Phone: 519-375-2080 • Email: lipsettrob@yahoo.ca Jack Chaffe (Feedlot Director) - Vice-President Phone: 519-301-3034 • Email: jdchaffe@quadro.net Don Badour (Cow-Calf Director) Email: don.badour@ripnet.com Jason Reid (Cow-Calf Director) Email: reidridgefarm@tbaytel.net Don Hargrave (Cow-Calf Director) Email: dchargrave@gmail.com Joe Dickenson (Feedlot Director) Email: joe@dickensonfarms.com David Millsap (Feedlot Director) Email: davidwmillsap@gmail.com Jason Leblond (Northern Director) Email: jsacres5@gmail.com Craig McLaughlin (Eastern Director) Email: cmblackhorse@gmail.com Ron Stevenson (Southern Director) Email: ron@metzgervet.com Dan Darling (Director-At-Large) Email: dmdarling13@gmail.com Jordan Miller (Director-At-Large) Email: b.jordan.miller@gmail.com

4

O N T A R I O B E E F • OCT OBE R 2 0 2 0

the regulations in mid-October in collaboration with the other livestock associations and the general farm groups.

While many areas of the province have recovered from the dry conditions in early summer, some regions are struggling to secure a sufficient supply of feed for the winter. BFO requested drought assistance for these hard-hit areas in August, and we have received word from Minister Hardeman that additional support, beyond business risk management, could be made available if the provincial assessment of the situation warrants a request to the federal government. As this discussion evolves, we will continue to advocate for support for the regions in Ontario that were impacted by drought.

In my last column, I was much more optimistic that by the fall we could gather for our fall Regional Meetings and again in January for our county and district annual general meetings. Provincial guidelines on gathering limits continue to evolve, especially as students return to school and as we head into the winter months. While we still intend to hold our Regional Meetings across the province in person beginning in late November, we are also prepared to meet virtually with all county and district presidents and advisory councillors if COVID-19 recommendations suggest we should refrain from meeting in person.

Aside from the leaves changing colour and the bountiful array of pumpkin spice-flavoured and -scented novelties, another sign of fall is the beginning of planning for BFO’s Annual General Meeting (AGM). As anticipated, BFO’s 2021 AGM will be delivered in a new virtual format with details, including the date(s), to be announced in the next few weeks. BFO directors and staff are busy making plans for the delivery of our AGM in February, which will include elections, a debate on resolutions and all required business activities. While the format will be different, we will do our very best to ensure the process is smooth and that all voting delegates will have a positive experience when participating.

In closing, I wish you and your family a happy Thanksgiving. Whether you gather with family and friends in person or in spirit this year, let us be thankful for the weather and a big slice of pumpkin pie. OB

BFO STAFF Executive Director Richard Horne • richard@ontariobeef.com Manager of Policy and Issues Katherine Fox • k atherine@ontariobeef.com Policy Advisor Darby Wheeler • darby@ontariobeef.com Policy Advisor Evan Chaffe • evan@ontariobeef.com Director of Communications LeaAnne Wurmli • leaanne@ontariobeef.com Manager of Public Engagement and Digital Strategy Jennifer Kyle • jennifer@ontariobeef.com Communications Specialist Bethany Storey • bethany@ontariobeef.com Market Information Coordinator Jamie Gamble • markets@ontariobeef.com

Accountant Amber McIntyre • amber@ontariobeef.com Office Manager 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 Chris Millar • chrism@ontariobeef.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

Steve Toms of Fortinos Takes the Title of Ontario’s Finest Butcher S

teve Toms of Fortinos in Hamilton took home the title of Ontario’s Finest Butcher in a competition hosted by Meat & Poultry Ontario (MPO) in September.

Toms, a two-year veteran to the competition, earned the honour after a fierce head-to-head meat-cutting battle with finalists Dave Vander Velde of VG Meats in Stoney Creek and Frank DiGenova of Butcher by Nature in Toronto.

“This year has shown us more than ever the importance of your local butcher,” says Franco Naccarato, MPO’s executive director. “There is a great need for trained butchers across Ontario and we hope this competition can elevate and give the profession the recognition it deserves.”

The Ontario’s Finest Butcher competition was started seven years ago to showcase the profession and recognize the level of skill found in butcher shops and meat plants across the province. Twelve competitors from across Ontario faced off in an elimination round (held on September 14) to determine the top three finalists. During this round they were given 30 minutes to transform a fresh pork bone-in leg, bone-in butt, and bone-in loin into merchandisable cuts of their choice, and were judged on the degree of difficulty/efficiency and skill level in boning, trimming and cutting, primal cut utilization and financial performance. The top three moved on to the finals where it was still about skill, but creativity and consumer-appeal were added to the judging criteria.

The theme for this year’s final ‘black box’ round was ‘Deja Food’ and Toms along with fellow finalists had 30 minutes to transform two ducks, a leg of veal, and a pork bone-in loin to prepare several remarkable-looking, display-ready items. The three judges’ combined scores determined it was Toms who would carry the honour.

“It’s an amazing honour to represent Fortinos and artisans from Ontario in a skilled trade that is now starting to come back to the limelight,” says Ontario’s Finest Butcher winner Steve Toms. “Great work by Meat & Poultry Ontario on organizing a competition to inspire more people into this trade for years to come.”

In addition to donning the official champion’s black jacket, Toms took home a Minimax Big Green Egg™ Ultimate Kit, YETI Roadie cooler, and a gift package from Ecoboard – a prize package valued over $1,500. OB

ON TAR IO BEEF • OC TOBER 20 20

5

THE BEEF BEAT

By Richard Horne, BFO Executive Director richard@ontariobeef.com • www.ontariobeef.com

Project and Policy Roundup F

all is a busy time for those in agriculture, and while many producers will be busy with harvest and the fall run, industry organizations like BFO are hard at work on a number of projects and initiatives. On the project front, BFO is in the midst of completing a number of producerfocused projects, including a calf club video series, biosecurity in the COVID-era videos, virtual beef farm tours, planning for euthanasia workshops, VBP+ training, forage sampling for a satellite-based forage insurance project, and more. We’ve also been busy on the lobby front, meeting with MPs and MPPs virtually, in committee, and in the countryside. We continue to focus on the immediate need for BRM program enhancements, support for processing infrastructure and access to labour at both levels, and drought assistance for affected regions, among others.

BFO has also partnered with the Quebec Beef Producers, Veal Farmers of Ontario, Dairy Farmers of Ontario, and the maritime beef and dairy associations on the development of humane transport training for individuals involved directly or indirectly in the loading/unloading and transporting of cattle. The purpose of the training is to ensure the industry is equipped to comply with the new humane transportation regulations that came into force in February. The training session will be available both online and offline to enable broad participation. Content of these sessions will include training on and compliance with the new regulations, animal handling and transport risk management, as well as record keeping and contingency planning. We are aiming to launch this training at the tail-end of this year, after CFIA has vetted the program’s content. On this note, it would be helpful to know what you have been experiencing or hearing with respect to enforcement of these new regulations since February. Although delayed enforcement of the Feed-Water-Rest intervals are in place, the other components are in force.

There are a few policy notes to update you on. Canada’s application to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) to move our BSE risk status from “controlled” to “negligible” was formally submitted earlier this year and is on track for 2021 approval. On a related and very positive note, CFIA has finally shown a willingness to respond to repeated concerns raised by many groups in the cattle business regarding the need to revise Canada’s SRM removal requirements. Discussions on what those requirements could look like began with industry in October. BFO’s longstanding position has been to harmonize our SRM rules with the United States. While we continue to fight for change and encourage our partners at CCA to keep up the pressure, it is positive to finally see a willingness start to emerge on the part of government to take a look at our current system, a system costing our farm and processing sectors tens of millions of dollars per year in lost value.

With respect to alternative proteins, the cattle sector is eagerly awaiting the release of a public consultation on a labelling guidance document for alternative protein products. The consultation has been 6

O N T A R I O B E E F • OCT OBE R 2 0 2 0

delayed due to COVID-19 but is expected to be released this fall. BFO will be working with CCA’s Food Policy Committee and other allies to respond in a unified manner to this consultation when it is eventually released. The main focus will be to ensure the language contained within the guidance document prevents consumer confusion of products at the retail level.

I also wanted to touch on the Ontario Cattle Set-Aside program that was announced earlier this year in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

An industry steering committee has provided recommendations back to OMAFRA and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada on the draft set of program guidelines, which were modelled after the programs implemented in Alberta and Saskatchewan. We expect the final program details to be released soon. Industry communications about this program will follow the release of the guidelines. The program will not be triggered unless there is a COVID-19 induced processing backlog in Ontario, whether it be from an outbreak in Ontario or elsewhere in the country.

On the processing side of things, we know backlogs are persistent in our provincial plants, COVID aside. BFO is currently working with Meat and Poultry Ontario on a strategy to improve the output and resiliency of these facilities. BFO has and will continue to strongly advocate for additional funding programs in this area.

Lastly, in August, the BFO Board of Directors made the decision to initiate the first outside review of the association’s structure and governance in close to 20 years. This fall, Canlead Solutions will begin the review under the guidance of the BFO Governance Committee and BFO senior staff. The review will include a membership survey, direct interviews with key stakeholders, benchmarking with other relevant organizations, and relationship analysis with organizations and government bodies BFO works closely with. An internal review of how BFO conducts its affairs is long overdue, and comes in response to multiple resolutions carried at consecutive BFO AGMs calling on the Board to initiate a review of the current structure to ensure the association is structured in a way to best serve and fulfill our mandate, and to best support the needs of the industry and the membership. I would encourage all members to complete the short survey once it is released and communicated through BFO’s various communication channels.

BFO continues to update our dedicated COVID-19 webpage regularly with important information and resources on the www.ontariobeef. com website. At the national level, COVID-19 updates can also be found on CCA’s www.cattle.ca website. I would encourage everyone to check these pages regularly. In addition, we have continued bi-weekly industry update calls with the Advisory Councillors, Presidents, standing committee members, and Ontario Cattle Feeders representatives to ensure everyone is kept up to speed through this crisis, and to provide a forum for discussion.

In closing, I’d like to wish you and your families well as we continue to endure through the COVID-19 pandemic. I look forward to seeing many of you at our upcoming regional meetings, whether in person or online. OB

CALENDAR

Ontario Beef Industry Events October 16 - Uppin’ the Ante Charolais Sale, Maple Hill Auctions, Hanover October 16 - Lone Pine/Airriess Acres & Guests Sale, Vibank, SK October 17 - Blue Water Angus Sale, Cargill October 17 - Fall Feature Charolais Female Sale, Hoards Station Sales Barn, Campbellford October 18 - Girls of Glenrothes Shorthorn Online Sale, Beaverton October 23 - Hereford and HerefordInfluence Stocker Sale, Brussels October 24 - Cream of the Crop Blonde d’Aquitaine Sale, Hoards Station Sales Barn, Campbellford October 24 - Colours of Autumn Limousin Sale, Ontario Stockyards, Cookstown October 26 - Special Stocker Sale Featuring Hereford and Limousin Calves, Carson Farms and Auctions, Listowel October 30 - Limousin Calf Sale, Cargill Auction Market, Cargill November 5 - Limousin Influenced Calf Sale, Ontario Livestock Exchange, St. Jacobs November 6 - Limousin Calf Sale, Cargill Auction Market, Cargill

November 10 - Cover Crop Grazing Webinar, Dollars & Sense, 7pm-8pm, Hosted by OMAFRA, BFO & OSF. Featuring Kim Sytsma, producer & Christine O’Reilly, OMAFRA. To register, contact BFO November 14 - Walnut Drive Hereford Farms and Vancise Cattle Company Red Angus Production Sale, Hanover November 17 - Cover Crop Grazing Webinar, Dollars & Sense, 7pm-8pm, Hosted by OMAFRA, BFO & OSF. Featuring Mike Swidersky, producer & Jake Munroe, OMAFRA. To register, contact BFO November 21 - Ontario Shorthorn Association Fall Classic Sale, Hanover November 24 - Healthy Calf Virtual Conference, 10:00 am to 12:15 pm. Hosted

by Veal Farmers of Ontario. Practical ways you can improve the health and welfare of your calves. To register, visit: 2020healthycalfconference.eventbrite.ca November 24 - Cover Crop Grazing Webinar, Dollars & Sense, 7pm-8pm, Hosted by OMAFRA, BFO & OSF. Featuring Mike Swidersky, producer & Jake Munroe, OMAFRA. To register, contact BFO

December 4 - SimPower Bred Female Sale, Olds, AB December 5 - Peak Dot Ranch Fall Bull & Female Sale, Wood Mountain, SK December 5 - Select Angus Online Angus Sale, Purple Springs, AB December 9 - Western Select 9th Annual Limousin Sale, Lloydminster, SK December 11 - Touch of Class, Saskatoon, SK December 11 - 66 Ranch Ltd. 7th Annual Fall Bull Sale, Brooks, AB December 12 - Pride of the Prairies, Saskatoon, SK December 12 - Hills Galore Online Production Sale, Hazlet, SK December 13 - Glennie Bros. Long Yearling and Bred Heifer Sale, Carnduff, SK December 14 - Border Butte Angus Vol. 19 Bull Sale, Medicine Hat, AB December 15 - Genetic Selections Angus Sale, Herbert, SK December 21 - Blairs. Ag Opportunity Knocks, Saskatoon, SK December 31 - New Year’s Resolution Frozen Genetics Sale, Olds, AB

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ON TAR IO BEEF • OC TOBER 20 20

7

BETWEEN YOU, ME AND THE FENCE POST

By LeaAnne Wurmli, BFO Director of Communications leaanne@ontariobeef.com • www.ontariobeef.com

Practicing Gratitude and Thankfulness I

n a year where most things have felt out of our control and the impact of social isolation has set in, it would be unrealistic to not expect some sort of mental or even physical wellness fallout. As they say, “something’s gotta give.” Having returned to work recently from a year-long motherhood sabbatical, I have learned a thing or two about managing the feelings that come with loss of control and social isolation.

As a result of the pandemic, there seems to be many things out of farmers’ control, beyond just the typical challenges of weather and wavering market prices. Accessing parts for broken equipment, finding processing space for finished animals, evolving consumer and foodservice purchasing habits, and navigating the new world of commerce and communication are all just a few examples of the everyday challenges of 2020. So, it makes complete sense if you’ve been overcome from time to time with feelings of worry, frustration or even anger.

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O N T A R I O B E E F • OCT OBE R 2 0 2 0

Compounding loss of control, farmers have also been faced with social isolation. Some would argue that farmers are used to working autonomously, which is true to some extent, but prior to the pandemic there was still an outlet for human interaction and escape at the local hockey rink, community church or restaurant and coffee shop in town.

Finding time away from the farm has no doubt been especially hard over the last several months and unfortunately will likely continue into the winter months.

As we approach the season of gathering, it can be helpful for all of us to recognize and appreciate the things we can be grateful for. While it may sound cliche, much research has been done around the science of practicing gratitude and its alleged health benefits. A study by UC Davis psychologist Robert Emmons, author of Thanks!: How the New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier, shows that simply keeping a gratitude journal - regularly writing brief reflections on moments for which we’re thankful - can significantly increase our well-being and life satisfaction.

The act of practicing gratitude and thankfulness not only helps us feel more content, it has shown through research to improve sleep, reduce feelings of pain and stress, allow us to experience more positive emotions and improve our ability to express more compassion and kindness to others.

Expressing gratitude doesn’t always have to be grand in thought; it can be as simple as being thankful for a big piece of homemade apple pie or being grateful for your furry farm dog companion. In my brief research on the topic of gratitude, many experts suggest that practicing gratitude should be done daily, perhaps around the dinner table, and the more detailed, the better. For example, being thankful for my partner is accurate, but being thankful that my partner picked up the kids from hockey practice tonight so that I could finish chores in a decent time is much more descriptive. By being descriptive, we can slowly change the way we perceive situations by adjusting what we focus on. Another expert suggests mixing up the way we count our gratitude blessings. For some, writing them down in a journal is helpful, for others it could be a daily mental reminder during coffee break. Another recommendation is to create a family gratitude jar. When a family member has a thankful thought, write it down on a piece of paper and pop it in the jar. When New Year’s Eve rolls around, begin a new family tradition - dump the jar, read aloud, and reminisce together!

I will close with my thought for the gratitude jar. I’m thankful for the many farmers across the province who continue to make daily sacrifices to provide me and my family with a plentiful food source. I know from experience that the sacrifices aren’t always obvious - it’s a dad who can’t always tuck his kids in at night, or a mom who has to miss a baseball game or science fair, or a family that has to miss out on a trip because things need done on the farm. I, and many others, appreciate your hard work, resilience and the care you show for your animals and your community. OB

TO BE PROFITABLE TOMORROW, CHOOSE

LIMOUSIN

TODAY

To add Limousin to your Feedlot or Herd, please join us at these Fall Sales: CARGILL AUCTION MARKET October 30 and November 6 Limousin Calf Sales Contact: 519-881-6623

ONTARIO LIVESTOCK EXCHANGE November 5 Limousin Influenced Calf Sale Contact: 519-884-2082

CARSON FARMS & AUCTIONS October 26 Commercial Calf Sale featuring groups of Limousin Calves Contact: 519-291-2049

COLOURS OF AUTUMN LIMOUSIN SALE October 24 Ontario Stockyards, Cookstown

Contact any of these Breeders to arrange for a private viewing of Cattle For Sale 3 RIDGE FARMS Jon Bell 217294 Conc. 3 Owen Sound, ON N4K 5N5 519-378-4006 roundbale14@hotmail.com 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 905-449-0149 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 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 PINCH HILL LIMOUSIN Paul, Brandon & Chad Homer Stittsville, Ontario 519-339-9659 or 613-987-0822 pinchhill@gmail.com POSTHAVEN LIMOUSIN John and Ena Post #7396 Sideroad #20, RR #2, Alma, Ontario N0B 1A0 519-846-9320 ejpost@posthavenlimousin.com

Ontario Limousin Association

Chad Homer, President • Phone: 519-339-9659

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 Justin and Melissa Burgess 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 WINDY GABLES LIMOUSIN Bryce & Nathan Allen RR #4, Warkworth, ON K0K 3K0 705-924-2583

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

CONNECTING WITH CONSUMERS Campaign Success…Now, on to the Next!

By Jennifer Kyle, Manager of Public Engagement and Digital Strategy jennifer@ontariobeef.com • www.ontbeef.com

T

o say this summer was interesting would be an understatement to say the least! During a normal summer, friends, family and acquaintances gather at all kinds of places to enjoy the sunshine and good company. There is just something about the warm weather that motivates people to be out and about.

As farmers, we know the summer also brings a tremendous amount of weather- and time-sensitive hard work, and as a wise person (Steven Lee Olsen) once said, you gotta “make hay while the sun shines!” But even on the farm, the summer weather puts a skip in people’s step and, when the work is done for the day, there are many gatherings of neighbours and friends.

With most of that socializing and gathering together off the table this year, not only were we forced as a society to change how we connect and interact with each other, but it also meant we had to pivot our consumer engagement plans to reflect this new reality.

Suddenly it didn’t make sense to talk about beef as a food we “gather together” to enjoy. Attending big public events was not an option, and even our social media campaign plans had in-person components we had to go back to the drawing board on.

The great news is we adapted and found ways to continue to connect with our Ontario beef consumers and our results have been fantastic to date.

The Ontario Beef Burger Battle The Ontario Beef Burger Battle campaign was designed to celebrate local recipes in the height of grilling season and generate awareness of Ontario beef, keeping it top of mind for our consumers through the summer.

The campaign was a burger creation competition between selected food-oriented social media influencers around Ontario (mostly GTA), hosted and judged by Gunnarolla (aka Andrew Gunadie). The influencers were selected based on their location, following and ability to bring a unique burger recipe to life – inspiring our consumers to ask for Ontario beef.

Each influencer showcased their unique burger recipe, which was shared through their own channels and through Ontario Beef’s social handles. Social posts encouraged participation, asking fans to share their own recipes with #ontbeefburgerbattle and drove to our website where consumers could find the recipes and learn more about Ontario beef.

The competition was all done remotely and a “hub” was created on the ontbeef. ca website to serve as a home for each burger 10

O N T A R I O B E E F • OCT OBE R 2 0 2 0

master’s video creation. All of the recipes are also now available on the hub, and in the Ontbeef.ca recipe database.

In the end, it was “Zimmy’s Signature Classic” burger that took top honours, and we also surprised 10 followers who had shared their own burger recipes with an Ontario Beef swag bag - this was very well received.

So, how did the Burger Battle do? The short answer is: great! In a nutshell we: • reached 860,000 people, • received 430,000 engagements, • made 3 million content impressions, and • drove 42,000 visits to the website.

For context, those 42,000 website visits increased the traffic on our site by 800 per cent and 95 per cent of the visitors were first-time visitors to the site!

We learned through the battle that our audience is engaged, and we will continue to capitalize on that by ensuring we always have meaningful calls to action, and by providing value to the consumers.

What’s Next?

With the summer campaign behind us, we have now turned our focus to putting some dollars behind the promotion of the store locator feature on the Ontario Beef website. This will lead into our next campaign, which will centre around butchers and butcher shops.

As this is an excellent opportunity for anyone selling Ontario beef to take advantage of increased (and hopefully sustained) traffic and exposure, if you or someone you know would like to be added to the locator, please contact Jenn at the BFO office for an application.

Over the past few months, the team has been working on some new resources that will be available in the coming weeks.

Included are: • A recipe booklet, which replaces the individual cards • A kids’ colouring book, which replaces the dated activity sheet • A general Ontario beef brochure Additionally, as we continue to receive requests for materials that can be used in a retail setting, we are working on a few materials that can be used in-store to encourage customers to ask for Ontario beef.

We will communicate details on those items as they become available.

We have also been hard at work on a number of new video and photo assets, including a new TESA video, recipe videos, and a virtual-360 video tour of two beef farms (feedlot and cow-calf) that will launch at the virtual Royal.

Speaking of the Royal, we will be participating in the virtual Royal Agricultural Winter Fair November 10 -14, so watch for details on how you can “visit” us at our booth!

Lastly, please remember that between these updates, the best way to keep up with our current activity is to follow us on our social media channels and check out ontbeef.ca. If you have questions, concerns or ideas, please reach out any time. We are always happy to chat! OB

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ON TAR IO BEEF • OC TOBER 20 20

11

ONTARIO BEEF MARKET DEVELOPMENT

By John Baker, Director of the Ontario Beef Market Development Program john@ontariobeef.com • www.ontariobeef.com

Developing Brand Recognition for Ontario Beef T

he primary focus of the Ontario Beef Market Development (OBMD) strategy has been to develop strong brand recognition and grow market share for unique brands of Ontario beef in the domestic and export markets. A key aspect of this strategy is the need to establish and grow strong partnerships and relationships in the Ontario retail, foodservice and processing sectors, as well as in key export markets.

As we continue to work through the COVID-19 pandemic, it is encouraging to see retail and foodservice partners engaging with their customers around the need to support Ontario beef farmers.

Over the past months we have seen many examples of how these brand partners are reaching out to consumers.

Point of sale materials have been developed and are currently being distributed through packer and distributor sales to end-use customers. The content is focused on enjoyment of high-quality beef produced on Ontario family farms. These materials are available for retail and restaurant operators who feature Ontario beef.

Brand partners of Ontario beef are also engaging with customers. An example of this is Flanagan Foodservice who has developed a new label and table tent for their restaurant customers. These materials highlight their commitment to their brand, Carve Premium Ontario Beef.

As another example, Loblaws has reached out to their customers by way of a tribute ad in their flyer that proudly celebrates the 10 years they have been partners with Ontario Corn Fed Beef.

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One final example is Vince’s Markets, which have also been marketing their brand Vince’s Ontario Angus Beef to demonstrate their commitment to Ontario beef farmers.

Collaborative Partnership Program The OBMD program offers cost-sharing opportunities for industry partners who are active in marketing Ontario-branded beef through the Collaborative Partnership Program (CPP).

The CPP is a cost-shared investment program offered to partners for projects that align with the OBMD program’s stated strategic objectives.

1. Growth in the domestic market for Ontario-branded beef 2. Growth in export markets for Ontario-branded beef 3. Maximize value of Ontario beef products The goal of the CPP is to stimulate industry alignment, and encourage collaboration with industry partners, organizations and NGOs. If you are interested in an application form or finding out whether your project is eligible, please contact John Baker, Director of the Ontario Beef Market Development Program, by email at john@ontariobeef.com. OB

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Check out www.ontariocharolais.com OR contact our secretary Doris Aitken at 519–323–2538 ON TAR IO BEEF • OC TOBER 20 20

13

OMAFRA UPDATE Grinding it Out

Acidosis Risk Factors, Why Does Particle Size Matter to Feedlots?

By Megan Van Schaik, Beef Cattle Specialist, OMAFRA • www.omafra.on.ca; Dr. Katie Wood, Associate Professor, University of Guelph; and Emily Conlin, University of Guelph

W

ith small cereal harvest behind us for the year and corn harvest in the midst, it’s a good time to be thinking about how grain processing impacts cattle health and performance. The suite of management tools to address and prevent digestive upsets and correct performance issues needs to include an evaluation of grain processing.

There is a fine balance between over and under processing. Grinding grain too finely can lead to digestive upsets and related conditions such as bloat, ruminal acidosis, and laminitis, and a lack of processing can reduce feed utilization efficiency.

Both grain type and degree of processing influences the rate and extent at which grain is fermented in the rumen.

As a rule, wheat ferments the fastest of the grains in the rumen and corn Figure 1. Rate of digestion as influenced by ferments the slowest, grain type and processing method. Adapted however this hierarchy is from Stock and Erickson (2006) influenced by the type and extent of processing (Figure 1).

Grain is processed to achieve increased starch availability and digestibility in feedlot rations. Generally, greater processing is related to improved dry matter and starch digestibility, which can translate to improved feed conversion efficiencies. Processing grains through steam-flaking, rolling, or grinding with a hammermill enhances total tract starch digestibility. However, in any processing scenario, particle size distribution (the range of particle sizes in a sample) and specifically the extent of fines produced must be monitored to manage risk of reduced rumen pH and digestive upsets.

It is not possible to identify an overarching “sweet spot” for grind size and extent of processing because ideal particle size is a function of a number of variables in a feeding program, including overall composition of the ration, type of grain processing, and moisture levels.

The level of roughage inclusion in the ration influences the impact of fine grinding, where increased levels of effective fibre can offset some of the negative impacts of extensive processing. The effect of roughage level in the diet was demonstrated in a study conducted by North Dakota State Researchers where improved feed efficiencies were observed when fine-grinding corn was fed in a ration with adequate forage levels (greater than 15.5% DM). Some studies have also shown that the impact of processing method for corn grain may be influenced by inclusion of wet distillers grains, suggesting that there is a positive effect of wet distillers in binding fines and improving uniformity in the diet. However, more research is needed to fully understand the interaction between various feed ingredients and grain grind size.

The processing method in itself can impact starch digestibility and risk of digestive upsets. For example, steam flaking and ensiling can increase the overall total tract digestibility of starch. Steam flaking and ensiling grains tend to shift digestion to the small intestine 14

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which not only contributes to increasing digestive efficiencies, but also reduces risk of ruminal acidosis. Further to this, University of Nebraska research suggests that feeding a combination of different grains or like grains subjected to different processing methods, such as a combination of high-moisture grain and dry grain, can have positive benefits to performance and can reduce risk of acidosis.

Monitoring Particle Size In a study to investigate acidosis risk factors in Ontario feedlots in 2019, particle size of processed corn used in feeding programs was assessed (Figure 2). Flaked corn and high moisture corn tended to have a higher average particle size with less variability while corn screenings tended to have a lower average particle size with higher variability.

While these results are not surprising, what is important to note is that there was variability Figure 2. Average particle size of processed corn samples in particle size across participating Ontario feedlots, 2018-2019 even within each processing category, which emphasizes the need to monitor grain particle size of grains for each individual feeding program. For example, fines can still be produced during the steam-flaking process.

Flakes that are thinner and are subjected to a longer steaming time before flaking results in a flake that is less brittle and less likely to produce fines.

In the absence of hard and fast recommendations for particle size distribution across all feedlot cattle ration scenarios, it is important to have a sense of grain particle size distribution for ration formulation purposes and when troubleshooting animal performance and health issues. The underlying principals are that an abundance of fines from processing in the ration puts cattle at higher risk of digestive upsets and grains that are under-processed can negatively impact performance by reducing feed utilization efficiency. Keep in mind that intended particle size distribution may differ from actual particle size distribution, and settings/maintenance on processing equipment must be monitored.

Particle size can be monitored using a number of different methods.

RoTap Sieving is the standard laboratory method for determining particle size distribution. This method involves a sieve stack and an automated sieving motion. This method generates a geometric mean particle size but the equipment tends to be cumbersome and impractical for on-farm use. Alternatively, the relative corn index can be generated using a sieve stack that can be brought on farm. The sieve stack (Figure 2) consists of sieve mesh sizes of #4 (4.75 mm),

This is a quick assessment that can be done on farm and is particularly helpful in monitoring changes in particle size distribution.

Data collected from our feedlot studies in Ontario in 2018 and 2019 show a close relationship between the mean particle size generated from the Ro-Tap and the Relative Corn Index generated by the specified sieve stack, further emphasizing that the Relative Corn Index is a useful and practical tool to monitor changes to grain particle size over time (Figure 4).

Figure 3. Sieve stack and index used to determine the Relative Corn Index, developed by Dr. Mike Hutjens (Selger, Bill)

#8 (2.4 mm), #16 (1.01 mm), #30 (0.54 mm) and a bottom pan. An index is used based on the weights of grain particles on each sieve (Figure 3). The Relative Corn Index was developed by Dr. Mike Hutjens (University of Illinois) and can be used as a relative measure to monitor particle size distribution in grains.

Feedback Mechanisms Particle size of grain should be monitored proactively, but reassessment is warranted when performance issues or digestive upsets occur. Monitoring fecal starch is an effective tool for monitoring starch digestion, as it provides a measure of the concentration of undigested starch. This unutilized starch represents a direct cost to the feedlot operator. Where over-processed grains may lead to digestive upsets, a high fecal starch value may indicate insufficient processing.

In summary, it is important to monitor grain particle size to ensure grains in your feedlot rations are not being over or under processed.

Processed grains can be proactively monitored for particle size, and a fecal starch tests can also provide insight into starch digestion. Work with you feed representative to set targets for and monitor particle size.

For a complete listing of references, please contact one of the authors of this article. OB

Figure 4. Relationship between the geometric mean particle size (determined by Ro-tap) and Relative Corn Index of processed corn samples across participating Ontario feedlots, 2018-2019

Canadian Angus Tags

The Tag with Benefits Angus-branded programs across Canada need and want to verify that what they are selling as Angus is indeed Angus. One way to prove that is by procuring cattle that are tagged Canadian Angus.

Tagging your animals with Canadian Angus tags has its benefits: • Sell direct or through one of the 169 Canadian Angus Feeder Sales across Canada.

• Canadian Angus tags visually and electronically identify Angus and Angus cross cattle. It’s our guarantee that the animal bearing the tag has a minimum of 50% Angus genetics.

• CCIA compliant indicator—no other RFID indicator is required for national identification.

• There are a number of branded beef programs in Canada that are unable to find enough verified Angus cattle to satisfy their program demands. The only way to verify? With our Canadian Angus tag!

• Many Angus branded programs require Angus verification for qualification into their programs. Maximize your marketing opportunities by using Canadian Angus tags.

Ordering your Canadian Angus RFID indicators has never been so easy: Please order directly from CCIA online at www.canadaid.ca or call 1-877-909-2333 CCIA carries both the Datamars Temple Tag ComfortEar Canadian Angus RFID indicator as well as the Allflex Canadian Angus RFID indicator.

Canadian Angus tagged animals are in high demand by Canadian Angus beef programs. Order your Canadian Angus management tags directly through the Canadian Angus Association.

Order online https://www.cdnangus.ca/adding-value/ordering-caa-management-tags/ or call 1-888-571-3580.

Contact the Ontario Angus Association , your source for local Angus bulls and information on Canadian Angus programs: www.ontarioangus.com

ON TAR IO BEEF • OC TOBER 20 20

15

CCA UPDATE National News Submitted by CCA www.cattle.ca

CYL Program Celebrates 10 Years The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) is proud to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Cattlemen’s Young Leaders Mentorship Program this year, which was established to develop future leaders in Canada’s beef industry. CYL unveiled a special video presentation looking back on the last decade of the program during the virtual Canadian Beef Industry Conference (CBIC). It was a fun way to thank and recognize all of the mentors, participants, program sponsors, and important people involved with CYL over the years who have helped advance the program to where we’ve seen over 120 graduates since CYL was established in 2010. If you missed the special presentation, it is available for viewing on the CYL website and on CCA’s YouTube channel.

2020-21 Program Finalists Announced This year’s 24 semi-finalists for the Cattlemen’s Young Leaders (CYL) Mentorship Program were selected from written applications across Canada. They then moved on to the annual CYL selections event to compete for one of 16 spots in the upcoming program year. While the selection process is usually held at CBIC, this year the event shifted to a virtual format held on August 10, 2020. Semi-finalists We are a 12,500 head capacity judged on backgrounding and finishing custom were their participation feedlot in Hamiota, Manitoba! in discussions with their peers • Central location concerning timely • Perfect for destinations and/or topics in the beef slaugther plants East and West! industry such as the COVID-19 pandemic, • Buyer of Feed Grains sustainability, and adopting precision agriculture technology. It is incredibly Please give us a call to discuss your specific encouraging to see needs - we look forward to serving you! our next generation ASK FOR LARRY OR LINDSAY equipped with such 204-764-2449 or 204-729-6423 strong enthusiasm, passion, and great ideas that will build Hamiota, Manitoba (204) 764 2449 upon the success of info@hamiotafeedlot.com the Canadian beef industry.

Congratulations to this year’s 16 finalists! We are pleased to have two finalists from Ontario – Charlene Yungblut and Grace Kuhl - as well as finalists from British Columbia (2), Alberta (7), Saskatchewan (2), Manitoba (2) and Prince Edward Island (1). These finalists will be paired with a hand-picked industry leader for their mentorship. Stay tuned for future announcements on this year’s mentors on social media channels for CCA and the CYL program. OB

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O N T A R I O B E E F • OCT OBE R 2 0 2 0

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ON TAR IO BEEF • OC TOBER 20 20

17

RESEARCH UPDATE Work Continues at New Beef Research Facilities in Elora

By Lilian Schaer, Livestock Research Innovation Corporation

T

he new cow barn and some of the renovated pastures at the University of Guelph’s research farm near Elora are now in use, and work continues on construction of the new feedlot. This is all part of updating the University’s livestock research facilities in the province, some of which have been in continuous service since the 1970s. New dairy facilities began operations in 2015, and construction on the beef project began in 2018.

According to Prof. Katie Wood from the Department of Animal Biosciences, there had been some uncertainty about whether construction could continue when Ontario went into widespread shutdown in late March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but fortunately, the complex project continues to progress largely on schedule.

Cow-Calf Facility The 165,000 square foot cow-calf facility is already in use, with cows moved in earlier this year. The H-design building with two cow housing areas and a cross-over connecting them to an animal handling area has capacity for up to 288 cows and 96 replacement heifers.

A scrape alley at the front of the bedded pack barns lets manure be moved right through into new manure handling and storage facilities.

The automated feeding system and corresponding animal RFID tags enable data capture on the feeding behaviour of individual animals.

been torn down and the new feedlot is now being built.

“The foundations are poured, and trusses have gone in, so construction is coming on quickly on that as well,” says Wood. “It won’t be finished completely until Fall 2021; we’re hoping to put animals in there next fall.”

The new feedlot barn will have capacity for 288 growing and finishing steers, an increase of about 96 head over the previous facilities. It, too, will allow for collection of feed intake data on individual animals.

Larger Projects, New Research Areas

Pastures Renovation of the pasture to the east of the barns is finished, which includes re-seeding new grass and legume mixtures, a new in-field handling facility and new fencing, and animals began grazing on those fields in June. Work on the remaining pastures - re-seeding and handling facility construction - is ongoing.

The pastureland has increased from 160 to approximately 400 acres and will allow for rotational grazing system research as well as comprehensive sample collection from cattle in-field to support pasture and forage-based projects.

Feeding Area and Feedlot The feeding area shared between the barns remains under construction. This involves removing the old bunker silos and expanding storage area in the silo space. As well, the old beef research barns have 18

O N T A R I O B E E F • OCT OBE R 2 0 2 0

Not only will the new facilities permit more and larger projects, but they will also enable research in areas that weren’t possible before. One of those projects is already underway: a methane mitigation project funded through the Beef Cattle Research Council that’s a collaboration with the University of Saskatchewan.

A first screening trial for one of the products under evaluation through the project was completed in the new barn, and additional work is now being done on the newly renovated pasture. The new infield handling facility is being used weekly for sampling and the new pasture set-up means treatments can be applied and replicated easily across different groups of animals.

New GreenFeed trailers now at the research farm are being used to monitor enteric methane emissions from cattle in the trial. And thanks to the extensive data collection now possible inside the barns, Wood is also working on a related project that will look at feed efficiency and gas exchange.

It’s this type of work that will help answer growing questions about the environmental impact of beef production from consumers concerned about climate change. For researchers, it enables more focused work on soil health and carbon sequestration and being able to integrate those findings with animal health and performance in pasture systems.

“Having more pasture than in the past gives us opportunity to push more into pasture work, which hasn’t been done a lot previously, and without all the new equipment, we couldn’t do this type of work that we’re now doing,” she adds. “This couldn’t have happened in the old facilities and it’s a huge advantage for beef research in Ontario. The support from Beef Farmers of Ontario in particular plays an important role here in both the rebuilding of these facilities and in funding specific beef research.” OB

CANADA BEEF UPDATE CBCE Creates 60 Educational Videos

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

T

he Canadian Beef Centre of Excellence (CBCE) is focused on innovation, training, education and developing culinary expertise relative to utilization of Canadian beef. While the Centre facilitates in-person training opportunities for industry and stakeholders, the team also recognized that there was interest in online learning. They began filming videos to demonstrate beef cutting and cooking methods and planned to share these with industry.

“When COVID happened, we were already working on a series of videos,” says Mathieu Paré, Executive Director, CBCE. “We decided this would be a great time to ramp up our video efforts and produce training materials that could help home cooks as well the retail and foodservice industries support their Canadian beef usage.”

The CBCE has produced 60-plus videos to-date with 49 currently available online and another dozen ready to be launched shortly at cdnbeefperforms.ca/ videos. The videos are short (most range between one and two minutes) with the instructions provided in titles over the videos (rather than voiceover) making it easy to follow along. The action moves quickly and features a snappy music soundtrack, making for an engaging viewing experience.

There are four “collections” of videos for two audiences. The Home Chef and Home Butcher videos are geared for the home cook and range from demonstrating how to grill different cuts, cook roasts and tenderize meat to how to “slice and save” larger cuts of beef. The Home Chef series features 14 videos and the Home Butcher includes 15 videos. These videos are timely given the rise in the number of people buying in bulk and cooking at home, many without beef-cooking experience.

There are two industry collections with 11 videos created for the Menu Maximizing Pro Chef series and 4 videos for the Pro Butcher series.

The Pro Chef videos are geared for the foodservice industry and feature topics such as how to maximize different beef cuts on the menu. The Pro Butcher is for the retail industry and demonstrates portion cutting techniques, value-added ideas for ground beef and veal as well as muscle profiling.

“The foodservice industry is going through a challenging time right now and we wanted to highlight the ways they could keep Canadian beef on the menu profitably,” says Paré. “The videos demonstrate how they can buy one cut of beef and create more than one menu offering—this allows them to simplify their order to reduce costs. The videos also provide insight for foodservice distributors, showing them how they can support their customers,” he adds.

The Pro Butcher videos are produced with the retail meat manager as well as further processors in mind. The videos provide ideas for maximizing yield and finding opportunities for trim, such as the valueadded ideas in the Ground Beef & Veal Inspiration Guide video.

The Home Chef and Home Butcher videos are created for home cooks but are also of interest to industry who can view them to get ideas for their customers. “We hope the Home Chef and Home Butcher series will spark conversations between customers and their local butchers about buying and cooking Canadian beef,” notes Paré.

The videos are gaining a widespread positive response from industry and the lines are blurring between the target audiences—it appears that there is crossover interest from both groups for all videos.

The site was launched in May and there have been 1444 views to date with 288 videos viewed from beginning to end. The CBCE team is working with Canada Beef’s Communications team to promote the videos on social media and through other communications tools.

“We want to make the videos widely available—they are on the cdnbeefperforms.ca website now and we want partners to know that they can link the videos from their website; we can also build customized videos for partners to promote a specific product for their organization,” says Paré.

CBCE sees the videos as a long-term investment and good use of producer dollars. Paré notes, “These videos are designed to be relevant for many years—this collection is a considerable asset with many potential uses. We are excited to share these valuable educational videos with industry partners and Canadians cooking beef at home.” OB

GALLOWAY For additional information, please visit our website: www.easterncanadiangalloway.ca (Photo courtesy of Black Walnut Pastures)

ON TAR IO BEEF • OC TOBER 20 20

19

Cost of Production Network C

anada is the sixth-largest beef exporter in the world, and live cattle to the United States is a substantial business. Cost of production and price competitiveness are key aspects to any major exporting commodity, along with regulatory environment and available resources. The beef industry must be profitable and competitive to secure land, labour, and capital, otherwise those investments will go into other commodities that provide a greater return on investment.

The Canadian Cow-Calf Cost of Production Network (CDN COP Network) has been developed collaboratively with provincial coordinators and funded by the Beef Cattle Research Council. Industry has taken a lead role in coordinating the Network, working with local expertise in each province. This information will support cow-calf producers as they evaluate how to evolve with new technologies and enhance competitiveness in an international marketplace.

The four reasons for creating the CDN COP Network are: 1. Benchmarks created for specific ecoregions and production systems 2. National coverage and standardized methodology 3. Reduced response burden 4. Learning in community

Benchmarks Created for Specific Ecoregions and Production Systems Producers use cost of production data to benchmark and evaluate their own farm’s performance over time, but also to benchmark against a provincial average to determine competitiveness and resilience. However, provincial averages mean that data from an operation in one region of a province with less than 100 days of winter feeding and an operation located in an area with over 150 days of winter feeding are aggregated together into a single benchmark.

These “benchmarks” do not make sense to producers and discourage participation in these programs and the concept of benchmarking.

Grouping farms together based upon production practices rather than using provincial boundaries will allow producers to self-select benchmark farms that they can identify with through a set of management practices that best fit their operation’s situation.

TABLE 1. EXAMPLE OF DIFFERENT PRODUCTION SYSTEMS Production Production System A System B Calving start date January 15 April 15 Calving season length 63 days 90 days Weaning dates October 15-30 November 1-15 Pre-condition calves Retained ownership Replacements only before sale Per cent of land base used 0% 50% for cash crops Days of fall grazing (e.g. swath-grazing, crop 30 45 residue, corn grazing) Winter feeding location Confined Extensive (in-field) First day of winter feeding October 25 December 30 Days supplemented (e.g. hay) while on pasture, 0 120 feed brought in.

Days on full feed (unable 150 0 to graze) 20

O N T A R I O B E E F • OCT OBE R 2 0 2 0

National Coverage and Standardized Methodology There has been limited cost of production data available to cowcalf producers outside of Alberta for several years. Historically each province has had their own system for collecting and calculating cost of production. Differences in methodology has meant results could not be compared, or if they were, it was done with caveats that methodology differed. Over the last 20 years, investment by provinces has declined from annual on-farm collection to surveys every five years, or no collection at all in some areas.

With the CDN COP Network, there will be cost of production benchmarking data from coast to coast for the first time, all utilizing a standardized methodology that allows for international comparisons in agri benchmark, an international cost of production network with coverage in 34 countries representing 80% of global beef production.

Reducing Response Burden Producer data will be collected every five years with prices indexed annually. This means that historical data will be available right away for analysis and research projects. Data collection through the CDN COP Network provides the basis for the different types of production systems in each region; while provincial averages will be used for the appropriate sale weeks and weights for each animal type annually.

In addition, duplication will be minimized as this cost of production information is used in research projects, reducing the need for additional data collection from producers. Specifically, the CDN COP Network data will provide the basis for the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef’s updated economic assessment in 2021-2023. This project will connect cow-calf economics with practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions on farm to find win-win solutions.

Learning in Community Producers are able to learn from each other and share ideas on how to implement different practices once they complete their participation in a focus group. The goal of the Network is not just to provide benchmarks, but also to encourage innovation and pass on knowledge to a new generation of producers entering the industry and learn from other producers.

This is an opportunity to be a part of a producer network committed to learning about the benefits and costs of adopting different practices, and improving together. Scenarios will be developed for what future farms could look like utilizing the 5% Rule to identify where incremental improvements could be made around productivity, input costs, and output prices.

How to Participate?

Visit www.canfax.ca/COPNetwork.aspx and complete the Producer Sign-up Survey. OB This article originally appeared in the September 8, 2020 blog at beefresearch.ca and is reprinted with permission.

ON TAR IO BEEF • OC TOBER 20 20

21

AGSIGHTS UPDATE Virtual Farming

By Jasper Munro, AgSights Manager of Research and Innovation jmunro@agsisghts.com • www.agsights.com

F

or all of us, the last nine months have been a roller coaster full of changes. From face-to-face meetings, water cooler gossip and fall fairs, to virtual meetings, empty offices and social distancing. It’s a strange, virtual world that we are now in. Over this time, we have all been exposed to the frustrations and wonders of technology from family FaceTime conversations to your children’s Google Classroom.

Although we all have our reservations about technology, it is incredible what we as a society have achieved with it in 2020. As children return to socially distanced classrooms and the workforce to hybrid factories and offices, it seems clear that technology will continue to have a major role to play.

Is the same true for agriculture? Production, shipping, warehouse and retail sectors have all adopted new technologies and workplace measures to ensure staff and public safety. At the farm level we are sometimes too familiar with the term social isolation, as many of us have likely noticed little to no difference in our day. However, as technology use accelerates around us and becomes part of our lifestyle, it is an opportune time to consider tools that farmers can use to help improve their lifestyle and business.

At AgSights, we are continually improving our livestock management software, Go360|bioTrack, to ensure it meets the emerging needs of farmers. New to Go360|bioTrack is User Permissions, which is a feature that allows the manager of a Go360|bioTrack account to create users with different access levels. For instance, the farm veterinarian could be setup as a user with ‘View Only’ permission

to all sections of your farm’s Go360|bioTrack account. This would enable the veterinarian to only view all your animal information without having the ability to add, edit or delete valuable information.

Instead the farm may decide to set-up the veterinarian with Full Access to the Health Section of the program and View Only access in all other sections. With this setup the farm veterinarian could view past information (birth data, performance, previous treatments) and record new health information during or after their farm call, or virtually from their office. This flexibility ensures the veterinarian has access to more information to enable them to make an informed recommendation that will benefit the farm.

The list of potential users grows as we consider verification programs, lenders and other farmers that all could benefit from custom ‘virtual’ access to your farm’s Go360|bioTrack account. A verification program audit or bank loan meeting completed online is time saved for the farmer. A potential buyer could access animal performance, pedigree, progeny performance and genetic information on your cattle all through their phone or computer. Through technologies like Go360|bioTrack, your farm has the ability to be better connected and informed, creating more value and saving time, all without having to leave the farm.

To learn more about Go360|bioTrack and what it has to offer, give our virtual office a call today at 1.855.767.2665 or visit our website at www.agsights.com. OB

QUALI TY FULL F R ENCH CH A R O L A IS We are offering a good group of females for sale by privatey treaty this fall.

Give us a call or check out www.mlcattleco.com Roger Maloney and Helen Lynett 2420 Jermyn Line, Indian River, ON K0L 2B0 705.295.6439 • 705.761.7316 www.mlcattleco.com

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O N T A R I O B E E F • OCT OBE R 2 0 2 0

ON TAR IO BEEF • OC TOBER 20 20

23

Helping Farmers Make Better Herd Management and Breeding Decisions High Immune Response Technology Identifies Animals with Superior Immunity, say Researchers

By Karli Longthorne

R

educing disease and improving animal health have been long-standing goals for the Ontario beef industry and its farmers, particularly with the high incidence of bovine respiratory disease (BRD).

BRD—a disease in the upper or lower respiratory tracts caused by bacterial or viral pathogens— has been identified by the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association as the most common and costly disease affecting the North American beef industry. BRD rates remain unchanged despite advancements in medicine and Canadian beef production management strategies.

That’s where University of Guelph Prof. Bonnie Mallard, Department of Pathobiology at the Ontario Veterinary College, and a team of researchers, including Dr. Julie Schmied and Dr. Douglas Hodgins, as well as graduate students Nasrin Husseini, Shannon Beard and Shannon Cartwright, come in.

The Mallard lab was the first to develop a genomics test for Holsteins that determines associations between an animal’s specific set of immune response genes and their ability to fight disease, using High Immune Response (HIR™) technology. Now this group is looking to adapt this technology for use in Angus beef cattle.

The HIR technology identifies animals with superior immune responses by evaluating antibody and cell-mediated immune responses, allowing for the calculation of an estimated breeding value or expected progeny difference for total immune response for each animal.

This means cattle farmers can determine early in life which animals have superior health and which are at increased disease risk. They will also be able to select and breed animals better able to fight disease

24

O N T A R I O B E E F • OCT OBE R 2 0 2 0

by selective breeding of high immune responders, while fostering healthier herds.

“Our research makes a difference for producers, animals and consumers. Producers will save time and money on the treatment of sick animals by minimizing the use of antibiotics and other therapeutic interventions,” says Mallard. “By bringing the HIR technology into the beef market, consumers can feel good knowing that their food came from naturally healthy animals that were raised in a healthy and sustainable manner.”

A genomics test similar to that used for dairy cattle will be valuable to the beef industry because immune response traits have not yet been incorporated into breeding programs for beef cattle.

Their inclusion has the potential to improve overall animal health and enhance disease resistance, including within the context of climate change and calf health.

Climate change is also taking a toll on the livestock industry, making it difficult for livestock to adapt to the constantly changing environment, particularly global warming. The HIR phenotypic test and the researcher’s genomics test may also help identify cattle who are better able to adapt to climate change, as preliminary research in both beef and dairy cattle performed at the Elora Research Station suggests cows that have high immune responses could better adapt to heat stress.

The HIR tests are expected to allow beef producers to identify the traits in beef cattle that could improve calf health. Previous research shows that dairy cows that are high immune responders have better quality colostrum, providing their calves colostrum with greater amounts of antibody. Immune response is a moderately heritable trait,

meaning a dam identified as a high responder will also pass these superior immune response genes onto her calf.

Currently, the researchers are building a reference population of 4,000 beef cattle by using the HIR technology to phenotype (i.e., observe an animal’s physiological immune response characteristics) purebred Angus cattle across North America.

So far, a preliminary study done at the University of Guelph’s Beef Research Centre and in North American commercial herds has found there is sufficient variability in these heritable immune response traits in beef cattle to identify which are high, average or low immune responders.

“Even though we are still in the early stages of this project, we do expect our study results will contribute to immune response evaluations in Angus beef,” says Beard.

Past research utilizing the HIR technology in pigs and dairy cattle have shown many benefits for livestock producers. Dairy farmers have the ability to use this technology through breeding or genomically testing their cattle using the HIR/Immunity+ platform marketed by the Semex Alliance. This research could provide beef producers with the same opportunity dairy producers currently have, allowing them to capitalize on the benefits of the HIR technology to improve livestock health and wellbeing.

After the researchers have collected the HIR phenotypes in their Angus reference population, they plan to validate these phenotypes with key health and production factors such as morbidity, mortality and use of antibiotics. OB

This research is funded by Food from Thought, with thanks in part to funding from the Canada First Research Excellence Fund and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), through the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance to adapt HIR for beef and evaluate the effects of heat stress on bovine health. Additional funding is provided by Genome Canada’s Genomic Applied Partnerships Program with contributions from The Semex Alliance, Angus Genetics Inc. and the Canadian Angus Association.

The Elora Research Station is one of 15 Research Stations owned by the Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario and managed by the University of Guelph through the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance, a collaboration between the Ontario Government and the University of Guelph.

ON TAR IO BEEF • OC TOBER 20 20

25

Ontario Beef Cattle Financial Protection Program Licensed Dealers Listing Reported as of September 28, 2020 DEALER TYPE Country Dealer Abattoir Association Abattoir Abattoir Abattoir Country Dealer Country Dealer Meat Packer Country Dealer Auction Market Country Dealer Abattoir Country Dealer Country Dealer Country Dealer Meat Packer Auction Market Country Dealer Country Dealer Auction Market Meat Packer Meat Packer Meat Packer Country Dealer Country Dealer Country Dealer Country Dealer Country Dealer Country Dealer Auction Market Auction Market Country Dealer Auction Market Country Dealer Country Dealer Meat Packer Country Dealer Country Dealer Country Dealer Auction Market Abattoir Country Dealer Country Dealer Abattoir

26

NAME 33 Mile Cattle Corp.

Abattoir Levaivre Al Madina Halal Meat Packers Algoma Co-Operative Livestock Sales Alwalaa Halal Meat Alzahraa Halal Meat Inc. Anderson, Stephen ANS Livestock Artisan Farms Direct Ltd. Aylmer Livestock Aylmer Stockyards Inc. Bateman, Harold Bentinck Packers Limited Besner, Donald Bill Wight Livestock Bourbonnais, Simon Bruno’s Meat Distribution Ltd. Brussels Livestock Butch Clare Livestock C.R.P. Theoret Farm and Livestock Services Ltd. Cargill Auction Market Inc. Cargill Ltd. Cargill Meat Solution Corporation Champlain Beef Co. Inc. Chris Rots Enterprises Claessens Livestock Inc. Clarence Poortinga Livestock Inc. Clark Bros. Canadian Livestock Inc. Cochrane, Ernest Couperus, Bram D.H. Hickson Limited David Carson Farms & Auction Services Ltd. Deklein Livestock Denfield Livestock Exchange Inc. Dewetering, Frank Dickson, Steve Dominion Meat Packers Limited Don Sholdice Livestock Donald Thompson Farm Dufferin County Meats Inc. Embrun Livestock Exchange Ltd. Field Gate Organic Processing Ltd. Glavin, Donald Glenview Livestock Ltd. Gord’s Abattoir Inc.

CITY Brussels Lefaivre

PHONE 519 357-7007 613 679-4698

Brinston

416 400-6814

Iron Bridge

705 842-5534

Scarborough Scarborough Chesley Kingston Mississauga Springfield Aylmer Tweed Hanover Vankleek Hill Nanticoke Moose Creek

416 285-0778 416 701-1590 519 375-5692 613 544-3038 905 670-3450 519 808-0904 519 765-2672 613 478-6443 519 364-3538 613 678-6421 289 439-2200 613 551-1641

Puslinch

647 228-0902

Brussels Burford

519 887-6461 519 458-4318

Moose Creek

613 538-6455

Cargill

519 366-2214

Guelph

519 823-5200

Auction Market

Witchita, KS

316 291-2575

Whitehall, NY Odessa St-Simon, PQ

518 499-1895 613 561-5065 450 501-7986

Country Dealer Country Dealer

Brussels

519 887-9747

Dutton

519 762-3313

Bethany Toledo Campbellford

905 434-9285 613 275-1412 705 653-3660

Listowel

519 291-2049

Mossley

519 269-3548

Denfield

519 666-1140

Sebringville Joyceville

519 393-6822 613 484-1342

Toronto

416 762-7281

Brussels Trout Creek

519 357-5135 705 494-0973

Amaranth

519 939-8068

Greely

613 821-2634

Zurich

519 228-7717

Lucan Wallenstein Leamington

519 878-0083 519 698-2248 519 326-2503

O N T A R I O B E E F • OCT OBE R 2 0 2 0

DEALER TYPE Association Country Dealer Auction Market Country Dealer Country Dealer Country Dealer Country Dealer Country Dealer Country Dealer Abattoir Country Dealer Country Dealer Abattoir Meat Packer Country Dealer Country Dealer Abattoir Auction Market

Country Dealer Country Dealer Country Dealer Abattoir Country Dealer Country Dealer Country Dealer Auction Market Abattoir Abattoir Country Dealer Country Dealer Auction Market Country Dealer Country Dealer Country Dealer Country Dealer Meat Packer Country Dealer Meat Packer Country Dealer Meat Packer

NAME Grey Bruce Livestock Co-Operative Ltd. Grof Livestock Hagersville Auction Centre Hamilton, Allan F. Hamilton Livestock Inc. Hank Dekoning Limited Henry Poortinga Livestock Ltd. Hensall Cattle Co. Hewitt’s Livestock Highland Packers Limited Holstock Horner Construction J & J Meat Distributing Inc. JBS USA L.L.C. Jador Beef Jeff McSherry Livestock Farms Joe Savage & Fils Abattoir Inc. Kawartha Lakes Community Sale Barn Inc. Keady Livestock Market Limited Keating, Glenn Keunen Cattle Ltd. Kevin Barker Auctions Ltd. Kevin Dickson Livestock Kevin Mcarthur Livestock L & M Meat Distributing Inc. Lalonde, Jonathan Langeraap, Simon Laverty Trucking Listowel Livestock Ltd L’orignal Packing Ltd. Louro Bros. Meats Ltd. M & M Livestock Mangan Team Farms Maple Hill Auctions Ltd. Maple Row Farms Mar-Dale Transport (1985) Ltd. Mario Maciocia Et Fils Ltee Martin, Eldon M. Matar Meats McCall Livestock Meatees LLC Menard & Fils Livestock Inc. Meyer Natural Foods

CITY

PHONE

Owen Sound

519 375-2938

Lindsay

705 878-3171

Hagersville

905 768-5601

Almonte Almonte Port Dover

613 257-4594 613 256-1244 519 583-0115

Hensall

519 263-2390

Hensall Jasper

519 263-2619 613 283-4637

Stoney Creek

905 662-8396

Harriston Tara

519 503-1323 519 934-2126

Toronto

905 859-1540

Greeley, CO Chesley

970 506-8349 519-363-5090

Teulon, MB

204 886-2614

St-Albert

613 987-2070

Woodville

705 439-4444

Tara

519 934-2339

Norwood Palmerston

705 772-8500 519 638-3769

Woodville

705 328-1478

Joyceville

613 532-5527

Mono

519 942-0264

Gilford

905 775-6775

Val-Des-Monts, QC Dunnville Mono Listowel L’orignal Ayr Goodwood Seeley’s Bay Walkerton Addison

613 677-2481 905 732-8925 519 942-5356 519 291-2200 613 675-4612 519 632-7364 905 852-3238 613 561-2912 519 506-1400 613 924-2732

Floradale

519 669-3392

La Presentation, PQ

450 796-3354

Wallenstein Osgoode Brussels Germansville, PA

519 588-2653 613 295-0152 519 887-9571 646 373-7113

Embrun

613 443-5073

Loveland, CO

970 292-5546

DEALER TYPE Abattoir Abattoir Country Dealer Abattoir Abattoir Association Country Dealer Abattoir Abattoir Abattoir Country Dealer Country Dealer Abattoir Auction Market Auction Market Auction Market Country Dealer Country Dealer Country Dealer Abattoir Auction Market Meat Packer Country Dealer Abattoir Association Abattoir Abattoir Auction Market Country Dealer Country Dealer

NAME Miedema’s Country Meats Miedema’s Meat Market Ltd. Mière Invesco Inc. Millgrove Packers Limited Mister Greek Meat Market Moore Agricultural Society Nature Calves Ltd. Newmarket Meat Packers Limited Northern Meat Packers & Abattoir Ltd. Norwich Packers Ltd. Omer Poirier Livestock Inc. One Earth Farms Corp.

Ontario Halal Meat Packers Ontario Livestock Exchange Inc. Ontario Stockyards Inc. Ottawa Livestock Exchange P.D. Dale Enterprises Ltd. Paletta International Corporation Pallister Farms Livestock Ltd. Paradise Farms Parks Livestock of Canada, L.P. Pine Ridge Meat Packers Pratten, Kevin Quinn’s Meats Rainy River Cattlemen’s Association Ralph Bos Meats Ltd. Reiche Meat Products Ltd Renfrew-Pontiac Livestock Ltd. Robert Rubino Trucking Ltd. Roberts, James

CITY

PHONE

Exeter

519 235-4978

Embro

519 475-4010

Granby

450 378-7517

Waterdown

905 689-6184

Toronto

416 469-0733

Brigden

519 864-1197

Norwich

519 424-2500

Newmarket

905 836-7001

Trout Creek

705 477-3800

Norwich

519 468-3617

Alexandria

613 525-3020

Country Dealer

Etobicoke

416 803-1673

Milton

905 875-0270

Waterloo

519 884-2082

Cookstown

705 458-4000

Greely

613 821-2634

Hanover

519 364-6205

Burlington

905 632-6036

Meat Packer Abattoir Country Dealer Country Dealer Country Dealer Abattoir Abattoir Abattoir Abattoir Country Dealer

Dundalk

519 923-5811

Auction Market

Toronto

416 449-5994

Milverton

519 595-8555

Ajax London Yarker

647 339-8977 519 643-8564 613 377-6430

Country Dealer Abattoir Abattoir Abattoir Abattoir Abattoir

Emo

807 275-9706

Meat Packer

Strathroy Pembroke

519 245-1574 613 732-3773

Country Dealer

Cobden

613 646-7335

Porcupine

705 266-4076

Orillia

705 484-1052

DEALER TYPE Country Dealer Country Dealer Country Dealer Country Dealer Country Dealer Meat Packer Meat Packer Abattoir Country Dealer Country Dealer Country Dealer Auction Market

Country Dealer Country Dealer Country Dealer Country Dealer

NAME Sauder Transport L.T.D. Schaus Land & Cattle Co. Limited Sedore Farms Snyder Livestock South East Livestock Ltd. St. Ann’s Foods Inc. St. Helen’s Meat Packers Limited Stayner Meat Packers Ltd. Stirling, Allan Sunny Miroca Farms Tebo Livestock Temiskaming Livestock Exchange 1992 Thames Sales Yard Limited The Beef Boutique Ltd. The Beef Way (1997) Titan Livestock Inc. Todd Dickson Livestock Toll Gate Farm Townsend Butchers Inc. Tremblay, Lucien University of Guelph V.G. Meats Vanbenthem, John Vankleek Hill Livestock Exchange Ltd. Vernla Livestock Inc. W.D. Livestock Walkerton Meat Market Wallace Beef Inc. Weiland Meats Ltd. Weltin Meat Packing Inc. White Veal Meat Packers Ltd. William Haalstra Livestock Wm. D. McComb Inc. Wood, Bill Woodrow, Neil Wright Livestock

CITY Arthur

PHONE 519 848-5771

Elmwood

519 363-3516

Phelpston Beachburg Steinbach Etobicoke

705 322-8159 613 312-7054 204 694-7857 416 744-0660

Toronto

416 769-1788

Stayner

705 428-3006

Little Britain Gananoque Tweed

705 786-2993 613 382-7324 613 849-8968

New Liskeard

705 647-5415

Thamesville

519 692-3804

Etobicoke Kincardine Edmonton, Alberta Kingston Mountain Simcoe St. Chrysostome Guelph Simcoe Hagersville

(416) 744-0660 519 396-2257 780 487-8769 613 449-9750 613 989-3139 519 426-6750 450 826-0448 519 824-4120 519 426-2000 905 768-3945

Vankleek Hill

450 826-0448

Wallenstein Roblin Walkerton Glenburnie Petrolia Minden City

519 699-5921 204 937-2106 519 881-0781 613 536-6379 519 882-1215 989 864-8328

Cookstown

416 745-7448

Dunnville

905 774-1739

Cambridge Lyndhurst Courtice Jasper

519 658-3129 613 540-4074 905 404-4526 613 275-2771

The OBCFPP Licensed Dealer Listing is updated regularly and can be found on the OMAFRA website. OB

ON TAR IO BEEF • OC TOBER 20 20

27

MARKET INFORMATION UPDATE

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

S

tats Canada released the July 1st cattle statistics in late August. As of July 1, 2020, there were 411,000 fed steers and heifers on Ontario farms, up 10.6% from January 1, 2020. Comparing July to July, the 2020 volume is the lowest July 1st volume of fed cattle in this data set.

Comparing July 1st volumes of steers only, 2020 is down 0.4% from July 1, 2019 and 7% fewer than July 1 ,2018 volumes. July steer volumes have not dipped this low since July of 2014. Heifer volumes have seen very little fluctuation over the last 5 years and are up just 1,100 head (0.9%) from July 2019.

Stats Canada July 1, 2020, volume of beef replacement heifers on Ontario farms is 42,800 head, which is the lowest July volume in this data set. July volumes are typically higher than January and 2020 is no exception, however the spread is much lower than previous years. The highest volume in this data set was July 2018 at 46,500 head, with July 2020 down 8% from that time.

Beef cows on Ontario farms have been somewhat stable in volume for the last four to five years with numbers the last two years showing a minimal increase. As of July 1, 2020, there were 243,100 beef cows on Ontario farms, up 1% from last July, up 1.7% from July 2018 and the highest July 1st volume since July 2015. Dairy cow volumes on Ontario farms have fluctuated minimally since 2006.

Stats Canada reported the number of calves under 1 year of age on Ontario farms at 409,600 head. This is down 1.4% from July 1, 2019.

Although the July 1st volumes have been reasonably steady for the last four years, July 1, 2020, is the lowest volume reported in this data set with July 2017 and 2018 just 1,000 head more.

The fed cattle market has been very volatile in 2020 during unprecedented times. As demand rises, the prices spike and as demand wanes, so too do the prices, as expected. It’s the demand and supply that has caused much price uncertainty in the fed cattle markets with plant closures resulting in panic buying and cattle backlogs in many parts of the continent. Lockdowns have reduced the demand from food service as consumers stayed home and restaurants closed. Parts of the U.S. and western Canada are still working through the backlog of cattle due to closures, however Ontario was fortunate on that front. Once the panic buying was over and the market settled down, the Ontario price sat steady for several weeks and considerably higher than Alberta and the U.S. markets. August, September and often October are not seasonally supportive of the fed cattle market and this year appears no different.

Prices have declined the last few weeks with bids dropping down to $230.00 dressed at time of reporting and sellers currently resisting. If the market follows seasonal trends, prices should start to improve over the next few weeks. Looking back over the last 20 years, the fall low for fed cattle has occurred in October 55% of the time, September 25%, November 11% and August and December 5% of the time. Last year the

28

O N T A R I O B E E F • OCT OBE R 2 0 2 0

Ontario low fell in October with the plant closure the previous month. In 2017 and 2018 the fall low occurred in September. Since 2008 the fall low was reported in September 4 times and in October 8 times.

As of August 31, 2020, cattle processing volumes in Ontario overall are down 5.6% from August 2019 and 1.5% below August 31, 2018. The federally inspected processing volumes have followed the same trend as last year but at lower numbers. But, processing volumes at provincially inspected plants has increased considerably from the last two years. In fact, provincial numbers are up by 20.7% from August 31, 2019 and 23.2% more than in 2018.

Movement of cull/fed cow volumes in Ontario at auctions has slowed considerably from the sharp increases noted the first four months of the year. Since April, volumes have been moving at levels below last year and 2018, with August also below the five-year average for that month.

Moving forward, volumes are expected to climb. Average prices for cows in 2020 have been stronger than both 2019 and 2018 for the most part.

(September 2020 price is from the 1st – 15th.) If the seasonal trend applies this year, we will see larger volumes of cull cows starting to move and prices declining until November.

The replacement cattle market this summer saw prices stronger than the last two summers, with the lighter weights in good demand in May and June. September prices in this report are calculated from the 1st to 15th due to print deadlines. Despite the pressure the fed cattle market has been experiencing, the replacement cattle market has held strong.

Light weight steers have been very strong but recently dropped below 2018 prices and the five-year average. Heifers on the other hand have seen a surge in demand with heavier heifers over 600 lbs trading above the last two years and the five-year average price, while the lighter weights are steady to stronger than 2018 and 2019 but well below the five-year average.

The special fall stocker sales have started, with the majority of sales taking place in October and November. Vaccinated and processed stocker and feeder cattle (i.e. dehorned, castrated etc.) are in high demand and will bring a better price than non-processed cattle. Many of the upcoming fall stocker sales feature vaccinated cattle.

Info-Link cards are available on our website at www.ontariobeef. com/services/info-link.aspx, or ask the auction market if they have any available. Info-Link cards are a pen-card that farmers can use to document feeder cattle information on vaccination, parasite control, implants and any other pertinent information. These cards are designed to help facilitate information flow between buyers and sellers of feeder cattle. Info-Link cards are to be submitted to sales barn staff when selling feeder cattle. The cards can be placed on the pens holding the cattle or the information can be read by the auctioneer when the cattle enter the sale ring. OB

Continued on page 30.

ON TAR IO BEEF • OC TOBER 20 20

29

Continued from page 29. – Market

30

Info

O N T A R I O B E E F • OCT OBE R 2 0 2 0

BEEF EXPORTS - CANADA

United States

Jan. 1 - July 31 % Change

Total 171,647 tonnes

Mexico

-6%

Japan

Jan. 1 - July 31

Total

25,241 tonnes

Jan. 1 - July 31

% Change

6,864 tonnes

-21%

China Jan. 1 - July 31

-8%

4,877tonnes

-57%

BEEF PRODUCTION - CANADA

Jan. 1 - Sept. 12, 2020 Last Year Same Time

% Change

Fed

718,111 tonnes

743,510 tonnes

-3%

Non-fed

98,316 tonnes

123,408 tonnes

-20%

BEEF IMPORTS - CANADA

Jan. 1 - Sept. 12, 2020

Last Year Same Time % Change

US

81,078 tonnes

75,564 tonnes

Non-NAFTA

38,381 tonnes

29,592 tonnes

+31%

EU-28 (beef/veal total) 9,900 tonnes

2,036 tonnes

+386%

112,951 tonnes

+22%

Total

138,095 tonnes

+7%

LIVE CATTLE - CANADA IMPORTS

EXPORTS

EXPORTS

Jan. 1 - July 31

Jan. 1 - Sept. 5, 2020

% Change

Slaughter steers & heifers 335,287

+7%

Purebred

2,139

Non-Purebred 123,537 Feeder steers & heifers

84,231

-48%

29,429

-4%

Cows & bulls

LIVE CATTLE EXPORTS - ONTARIO

Week ending Aug. 9, ‘20 Week ending Aug. 22, ‘20 Year to Date

Total to US.

1,838

1,475

86,043

Steers, Heifers, Cows 1,451

1,246

76,736

229

9,307

Bulls

387

ON TAR IO BEEF • OC TOBER 20 20

31

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 $4.50 per head Ontario license fee and a $1.00 per head national levy, for a total of a $5.50 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:

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.

Stocker:

Breeding Stock Females:

Culls:

Breeding Stock Bulls:

Calves:

b) Total BFO Check-off ($5.50xa)

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

!

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BLUE MOUNTAINS FARM

BAR 5 STOCK FARMS

AgRig • Moorefield, Ontario • Ed Koster Jr. • 519-501-3624

Ron Sr. & Carla Nolan (905) 330-5299

Greg Nolan (416) 616-8834

NOLAN ANGUS FARMS

WHITTON-BROOK FARMS

Ron Jr. & Mike Nolan (416) 993-3218 / (519) 803-0555 WWW.BAR5.COM OFFICE: (519) 986-1330

Mitch & Brooke Whitton (647) 297-1517 WWW.ARTISANFARMS.CA

OFFICE: (905) 670-3450

636077 EUPHRASIA-HOLLAND TOWNLINE RR #3 MARKDALE, ON, N0C 1H0

Seeking Ontario Beef!

Fats & stockers for premium beef programs throughout Ontario!

Bar 5 Stock Farms

Brad Curran

bradc@artisanfarms.ca

519 357 7600

ArtisanFarms.ca | Info@ArtisanFarms.ca

www.bar5.com

636077 Euphrasia-Holland Townline RR #3 Markdale, ON, N0C 1H0

Advertise in

R.R #5 HOARDS STATION Campbellford, Ontario SALE BARN Dave DeNure 705-653-3660

Very reasonable rates! Deadline for December 2020 issue is November 15.

• 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

BEEF BUSINESS LEADERS

Call 519-763-8833 for information

32

O N T A R I O B E E F • OCT OBE R 2 0 2 0

Charolais Bulls, Hay, Straw, Feedlot George & Dianne, Dwayne, Ashley and Cowal Miller RR 1, Jarvis, ON N0A 1J0

Ph (519) 587-2755

Cell (519) 429-5902

Ron Sr. & Carla Nolan Mobile: (905) 330-5299 Office: (519) 986-1330

CALL BRAD TODAY! P 905.670.3450 |

M i ller La n d & Li vesto c k

Advertise in

BEEF BUSINESS LEADERS Very reasonable rates!

Deadline for December 2020 issue is November 15.

Call 519-763-8833 for information

Recommendations for Attending Livestock Sales W

e recognize this is an important time for producers who are selling and purchasing livestock. By working together and through good preparation we will keep our families and neighbours safe. For those who may be purchasing cattle and attending sales this fall, the following recommendations are provided by the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association, the Canadian Beef Breeds Council and the Livestock Markets Association of Canada; made through consultation with the Public Health Agency of Canada.

• Do not attend sales without an serious intention to purchase • Do not attend a sale if you are sick with even mild symptoms • Do not bring additional family members with you especially school-age children, one person per farm operation is recommended • Refrain from entering areas that are marked as restricted or for employees only • Avoid contact and maintain a 6-foot physical distance, bring your own mask to wear in common areas or where physical distancing is not possible • Consider phone or online bidding when available • Where possible view cattle ahead of the sale in person or online • Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently OB

BEEF FARMERS OF ONTARIO PRIVACY STATEMENT

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

Garry & Sheila Smart

Advertise in

BEEF BUSINESS LEADERS Very reasonable rates!

Deadline for December 2020 issue is November 15.

Call 519-763-8833 for information

“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.

Sunny Meadows Charolais

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

SUNRISE ANGUS (since 1995)

We source Canadian genetics to produce quality breeding stock.

Joel & Irene Thomas 477285 3rd Line Melancthon ON L9V 1T5 Phone: 519 925 5661• Cell: 519 940 1258 Email: sunriseangus@xplornet.ca

Advertise in

BEEF BUSINESS LEADERS Very reasonable rates!

Deadline for December 2020 issue is November 15.

Call 519-763-8833 for information

Commercial Angus Purebred Red Angus Purebred Black Angus Purebred Hereford

The Seed Family- Greg: 705-648-4274 seesonranch@outlook.com 845040 Morrow Rd, New Liskeard Ontario, P0J 1P0

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

Breeders of Quality Cattle Simmental • Red Angus • F1 Crosses

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

Performance live/frozen genetics available!

Wright’s 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 • OC TOBER 20 20

33

WELLNESS ON THE FARM

By Bethany Storey, BFO Communications Specialist and Darby Wheeler, BFO Policy Advisor

Providing Support for Our Loved Ones O

ver the past number of months COVID-19, along with the many other high-pressure, negative news stories and events of 2020,

have taken a toll on each and every one of us. Preliminary studies are showing that many Canadians are indicating greater levels of psychological distress due to COVID-19. It is difficult to avoid the

What Can You Do to Help There are a number of ways that a person can help another in their journey to overcome a mental illness.

• T he ability to recognize when something is wrong – An important

melancholy attitude and it has become even harder when we have to

aspect of treating mental illness is getting the help needed early.

maintain our distance from those we love and our communities.

The close relationships of friends and family often results in being

As many of us know, this can certainly hit some individuals harder than others. Potentially a member of the family, a friend or a co-

the first to recognize that something is different.

•H elping find help – Trusted individuals can be strong advocates

worker is experiencing a mental health challenge or dealing with a

in helping loved ones get through the difficult, early stages. An

mental illness during this time. Research confirms that support from

important aspect of this is to help those struggling to determine

a friend or family members is a key part in providing emotional and

the treatment that works for them. Do research and try to provide

practical support. So how can you recognize when someone might

examples of the different available options that might be helpful to

need your help? And what can you do?

those suffering to overcome potential embarrassment and reluctance

How to Know When to Help

to take the first step.

• P rovide emotional support – Aim to be as supportive and

There are certain indicators that a family member or friend may

understanding as possible. Those struggling may be experiencing

be dealing with a mental health challenge or suffering from a mental

feelings of guilt, shame or loneliness, and supportive individuals

illness. Each person may experience a mental health challenge or

provide the hope and positive attitudes needed to move forward. It

mental illness differently, but there are some indicators that may be

is also important to take care of one’s own mental health as well.

present. Some of these indicators include (but aren’t limited to):

Supporting a loved one dealing with a mental illness can cause its

• No longer interested in common hobbies or activities

own stress and anxiety, so remember to prioritize your own personal

• Seem to feel low or depressed for no reason • Do not enjoy anything anymore

care as well.

• E ncouraging a healthy lifestyle – One’s mental health is also affected by one’s lifestyle. It is important to support loved ones

• Do not seem to experience any emotion; emotionally numb

by encouraging them to get the right amount of sleep, have a

• May seem to be hearing strange voices or have unsettling thoughts

nutritious diet, regularly exercise, and find activities or hobbies that

• Have gone from being a healthy person to feeling ill frequently

can allow them to de-stress or reduce anxiety.

• Eating and sleep patterns have changed • Anxiety levels are increased over what seem to be regular events or situations • Being absent from work or school • Drinking and/or using drugs to cope • Avoiding close friends and family • Talking about taking their life

34

O N T A R I O B E E F • OCT OBE R 2 0 2 0

These are just a few basic ways that you can reach out and help a loved one who may be going through a difficult time. There are also many resources that can be found online or from a family physician to gain further information and help in addressing mental health challenges or mental illnesses.

For more resources on mental health and wellness, visit the following websites: Canadian Mental Health Association, Mental Health First Aid, Crisis Services Canada and Farm Credit Canada’s Wellness Tips. OB

WHY

SHORTHORNS?

Cameron and Katy Ward operate Middle River Farm in McKellar, Ontario on HWY #124 north of Parry Sound. Their on-farm store caters to cottagers, selling farm produced beef, chicken, and pork along with other products. Having the farm and store together makes a real difference, giving that genuine experience for their customers.

This has enabled Cameron to quit his off-farm job and work full-time on the farm. Cameron’s mother (Joan) & father (Nelson) started with Shorthorns and he has continued raising them for more than 40-years, and always purchased purebred Shorthorn bulls. His Shorthorns produce the right sized carcass with the finish and flavour his customers expect. His Shorthorns produce high-quality meat with great flavour from a pasture and hay diet with some barley and oats to finish in about 18 months. Cameron has tried other breeds and found their carcasses too big and lacking flavour. Cameron says, “the Shorthorn’s docile nature is key”, as their low-stress personality contributes to the high-quality meat they produce. His mother cows spend the winter outside on a bedding pack and gain weight over winter on a hay only diet, calve in the spring unassisted, and are great mothers!

Shorthorns are the perfect fit for a direct to consumer marketer like Cameron.

Please see the OSA Website for more information on these upcoming events: Girls of Glenrothes Sale: October 18 OSA Fall Classic Sale: November 21

Blair Williamson, President - 519-808-0516 email: ridgeviewshorthorns@hotmail.com

Follow us on Facebook and check our website for current news at

www.ontarioshorthorns.com

TRACEABILITY MADE EASY

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CANADIAN CATTLE IDENTIFICATION AGENCY

Whenever you need help, the new CLTS Resource Centre is your “how to” destination for everything Canadian Livestock Tracking System (CLTS).

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CLTS DATABASE

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ONLINE WEBSTORE tags.canadaid.ca

Canadian Livestock Tracking System (CLTS), captures regulated and volunteer livestock traceability data such as birth dates, move-in and retirement, data essential to a first line of defence in the event of an emergency.

Led by representation from 16 livestock organizations from across Canada, CCIA is the responsible administrator for beef cattle, bison, sheep and pending regulation cervids and goats in Canada (with some exemptions in Quebec).

Tags and tag accessories when you need them, 24/7. All approved beef and breed-specific breed tags, preapproved cervid and goat indicators, management tags, and readers available for purchase.

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