Allana Minchau and Amy Higgins are two of the young people accepted into the 2018-19 Cattlemen’s Young Leaders program. Over the next few months we will feature two or three of the young leaders.

Allana Minchau grew up on a commercial cowcalf operation west of Millet, Alta. At an early age, she started her own herd and was involved in several 4-H clubs. She is executive director of the Canadian Beef Industry Conference. Minchau and her fiancé have moved closer to the family ranch, now located in southern Alberta, and are currently working on succession planning. Minchau’s mentor is Cheri Copithorne Barnes.

Amy Higgins comes from a farm at Quispamsis, New Brunswick. Higgins participated in 4-H, Junior Angus and other beef breed programs, showing cattle around the Maritimes. She is currently president of the Maritime Angus Association and an agricultural business development specialist with the Sussex and Studholm Agricultural Society/Co-op. She also has a community shared agriculture business. Higgin’s mentor is Kerry Wright.

Brenda Patterson has been the office manager and registry/member services assistant at the Canadian Limousin Association since January. She has a background in mixed farming, diverse experience in member services and a passion for the non-profit sector. Patterson is working out of the Calgary office.

Mel Reekie, general manager of the Canadian Charolais Association, is moving back east to work as the member relations manager for the Grain Farmers of Ontario. She starts her new position February 18 but will maintain ties in the Canadian beef sector.

Julie Payette, Governor General of Canada, is set to become a patron of 4-H Canada. This marks the first time that 4-H Canada has been granted a viceregal patronage. Viceregal patronage is a way of “recognizing exceptional contributions to Canadian society, showcasing excellence and bringing special attention to worthy causes,” a release states.

The Canadian Simmental Association announced that Laurie Macdonald is stepping into one of the association’s registration and member services positions. Macdonald has worked for various cattle organizations and has gained tremendous experience maintaining purebred cattle records.

Larry Thomas recently assumed the role of environment manager at the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association on a full-time basis. He will also be helping the CCA and VBP+ with communications. Thomas has also worked as an associate editor with Canadian Cattlemen Magazine and as national co-ordinator of the Canadian Beef Advantage — Beef InfoXchange System (BIXS) for the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association.

4-H Canada has selected Elaine Froese for its first Distinguished Alumni Award. A release explains that the award recognizes 4-H alumni who have taken the values 4-H instils in its members and carried them through their everyday lives as responsible, caring and contributing leaders in their communities. Froese has authored four books and is a professional speaker and well-known farm business coach.

Ag Minister Lawrence MacAulay appointed Patricia Farnese to the Canadian Agricultural Review Tribunal for a three-year term. Farnese is an associate professor and teaches property, agriculture and wildlife law at the University of Saskatchewan. The Canada Agricultural Review Tribunal is an independent, quasi-judicial body that reviews notices of violation issued by federal agencies regulating agriculture and food.

Dr. Joy Agnew is moving from Humboldt’s Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute to Olds College, where she’ll be the director of applied research at the college’s Centre of Innovation. She will build on Olds College’s previous research in areas such as turfgrass, wetlands, livestock and field crops along with projects related to the college’s Smart Farm.

Bryan Walton has started his own consulting business, Walton and Associations Inc., specializing in government relations and event and project management. Walton recently retired from his posts at the Alberta Cattle Feeders’ Association and National Cattle Feeders’ Association. He’s also worked at Alberta Agriculture and the Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors.

Beef producer Clarence Hookenson has been selected for induction into the Saskatchewan Agriculture Hall of Fame. He has developed a reputation as an excellent cattle judge, is known for sharing experience and knowledge with the next generation of agricultural producers and is the former, long-time reeve of the R.M. of Brock. Congratulations to Hookenson and the others selected for induction, including Chantelle Donahue, Roger Pederson, Arnold Petracek, Daniel Prefontaine and Neil Shantz.

Manitoba producers John and Adele Popp of Popp Farms are the recipients of the Little Saskatchewan Conservation District 2018 award for their land stewardship practices. John worked as a beef specialist in Alberta and Manitoba before he returned to the family farm in 1998. Today they farm with their children Victor and Hanna.