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 Canadian Charolais Association Hires Two Regional Field Representatives Calgary, Alberta October 29, 2007 The Canadian Charolais Association recently contracted Kevin Boon as western field representative and John Mielhausen as western Ontario field representative. Both will focus on developing a strong liaison with the commercial sector, including cow/calf operators; auction market owners, managers and participants; order buyers; feedlot operators; processing and packing industry personnel; bull test stations; research stations and facilities which conduct commercial breeding and feeding trials. "The advantage of utilizing regional field representatives is that it provides the Association and their members with the capability of accessing the wide-ranging commercially based knowledge and contacts of individuals like Kevin and John, in a more directly related provincial basis," says Neil Gillies, general manager of the Association. Kevin Boon from the hamlet of Tomahawk, west of Edmonton, Alberta will cover B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. At the present he runs a backgrounder and yearling grasser operation. Previously he had a registered Charolais herd that he started in 1976. "After a 10 year absence from the Charolais community it's great to be back in a capacity that allows me to re-affirm the commercial producers confidence in the need to have a Charolais influence in their program," says Boon. "In a time of depressed beef prices it's important for us to be able to illustrate that the performance of the Charolais breed is still able to put more dollars in your jeans." John Mielhausen of Lion's Head in the North Bruce Peninsula of Bruce County, Ontario brings strong commercial beef cattle experience to the Association. He will focus on the western part of the province from Lake Huron to the Peterborough area. He operates a straight-bred commercial Charolais operation. "The Charolais breed is an easy breed to represent in Ontario, they are the first breed of choice in our province. They adapt very well to the environment and thrive well both on pasture and in the feedlots. With changes to some grid grading systems coming into effect in 2008, this system is very well suited to the Charolais breed and will contribute to its ongoing success," Mielhausen says. "One thing is very evident to me as I make my way through our province speaking with purebred and commercial breeders, is that we have a large number of high quality operations in Ontario." "For the eastern portion of Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes the Association will be making an announcement in due course," explained Neil Gillies. The Canadian Charolais Association is one of Canada's top five beef breed associations with 850 members. In 1953 the first Charolais cross cattle were imported into Canada from the United States with European purebred cattle imported in 1967. The Association was formed in 1960. For more information, contact:
Neil Gillies, general manager
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