Beef Industry News

EXCESS MOISTURE PROGRAMS READY IN MB & SK
Payments for flooded land will soon be making their way to those areas hit the hardest across the prairies. Manitoba producers have until Aug. 3 to get their information in (see the Manitoba Agricultural Services website) while the Saskatchewan deadline date is Sept. 30 (see the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance website). Alberta information is expected shortly.

US NATIONAL CATTLEMEN'S BEEF ASSOCIATION LAUNCHES BLOG
If you are wondering what our beef counterparts in the US are up to, check out the new "Beltway Beef" Blog created to serve as a 'sounding board' for the industry.

CANADIANS RESPONDING TO PRIVATE-LABEL BRANDS
MeatPoultry.com reports that according to a new public opinion survey more than 80% of Canadian grocery shoppers say they purchase private-label brands. Full story . . .

CANADIAN BEEF SERVED UP IN CHINA ON CANADA DAY
Canada’s top quality beef will be served at the Shanghai World Expo 2010 to celebrate Canada Day, marking the first time in almost a decade that Canadian beef has been available in China. Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz will host a beef barbecue in celebration of Canada and China’s strong trade relationship.
Read the entire release from Agriculture Canada . . .

SK Stock growers lauNches "Where beef comes from"
Kudos to the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association for launching a new children's book entitled "Where Beef Comes From" at their 97th Convention and AGM June 13-15 in Moose Jaw. The book could become an important resource in educating future decision-making consumers and is applicable across the country. More details and ordering information available HERE (pdf).

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2010 CANADIAN LIVESTOCK AUCTIONEER CHAMPIONSHIPS
Rodney Burnett representing Valley Auctions was named the 2010 Canadian Auctioneer Champion at the competition held at the Winnipeg Livestock Exchange during the Livestock Markets Association of Canada convention. Reserve Champion went to Brennin Jack from Heartland Livestock, Regina. Ralph Vold of VJV, Ponoka was the first inductee into the Canadian Livestock Auctioneer Hall of Fame. >> Contestants & Placings :: >> View Photos :: >> Hall of Fame Inductee: Ralph Vold
Also congratulations to Provost Livestock Exchange, awarded the Canadian Auction Mart of the Year by the Canadian Angus Association.

AB & SK PASTURE RECOVERY INITIATIVE PROGRAM FORMS
Forms to apply for the Alberta and Saskatchewan Pasture Recovery Initiative are available on each province's administering website: Alberta at Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC) and Saskatchewan at the Ministry of Agriculture. Designated drought regions and amounts are specified ($50 per pregnant beef female or breeding bull). Deadline date to apply is Sept. 1/10. Program details and background information can be found on Agriculture Canada's website in the document entitled 'AgriRecovery aids livestock producers facing drought'. It is estimated that there are more than 2.2 million breeding animals in the affected areas.

ALBERTA AGE VERIFICATION INCENTIVE PROGRAM FORMS
Forms to apply for the Alberta Age Verification Incentive Program are available on the Alberta Agriculture website HERE. RFID tags purchased Jan. 1/09 to June 30/10 for your 2009 beef calf crop qualify for the $3 reimbursement with proof of purchase and agreement to age verify all eligible calves. The program will continue until the end of 2012 with future incentives provided at point of sale. To learn more about the program, visit the Alberta Agriculture website or CLICK HERE.

ScientIsts Take animal breeding to the next level
University of Alberta scientists have successfully sequenced the genome of two influential bulls, one beef and one dairy. These are the first animals to have been fully sequenced in Canada and take Alberta to the forefront of livestock genomics science worldwide. Read the complete news release HERE.

'SPONSOR A STEAK FOR A SOLDIER' NEEDS YOUR HELP
Harvey and Jackie Dann of Alert Agri Distributors Inc. in Manitoba are asking for help to "Sponsor a Steak for a Returning Soldier & Their Loved One". The idea is to supply a great Canadian steak for servicemen and women returning from active duty at homecomings held at bases across the country. Over 12,000 steaks will be required over a two year period with ribeyes and New York strips on the menu. This is being organized to show the beef industy's recognition and appreciation for service while deployed in Afghanistan and other locations throughout the world as members of the Canadian Military. To learn more about the program or to contribute, CLICK HERE.

AG GROUP OFFERS INPUT ON USDA'S TRACEABILITY FRAMEWORK
Following USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack’s announcement that his department is changing its approach to developing a national animal identification system, the National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) has announced it will dedicate a portion of its annual meeting, to be held in Kansas City, MO March 15-17, to having industry representatives and participants offer needed input to State and Tribal officials as they begin the task of developing identification programs that will be compatible across state and tribal boundaries. Read the entire article HERE.

CANADIAN LIVESTOCK HERD AT LOWEST LEVEL IN DECADE
According to Statistics Canada hog farms and cattle herds in Canada and Alberta have shrunk to their lowest levels in more than a decade. The Calgary Herald reports Canadian exports of live cattle and calves fell 32 per cent last year, while slaughter levels fell four per cent. Read the full article HERE and the Canadian Cattlemen story HERE.

TABER, AB JUNIOR LIVESTOCK CLASSIC & STEER SHOW
SCHEDULED FOR OCT. 29/30, 2010
The Taber Junior Livestock Classic is open to Youth ages 21 years and under. The show is open to 2009 bred heifers, 2010 heifer calves and 2010 steers. Other activities include Showmanship, Sales Talk, Quiz Bowl, Print Marketing, Educational Displays, Photography and Others.
The Taber Steer Challenge is new for 2010 - this is open to calendar year calves for 2010 and all calves will come back in late Spring 2011 as finished steers for final Jackpot. Both the October 2010 and Spring 2011 shows will be a jackpot show.
If anyone is interested in more information please feel free to Contact Tracy Allen at 403-308-5964 or email.

Canadian bull congress ANOTHER SUCCESS
The Canadian Bull Congress in Camrose, AB this year enjoyed good weather and sold out crowds for the two day event. Reports say the event was such a succes that some exhibitors have already booked their space for next year. In 2011 a new component will be added to run a week before the congress entitled 'Cattle Preparation from Selection to Show Day'. Updates on this new event along with this year's winners are available on the CBC website, www.bullcongress.com (look for 'Results' in the left hand menu).

CATTLE NEED A RIDE? CHECK OUT Cowpool.ca
In all aspects of the purebred cattle business, efficient management practises have become a necessity of survival. One of the noticable expenditures is delivery of animals across the country. All too often, cattlemen are seen on the highway with half a load, or worse still, an empty back haul. Out of a brainstorming session with cattleman, came an idea to raise efficiency with no cost to producers - cowpool.ca.
Cattlemen are invited to go on the site and enter information and read what is already there. It is hoped it will encourage efficiency and help everyone save a few dollars. "During the busy bull sale season, I always get calls from producers wondering if I know of anyone hauling cattle one direction or another. We try to help guys get their loads together instead of everyone making individual trips, but you always hear of someone who just made the trip and could have taken a few more head. We thought by putting it on the net, we would be able to broaden the scope for longer hauls and access a larger pool of producers. I usually know what is happening in a few breeds, but if all breeds participate, the benefits will multiply," says Helge By, co-owner of By Livestock, the company behind the idea. "It just seemed a natural extension of the services we provide. We're always looking for ways to help." For further information contact: Helge By 306-536-4261.
(We think this is a terrific idea and fits right into the EverythingAngus philosophy. Be sure to visit cowpool.ca before you head out on that next long haul.)

"Environmentally Friendly" food myths debunked

A release from the University of Washington states that some well-intentioned consumer trends dubbed ecologically friendly are actually the opposite. Take grass-fed beef for instance. While growing in popularity "the time needed to grow an animal to slaughter weight is nearly double that of animals fed corn. This means that energy use and greenhouse gas emissions per pound of beef are increased three-fold in grass-fed beef cattle." Interesting reading. The full article by Jude Capper, Ph.D., assistant professor of dairy sciences, can be found HERE.

Are you buying Canadian Food?

According to the video "Choose Canadian" produced by the makers of Hellmann's Mayonnaise the chances are slim unless you make a conscious effort. Did you know that over a 15 year period our food imports have risen 160% while Canada's population only rose 15%? That includes a 600 (yes, I said 600) per cent rise in red meat imports over the last 40 years. That might just explain the current state of the beef industry in Canada.
To view the video, CLICK HERE or visit EatRealEatLocal.ca (newest version of Flash is required to view the Hellmann's site.) The video has been making the email rounds and is definitely worth passing on to all your city friends and contacts. To insert a link to the video in an email, link to the EverythingAngus "Where's the Beef" blog named Angus Beef Canada HERE: http://www.angusbeefcanada.blogspot.com (copy and paste). And remember to pass on your local sources of Angus Beef so city folks know where to find the good stuff.

Recipe for humour . . .

Ever made a pound cake? Or sent a male grocery shopping? If so, you'll appreciate this bit from comedian Jeanne Robertson. For the audio file, click the link below . It's worth every second!
- Thanks to Sharon Cooke for passing this on
AUDIO FILE:

Verified Beef Production workshops online

Beef producers across Canada wishing to participate in Canada's Verified Beef Production (VBP) on-farm food safety program can now complete their workshops online. "This new online workshop feature is designed to improve VBP workshop access for producers in remote areas and for others who simply prefer the convenience of online training," says Terry Grajczyk, national manager of the program.
The VBP program fits directly into the management of modern beef operations of every size and type, says Grajczyk. "VBP is a voluntary, producer-driven on-farm program designed to complement food safety programs in meat processing plants and at the retail level to manage food safety risks across the food chain," she says.
To read the full news release about the new service CLICK HERE. A list of provincial contacts can be found HERE.

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