Canadian breeders explore Kansas beef genetics operations and partnerships
A Canadian beef genetics trade team from Saskatchewan and Alberta visited the Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) in late October. This trade mission aimed to enhance ties between Canada and Kansas in beef genetics, focusing on knowledge-sharing and exploring trade partnerships in cattle breeding.
The diverse Canadian trade team represented a variety of seedstock operations and cattle breeds, including Black and Red Angus, Charolais, Hereford, and Simmental. The group’s itinerary included visits to some of Kansas’s most notable seedstock operations, such as McCurry Angus Ranch in Burrton, Bar S Ranch in Paradise, and Fink Beef Genetics in Randolph.
The team also attended the American Royal livestock show in Kansas City, where they observed industry-leading practices in livestock handling and breeding.
Shari Leachman, a trade team participant from Saskatchewan, appreciated the Kansas operations' dedication to innovation and quality. “Each family we visited exemplified professionalism, hospitality, and a forward-looking approach in the beef industry,” she noted, emphasizing the impact of these qualities on customer success.
Suzanne Ryan-Numrich, KDA’s international trade director, emphasized the significance of the mission, noting that it built on an earlier KDA trade trip to the Canadian Western Agribition last fall.
“This mission highlights the growing interest in beef genetics and the potential for cross-border partnerships in the beef industry,” Ryan-Numrich stated. Through these exchanges, Kansas producers have been able to broaden their international connections and promote Kansas’s purebred beef cattle.
The trade mission aligns with KDA's goal to support all facets of agriculture, including creating marketing opportunities for Kansas producers both domestically and internationally. This initiative was made possible through KDA’s collaboration with the U.S. Livestock Genetics Export, Inc. (USLGE) and USDA Market Access Program funding, which supports international partnerships and agricultural exports.
As interest in global beef genetics grows, Kansas and Canada stand to benefit from ongoing collaboration, which will foster growth and strengthen the agricultural sector on both sides of the border.
Photo Credit:kansasbeef