Canadian Cattle Young Leaders
Marianne Sytnyk grew up just outside of Oakburn, Man., on a mixed grain farm and commercial Angus cattle operation. She attended the University of Saskatchewan’s bachelor of science program with a major in animal science and graduated from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in 2022. After graduating, Sytnyk returned to Manitoba near her family’s farm to work at a mixed animal practice in Virden, Man., pursuing her dream to be a cattle veterinarian. In the fall of 2023, Sytnyk moved to north central Saskatchewan, where she currently works as a mixed animal veterinary locum. Sytnyk has maintained an active role in the farm alongside her three siblings and father who currently operate the farm today. She has a small herd of Angus-Simmental cattle which she manages alongside the family farm. Her mentor is Kristen Ritson-Bennett of Innisfall, Alta., a ruminant nutritionist and the managing partner of Blue Rock Animal Nutrition. In addition to business management and a significant client portfolio on the nutrition side, Ritson-Bennett and her husband have three children, a small purebred sheep operation and a veterinary clinic in Penhold, Alta.
Patrick Sullivan is a third-generation beef producer from Gracefield, Que. After graduating from Heritage College, he purchased his own farm close to the family land base. Along with his wife Caitlan and their three children, they continue to work with Sullivan’s parents, with plans to take over the operation in the near future. They currently run a 100-head cow-calf operation, with 50 per cent of the herd being registered Fleckvieh Simmental and the other 50 per cent commercial. They have a current land base of 780 owned acres, and an additional 750 of rented property, consisting of hay and silage crops, pasture and wooded areas. Sullivan participated in the local 4-H club, was a member of the Young Canadian Simmental Association and travelled all over Canada to participate in beef events. He sat on the local UPA board for 12 years and was president for four years. He is currently the president of the Quebec Simmental Association. His mentor is Ken Schaus, a second-generation cattle producer based out of Southern Bruce County, Ont. Schaus is involved with cover cropping and is a well-known cattle buyer.
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Rob Flack has been named the new Ontario minister of farming, agriculture and agribusiness. Flack was formerly the associate minister of housing, having been appointed to that position in September 2023. Prior to his political career, Flack was president and CEO of Masterfeeds. He resides with his family in Dorchester and raises Hereford cattle.
Congrats to Neil McLeod on winning the Saskatchewan Forage Council’s Forage Industry Innovation Award for 2024. McLeod has been a forage seed representative and dealer for 25 years. He initially started with Prairie Seeds in 1999 and moved to Northstar Seeds in 2006. McLeod was a founding member of the Southern Eagle Creek Watershed group in 2008, as well as a longtime board member of this group. He was also an active member of the Herschel Grazing Club. McLeod is knowledgeable and thoughtful when assisting in selection of forage seed blends and is a useful resource in the forage industry.
The Les Henry Award has been presented to its inaugural winner, Jeff Schoenau, University of Saskatchewan professor and Ministry of Agriculture strategic research program chair in soil nutrient management. Schoenau was chosen as the recipient by the late Les Henry himself in April 2024. The Les Henry Award recognizes a recipient in Western Canada who provides excellence in soil and water science and its application in the farming community. The Henry legacy, passion and integrity in agriculture will be carried forward with this annual award. Schoenau has been a leader in the soil science department and is doing research and extension that matters to farmers and agronomists. He is always willing to speak at a public meeting and share soil information. Schoenau’s passion for teaching and speaking endears him to his students and the industry.
Central Stockyards, a livestock marketing service that hosts the Fed Cattle Exchange, has expanded its team. Brent Difley, who grew up on a ranch in Saskatchewan and has spent his career in animal health, has been named business development director for Canada, where he will be responsible for working with Canadian feedyards and packers to market fed cattle on the Fed Cattle Exchange. Cassidee Rogers is now the business operations co-ordinator, responsible for co-ordinating customer relations and daily Fed Cattle Exchange auctions. Her knowledge and experience in the Northern Plains will help Central Stockyards expand into additional cattle feeding regions.
Congratulations to father-daughter team John and Maria Duynisveld, of Holdanca Farms from Wallace Bay, N.S., who recently received the national Environmental Stewardship Award. Together they raise 70 head of grass-fed beef cattle, plus sheep, pastured pigs and poultry in an adaptive rotational grazing system. They also custom graze up to 150 head of beef cattle, depending on forage availability and their own livestock numbers. The Duynisvelds received the award at the Canadian Beef Industry Conference in Saskatoon, Sask. in August.
