Cattlemen’s Young Leaders
Dr. Laura Macrae (DVM) lives at Westlock, Alta., where she farms with her husband. She graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in 2013 and has spent the last nine years working for beef and dairy producers in Ontario and Alberta. She has enjoyed working in embryo transfer, cattle nutrition and general large animal veterinary medicine. Macrae’s dream is to have her own herd of cattle and supply beef locally. Macrae’s mentor is Brendan Scholten, who operates a 2,500-head backgrounding operation with his brother, and also works for RBC Royal Bank.
Laura Scott was raised on her family’s cow-calf and cash-crop operation south of Ottawa, Ont. Scott grew up in the 4-H and Canadian Junior Limousin program. After graduating from the University of Guelph in 2018 with a bachelor of arts in food, agriculture and resource economics, Scott returned to help run the family farm. She and her family have been focusing on purebred Limousin genetics the last few years. However, Scott has taken an interest in beef processing and the added value it can offer. Her mentor is Nebraska rancher Jaclyn Wilson, who also runs a direct-market beef business.
Canadian Cattlemen is pleased to welcome Melissa Bezan as field editor. Bezan is a recent graduate of the University of Regina School of Journalism. Currently residing in Regina, Sask., she grew up on a mixed multi-generational farm in Ing- lis, Man., where her family raised commercial cattle. In her fourth year of university, Bezan interned with the Western Producer, where she rediscovered her love for agriculture while travelling across Manitoba and Saskatchewan and learning from many of the great journalists she worked with there. She hopes to continue telling important stories and grow her love and knowledge of the cattle industry while working for Canadian Cattlemen.
Congratulations to Ben Campbell of Tullichewan Ranch, the 2022 Outstanding Young Farmer for Alberta/NWT. Campbell and his wife, Steph, ranch near Black Diamond, Alta., and direct-market grass-fed beef branded Grazed Right. The family is working hard to reconnect people to their food by, for example, opening their ranch to the public for tours. Campbell notes that “the cattle are a tool used to manage the ranch ecosystem and support the foundation of our grazing business model.”
Congratulations to Brett and Jillian Byers of Blue Ridge, Alta., for receiving Alltech’s Planet of Plenty award. Together, they manage Blue Ridge Farms, which includes a 400-head cow-calf herd, as well as pastured poultry and pigs. The family sells meat directly through its on-farm store. They ranch with a regenerative approach, are VBP+ certified and implemented an environmental farm plan several years ago.
Canadian Western Agribition elected its board of directors earlier this spring. Kim Hextall of Grenfell, Sask., is the new president. Michael Latimer of Olds, Alta., is the vice-president. Chris Lees of Arcola, Sask., moves into the past president’s chair. Also on the executive, as members-at-large, are Kelsey Ashworth (Oungre, Sask.), Levi Jackson (Sedley, Sask.) and Stephen Scott (Calgary, Alta). Agribition members also elected the following to a two-year term on the board: Marty Kratochvil (Milden, Sask.), Garth Newell (Carlyle, Sask.), Ali Pike (Grand Coulee, Sask.) and Carol Poole (Pilot Butte, Sask.).
The Livestock Markets Association of Canada (LMAC) held its conference in Lloydminster last month. Bill Jameson of JGL in Moose Jaw, Sask., was inducted into the LMAC Hall of Fame. Jameson was recognized for his outstanding contributions, promotion of true price discovery and positive influence on the Canadian livestock industry. Jameson is a past president of LMAC and has led several provincial and national organizations.
LMAC also held an auctioneer competition in conjunction with the conference. Brad Martens of VJV Westlock was crowned LMAC Livestock Auctioneering Champion and will go on to the International Auctioneering Competition at the Calgary Stampede.
Other highlights include: Reserve Champion Auction and Man./Sask. Auctioneering Champion to Kyle Soderberg of Northern Livestock Sales in northwestern Saskatchewan; Most Congenial Auctioneer to Justin Perlich of Perlich Bros. Auction Market in southern Alberta; High Point Interview to Rob Bergevin from Foothills Auctioneers in Stavely, Alta.; Rookie of the Year to Jesse Campbell of Heartland Livestock Services in Brandon and Fraser Auction Services; and Man./Sask. Rookie and the Bob Wright Memorial Buckle to John Baier of Saskatoon Livestock Sales. Most Improved Auctioneer was awarded to Edward McCormack from Clandonald, Alta., who sells at Viking Auction Mart.
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LMAC also elected its board of directors. Serving two-year terms are Jason Danard of Calgary, Alta.; Rick Wright of Virden, Man.; and Craig Jacklin of Ponoka, Alta. Brent Brooks of Meadow Lake, Sask., and Mark Ferraro from Brussels, Ont., were elected to one-year terms. Brock Taylor of Melita, Man., remains president.
