The Canadian Hereford Association has been working on several new projects this year to offer value back to breeders.
Alongside an update to the Association’s online registry system, the CHA has been pursuing the development of a Hereford-branded digital herd management tool called Hereford X. The program will allow breeders to keep all of their purebred records in one place along with data on feeding, breeding, treatments, and more. Plus, the system will have the capability to communicate with the new CHA registry system so that breeders can enter their data in one location and streamline the recordkeeping process.
In addition, the CHA has been collaborating with the Canadian Angus Association on a heifer development project. This project seeks to develop a genomic panel for Hereford/Angus cross females to allow commercial producers to select for better replacement females in a crossbreeding program. Traits of interest in this project align with the priorities of the CHA’s strategic plan, including carcass merit.
Morale and attendance have been very strong at cattle shows and events this fall. In early November, the Alberta Hereford Showcase offered a lottery of Hereford influence heifer calves, seeing 17 youth win a heifer to boost their up and coming breeding programs. The show also offered the Choice Cut Carcass Competition, in which all of the yearling bulls entered were ultrasounded and the top bulls in ribeye area, marbling, lean meat yield, and overall carcass merit were recognized. At the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto, a Hereford bull won the Supreme Champion title, marking the second year in a row that the breed had a Supreme Champion at the event. Farmfair International celebrated its 50th anniversary this year with the Western National Hereford Show. Canadian Western Agribition saw the Grand Champion Hereford Female and Bull achieve top ten standing in the Beef Supreme.
The Canadian Junior Hereford Association hosted its annual junior show, Bonanza, in Brandon, Manitoba during July 2023. In 2025, Bonanza will be hosted in Olds, Alberta from July 22-26.
This fall, the CHA and CJHA are preparing to fundraise to send a team of Canadian youth to the World Hereford Conference Young Breeder Competition in the USA next year.
Cattle prices across the country remain strong and comparable to the levels of last year. Most of the country was fortunate to receive plenty of moisture in the spring and early summer, but western Canada experienced a major heat wave in July and August that set back crops and limited pasture regrowth for the end of summer and fall. Fortunately, forage supply and prices have reflected the benefits of the early rain. The spring sales saw strong demand for Hereford seedstock, and as many producers look to build back their cowherds following years of drought, there is strong potential for successful fall sales.
The Alberta Hereford Showcase
The Canadian Junior Hereford Association Bonanza, Manitoba
