Atlantic Beef, Fall 2007

The following is the speech Canadian Angus Association President Barry Young gave to attendees of the Maritime Angus Junior Association's field day and reception, held June 8-9.   Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls. Thank you all for this opportunity to be here tonight. Canada is certainly a big country, but some things are the same all over. I said to Marj, before we left, those damn Dandylions are taking over our farm. The lawn, the pastures, and the hay fields are polluted. We drove four hours to Winnipeg and what do we see, more Dandylions. We fly to Toronto, more Dandylions. We fly to Nova Scotia, more Dandylions. What do you think? Is this Dandylion our link? I wonder, should it be our national flower? Oh well, despite Dandylions, you folks in the Maritimes really do have a very beautiful part of Canada. The feeling of friendliness and making people feel at home is sure true and we thank you for that. The Canadian Angus Association is truly in a wonderful and envious position. We together, folks like you and me, register more purebred Angus cttle than all the other breeds put together. Nearly 60,000 head. Just think about that a moment. To be on top of the heap. Isn't that great? So, ask yourselves, how did this happen? I would like to tell you that it was my hardwork and perseverance, but you know that is not so, but it is part of it. Efforts from people I see here tonight definitely laid a solid foundation for our future. I think four or five major things happened. Number 1: The grading system changed. Marbling is now a good thing and our breed has it and it is worth money. Number 2: Branded Beef, Certified Angus Beef: the sillouette of a Black Angus steer is recognized by consumers in restaurants, food chain stores, even hamburger joints, as quality assurance. This symbol is recognized all lover the world as superior quality. This brand is ours and it sells. Number 3: Our fellow cattlemen have found out our Angus cow is very good at what she does. From birth and mothering ability right through to staying alive in a storm, instinct is second to none. Number 4: Our breed characteristics are so good that lots of other breeds want their cattle to be Black or Red, polled, and carcass quality with marbling. Those qualities are ours. It is our gift to them. This brings forth a question: How do we not lose our identity to them? It is maintaining a strong purebred registration. Make sure there is value in pedigree. That authenticates our wonderful breed from the rest. But tonight, we are here for you, our Juniors. No business or project can survive without youth to carry on. The Canadian Angus Association is especially proud of you all. Junior Associations right across the country have done a great job. You are our future. I want you to think future for a moment. Your ideas and initiative just might help to keep us on top. We want to hear from you. Your future is everyone's future. If I could give you a wish. I would tell you to have fun. Make your Angus experience so good, so contagious, that others will want to follow your footsteps on the pathways you have created. Good luck to you all. Thank your parents and family for this wonderful opportunity here. Remember, honor your Angus cow for she will take you around the world first class. Thank you.

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