On a totally different, non contentious topic...

[smcgrath76]

Just a note for those who may be interested in performance testing and genetic improvement of beef cattle.
The Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) meetings were recently held in South Dakota. BIF is a North American organization that promotes and trys to set standards for performance testing. The BIF meetings are a mix of producer experience and application with a strong scientific component.
If you are interested visit www.beefimprovement.org or if you want to see the conference proceedings/hear presentations try www.bifconference.com

Interesting highlights for me included a presentation from Wendy's (the restaurant) supply chain manager, and a really interesting session on cow adaptability (as in what makes a cow fit the environment and how do you analyze the genetics behind it). Never got on the producer tours this year, but they are usually good as well.

Next year BIF is in Billings July 6-9th.

[rsomer]

I checked out the website and noted the who's who of breed associations that attended the conference. Every breed association that could call itself a breed association was there.

This would been a very significant gathering of beef producers from both the U.S. and Canada. I know you were there to discuss genetics but what opinions were shared regarding BSE and cross border trade. Did you get any feel from this conference for what it will take to open the border and when that might happen? Or in a gathering such as this is BSE a subject that was avoided.

[pandiana]

I agree that this meeting is one of the better ones. There speakers are generally on 'state of the art' topics. I had the pleasure of attending while they were in Calgary a few years back but not since. They do have a 'Proceedings'. I would assume it would be available to the public. I still refer to the Calgary ones occasionally.

[smcgrath76]

Interesting to note the question regarding BSE. Currently it appears that the US industry is expeeriencing a great deal of optimism. I had to bite my tongue a few times when I heard producers complain that the market had bounced around a little since December 23rd.
Also heard stories of cull bulls selling for $1700 US. The US cowherd is declining in size as with current prices every calf that producers can sell is gone.
BIF is a fairly informed group, and they have a lot of sympathy for the Canadian situation. They do not have a lot of knowledge of the real impact though, and have a hard time comprehending $100 Cdn culls, or the current shift in market composition with cattle stockpiling at home and on feed. The US market is EXTREMELY current.