BIXS hits milestone with launch of carcass data reporting

The Beef InfoXchange System (BIXS) recently activated two reporting tools for registered producers to generate detailed carcass data reports on their cattle registered onto the BIXS database. The tools allow users to see detailed carcass data lists as well as a benchmark report on their carcass data. These and other recent developments represent milestones in the evolution and delivery of the BIXS to the Canadian beef industry. Currently the BIXS database houses approximately 1.5 million detailed carcass data records linked to Canadian Cattle Identification Agency (CCIA) tag numbers. Cargill Foods and XL Beef are submitting these computer vision system camera-derived records retroactive to January 1, 2012. This data includes yield and quality grades, carcass measures such as marbling score, ribeye area, and fat depth. BIXS staff along with cooperating beef producers developed and tested the reporting tools that provide registered users with the carcass data lists and benchmark reports "We are grateful for the assistance of those beef producers who stepped up to help us develop and test these reporting functions," says BIXS program administrator Holly LaBrie. "It took us awhile to get it right but those producers, and others that have tapped into their individual animal carcass data thus far, have welcomed the new ability to see what kind of beef they produce from their cow-calf operations." The reporting functions within BIXS will continue to evolve to include more carcass data as well as feedlot data as development and testing continues. To complement the new tools, the CCA and BIXS teamed up with the CCIA to build an additional data tool that enables users to quickly import their tag ID and cattle birthdate data into the system. BIXS registered producers can simply click a button to import all their cattle tag ID and birthdate records from their CCIA – Canadian Livestock Tracking System (CLTS) account retroactive to January 1, 2010 and populate their BIXS cattle (tag ID) inventory. Once the information is in the system, users can generate carcass data reports using the newly launched carcass data report tools. Carcass records in the BIXS database are from Jan 1, 2012 onwards. However, it is possible that carcass data on cattle born from May 2010 onwards could be in the carcass data pool in BIXS , provided the cattle were slaughtered at Cargill or XL Beef. Registered BIXS users will find the CCIA data pull tool at the bottom of the 'Enter Your Data' birthdate event landing page. Each time a user 'pulls' data they see a log of events found/created and updated in their BIXS account from their CLTS account.

CCA Congratulate Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal Recipients

CCA congratulates Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medal recipients December 4, 2012 Calgary, AB – The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) is pleased to announce that 38 Canadians will be awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for their significant contributions to the beef industry, their community and their country. Today, 19 Alberta-based recipients will be honoured during the Alberta Beef Producers (ABP) Annual Meeting in Calgary. These recipients will receive their medals from CCA President Martin Unrau and Past President Travis Toews at a special ceremony during the ABP evening banquet. CCA President Martin Unrau said it is a special honour to be able to recognize the professional contributions of so many respected individuals in the industry that have worked hard to make a difference. “The cattle and beef industry is filled with individuals who are passionate about the industry and whose efforts have and continue to drive real change. The industry as a whole is better off due to their contributions,” Unrau said. The remaining 19 recipients will receive their medals over the next two months at events in their home province held in conjunction with the appropriate CCA provincial member association. Here is the full list of Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal recipients: Morrie Thomas, BC Rudy Johnson, BC Anne Dunford, AB Arno Doerksen, AB Ben Thorlakson, AB Bob Prestage, AB Brian Nilsson, AB Chris Mills, AB Cor Van Raay, AB Darcy Davis, AB Dave Plett, AB David Andrews, AB Dennis Laycraft, AB Eugene Janzen, Ph.D, AB Garnet Altwasser, AB Hugh Lynch-Staunton, AB John Stewart-Smith, AB Julie Stitt, AB Len Vogelaar, AB Steve Morgan-Jones, AB Mabel Hamilton, AB Tim McAllister, Ph.D, AB Brad Wildeman, SK Gary L. Jones, Sk John McKinnon, Ph.D, SK Neil Jahnke, SK (posthumously) Marlin Beever, MB Carolyn McDonell, ON Charlie Gracey, ON Graeme Hedley, ON Jock Buchanan-Smith, ON Margaret Jean Hutton,ON Stan Eby, ON W. Ronald Usborne, ON Henry Knight, NB Robert Acton,NB Charlie MacKenzie, NS Darlene Sanford, PEI The CCA congratulates all the recipients on their achievement. We would also like to recognize the following individuals who were nominated by other organizations (and supported by the CCA) who will be receiving medals for their significant contributions to Canada's beef cattle industry: Martin Unrau (MB); John Newman (ON); Harvey Dann (MB); Shirley McClellan (AB); and Red Williams (SK). For further information, contact: Gina Teel, Communications Manager Canadian Cattlemen’s Association 403-275-8558 x 406 | teelg@cattle.ca www.cattle.ca For media interested in attending the event, contact: Katelyn Laverdure, Public Affairs Manager Alberta Beef Producers 403-561-8578| KatelynL@albertabeef.org

CCA Pleased with WTO dealine on COOL

December 4, 2012 Calgary, AB – The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) is pleased that the World Trade Organization (WTO) arbitrator today established a firm deadline for the United States (U.S.) to ensure its Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) requirements square with its WTO obligations. The U.S. now has until May 23, 2013 to comply with the Panel and Appellate Body reports adopted by the WTO Dispute Settlement Body this past July, confirming that U.S. COOL legislation discriminates against Canadian livestock in the U.S. market. CCA President Martin Unrau thanked Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Gerry Ritz and International Trade Minister Ed Fast for their concerted efforts on the COOL file over the years. “Today’s good news is the direct result of Canada initiating the arbitration process with the WTO in September after efforts to negotiate an implementation date with the U.S. were unsuccessful, and the latest in a series of positive results due to the Ministers’ efforts on a challenging file,” he said. “The CCA looks forward to continuing its work with its U.S. allies and counterparts to develop a solution that eliminates the discrimination of Canadian cattle in the U.S. market,” Unrau said. CCA representatives were in Washington, D.C. recently meeting with congressional leaders to advocate a timely resolution to this dispute and support legislative changes proposed by the majority of the U.S. industry that would end the discrimination caused by COOL. COOL has affected billions of dollars of commerce in cattle and beef products since it was implemented in 2008. The current impact of COOL on Canadian producers is estimated to be $639 million per year. For further information, contact: Gina Teel Communications Manager Canadian Cattlemen’s Association 403-275-8558 x 406 | teelg@cattle.ca Cell: 403-875-3616 www.cattle.ca -30- Thanks, Matthew French Communications Coordinator Canadian Cattlemen's Association 310, 6715 - 8th Street NE Calgary, AB T2E 7H7 T 403-275-8558 ext. 414 F 403-274-5686 frenchm@cattle.ca www.cattle.ca

Canadian Livestock Producers Receive Tax Deferrals

OTTAWA, Ontario – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada announced Nov. 29 that a list of designated areas eligible for tax deferrals has been expanded. The tax deferral is for the benefit of producers coping with extremely dry growing conditions on forage yields. Eligible producers in designated areas can defer income tax on the sale of breeding livestock for one year to help replenish breeding stock in the following year. “Proceeds from deferred sales are included as income in the next tax year, when they may be at least partially offset by the cost of replacing breeding animals,” according to the agency. “In the case of consecutive years of designation, producers may defer sales income to the first year in which the area is no longer designated.” To qualify, the breeding herd must have been reduced by at least 15 percent. Thirty percent of income from net sales can then be deferred. In cases where the herd has been reduced by more than 30 percent, 90 percent of income from net sales can be deferred. “Our government understands the difficulties faced by livestock producers due to unforeseen weather and we are acting,” said Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz. “With this tax deferral, producers in another 34 drought-affected municipalities will be able to redirect money towards restocking next year.” Eligible producers will be able to request a deferral when filing their 2012 income tax returns.