ASSOCIATION NEWS
With Change Comes Opportunity Wade Beck, Canadian Charolais Association President
CANADIAN CHAROLAIS ASSOCIATION 2320 - 41st Avenue N.E. Calgary, AB T2E 6W8 Phone: (403) 250-9242 Fax: (403) 291-9324 E-Mail: cca@charolais.com Home Page: www.charolais.com PROVINCIAL REPRESENTATIVES: ALBERTA President: Lyle Bignell, Stettler Secretary: Lisa Paget, Carbon SASKATCHEWAN President: Orland Walker, Hudson Bay Secretary: Dave Blechinger, Rosetown MANITOBA President: Harry Airey, Rivers Secretary: Rae Trimble Portage la Prairie ONTARIO President: Gord Tomlinson, Norwood Secretary: Doris Aitken, Mount Forest QUEBEC President: Francois Couture, Notre-Dame-du-Bon-Conseil Secretary: Laurent Jourdain MARITIMES President: Ricky Milton, Cornwall, PE Secretary: Jennifer MacDonald, St. Mary’s, Kent Co., NB STAFF: Registry & Office Manager: MEL REEKIE Registry: JUDY CUMMER French Liaison: CYNTHIA BECK 306-436-2007 CBeck@charolais.com EXECUTIVE: PRESIDENT: WADE BECK Box 5, Lang, SK S0G 2W0 Ph (306) 436-4564 email: wcbeck@sasktel.net 1st VICE-PRESIDENT: BRENT SAUNDERS RR 3, Markdale, ON N0C 1H0 (519) 986-4165 Fax (519) 986-4273 email: saunders@bmts.com 2nd VICE-PRES: JOHN WILGENBUSCH Box 4, Halbrite, SK S0C 1H0 (306) 458-2688 Fax (306) 458-2371 email: wilgenbusch@sasktel.net PAST PRESIDENT: LYLE BIGNELL Box 1055, Stettler, AB T0C 2L0 (403) 742-6792 Fax (403) 742-8128 email: lylebignell@hotmail.com DIRECTORS: CAMPBELL FORSYTH Box 3, Eriksdale, MB R0C 0W0 (204) 739-2678 Fax (204) 739-5547 email: cmforsyt@mts.net BERNARD BEGIN 1630 Rg St-Martin, Ste-Marie, PQ G6E 3A8 (418) 387-7514 Fax (418) 387-5623 email: louberfarm@hotmail.com BRIAN COUGHLIN RR3 1012 Snake River Line, Cobden, ON K0J 1K0 (613) 646-9741 (613) 312-0270 email: cornervu@nrtco.net URSULA CORPATAUX Box 397, Erskine, AB T0C 1G0 Ph/Fax (403) 742-3337 ucorpataux@xplornet.com DORY GERRARD RR 2, Innisfail, AB T4G 1T7 (403) 227-5632 Fax (403) 227-2583 email: info@gerrardcattlecompany.com RICKY MILTON 4558 Rt. 19 RR 2, Cornwall, PE C0A 1H0 (902) 393-8699 email: rmilton@upei.ca
As many of you know, the executive committee of the Canadian Charolais Association made the decision not to renew the contract of general manager Neil Gillies. This was not an easy decision and definitely one that involved a great deal of discussion and thought on the part of the committee. In the end, there were concerns with the role of the general manager and his ability to adapt to a changing position. With the help of an HR consultant, a fair severance was offered and the process was handled in a professional manner. We thank Neil for all he has done for our association and wish him well in his future endeavours. With this change, comes opportunity to grow as an Association. Moving forward, the first order of business is to re-evaluate the duties of the general manager. We need to identify the priorities and parameters of the position, as well as define the role of the general manager within our association. Not only will the general manager’s role be redefined, I feel it is time to review all that we do as an association. We have become complacent with our position in the industry. As the industry has continued to change and evolve, we have sat (sometimes on the sidelines) and watched as others within the industry have passed us by. It is time for us as a breed to become leaders again. During this time of transition the board is working on other projects as well. Genomics research is definitely one of the hottest topics in the industry and one that we need to be a part of in order to improve our breed. The board is definitely taking a more proactive approach when it comes to genomic research. As breeders, we need to
realize the importance of genomics research and the key contribution we can make; the more samples that are tested and the more data that is collected now, the more accurate this new tool will be in helping us make breeding decisions in the future. Another project is by the Public Relations Committee. It has produced a new brochure featuring operations which have successfully used Charolais genetics. An updated poster will be available in the New Year. Both the Public Relations Committee and the Market Development Committee are looking for ways to get the best exposure for the Charolais breed as the industry continues to change. Regardless of the changes in the office, the breeders are still in capable hands with their registry needs. Lois Chivilo, Judy Cummer and Mel Reekie are all available in the office for assistance. Cynthia Beck is available to the French membership as well. As the New Year approaches, we should all look forward with great optimism. Feeder calf sales this past fall were better than many expected. With Charcross calves leading the way, more commercial cow calf producers will be rediscovering our breed. This renewed commercial interest should lead to strong bull sales in the spring, which truly are the back bone of our industry. The Canadian Charolais Association Board of Directors is dedicated to improving our Association. We, the Charolais breeders, also need to be dedicated in moving this breed forward and being leaders in the industry. Season's Greetings, Wade Beck
L’occasion est présentée pour un changement Wade Beck
Comme vous le savez déjà peut-être, le comité de direction de l'association canadienne du charolais faite la décision pour ne pas remplacer le contrat du directeur général Neil Gillies. Ce n'était pas une décision facile et certainement celle qui ont impliqué beaucoup de discussion et
réflexion de la part du comité. À la fin il y avait des préoccupations avec le rôle du directeur général et de sa capacité de s'adapter à une position changeante. Avec l'aide d'un consultant des ressources humaines, une séparation juste a été offerte et le processus a été effectué d'une façon continued on page 9
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Charolais Banner • December 2012