Announcement of Additional BIXS Funding

CCA welcomes Minister Ritz to AGM, announcement of additional BIXS funding

March 08, 2012

Ottawa ON - The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) is pleased that Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) Minister Gerry Ritz today came to the CCA’s annual general meeting in Ottawa to announce that the Beef InfoXchange System (BIXS) will receive an additional $3 million in federal funding.

The funds will be used to expand the program to ensure crucial data is incorporated into the BIXS data base. CCA President Travis Toews said the ability to flow more data into the BIXS data base will complete the circle of information, and provide the incentive for producers to participate.

“This expansion of the BIXS program is precisely what the Canadian cattle industry has been waiting for and I thank Minister Ritz for his support for the BIXS data base,” Toews said.

BIXS is an individual animal and carcass data information exchange system developed by the CCA and the Canadian Beef Breeds Council as an integral part of the Canadian Beef Advantage, with funding provided through AAFC’s Agriculture Flexibility Fund. The $3 million announced today is in addition to the original AgriFlexibility Fund contribution of $5.36 million announced last March for the development and implementation of the BIXS program.

In addition to the BIXS announcement, Minister Ritz also re-confirmed both the Government of Canada’s and his commitment to opening international markets for Canadian livestock, beef and beef products. He highlighted the very important recent market access openings for beef in Korea and beef tallow in China.

“We are very pleased that Minister Ritz shares the CCA’s view that access to global markets is a top priority. He has worked tirelessly to open markets for Canadian beef and we will continue to support him as he persists in those efforts,” Toews said.


For further information, contact:
Gina Teel
Communications Manager
Canadian Cattlemen’s Association
403-275-8558 x 406 | 403-875-3616
teelg@cattle.ca | www.cattle.ca

Beef production protocols for the EU Market

On January 1st, 2012, Canada implemented a new protocol for the production of cattle used to produce beef for the European Union (EU) market. While the requirement to ensure that no Growth Enhancing Products (GEP) are used in animals for the EU remains firmly in place, significant progress has been made to reduce paperwork and other costs of participation. Among the most important changes is the removal of the requirement for a dedicated EU program ear tag. In the past, the protocol specified that a special EU tag be placed in the animal's ear in addition to the Canadian Cattle Identification Agency (CCIA) tag. This change reduces costs for participants and also the logistical challenges of securing these tags from a single supplier.

Another important attribute of the new approach is that it permits sales of EU eligible animals at the auction mart. Given the numbers of animals sold at auction, it is important that Canadian producers be able to utilize this option in the same manner as EU protocols implemented in Australia and the U.S. currently permit. Simplified requirements for testing and monitoring on the farm have also been put into place which reduces the cost of labour and also expenses related to veterinary oversight.

While significant progress has been made at the livestock production level, further improvements regarding EU-approved slaughter protocols are needed in order to get more facilities approved for the EU and to help those that are already approved operate more efficiently. For example, under the current EU requirements it is not possible to use the antimicrobial treatments that many processors rely on. These include organic acid washes which are sprayed onto carcasses and cuts. Currently the use of lactic acid is being considered in the EU following a positive recommendation by the European Food Safety Authority. The approval process has been slow to proceed and it remains to be seen when this type of intervention will be an option for beef exported to the EU.

The importance of antimicrobial interventions will continue to grow as new microbiological testing requirements for the U.S. market are implemented in March of this year. Accordingly, the CCA will continue to work towards further results on these technical issues so that the Canadian industry is able to take full advantage of the free trade agreement currently being negotiated with the EU.

Beef up market intelligence: Cattle producers may gain access to new data

By Barbara Duckworth, Calgary bureau December 2, 2011

Canadian cattle producers may gain market intelligence they have not previously enjoyed if the newly launched Beef InfoXchange System does its job.

BIXS is an individual animal and carcass data information system developed by the Canadian Cattlemen's Association to improve the flow of information among cow-calf producers, feedlots, processors, restaurants and value chains.

It was launched this fall.

Producers attach information to a unique animal identification number housed in an electronic ear tag. The information is kept private in the BIXS controlled database.

"There was a thought we could use this tag for something good," said BIXS co-ordinator Larry Thomas, who started working on the program three years ago.

"The tool is in the ears of these cows to move information around."

Thomas said no other business allows producers to remain in the dark about what happened to their product as well as its quality and consumer acceptance.

Focus groups with cow-calf and seedstock producers, feedlots and processors were held to let BIXS designers know what users need from such a system.

It was agreed the program had to be voluntary, confidential and easy to use.

Producers who add their cattle to the online database need to provide the Canadian Cattle Identification Agency ear tag number, birth date or month when the calf was born and the producer's account number to validate the information. They also need to say whether they participate in the on-farm food safety program known as verified beef production.

"There is a feeling one of the first end market draws will be for products sourced from an on-farm food safety chain," he said.

The program will also handle age verification.

As well, room is available for optional information on vaccination programs, which products were used, weaning weights, castration and how it was done.

Animal health records can be added, which could be shared with producers to see how their animals performed at the feedlot. Packers could return details on carcass grades and yields as the system expands.

Many producers keep extensive records, but the key to completing the information circle was learning how they did at the time of slaughter.

"It is one thing to get the information back, it is another thing to make sure you are moving correctly on the information," he said.

Thomas said participants indicate how much information they want to share, but BIXS may not be for producers who aren't interested in sharing information.

There is no guarantee participants will make more money, but the program could match cow-calf operations to a feedlot, restaurant or processor looking for specific types of animals.

A buyer can list certain requirements and send a query to BIXS. The manager of the data scans the database and informs a producer that he matches the criteria for a certain buyer.

"The person who launches the query is never informed of the results of that query," Thomas said. "The consent solely rests on the producer."

Producers may work with others to enrol cattle in BIXS and interpret the information so that strategic decisions can be made. The first year of information is not enough to make changes, but several years of data can build trends.

Cow-calf producers interested in the program can visit bixs.cattle.ca/. To get started, click on the BIXS login and registration box on the main page. Producers will also find a registration guide, which provides full instructions.

Source: http://www.producer.com/Daily-News/Article.aspx?aid=42769

Note: The registration page for CBBC BIXS is: https://www.bixs.ca/en/web/cbbc/guest/registration

Farm Credit Canada Economic Outlook

Check out the online video from Farm Credit Canada :

http://www.fcc-fac.ca/newsletters/fcc_emails/20111124_economic_e.html

CBBC Congratulates Canadian Simmental Association

$375,000 INVESTMENT IN CANADIAN BEEF RESEARCH

Today, at Canadian Western Agribition, Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister Bob Bjornerud announced $375,000 in funding for a beef genomics research project led by the Canadian Simmental Association.

“Research is an important part of our agriculture industry and essential to ensuring our farmers and ranchers remain at the forefront of production throughout the world,” Bjornerud said. “This funding will improve the competitiveness of our beef industry and help producers continue to provide safe, high-quality products to feed a growing world population.”

The Enhancing Canadian Beef Production through Genomic Innovation project aims to develop genetic selection tools that will allow producers to better identify and utilize superior genetics to improve the quality of their product. The project will initially identify superior genetics within Simmental-influenced cattle to improve carcass compositions and beef quality. The tools developed by this project are not limited to Simmental breeds and will benefit the entire cattle industry.

The project has also received funding from the Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency as well as Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

“This generous contribution from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, the Canadian Simmental Association, and our project partners allows us to continue to work to ensure Canada’s seedstock sector is at the forefront of genetic research and ultimately global competitiveness,” past Canadian Simmental Association president Rick McIntyre said. “This project will assist all Canadian cattle producers in our ongoing efforts to supply premium beef to both the domestic and international marketplaces.”

Provincial funding was provided through the Agriculture Development Fund (ADF). ADF provides funding to help institutions, companies and industry organizations conduct research, development and value-added activities that will benefit Saskatchewan farmers and ranchers. In 2011, the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture committed $14.5 million for 71 ADF projects.

For more information about ADF, visit www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/ADF. For more information on the Canadian Simmental Association, visit www.simmental.com.

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For more information, contact:

Patrick Boyle Agriculture Regina Phone: 306-787-2359 Email: Patrick.Boyle@gov.sk.ca

U.S Meat Labelling Law Ruling "Positive"

WTO decision expected to be announced today

By Rod Nickel, Reuters November 18, 2011 4:06 AM

Canada can expect "significant positive news" today from a World Trade Organization ruling about a U.S. meat labelling law, government sources said Thursday.

The law requires U.S. packers to label meat with the name of country it is from, raising their costs and discouraging imports of cattle and hogs.

Trade Minister Ed Fast and Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz will hold a news conference today at an Airdrie ranch, where they will announce "significant positive news" for livestock producers, according to a government advisory.

A senior government source said the announcement will be the WTO's final ruling on the labelling law.

The country of origin labelling law, also called COOL, came into effect in 2008, prompting a sharp drop in U.S. cattle and hog imports from Canada.

Ottawa challenged the law as being non-compliant with WTO rules in several ways. It's unclear whether Canada, later joined by Mexico, has won its case on all fronts.

"We have not seen the ruling, but it wouldn't surprise us at all (that Canada won)," said J. Patrick Boyle, president of the American Meat Institute. "We've argued for years in statements, letters and comments that this law was not just costly and cumbersome, but a violation of our country's WTO obligations."

A favourable ruling would still not immediately swing open the U.S. border to more cattle and hog shipments.

"It still doesn't get us out of the woods," said Jurgen Preugschas, an Alberta hog farmer and president of the Canadian Pork Council.

Washington could appeal the ruling rather than comply, he said, which suggests bilateral talks among the countries may still be necessary.

The labelling law added to severe stress on the Canadian hog market, which has also faced high feed costs and pressure on export sales due to a strong Canadian dollar. As a result, Ottawa offered farmers incentives in 2009 to shut their barns to reduce the size of the country's hog inventory and stabilize the industry.

© Copyright (c) The Calgary Herald

Read more: http://www.calgaryherald.com/business/meat+labelling+ruling+positive+source/5731089/story.html#ixzz1e42muHCQ

CBBC Announces recipient of Don Matthews Memorial Award

For immediate release:

Calgary, Alberta

March 16, 2011

CANADIAN BEEF BREEDS COUNCIL

BOB PRESTAGE RECEIVES AWARD

Bob Prestage, owner of Arklow Angus and Wicklow Angus and a purebred Angus breeder, received the Don Matthews Memorial Award for Excellence in Animal Health at the Annual General Meeting of the Canadian Beef Breeds Council (Council) held in Calgary, March 9, 2011.

The Award is presented by the Board of Directors of the Council to individuals who have contributed exemplary service to the development of the Canadian purebred beef cattle industry in the field of animal health. Bob Prestage has a lifetime experience in the livestock industry as a beef specialist, breeder of purebred beef cattle and international marketer of livestock genetics. He is a knowledgeable judge of cattle, understanding both performance records and physical characteristics. He specializes in the logistics of shipping live animals, semen and embryos all over the world. Bob has been extremely involved as a volunteer in his industry and his community

Bob Prestage is a distinguished lobbyist for animal health and welfare and is recognized as a leading international spokesperson for the purebred cattle sector,” said Allan Marshall, President of CBBC Board of Directors. “He has been instrumental in helping resolve agricultural trade access issues and we consider him a champion of the purebred beef cattle sector.”

The Don Matthews Memorial Award for Excellence in Animal Health was instituted in the honour of the late Don Matthews, Angus breeder, and a past President and driving force behind the Canadian Beef Breeds Council. Matthews had a passion for matters relating to animal health and international trade, foundational pillars of the Council.

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.. 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 and promote Canadian pedigreed beef cattle genetics domestically and internationally.

For more information:

Brett Campbell, Executive Vice President, Canadian Beef Breeds Council

brett@canadianbeefbreeds.com

T: 403.730.0350, C: 403.901.5090