Press Releases
News Releases
October 19, 2021
RDAR makes Major Investment in CBIN Genetics Data Platform to Improve Efficiency and Profitability of Cattle Producers
October 19, 2021 (Edmonton, Alberta) – Results Driven Agriculture Research (RDAR) has invested $640,000 in a collaborative research project with the Canadian Beef Improvement Network (CBIN) to springboard the development of a unified, standardized, and producer-accessible beef cattle genetics data platform. Through this platform, CBIN will provide commercial cattle producers and the entire beef production chain with access to critical data that will help better inform genetic decisions and improve environmental and economic sustainability. “Genetic data is essential to ensuring Alberta beef continues to be known worldwide for being the best. This project is a prime example of the innovation Alberta is known for, with industry groups working together to find new opportunities and new markets for their producers. I’m interested in seeing how this project benefits our ranchers and the province as a whole.” Devin Dreeshen, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry To date, eight Canadian beef cattle breed associations have committed to participate in the development of CBIN under the leadership of the Canadian Beef Breeds Council. This data-driven platform will benefit Canadian cattle producers directly. CBIN will give producers access to on-farm, on-demand genetic information to improve herd quality and inform marketing and genetic selection decisions. Genetic data has value as a change agent. Today, genetic information is available to help producers make essential breeding decisions on fertility, growth, feed efficiency, disposition, calving ease, and carcass measures, to name a few. However, the beef industry underutilizes genetic data, and significant opportunities for producers to optimize their herd genetics are missed. By utilizing the CBIN platform to inform genetics decisions, producers will realize substantial benefits by capturing environmental efficiencies, improving animal and herd health and management, and validating product quality. The collaborative framework of CBIN’s genetic advancements and technological innovations will be vitally important for the whole Canadian beef industry. “Data-driven genetic decisions and adoption of innovative genetic technologies will benefit all segments of the Canadian beef production chain from conception right through to consumption. Genetics has the potential to create benefits across the board, in the areas including, but not limited to, production efficiencies, environmental sustainability, animal health and welfare, food security and food product outcomes.” David Sibbald, President, Canadian Beef Breeds Council & Chair, Canadian Beef Improvement Network This project is unique as it seeks to bring an innovative solution to an existing gap in data capture, standardization, and digitalization in beef production. By adopting new genetic technologies and increasing genetic data literacy, Canadian beef producers will be better able to interpret the genetic data of their herds. By using data to inform breeding decisions, producers will improve economic efficiencies and reduce their environmental footprint. “Alberta produces some of the best beef in the world. To help our industry expand markets and compete globally, there needs to be an improvement in producers’ genetic literacy and the use of genomics within our beef industry. By understanding and sharing the linkages of beef genetic data, along with other production metrics, we will see increased profitability and competitiveness in our industry.” Clinton Dobson, RDAR Director of Research RDAR is proud to support this research project. The work will drive the integration and adoption of genetic innovations, standardizing genetic data capture and simplifying data access, assisting Canadian beef producers in making better decisions. RDAR’s funding contributions – of which $576,000.00 comes from the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP) – are valued at $640,000 over 18 months. To learn more about RDAR research projects, please visit rdar.ca/research About the Canadian Agricultural Partnership The Canadian Agricultural Partnership is a five-year, $3 billion investment by Canada’s federal, provincial, and territorial governments to strengthen and grow Canada’s agri-food and agri-products sectors. This commitment includes $2 billion for programs cost-shared by the federal and provincial/territorial governments, with the programs designed and delivered by provinces and territories. About RDARRDAR is a not-for-profit organization that will continually consult with Alberta’s crop and livestock producers to set research priorities and distribute funds. Its mandate is: to support results driven agriculture research priorities and programs that will increase the competitiveness and profitability of Alberta’s agriculture industry. Arm’s length from the provincial government, RDAR is funded by two sources: The Government of Alberta, the Government of Canada, and Alberta’s Government through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership program. rdar.ca About CBIN The Canadian Beef Improvement Network is a collaborative network established to increase genetic data utilization, validate genetic influence, and drive market signals to create value within the Canadian beef industry. Members and advisors include: Canadian Beef Breeds Council; Canadian Cattlemen’s Association; 8 Canadian Breed Associations; National Cattle Feeder’s Association; Cargill; McDonald’s; Beef Cattle Research Council; Lactanet Canada; and AgSights RDAR Media Inquiries:Janada HawthorneCommunications LeadResults Driven Agriculture Research780-903-2734janada.hawthorne@rdar.ca
Read MoreOctober 13, 2021
Canadian Beef Breeds Council Announces New Chief Executive Officer
October 7, 2021 Calgary, AB – The Canadian Beef Breeds Council (CBBC) is pleased to announce that Sandy Russell has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) effective immediately. Previously working as the Director of Business Development for CBBC’s leading initiative, the Canadian Beef Improvement Network (CBIN), Russell brings an in-depth understanding of the organization and vast experience in the Canadian beef industry with her. “CBBC is very fortunate to be able to have a leader like Sandy taking the reins of the organization,” says CBBC President David Sibbald. “I am excited and confident she will lead us forward to advance the organizations goals and initiatives focused on driving genetic value throughout the entire beef industry.” Russell, who holds a B.S.A and M.SC. from the University of Saskatchewan, is well-known within the Canadian beef industry. She has an extremely strong background in agriculture and brings a vast network of skills and experience to assist CBBC in accomplishing the exciting initiatives currently being spearheaded by the organization. “I am extremely excited for this opportunity and appreciate the confidence that the Board of Directors has placed in me,” Russell says. “I firmly believe the Canadian beef industry has a vibrant future ahead and I am confident that the continued collaborative approach that CBBC has shown to drive genetic advancements forward within the industry will secure our future success.” The Canadian Beef Breeds Council, an incorporated division of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA), is focused on facilitating genetic advancements within the Canadian beef industry and representing the Canadian seedstock sector both domestically and internationally. For further information contact: Sandy RussellChief Executive OfficerCanadian Beef Breeds Council306-281-7873srussell@springcreekconsulting.ca
Read MoreApril 19, 2021
CBIN Unveils Executive Committee
The Canadian Beef Breeds Council has unveiled the CBIN Executive Committee that will continue to champion the initiative along with industry partners. News Release – Exec Committee – Apr 1 2021
Read MoreJuly 11, 2019
CBBC CAP-AgriMarketing Funding
News release July 10, 2019 – Calgary, Alberta – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Today, Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, attended the Calgary Stampede where she announced an investment of $8.3 million for six projects that will help support Canada’s world-class beef industry. Today’s investments will help producers become more competitive and provide them with the tools they need to remain sustainable and innovative. Through these projects, organizations such as the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association and Canada Beef will develop and strengthen international market opportunities for their high quality products, bolster Canada’s global beef brand, and ensure the highest standards in animal welfare and sustainability are maintained. The largest portion of this investment, $5.3 million, is going towards Canada Beef to grow beef sales in important international markets, by expanding programs with retail partners and increase foreign consumer confidence in Canadian beef. This funding will help the Canadian beef sector further capitalize on the trade agreement the Government of Canada has advanced with Europe, the Asia-Pacific, and North America. This also includes an investment of $1.7 million to the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association to offer producers new tools to build public trust in their product around the world. This funding will help all producers take full advantage of the Verified Beef Production Plus Program. Quotes “Our Government is proud to be working with industry to ensure Canada’s beef sector remains a strong driver of our nation’s prosperity and continues creating good jobs for our middle class. This investment will help grow markets, increase public trust in beef products, and harness the full power of the Canada beef brand here and around the world.”- Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food “By diversifying Canadian trade and encouraging innovation in the beef industry, we continue to promote Canada as world leaders in cattle production and to create new opportunities for the agriculture industry to grow the economy.”- Jim Carr, Minister of International Trade Diversification “I’m incredibly proud to be from a region of Canada so well known for its high quality beef products. With an export value of $2.75 billion, the beef industry is a key driver of the agricultural economy here and across the country.”- Kent Hehr, Member of Parliament for Calgary Centre “Canada Beef is pleased to partner with the Government of Canada through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership program to fund and deliver important international Canadian beef market development programs that will help ensure the continued growth and success of the Canadian beef industry. Canada Beef shares the Government’s vision for significant growth in agricultural exports over the next five years. International markets add over $600 per head in additional value to the beef animal and helps the beef industry to be a significant driver for economic growth.”- Michael Young, President, Canada Beef “The investments administered through the CCA will support the work of both the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (CRSB) and the Verified Beef Production Plus (VBP+) Program, which, taken together will maintain Canada’s global leadership position in beef sustainability. This will facilitate continual improvement in the Canadian beef industry by measuring and tracking sustainability outcomes and support implementation of our Certified Sustainable Beef Framework. VBP+ will provide more tools to Canadian beef producers through enhanced producer training, improved database management and industry equivalencies with similar programs, and assurances for buyers that certified beef cattle operations adhere to the highest standards of food safety, biosecurity, animal care and environmental stewardship.”- Anne Wasko, Chair of CRSB and Cecilie Fleming, Chair of the VBP+ Management Committee “The continued support from the Government of Canada will create new opportunities to develop international markets that will produce an ongoing economic benefit for the Canadian beef genetics industry.”- Roger Peters, President, Canadian Beef Breeds Council “The National Cattle Feeders’ Association (NCFA) wishes to thank the Canadian Agricultural Partnership for the funds that made the internationally recognized welfare certification programs – Canadian Feedlot Animal Care Assessment Program and Animal Feedlot Care Program – a reality. Canadian cattle feeders prioritize animal welfare; and these programs give our beef producers social license to operate and ensure consumer confidence in our production and our products. The program’s education and training, along with improvement and continual implementation of certifiable animal welfare standards across Canada ensure that animals in the feeding sector are raised humanely.”- Janice Tranberg, President and CEO, Alberta Cattle Feeders Association “The support from the CAP will provide the CAA with the ability to conduct new research on a number of economically important traits relating to improving the efficiencies and productivity of the Canadian beef breeder. Currently the tools to measure, select and improve these economically critical traits are not available to the beef breeder and the development of these tools and the improvement in these traits will continue to impact the functionality of the Canadian cowherd.”- Myles Immerkar, Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Angus Association Quick facts Other investments include: almost $800,000 to help the Canadian Beef Breeds Council grow markets for our world-class beef genetics; over $250,000 to help the National Cattle Feeders Association ensure public trust in animal welfare practices on our beef operations; and over $230,000 to help the Canadian Aberdeen Angus Association to improve animal welfare through genetics. Canada’s beef industry contributes $33 billion worth of sales of goods and services either directly or indirectly to the economy. In 2018, the Canadian beef industry (including veal) exported to 60 countries with a value of $2.75 billion. The Canadian Agricultural Partnership is a five-year, $3-billion investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen the agriculture and agri-food sector. These investments are being made under the AgriMarketing, AgriScience and AgriAssurance programs; three of the Canadian Agricultural Partnership’s federally-delivered programs. Associated links Canadian Agricultural Program (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada) AgriMarketing Program (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada) AgriAssurance Program (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada) AgriScience Program (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada) Canada Beef Canadian Beef Breeds Council Canadian Cattlemen’s Association Certified Sustainable Beef Framework (CSBF) Verified Beef Production Plus (VBP+) National Cattle Feeders Association Canadian Aberdeen Angus Association Contacts Justine LesagePress SecretaryOffice of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Foodjustine.lesage@canada.ca613-404-1168 (Cell) Media RelationsAgriculture and Agri-Food CanadaOttawa, Ontario613-773-79721-866-345-7972aafc.mediarelations-relationsmedias.aac@canada.caFollow us on Twitter: @AAFC_CanadaLike us on Facebook: CanadianAgriculture
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