Simmental County - November 2013

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Bruce Holmquist General Manager Cell: 403-988-8676 bholmquist@simmental.com

VOLUME 34, NUMBER 5

#13, 4101 19th St. N.E. Calgary, Alberta T2E 7C4 Phone: 403-250-5255 Fax: 403-250-5121 Website: www.simmentalcountry.com Barb Judd Office Manager Phone: 403-250-7979 bjudd@simmental.com

Margo Cartwright Marketing Coordinator Phone: 403-250-5255 mcartwright@simmental.com

Darryl Snider Western Sale Representative Cell: 403-803-6532 sniderd@telus.net

Canadian Simmental Country Deadlines February 2014 “Herd Sire” Issue March/April/May “Spring 2014” Issue “Queens of the Pasture” 2014 Issue October 2014 Issue November/December Winter 2014 Issue

Material Deadline: January 1, 2014 Material Deadline: April 1, 2014 Material Deadline: July 1, 2014 Material Deadline: September 1, 2014 Material Deadline: October 1, 2014

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Material Deadline: December 1, 2013 Material Deadline: August 1, 2014

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Charges will apply on an individual basis.

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Advertising Content - The Simmental Country assumes no responsibility for the accuracy and truthfulness of submitted advertising copy or electronically supplied pictures and has the right to refuse any ad copy or photos. Advertisers shall indemnify and hold harmless the Country containing pedigrees or statements regarding performance must conform to records kept by the Canadian Simmental Association. Copy deviating from official records may be changed as necessary without advertiser consent.

Editorial Policy - Articles and information in this magazine represent the opinions of the writers and the information that, to the best of our knowledge, was accurate at the time of writing.

Users of any information contained in Simmental Country are encouraged to validate that information by independent means.

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Jane Crawford Eastern Sales Consultant Phone: 519-287-5286 Cell: 519-317-5263 jane.cattle@gmail.com

Published for: Canadian Simmental Association #13 , 4101 - 19th Street N.E. Calgary, Alberta T2E 7C4 Phone: 403-250-7979 Fax: 403-250-5121 Published by:

Emily Grey

YCSA Coordinator Phone: 819-835-0284 Fax: 819-564-4652 egrey@simmental.com

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The official publication of the Canadian Simmental Association

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Watch for our...

Spring Spectacular 41st Bull Sale Saturday, March 29, 2014 Markdale, Ontario

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From the Gate Post

By Bruce Holmquist General Manager, Canadian Simmental Association

Simmental in the European Export Market

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he popularity of Simmentals and how the majority of them are used in a dual-purpose setting was seen firsthand by Canadian Simmental Association (CSA) representatives that attended the World Simmental Fleckvieh Federation meetings held in conjunction with the 30th European Simmental Federation Congress in the Ptuj, Slovenia September 17-21, 2013. Delegates from several European countries and North America gathered to discuss the science, marketing and development of Simmental and how to share our genetics as well as our respective knowledge. During these meetings the CSA reported on the current state of Simmental production and breeding in Canada as well as provided updates on our Simmental Innovations research work. One of the highlights of the activities was a visit to a farm where the cows were milked with some of the milk then being processed into cheese which is retailed direct from the farm. During this stop the usage and expectation of Simmental genetics within Slovenia was outlined which clearly mirrors some of the more prominent export markets that some Canadian beef breeds have been accessing.

Since the reopening of foreign markets which were closed as a result of BSE in 2003; Canadian seed-stock, semen and embryos of various breeds are again being exported to many countries around the world. Kazakhstan, Ukraine and Russia are a few of the European countries that have become destinations for Canadian cattle. Occasionally we receive questions of why Canadian Simmental is not prominent in that mix and that question is understandable especially given the growth and acceptance that the breed has enjoyed in North America. In order to better answer that question one must first understand the differences in beef production between North America and Europe along with the history of the various cattle breeds, specifically Simmental, in continental Europe and how those genetics are integrated in the current day structure of their food production.

Beef consumed in many European countries has historically been a resulting product of the dairy industry as the male calves 4

and cull cows from herds that were targeted for milk production also supplied most of the beef in Europe. Milk quantity, and also its quality relating to cheese production, was more important than the quality of the beef that was also produced. As a result of the lower quality, grinding the meat and processing into sausages or including it in stews or goulashes became popular ways to serve the beef; steak houses or restaurants featuring beef are not very common-place. Estimates are that approximately 75% of the beef produced in Europe is still produced through the dairy sector. Over time, the bonus of the dual purpose attributes of Simmental has become widely recognized as “dual Income� and the breed has gained popularity to a point where in many countries Simmental has become the most popular breed of cattle.This also applies to several countries importing beef genetics from Canada which has created opportunity for Austria, Germany and the Czech Republic who have a readily available supply of young breeding stock which better fit the traditional dual purpose model and that are located closer with far less delivery costs.

The real question is, what the potential is for Canadian Simmentals in Eastern European countries as they implement the model of Canadian beef production. The answer is that the breeds of cattle that have already been exported from Canada will require beef Simmental bulls on them. These will be Simmental genetics that have the same selection criteria as we use in this country; convenience cattle that add value and create profit. Canadian Simmental breeders do have the product to make those sales however it will take time and further market development,combined with the education that Simmental can be a beef animal.This will need to be done through a partnership of industry and government officials which communicates that beef herds using straight British genetics are able to enhance their profit by adding Canadian Simmental genetics.

Wishing a very Merry Christmas to all along with a happy and healthy 2014!

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Appuye sur le poteau de cloture

Par Bruce Holmquist Directeur Général, Association Simmental Canadienne

La race Simmental sur les marchés d’exportation de l’Europe

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lors qu’ils participaient aux rencontres de la Fédération mondiale Fleckvieh, tenues durant le 30e Congrès Simmental Européen à Ptuj en Slovénie, du 17 au 21 septembre 2013, les représentants de l’Association Simmental Canadienne (ASC) ont été à même de constater la grande popularité des Simmental, lesquels sont employés pour des fins de production de viande et de lait. Les délégués de plusieurs pays européens et de l’Amérique du nord ont ainsi discuté lors de ces rencontres de science, de marketing et de développement de la race Simmental, de même que d’échanges de leurs connaissances et de leurs lignées génétiques respectives. Lors de ces rencontres, les délégués de l’ASC ont présenté l’état de la situation au Canada relativement à l’élevage de bovins Simmental, ainsi qu’un compte-rendu des travaux de recherche effectués dans le cadre de leurs projets d’innovation. Nous avons connu un moment intéressant lors de la visite d’une ferme où on effectuait la traite des vaches et la transformation d’une partie du lait en fromage commercialisé directement à la ferme. Lors de cette visite, on nous a expliqué les attentes et les besoins qu’ils ont en Slovénie en regard de la génétique Simmental, lesquels correspondaient étroitement avec les réalités vécues par les éleveurs de race du Canada oeuvrant sur les principaux marchés d’exportation.

Depuis la réouverture des marchés extérieurs qui nous avaient été fermés lors de la crise de l’ESB en 2003, des embryons, des animaux et de la semence de bovins du Canada de plusieurs races sont de nouveau exportés vers de nombreux pays partout dans le monde. Tandis que les bovins canadiens ont été exportés vers le Kazakhstan, l’Ukraine et la Russie, on constate que peu de ceux-là étaient de race Simmental. Cela peut se comprendre en raison de la croissance et de la grande demande envers la race en Amérique du nord. Si on veut mieux apprécier le tout, on doit premièrement comprendre les différences de production entre l’Amérique du nord et l’Europe, de même que l’histoire de ces races de bovins en Europe, notamment les Simmental, ainsi que le contexte dans lequel cette génétique est présentement intégrée dans leur chaine de production alimentaire.

Depuis longtemps en Europe, la viande de boeuf consommée dans plusieurs pays a été historiquement basée en bonne partie sur 6

les veaux mâles et les vaches laitières réformés de la production laitière. La quantité et surtout la qualité du lait, notamment pour la production de fromage, étaient plus importantes que la qualité de la viande de boeuf produite. Pour illustrer la situation, mentionnons que la viande de plus basse qualité était hachée ou bien transformée en saucisses, ou encore incorporée dans des ragouts et du goulash; les restaurants ou « steakhouses » servant du boeuf ne sont pas très courants. Selon de récents estimés, environ 75 % du boeuf consommé en Europe provient du secteur laitier.

Au fil du temps, les qualités de la race Simmental pour une double finalité lui ont permis d’être désignée comme étant “race à double revenu”. De plus, la race a tellement gagné en popularité qu’elle est devenue dans de nombreux pays la race de bovins de boucherie la plus populaire. Cette réalité est vraie pour plusieurs pays ayant le potentiel d’importer de la génétique bovine du Canada , ce qui est par ailleurs venu favoriser des pays tels que l’Autriche, l’Allemagne et la République Tchèque qui peuvent offrir en tout temps de jeunes sujets d’élevage rencontrant les réalités d’une production à double fin, et cela avec moins de coûts de transport.

La vraie question se pose à savoir quel est le potentiel d’accès à ces marchés de l’Europe de l’est pour notre génétique de race Simmental? Avec tous les bovins de boucherie de différentes races déjà exportés vers ces pays, on peut anticiper qu’ils auront aussi besoin d’acheter des taureaux Simmental pour utilisation sur leur cheptel. Ces bovins seront comparables et possèderont les mêmes qualités que ceux en production au Canada, soit des animaux bien conformés permettant d’ajouter de la valeur et des profits dans ces troupeaux. Nous avons le produit mais, si on veut obtenir ces ventes de sujets à l’exportation, il faudra y mettre du temps en développement de marché et en éducation sur le fait que les Simmental du Canada sont des animaux de boucherie et non pas laitiers. Tout cela pourra se concrétiser à partir de partenariats entre l’industrie et les gouvernements, lesquels véhiculeront un message aux producteurs misant exclusivement sur des bovins de races anglaises, en leur disant qu’ils pourraient accroître leur rentabilité en incorporant la génétique de race Simmental.

Je vous souhaite un Joyeux Noel, ainsi qu’une année 2014 sous le signe de la santé et du bonheur!

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How genomic technologies will influence breeding decisions - Dr. Elisa Marques

or more than a year, GeneSeek - a Neogen Company - has worked with the Canadian Simmental Association as their genomics provider to help in building a training database for the use of genomic-enhanced EPDs for the Canadian market.

Since 1998, GeneSeek’s mission has been to provide affordable and high quality DNA testing for agribusiness and it has become the market leader in providing genomic solutions to complete the picture for breed improvement.

The evolution of genomic tests has been such that it is virtually impossible to talk about breed improvement without talking about high-density chips that contain several thousand of markers that can be used to calculate prediction equations that are breed specific. This important part of the process is not a fad, but a system that generates genomic-enhanced EPDs (GE-EPDs), the incorporation of molecular breeding values (MBVs) into the National Cattle Evaluation (NCE). Seedstock and commercial cattlemen can experience first-hand the many benefits stemming from genomics, some of which can be translated into faster rate of genetic progress, increased confidence through improved accuracy of selection, and the value of time through progeny equivalencies.

GeneSeek is also the product and service provider of the GeneSeek Genomic Profiler™ for Beef Cattle (GGP-HD and GGP-LD), custom BeadChips that feature thousands of single nucleotide polymorphisms

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(SNPs), and the industry standard, today for GEEPDs. In all, it is clear that the Beef Industry is more than ever poised to deliver the benefits of DNA technology to its members.

Research projects and government funding have enabled virtually all of the beef breeds to build a significant database of genotypes and phenotypes, which are the foundation to develop prediction equations that characterize the increase in value and improvement for economically relevant traits. As a technology and service provider, GeneSeek has catapulted the use of genomics across various genetic improvement companies that today continue to reap its benefits and to deliver its value to their end users.

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Comment les nouvelles technologies de la génomique influenceront vos décisions d’élevage - Dr. Elisa Marques

e laboratoire “GeneSeek”- appartenant à la compagnie Neogen collabore depuis plus d’un an avec l’Association Simmental Canadienne en tant que fournisseur de services en génomique, plus spécifiquement avec l’objectif de bâtir la base de données expérimentale permettant de calculer des EPD améliorés par la génomique qui seront utilisés au Canada. Depuis 1998, la mission de “GeneSeek” est d’offrir des services d’analyse d’ADN de grande qualité et au meilleur coût pour les intervenants du monde de l’agroalimentaire, ce qui lui a permis de devenir un leader mondial fournissant des solutions génomiques destinées à être employées dans les schémas d’amélioration génétique.

Les analyses génomiques ont évolué de telle sorte qu’il est pratiquement impossible de discuter d’amélioration génétique de nos jours sans faire référence aux panels de haute densité contenant plusieurs milliers de marqueurs, lesquels sont employés pour calculer des équations de prédiction génétique spécifiques à chaque race. Cet aspect plus technique du processus n’est pas un mirage, il fait partie d’un système complet permettant de générer des EPD améliorés par la génomique (EPD-GE), grâce à l’incorporation de valeurs d’élevage (VE) au niveau de l’évaluation génétique nationale des bovins (ENB). Les éleveurs de race pure et les producteurs commerciaux sont en mesure d’apprécier les nombreux bénéfices provenant de la génomique ; certains de ceux-là peuvent se traduire par un taux de croissance plus rapide, une confiance accrue grâce à une meilleure précision du travail de sélection, ainsi qu’une économie de temps nécessaire grâce aux équivalences de la progéniture.

Le laboratoire “GeneSeek” est le fournisseur de service qui a développé et offre un produit appelé « GeneSeek Genomic Profiler™ pour les bovins de boucherie » (GGP-HD). Celle-ci est une micro-puce du type “BeadChip” développée spécifiquement pour les bovins de boucherie et possédant près de 78 000 nucléotides simples de polymorphisme (“SNP”), ce qui constitue maintenant le standard de référence dans l’industrie pour le calcul des EPD-GE. Après tout, on constate clairement que l’industrie bovine est plus que jamais prête à faire bénéficier ses membres des avantages liés aux technologies basées sur l’analyse de l’ADN.

Grâce à de nombreux projets de recherche et au financement gouvernemental, plusieurs des associations de race ont constitué une imposante base de données de génotypes et de phénotypes, lesquels représentent les matériaux de base permettant de développer les équations de prédiction qui viendront caractériser les améliorations obtenues pour des caractères d’importance économique. À titre de fournisseur de service technologique, le laboratoire “GeneSeek” a fait exploser l’emploi de la génomique au sein de plusieurs compagnies d’amélioration génétique.

Ceux-là continuent d’en récolter les fruits et d’en faire bénéficier leurs utilisateurs.

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Mark your calendar

Ferme Gagnon Inc. & Guests 2014 Bull Sale Saturday March 15 Yves et Diane Gagnon

426 route 315, ChĂŠnĂŠville, Quebec J0V 1E0 Tel: 819-428-3502 Fax: 819-428-4967 ferme_gagnon_farm@hotmail.com

www.fermegagnoninc.com

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Breed Improvement

The Way Forward Genetically Enhanced EPDs Jeff Hyatt – CSA Research Coordinator

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ecently a group of Canadian Simmental Association (CSA) representatives traveled to Bozeman Montana to meet with staff members from the American Simmental Association (ASA). The purpose of the meetings was to discuss the future direction of our newly formed relationship in the area of genetic improvement. This was my first trip to the ASA office and as I entered the building I immediately noticed the front window which is made of stained glass; in the glass is this caption: “Visual analysis tells you what a Simmental appears to be. His pedigree tells you what he should be. His performance and progeny tests tell what he actually is.”A very simple message that we all need to keep in mind.

Throughout the two days of meetings discussion was directed towards Genetically Enhanced EPDs (GEEPDs), the various technologies currently available to breeders, the decision makers in the cattle industry, and the misunderstanding of EPDs that some breeders have.

Some great points came out of those conversations which will benefit Simmental breeders directly.

As individuals involved in the Simmental breed we must realize that our competitors in the protein market are not other breeds of cattle but rather other species such as pork and chicken. Both pork and chicken are much more efficient to produce than cattle and this is primarily because of their utilization of technology. You may think that they have more advanced technologies, and you would be right to an extent; poultry and pork production uses very similar genetic evaluation tools as CSA members have available to them such as EPDs; however they use them more effectively and as a result their reported information has increased their accuracy of genetic prediction to a level that is much greater than what we see in the beef industry.

Some of the reasons for distrust of EPDs are the feeling that they don’t accurately predict traits on young cattle, which is when most beef animals are purchased, or that they don’t accurately reflect your herd because of a much different environment. At a young age, a bull or heifer only has their own and their parents records to formulate their EPDs so their accuracy isn’t very high; only a portion of the genetic influence of the animal can be accounted for without progeny records. As progeny records are obtained from their calves, these animals’ EPDs become more accurate. Contemporary groups take into account the majority of the environmental effects however there may be instances that EPDs don’t reflect an animal’s genetic potential until they have progeny in another environment. For example, you breed with two different young bulls; one an easy calving bull with moderate growth traits, and the other a powerhouse of a bull with high growth traits then when yearling weights are taken both bulls’ calves weigh approximately the same. Why is this? Maybe the calving ease bull’s calves had better hair coats, allowing them to cope with the colder temperatures better; or perhaps the growth potential of the powerhouse’s calves was limited by the nutritional makeup of their feed, etc.

From the inside looking out, it seems that the decision makers in this industry are the packing plant and feedlot industries. The reality is that they only harvest what is provided to them, the seedstock and cow/calf producers are the true decision makers that influence genetic improvement. Cow/calf producers buy our bulls, and they know what they want; but maybe not exactly what they need. It is the responsibility of seed-stock producers to supply what the industry needs in a package that also meets primary demands, such as a superior meat quality animal when they may have been selecting for color and yearling performance.

Focus on genetic improvement is the only way for the cattle industry to make any gains in the protein efficiency race. This will never happen unless seed-stock producers are aware of and understand available technologies and then utilize them to their fullest extent. This includes the soon to be available technology of GE-EPDs which will give producers the best prediction of a bull’s potential.

Using the genetic testing of thousands of high accuracy and influential Simmental animals in the Simmental Innovations projects, the CSA in co-operation with many industry partners, are working on developing genetic predictions for animals based on their DNA profile.

These genetic predictions will be used to enhance current EPDs and will add accuracy to them. What this genetic prediction enhancement will do is essentially like adding progeny records to a young unproven animal’s records. The progeny equivalent for each trait may be different but at minimum it would add the equivalent of 2 calves’ records in some traits and the equivalent of up to 15 calf records in other traits. These estimates are based on the approximately five thousand animals the ASA has genotyped to date and next year the CSA will add another fifteen thousand genotypes to this number. The largest impact of GE-EPDs will be realized in young animals that have few or no progeny currently.

The amount of accuracy increase depends on several different factors; those being:

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Genetic Variation (GV) of the trait – the naturally occurring difference among individuals within a species.

Ie. The range of Simmental yearling weight EPDs. Fall 2013 min (-11.8) and max (163.2) (Figure 1.)

Heritability – The proportion of genetic influence on the expression of a phenotype.

Ie. Weaning weight may be effected 24% by genetic influence and 76% by environment (nutrition, weather, health, etc.)

Size of the training population – The amount of animals that have been genetically tested and used to deduce the influence of a gene on a trait. Ie. 5,000 animals in a training population may estimate that gene “39” effects birth weight by +/0.3 lbs; 20,000 animals may then estimate that gene “39” effects birth weight by +/- 0.324 lbs and would therefore be more accurate.

Prior Accuracy – The higher the accuracy of an animal’s EPDs, the less accuracy that will be added by adding more progeny records or genetic information. (Figure 1.)

Genetic Correlation – amount of genetic information accounted for by the genetic testing.

Ie. There have been genes discovered that account for 64% of the genetic influence on marbling.

(Figure 1.)

Amelioration de la Race

Des EPD améliorés par la génomique – La voie du futur!

Coordonnateur de l’ASC, recherche

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n groupe de représentants de l’Association Simmental du Canada (ASC) s’est rendu dernièrement à Bozeman au Montana pour y rencontrer des membres du personnel de l’Association Simmental américaine (ASA). Le but de ces rencontres était de discuter des orientations futures conjointes en matière d’amélioration génétique. C’était mon premier voyage au bureau de l’ASA et, alors que j’entrais dans l’édifice, j’ai tout de suite remarqué le vitrail situé en façade, et où on y retrouve la citation suivante: “L’examen visuel vous dit ce que l’animal semble être. Son enregistrement vous dit ce qu’il devrait être. Ses performances et celles de sa descendance vous disent ce qu’il est vraiment.”

Voici là un message simple qu’il faut garder en tête.

Lors de ces deux jours de rencontres, nos discussions ont porté sur le développement d’EPD améliorés par la génomique (EPD-GE), sur les diverses technologies présentement offertes aux éleveurs, sur les décideurs au sein de l’industrie bovine et sur l’incompréhension chez certains éleveurs par rapport aux EPD. Les éleveurs Simmental pourront profiter directement de plusieurs éléments discutés avec nos collègues.

En tant qu’individus impliqués dans l’élevage des Simmental, nous devons absolument réaliser que nos vrais compétiteurs sur le marché des protéines animales ne sont pas les autres races, mais plutôt les autres espèces telles que le porc et le poulet. Le porc et le poulet sont plus efficaces que le boeuf et cela est principalement attribuable en bonne partie à leur degré d’utilisation des technologies. On pourrait croire qu’ils emploient des technologies plus avancées, ce qui peut être en partie vrai; en production porcine et avicole, on utilise des outils d’évaluation génétique similaires (EPD) à ceux employés par les membres de l’ASC; ils les utilisent toutefois plus efficacement et, grâce à la somme de données répertoriées, cela vient accroître beaucoup la précision des prédictions génétiques, à un niveau passablement plus élevé qu’elles ne le sont en production bovine.

La méfiance envers les EPD peut s’expliquer par une impression qu’ils ne prédisent pas précisément les valeurs des divers caractères chez les jeunes animaux, ce qui correspond souvent au moment où la plupart des animaux sont achetés. De plus, certains peuvent penser qu’ils ne sont pas le reflet de leur troupeau où l’environnement est différent. Les EPD chez les jeunes taureaux et les jeunes femelles ont un faible niveau de précision car ils sont basés seulement sur leurs performances et celles de leurs parents; sans avoir de données sur la descendance, on ne considère qu’une partie du bagage génétique de l’animal. La précision des EPD s’améliorera avec l’ajout de données de performance provenant des descendants.

En utilisant les groupes contemporains, on tient compte de la majorité des effets de l’environnement. Il peut toutefois survenir des situations pour lesquelles les EPD d’un animal donné ne seront pas le reflet de son potentiel génétique tant qu’il n’y aura pas de progéniture né dans un autre environnement. Par exemple, vous employez deux jeunes taureaux; le premier est reconnu facile au vêlage avec une croissance moyenne, et le second est un champion avec une croissance élevée. Vous constatez ensuite que les poids à un an des veaux des deux taureaux sont presque pareils. Que se passe-t-il? Les veaux provenant du taureau facile au vêlage avaient peut-être plus de poils et ont mieux résisté au froid, ou bien le potentiel de croissance des veaux du taureau champion ne s’est peut-être pas exprimé en raison de la composition de leur ration,…etc.

Lorsqu’on regarde les choses de l’intérieur, on a l’impression que les décideurs de l’industrie sont les parcs d’engraissement et les abattoirs. En fait, ils ne font que récolter ce qui leur est fourni; les éleveurs sélectionneurs et les producteurs commerciaux sont les véritables décideurs influençant l’amélioration génétique. Les producteurs commerciaux achètent nos taureaux, et ils savent ce qu’ils veulent; mais peut-être pas vraiment ce qu’ils ont besoin. C’est la responsabilité des éleveurs sélectionneurs de fournir ce que l’industrie a besoin, et de façon à rencontrer la demande, soit des sujets produisant une viande de qualité supérieure, alors qu’ils ont pu sélectionner davantage pour la couleur et les performances à un an. Pour l’industrie bovine, la seule manière de faire des gains par rapport à l’efficacité de production de protéines animales est de mettre davantage d’emphase envers l’amélioration génétique. Cela n’arrivera que lorsque les éleveurs de race pure prendront conscience de l’importance d’utiliser au maximum les technologies disponibles.

Cela inclura la nouvelle technologie des EPD-GE que les éleveurs pourront bientôt utiliser afin de mieux prédire le potentiel d’un taureau.

Avec l’utilisation dans les projets d’innovation de l’Association Simmental des résultats des analyses génomiques provenant de milliers de taureaux Simmental influents et ayant une grande précision, l’ASC en collaboration avec plusieurs partenaires de l’industrie travaillent au développement de prédictions génétiques basées sur leurs données de profil d’ADN. Ces nouvelles prédictions génétiques serviront à améliorer les EPD actuels et ils viendront accroître leur précision. Essentiellement, ces améliorations provenant de ces nouvelles prédictions génétiques feront en sorte que ce soit comme si nous ajoutions plusieurs données de performance dans l’évaluation d’un jeune taureau non éprouvé. Le nombre d’équivalence de descendant peut être différent pour chaque caractère, cela pourrait minimalement ajouter des données sur deux veaux pour certains caractères, et l’équivalent de 15 données sur les veaux pour d’autres caractères. Ces estimés sont basés sur les données d’environ cinq milles animaux qui ont été génotypés jusqu’à date par l’ASA et, l’an prochain, l’ASC viendra additionner un autre quinze milles données de génotypes. L’impact le plus important des EPD-GE se fera sentir chez les jeunes animaux qui ont peu ou pas de progéniture.

Le niveau d’augmentation de la précision dépend de plusieurs facteurs, notamment :

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La variation génétique (VG) du caractère – qui correspond à la différence naturelle existant entre les individus d’une même espèce, par exemple l’écart des EPD du poids à un an des sujets Simmental.

Automne 2013 minimum (-11.8) et maximum (163.2) (Figure 1).

Héritabilité – La proportion génétique expliquant l’expression du phénotype, par exemple le poids au sevrage peut être influencer à 24 % par la génétique et à 76 % par l’environnement (nutrition, température, santé, etc…).

Taille de la population échantillonnée – La quantité d’animaux ayant été testés génétiquement et considérés afin de déduire l’influence d’un gène sur un caractère, par exemple 5,000 sujets d’une population testée pourraient contribuer à estimer que le gène “39” a un effet sur le poids à la naissance de +/- 0,30 lb; 20 000 sujets pourraient estimer que le gène “39” a un effet sur le poids à la naissance de +/- 0,324 lb et qu’ils seraient par conséquent plus précis.

Précision précédente – Plus la précision des EPD d’un animal est élevée, moins l’ajout de progénitures additionnelles ou d’information génétique viendra augmenter la précision de son évaluation (Figure 1).

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Membership Announcements Chick Bennett Harvie Scott and Kerrie Harvie of Harvie Ranching, Olds, Alberta are pleased to announce the arrival of their son Chick Bennett Harvie. Born March 6/2013 weighing 8.1 lbs. Proud grandparents Barry and Myrna Bennett of Calgary, AB and Ian and Marlene Harvie of Olds, Alberta.

Congratulations to Stacy and Dan Romanyk as they began their new life together on September 14, 2013. Stacy, the daughter of Rob and Deanne Young is a Past President of the YCSA program.

Dan is completing his PhD, in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Alberta. Stacy and Dan will be building their Simmental herd under the name of Double R Simmentals.

Congratulations to Jeff and Lauren Hyatt who were married on August 31st at Circle H Farms in Northwestern Ontario (Devlin, ON).

Lauren Hyatt (Nee Steyn) is from Durban, South Africa originally and currently completing her Masters at U of Alberta. Jeff is the CSA Breed Development and Research Coordinator.

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Cherry Creek Farms

Once again consigns a large selection of Full Fleckvieh bulls and females at an association sale,

35th Keystone Konnection Simmental Sale

December 3, 2013 Brandon, MB - 1 p.m.

Polled and horned Full Fleckvieh genetics with depth of quality from one end to the other.

If you want to add thick meaty proven genetics to your cowherd, look no further, attend the Keystone Konnection Sale!

Gates 10A

Sargent 7A

Sheraton 6A

Rhys 2A For information contact

Cherry Creek Farms Ed & Lynne Anderson Boissevain, MB P: 204-534-6096 • C: 204-534-7533 View catalogue online at www.marmacfarms.net

Emerson 40Z

Sale day phones 204-729-5439 204-573-5192 204-726-3529

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Jay Good (403) 556-5563

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Bob Wilson (403) 540-3084

Glenn Norton (780) 542-0634

Darren Paget (403) 323-3985

Craig Mills (306) 365-8432

Kelly Richardson

(403) 638-9377

Sandra Smith (403) 638-9377

Jay Good (403) 556-5563

Bob Wilson (403) 540-3084

Glenn Norton (780) 542-0634

Darren Paget (403) 323-3985

Craig Mills (306) 365-8432

Kelly Richardson

(403) 638-9377

Sandra Smith (403) 638-9377

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South Holden Simmentals Consigning to the Camrose Country Classic December 11, 2013 Camrose, AB

Selling daughters of Gemini, WTS Label Me Teddy, South Holden BLK Croc & Gunner

KS Gemini X South Holden Willow 4W Bred to WJS 129X - March 28

KS Gemini X South Holden Minnie 61M Bred to Flem 56Y - April 15

Thank you to last year’s buyers & bidders FEMALE SALE

WJ Simmentals OK Simmentals Berwest Farms Don Kathool Harvie Ranching New Country Livestock

BULL SALE

Welch Family Farms WJ Simmentals Brett Twa Dave Long Ken Long Murphy Land & Cattle Rodney Epp Kroeger Brothers Todd Ranch Ltd. Ronald Maron WJ Simmentals Heron Brothers Morris Lupuliak Bruce Barnes Ron and Sandra Rude Tom Heidecker Lawrence and Lina Wilson

WJS 129X X South Holden 40W Bred to Identity - March 28

South Holden Simmentals Garth & James Fleming Box 117, Holden, AB T0B 2C0 Phone (780) 688-2234 Fax (780) 688-3810 jx2flem@mcsnet.ca

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South Holden Blk Croc 31X X South Holden 5W Bred to 129X - April 18

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Continued From Page 18

Continued From Page 19

To understand how genetic testing enhances the accuracy of EPD’s, the easiest way is to go through the process of developing the GE-EPDs. (Figure 2.)

Si on veut comprendre comment le testage génomique vient améliorer la précision des EPD, la façon la plus facile est d’étudier le procédé de développement des EPD-GE (Figure 2).

1. Bâtir un panel de testage – Des milliers de taureaux Simmental possédant des EPD avec une précision élevée sont génotypés (SNP) afin de déterminer l’effet des gènes sur différents caractères.

2. Effets du gène – En utilisant le panel de testage, on détermine quel gène a un effet sur quels caractères et par combien ; par exemple le gène “4” avec un A affecte constamment la moyenne du EPD du poids au sevrage par une valeur de +0,3, tandis qu’avec un B, le gène a un effet sur la moyenne du EPD du poids au sevrage de -0,3lb. Avec le gène“73”, qu’on ait un A ou un B, la moyenne du EPD est la même que la moyenne du EPD de la population de testage. Vous seriez alors à l’aise d’assumer que le gène“6” a un effet sur le poids au sevrage, tandis que le gène “73” n’a aucun effet sur le poids au sevrage.

3. Créer une équation de prédiction – En utilisant les effets

des gènes qu’on a ainsi découvert, on développe ensuite une équation complexe qui sera employée chez les futures sujets soumis au testage.

4. Test génomique (SNP) sur l’animal, création d’une valeur d’élevage moléculaire (VEM) – des tests génomiques avec des panels de 10 000 SNP ou de 50 000 SNP sont effectués chez les animaux, en utilisant l’équation de prédiction, l’ADN de l’animal est évalué et on effectue un estimé du potentiel génétique; ce qui nous donnera alors une VEM.

5. EPD – On tient également compte de l’EPD actuel de l’animal.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Building a Training Panel – Thousands of High Accuracy EPD Simmental cattle are SNP tested to determine the effect of genes on different traits.

Gene Effects – Using the Training Panel, determine which genes effect which traits and by how much. Ie. Gene “4” with an A consistently has an average EPD +0.3 for weaning weight compared to the whole training population, while with a B consistently has an average EPD -0.3 for weaning weight. Gene “73” whether with an A or Bthe EPD average is the same as the training populations EPD average.

You could safely assume that Gene “6” has an effect on weaning weight, while Gene “73” has no effect on weaning weight.

Create Prediction Equation – Using the discovered Gene Effects, a complicated equation is developed for use on future animals that are tested.

SNP Test Individual Animal, Create Molecular Breeding Value (MBV) –10K or 50K SNP test is done on cattle, using the prediction equation, the animal’s DNA is evaluated and estimation for their genetic potential is made; which is called an MBV. EPD – The animal’s current EPD is taken into account.

Blend MBV and EPD –The EPD and MBV are blended together using a specifically designed computer program which determines the effect of MBV on the EPD. The blended information is used to form a single prediction, a genetically enhanced EPD (GE-EPD) which appears just like historical EPDs appeared, but with improved accuracies.

Figure 2

Figure 2

7.

Report to CSA Member – The GE-EPD is included in the next EPD run. The CSA is currently working on how to report interim EPDs, which would give the breeder the new GE-EPD shortly after the SNP test is completed.

Recently the ASA removed the genetically enhanced portion of EPDs from their genetic evaluations. This prompted some talk amongst breeders that the genetically enhanced technology may not work. This is the furthest thing from the truth as the technology works very well; the problem is in step 6 as noted above. The ASA discovered that when blending EPDs the formula being used was taking into account the MBV portion multiple times. Essentially what this did was over inflate the accuracy and higher ranked traits got even better and lesser ranked traits became noticeably worse. As a proactive measure the ASA decided to pull the genetically enhanced portion of their genetic evaluation so they could reformulate the calculations. They are very close to having it fixed and GE-EPDs will most likely be used in the Spring EPD run, which will be calculated in November. In our discussions with ASA it was decided that CSA should hold off incorporating our genetically enhanced EPDs in the next run so that they can ensure their new formulation is accurate.The CSA is very excited to incorporate the expanse of the work we have done in the Simmental Innovations projects in order to provide CSA breeders the most advanced technologies available to livestock breeders worldwide.

We also need to be patient and ensure that the technology is presented correctly rather than push forward with it in the face of possible problems.

If you have any questions regarding GE-EPDs please feel free to contact me at (403) 394-8739 or jhyatt@simmental.com.

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6.

7.

Amalgamation de la VEM et de l’EPD – L’EPD et la VEM sont combinés ensemble, en employant un programme informatique qui permet de déterminer l’effet de la VEM sur l’EPD. On utilise l’information combinée afin d’obtenir une prédiction simple, un EPD amélioré par la génomique (EPD-GE),lequel est présenté comme l’ancien EPD, mais avec une précision accrue.

Compte-rendu auprès des membres de l’ASC – L’EPD-GE est incorporé à la prochaine évaluation. L’ASC s’affaire présentement à travailler sur la manière de publier les EPD temporaires, pour ensuite fournir aux éleveurs les nouveaux EPD-GE peu de temps après que les tests génomiques auront été complétés (SNP).

L’ASA a récemment retiré la portion améliorée génétiquement des EPD de leurs évaluations génétiques. Cela a fait en sorte que les éleveurs ont mis en doute le fait que la technologie des EPD améliorés par la génomique puisse fonctionner. Cela est en réalité une énorme fausseté car la technologie fonctionne très bien; le problème réside dans l’étape 6 présentée ci-après. L’ASA a découvert que lorsqu’ils effectuaient la combinaison avec les EPD, la formule employée considérait plusieurs fois la portion de la VEM. Cela a eu comme effet que la précision s’est trouvée surestimée, faisant en sorte que les caractères les mieux classés sont devenus encore meilleurs et que les caractères les moins bien classés sont devenus encore plus mauvais. L’ASA a ainsi pris une mesure proactive en retirant la portion améliorée par la génomique de leur évaluation génétique, afin qu’ils puissent ensuite refaire leurs calculs. Ils sont sur le point d’avoir résolu la problématique, et des EPD-GE devraient être fort probablement publiés avec l’évaluation des EPD du printemps, lesquels seront calculés en novembre.

Lors de nos discussions avec l’ASA, il a été convenu que l’ASC attendra avant d’incorporer les EPD améliorés par la génomique dans sa prochaine évaluation, afin que l’ASA puisse s’assurer que leur nouvelle formule soit précise. L’ASC est très satisfaite d’incorporer les dépenses encourues au niveau des projets de recherche sur les innovations Simmental, de manière à fournir aux éleveurs Simmental la meilleure technologie disponible à tous les éleveurs sélectionneurs sur la planète. Nous devons également être patient et nous assurer que la technologie soit présentée correctement, au lieu de vouloir aller trop vite et d’avoir possiblement plus de problèmes.

Si vous avez des questions concernant les EPD-GE, n’hésitez pas à communiquer avec moi au : 403-394-8739 ou jhyatt@simmental.com.

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BDSF 37X S: MRL First Edition 147U DS: STF Jalapeno

GJR 28Y S: TNT TOP GUN R244 DS: LCHMN BODYBUILDER 7303F

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GJR 50W S: KWA BUILDER 58N DS: MFL BOSS MAN 5A

GJR 14W S: Sand Ranch Hand DS: Kappes Rock Solid H32

GJR 30Y S: TNT TOP GUN R244 DS: LCHMN BODYBUILDER 7303F

GJR 53Y S: Sand Ranch Hand DS: LRS Red Reality 33J

S: Parkwood Mr. Navajo 53N DS: Bonina Polld Zenith 5006

GJR 5X S: Black Irish Kansas DS: Parkwood Mr. Navajo 53N

GJR 80A S: Mr GJR 58Y DS: Sand Ranch Hand

GJR 59T

GJR 27Z S: Mr GJR Hustler 16W DS: Sand Ranch Hand

GJR 71A S: BDSF Edition 37X DS: Mr GJR 41U

GJR 43R S: LRS Red Reality 33J DS: Mr GJR Antonie 1Y

Sale Managed By...

GJR Simmentals

Ross & Marilyn Jansen & Family Box 4, Beechy, SK S0L 0C0 P: 306-859-4540 3 mi. north and 11 mi. west of Beechy

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Women in Simmental Country

W

ith six decades of experience in the cattle business, Anne Stevick of Bar 15 Simmentals Inc. could write an entire course, not just a book, on the beef industry. She is also living proof of her philosophy: “If you’re passionate about something and want it bad enough, nothing is impossible.”

Growing up on a ranch in the Foothills of the Rocky Mountains west of Claresholm, Alberta, Anne spent her childhood working with cattle and riding horses. Her father, Wes Alm, was a progressive rancher – one of the first to learn A.I. and an early adopter and importer of Simmental genetics in the 1960s.

Although she loved the ranch life, Anne knew that with three

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younger siblings (one a brother) her chances of taking over the family farm were slim. So after high school, based on her father’s encouragement, Anne enrolled at the University of Calgary. When she graduated with her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology in 1970, there were very few jobs available. A Master’s degree or PhD program, followed by a career in research, did not appeal to Anne. She decided to travel instead.

For eighteen months, at the age of 20, Anne back-packed and hitch-hiked around the world. She saw the U.S., Fiji, New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, India, Germany, and England. “Travelling was the best life education,” she says. “I learned to come out of my shell and solve problems. I gained self-confidence.”

It was while in New Zealand that Anne also found her calling in life. “As soon as I was on a farm or with livestock, I didn’t feel lonely anymore. I knew that this was what I needed to do.

When I came home, I had to figure out how to get into agriculture.”

The first thing she did when she returned home in 1973 was take a six-week A.I. course at Olds College. This qualified her to work for veterinarians and A.I. units during the heyday of exotic cattle. In 1974, Anne travelled once again, this time with her father, to the Simme Valley of Switzerland. The reason for this trip was to select full blood Simmental calves to import for the Alm’s own Bar 15 Ranch Ltd. and other Simmental breeders.

Anne continued to forge her way into the male-dominated cattle business. She took on the role of herdsman for Ed McNalley’s Simmental herd on the Rio Frio Ranch near Okotoks, and worked for the Alberta Simmental Association as fieldman from 1974 to 1975. Anne and her sister, Dixie, also started their own business called Angel Fitters. They used their father’s facility to take in cattle and prepare them for show or sale.

At the 1978 World Simmental Congress in Calgary, Angel Fitters had a small string and lots of free time. It was there that Anne met Quentin Stevick, a young Angus breeder from North Dakota. “Quentin and his partner were working for Shawest.

They had 25 head and were working really hard. I liked that!” The rest is history; Anne and Quentin were married August 11, 1979.

“Between my rodeo circuit and Quentin’s show schedule, it was hard to find a date for the wedding,” Anne laughs. No doubt

the couple was destined for a future in ranching: Anne won the all-round saddle on the all-girls rodeo circuit in 1978, and in early 1979, Quentin sold a famous Angus bull for $60,000 U.S.

“We had a saying at our place when people asked about our ‘mixed’ marriage,” says Anne. “The Angus cattle made the down payment on our first ranch, but the Simmental cattle paid

the bills ever since!”

After working for Highfield Stock Farms, showing cattle across North America, Anne and Quentin purchased their first ranch west of Pincher Creek in 1981. They took over management of the Bar 15 Ranch Ltd. full blood Simmental herd from Anne’s family (at first on a share basis with Wes and Dix Alm) and continued the annual Bar 15 spring bull sale that began in 1973; adding Angus bulls to the traditional Simmental offering. Anne’s dream of becoming a rancher had come true.

“I had never expected to take over the home ranch,” she admits. “It was hard to go out and borrow money to ranch as a woman, but when I married Quentin and he was equally committed to the cattle industry, things became easier. It worked well because Dad wanted to give up his purebred herd to reduce work load (he still had a commercial herd) and we were interested in cattle.”

But ranching is not without its challenges. Drought, poor cattle markets, and high interest rates made the 1980s difficult times.

Then in 1988, the Stevicks were forced to sell their picturesque ranch for the development of the Three Rivers Dam. “We re-evaluated our decision to be in agriculture at that time,” concedes Anne. “We debated going back to school for new careers, but agriculture was what we loved.” The couple spent 18 months working for Church Simmental Ranch and looking for a new location to re-establish their operation. By 1989, Anne and Quentin had a new home southeast of Pincher Creek. With six quarters of land and 140 cows, they continued their annual Bar 15 Simmentals/Stevick Angus bull sale.

“Quentin and I always had 5 year and 10 year plans for ourselves and our ranch,” says Anne. “In 1994, we decided that in 10 years we would disperse. We had no children to pass the operation on to and we had watched cattle cycles. We didn’t think we’d be able to physically work so hard and we didn’t want to hire help.”

Despite BSE in 2003, the Bar 15 Simmentals dispersal sale in December 2004 averaged $2,500 across all lots.

This herd dispersal was far from the end of Anne’s career in the cattle business! “I bought back three purebred Simmental cows from our dispersal using a pseudonym – I didn’t even tell Quentin!” she confesses. “Then, I bought a couple more the next fall.”

Anne sold five or six bulls a year until finally dispersing her “hobby” herd of 30 cows in 2010. “It was harder to disperse in 2010 than it was in 2004 – I went through complete withdrawal!

I know how addicts feel now,” she jokes. “I invested half of the money from the dispersal, and spent the other half on an RV. On the walls of the RV I put up photos of the cows which paid for it.”

While it was hard for Anne to let go of her Simmental herd after so many years of hard work – both outdoors and in the office – she and Quentin have found new ways to fill their time and serve the industry. They still purchase commercial heifers every year to market as

bred females in the fall, which allows them to enjoy hands-on cattle work during the most enjoyable summer months. The Stevicks also continue to mentor young breeders, just as they have done for many years.

Anne volunteered as an Alberta Beef Producers Delegate for four years and has also worked for the Nature Conservancy of Canada, both in full-time and contract capacities. “I’m also on the board of ‘Cows and Fish,’ the Oldman Watershed Council and president of Chinook Area Land Users Association. In the ‘80s and ‘90s, I served on the Alberta Simmental Association Board and the Alberta Cowboy Poetry Association. I have a hard time saying ‘no’!” she adds.

In December 2010, Quentin made his first trip to Russia to calve out Canadian Angus heifers. He has returned to the country each of the past three years to help educate Russian producers on beef cattle husbandry. Anne has accompanied Quentin on several trips, but usually stays home to look after the ranch. Future plans for Anne and Quentin include more world travel, and continuing to “improve their land using cows” for at least another ten years. “A 20-year plan is also on the to-do list,” Anne jokes.

Whatever the future brings, it’s certain that Anne will remain passionate about ranching and the Simmental breed. “I think the Simmental breed is doing better than ever right now,” she says. “Good management of the Association as well as the leadership in research and genetics has set the Simmental breed in a great position for the future. Red and black Simmentals have been well accepted in our area, and the polled factor has also been an economic benefit to producers. The future looks bright to me!”

Anne’s fondest memories of having Simmental cattle are the people. She commends Simmental breeders, past and present, for the success of the breed. “They have kept the cattle functional, and the breed has always been open to anyone – it’s not an ‘old boys’’ club.

The foresight of the people behind the breed’s origins in Canada has paid premiums for all of us. They believed in an open herd book, diversity, and functionality. At first they refused to show Simmental because they saw how the show ring had ruined other breeds with fads and fashions. Fortunately, common sense has prevailed in our breed.”

Anne Stevick is well-traveled, well-educated, and wise with experience. She has handled all ranch tasks from the barn to the office – on top of volunteering her time for her community and the agriculture industry. She dared to follow her dream of ranching at a time when few women chose agriculture as a career path, and has served the Simmental fraternity and the entire cattle industry as an excellent spokesperson. Thank-you Anne, for pursuing your passions for ranching and the Simmental breed!

By Trish Henderson

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Consigning to the Round Up December High River, Selling: 10 Two Year Old Bulls 10 Beefy Yearling Bulls 8 Fancy 2013 Heifer Calves Thank You to our 2012 Buyers 4M Cattle Co Black Gold Simmentals D. Maronda Simmentals Excel Resources Ltd. Lomond Colony Farming Co. Ltd. River Bend Ranch Spring Point Colony Springside Colony Farming Co. Ltd. Spruceburn Simmentals Virginia Ranch Vossepoel Cattle Compnay Ltd. Derek Vance Drew & Deanna Keiver Don Charlton Paul Runions

Ricochet Stock Farm Rick & Cheryl •Bailey & Morgan Blanchette 403-634-2824

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Southern Alberta Sale 19, 2013 Alberta Selling: 12 Two Year Old Bulls 12 Full Blood Bred Yearlings 15 Red Purebred, Bred Yearlings Thank You to our 2012 Buyers Beagle Simmentals Bull Ranches Ltd. James & Cindy Welsh Colter Elleston David Weis Don Chipchase Mark Egland Greg Honess

D. Maronda Simmentals Darrell & Joyce Maronda 403-792-2242

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If you would like a Simmental Country Sales Representative at your event, it will take one of the following: a. b. c.

A One Year Advertising Contract; or A Four Issue Advertsing Contract; or Two Page Advertisments For Your Sale

Included With The Above, The Advertiser Will Receive: a. A Disk Of Sale Pictures b. Sale Report In Simmental Country Contact: Western Representative - Darryl Snider (403) 803-6532 sniderd@telus.net Eastern Sale Consultant - Jane Crawford (519) 317-5263 jane.cattle@gmail.com

Box 159, Okotoks, AB T0L 1T0 Ted Shacklady Brian Miller Bus: 403-860-3183 403-938-7980 Res: 403-938-4454 shackladyl@shaw.ca 40

Margo Cartwright (403) 250-5255 mcartwright@simmental.com

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I

t has come to my attention that some preplanning by the cattle producer and consultation with the herd veterinarian ahead of a major processing will accomplish many things including herd improvement. This article will describe a specific example of this.

Certain points may fit into the management of your operation and there are perhaps other points you can identify which will help your specific operation. Some points may become obvious when the processing starts and can be added in directly at that time or a note made to include them next year.

With better processing facilities including often the use of hydraulic chutes extra procedures only take seconds more an animal as long as labor is adequate. Processing people including the veterinarian perhaps bringing out an animal health technician can provide efficient multitasking individuals, which are more than worth the investment. Quiet stress free cattle handling will make cattle even easier to work with the next time.

Make sure and utilize the services of your veterinarian for more than just the one procedure they are called out for such as pregnancy checking cows or semen evaluating bulls. As you can see in this example both the veterinarian and purebred cow calf operator benefited this herd for the next six months by being prepared and open minded.

This specific example is a 400 head purebred herd that calves in May and into June. Mid April was typically where a scours vaccination was given and cows processed. The cows calve on grass so there is less hands on contact then typically occurs with early spring calving but the principles in this article are the same. I must note this herd had already been pregnancy checked much earlier in pregnancy and the opens (non pregnant) cows were removed then. These cows swath graze in the fall and are fed in a large area so have to compete somewhat but get lots of exercise and feeding time is the only time for close observation.

This year it was decided to utilize the veterinarian to again preg check the herd and help with a few other things. There were two main things which were added into the protocol. The veterinarian suggested since this herd had always been vaccinated with a modified live vaccine for IBR and BVD just before breeding they would have very good immunity and with the cows now well into their third trimester of pregnancy that vaccine (which has fetal protection) could be added into this processing saving the producers running the cows through before breeding when it is difficult to separate the calves off. This is a very important decision and must be done with the advise of your herd veterinarian as they must be happy with the previous protection from BVD and IBR which your herd has received. The veterinarian would also save the costs of vaccinating any open cows and they could be shipped directly as the price for cows had risen substantially in the last while. By the way twelve open cows were found which is right on the 2-3% expected abortion rate. Resistance to the Avermectins (pour on endectocides) was found on this herd so deworming with a different oral product and a hook feeder “fenbendazole” was also given.

As mentioned in other articles always have a supply of the CCIA tags ready for cull cows so if needed they are tagged right then when the cows are caught. Record the dangle tag and if possible sort her out right

then as well. A herd of 400 makes it hard to find a few open cows at the end of the day. You as the producer should have the quick ability to sort at least two ways out of the chute. It doesn’t take much too even put up a few portable panels to make this happen. I never like the statement “we can do that later” because often later never seems to come or a person is too busy with other things and the details get lost.

The producer had trouble reading tags in the past because of hair over the tags or dirt covering the number. Having a cleansing solution and a good pair of scissors rectified this. Again none of these things slowed the procedure down to any degree and there will be recaptured labor and less mistakes made at calving when tags could be read. A few cows had tags missing and because they were purebreds the tattoos were read and tags made immediately. If calving on larger tracks of land carry around a good set of pocketsize binoculars and you will be amazed at how often they get used reading tag numbers.

On this processing day an unexpected twist happened. A few of the cows appeared overly thin so at the same time as pregnancy checking the veterinarian was utilized to condition score and the decision was made to remove the heifers and any cows at a “TWO” condition score. This allowed the producer to bring up the condition score of these cattle to acceptable levels for calving and minimized competition in the main herd a win-win situation. This could very easily be accomplished by sorting out of the chute.

A few other fringe benefits were also seen. In pregnancy checking these far pregnant cows a few sets of twins were identified which the producer could keep an extra watch at calving. They ended up in the thin group which is not surprising from internally feeding two fetuses. After examining the lists afterwards it became apparent that a high percentage of the first calvers made it into the thin group which I am sure is not surprising to anyone. What was an eye opener were the older cows.

A definite distinction was cows older those 10 years. Over half of them made it into the thin herd. The younger and older cows had a hard time competing. This sort was still done far enough from the start of calving to bring the cows that need it up in condition. Good quality colostrum will be produced and the cows being on a rising plane of nutrition should develop good protection to the vaccines.

At this final pass before calving hair can be collected for Genomic testing if necessary feet and udders are also checked for any issues, bred heifers may have magnets given if hardware is a problem in your herd. Any lumps bumps or any discharge from the eyes should be checked. Eye discharge may identify early cancer eye. If your veterinarian is present the situation can be dealt with immediately. You may discover problems that will lead to culling down the road. These cows’ calves may be able to have their calves cross-adopted at calving.

Many chute side computer programs are based on the individual RFID tag number so this can be utilized as well so input of data can become automatic and helps and the past information helps with culling.

Next time use this example of one to better utilize your herd veterinarian while hopefully making your life easier and potentially eliminating a further process down the line by doing as much as possible with one pass through the chute.

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President: Everett Olson Box 1939, Minnedosa, MB R0J 1E0 Phone: 204-826-2643 Email: everettolson@hotmail.com 1st Vice President: Lesley Hedley RR 1, Rapid City, MB R0K 1W0 Phone: 204-826-2765 2nd Vice President: Jacquie Downey General Delivery, Coulter, MB R0M 1G0 Phone: 204-649-2260 Email: ajdowney@mts.net Secretary/Treasurer: Donalee Jones Box 142, Cartwright, MB R0K 0L0 Phone/fax: 204-529-2444 Email: donalee@midcan.com MSA Directors: Todd Collins RR 2, Darlingford, MB R0G 0L0 Phone: 204-246-2166 Email: todd_collins9@hotmail.com Shannon Carvey Box 60, Alexander, MB R0K 0A0 Phone: 204-752-2285 Email: swindonranch@mts.net Craig Davidson Box 2680, Virden, MB R0M 2C0 Phone: 204-761-5991 Fax: 204-748-3855 Email: craigd@blacksandcattle.com Rick Dequier Box 1673, Carman, MB R0G 0J0 Phone: 204-771-0280 Email: rdequier@westmansteel.ca Trevor Peters Box 385, Rivers, MB R0K 1X0 Phone: 204-328-7458 Email: trevor.peters@canadamalting.com YCSA President: Emily Hickson RR 2 Box 24, Brandon, MB R7A 5Y2 Phone: 204-725-0621 Email: eltonsimm@mts.net

CSA AGM & YCSA National Classic 2014 July 25 - 27

Elkhorn Resort at Onanole, MB in the beautiful Riding Mountain National Park Tentative Schedule of Events: Friday, July 25th AM: Block of tee times available at Clear Lake Golf Course www.clearlakegolfcourse.com 1-4 pm: Cattle Tours 4-6 pm: Hospitality / Registration 8 pm: Evening Mixer - Cruise Clear Lake on the Martose www.theclearlakemarina.com Saturday, July 26th 8-11 am: YCSA Move In / Registration at Erickson Fair Grounds 1-5 pm: YCS Quizzes 1-4 pm: CSA AGM at Elkhorn Resort www.elkhornresort.mb.ca 5:30 pm: Cocktails 6:00 pm: Dinner at Elkhorn Resort 7:00 pm: Foundation Auction followed by a real Manitoba social. *For those who aren’t interested in the meeting we’ve got lots of extracurricular planned including: Buffalo Compound Tour, Clear Lake Shopping Tour, Optional Childcare for Saturday afternoon, etc.

Sunday, July 27th 8-5 pm: YCS Show, Erickson Fair Grounds

CSA Director: Fraser Redpath Box 121, Mather, MB R0K 1L0 Phone/Fax: 204-529-2560 Email: redsim@xplornet.com

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Young Canadian Simmental Association Newsletter

YCSA Contacts YCSA Coordinator Emily Grey (819) 835-0284 egrey@simmental.com

President • SK

Tiffany Peters (306) 948-8044 tpeters07@hotmail.com

Vice-President • ON Sophie Wotten (705) 878-1713 swotten@uoguelph.ca

Executive Officer • AB Andrea Hadway (403) 586-4929 andie.hadway@gmail.com

Directors

One of the exciting opportunities available to YCSA members is travel. In 2012 Connor Morse and Krista Whalen were awarded the opportunity to participate in the 2013 American Junior Simmental Association National Summit Leadership Conference in Stillwater, Oklahoma. At the 2013 National YCSA Classic Carmen Biggelaar and Andie Hadway were awarded the opportunity to participate in the 2014 AJSA National Classic to be held in Illinois.

I am very excited to be able to travel down to the USA and see how the Simmental genetics are used in their agriculture environment and to also meet new people. I feel that this will be a wonderful life experience for me and will only firer me up even more in the agriculture business. I look forward to meeting many new people and learning from them. The future in the cattle industry is something that I am very passionate about. I am extremely grateful to have been chosen for the supreme showmanship award and will represent the Young Canadian Simmental Association with pride.

Carmen Biggelaar.

Lacombe, Alberta.

This year I was fortunate enough to win the Supreme High Point at the National Show and will receive a trip to USA to represent the NYCSA. These trips provide Canadian Simmental Youth with a unique learning and networking experience by participating at a function that gives exposure to the USA Simmental Breed. I would encourage any junior to be a part of this great breed. We have tremendous support and the future of Simmental is what keeps this great breed going forward. Again thank you very much and I am excited to be representing the NYCSA in 2014.

Andie Hadway

Alberta

Sara Van Sickle (780) 305-6855 nolarafarms@hotmail.com

Maritimes

Heather Creamer (902) 694-4308 creamerh@nsac.ca

Manitoba

Emily Hickson C: (204) 570-1969 simmental_rox2005@hotmail.com

Ontario

Danielle Sullivan (705) 872-2173 dee.em.sull@gmail.com

Quebec

Krista Whalen (819) 679-7964 kristawhalen15@hotmail.com

CSA Director

Lacey Fisher (902) 661-0766 (506) 536-8454 timberwoodfarms@seasidehighspeed.com

Attending the Summit gave me the opportunity to meet new young Simmental breeders, and share stories of our events in the Simmental world. Touring Reproduction Enterprises gave me more knowledge in the field of A.I. and embryo transplant work. Seeing different show cattle operations in the area showed me some new ideas on how I could run my own show cattle operation. However, what I enjoyed most about the trip was the opportunity I had to meet new faces and make new lifelong friends.

I would also like to thank my fellow attendee Krista Whalen and our chaperone Emily Grey for an amazing trip.

Connor Morse, Harmony NS

This experience has given me knowledge and information that I will continue to use in the future.

You have given me the opportunity to see what the beef industry has to offer in the future as well as at this moment. My experience down in Oklahoma was an unforgettable one. With the people I have met and the new friendships I have made I am hoping that these friendships will stay strong and sometime in the future we will be able to see each other again. For this I thank you!

This trip was one that taught me things about leadership, teamwork, and how and when is the right time to take the lead. The teamwork sessions will help me in my own experiences with working as a team instead of individually.

Thank you once again for this trip.

Krista Whalen Quebec YCSA representative

For more information on travel opportunities through the YCSA program visit our website at www.simmental.com or contact Emily Grey at egrey@simmental.com.

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BARRY & BRENDA LABATTE Box 72 Gladmar, Sask.

S0C 1A0 www.labattesimmentals.com Ph: (306)969-4820 labatte.simm@sasktel.net Cell: (306) 815-7900

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Auctioneer/Ringman

Insurance

Industry Events

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Photographers

Trucking

Marketing

Semen/Embryos

Semen/Embryos

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Margo Cartwright 403-250-5255 mcartwright@simmental.com

Darryl Snider 403-803-6532 sniderd@telus.net

Jane Crawford 519-287-5286 jane.cattle@gmail.com

Book your Commercial Country Ad Today

What’s Happening November

Dec. 9-15 - Indian River Cattle Co. 6th Annual Christmas Internet Sale, Indian River, ON Dec. 11 - Camrose Country Classic, Camrose, AB

Nov. 7 - FarmFair International National Simmental Show and Simmental Draft, Edmonton, AB Nov. 8 - FarmFair’s Headliner All Breeds Sale, Edmonton, AB Nov. 9 - Pembina Triangle Simmental Association 33rd Annual Sale, Cypress River, MB Nov. 13 - Canadian Western Agribition Simmental Show, Simmental Select & Simmental Sale, Regina, SK Nov.17 - Hudson Pines Living Legacy Sale, Campbellsburg, KY Nov. 17 - Central Invitational Simmental Sale, Woodville, ON

Dec. 13 - 2nd Annual Friday Night Lights Simmental Sale, Olds, AB Dec. 14 - Checkers & Fullblood Perfection, Red Deer, AB Dec. 15 - Transcon’s Fleckvieh Equation, Fullblood Simmental Sale, Red Deer, AB Dec. 15 - Transcon’s Ultimate Red & Black XVI, Simmental Bull & Female Sale, Red Deer, AB Dec. 17 - Bonchuk Female Production Sale, Virden, MB Dec. 18 - GJR Simmental Complete Dispersal, Saskatoon, SK

Nov. 18 - North American Select Sale, Louisville, KY

Dec. 19 - Southern Alberta Simmental Roundup Group’s 20th Annual Bull & Female Sale, High River, AB

Nov. 18 - Rock Ridge Cattle Co. Complete Simmental Herd Dispersal, Vermilion, AB

Dec. 20 - Muirhead Female Sale: Every Bred Heifer Sells with Select Open Females, Saskatoon, SK

Nov. 23 - Spring Creek 40th Anniversary Simmental Female Sale, Virden, MB

Dec. 21- Majestic Cattle Company Dispersal Sale, Innisfail, AB

Nov. 23 - Transcon’s Simmental Cow-A-Rama Sale, Innisfail, AB

Dec. 21 - Black Diamond Simmentals Complete Herd Dispersal, Virden, MB

Nov. 25 - Rust Mountain View Ranch’s “Queens of the Pasture” Female Sale, Turtle Lake, ND

Dec. 21 - RK Cattle Calf Factory Sale, Moorefield, ON

Nov. 28 - McCormack Family Ranch Genetic Expressions Vol. 2 Female Production Sale, Grenfell, SK

December Dec. 2 - The Source of Elite Simmental Genetics, Lloydminster, SK Dec. 2 - Harvest Hoedown Simmmental Heifer Sale, Neepawa, MB Dec. 2 - Midwestern Simmental Sale, Lloydminster, SK

Dec. 31 - New Years Resolution Frozen Genetic Sale: Volume II, Saskatoon, SK

January Jan. 24 - 25 - Camrose Bull Congress, Camrose, AB Jan. 25 - Lazy S Ranch Annual Bull Sale, Mayerthorpe, AB

Dec. 3 - 35th Annual Keystone Konnection Simmental Sale, Brandon, MB

February

Dec. 5 - Transcon’s 36th Annual Simmsational Simmental Sale, Moose Jaw, SK

Feb. 7 - Genetic Edge Bull Sale, Rimbey, AB

Dec. 7 - Stewart Simmentals Open House & Private Treaty Sale, Newbury, ON

Feb. 09 - Diamond M Ranch 3rd Annual Bull Sale, Estevan, SK

Dec. 7 - Wolfe Farms Bull and Female Production Sale, Valleyview, AB

Feb. 10 - Rendezvous Farms 10th Annual Bull and Female Sale, Ste. Rose Du Lac, MB

Dec. 9 - Shades of the Prairies, Brandon, MB

Feb. 13 - M&J Farms Simmental and Angus Bull and Female Sale, Russell, MB

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Feb. 13 - Janzen Ranches 21st Annual Red Simmental and Red Angus Bull Sale, Rosemary, AB Feb. 14 - 25th Annual Mader Ranches Bull Power Sale, Carstairs, AB Feb. 15 - Double Bar D Farms Best of Both Worlds Bull & Female Sale, Grenfell, SK Feb. 15 - Timberlind 5th Annual Bull Sale, Buck Creek, AB Feb. 16 - Bonchuk Farms Annual Bull Sale, Virden, MB Feb. 17 - Kopp Farms Yearling Simmental Bull and Heifer Dispersal Sale, Amaranth, MB

Mar. 6 - Spring Creek Ranch Pursuit Of Perfection Annual Bull Sale, Moosomin, SK Mar. 6 - Bull Rush Simmental Bull Sale, Rimbey, AB Mar. 7- Genetic Destination Annual Bull Sale, Grenfell, SK Mar. 7 - Northern Classic Annual Bull Sale, Grande Prairie, AB Mar. 8 - Ranchlands 7th Annual Bull Sale, Stavely, AB Mar. 8 - Synergie Bull Sale, Ste. Sophie de Levrard, PQ

Feb. 19 - Crossroad Farms 8th Annual Bull Sale, Shell Lake, SK

Mar. 8 - Swantewitt Simmentals Annual Bull Sale, Mayerthorpe, AB

Feb. 20 - 9th Annual Robb / Hoegl Bull Sale, Lloydminster, SK

Mar. 8 - Next Generation Bull Sale, Lloydminster, SK

Feb. 21 - Lone Stone Farms Simmental & Red Angus Bull Sale, Westlock, AB

Mar. 9 - Rebels of the West Bull Sale, Virden, MB

Feb. 22 - Lewis Farms 29th Annual Bull Sale, Spruce Grove, AB

Mar. 10 - Genetic Source Simmental Bull Sale, Brandon, MB

Feb. 24 - 12th Annual Muirhead Cattle Co. Bull Sale, Shellbrook, AB

Mar. 11 - Kuntz-Stoughton-McIntosh Annual Bull Sale, Lloydminster, SK

Feb. 24 - Simmental Summit 2nd Annual Bull & Female Sale, Bentley, AB

Mar. 12 - South Saskatchewan Simmental Bull and Female Sale, Moose Jaw, SK

Feb. 25 - Rainalta & Guest Simmental & Charolais Bull Sale, Brooks, AB Feb. 26 - 19th Annual Herd Master Bull Sale, Camrose, AB Feb. 26 - Erixon Simmentals Annual Bull & Female Sale, Saskatoon, SK

Mar. 12 - Transcon’s Premium Beef Simmental Bull Sale, Neepawa, MB Mar. 13 - Rocky Mountain Simmental Bull Sale, Olds, AB Mar. 14 - Family Tradition Charolais and Simmental Bull Sale, Dropmore, MB

Feb. 27 - Pheasantdale Annual Bull & Female Sale, Balcarres, SK

Mar. 15 - Ferme Gagnon Inc & Guests Bull Sale, Cheneville, PQ

Feb. 28 - LaBatte Simmentals 34th Annual Bull & Female Sale, Moose Jaw, SK

Mar. 17 - Transcon’s Red Deer Simmental Bull Sale, Red Deer, AB

Feb. 28 - Early Sunset Ranch “Only the Good Ones Sell” Bull & Female Sale, Edam, SK

March Mar. 1 - Cutting Edge Bull Sale, Rimbey, AB Mar. 1 - 20th Annual McMillen Ranching Production Sale, Carievale, SK Mar. 1 - 6th Annual Westgold Farms & Guests Simmental Bull Sale, Vermilion, AB Mar. 2 - RPlus Simmental 14th Annual Bull Sale, Estevan, SK Mar. 3 - Ashworth Farm & Ranch & Guest Bull Sale, Unger, SK Mar. 4 - 34th Doll Ranch Bull & Female Sale, Mandan, ND Mar. 4 - Transcon’s Bull Spectrum Simmental Sale, Innisfail, AB Mar. 5 - Mar Mac Farms and Guests Annual Bull Sale, Brandon, MB Mar. 5 - Sunny Valley 24th Annual Bull & Female Sale, Saskatoon, SK Mar. 5 - Skor Simmentals 12th Annual Red & Black Simmental Bull Sale, Camrose, AB 62

Mar. 6 - Westway & Deeg Annual Bull Sale, Olds, AB

Mar. 18 - Cityview Simmentals / Ivanhoe Angus Annual Bull Sale, Moose Jaw, SK Mar. 19 - Transcon’s 19th Annual Advantage Bull Sale, Saskatoon, SK Mar. 20 - Get-A-Grip Angus & Simmental Bull Sale, Forestburg, AB Mar. 21 - Porter Ranches Bull Sale, Stony Plain, AB Mar. 22 - Transcon’s Mountainview Bull Sale, Innisfail, AB Mar. 24 - Transcon’s Peace Country Simmental Bull Sale, Beaverlodge, AB Mar 27 - Transcon’s Winnipeg Simmental Bull Sale, Winnipeg, MB Mar. 27 - Wheatland/ ANL “Focus on the Future” Bull Sale, Alameda, SK Mar. 29 - Bar 5 Spring Spectacular 41st Bull Sale, Markdale, ON

July July 25-27 - CSA AGM 2014: Elkhorn Resort, Riding Mountain National Park, MB

CSA Executive

President Fraser Redpath Mather, MB P/F: (204) 529-2560 C: (204) 825-7401 redsim@xplornet.com First Vice-President Kelly Ashworth Oungre, SK P: (306) 456-2749 C: (306) 861-2013 jashworth@sasktel.net Second Vice-President Randy Mader Carstairs, AB P/F: (403) 337-2928 C: (403) 660-1123 rrmader@xplornet.com

CSA Directors

John Sullivan Kazabazua, PQ P/F: (819) 467-2713 Sullivan.simmentals@bell.net Wes Mack Estevan, SK P: (306) 634-4410 C:) 306) 421-1853 wkmack@signaldirect.ca

Lacey Fisher Amherst, NS P: (902) 661-0766 C: (506) 536-8454 timberwoodfarms@seasidehighspeed.com Maureen Mappin-Smith Byemoor, AB P: (403) 579-2175 silversmithcattle@yahoo.com Deanne Young Breton, AB P/F: (780) 696-3643 C: (780) 542-0855 bfcss@telus.net David Milliner Dundalk, ON P: (519) 923-9188 dgmilliner@everus.ca

Provincial Associations British Columbia President Lorne Webster Abbotsford, BC P/F: (604) 823-6797 Secretary: Jan Wisse P: (604) 794-3684

#13, 4101 19th St. N.E., Calgary, Alberta T2E 7C4 P: (403) 250-7979 • F: (403) 250-5121 www.simmental.com • E: cansim@simmental.com

Alberta President Ashley Anderson Minburn, AB P: (780) 259-0093 ashleyandblair@gmail.com Office Contact Heather Saucier Airdrie, AB P: (403) 861-6352 F: (403) 948-2059 saucierh@telus.net Promotion / Fieldperson Chuck Groeneveld High River, AB P: (403) 938-7843 barnboss@telus.net

Ontario President Dan O’Brien Winchester, ON P: (613) 761-2403 dan.obrien@sympatico.ca

CSA Staff

Quebec Président Philippe Bellavance Ferme Sibelle Fleck SENC St-Sophie-de-Levard, QC P: (819) 288-5005 Secretaire: Sandra Berthiaume Saint-Garmain, QC P/F (819) 395-4453 info@simmentalquebec.ca

Office Manager Barb Judd P: (403) 250-7979 bjudd@simmental.com

Saskatchewan President Manitoba Dave Erixon President Clavet, SK Darryl Perkin P: (306) 270-2893 Elgin, MB Secretary: Carolyn McCormack P/Fax: (204) 769-2159 P: (306) 697-2945 dperkin@westman.wave.ca sasksimmental@yourlink.ca Secretary: Donalee Jones P: (204) 529-2444 Email: donalee@midcan.com Maritimes President Don Godfrey Meadow Bank, PEI P: (902) 566-3613 Secretary: Ralph Taylor P/F: (902) 895-2117

General Manager Bruce Holmquist C: (403) 988-8676 bholmquist@simmental.com

Breed Improvement Jeff Hyatt P: (780) 492-6165 jhyatt@simmental.com Marketing Co-ordinator Margo Cartwright Tel: (403) 250-5255 mcartwright@simmental.com YCSA Coordinator Emily Grey P: (819) 835-0284 egrey@simmental.com Processing Department Perry Welygan pwelygan@simmental.com Beth Rankin brankin@simmental.com

Table Of Contents Advertiser’s Index...................................................64

Partenaires aux Projets de Génomiques .................13

Breed Improvement.................................................18 Simmental Innovations Project Partners..................12 Breed Improvement (French)..................................19

Sale Reports.............................................................47

Canadian Simmental Association Contacts............ 63

Saskatchewan News................................................44

Gatepost.....................................................................4

Vet’s Advice.............................................................43

Gatepost (French)......................................................6

What’s Happening...................................................61

Manitoba News.......................................................45

Women in Simmental Country.................................36

Member Announcements.........................................21 YCSA Newsletter.....................................................46

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3D Simmentals.........................................................55 ABC Cattle Co..........................................................55 Adair Ranch..............................................................49 Afri-Can Simmentals.................................................52 Alameda Agencies Ltd..............................................58 Alliance Simmental Farms........................................53 Alta Genetics............................................................59 Anchor D Ranch.......................................................49 Applecross................................................................49 Ashworth Farm & Ranch Ltd....................................55 Aumack Simmentals.................................................55 Bar 5 Farms Ltd..........................................................3 Bar 5 Farms Ltd./Circle 3 Genetics..........................53 Beagle Simmentals...................................................49 Beechinor Bros. Simmentals....................................49 Big Rock Simmentals...............................................52 Black River Farms....................................................53 Black Sand Cattle Company.....................................52 Blushrose Simmental Farm......................................55 Bohrson Marketing Services.....................5, 16, 17, 59 Bonchuk Farms........................................................52 Bouchard Livestock International............IBC, 7-11, 59 Bova-Tech Ltd...........................................................59 Bow Valley Genetics Ltd...........................................59 Boynecrest Stock Farm............................................52 BS Ranch.................................................................49 C C Simmental Ranch..............................................49 Canadian Bull Congress...........................................58 Canadian Farm Insurance Corp...............................58 Carey, Brent..............................................................58 Car-Laur Simmentals................................................53 Cattlemen Magazine.................................................58 Cherry Creek Farms.................................................25 Circle G Simmentals & Angus..................................49 City View Simmentals...............................................55 Crimson Tide Flechvieh............................................53 Crossroad Farms......................................................55 D. Maronda Simmentals...........................................39 Davis-Rairdan Embryo Transplants Ltd....................59 Deeg Simmental.......................................................49 Delta Rho Farms......................................................54 Destiny Simmentals..................................................54 Diamond T Simmentals............................................49 Don Heggie Simmentals...........................................49 Donovandale Simmentals.........................................54 Dora Lee Genetics....................................................54 Dorran Marketing Inc................................................58 Dorran, Steve...........................................................58 Double Bar D Farms.........................................IFC, 55 Double G Simmentals...............................................56 Double R Farms.......................................................32 Douglas J. Henderson & Associates Ltd..................42 Downey Farms.........................................................52 DP Sales Management.............................................59 Dunc’s Cattle Co.......................................................54 Dwayann Simmentals...............................................54 Eagle-Ridge Simmentals..........................................49 East Poplar Simmentals...........................................56 Edge, Dean...............................................................58 EDN Simmental........................................................56 Elm Tree Farms........................................................54 Erixon Simmentals....................................................56 Fallen Timber Farms................................................52 Ferme Gagnon Farm..........................................15, 55 Ferme Saro...............................................................55 Flying N Cattle & Feed.............................................59

Genex Cooperative, Inc......................................14, 59 Get-A-Long Stock Farm............................................58 GJED Simmental................................................22, 23 GJR Simmentals...........................................34, 35, 56 Grant Rolston Photography Ltd................................58 Gravandale Simmentals...........................................54 Grinalta Farms..........................................................49 H.S. Knill Company Limited......................................59 Hairy Hill Cattle Co...................................................49 Hallridge Simmentals................................................54 Hannah Simmentals.................................................49 Harvie Ranching.......................................................49 High Bluff Stock Farm...............................................52 High Country Cattle Services.............................32, 49 Highway 5 Simmentals.............................................56 Hi-Tech Farms..........................................................54 Hoegl Farms.............................................................56 Indian River Cattle Company..............................30, 54 Janzen Brogan Embryo Services Ltd.......................59 Janzen Ranches.......................................................50 Jetstream Livestock..................................................54 JNR Farms...............................................................50 Jo-Dreen Farm.........................................................53 Keato Meadow Simmentals......................................50 Keet Simmentals................................................22, 23 Kelara Farms............................................................56 Keystone Konnection................................................24 Kin Kin Cattle Co......................................................50 Kindred Spicit Cattle Company...........................22, 23 Kopp Farms Simmentals..........................................52 Kuntz Simmental Farm.............................................56 LaBatte Simmentals...........................................26, 56 Lane Simmentals................................................22, 23 Lazy Bar-B Simmentals............................................56 Lazy S Ranch Inc.....................................................50 Lewis Farms Ltd.............................................OBC, 50 Little Willow Creek Ranch.........................................56 LiveAuctions.TV........................................................30 Lobster Point Farms.................................................53 Lone Stone Farms....................................................50 M & J Farms.............................................................53 MacKenzie Cattle Company.....................................50 Mader Ranches..................................................20, 50 Majestic Cattle Co....................................................42 Maple Key Farm.......................................................54 Mappin Simmentals..................................................50 Mar Mac Farms........................................................53 MasterFeeds.............................................................57 Maxwell Simmentals.................................................50 McCormack Family Ranch.......................................56 MCG Simmentals.....................................................50 McIntosh Livestock...................................................56 McMillen Ranching Ltd.............................................56 Meadow Acres Farms.........................................21, 56 MI Simmentals..........................................................50 Mitchell Cattle Co.....................................................52 Muellers Nossa Terra................................................55 Muirhead Cattle Co...................................................56 New Holland...............................................................1 North Creek Simmentals....................................22, 23 North Hill Simmentals...............................................50 O Double E Simmentals...........................................50 O’Grady Steel...........................................................57 Okotoks Fleckvieh Embryo Group......................40, 50 Oslanski Simmental Farms.......................................50 Parkhill Ranches.......................................................50

Parview Stock Farms................................................51 Pearson Simmentals................................................51 Pheasantdale Simmentals........................................56 Phillips Farms...........................................................57 Porter Ranches.........................................................51 Prospect Hill Simmentals..........................................54 Rainalta....................................................................51 Rancier Farms..........................................................51 Rattray Livestock......................................................51 Redpath Simmentals................................................53 Rendezvous Farms..................................................53 Ricochet Stock Farm................................................38 River Point Cattle Co................................................54 Riverbank Farm........................................................53 Robb Farms..............................................................57 Robson Acres...........................................................54 SAJ Simmentals.......................................................57 Saugeen Acres.........................................................51 Schatz Simmentals...................................................51 Schultz, Ron & Gladys........................................22, 23 Simmeron Fleckvieh Simmentals.............................51 Skeels, Dan..............................................................58 Skor Simmentals......................................................51 South Holden Simmentals........................................31 Southpaw Cattle Company.......................................51 Spring Creek Simmentals/Red Rose Angus.............57 Spring Lake Simmentals...........................................51 Spruce Grove Cattle Co...........................................57 Starwest Farms........................................................52 Steen Agencies.........................................................58 Stewart Simmentals..................................................54 Stock, Mark...............................................................58 Stockmens Insurance...............................................58 Stone Simmentals....................................................51 Stoughton Farms......................................................57 Sullivan Simmentals.................................................55 Sun Star Simmentals................................................51 Sunny Valley Simmentals...................................29, 57 Sunnyside Simmentals.......................................22, 23 Sunrise Simmentals..................................................57 Swan Lake Farms...............................................26, 57 Swantewitt Simmentals............................................51 T Bar C Cattle Company..............................34, 35, 59 Tessier Simmentals..................................................57 The Register.............................................................57 Timberlind Auctions..................................................58 Todd Simmentals......................................................55 Transcon Livestock Corp.........................26, 27, 28 59 Trevor’s Cowpix........................................................58 Tryon Simmentals.....................................................53 TSN Livestock..........................................................53 Twin Brae Simmentals..............................................53 Twin Butte Simmentals.............................................51 Tymarc Livestock......................................................51 Virginia Ranch..........................................................51 W2 Farms.................................................................57 Weldehaven Farms..................................................55 Wells’ Crossing Cattle Company..............................52 Westway Farms Ltd..................................................52 Wild Oak Farms........................................................55 Windy Knoll Farm.....................................................53 WJ Simmentals.........................................................52 Wolfe Farms.............................................................52 Wolfe’s Fleckvieh......................................................52 Xcel Livestock...........................................................55 XRC Simmentals................................................22, 23