Industry Delegation Promotes Canadian Beef Cattle in China
For immediate release: Calgary, Alberta
August 20, 2018
INDUSTRY DELEGATION PROMOTES CANADIAN BEEF CATTLE IN CHINA
At the invitation of the China Agricultural University- Beef Cattle Research Center, several representatives of the Canadian beef cattle industry presented at the 3rd China’s National Symposium on Applied Techniques and Industry Economics in Beef Production from July 27-29, 2018.
Representing the Canadian Beef Breeds Council in the symposium were Michael Latimer, Executive Director- Canadian Beef Breeds Council; Garner Deobald, Past President- Canadian Beef Breeds Council; Brian Good, Director of Field Service- Canadian Angus Association; Bruce Holmquist, General Manager- Canadian Simmental Association; Doug Mann, President- Canadian Hereford Association; Stephen Scott, General Manager- Canadian Hereford Association; Mel Reekie, General Manager- Canadian Charolais Association; Anne Brunet-Burgess, General Manager- Canadian Cattle Identification Agency.
The delegates formally presented information on several aspects of Canadian beef cattle production and genetic improvement within the production chain to the approximately 450 symposium attendees. The topics included a general overview of the structure of the beef cattle industry, traceability of livestock in Canada, adapting breeds for regional environments and markets, data collection and use in genetic evaluations, and breed association role in maintaining accurate pedigrees. There were numerous other presenters from Canada as well as the United States, Ireland and China.
The second annual China-Canada Beef Industry Alliance meeting was held during the symposium and highlighted the activities that have taken place between Canada and China over the past year which included an outbound mission to attend Farmfair International in Edmonton in November 2017 as well as an inbound technical session with Canadian Angus CEO-Rob Smith and Travis Olson, OLE Farms in April 2018.
The delegates were invited to visit several farms in China including the China Agriculture University research farm in Beijing and the Kingbull Farm in Xi’An China. The ability to visit the farms and hold technical discussions assisted in initiating a dialogue that provided a practical understanding of beef cattle production in China. It is evident that China is looking to modernize beef cattle production in order to provide for a population of 1.4 billion.
“Canada has enjoyed a long and successful history of exporting genetics and beef products to China,” said Latimer. “We currently have access for bovine semen and embryos, as well as a wide range of beef products, which we are hopeful will be expanded to include live cattle in the near future.”
The Canadian Beef Breeds Council (CBBC) represents the Canadian purebred cattle industry. Its members include national breed associations that in turn represent producers of breeding stock. Associate CBBC members are exporters and service providers. The Canadian Beef Breeds Council exists to represent & promote Canadian pedigreed beef cattle genetics domestically and internationally. The Canadian Beef Breeds Council is the recognized representative of Canadian seed stock producers by government and industry, while effectively promoting Canada as the source of quality beef cattle genetics.
www.beefbreeds.ca
For more information, contact:
Michael Latimer, Executive Director, Canadian Beef Breeds Council
mlatimer@beefbreeds.ca | (cell) 403-861-7772
Rob Matthews Receives Don Matthews Memorial Award
CALGARY, ALBERTA Rob Matthews was awarded the Don Matthews Memorial Award at the Annual General Meeting of the Canadian Beef Breeds Council on March 28, 2018.
The Don Matthews Memorial Award was instituted in honour of the late Don Matthews, a Past President of CBBC as well as many other accomplishments including the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame. The award is presented annually by the Canadian Beef Breeds Council to an individual who exemplifies excellence and passion in the purebred beef cattle industry.
The influence Rob has had on the Canadian cattle industry is a little like “climbing Mount Everest”, says CBBC Director David Sibbald. “A daunting challenge that only a select few ever accomplish. Rob’s legacy of influence is legendary and something we all should be proud of.”
After graduating from University, Rob joined the family in the operating of Highland Stock Farm, a purebred Angus and mixed farming operation. From this point forward, Rob’s influence on the farm and his numerous other endeavours had a profound impact on beef cattle production in Canada.
Rob’s influence at Highland Stock Farm soon took shape and as it shifted from being primarily an Angus operation to expanding into a new frontier as pioneers of the Limousin breed in Canada. As early importers of Limousin cattle, Highland Stock Farms soon established their place as leaders in the breed. Rob’s influence and dedication to the Limousin breed is unmatched. He was among the first to introduce polled and black genetics into the breed and was one of the first breeders to utilize embryo transfer technology. With the help of his good friend Dr. Murray Jacobson, the first Limousin embryo calf was born at Highland in 1973 and the first Angus embryo calf was born at Highland in 1975.
The Canadian Beef Breeds Council is extremely proud of the accomplishments that Rob Matthews has made toward beef cattle production in Canada and is honoured to present him an award named in memory of his late father.
The vision of CBBC is to be the world leader in developing profitable and sustainable beef cattle genetics. Its mission is to be the catalyst advancing the Canadian beef cattle seedstock sector through unified representation, strategic alliances and implementation of innovative technology.
The mandate of CBBC is to support the Canadian seedstock sector by developing partnerships that advance genetic improvement, research, extension services, information dissemination and our role in Canada’s National Beef Strategy; promote Canadian beef genetics both domestically and internationally by identifying market opportunities and facilitating market development; and represent the Canadian seedstock sector to government by advocating effective policy and ensuring market access and enhanced competitiveness.
For more information:
Michael Latimer, Executive Director, Canadian Beef Breeds Council mlatimer@beefbreeds.ca T: 403.730.0350 C: 403.861.7772
Canadian Beef Breeds Council holds its 24th Annual General Meeting
Canadian Beef Breeds Council’s 24th Annual General Meeting was held in the Best Western Port O’ Call Hotel and was well attended by members, associates and guests.
CBBC is pleased to announce that Roger Peters was elected President, Jay Cross Vice President, and Myles Immerkar as new director. The newly elected Board of Directors are:
Roger Peters-President, Jay Cross-Vice President, and the following Directors: David Sibbald, Bruce Holmquist, Mel Reekie, Rod Remin, Stephen Scott, Rob Smith, Reed Rigney, Tessa Verbeek, and Myles Immerkar.
President Garner Deobald indicated “CBBC is at a critical strategic point in the future development of the seedstock sector in advancing our goals of producing the world’s best purebred cattle and increasing market share in sales of purebred cattle, semen and embryos, both domestically and internationally.”
The vision of CBBC is to be the world leader in developing profitable and sustainable beef cattle genetics. Its mission is to be the catalyst advancing the Canadian beef cattle seedstock sector through unified representation, strategic alliances and implementation of innovative technology.
The mandate of CBBC is to support the Canadian seedstock sector by developing partnerships that advance genetic improvement, research, extension services, information dissemination and our role in Canada’s National Beef Strategy; promote Canadian beef genetics both domestically and internationally by identifying market opportunities and facilitating market development; and represent the Canadian seedstock sector to government by advocating effective policy, and ensuring market access and enhanced competitiveness.
For information please contact
Michael Latimer, Executive Director
E: mlatimer@beefbreeds.ca
T:403.730.0350
C:403.861.7772