As the pandemic summer wears on, conference organizers are about to take the 2020 Canadian Beef Industry Conference (CBIC) into the virtual realm.
The conference, slated for August 11 to 13, was originally to be held in Penticton, B.C. But with COVID-19 making interprovincial travel tricky and large gatherings impossible, organizers postponed Penticton to 2021 and pivoted to an online format for 2020. Registration is free for all attendees.
Over the three-day conference, registrants will have the chance to tune in to sessions including a panel comprising three beef processors, a producer panel, a virtual silvopasture tour, a markets update and more. Each day, three live sessions will allow producers to put their questions to speakers and panelists.
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Organizers have also scheduled time for awards presentations. On August 12, the national winners of the Environmental Stewardship Award (TESA) will receive the award. Regional winners are in the running for the national award, including Paul De Jong from Ontario, Thomas and Felicity Hagan from Manitoba, Deer Creek Livestock from Alberta and Ricky and Chad Seelhof from British Columbia.
The Canadian Beef Industry Award for Outstanding Research and Innovation will also be awarded on August 12. The annual award recognizes a researcher or scientists whose work has contributed to the competitiveness and sustainability in the beef industry.
This year also marks the 10-year anniversary for the Cattlemen’s Young Leaders (CYL) program, a mentorship program coordinated by the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association. To celebrate the anniversary, Jessica Giles, youth leadership coordinator for the program, will present a video.
Earlier this summer, 24 semi-finalists were selected for the CYL program. The semi-finalists will take part in a virtual competition during CBIC. After the conference, 16 people will be selected and paired with a mentor and take part in the year-long program. Due to travel restrictions and other coronavirus disruptions, the program is being extended a year for the 2019 group of CYL mentees, meaning two cohorts will graduate from the program next summer.
For more information on the conference, visit canadianbeefindustryconference.com
