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CSA Contacts
 #13, 4101-19th St. NE 
Calgary, AB T2E 7C4
Tel: 1 (866) 860-6051
Tel: (403) 250-7979
Fax: (403) 250-5121
  
General Manager
  
Office Manager

Programs Coordinator

YCSA Coordinator
 
Registry & Member Services

Reception & Office Administration 

Administrative Assistant
Simmental Country
  
General Manager
Bruce Holmquist
(639) 314-4613

Sales Representative
(403) 540-5949 

Programs Coordinator
(403) 793-0409
Board of Directors
  
Garth Rancier
President
Blair McRae
First Vice-President
Second Vice-President
  
Directors

Provincial
Association
Websites
  
  

 
Follow Us!
Canadian Simmental Association Enewsletter
February 2019
In This Issue
REGISTRY
 
THE HERD LETTER FOR 2019 IS "G"
 
NEOGEN CANA DA INC. NEW PROCESS USING HAIR CARDS 

Neogen Canada Inc. is replacing hair collection envelopes with HAIR SAMPLE CARDS, in order to eliminate loose hair samples received at lab which are very time consuming.  To assist in facilitating this change, the CSA office will now be sending you a Hair Card when you order a DNA test.  If you wish to have a supply hair cards on hand, please contact the office today and we will send them to you for the cost of postage only.  

Neogen will be adding a service fee to the testing cost as of May 1st for all loose hair samples sent in envelopes as we have previously done.     
 
Blood cards are also available for those who wish to take a sample by blood.
 
Click here to view the Neogen Hair and Blood sample instructions. 

In our new agreement with Neogen, the CSA has also added several combination tests at reduced rates (link to CSA fee schedule). Please review the options before contacting the office to order your testing kits.     
 
NEW CANADIAN SIMMENTAL ASSOCIATION FEE SCHEDULE

Click here to view the newest fee schedule as of January 22, 2019 
BREED IMPROVEMENT

DNA TESTING

As members move into bull buying/selling season there is a lot of activity testing bulls and animals for marketing or other reasons. There are more tests offered than ever before to CSA members, so let's sort through what the tests are, and which one is right for you.
The higher density tests GGP-50K and GGP uLD-30K provide parentage and are also used in the genetic evaluation to add accuracy and information to the calculated EPD. The Parentage Panels do not provide this benefit, other than ensuring that the pedigree is correct. AI sires, Herdsires and ET Donors require a GGP 50K test. The uLD panel is best suited for cattle that are well connected to the Simmental population and are not entering seedstock herds.
If you are only interested in parentage on a calf a Basic SNP or Parentage Plus panel can be ordered. While this will sort out parentage it does not provide any further information to the genetic evaluation about the animal being tested.
  1. Is this animal an AI Sire, Herdsire or ET Donor?  Order a GGP 50K - $45

2. Will this animal have a large impact on my herd? Order a GGP 50K - $45

 

3. Do I want to test for other traits such as Horned/Polled, Homo Black?

             Order a GGP 50K with Additional Traits as Required
                50K, Horned/Polled                       $55
                50K, Coat Colour Homo Black      $50
                50K, Coat Colour Dilutor               $50
                50K, Horn/Poll, Homo Black          $60
                50K, Horn/Poll, Dilutor                   $60

 

4. Is this animal a unique pedigree or out-cross to the mainstream population?

            Order a GGP 50K - $45

 

5. Do I want additional EPD accuracy and confirmation of parentage without needing additional trait information?

            Order GGP uLD 30K- $35

 

6. only require parentage confirmation?

Order Basic or Parentage Plus Panel-  $20

In most cases the additional investment in the GGP uLD 30K or GGP 50K panel is warranted. These panels provide all of the parentage information and contribute to the EPD evaluation. The GGP 50K tests when paired with specific trait tests are also a cost effective way to obtain specific trait information and enhance the EPD of the animals and are cheaper in combination than performing a standalone trait test and then requiring a 50K or parentage at a later date.

Genetic Evaluation - Impact of GGP 50K on genetic evaluation
While it is essential to continue to collect and record trait information, the following table shows the equivalent number of progeny required to boost the EPD accuracy the same amount that a GGP 50K test does.

Trait
Progeny
Trait
Progeny
CE
15
Stay
25
BW
21
CW
6
WW
22
REA
5
YW
24
Fat
6
MCE
3
Marb
8
Milk
18


SIMMENTAL RFID TAGS NOW AVAILABLE IN BOTH ALLFLEX AND ZTAG BRANDS 

2019 CSA DIRECTOR ELECTION PROCESS & NOMINATION FORMS 

2019 Election Process & Nomination form for election to the CSA Board of Directors can be found at www.simmental.com 

Three Canadian Simmental Association (CSA) Director Positions Open
A total of three CSA Director positions are open in three regions as follows:
Alberta (one seat): Roger Deeg (eligible for re-election)
Saskatchewan (one seat): Marlin LeBlanc (eligible for re-election)
Ontario (one seat): Larry Barkley (eligible for re-election)
Election Timeline
April 12, 2019: Nominations for election of Directors shall be received by the CSA one hundred and twenty days prior to the Annual General Meeting (AGM).

May 10, 2019: Ballots shall be mailed to eligible CSA Members by regular mail at least ninety days prior to the AGM.

June 11, 2019: Members must return their completed ballot to the CSA by mail postmarked at least sixty days prior to the AGM.

June 26, 2019: The valid ballots received from Voting Members shall be opened and counted.

August 10, 2019: Newly elected Directors will assume their responsibilities immediately following the CSA Annual General Meeting.
 
Eligibility
To be nominated for election and elected on the CSA Board as a Director, the nominee shall:

a)  be an individual
b)  be a resident of the region for which the Director is being nominated to represent;
c)  be an Active Member in good standing or a representative of an Active Member               in good standing;
d)  be 18 years of age or older
e)  not be an employee or contractor of the CSA; and
f)    be a Canadian citizen.
 
Nominations
Nominations for any election of Director shall be:

a)  R eceived by the Association no later than one hundred and twenty days                 prior to the Annual General Meeting.
b)  Each nominee will required to provide for enclosure with the  ballot a brief                         factual statement of her/his service and qualifications.
SIMMENTAL COUNTRY NEWS
   
To book your advertising space
Please call Randy @ 403-540-5949 or Sue @ 403-793-0409

Contract Information
Contracts are available for 4 issue full pages, 7 issue full pages and 7 issue 1/2 page. Please contact Randy Bollum for further questions.
Click here for contract information.
 
Membership Announcements
Please send any membership announcements to  [email protected]
 
What's Happening
If you'd like to have your sale or event listed in 'What's Happening' in Simmental Country and on the website please send to Sue
For a listing of Simmental events visit the Simmental Country website.    
 
FRIENDS OF CANADIAN SIMMENTAL FOUNDATION 
 
2019 Foundation Friend- Barlee Simmentals 


The Friends of Canadian Simmental Foundation are very excited to announce the 2019 Friend of the Foundation and donor of the Lot 1 Bred Heifer to our annual Fundraising Auction on August 10, 2019. Thank you to Jerry & Laurie Barber for their most generous donation and support of the Foundation. Barlee Simmentals is a family owned operation from Shawville, Quebec. They have a small herd of purebred Simmentals and enjoy attending various shows in the summer and fall.

To learn more about this years Friend please visit http://www.simmentalfoundation.com/
YOUNG CANADIAN SIMMENTAL ASSOCIATION

SAVE THE DATE! YCSA National Classic August 7-11, 2019 in Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec!

The 2018 National YCSA Classic will be proudly hosted in Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec August 7-11, 2019. The Classic will be held in conjunction with the 2019 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 [email protected].

CSA OFFICE HOLIDAY SCHEDULE
  
Office Holiday Schedule

Monday-February 18th- Family Day 
Friday- April 19th- Good Friday 
Monday- May 20th- Victoria Day 
Monday- July 1st- Canada Day 
Monday- August 5th- Civic Holiday 
Monday- September 2nd- Labour Day 
Monday- October 14th- Thanksgiving 
Monday- November 11th- Remembrance Day 
Wednesday- December 25th- Christmas Day