CCA IS THE NATIONAL VOICE OF CANADA S 68,500 BEEF FARMS

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1 CCA IS THE NATIONAL VOICE OF CANADA S 68,500 BEEF FARMS In This Issue... PEI Cattle Producers Meet Canada s New Ag Minister PEI Cattle Producers Meet Canada s New Ag Minister CCA Advocates for Canadian Producers in Washington Past CCA Director, Environment Committee Chair Continues to Share his Passion for Conservation Cattlemen s Young Leaders Program Update Give the Gift of Lasting Legacy With the Canadian Cattlemen s Foundation Measuring and Mitigating Pain During Castration BCRC Cattle producers from PEI, including CCA Director Ivan Johnson, recently had the opportunity for a face-to-face meeting with Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay in PEI. The Minister, himself a former farmer and Member of Parliament for Cardigan, PEI, was well-received by local cattle producers. During the meeting, they briefed the Minister on matters of importance to themselves and all Canadian cattle producers, including U.S. Country of Origin Labeling (COOL). It is imperative to cattle producers that the new Government focus on the competitiveness of Canadian agriculture, ensuring the industry has the operating environment and tools to take advantage of new trade agreements, such as the Canada- EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). Key components of this will be to ensure producers have access to essential inputs such as labour, feed, land, services and knowledge, Johnson noted at the meeting. With respect to knowledge, producers need well-funded research initiatives and capacity as well as extension and robust statistical/data gathering and reporting, he said. The Minister indicated that in his limited time in the post, he has been briefed on the most important of issues, including COOL and noted that he has spoken with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack on the need to resolve the issue. He also indicated that he places a great deal of importance on hearing directly from producers and welcomes such meetings. He wants to hear about what they are doing well and where improvements are needed. The Minister also noted there are many issues important to cattle producers that fall under the jurisdiction of other Ministers portfolios. One of these is the new Federal Government s intention to address climate change. Canada s record of leadership on sustainable beef production is a natural fit and Canada s beef industry is ready to engage with the Liberal Government to demonstrate all the positive contributions that Canadian beef producers make towards environmental stewardship.

2 CCA leadership looks forward to meeting with the Minister soon to discuss this and other matters. In the meantime, ( ( on Twitter. PEI cattle producers including CCA director Ivan Johnson (second from the right), along with CCA s John Masswohl, meet with new Federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay (second and third on the left, respectively). CCA Advocates for Canadian Producers in Washington When it comes to international relations, the CCA works to establish mutually-beneficial relationships with countries from all corners of the globe, however, some of our most essential dealings are with the United States. Between meetings with government officials, participation in groups such as the International Beef Alliance and attending American producer-led groups, CCA officials and staff are regularly involved in strengthening our cross-border partnership and ensuring the competiveness of Canadian beef in that market. On November 12, CCA Director, Government and International Relations John Masswohl spoke at the annual meeting of the Washington Cattlemen s Association in Cle Elum, WA. He advised that the World Trade Organization (WTO) Arbitrator s report on the amount of U.S. trade Canada would be authorized to put tariffs on is coming on December 7 and if U.S. mandatory COOL is not repealed shortly thereafter, Canada would be targeting tariffs on

3 goods produced in states represented by Senators that had resisted repeal. Washington State is one such state and Masswohl advised that goods produced in Washington, such as apples and cherries, are on the target list. The Government of Canada estimates the damages caused by COOL exceed over $3 billion annually and has requested the WTO for authority to impose retaliatory tariffs against that same amount of U.S. exports to Canada. After the WTO reports the retaliation amount on December 7, CCA leadership and staff will resume advocacy efforts in Washington, D.C. to raise awareness directly with U.S. Senators regarding what to expect in terms of tariffs. Past CCA Director, Environment Committee Chair Continues to Share his Passion for Conservation Rancher Lynn Grant of Val Marie, SK, spent 10 years as a director of the CCA. Of that, he spent eight years as Chair of the CCA s Environment Committee, tackling issues related to the Species at Risk Act, managing grassland resources and conservation. During his tenure, Grant put considerable effort into promoting awareness about the relationship between healthy rangelands and well-managed cattle grazing, highlighting the role they play in maintaining wildlife habitats and promoting biodiversity among numerous other benefits. It should come as no surprise then that his passion for raising awareness about the conservation and environmental stewardship continues. Grant recently starred in an online video highlighting the important role that ranching plays in conserving Saskatchewan grassland resources. Produced by the Saskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action Plan (SK PCAP), the video, Conservation Conversations, features Grant and fellow Saskatchewan rancher Ross MacDonald and their respective perspectives on agriculture and sustainability. The video, which also illustrates key components of SK PCAP s awareness initiatives, can be viewed at The CCA believes healthy agricultural landscapes are a showcase of Canadian environmental stewardship and support national conservation efforts. Canada has one of the lowest GHG footprints for beef in the world and industry is continually working to make further improvements. Well-designed environmental policies that will keep cattle on these lands and as a result, provide wildlife habitat, conserve biodiversity and enhance carbon storage are a step in the right direction for both industry and government.

4 Cattlemen s Young Leaders Program Update McDonald s Canada and Cattlemen s Young Leaders (CYL) teamed up once again this year to answer beef related questions at McDonald s Our Food, Your Questions booth at the recent Toronto Royal Winter Fair. Over the course of four days, CYL s Amanda Brodhagen, Brendan Zettler, Kristine Blair, Meghan Black and Scott Boese engaged consumers, answered questions and dispelled common myths about beef and beef production. McDonald s commitment to quality food, transparency and sustainability under their 100% Canadian beef brand promise is exemplary and very much appreciated by consumers and producers alike. In fact, the 2014 Beef Industry Innovation and Sustainability Award (BIISA) was awarded to McDonald s Canada for its long-standing commitment to Canadian beef in its hamburgers as well as its Our Food, Your Questions, online platform. In addition to serving as an educational forum for consumers, the Royal draws a large agricultural crowd and was the perfect location to promote the CYL program, CCA s youth mentorship initiative. During the National Junior Beef Heifer Show, potential candidates were given information on the program and encouraged to apply for the program year starting January 1. CCA Program Manager Jill Harvie reports she s received several inquiries about the program and anticipates another strong year of quality applications from eligible beef enthusiasts across the nation. This week, CYL participants will be attending the Canadian Western Agribition (CWA) in Regina, SK. The CYL Fall Forum will be held on November 24, and will have CYLs, mentors, and industry and sponsor representatives in attendance. In addition, Karen Aulie of the Agriculture Ministry of Saskatchewan and Stewart Stone, CWA President, will be bringing greetings to the group. Producers attending Agribition this week will no doubt see CYLs engage in a range of beef advocacy initiatives at events including the International Reception and at the Beef Advocacy Canada booth, Agriculture More Than Ever booth, Agri-Ed display, barn tours, and Canada Beef demonstrations. The CYL program is designed to help groom the industry leaders of the future and the success of its participants proves this to be true. CYL past participants Stuart Somerville and Penny Patton recently joined the Alberta Beef Producers as new delegates, continuing on as strong advocates for the beef industry, while CYL participant Brandon Sparrow and graduate Amanda Elzinga Pugh were appointed to FarmFair International s panel of judges for the Legends of the Fall Show earlier this month. Also this fall, CYL graduate Dr. Katie Wood was hired by the University of Guelph s Department of Animal Biosciences as an assistant professor in beef cattle nutrition. The CYL program congratulates these CYL s on their successes. Give the Gift of Lasting Legacy With the Canadian Cattlemen s Foundation Searching for a meaningful gift for that special cattle person who has everything? Why not make a donation to the Canadian Cattlemen s Foundation in their name and give an enduring gift that helps to preserve and protect the very lifestyle they love? Officially launched in 2015, the Canadian Cattlemen s Foundation supports the sustainable advancement and legacy of the Canadian beef industry. The Canadian Cattlemen s Foundation was established in 2014 by industry leaders passionate about preserving the sustainable legacy of Canadian beef. They recognized that increasing competitive pressures, particularly for agricultural land, is making the time-honoured profession of beef production an unattainable career option for many young producers and with that comes the erosion of the benefits to the broader society the beef industry supports, like environmental stewardship and conservation. Beef industry activities play a vital role in preserving the environment, biodiversity and wildlife habitat on working agricultural landscapes. With this in mind, industry leaders set in motion a plan to protect this invaluable grasslands resource and the role of producers as conscientious stewards in legacy preservation.

5 Today, their vision is for a Foundation where ongoing donations and investments provide the resources to fund a proactive, sustainable cattle industry that addresses industry issues while growing trust and support from consumers worldwide. The Canadian Cattlemen s Foundation has three main focus areas: To create and/or support education, leadership development and outreach programs to serve youth involved with beef cattle; To facilitate and encourage stewardship practices and conservation activities that preserve and/or enhance the environment, biodiversity and wildlife habitat on working landscapes; To support beef industry sustainability through research and awareness. The Canadian Cattlemen s Foundation is a registered charity and eligible donations of $25 or more qualify for an official charitable tax receipt. Donations made as a gift in this manner will receive a special printed certificate acknowledging their gift. Donations can be made by filling out a donation form ( or directly contacting the Canadian Cattlemen s Foundation. For more information, visit or contact Jill Harvie at or harviej@cattle.ca. Measuring and Mitigating Pain During Castration Public concern regarding the pain associated with castration, dehorning and branding of beef cattle is increasing. Past research has focused on individually housed dairy calves, or feedlot cattle. There is a lack of information regarding the influence of age and pain medication on preweaning beef calves in a herd environment. Research currently underway and funded by the National Check-off and Canada s Beef Science Cluster is evaluating the relative impacts of age, technique, and pain medication when preweaning beef calves are castrated at the same time as branding or as a separate procedure. This work will generate science-based recommendations regarding the best age to carry out painful routine management procedures and identify target ages which may require pain mitigation. A practical method of alleviating both acute and chronic pain associated with band and knife castration in young beef calves will also be assessed and identified. This information is required to make sound industry recommendations to the Beef Codes of Practice. To learn more about this research, see the BCRC fact sheet at

6 CCA Action News Staff Contributors: John Masswohl, Jolene Noble, Jill Harvie, Tracy Herbert Written, edited and compiled by: Gina Teel and Stina Nagel The Canadian Cattlemen s Association is the national voice for Canada s beef cattle industry representing 68,500 beef farms and feedlots. To sign up for CCA s Action News: For more information, contact: Visit and click on Action News Signup CCA Communications at feedback@cattle.ca or visit our website at Head office: Ste. 180, th Street NE, Calgary, AB T2E 7H7 Phone: Fax: Ottawa office: 1207, 350 Sparks Street, Ottawa, ON K1R 7S8 Phone: Fax: