This year's annual general meeting held March 29 in Peterborough, Ontario drew enthusiastic members from Alberta, Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick.

In 2007 the breed saw a slight 5% decrease in registrations while transfers climbed 9% with membership rising a significant 38% to 186 compared to 2006. "The financial report dealt with 2006 which saw the association in the black," explained Myrna Flesch, president. "Tightened our operating expenses significantly in 2005 and the grant from the Sustaining the Genetic Quality of Ruminants (SGQR) Program in 2006 was a contributing factor for our positive revenue position," she further explained.

Charlie Gracey, eminent beef industry expert, provided a beef industry overview at the evening banquet, which drew over 40 members and guests.

"The Association has a positive structure and with the positive input from the board and our members we are excited with the opportunities for the Blonde d'Aquitaine breed, which excels in lean meat yield," the president concluded.

For the first time since 2004 the Association has published its official breed publication, The Blonde Connection. The glossy, color magazine containing the membership directory and sire summary is available from provincial associations, board members or by contacting Myrna Flesch at 403-549-2371, westwind@telusplanet.net. The publication is also posted on the Association's website, www.canadianblondeassociation.ca.

Photo caption:

2008 Canadian Blonde d'Aquitaine Association Board of Directors (l. to r.) :
Dave McNevan (past president), Hastings, ON; Ian Kruis (vice-president), Hampton, ON; Marcel Lachance (treasurer), Norwood, ON; Myrna Flesch (president), Stavely, AB; Murphy Baker, Sunderland, ON; John Plas, Jerseyville, ON; and Ron MacArthur, Moncton, NB. Missing Ken MacKenzie, Drayton Valley, AB and John Vink, Wooler, ON.