2020 Speckle Park Journal "Breeding Book"

THEFUTURE
growing
FORWARD
charting the course for the next decade
24 THE SPECKLE PARK JOURNAL
After receiving official breed status
in Canada 2006, Speckle Park nearly
tripled in size from 2010 through 2019,
both in terms of annual registrations
and memberships. It is now the fastestgrowing
breed both at home and in
Australia, and there are cattle registered
in nearly ten countries around the
world – an impressive accomplishment
for a breed humbly developed on the
Canadian prairies.
As a new decade begins, Speckle Park
breeders and commercial users have
much to look forward to in terms of
breed development, market expansion,
and enhanced Canadian Speckle Park
Association member services.
The CSPA board is in the midst of
creating a five-year plan to measure
performance and growth, says General
Manager Whitney De Decker. Breeders
are working on gathering and submitting
data for the association’s new genetic
evaluation program. Ultimately, Expected
Progeny Differences for Speckle Park
will be available to allow breeders and
commercial users the ability to compare
animals’ genetic potential and make
better-informed breeding decisions.
In addition, De Decker says the CSPA
is working to collect “quantitative data
that will substantiate proof point of the
breed that we use as marketing tools,
such as ultrasound, carcass data, feedlot
performance, and bull test stations.” For
their members, the association plans
to maintain ongoing focus to enhance
online registration abilities, while working
toward the implementation of a Total
Herd Enrolment program.