Canadian Cattle Young Leaders
Coleman Nixdorff was raised east of Airdrie, Alta., on a mixed grain and seedstock/commercial cattle operation, YV Ranch, which focuses on high-quality Hereford genetics. He earned an undergraduate degree in animal sciences and a masters degree in ruminant nutrition from the University of Saskatchewan. Nixdorff works as the chief operations officer at the Matador Ag Corp. located near Kyle, Sask., leading a team that runs a custom grazing and farming business. He also continues to grow the family farm at Airdrie, with his brothers and parents. Nixdorff’s mentor is Jacob Bueckert. Bueckert and his family have a feedlot, cow-calf and custom farming business, as well as a gas station, near Burdett and Warner, Alta.
Kaley Mackie Rodman was raised on a beef farm in Northern Bruce Peninsula, Ont., and became very involved in the day-to-day of the family operation at a young age. She earned a bachelor of science in agriculture and a thesis-based master of science at the University of Guelph. Her graduate project was on the epidemiology of gastrointestinal nematodes in a cow-calf herd and efficacy of two commonly used dewormers. She now works as a program co-ordinator in agricultural program funding delivery. She and her husband and family are involved part-time in the family backgrounding operation. Her mentor is Tracy Herbert, who leads the knowledge translation and transfer team at the Beef Cattle Research Council.
The Canadian Cattle Association held its AGM on March 21 in Ottawa, Ont. Nathan Phinney of N.B. remains president and Tyler Fulton of Man. vice-president. Bob Lowe of Alta. is past president. Officers include Jack Chaffe of Ont. and Kirk Jackson of Que. Also on the board are Renee Ardill and Larry Rast of B.C.; Jim Bowhay, Jake Bueckert, Sheila Hillmer, Graham Overguard, Doug Roxburgh, Curtis Vander Heyden and Miles Wowk of Alta.; Karla Hicks, Philip Lynn, Lynn Grant and Ryan Beierbach of Sask.; Matthew Atkinson, Mike Duguid and Arvid Nottveit of Man.; Craig McLaughlin, Matt Bowman and Jason Leblond of Ont.; Philippe Alain of Que., Victor Oulton of N.S. and Kevin Simmons of P.E.I.
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As Advancing Women in Agriculture marked its 10-year anniversary in Calgary this March, AFSC and 840 CFCW presented the Women in Ag awards. Andrea Hanson received the “Promoter” award for her work as a livestock researcher, her involvement in community organizations and her support of female researchers. Depth of Field columnist Kelly Wobeser-Sidoryk was named the “Community Builder” for her extensive committee involvement, her work creating the Inspiring Women conference in Lloydminster as well as her work with farming and ranching families. Emilee Oro was named “AFSC Employee” for her work in the pasture clip program, where she interacted directly with producers, co-ordinated teams and trained others. Rancher Penny Miller received the “Operator” award for her support and mentorship of her peers, in addition to running and working on a large cattle operation. Skyler Vander Velde’s work co-founding Business Wide View, which facilitates knowledge sharing and collaboration within the ag community, earned her an “Innovator” award. Josie Van Lent was named “Professional Leader” for her work as dean of agriculture at Lakeland College, as well as her mentorship of agricultural leaders. Charlotte Wasylik’s work hosting Open Farm Days as well as virtual tours of her family’s farm, managing farm-to-table programs and her ag industry involvement led to her “Rising Star” award. And finally, Advancing Women Conference founder Iris Meck was named the “Notable Lifetime Achiever” for her work bringing women together through that event as well as her leadership in the corporate ag world. Congratulations to all the recipients.
Earlier this spring, Do More Ag added five people to its board. They include Calvin Sonntag, executive chair of BrettYoung Seeds; fifth-generation farmer Robert Hunter; Holstein Canada CEO Sartaj Sarkaria; young beef producer Emma Cross; and Angela Geddes, spouse of an East Coast beef farmer and owner of Soul on Fire Coaching.
Kim McConnell is slated to receive the 2024 Inspiring Business Leader Award next month from the University of Calgary’s Haskayne School of Business and Calgary Chamber of Commerce. McConnell launched his first business, Fieldstone Marketing, from a home office in his basement in 1984. The business grew over the next two decades, until it became AdFarm in a merger in 2002, making it one of North America’s largest ag marketing companies. He also helped launch the Canadian Centre for Food Integrity, designed to bolster public trust in food, and has served as an advisor to many organizations, as well as a mentor.
The Manitoba government appointed several people to the board of the Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation earlier this year. Former MLA John Plohman is the new chair. Don Kostesky, who was formerly a farmer, CEO and general manager of Farmers Co-op Seed Plant and Keystone Seedcoaters Ltd., is vice-chair. Directors include: Paul Gregory, president of Interlake Forage Seeds Ltd. and Interlake Honey Producers Ltd.; Mary Johnson, former union rep and negotiator; farmer and active community and ag board member Larry Bohdanovich; Rayna Gleich, agriculture specialist with the Manitoba Métis Federation; and Gurjaspal Singh Bala, technical program manager with Harmonic Technologies.
