Canadian Cattle Young Leaders
Brett Squair hails from a ranch in the North Okanagan, B.C. He obtained an undergraduate degree from Simon Fraser University and a juris doctor degree from Thompson Rivers University, became a lawyer, and eventually became a partner at Davidson Lawyers LLP in Vernon, B.C. He practices business law, agricultural law, estate planning, estate administration and probate. He is also a director of the B.C. Cattlemen’s Association, a director of the North Okanagan Livestock Association and vice-president of the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce. Squair’s advisor is Trevor MacLean, an agricultural business advisor and a national leader with MNP’s TransitionSMART program, which focuses on succession planning.
Cassie Marchand is a fourth-generation rancher who grew up on Clifton Ranch in the South Okanagan. She remains involved with her family’s operation and ranches with her husband and his family in the North Okanagan. Marchand has also been working as a lender in agriculture for over a decade. She is also a director of the North Okanagan Livestock Association and a member of the B.C. Cattlemen’s public affairs and education committee. Her mentor is Sarah Wray, who ranches near Bashaw, Alta., and also runs a marketing agency, Story Brokers Media House, with her brother-in-law.
Congratulations to the Chalmers family of JPD Angus in Simcoe County, Ont., on receiving the 2024 Mapleseed Pasture Award. Lori and Darryl — along with their children Evan, Owen, Nolan, Michaela and son-in-law Chris Stoneman — raise 60 cow-calf pairs, 20 yearling heifers and 20 yearling bulls on 120 acres. The Chalmers family rotationally grazes their cattle to minimize damage to root systems on dry soil and maximize the number of cow-calf pairs per acre. Their well-drained land has adequate soil moisture in the spring and fall, but they’re careful about protecting root structures and encouraging pasture regrowth through rest periods.
The Hyatt family of Circle H Farms is the 2024 recipient of Ontario’s Environmental Stewardship Award. The family, including Shawn, Tracy, Gord and Pat, runs 250 cows and 50 bred heifers in the Rainy River district, and backgrounds over 130 calves. Their pasture includes trees, riparian areas, ponds and waterways, and they’ve implemented several practices to protect those natural resources and improve their environmental footprint. They’ve rejuvenated pastures with bale grazing, delayed haying in some fields to benefit birds and other wildlife, implemented rotational grazing and upgraded offsite watering systems to efficient solar models.
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The Beef Farmers of Ontario elected a new president and vice-president in late February. After nine years, Jack Chaffe handed the presidential reins to Craig McLaughlin. Jason Leblond is on deck as vice-president. The board also welcomed three new directors: Jim Whitley (Simcoe County), Tom Kroesbergen (Middlesex County) and Ralph Eyre (Lambton County).
Belated congratulations to our colleagues Robin Booker and Dave Bedard. Booker, who has over a decade of farm journalism experience, is the new editor of the Western Producer. He grew up on a mixed farm near Roblin, Man., which he now owns and resides at in the summer. Bedard, who served as editor of daily news for AgCanada.com for 16 years, is now the editor of Grainews. He’s also been managing editor at Grainews and Manitoba Co-operator.
Dr. Serge Chalhoub was recently appointed president of the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association. Chalhoub has been with the University of Calgary’s faculty of veterinary medicine since 2012 and is currently an associate professor. He’s been named the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association’s Teacher of the Year, the University of Calgary Team Teacher of the Year (with Dr. Søren Boysen) and the Dr. Carl J. Norden Distinguished Teacher.
Canadian Dr. Shane Renwick will be awarded the Medicine Stewardship Award by the World Veterinary Association on April 17 in Cape Town, South Africa. Renwick spearheaded the Stewardship of Antimicrobials Veterinarians Initiative, which aims to help vets make informed antimicrobial use decisions on a range of species. He also supported the mobilization of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association guidelines through the Firstline app.
Dr. Nathan Erickson has been named 2024 Veterinarian of the Year by the Western Canadian Association of Bovine Practitioners and Boehringer Ingelheim Canada. Erickson, who is an associate professor at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, is recognized for his research into optimizing calf health through vaccination protocols, his commitment to his profession and his influence as an educator on the next generation of bovine practitioners. Erickson also owns cattle and has worked in a beef consulting practice, giving him a deep understanding of the industry.
Eric Bienvenue stepped into the presidential shoes at Canada Beef on April 1, taking over from outgoing president Michael Young. The transition was announced last fall as Young neared retirement. Bienvenue’s priorities include executing the Canada Beef Investment Strategy, increasing carcass utilization and value optimization of cut options for retail and food service, highlighting lower-cost Canadian cuts, defending market share, optimizing the Canadian Beef Centre of Excellence and developing merchandising efforts focused on new Canadians.
