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 #13, 4101-19th St. NE 
Calgary, AB T2E 7C4
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Tel: (403) 250-7979
Fax: (403) 250-5121
  
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Bruce Holmquist
(639) 314-4613

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(403) 540-5949 

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(403) 793-0409
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Garth Rancier
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Marlin LeBlanc
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Canadian Simmental Association Enewsletter

April 2020

We hope this monthly e-news finds members of the Canadian Simmental Community safe and healthy. This is a time when we see and hear how communities care and support one-another and know the Simmental Community is one that steps up to meet the challenges.

The Canadian Simmental Association is considered an essential business therefore we remain open and are operating under the parameters provided by Alberta Health Services. We are happy to assist you, however ask that you communicate by phone or email, rather than by office visit. 
 
We continue to encourage members to use paperless options and online members to take advance of the "My held papers for Print or Transfer" option when possible, such as sale animals you will be transferring. Simmental Online users can now also order DNA kits through their online accounts. 
 
In This Issue
REGISTRY

THE HERD LETTER FOR 2020 IS "H"
 
Total Herd Enrollment (THE) Billing (1st Installment)
Total Herd Enrollment (THE) participants were billed for the 1st THE installment on April 1st for 2020 enrollment. Payment is due upon receipt of invoice. For members with a credit card on file at the office, fees will automatically be billed to your credit card. The 2nd THE installment will be invoiced October 1st.
 
Please note that in the event an enrolled cow is shipped or sold between installment billings, the second installment is still due and payable by the member who enrolled the cow. For further information/instructions on Total Herd Enrollment, please go to  www.simmental.com 
under Registry | Total Herd Enrollment (THE).

Paperless Options
Online Members - This feature is located under My Account, Details\Options, Internet Options, Internet Privacy Options - you may then click on Deliver invoices via email and/or Default all registrations as held for online transfer. Lastly, click the Save button at the bottom of the screen. 
Regular Paper Members - If you have a valid email on file, call our office to let us know if you want to receive invoices  and performance reports.  You may opt for invoices only, collection sheets/reports only, or both. 
  
Online Members Buyer Numbers for Transfers
Online Members can access their buyers history under online tools - NEW!! Buyer History.  This report includes and can be sorted by buyer name, address, Herd (Account Number), dates of sale, gender and number of head.   For any new commercial buyers who are not on your list, contact our office with their name and complete address. 

Heifer Rebate Program 

BREED IMPROVEMENT  

DNA Test Results
Members who have tested Simmental animals for homo polled or colour tests through accredited labs other than Neogen, can send the results in to the CSA where they will be entered on the animal and displayed on the animal pedigree search site.

DNA Testing Heifers
The CSA will provide a $10 credit for the parentage testing of first calf heifers that are enrolled in 2020. This program is available on a first come, first served basis.

Online DNA Request
A reminder that DNA tests can now be ordered directly from the online system. Please check back on last months Enews or the online help for detailed descriptions of the tests and how to order.

EPD News
The CSA has adopted a policy where new EPD for traits collected by CSA members will be displayed on the member only access area of the online system. This will allow members to examine EPD on animals for which they have been collecting information and to use that information in selection decisions if deemed appropriate. The numbers are available for breeder use in whatever fashion they feel fits their breeding program, while avoiding potential confusion of adding additional traits to the public search engines.

IGS Updates
International Genetic Solutions (IGS) is the provider that calculates our EPD. They continue to advance the science of genetic evaluation and improve the system. Work has recently been completed on improving the imputation process (what we use to make DNA tests as powerful as possible) and DNA tests now provide more information than ever before. As well, the IGS group is currently working on adding 5 new groups to the genetic evaluation and has done a lot of work on developing and sharing educational resources across partner breeds. Recent work done looking at the MILK EPD shows that the IGS evaluation is predicting actual calf performance due to milk with a significantly better degree of accuracy than previous evaluations. The evaluations done at IGS will continue to improve over time. As members, some of the best contributions that can be made are to submit complete data sets (weights on all your calves) and to ask questions if there are EPD that don't "fit" what you are seeing at home.
BEEF IMPROVEMENT FEDERATION TRANSITIONING TO ONLINE SYMPOSIUM  FOR 2020

This year's BIF Research Symposium and Convention moves to virtual event scheduled for the week of June 8th 2020.

The Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) board of directors along with the Florida 2020 BIF Research Symposium and Convention committee  has been closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation, with particular consideration to its effect on this year's convention.
 
"Due to increasing concerns around this evolving situation and standing by our commitment to keeping the safety of our participants, volunteers and partners as our top priority - we've made the decision to transition this year's conference to an online format,"announces Tommy Clark, BIF president.
 
BIF leadership is in the process of planning an updated symposium online. At this time the virtual event will be hosted online the week of June 8th.
 
For details regarding the online conference as they develop, visit
http://www.beefimprovement.org Prior to and during this year's symposium, be sure to follow the event on social media channels using the hashtag #BIF2020.
World Simmental Fleckvieh Congress 2020 Update

Due to the necessary health and travel restrictions caused by the Covid-19 virus, the World Simmental Fleckvieh Federation Congress that was planned for September 2020 in Austria has been postponed until later in 2021. 
Click here for more information
NEOGEN UPDATE
 
Hair and Blood cards, Allflex tissue applicators and TSU's (tissue sample units) are available through the CSA office. 



GET a 2D Barcode Scanner for FREE - below see special offer by Neogen Canada

 

Simmental Blue RFID Tags Available at CCIA 
 
Friends of Canadian Simmental Foundation 
 
Interested in Donating an item to this year's Foundation Auction?

Friends of Canadian Simmental Foundation is a Registered Canadian Charity focused on three key areas: youth development, scholarships and research.  Our main source of funding for the Foundation has been through our Annual Auction held in conjunction with the Annual meeting of the Canadian Simmental Association. We will be holding the 14th Annual Foundation Auction, Saturday  July 25th, 2020 in Portage La Prairie, Manitoba. 
 
Donators will receive recognition in the Simmental Country magazine, e-newsletters, the FCSF website, auction sale catalog, social media and during the event. The auction is broad casted around the world, live on  www.DLMS.ca .  Donators will receive a charitable tax receipt for the amount the item sells for.
 
If you are interested in donating an item in this year's Auction please email  fcsf@simmental.com
YOUNG CANADIAN SIMMENTAL ASSOCIATION
 
The 2020 National YCSA Classic will be proudly hosted in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba from July 23-26. The Classic will be held in conjunction with the 2020 Canadian Simmental Association Convention. Please keep your eyes open for the latest information, as this will be another fantastic opportunity to take part in a leading national youth event!

If you are interested in being a sponsor of the National Classic, please email kmanske@simmental.com.

SIMMENTAL COUNTRY NEWS
   
Membership Announcements
Please send any membership announcements to  sgiles@simmental.com   
MONTHLY COWBOY QUIP
   
A new addition to monthly e-news, a little humor to brighten your day


2020 CSA OFFICE HOLIDAY SCHEDULE  
 
Friday, April 10th- Good Friday 
Monday, May 18th- Victoria Day 
Wednesday, July 1st- Canada Day 
Monday, August 3rd- Civic Day 
Monday, September 7th- Labour Day 
Monday, October 12th- Thanksgiving 
Wednesday, November 11th- Remembrance Day 
Friday, December 25th- Christmas Day 
Friday, January 1st- New Years Day