Merry Christmas!

I hope you and your family are having a wonderful Holiday Season!

Here at the BisonCentre we are winding up a busy year, although we still have some work to do before it is all done.

The last couple months have been hectic. We had excellent turn-out at our Regional Meetings throughout Alberta. The meals were delicious and the speakers were informative and entertaining. Overall a great success.

The CBA conference was also an enjoyable time, a chance to meet new people in the bison industry from across Canada, and to renew old acquaintances.

Highlights In this Issue

Bison to USA – page 1
Myrt Lenton Award Winner – Page 1
Marketing Report – Page 2
CBA National Show and Sale – Page 2
CBA Conference Report – Page 3
Regional Meetings Speaker Summaries – Page 4

Breeding Bison Shipped to the United States

Regina, Saskatchewan November 27, 2007 The Canadian Bison Association held its 15 th Annual National Show & Sale November 19-20, 2007 in conjunction with the Canadian Western Agribition. For the first time since May 2003, U.S. bison producers in search of bison genetics were actively bidding at this year’s sale. Of the 32 animals up for auction seven were sold to buyers in the United States. The day following the sale, two animals left Regina Saskatchewan and crossed the border on their way to a ranch in Oklahoma.

“It was a great day for the bison industry in North America. Both Canadian and the U.S. bison producers will have access to bison genetics which is important for the industry and for the species” stated Mark Silzer, President of the Canadian Bison Association.

Implementation of the final rule by the United States makes bison born after March 1, 1999 and meat from all bison with the specified risk material removed eligible for the U.S. market. In addition, the administrative requirements to prepare bison for export have been streamlined. “The new requirements expand the market for Canadian bison and bison products. Such expansion creates opportunities for the North American bison industry to better serve North American consumers” stated Mr. Silzer.

Winner of the Myrt Lenton Award Gary, Carolyn & Brad Fakeley

This year's Myrt Lenton Award goes to our own BPA nomination - Gary, Carolyn and Brad Fakeley - for their outstanding contribution to the Bison Industry.

The Myrt Lenton Memorial Award was established to recognize members of the Canadian Bison Association who have “unselfishly given of their time, tireless efforts, support and commitment to the Canadian Bison Industry and the Canadian Bison Association,”

The annual award consists of a bronzed sculpture of a bison cow with her new born calf. Each recipient is presented the award and is able to keep the sculpture for a year. A significant engraved gift is also given to the recipient.

Clay Curry, Len Ross and Gary Fakeley spent many hours bringing together a group of Bison producers with the intention of forming an association. In the spring of 1991, with 11 Bison producers and prospective producers present at a meeting in Red Deer, Alberta – the South Central Alberta Bison Association which eventually became the Alberta Bison Association was formed.

In December of 1991, after hours of careful investigation on Gary’s part, Gary and Carolyn brought home 20 Bison heifer calves from Tom Meerheimb’s Mayerthorpe herd. The herd grew from these initial 20 heifers and their cow-herd remained a closed herd for all the years the Fakeley’s were in the Bison business.

From 1991 to 1998, Gary was Membership chairman and Treasurer of the Alberta Bison Association. Under Gary’s reign as Membership Chairman membership soared. He spent many hours on the phone and at sales where he signed up most everyone in, and even thinking about going into the Bison business. During these years, Carolyn filled in when Gary was unavailable.

In 1998, Gary started working on IBC 2000. He was Co-Chair of this event as well as the Raffle Chairman. The raffle he organized was the largest Agriculture Raffle in Canada. $ 236,000.00 was raised for CBA and $ 118,000.00 for NBA for a total profit of $ 354,000.00. This event consumed 2 1/2 years of both Gary & Carolyn’s lives.

In 1999 Carolyn became Treasurer of the Alberta Bison Association. In 1998, Membership was separated from the Treasurer’s position. In 2004, Carolyn became Treasurer for the Wild Rose Show & Sale. This position included being a jack of all trades and doing whatever jobs needed doing. She continued in this position until 2007 when the committee was dissolved

Gary remained on the board of the ABA until the Bison Producers of Alberta came into being. His final commitment to the industry was to see the two associations in Alberta become one and when that finally happened in 2005, he stepped down.

From 2003 to 2005, Gary was a CBA Director and chair of the On Farm Food Safety from 2004 to 2005.

In 1994, Gary and Carolyn started selling Bison meat and in 1999, they formed Naturally Canadian Bison Products. They sold to both retail and the restaurant trade, dealing with many top end restaurants in Edmonton and Calgary. They handled all their own deliveries in and around Edmonton.

In the spring of 2003, several small marketers from counties surrounding Edmonton along with county representatives held a meeting to come up with ideas to bring the city to the country. From this meeting came the Fur & Feathers Tour in Strathcona County. This two-day event brought hundreds of visitors to the country. Gary & Carolyn not only showed their bison herd, but handed out meat samples, sold meat, and showcased value added products of the such as hides, robes, and skulls. They participated in this event for 3 years and dropped out only because they felt it was time for new participants. Also from the 2003 meeting came the Harvest Festival of Foods dinner. This dinner was held for 3 consecutive years in Ardrossan. Gary was Chairman of this event and Bison meat was the main entrée all 3 years. This event again was to showcase the country and focused on serving products that were grown and raised in the county. After 3 years, Gary stepped down as Chairman, and unfortunately this dinner is no longer taking place.

At the CBA convention in 2001, Gary, Carolyn and Brad were presented with the North American Ambassador Award from the CBA and the NBA.

At the ABA convention in 2001, Gary & Carolyn were presented with the Enthusiastic Commitment Award from the ABA.

Gary & Carolyn’s son, Brad has also been a big supporter of the Bison industry. The auctions were the highlight of his attendance at conventions. He has a wonderful knife collection that came from his support of both live and silent auctions at CBA, ABA, and IBC 2000. At one local event, when Gary & Carolyn were selling cut & wrapped meat, Brad bought - at top dollar - half a bison cut & wrapped!!!

It was a very sad day in the lives of the Fakeley’s when they watched their cows and calves go through the auction ring at Kramer’s on November 15, 2006. Bison were a very big, consuming part of their lives and it was coming to an end. Carolyn said it brings back the tears just thinking about it. They feel fortunate for all the memories – good & bad they have of their life with Bison and all the good friends they have met over the years. The friends will be there long after Bison.

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