REPORT OF JULY 2022 MEETING OF CGS BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

This meeting took place on July 12th and was held via Zoom.

Present: Sandy Howell, President; Chris Grab; Arnold Steeves, Tanya McCarthy, Jonathan Dugdale.

Regrets: Raynald Dube; Susan Frazer.

 

After reviewing the agenda and minutes of the previous Board meeting attention turned to a review of CGS finances. The association has a significant amount of money in its regular operating bank accounts, partially due to the fact that classification work had just started the week before the meeting and so classification expenses to that point were minimal. In addition income from registry work processed at CLRC has been very strong and their a tight controls on expenses.  The association has also been able to rebuild reserves over the past year.            

 

Staff were asked to contact Holstein Canada regarding the devices that that company uses for collecting classification data.

 

Processing of results from one day milk testing was up to date at the time of the meeting and a wave of show results was expected at meeting time.

 

Their was discussion about development of an expanded program to certify classifiers. A review of scheduling for classification work, that had just started at the time of the meeting, was presented.

 

Ongoing work on registry matters was reviewed and discussed and plans made for next steps in the work with a target of maintaining integrity of the herd book and completing individual projects. The association has mechanisms to assist both sellers and buyers with completing registry work. CGS works regularly with staff of CLRC who process our registry work to assist members with questions and challenges with registrations, transfers and related work.

 

-Dates for the 2023 Annual General Meeting in British Columbia have been narrowed down to February 18th or the 25th.

 

-A report was received that staff at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada are working on a document providing guidance to breed associations like CGs re content of by-laws and what topics must be addressed in by-laws and how to address them.

 

The Board reviewed applications for the hosting of CGS West and East National Shows in 2023. Via motions the Board accepted the application to hold the 2023 West National Show in Edmonton, Alberta during K Days in July and an application from the Royal Agricultural Winter fair to host the 2023 East National in November of next year.

 

The next regularly scheduled Board meeting will take place in mid-September.

REPORT OF JUNE 2022 MEETING OF CGS BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The meeting took place on June 13, 2022 via Zoom.

Six board members, Sandy Howell, Chris Grab, Susan Frazer, Tanya  McCarthy, Jonathan Dugdale and Arnold Steeves. Regrets were received from Raynald Dube.  

 

Topics discussed and motions made and passed during the meeting included:

 

  • A report of an upcoming meeting of classifiers and trainees at Howcroft Farm in Ontario took place. The goals of the meeting would be to have classifiers work together with the classification program and on evaluation of animals so that consistency in evaluations was constantly improving. As part of the discussion regarding classification a request was made to determine if enough data had been collected on research traits thurl placement and locomotion for them to be considered as official traits, part of calculation of final scores. This request would be made to the company responsible for creation of genetic evaluations, the Canadian Centre for Swine Improvement (CCSI). In addition CCSI staff would be asked about a question which had arisen about prospects for introduction of genetic evaluations for Nigerian Dwarf goats.     
  • A motion was made and carried to add directors Chris Grab and Tanya McCarthy as additional administrators for the CGS Facebook page.
  • The matter of an ongoing review of CGS by-laws was discussed. Notice was provided that the Animal Registration Officer at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada had indicated that he was creating guidelines for associations on appropriate content and wording for by-laws and also guidance on what topics were more appropriate for inclusion in association’s policies and procedures documents. The CGS President indicated she would contact the ARO for an update on progress on this valuable work.
  • A motion was made and carried that the 2023 Annual General Meeting of CGS be held in British Columbia.  Likely time frame for the meeting would be February.
  • The Board approved a motion supporting the presentation of an award in memory of the late Keith Van Camp of Blackstock, Ontario. The award will be known as the Honourable Mention award. The Judge will select a doe that best displays a combination of exceptional dairy strength and overall correct conformation. The award is sponsored by Mr. Van Camp’s family.
  • A report of a small ruminant industry meeting with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency on import regulation changes with regard to scrapie disease, held earlier on the day of the meeting was provided and received.
  • CGS has consistently working with members and buyers and sellers of goats to ensure that proper processes are being followed regarding registration and transfer of ownership of animals in alignment with CGS by-laws and the animal pedigree act. This work has been undertaken to ensure the integrity of the CGS herd book. During the meeting steps to collect information in specific cases to aid ongoing investigations were taken.

 

 

 

 

 

 

REPORT OF MAY MEETING OF CGS BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The May meeting of the CGS Board was held via Zoom with all Board members participating.

Highlights included:

  • A report from Chris Grab on the Western Judges Licensing Conference (JLC) held in mid-May near Edmonton, Alberta. Fourteen embers participated with ten auditing and four previously licensed judges in the group. Three advanced level judges from Western Canada participated as part of maintaining their status as judges. The panel consisted of Ed Cavanagh, as Coordinator, and Eugenia Carnegie and Lorraine Keeping. Alex Cripps, Chris Grab, Callum McLeod and Shannon Skulmoski were the four previously licensed judges adding longevity to their licenses. The CGS Board has thanked Chris and her associates in Alberta for their finesse in organizing a successful conference. The Board also appreciated the dedication of the panel. The Can
  • The report of the Western JLC was a starting point for an extensive discussion of current processes for JLCs and how JLCs could look in the future. A working group to conduct a full review of review of the policies, processes and procedures for JLCs has been established and will be at work in advance of 2024 JLCS.
  • The Board approved plans for an Eastern JLC to be held in the Ancaster/Caledonia area of Ontario from October 14 to 16, this year. Further details will be forth coming for currently licensed judges and those who would like to participate as aspiring apprentices or auditors.
  • CGS by-laws include processes for work of a  Pedigree Committee. This committee can address status of registrations, transfers and membership. The committee had been tasked with addressing delayed transfers and registration work. Their decisions were reviewed by the Board and added to minutes of the meeting.
  • The Board then discussed the need for more education on proper and timely processing of registry work by sellers and buyers to be in line with the by-laws of CGS and the Animal Pedigree Act. An education program with regard to the requirements in this documents will be instituted.   
  • The Board received a report of plans for a June meeting of classifiers and trainees for the CGS classification program. As follow up action to this meeting planning for 2022 classification work will continue at an advanced pace.
  • In order to obtain best returns on funds in CGS bank accounts the Board approved a further expansion of CGS investments in term GICs. This decision based on careful analysis of needs for immediate access to funds and gaining optimal benefit from all funds.

CGS Buyer’s Guide to Goats

We are thrilled to share this document that was created by the Canadian Nigerian Dwarf Association (CNDA) as an aid and educational resource anyone who is investing in new animals to add to their herd. There is a wealth of great information in this concise and yet thorough document. Please review the information therein. This material is of benefit to those buying stock and those who are in a position to be a seller. Many thanks to CNDA for making the document available to CGS!

Download Here: LINK

Successful Judges Licensing Conference in Alberta!

Sincere congratulations to members of the Canadian Nigerian Dwarf Association who organized a highly successful western Judges Licensing Conference in Leduc County, Alberta near Edmonton, Alberta from May 12 to 14.

Thanks also for this wonderful collage from the event.

Four licensed judges continued the licensing process and ten members audited the event. In addition a number of advanced judges participated during the conference.

Panel members were Coordinator Edward Cavanagh from Ontario; Lorraine Keeping from Saskatchewan and Eugenia Carnegie from British Columbia. Thanks to them!

Thanks to everyone who participated and supported this event in any way.

This event represented a true success story!

Facilities and organization were deemed to be topnotch.

REPORT OF APRIL 2022 MEETING OF CANADIAN GOAT SOCIETY BOARD

The CGS Board met by zoom on April 12th. All six current Board members were in attendance and participating.

President Sandy Howell chaired the meeting.

Topics addressed during the meeting:

  • Following the creation of a vacancy on the CGS Board for the province of Quebec all current CGS members in Quebec were contacted to determine if they wished to submit an expression of interest in filling the position.  Raynald Dube from Ange Gardien had submitted an expression of interest. The Board approved a motion appointing Mr. Dube to fill the position and complete the current term.
  • After the March Board meeting all current CGS Licensed Judges had been invoiced for renewal fees. The Board received an update on the volume of renewals-the meeting was held prior to the deadline for payment of fees.
  • The Board has recognized a need to review and potentially revise the Policy and Procedure Manual for CGS Judges Licensing Conferences. After both JLCs for 2022 have been held a working group led by Director Chris Grab will conduct the review and propose revisions.
  • A report was received on the upcoming JLC West scheduled for mid-May in Alberta. A motion was approved to have the exam, which is always part of the process available for completion online for the first time, with hard copies available also.
  • Ongoing investigations into the future of registry systems and service for CGS had yielded some fresh information. This information was shared with other small ruminant groups involved in registry services and discussions continue.
  • An application to host a JLC in Ontario in October was reviewed.
  • A complaint and accompanying fees were received by CGS from a member regarding violation of Section 25 of the CGS by-laws. The Board of CGS investigated the matter and found the complaint to be correct. The Board approved a motion that parties against whom the complaint was made will be denied the privilege of renewing a CGS membership or becoming a CGS member during 2022.
  • The Canadian Nigerian Dwarf Association had created a valuable Buyers’ Guide document and made it available for use by CGS. This offer was accepted and the document will be shared by CGs for educational purposes especially for first time and newer buyers and owners of registered goats.
  • A progress report on plans for a 2022 CGS Yearbook publication was delivered. First step in the process is a contest to find a superb cover photo for the publication. The contest involving goat-related photos is now open. Entries are to be sent to the CGS email address info@goats.ca by August 31, 2022. At upcoming Board meetings rates for advertising will be determined.
  • The Board requested establishment of a calendar of upcoming events and deadlines on the CGS website at www.goats.ca . (Now available on the website.)
  • The Board reviewed a proposed and detailed CGS Youth Recognition Program developed by a committee led by directors Tanya McCarthy and Jonathan Dugdale. Work will proceed on this topic toward full introduction of the program.
  • In answer to questions about adding breeds to the herd book of CGS the Board asked that direction be provided to owners of animals of these breeds on the process for recognizing them, and also direction on whether the breed is best suited for the CGS herd book or the Canadian Meat Goat Association herd book.
  • CGS finances to March 31, 2022 were reviewed along with current bank and investment balances at the time of the meeting.

Next meeting will take place on Tuesday, May 17, 2022.

REPORT OF CGS REGISTRY ACTIVITY AT CLRC TO APRIL 30, 2022:

Registrations up 27.1% over 2021 year to date.

Transfers up 29.2% over 2021 YTD.

Memberships up 3.9% over 2021 YTD. 2021 was the best year since 2002 for memberships!

New memberships are down 12.2% from last year.

Herd prefix registrations are down 6.9%.

Tattoo letter registrations are down 12.2%.

Units of business processed in the first third of the year are up 18.5%

Over the last three years there has been a real uptick in new memberships and registration of herd prefixes and tattoo letters. In actual numbers the number of new herd prefixes is only down five, tattoo ĺetters are only down two and new members are down nine from the same period in 2021.

Otherwise a very robust start to the year!