Dr. Karl Dawson, chairman of Alltech’s scientific advisory board, has been inducted into the Animal and Food Sciences Hall of Fame in the department of animal and food sciences at the University of Kentucky. The award recognizes someone who has made outstanding contributions to the department and to Kentucky animal agriculture. Dawson began his academic career in 1979 at the University of Kentucky. He served as vice-president and chief scientific officer at Alltech from 2011 to 2019. His research has focused on strategies for improving animal performance and health by altering microbial activities and digestive processes in the gastrointestinal tract.
Walter Gerdts passed away on May 12, 2019, at the age of 85. Gerdts was well known in the agriculture field, having been in the feed industry in Calgary, Lethbridge, and with Great West Feeds in Red Deer and Ponoka for many years. He always provided good service and some years when harvest was late, he and some of his employees helped farmers get their crop in. In the ’70s he took over the family farm in the Bluffton area. It became C&G Ranch of Ponoka County, Alta., which is continuing under the capable hands of Roy Sroka. In lieu of flowers, Gerdts’s friends may donate to the Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund, through the Shevchenko Foundation, 202 – 592 Main Street, Winnipeg, Man. R2W 3P4.
Lethbridge College has appointed Dr. Chandra Singh as its first applied research chair in agricultural engineering and technology. Singh’s work will include creating an Advanced Postharvest Innovation Centre. Singh grew up on a small family farm in India and went on to complete an undergraduate degree in ag engineering, a master’s degree in postharvest engineering and a PhD in biosystems engineering. Singh wants to help minimize the loss felt by producers once their crops are out of the field. Those interested in partnering or learning more can call 403-320-3203, ext. 5453.
Jim and Susan Gole have sold their long-standing feed business, Cowlick Minerals, to Country Junction Feeds of Westaskwin, Alta. The Gole family has owned the Innisfail-area feed mill, which eventually became Cowlick Minerals, since the 1960s. Cowlick sold a range of CFIA-registered products, including loose minerals, pressed blocks and molasses-based tub supplements. Jim Gole will stay on in a senior sales and nutrition role as the company integrates with Country Junction Feeds.
Feed industry veteran Doug Richards of Canadian Bio-Systems Inc. has announced his retirement. Richards was the first dedicated sales employee of Canadian Bio-Systems, hired by founder Owen Jones 27 years ago. Richards cut his teeth selling meat, cream and eggs direct from his family’s Cardston-area farm before earning a business management degree from Brigham Young University. His early days on the farm instilled an appreciation for the dedication of farmers, and for how innovation can make a difference to farmers’ profitability and to the industry. Today Richards and his wife live near Okotoks, Alta., where they enjoy spending time with their children and grandchildren.
Dr. André Desrochers of Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, has been named the recipient of the 2019 Metacam 20 Bovine Welfare Award for his contributions to the bovine sector and his work to advance animal welfare. Desrochers conducts research into the prevention, recognition and treatment of pododermatitis in cattle. The award is presented annually by the Canadian Association of Bovine Veterinarians/Association Canadienne des Vétérinaires Bovins in partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health Canada.
Cows and Fish (also known as Alberta Riparian Habitat Management Society) held its AGM on August 18 at Airdrie, Alta. The current board includes: Peggy Strankman (president), representing Alberta Beef Producers; Doug Sawyer (term in place 2017-19, vice-president), representing Canadian Cattlemen’s Association; Trish Tetz (secretary/treasurer), outside director; Lorne A. Fitch, outside director; Gordy Cunningham, outside director; Silvia D’Amelio (designated alternate: Fred Calverley), representing Trout Unlimited Canada; Emil Dmytriw (alternate: Jodi Flaig), representing Alberta Beef Producers; Lindsey Davidson (alternate: Kevin MacDonald), representing Association of Alberta Agricultural Fieldmen; Brian Brewin, representing Rural Municipalities of Alberta; Roger Bryan, representing Alberta Agriculture and Forestry; Dave Stepnisky, representing Alberta Environment and Parks; and Craig DeMaere, representing Alberta Environment and Parks. Cows and Fish fosters riparian stewardship by working with a range of partners.
The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association has hired Jennifer Babcock as its policy manager. Babcock is based in the organization’s Ottawa office. She brings a wealth of experience in government relations and policy from previous positions, including as policy and research development manager at the Canadian Horticultural Council and as a communications strategist with Parliament.
