Canadian Cattle Young Leaders
Karlene Yakenchuck is part of a fourth-generation mixed farming operation, Scattered Spruce Salers. She and her husband James raise purebred Salers and cash crops alongside her husband’s family. Yakemchuk holds a diploma and degree in environmental science from Lakeland College and the University of Alberta. She’s also a professional agrologist and certified crop adviser. Since graduation, Yakemchuk has worked in the crop sector for manufacturers, ag retails and seed companies, garnering lots of experience. She is the founder and owner of Scattered Spruce Ag Services Ltd., where she helps farmers with agronomic technical plans for their operations, as well as grant applications. In her spare time, she also leads the Alberta Salers Association as president, focusing on breed and breeder promotion for the province of Alberta. She also volunteers for her local ag society in Two Hills. Her mentor is Mabel Hamilton, of Belvin Angus in central Alberta. Hamilton has chaired the Beef Information Centre, Canadian Cattle Identification Agency, and served on the board of the Alberta Cattle Commission and Canadian Cattle Association.
Kayla Shallard is a first-generation rancher from Prince George, B.C. She was bit by the agricultural bug at age nine when she was first introduced to the 4-H program. In 2018, she obtained a degree in ag business management and jumped into a management role on a large cattle operation. A few years ago, Shallard, her partner and young children started farming on their own near Hixon, B.C. They run a commercial cow-calf operation, implementing regenerative agriculture practices with a focus on sustainability. Shallard is passionate about connecting with the public and educating them about where their food comes from. From May to December, she can be found selling her products at local farmers markets. She also volunteers with her local 4-H club and enjoys promoting agriculture to local youth. Her mentor is Sheila Hillmer, who ranches and works in the animal health industry. Hillmer is vice-chair of the Alberta Beef Producers, finance chair of the Canadian Beef Check-Off Agency and is working towards her coaching certification.
Congratulations to the Duynisveld family of Nova Scotia’s Holdanca Farms, who received Atlantic Canada’s Environmental Stewardship Award last month. Operated by Maria and her father, John, the farm includes 70 beef cattle, 100 ewes, around 150-200 lambs for grass-finishing, plus pastured pigs and poultry, all of which are rotationally grazed. Depending on forage availability, they also custom graze up to 150 head of cattle. Along with managing forage and livestock, the Duynisvelds steward habitat for everything from nesting birds to the critically endangered Baltimore checkerspot butterfly, plus thirteen-spotted ladybugs.
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Congratulations as well to Jessica Radau, who has taken on a new role with the Canadian Cattle Association, as the policy, programs and engagement manager. Radau will be “leaning into” both the domestic and international food policy files, she says, and serving as the industry liaison for the Beef Cattle Code of Practice update. Radau has managed the CCA’s youth programs for years, and will continue to oversee the CCA Young Leaders program and the Canadian Cattle Youth Council.
After six years, Marty Carpenter is retiring as president of the Canadian Beef Grading Agency. Carpenter previously spent 23 years at Canada Beef, as executive director of North American market development and as director of the Canadian Beef Centre of Excellence. At press time, the Canadian Beef Grading Agency was still looking for a new president.
Congratulations to Aubyn and Tristan Banwell of Spray Creek Ranch, named Outstanding Young Farmers for B.C./Yukon earlier this spring. The Banwells raise cattle, sheep, pigs and poultry on pasture along the Fraser River, near Lillooet, B.C. Tristan is a founding director of the Lillooet Agriculture and Food Society and the Small-Scale Meat Producers Association, and is involved with several other committees. Aubyn has served on the board of the Lillooet Farmers’ Market, and helped bring a farmers’ market nutrition coupon program to the community. On their operation, they focus on adaptive, multi-paddock grazing to promote soil and pasture health, biodiversity and agro-ecosystem resilience. They also run an on-farm abattoir, and direct market their organic meats, and also distribute their products throughout the Sea-to-Sky region.
Our condolences to the family and friends of Tom Pick, who passed away April 26 in Lindsey, Ont., at the age of 86. Tom was born in Louny, Czechoslovakia to parents Otto and Marie Pick, who along with his aunt Lya, fled in advance of the Nazi invasion and landed in Canada. Marie and Otto established a seed business after settling in Ontario. After Otto died in 1959, Marie, Tom and his brother, Martin, grew the business, Pickseed, into the fourth-largest grass and forage seed company in the world. They also established Pickseed West in Oregon. Pickseed was eventually bought by Danish forage and seed turf company DLF, which eventually dropped the Pickseed brand. Tom also served as president of the Canadian Seed Trade Association and on the boards of the American Seed Trade Association and the Federation Internationale de Semences. After the sale to DLF, Tom retired, and focused on hobbies such as rebuilding antique cars, woodworking and tapping maple trees. Tom was also a dedicated father, raising his children as a single parent after their mother, Dr. Judy Gigal, died. He’s remembered for being a bit of a prankster, sharing news clips with the kids and for showing a genuine interest in their lives. He is survived by his wife, June, children Stephanie, Andrew and James, his brother, Martin, and several grandchildren, nieces, nephews and other family members.
