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The AICA Board of Directors convened in Kansas City, Missouri to discuss and decide upon several agenda items vital to the health of the organization. Below are highlights of discussion items, further updates and full minutes can be found in the next issue of the Charolais Journal. Click below to read the meeting recap.
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Calf Vigor and Mothering Ability are two new traits that have been identified as part of the Charolais breed's commitment to create EPD tools that assist in genetic selection of traits to add value and make producers' operations more profitable. As the American-International Charolais Association and Canadian Charolais Association begin to gather data to create these new tools, please see the attached guides to score these traits during calving season. Records can be submitted through the online registry system, or contact the office for assistance in uploading existing records. Click here to view.
If you haven’t already paid your 2025 AICA membership dues, please contact Maggie or Sarah in the Registration Department to reactivate your account. Female inventories will be hitting mailboxes soon, you can either send the paper copies back to the office or enroll your dams in your online portal. The deadline for submission is April 1st.
The 2025 Genomic Credit Program is in full swing, as producers earn up to $20 off genomic testing with the submission of needed data in contemporary groups in the following areas:
Vanessa will be working alongside the AIJCA and staff to coordinate events and educational activities including the AIJCA Junior National Show & Leadership Conference and CharFocus Youth Conference. Applying her experience as a client service representative and junior association advisor, Vanessa will develop strategies to increase membership engagement across all members of the Association-breeders, juniors, and bull buyers. Originally from Pilot Grove, Missouri, we are excited to welcome her to headquarters in Kansas City. Contact her for opportunities to participate and support events of the AIJCA and AICA at vlammers@charolaisusa.com.
As AICA continues to gather data to release a research EPD for foot structure, be sure to view this guide to best understand how to score yearling cattle this springIf you have already collected data according to the BIF guidelines, contact us to learn how we can put it to good use in the development of this new genetic selection tool. Also please make note, these records are part of the ongoing genomic credit program, so providing this data will help lower the cost of your AICA genomic testing. Click here to view.
Accepting Summer Internship Applications
This full summer intern program encompasses much of the AICA’s summer activities including event planning and execution of the American International Junior Charolais Association (AIJCA) Junior National Show & Leadership Conference, the VitaFerm CharFocus Youth Conference, production of the August issue of the Charolais Journal, updating social media, and communications management. Apply by, Friday, February 28. Click here for complete information.
The American-International Charolais Association held a Commercial Committee and Board of Directors meeting in conjunction with AICA activities at the National Western Stock Show, Denver, Colorado. During the meetings, updates and strategies were provided targeting several initiatives to add value to Charolais genetics throughout the beef chain. Click here to read the recap from the meetings.
As a breed, Charolais cattle are known for a phenotype that turns heads while driving profit for seedstock and commercial producers alike, thanks to being backed by decades of data that ensures performance repeatability. In 2024, AICA’s Profit Driver program will create the opportunity for real-world, third-party data collection at the feedyard to deliver the insights needed to move a producer’s herd and the breed forward.
Learn more about Profit Driver on page 39 in the
December Charolais Journal
Donor dams and AI sires born after January 1, 2020 are required to be tested for Bovine Progressive Ataxia (BPA), prior to the registration of progeny and/or additional progeny. Animals that have a 100K DNA result on file, will only need to have the BPA test added to their profile. Animals without a 100K on file, will need to have the 100K and BPA ran.
Thursday, January 2, 2025
Monday, February 3, 2025
Monday, March 3, 2025
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
Friday, August 1, 2025
Monday, September 1, 2025
Wednesday, October 1, 2025
Monday, November 3, 2025
Monday, December 1, 2025
Below are highlights of discussion items, further updates and full minutes can be found in the Charolais Journal. Click here to view the summary.
Now streaming-season 2 of the Charolais USA Podcast!
New episodes include:
*Kelli Retallick-Riley, AICA Genetic Consultant-Your EPD Questions, Answered
*Dennis Metzger, Metzger Marketing-Summer Video Auction Report & Getting More Value for Char-sired Feeder Cattle
*Hadley Schotte, AICA Field Representative-Planning for Success, a Roadmap to a Production sale
*Cody Beck, AICA Field Representative-Bull Buyer Customer Service Strategies
Stream on your favorite audio platform, or click here to listen
Hosted by Dr. Bob Weaber, AICA Genetic Consultant.
View video recording at: https://bit.ly/tsi24
Whether you're a seasoned breeder or new to raising Charolais cattle, connecting with bull buyers is key to your success. Join this webinar to understand what matters to bull buyers in 2024, and how to position your operation for success. We will highlight AICA Bull Buyer Market Research, practical strategies in beef industry media, and how to communicate the value of your breeding philosophies to potential buyers.
View video recording at: https://bit.ly/aicabull
Are you selling Charolais beef directly to consumers? Thinking about getting started?
Marketing is key to building a sustainable direct-to-consumer beef business, but it doesn’t have to be complex.
Join David Bisek from the American International Charolais Association in our Build Your Beef Brand webinar, where you'll discover essential strategies to grow a direct-to-consumer beef business. Learn how to connect with today’s beef consumers, share your unique story, and keep customers coming back.
Access the recording and toolkit here: https://bit.ly/46YHZJr
We are thrilled to announce the launch of our new website, CharolaisBeef.com, dedicated to showcasing the excellence of Charolais-influenced beef. The site offers comprehensive education on the Charolais breed, highlighting its unique characteristics and benefits. It also includes a directory to help consumers locate Charolais beef near them.
This initiative signifies the first step in AICA's strategy to enhance consumer awareness and demand for Charolais genetics in retail and restaurant sectors.
Additionally, we have launched social media channels on Facebook Charolais Beef and Instagram @charolaisbeef to engage directly with consumers about Charolais beef. This reflects our commitment to strengthening the market presence of Charolais genetics.
We invite you to explore and learn more here: charolaisbeef.com
The April 2025 Genetic Evaluation has been released. AICA is releasing genetic evaluations nine times annually - January, February, March, April, August, September, October, November, December. July 1st is the data and genomic submission deadline for the August 2025 EPD release.
Click here for current EPDs, breed averages and more.
If you have questions, please contact Maggie Smithee @ 816-464-2474 x401 or msmithee@charolaisusa.com.
All DNA tests processed at Neogen as of May 1, 2025 will reflect this pricing structure: 100K - $50/sample (blood, semen, TSU sample), $55 (hair) additional tests available include: Horned/Polled - $20 or Bovine Progressive Ataxia (BPA) - $5. All DNA tests are billed to the breeder at time of ordering the kits.
Click here for current AICA Fee Sheet
