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The spotlight is on the Charolais breed this week as producers gather in Moose Jaw for their annual general meeting. 

Dale Weinbender, President of the Saskatchewan Charolais Association, says the breed is extremely popular and known for producing tan calves that wean off well.

Weinbender says the Charolais have been topping the markets for a long time, adding that the feedlots really like them as they finish very well.

"It's just been kind of the main focus for the breed and how we've been so successful."

Charolais breeders and beef industry representatives from across the country will be taking part in the Saskatchewan Charolais Association's Annual General Meeting, which goes today at 3 p.m. That's followed by the banquet and the Sask Royal Sale.

He notes the sale is a good opportunity to get everyone together; it goes tonight at 7 pm and will be broadcast live on the DLMS website.

"There are breeders from across Canada who will consign, whether they put in embryos or semen packages. They'll have pictures of their bred heifers and/or cowherds."

Highlighting the day on Friday is the Friends of the Canadian Charolais Foundation "Breeder School Day.".

Chair of the FCCF, Kelly Howe, says the foundation was founded in 2022 by a group of Charolais breeders across the country.

"To create a foundation to help support work through youth education and research in our breed, but also not just within our breed but within the country and the cattle industry as a way to raise money and fund those kinds of focus areas within the country."

Howe says the Breeder School is being held at the new Bovigen Genetics facility and will cover a variety of reproductive topics.

"We'll tour the brand new facility and get an idea of some of the new technology and new methods on the horizon when it comes to reproductive performance and cattle."

Following the tour, participants will hear from a variety of speakers on everything from the new technology and methods available to ways producers could do things differently to get better reproductive performance. 

Once the Breeder School wraps up, the Canadian Charolais Association will hold their annual general meeting, followed by the AGM for the Friends of the Canadian Charolais Foundation. Everything wraps up with the final banquet and fundraising auction.