Canadian Cattle Young Leaders
Taylor Iwasiuk grew up on her family’s mixed commercial, purebred and grasser operation in the Peace Region near High Prairie, Alta. Her passion for the agriculture industry was fostered through youth involvement in provincial 4-H, as well as with the Alberta Junior Angus and Hereford Associations. Iwasiuk is a graduate of both Lakeland College and the University of Saskatchewan, with a degree in agriculture business and a minor in animal science. Iwasiuk now runs cattle alongside her family, where they run a commercial Black Angus cow herd and focus on producing low-maintenance, forage-based genetics. She has had roles with the Peace Country Beef and Forage Association, in the crop sector, and currently works for a feed company in north central Alberta. Her mentors are Daniel and Kimberly Doerkson, who operate Gemstone Cattle Company and Gemstone Grass Beef along with Daniel’s family. They run a purebred Hereford and Red Angus cow herd, a commercial cow herd, a 4,000-head feedlot and they direct market around 800 head of grass-finished cattle through their butcher shop and online store.
William Gamache grew up in a small town called Westwold, B.C., and was raised on a small cow-calf operation. In 2012, Gamache got his red seal heavy duty technician ticket and continued to work in Alberta until he found his way back home to B.C. He and his wife purchased their own farm in Lumby, B.C., and are now building a commercial Black Angus herd and hope to acquire more land to continue building their cattle operation. Gamache’s focus is genetics. His mentor, Sean McGrath, is a rancher and genetics consultant from Vermilion, Alta. He has actively developed and delivered genetic improvement programs at producer and national levels. McGrath also owns and manages a fifth-generation ranch.
Nazim Cicek has been named the next dean of the faculty of agricultural and food sciences at the University of Manitoba, starting January 1, 2026. A professional engineer and professor in the department of biosystems engineering, Cicek is currently serving as the associate dean of research, a position he has held since 2021. He joined the University of Manitoba in 2001 after receiving his master of science in chemical engineering in 1995, his Ph.D. in environmental engineering in 1999 from the University of Cincinnati and working in the industry for several years. Cicek’s research and teaching interests span agricultural and industrial waste management, bioenergy and biopolymer production, and bioprocess engineering. In recognition of his contributions, Cicek received the 2018 Jim Beamish Award from the Canadian Society of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering and became a fellow of the society in 2021.
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Scholarship winners, board elections and more beef industry news
Scholarship winners, board elections, Canadian Cattle Young Leader bios, and provincial Environmental Stewardship Award winners
The Canadian Cattle Association presented the annual Reg Schellenberg Next Generation Legacy Award to Brianna Elliot of Sundre, Alta. Vice-president Lynn Grant and CCA past-president Nathan Phinney presented the award at the association’s semi-annual meeting banquet in Levis, Que. The Reg Schellenberg Next Generation Legacy Award recognizes individuals who exemplify the values Schellenberg was known for — humble leadership, a commitment to mentorship, a spirit of collaboration and unwavering dedication to the Canadian cattle industry.
Congratulations to Don and Geraldine Bettle, who were awarded the Environmental Stewardship Award (TESA) for 2025 at CCA’s semi-annual meeting banquet. Don and Geraldine Bettle have been farming for nearly 50 years at Passekeag, N.B. Together, they run Passekeag Holdings Inc., a 70-head Angus-based cow herd. The Bettles use a paddock rotational grazing system to promote forage regrowth and soil health, along with soil testing, lime application and winter bale grazing to improve marginal land. In response to changing climate patterns, they’ve adapted forage species and grazing timing. The Bettles have set aside 300 acres of wetland in collaboration with Ducks Unlimited and the Kennebecasis Watershed Restoration Committee to promote conservation. Waterfowl have been encouraged with the installation of duck nesting boxes. Wildlife corridors have naturally developed through land clearings between wooded areas, allowing animals to move safely while reducing pressure on fencing and encouraging habitat continuity.
The Saskatchewan Young Ag Entrepreneurs have a new general manager, Kaitlyn Kitzan. Kitzan, a grain and cattle producer from Saskatchewan, brings extensive experience in agriculture, business development and leadership. She previously served on the organization’s board of directors, giving her a strong understanding of the organization’s roots, mission and members. As general manager, Kitzan will oversee the organization’s programming, partnerships and member engagement to ensure the organization continues to provide value to young producers and professionals across Saskatchewan.
BioFerScience won its second straight Livestock Innovation award at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show in Woodstock, Ont., which took place from September 9-11. BioFerScience is an animal health company based out of London, Ont., founded by Dr. Behnam Abbasian, a veterinarian and microbiologist. This year, they won for the ProFlora Post-Calving Calcium Bolus, which is a calcium bolus that was created in Ontario, and was made to support calcium levels in fresh cows after calving. The mayor of East Zorra-Tavistock Phil Schaefer presented BioFerScience with the award.
