Canadian Cattle Young Leaders
Brooke Martin was born and raised near Piapot, in the southwest corner of Saskatchewan. From a young age she had a passion for all animals on her family’s commercial cow-calf ranch. Martin was in beef 4-H for 10 years, where she gained many skills, and was awarded many trips for her leadership qualities. She attended Medicine Hat College where she obtained her diploma in the environmental reclamation technology program and graduated with honours. She is currently employed at CFB Suffield with the rangeland sustainability section. She also owns a herd of commercial Black Angus cows, and aims to become fully immersed in the cattle industry. Her mentor is Randy Stokke, who ranches with his family in southwestern Saskatchewan. The Stokke family received the national TESA award in 2019, and Randy is known for advocating on behalf of ranchers to the federal government on conservation issues.
Brayden Schmidt was born and raised in Lumsden, Sask., and now resides near Didsbury, Alta. with his wife Andie and their son Traig. Schmidt graduated from Olds College with a bachelor of applied science in agribusiness and now works for Bullseye Feeds as a beef nutrition consultant. He also works alongside Andie’s family at their farming operation Westway Farms Ltd., an operation which consists of Simmental and Angus purebred and commercial cow-calf pairs, a small feed yard, and pedigree grain seed production. Schmidt enjoys volunteering his time to 4-H and junior livestock programs, giving back to programs that he grew up in. His mentor is TJ Larson, who owns and manages a feedlot in Fort Macleod, Alta. Larson has been in the cattle feeding industry since 2000, and the operation has grown from primarily custom cattle feeding into a diversified agribusiness.
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In late January, the Canadian Cattle Identification Agency announced the appointment of its new general manager, Ashley Scott. Scott previously served as executive director for the Alberta Lamb Producers for over four years. She has earned a non-profit management extension certificate as well as a human resource management certificate from Mount Royal University. Scott has worked predominantly in the non-profit sector, and also brings human resource management skills to her new role. She also has a track record of commitment to sustainable agriculture. She strives to create opportunities for local farmers, having worked tirelessly to ensure the longevity and success of lamb producers in Alberta.
Steve Kenyon and Brian Brewin were re-elected as directors to RDAR’s board in late January, and David Hoekstra joined the board as a newly elected director. Hoekstra is vice-president of Big Marble Farms, and has held several board positions, including as director for Medicine Hat College. He was nominated by the Alberta Greenhouse Growers. All three will serve three-year terms on the non-profit’s board, which targets strategic investments in producer-led, results-driven ag research. Dr. David Chalack was re-elected chair, and D’Arcy Hilgartner vice-chair. The board also recognized Melissa Downing, who had served on the board since 2020.
The Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame has announced its 2024 inductees. Among them are Ron Bonnett, a cow-calf producer from Bruce Mines, Ont. Bonnett has served as president of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, Ontario Federation of Agriculture, been involved in municipal politics, and served on the board of the World Farmers’ Organization. During his tenure as Ontario Federation of Agriculture president, he helped develop national programs to support producers through the BSE crisis. He was also president of Beef Improvement Ontario. The other inductees include fruit grower Bert Andrews, egg farmer Bill Gray, apple and cider producer Grant Howes, vegetable farmer Verner Toews, and poultry behaviour and welfare pioneer Dr. Tina Widowski.
The Manitoba Beef Producers elected a new board at its AGM last month. The executive includes Matthew Atkinson (president), Arvid Nottveit (first vice-president), Tyler Fulton (second vice-president), Mark Good (treasurer) and Mike Duguid (secretary). Directors include Alfred Epp (District 1), Mark Schram (District 2), Andre Steppler (District 3), Byron Falk (District 4), Steven Manns (District 5), Brian English (District 6), Trevor Sund (District 9), Mary Paziuk (District 13) and Dale Cazakoff (District 14). Outgoing director Nancy Howatt of District 2 was recognized for her six years of service to the board.
Dr. Allan Preston was named the recipient of Manitoba Beef Producers’ Lifetime Achievement Award. Preston grew up on a farm near Hamiota, Man. After earning his doctorate of veterinary medicine from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon, he practiced for a year in Winnipeg before returning to Hamiota, where he became a partner in a local clinic. After 20 years, chronic arm and shoulder issues pushed him to leave rural practice and work for Manitoba Agriculture, where he was manager of veterinary field services for five years. In 2000, he became the provincial veterinarian. During the BSE years, he became an assistant deputy minister for Manitoba’s Ministry of Agriculture, a position he held for over seven years. One highlight was his work on a committee of federal-provincial-territorial assistant deputy ministers to develop the National Farmed Animal Health and Welfare Strategy. He also received the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association’s Humane Award, which recognizes a member for their contributions to the welfare and well-being of animals.
The B.C. South Peace River Stockmen’s Association awarded its bursary to Casey Bergen during its AGM last November. Bergen is the great-granddaughter of Henry Bentley, an early member of the association. The $1,000 bursary is meant to help post-secondary students from B.C.’s southern Peace area further their education. Also at the meeting, Lary Fossum was honoured for his approximately 25 years of contributions to the organization. He served several years as a zone director and committee member, as well as the vice-president, president and past president. Fossum has stepped down, and newly elected directory Chance Wiebe is filling his shoes.
