January 2024 Simmental E-News

REGISTRY

THE HERD LETTER FOR 2025 IS "N"

Annual membership and administration fees were billed on January 2, 2025. If you do not have a credit card on file at CSA, payment is due upon receipt of invoice. CSA accepts credit cards, cheques, cash and e-transfers.

E-TRANSFERS - Recipient is Canadian Simmental Association / email bjudd@simmental.com. INCLUDE your CSA account number AND SECURITY ANSWER in e-transfer message in order for us to accept and deposit into correct account.

DNA Hair Card Reminder

When submitting your hair samples to Neogen, the hair cards themselves have the details Neogen needs to process them, providing the lab application is also provided at same time. When used correctly, the hair follicles are fully secured inside the card with the adhesive provided. Submitting your hair samples in an extra envelope takes extra time in the lab and you may be charged an additional lab fee. If an envelope in used in place of hair card there will be an additional service fee charge to your account from the lab. If you have any questions, please contact the Registry office.

PERCENTAGE REVIEWS AND PEDIGREE RESEARCH

When requesting percentage reviews and/or pedigree research, please do so at least 3 business days prior to needing the information so that the office has time to accomodate everyone during busy seasons.

CANADIAN SIMMENTAL ASSOCIATION WELCOMES TWO NEW MEMBERS TO THE TEAM

Jennifer Scott has joined the The Canadian Simmental Association (CSA) to their staff in the role of Young Canadian Simmental Association (YCSA) Programs Coordinator. Jennifer’s primary responsibilities will be administering and further developing the YCSA program.

Contact Information: ycsacoordinator@simmental.com 902-968-1285

Dwayne Martin has joined the Canadian Simmental Association staff as their new advertising sales representative of Simmental Country magazine and looks forward to meeting all the producers.

Contact information: dmartin@simmental.com

780-940-3510

BREED IMPROVEMENT

Ultrasound

Now is a great time of year to start planning carcass ultrasound for your yearling animals. Ultrasound data must be collected by a certified technician and interpreted by a certified lab. Ultrasound results directly contribute to the carcass EPD on your animals through the IGS evaluation. Scans should be taken on animals between 270 and 500 days of age. A good place to start for those that are interested is to consider scanning your replacement heifer pen. This has the added benefit of establishing a carcass baseline for your cow herd going forward.

A list of certified technicians can be found at:

https://ultrasoundguidelinescouncil.org/

Calving Data

As you enter your calving data a couple of key points. It is important to try to record data on every calf. If data is entered as calving season progresses (eg: daily) please remember that data is sent to the genetic evaluation every week and EPD on calves may change as new data is provided to the evaluation and contemporary groups change.

DNA on New Herdsires

Please remember that herdsires require varying levels of DNA testing in order to register calves. Please take the time as you are making new sire purchases this spring to collect and submit DNA samples for testing prior to the breeding season.