WAGYU NEWS

July 2000

In this issue:

• GENERAL MANAGERS REPORT
• DIRECTOR'S REPORT
• PRESIDENT'S REPORT

GENERAL MANAGERS REPORT
CANADIAN WAGYU ASSOCIATION
July 24th, 2000 AGM
By Wilma Gust

Since the last newsletter I have registered another 29 animals bringing the total registrations to 361 animals. The backlog is complete, so if you have registrations that you would like done but have been waiting for the backlog to get caught up, you can send them in now.

Thank you to those who sent in funds and paid their dues. If you are one of the members who have not paid their dues yet for 2000 please send in payment ASAP as these dues are critical to the functioning of the association. Also if you are one of the original members who agreed to join the xCetra program please make this a priority to fulfill your part of the agreement.

In the last newsletter I stated that there was a new process in place for sending in blood samples for DNA. The new "Cattle Card" will now be the standard sample format used by CELERA AgGen. The benefits of this new sample collection system are:

Convenient - no more additional veterinary costs for drawing blood
Easy Storage - "Cattle Cards" can be stored at room temperature.
Easy Shipping - no more overnight shipping on ice.
Reliable - "Cattle Cards" reduce the number of re-do samples in the lab. Less than 1% percent of the samples on "Cattle Cards" need to be resubmitted. Fewer re-do's plus faster turnaround time.

The new process uses a "Cattle Card" collection kit, which consists of one eighteen-gauge needle, one matchbook style "Cattle Card", one envelope and sample submission forms. The kits are obtained from CELERA AgGenat a cost of approximately $1.50 each (U.S.)

The procedure for each animal is:

1. Label the "Cattle Card" with the animals individual ID #
2. Remove the needle from the plastic wrap using a new needle for each animal sampled.
3. Hold the tip of the animal's ear, and using the needle pierce the ear of the animal to be sampled.
* Pierce that ear near the tip where you were holding it.
* Pierce the ear 2-3 times within 1/8 of an inch of each pierce.
4. Wait 5-10 seconds for the blood to form a drop.
5. Holding the back of the "Cattle Card", open the matchbook cover and press the circle to the blood on the top side of the ear.
* For a sufficient sample the blood should at least fill 1/2 the area of the circle.
6. Fill out the sample submission form.
7. Mail this to CELERA AgGen along with $35.00 (U.S.)

This is the new name and address of the lab were the DNA samples are to be sent. It is the same company as before but the name and address have changed.

CELERA AgGen
Attention: Cattle Testing
1756 Picasso Avenue
Davis, CA, 95616
Phone: 1-800-995-2473
Fax:1-530-756-5143

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DIRECTOR'S REPORT
July 24th, 2000
By Joanne Vang

Spring is a long time coming this year in Alberta. Calves are popping better than the grass so far. Spring cow sales have seen a fair amount of movement in Wagyu bred commercial cows, and prices, I have observed or been told of, are consistent with European (i.e. Limousin or Charolais bred) commercial cows. I take this to mean Wagyu are becoming an acceptable cross to the commercial breeder. I've even had some interest expressed by commercial Charolais breeders when they found out Wagyu come in red, as well as black.

Let's promote this market!!
SELL, SELL, SELL those Wagyu bulls!!!

BREEDING FOR MATERNAL TRAITS.
How often do you hear a cow-man remark "that heifer has no udder, she'll never raise a decent calf!" Well! Quality of milk is equally as important as quantity. Butter fat is the equalizer as in Jersey vs. Holstein. A Jersey nurser cow, in my experience will do as good a job, raising two cows as a Holstein. The higher butter fat content of Jersey milk equals to the greater quantity than Holstein produces. In beef breeds the udder is smaller thus butter fat content of the milk becomes more critical.

Mothering is learned from the mother, but many traits are passed on by the bull. When choosing a bull for maternal traits look for a display of Scapula over the shoulder area (a dairy quality) as this is indicative of milk superiority, as evidenced by the Longhorn Breed.

A superior milking testicle is tipped slightly back. The ligaments supporting the testicles are the same ligaments supporting the udder. A good tight support system will keep that cow producing in your herd for many years. A mature cow gives more to her calf.

Fat is put on over the back or as marbling. A well marbled carcass is traditionally a better milk provider, a pertinent function of the oldest style British breeds vs. the European breeds.

YOUR CURRENT BOARD OF DIRECTORS ARE:

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PRESIDENT'S REPORT
CANADIAN WAGYU ASSOCIATION
July 24th, 2000
Pat McCarthy

Talking to Canadian Wagyu Breeders, marketing bulls for sale this spring has been good. As an Association it is important for our members to communicate on products for sale in purchasing requirements. Good places for this activity is our Website or utilize the newsletter with your advertising. It is very important for the Canadian Wagyu Association to have your support.

We also have members who have given verbal commitment to the Association to join our Website, I would like to ask all these individuals to please complete your application, this makes our online registry most viable.

The Wagyu breed is a great breed and the success is having a good supply of cattle to be fed. This makes for a stronger market.

There have been some more sales out of Wagyu Cross Beef in Asia from Canada and also a small domestic retail market is being developed in Eastern Canada.

Anyone with any questions or concerns regarding the Association or about the breed is welcome to give me a call. I look forward to hearing from you.

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Wagyu News is published by the Canadian Wagyu Association, our office is located at:

General Delivery, Standard, AB, T0J 3G0
Ph:403-644-2287, Fax:403-644-2299
Email: admin@canadianwagyu.ca

For information regarding advertising subscriptions or change of address, be sure to give us a call. From everyone here at the CWA, have a great and prosperous year.

Keep up the good work!