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It's That Time Again!!
2016 Census of Agriculture Is On The Horizon
At the beginning of May 2016, Canadian farm operators will have the chance to take part in a national dialogue by completing the Census of Agriculture questionnaire.
The Census of Agriculture is the definitive source of community-level data. By drawing on these data, decision makers will know that they are acting in the interests of farmers, farm communities and agricultural operations across Canada. More Information On The Census, What's New, etc. HERE
2016 Census of Agriculture Benefits Farmers
Farm organizations are heavy users of census data and draw on this information to formulate policy recommendations, produce communications and outreach work, and conduct market development. More Information On How The Census Information Benefits Farmers HERE
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THE WEEK IN REVIEW…
Bison On 'Excursion' Venture Near Bluefish Dam North Of Yellowknife
Bison have been spotted grazing just 25 kilometres north of Yellowknife, an area quite far from their usual roaming range.
The Northwest Territories Power Corporation posted a photo on its Facebook page on Friday of three bison having a feast near the company's Bluefish dam.
"This is a little unusual," said Terry Armstrong, a biologist with the N.W.T.'s Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
"Bison will sometimes go on excursions."
He said bison don't normally travel that far north or east, typically stopping between Behchoko and Yellowknife.
But active fire seasons in the area have created prime conditions for grass and sedges, a small wetland plant that resembles grass, on which bison love to feed. Read More HERE
In Bison Recovery, Scientists Start Small
A new approach to bison conservation focuses on many small herds on a patchwork of public and private land.
Last Nov. 1, about 400 spectators watched in delight as 10 huge, shaggy bison rumbled out of a holding corral onto 1,000 acres of windy short-grass prairie, 30 miles north of Fort Collins, Colorado. The fenced grassland here is part of some 32,000 acres of city and county natural areas stretching from the foothills of the Rocky Mountains to the Great Plains. Local managers plan to gradually expand the herd’s range to 2,500 acres as it grows through a combination of natural reproduction and more reintroductions. The herd already has its own Facebook page and, of course, a limited-release commemorative microbrew, Prairie Thunder Imperial Brown Ale.
The release restores the bison to the merest sliver of the species’ vast historic range, and yet it represents a major conservation success. These animals are descended from the bison in Yellowstone National Park, the only population to survive wholesale slaughter by settlers during the late 19th century, and the last major reservoir of bison genes that have not been polluted by cattle DNA from cross-breeding. Yet using them in restoration efforts outside the park has been difficult because many Yellowstone bison carry brucellosis, a disease that can cause cattle to abort or prematurely give birth. The Laramie Foothills herd, however, is brucellosis-free, thanks to novel assisted-reproduction technologies. That makes these bison an early test case for efforts to expand the species’ gene pool outside Yellowstone. Read More HERE
Yellowstone Bison Granted More Home To Roam
SALMON, Idaho, April 6 (Reuters) - The country's largest band of wild bison can roam public lands outside its home at Yellowstone National Park without facing certain slaughter, under an agreement reached by U.S., state and tribal leaders on Wednesday.
The plan allows bison, also known as buffalo, to range on more than 330,000 acres (135,000 hectares) of public lands in Montana, said Stephanie Adams, Yellowstone program manager for the National Parks Conservation Association.
The deal is a step toward ending part of a 16-year program during which thousands of bison were rounded up and ultimately slaughtered after wandering outside the boundaries of the park, which spans parts of Wyoming, Montana and Idaho. Read More HERE
Agriculture’s Generational Challenge: Fallow Workforces, Relationships
In recent years, Canada’s agricultural workforce has entered what can only be a considered a significant demographic shift. According to the 2011 Census on Agriculture, the most recent national census on the country’s agriculture workforce, farms with an average operator age of 55 years or older accounted for more than 50 per cent of farms in 2011; in 1991, this number was 37.7 percent.
Moreover, only one of 10 farmers are under the age of 40 now, a marked drop from one out of four in this range two decades ago. With the consolidation of farms and the continued movement of young Canadians toward urban living spaces, farming has the challenging task of thinking through how best to recruit its next generation. Read More HERE
Wildlife Center Hosts 5K To Celebrate Anniversary Of Releasing 130 Wood Bison
ANCHORAGE - Sunday marks a very special day for dozens of wood bison now roaming the Alaska wilderness between Galena and Bethel. It will have been exactly a year since 130 bison were reintroduced to the wild by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center.
According to wildlife officials, it was the first the first wild herd of wood bison released in the United States in over a century.
In a joint press release issued Saturday, the department and the center said bison population is doing well despite suffering 20 deaths in the last year due to drowning and natural causes. The population added 16 wild born calves last summer and another strong calf crop is expected in the coming months. Read More HERE
Fluffy, Awkward Baby Buffalo are South Dakota's First Born in 2016
Video HERE
Did You Know
- Juno Gala Recipes HERE
- Bison Pot Roast Recipe HERE
- Canada resisting slide in U.S. farmland values. More HERE
- Landmarks: Monroe Street bridge’s bison skull sculptures have Canada connection. More HERE
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CBA News and Events...
The Winners Have Been Announced…

The winners of the 2015 CBA Annual Photo Contest have been chosen. Thank you to all the producers who submitted photos. You make our job hard each year trying to pick just 3 winners in each category. To see the winning photos go HERE.
Travelling? Looking for a Place to Stay?
The CBA has teamed with Choice Hotels to provide members with another benefit -- save up to 10%. Please go HERE for all the details. As well, there is a bonus offer until December 31, 2016.
1st International Symposium on Bison Health Presentations
Dr. Woodbury, one of the organizers has made it possible for us to post most of the conference presentations on the CBA Website. Go HERE
Branding No Longer Required for Shipping Bison Between Canada And The US
Effective April 8, 2015, Canadian bison exported to the USA for breeding or feeding do not have to be permanently identified with a permanent "CAN" mark as long as they are identified with a secondary dangle tag.
The dangle tag must bear the same official ID number as on the approved RFID tag. Like the RFID tags, the dangle tags can only be purchased from the Canadian Bison Association. A transitional period will take place until May 8, 2015 to accommodate health certificates that were issued prior to the effective date of this requirement.
During the transitional period, only the approved RFID tag is required for bison. Read More HERE
Read Press Release sent out by CBA and NBA HERE
Advance Payments Program improved under the Agricultural Growth Act
Effective April 1, 2016 the Manitoba Livestock Cash Advance Program has been expanded to offer advances on a select number of crops in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, which allows producers to obtain cash advances for more than one commodity. This improves service to producers. http://manitobalivestock.com/
More details can be obtained on the following links including other including other organizations that may have expanded the commodities for which they offer Cash Advances. (ENGLISH: http://bit.ly/XqeLPZ or FRENCH: http://bit.ly/1oKxhPK)
Advance Payment Program Now Available To Producers Who Market Their Products To The Retail Market
The Advance Payments Program (APP) is a federal loan guarantee program that helps livestock producers meet their financial obligations and benefit from the best market conditions by improving their cash flow throughout the production period. The Manitoba Livestock Cash Advance issues producers a cash advance on the anticipated value of their livestock that is being produced. Producers can receive a cash advance on up to 50% of the expected average market price of the livestock.
The Canadian Bison Association worked with producers and the Manitoba Livestock Cash Advance managers to make the Cash Advance Program available to producers who market their bison to the retail market from their farm. Producers who have their animals slaughtered will have 30 calendar days from the date on the slaughterhouse receipt to repay their advance. The number of bison slaughtered must be included on the slaughterhouse receipt. For additional information and application forms go to http://manitobalivestock.com/ or call 1-866-869-4008
Le Programme de paiement anticipé est maintenant offert aux producteurs qui commercialisent leurs produits sur le marché de détail
Le Programme de paiement anticipé (PPA) est un programme fédéral de garantie d’emprunt qui aide les producteurs de bétail à respecter leurs obligations financières et à bénéficier des meilleures conditions du marché en améliorant leurs liquidités tout au long de la période de production. Le programme Manitoba Livestock Cash Advance fournit une avance en espèces sur la valeur prévue du bétail qu’ils produisent. Les producteurs peuvent recevoir une avance en espèces pouvant atteindre 50 % du prix moyen prévu du marché du bétail.
L’Association canadienne du bison collabore avec les producteurs et les gestionnaires du Manitoba Livestock Cash Advance afin de mettre le PPA à la disposition des producteurs qui commercialisent leur bison sur le marché de détail à partir de leur ferme. Les producteurs dont les animaux sont abattus disposent d’un délai de 30 jours civils pour rembourser leur avance, et ce, à compter de la date indiquée sur le récépissé délivré par l’abattoir. Le nombre de bisons abattus doit figurer sur le récépissé remis par l’abattoir. Pour de plus amples renseignements et pour obtenir les formulaires de demande, visitez http://manitobalivestock.com/ ou téléphonez au 1-866-869-4008.
Through the Lens of the Producer
Over the past years the CBA has asked its members to send in pictures of their bison in the four seasons. HERE then are the Seasons of the Bison-through the lens of the Producer.
Malignant Catarrhal Fever
The SBA along with the sheep industry have created a video that will support education and awareness of Malignant Catarrhal Fever (MCF). To View the Video Go HERE
Do You Want Big Travel Insurance Savings
The CBA has partnered with ATI Insurance Inc. to provide members with another benefit -- Comprehensive Travel Insurance at a discounted price. Please go HERE and make this insurance program part of your annual travel plans. Service is offered in English and French.
Mycoplasma in Farmed Bison Survey 2014 - 2015
The Mycoplasma in Farmed Bison Survey intends to supply the bison industry with much needed knowledge, so that evidence-based decisions can be made to protect herds and control the spread of this emerging disease.
The Survey is a collaborative effort of the University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Alberta Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Canadian Bison Association, veterinarians, and bison producers. It will be launched in May 2014 and is designed to provide valuable information.
For more information go HERE (scroll down to News & Events)
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Markets...
Weekly Price Summary
April 8, 2016
Finished Bison Prices Strong
With the Canadian dollar showing some strength, please confirm prices offered by buyers as they may change daily.
Canadian buyers have been offering up to $6.00/lb. HHW for Grade “A†bison bulls with prices being driven by $US prices and exchange rates. Carcasses that do not fall within buyers’ specifications are discounted. U.S. buyers and certain Canadian Buyers are offering up to $4.35/lb. HHW U.S. for grade “A†bulls with returns dependent on exchange rates, quality, export costs, and freight adjustments.
UTM Grade “A†bison heifers in the desirable weight range are selling for up to $5.75/lb. HHW to Canadian buyers with prices being driven by $US prices and exchange rates. U.S. buyers are offering $4.20 U.S. with returns dependent on exchange rates, quality and export costs.
Live Bison Prices
Live bison prices continue to be strong. For further detail go to the past auction section on the Kramer Auction website at www.kramerauction.com and to the bison market section of Vold, Jones and Vold Auction Company website at www.vjvauction.com.
**Producers should research what parameters the prices are based on. Parameters such as Canadian or US delivery, weight ranges, age etc. This will assist them in comparing prices on an even basis.**
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