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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
Marlin LeBlanc
First Vice-President
Second Vice-President
  
Directors

Provincial
Association
Websites
  
  

 
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Canadian Simmental Association Enewsletter
October 2019
In This Issue


REGISTRY

THE HERD LETTER FOR 2019 IS "G"

CSA Mail Out 
 
This month member packages will be mailed out to all active CSA members. Included in the package is the 2020 female enrollment forms for THE participants, online enrollment instructions for online Simmental.com users, and application for registration forms for non-THE (registration only) members. 
Please note, online Simmental.com users will not receive female enrollment forms in this package. THE participants using the online system are required to submit enrollments through the online program. Deadline for 2020 female enrollment submission at the regular fee is December 15, 2019. If you are not a THE participant but wish to join the program, please call our office today. 

TOTAL HERD ENROLLMENT 2ND INSTALLMENT BILLING WAS INVOICED ON OCTOBER 1st
 
** Members with credit cards on file with CSA - please note the 2nd half of your THE fees owing have been processed at the time of billing.
** Members without credit cards on file, payment is due upon receipt of invoice.
 
CREDIT CARD USERS
 
Please ensure your credit card information is current in the office. If your card expires or you
change numbers, please contact the office so we can continue to process all your work with no delays. Online.Simmental.com users are required to keep a valid working credit card on file with the CSA.

SIMMENTAL ONLINE- DID YOU KNOW?  
THE - Performance Weight Entries - Can they be completed after an animal has been registered?
 
a)   You can enter them one at a time under My Weaning &/or My Yearling

 
b)   Or,  you may opt to enter them using the - NEW!! My Weaning/Yearling  (List Entry) options.  This is especially useful if they all have the same Mgt Group (WMGN) & weigh dates (Wng Date) as you can enter the information as default values and those two fields are then populated automatically and applied when you click on the Save button at the bottom of the displayed entry screen.   Note:  The following example below is assuming that you are entering weights for 2019-born animals.
 
BREED IMPROVEMENT

Fall Data Gathering

As calves are being weaned and weighed this fall, data will be entered into the CSA system and incorporated into each animal's IGS evaluation. It is extremely important to report weights on all the calves that are weaned (including the duds) and to identify any management group differences between animals.
The reasons for complete reporting are many, but 2 keys are evaluation of maternal ability and the elimination of reporting bias. Sustained cow life could be described as "successfully weaned a calf for X years". Failing to report a weaning record on a calf, unfairly biases the dam's performance record downward. Secondly, only reporting the top calves in a group means that they are artificially downgraded when calculating their performance relative to the group. A simple example is shown below.
 
Calf
Birthdate
Sex
WWT
Mgt Grpt
Sire
Dev
Dev 2
A
Jan 1
M
850
1
Z
+100
+50
B
Jan 15
M
750
1
Y
0
-50
C
Jan 15
M
650
1
Z
-100
 
 
If the breeder reports all the calves, the heaviest calf (A) is 100 pounds heavier than the group average (Dev). If the breeder decides Calf C is not worth registering so does not report his weight, Calf A now has a deviation (Dev 2) of only 50 pounds above group average, and Calf B that was average is now at -50. This can adversely affect the evaluation of all the cattle.
 
Management group numbers are used to identify calves that are managed in the same way between calving and weaning. Simply identify those calves that had the same opportunity with the same management group number. Management groups are further divided into Contemporary Groups which are key to genetic evaluation. Fair evaluation is difficult if calves that are given a preferential environment are compared directly with calves that have not had the same opportunity.

Complete Data and DNA
 
High density DNA tests are increasingly popular with CSA members. The tests have the ability to provide parentage information and feedback on specific traits (example: Homo Black), but also to contribute to increased accuracy of genetic evaluation for a variety of traits. It is more important than ever given this technology to ensure that we do a good job of collecting complete phenotypes (performance data) on full contemporary groups of cattle. Currently as you are weaning, preg-testing and completing the THE enrolment forms that are either online or headed out in the mail fairly shortly, please be sure to complete information on all calves where possible and complete breeding information, even on those that may have been preg-tested open.
This not only helps the current evaluation but allows us to continue to improve the power of DNA technology. In the genetic evaluation, DNA works by associating specific pieces (SNPs) of DNA with a trait response. For example, if an animal has SNP ABC at position 1 then it will have more growth than if it has version ABB. Over time, as breeders select a trait (in any direction) the prevalence of specific SNPs will increase and they will thus become less informative. By continuing to collect complete phenotypic data, we can continue to re-examine how much information various SNPs provide and continue to maintain and advance the power of the SNP panel results.
 
Remember, when you are completing your THE, weaning and other performance information this fall, you are also doing your part to improve the power of DNA.
CANADIAN SIMMENTAL ASSOCIATION'S INFLUENCE ON PAINT AT SHOWS 

During the 2019 Summer Board of Director Meetings, the CSA Directors made the decision that the CSA will NOT have any influence on the use of paint at any cattle shows across Canada. The decisions of paint use will be left up to the provincial associations or show committees.
There are no rules in the CSA Award of Excellence program that indicate paint can or cannot be used.

  For any questions please contact Bruce- bholmquist@simmental.com 
2019 Award of Excellence Qualifying Shows 

For complete rules and regulations visit www.simmental.com
CSA INTRODUCING PERSONALIZED SIMMENTAL DANGLE TAGS
 
SIMMENTAL COUNTRY NEWS

December Simmental Country Magazine Deadlines
 
The last issue of Simmental Country for 2019 is the December book - perfect timing for the end of the year production sales, your ads to tell prospective buyers about your sale consignments, a year-end thank you to valued customers, Christmas card to all your friends, or a head start on the bull sale and semen sales time of year.
 
Ad booking deadline: October 15
Camera-ready ads in: October 23
 
Contact Randy Bollum to discuss your ads or to book your space.
Randy Bollum  
(403)540-5949  cell.

Did someone get married this summer or have baby let us know and send any membership announcements to
FRIENDS OF CANADIAN SIMMENTAL FOUNDATION 

2019 Scholarships

FCSF would like to than k everyone who applied for the 2019 Scholarships. FCSF saw many applications come in from enthusiastic students looking to further their  education in the agriculture field .

Stay tuned for this years winners which will be announced later this month.

YOUNG CANADIAN SIMMENTAL ASSOCIATION

Join us for the 2020 T.E.A.M Conference next February!
Contact Kelsey for more information.
CSA OFFICE HOLIDAY SCHEDULE
  
Office Holiday Schedule
 
Monday- October 14th- Thanksgiving 
Monday- November 11th- Remembrance Day 
Wednesday- December 25th- Christmas Day