Cattlemen’s Young Leaders
Darren Dinsmore spent part of his childhood living and working on farms in Ontario, and was a 4-H member. He now farms in Goose Bay, Labrador, where he grows forage and raises cattle. Although Labrador has no abattoir and he is the only one raising beef cows, he hopes to see an abattoir open in Labrador’s near future, and others raise more livestock. When he is not working on the farm, he pastors a local congregation. Dinsmore also works with the Pye Centre for Northern Boreal Food Systems, a research farm for the Labrador Institute of Memorial University. Dinsmore’s mentor is Victor Oulton, a Nova Scotia farmer and abattoir owner, who is also the past president of the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture.
Diane Van Essen grew up near Picture Butte, Alta. on a crop farm. Her first experience with cattle was working at Picture Butte Auction Market at age 14. The auction career grew from there, as she transferred to Brooks, Strathmore and Calgary with TEAM Auction Sales. Van Essen is responsible for live online sales as well as listing cattle for the weekly Friday feeder sale. She is enthusiastic about marketing cattle, helping the producer get the most money for their product and reducing cost of gain for industry members. Van Essen has also worked for a feedlot, learning about feedlot health, cattle rations, feeding management, cattle contracting and carcass data tracing. Van Essen’s mentor is Ryan Copithorne, a Calgary-area rancher and owner of Cows in Control Inc., a market intelligence, risk management and consulting company.
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Brady Stadnicki has taken on a new role as the business development manager for agriculture with Calgary Economic Development. Stadnicki previously served as the manager of policy and programs with the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA), focusing on domestic agriculture policy and animal care. Stadnicki worked with CCA for six years in the Ottawa and Calgary offices. Lauren Martin, the CCA’s government and food industry relations manager, will pick up the domestic agriculture file when she returns from her parental leave later this spring.
This year’s Boehringer Ingelheim WCABP Veterinarian of the Year recipient is Dr. Andrew Acton from Ogema, Sask. Following Acton’s graduation from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in 1992, he and a partner purchased Deep South Animal Clinic in Ogema. Later Acton became the sole principal in the practice. He was the first Canadian diplomat in beef cattle with the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners. Acton is an early adopter of research and technology. For example, he purchased a float tank to enable the practice to better care for down cows and successfully treat acute calving injuries. It is the only float tank of its kind in a Saskatchewan clinic. “Watching a sick cow eat” remains Acton’s favourite part of veterinary medicine.
We were saddened to hear of the passing of Jack Daines of Innisfail, Alta., at age 85 on Dec. 28, 2021. Daines was a lifelong cowboy, competitor, announcer, promoter and organizer. He founded the Innisfail Professional Rodeo and invented “mutton busting.” His Innisfail Auction Market celebrated 65 years in 2020. It continues as a family business and a hub for the central Alberta beef industry. Son Duane, his cousin, and Duane’s uncle co-manage the market today. Radio listeners instantly recognized Daines’ raspy voice, whether citing beef market reports, touting an upcoming sale, or promoting a rodeo. Daines was a tireless community supporter of 4-H clubs, live auction fundraisers, and also personally helped families in need. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Audrey, and their three children: Duane (Cheryl), Brenda-Lee (Noel) Fader and Joanne (Tom) Wallace, seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
Our condolences to the loved ones of Bob Speller, former MP of Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant and federal minister of agriculture from 2003-04. Speller passed away at the age of 65 on December 16, 2021. Speller was raised near Waterford, Ont. He was first elected to office in 1988 and won several elections afterwards. In December 2003, he was appointed ag minister by Prime Minister Paul Martin. During his brief time as ag minister, Speller was faced with the BSE crisis and helped organize a $1 billion aid package for Canada’s beef industry. Speller’s riding was redrawn in 2004, and in the election that followed, he lost to Progressive Conservative candidate Diane Finley. While he ran again in subsequent elections, he never regained his seat. He then focused on his ag consulting business, specializing in international mar- kets and trade. He is survived by wife, Joan Mouland, and children, Christopher and Victoria.
Jason Bradley has been named president of Carbon Asset Solution’s North American operations, headquartered in Olds, Alta. Bradley was manager of strategic partnerships and director of Smart Ag at Olds College. He also managed Red Deer River Ranches.
Congratulations to Darlene Keeler, president-elect of the Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede. Keeler is the first woman to fill this role at the Medicine Hat Exhibition. Keeler worked in the Prairie Rose School Division for several years. She has also served on several boards, ranging from the Alberta Winter Games in Medicine Hat to the Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede.
