BIXS Carcass Data Guide Now Available

February 6, 2013 Calgary, AB – The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) is pleased to announce the release of an important tool in the interpretation of data flowing from the Beef InfoXchange System (BIXS). The BIXS Carcass Data Guide helps BIXS users more fully understand how carcass data is collected and transmitted via BIXS along with specific information on what the data means. The guide explains the use of Computer Vision Systems (CVS) and the camera-derived carcass data linked to an individual animal Canadian Cattle Identification Agency (CCIA) ID tag. Mark Klassen, Director of Technical Services with the CCA, worked with Canadian processing plants on enhancing their CVS systems to support data exchange with BIXS and developed the guide. The BIXS Carcass Data Guide is a key step in helping users tap the value of the data BIXS provides by helping them interpret the carcass information received, he said. “It’s this understanding that can enhance management decision making and ultimately enhance the profitability of the producer and the quality of beef he or she produces,” Klassen said. Additionally, BIXS participants now have the ability to generate BIXS Carcass Data Reports that provide information on individual animals as well as BIXS Carcass Benchmark Reports, which compare an individual participant’s cattle to all others in the database. The guide explains these reports and how to obtain them in a BIXS account. There’s also information on the Canadian Quality Grade criteria and a description of the specific carcass information measures BIXS can produce on each carcass along with examples. The BIXS Carcass Data Guide is available on the BIXS website home page as a PDF download as well as on the CCA home page and within the BIXS database portal to validated BIXS participants. To download the guide go to www.bixs.cattle.ca and click on the BIXS Carcass Data Guide button. BIXS is presently funded through AAFC’s Agricultural Flexibility Fund, as part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan. For further information, contact: Gina Teel Communications Manager Canadian Cattlemen’s Association 403-275-8558 x 406 | teelg@cattle.ca www.cattle.ca