MCA AGM

ASSOCIATION NEWS

Airey Re-Elected President of the MCA

Shawn Airey, Rivers, was re‐elected President of the Manitoba Charolais Association at their Annual General Meeting held January 4th in Brandon. Also remaining on the executive are Andre Steppler, Miami, 1st Vice‐President; Hans Myhre, Dauphin, 2nd Vice‐President and Rae Trimble‐Olson, Portage la Prairie, Secretary‐Treasurer.

Re‐elected to the board for three year terms were Jeff Cavers, La Riviere; Kevin Stebeleski, Oakburn and Shawn Airey. Newly elected to the board were Michael Hunter, Roblin and Trent Hatch, Oak Lake replacing retiring directors Harry Airey, Rivers and Kerri Hinsburg formerly of Rapid City.

The financial report showed $14,000 in assets on a $30,000 budget and revenue over expenses of $3,600 in 2013.

In committee reports the MCA gave out over 80 flash drives to 4‐H members exhibiting Charolais influence animals in 2013 and are looking for ideas for gifts for the upcoming years. They will also include a pamphlet from the National Youth Board this year. The MCA board invested about $7,000 in advertising on Radio, MB Cattle Country, Charolais Connection and the website promoting Charolais in the province. The Douglas Test Station was taken off future agendas as there is only one Charolais bull on test this year. Reports on the 2013 Manitoba Livestock Expo and Heart of Canada Shows as well as the picnic and Fieldman activities were given. Talks on improvements to the newsletter and website were also had.

Discussion on 2014 events included the Canadian Charolais Youth Conference being held July 24th to 27th in Portage la Prairie, the Picnic and Pen Show being held June 21st at HTA Charolais, Rivers, the Heart of Canada show being held July 6th at Carberry and the National Show in conjunction with the Manitoba Livestock Expo in November.

At the evening multi‐breed banquet it was announced that Jared Preston of Ste Rose du Lac won the $750 MCA scholarship, LEJ Charolais of Portage la Prairie won Breeder of the Year award and the commercial breeder award was presented to Ron and Audrey Warkentin, Fork River.

2014 MCA Board of Directors (front l-r)Vonda Hopcraft, Wawanesa; Andre Steppler, Miami (1st Vice-President); Shawn Airey, Rivers (president); Hans Myhre, Dauphin (2nd Vice-President); Rae Trimble-Olson, Portage la Prairie (Secretary-Treasurer) (back l-r)Ian Milliken, Reston; Jeff Cavers, La Riviere; Ernie Bayduza, Dauphin; Jim Olson, Portage la Prairie; Michael Hunter, Roblin; Kevin Stebeleski, Oakburn; Trent Hatch, Oak Lake; missing Campbell Forsyth, Eriksdale & Rob Gilliland, Virden.

Ron & Audrey Warkentin of Fork River won the Charolais Commercial Producer of the Year Award being presented here by Ernie Bayduza and Shawn Airey