Participant Spotlight
2013
Amanda Elzinga, MenteeBiography:
Amanda was born and raised near Peers, AB on a dairy farm, which was converted to a cow calf operation about 10 years ago. Her passion for the cattle industry was realized at a young age, and she always knew she wanted to pursue a career in agriculture. 4-H was a big part of her life, and she completed dairy, horse and beef projects. After high school, she worked at a feedlot for a year, and then moved on to Lakeland College in Vermilion, where she obtained a diploma in Animal Science and was active in both the Stockmen’s Club and the Judging Club. From there she transferred to the University of Alberta where she earned a B. Sc. in Agriculture, majoring in Animal Science. She spent two summers calving out cows and looking after a purebred herd, and believes the experience gained from working on other operations to be invaluable. Post completion of her degree in December 2011, she started work as a Nutrition / Production consultant at Co-op Feeds in Edmonton.
Still actively involved in the family farm, Amanda hopes to continue to expand her own commercial herd. She is excited for the opportunity CYL is offering her in the form of networking and a mentorship. She is looking forward to broadening her perspective on the cattle industry on both a domestic and international level.
Michael Latimer, MentorBiography:
Michael Latimer currently serves as the General Manager for the Canadian Angus Association and is a graduate of the U of A. Previously he was involved with his families purebred Angus and Hereford farm, Remitall Cattle Co at Olds Alberta.
Andrea Bertholet, MenteeBiography:
Andrea Bertholet graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a degree in Animal Science in 2009. She is currently working with Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives as a Farm Production Advisor. She also continues to be actively involved in the family commercial and purebred cow/calf operation west of Hartney, Manitoba which hosts a Bull Sale in March and a Bred Female sale in November.
Andrea was a 4-H member for 11 years and continues to be involved in the local 4-H beef club activities through judging and conducting workshops and demonstrations for members. She was also an active member of the Young Canadian Simmental Association (YCSA) for many years, most recently as the National President from 2010-2012. Through the YCSA she was able to travel to Australia in 2010 for the Simmental World Congress. Currently Andrea is involved with the organizing committee for the Manitoba Youth Beef Round Up, an all breeds junior summer show and educational weekend. Through her involvement in these programs, she has gained many valuable experiences as well as a passion for working with the youth and instilling enthusiasm about the beef industry.
She views the CYL program as a great opportunity to expand not only her knowledge but also her network within the beef industry and she is very thankful for the opportunity to be a part of such a program.
Rod Guilford, MentorBiography:
Rod Guilford completed his Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture specializing in Animal Nutrition and Reproductive Physiology. Rod has spent his entire career in the livestock industry, and the last 18 years specifically focusing on the beef industry.
Rod's practical experience began when working for Purina Mills, assisting large producers with ration formulations, expansion planning, trouble shooting and education. Rod also worked as a Territory Manager for Can-Win where he managed large livestock accounts, assessing the nutritional needs for these operations and recommending proper feed rations that would maximize performance. He also serviced a dealer network across Western Canada providing technical and sales support.
Rod also owns and manages Guilford Farms, a purebred seed stock operation. The farm has developed a breeding program that ensures quality and predictability in the genetics that they sell. Under Rod's management, Guilford Farms has developed an aggressive marketing campaign targeting both local and international customers with products from boxed beef to frozen embryos which to date has been successful in marketing genetics into over 30 countries worldwide. Along with his wife Kristi, Rod is also owner and President of Xports International Inc., an export and consulting company offering global livestock solutions to the beef and dairy industries. The company offers a complete range of services related to the importation of livestock, semen and embryos via air and sea as well as a wide variety of consulting services for new, expanding and existing livestock operations. Xports International Inc. is proud to have been Canada's largest exporter of beef seed stock since 2011.
Rod is a member of the Canadian Beef Breeds Council (CBBC), Canadian Angus Association (CAA) and the Canadian Hereford Association (CHA) and represented Manitoba on the Canadian Hereford Association Board of Directors for 9 years, serving as the youngest ever President of the CHA.
Rod has a wealth of innovative knowledge and experience to share and he possesses a thorough dedication and passion for improving the beef cattle industry worldwide.
Austen Anderson, MenteeBiography:
Austen Anderson is a 5th generation cattle producer from Swan River Manitoba. He and his family run Anderson Cattle Company Inc. which is a purebred red and black Angus operation specializing in producing two year old bulls. They have a production sale every year on the last Saturday in March at their ranch. Austen has recently graduated from the University of Regina with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. His future plans include returning to Swan River to be more involved with his families operation and to teach in the local high school. Austen is very excited for the opportunity to be part of the CYL program and is interested in telling the great story of ranching to the consumer.
Heather Travis, MentorBiography:
A card-carrying carnivore and voracious vegetable lover, Heather Travis left life in the city for life in the country, and now boasts an extensive rubber boot collection. Enjoying food with family and friends is her ultimate pleasure. Heather is known to display incredible prowess on the grill. She holds degrees in Corporate Communications from Seneca College, and Sociology from Queen's University.
Heather Travis joined the Beef Information Centre in 2007 and has spent every day since sharing her love of Canadian beef. Heather does this both through media relations and by spearheading Canadian beef's extensive social media engagement activities. Her work online has lead Canada Beef to be recognized as a leader in this space and have ensured more Canadians than ever are hearing all the good news there is to share about Canadian beef.
Prior to joining Canada Beef Inc. (formerly BIC), Heather developed and implemented public relations and marketing programs for beef and other food product lines at retail, as well as high-end sporting goods and apparel.
Becky Page, MenteeBiography:
Becky Page grew up on a cow/calf and grain operation near Grenfell Saskatchewan. Growing up, she was always involved in the family farm, and enjoyed learning about and working with cattle from a young age. In high school, by working for local purebred producers, she developed a passion for purebred cattle and the industry as a whole. After attending Olds College for an Agriculture Production Diploma, Becky moved to her husband's family farm near Didsbury, Alberta where they currently raise purebred herefords, red angus, and commercial red baldy cattle.
Becky gained experience in the industry through working at a variety of places including Davis Rairdan International, Square D Herefords, and for the last three years, Alta Genetics Inc. She now hopes to expand their cattle operation with her husband Travis, and continue to raise her kids to be involved in the industry she loves.
Becky is hoping that CYL will help open some doors for marketing, networking, and learning more about the political side of the industry. She hopes that she can help represent today's youth and give a voice to a tremendous group of people who are helping build Canada's cowherd today.
Corinne Gibson, MentorBiography:
Corinne Gibson ranches in the rolling hills of Southwest Saskatchewan. Along with her husband Clayton and three children, Callie, Cade and Coy, she owns and operates Six Mile Ranch Ltd near Fir Mountain, SK. The ranch currently runs a 700 head cow herd of registered Red and Black Angus cows along with a herd of Commercial Angus females. Corinne spent her whole life in the cattle industry and was an active 4-H member throughout her youth. After attending the University of Regina, Corinne married Clayton Gibson and took over the reins of Six Mile Ranch from his grandparents, Ken and Roberta Frazer. Six Mile Ranch holds three annual sales a year. They just hosted their 38th Annual Bull Sale in April and will host a Purebred Female Sale in October. Another sale of commercial bred females, consigned by themselves and their customers, is held every year in December. Corinne has served as the Vice President of the Canadian Red Angus Promotion Society, and was proud to be the first female president of the Saskatchewan Angus Association. She currently sits on the board of directors for the Canadian Angus Association and was recently honored by being named the President Elect. Corinne is very excited to work with the CYL Program.
Carla Schmitt, MenteeBiography:
Carla Schmitt holds a degree in Agriculture from the University of Saskatchewan. She grew up on a mixed family farming operation of cattle and grain near Arborfield, Saskatchewan where she developed a keen interest in agriculture. Throughout that time she was actively involved in various community organizations and the local 4-H Beef Club for 12 years. She currently stays involved and gives back to the program by serving as the General Leader of the club.
She has shown cattle throughout western Canada and traveled to shows and events organized by junior breed associations. In 2012 she was elected to the Canadian Western Agribition Board of Directors and currently is the Team Leader for the Education area of the show.
Carla currently works for Spring Creek Land and Cattle Consulting as a Project Coordinator. She is excited and honoured to be a part of the CYL program and looks forward to the opportunities that the program has to offer.
Johanne Ross, MentorBiography:
Johanne is the Executive Director of Agriculture in the Classroom – Manitoba Inc. (AITC-M), a position she has held since 2000. Johanne has her Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, a degree she received from the University of Manitoba in 1987. Johanne grew up in Brandon and Winnipeg, but knew that she wanted to "go country" as she embarked on the agriculture program. During her time completing her 4 year degree, Johanne had great opportunities through summer employment to try out different fields of agriculture, including the crop protection industry in sales and research as well as the grain and livestock feed industries.
An aggie through and through, Johanne has continued her career in the industry, now helping to inspire young people to care about where their food comes from and to look at the agriculture industry as an exciting place to be! Through management of AITC-M's engaging and interactive programs and resources, Johanne has been able to work with thousands of educators, students and volunteers to increase agriculture awareness in young people. She is presently acting as lead with her AITC colleagues from across the country in the development of a national AITC Canada framework. Johanne loves to volunteer in her community and has served on numerous Boards including the Council for Post Secondary Education and as chairperson of her local Parent Advisory Council.
With her husband Barry and three sons; she operates a mixed farm north of Minnedosa, Manitoba.
Carollyne Kehler, MenteeBiography:
Carollyne was born, raised and lives in Steinbach, an agricultural town in southeast Manitoba. Carollyne and her husband raise ranch-bred quarter horses and compete with them at rodeos throughout the year. They recently finished building their house and fencing for the horses and plan to expand their ranch in order to have a cow-calf operation with Angus-Simmental cross cattle.
Carollyne gained a great appreciation and pride in the agriculture industry through her 7 years of 4-H, helping at her family’s dairy farm and from being a member and president of the University of Manitoba Stockman’s Club during her undergrad. Carollyne received her Animal Science degree at the University of Manitoba in 2012. Throughout her University career Carollyne received numerous awards including the Lieutenant Governor’s Gold Medal.
Carollyne is currently working on her Master’s of Science in Animal Science at the University of Manitoba. Her project is one part of a large-scale commercial cattle transport study. She is studying the effect of Canadian winter transport conditions on animal health, welfare and carcass condition in market cattle and cull cows. The information garnered from this study will be used to develop and support best management strategies for beef cattle transport.
Carollyne looks forward to meeting many beef cattle enthusiasts and gaining more knowledge in the beef industry through her CYL mentorship.
Betty Green, MentorBiography:
Betty Green has over 30 years of involvement in leadership roles in areas of education, agriculture and rural development. She believes in rolling up her sleeves and getting involved in the work, whether that is at the ranch or at the provincial or the national level of organizations. Perhaps one of the most challenging roles was being the president of the Manitoba Cattle Producers' Association in 2003.
Betty has been active in the policy development and operations of many groups but her passion is in areas of research and development for future initiatives. She works to contribute to the understanding and awareness of issues, as well as on the identification and promotion of solutions.
Currently Betty is the provincial coordinator of the Verified Beef Production Program in Manitoba. She is the Vice-Chair of the Prairie Improvement Network and the Chair of the Zone Canada Initiative.
Betty is a partner in the G7 Ranch in Fisher Branch, Manitoba with her husband and son. They run about 10,000 acres and a 1000 cow beef herd. They have a backgrounder feedlot and a small full blood Simmental herd.
Claire Windeyer, MenteeBiography:
Claire grew up in Nova Scotia. She attended the University of Guelph's Ontario Agriculture College and Ontario Veterinary College (OVC). She practiced in Southern Alberta before returning to OVC to do graduate training in ruminant health management and work in Ruminant Field Services. Her research investigated pre-weaning vaccination against respiratory disease in dairy calves. Claire won the D.F. Forster medal for academic achievement, motivation, leadership, and citizenship. She then volunteered in Nepal, working with rural dairy farmers through Veterinarians Without Borders. In 2011, Claire joined the University of Calgary's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine as an Assistant Professor in Production Animal Health. Her interests are: cow-calf health management, epidemiology of infectious diseases in ruminants, pain and animal welfare, and sustainable development of health and production of ruminants in developing countries. Currently projects include: a cow-calf health management survey of producers in Alberta, and an investigation of Mycoplasma bovis in farmed bison. Claire works in the Distributed Veterinary Learning Community with Cow-Calf Health Management Services and was selected for the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association's Emerging Leaders Program in 2012. She lives in Didsbury, AB, loves riding her horses in the mountains, and hopes to one day have a cow-calf operation.
Cherie Copithorne-Barnes, MentorBiography:
Cherie is a 4th generation rancher living in Jumping Pound, Alberta just west of Calgary. She is the C.E.O. of CL Ranches Ltd. This ranch consists of seedstock and commercial cow/calf operations, a backgrounding lot and a large mixed grain farming operation. Currently Cherie is also a director of the Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency, chairing the Programs and Services Committee and she also volunteers with Calgary Exhibition and Stampede on the International Agriculture Committee.
Cherie and her husband Tim had the opportunity to manage a large beef production system in Uruguay from 1996 thru until 2003. In South America, they were responsible for a 10,000 cow operation, as well as grass finishing beef animals. They expanded into a short-term feedlot finishing program, which was one of the first of its kind in Uruguay. With the extra costs of grain finishing, Cherie went on to custom contracting packing plants for a branded beef market. The products from this enterprise were sold primarily into the Canadian markets.
As Cherie and Tim's children reached school age, they decided to return to Canada and continue operations on the family ranch west of Calgary. The operations in Uruguay changed from the live cattle side into the processing industry. CL Ranches continued with their Uruguayan investment in a packing facility that had a capacity of 850 head per day. This opportunity allowed Cherie exposure to monitor operations from start-up thru to full capacity. The plant slaughtered cattle and sheep that were sold to Brazil, Canada, the USA, the European Union and Russia. The Brazilian company Marfrig purchased this plant in 2007.
Cuyler Huffman, MenteeBiography:
Ranching is Cuyler’s passion; it is something he has always done and wants to continue to do. He and his father Grant Huffman run an 1100 head cow/calf operation in Riske Creek, it is made up of the historical Cotton Ranch where Grant and Sharon Huffman reside and Deer Park Ranch, where Cuyler together with his wife Jenny and three young children live.
In addition to Cuyler’s involvement in Riske Creek Ranching he also has a diploma in Livestock Production from Olds College in Alberta. Cuyler is also the newly elected president of the Cariboo Cattlemen’s Association.
Cuyler’s involvement as a leader in the CYL program will give him the knowledge and inspiration to take a chance on the future of ranching.
Doug Wray, MentorBiography:
Doug and Linda operate the 100 year old family ranch at Irricana, Alberta. Converted from a mixed farm in 1998, they currently run 300 cows, retain the calves through to slaughter and raise their own replacements. Productive forages are key to their profitability and beef cattle are used to harvest and add value. They employ strategies to graze year round such as stockpiled native range, bale grazing, swath grazing and fall triticale. Bales are fed when necessary to supplement the diet or stretch grazing days. Calving is on grass starting May 1st. Pairs rotate through primarily meadow brome/alfalfa pastures. Weaned calves winter on swaths and go to a custom feedlot off grass. A feeding / marketing alliance gives them data through to the carcass which is connected back to the cow.
Doug has been an advocate for forage research and extension, particularly related to grazing. He has been on the board, and Chair of Foothills Forage and Grazing Association, and currently sits on the board of the Alberta Forage Industry Network (AFIN) and is the Chair of the newly formed Canadian Forage and Grasslands Association (CFGA). Doug represents the CFGA on the national Beef Value Chain Round Table.
Doug appreciates the energy and passion of young people committed to Agriculture. He volunteered in the 4-H movement for 30 years and looks forward to contributing to CYL.
Daniel Doerksen, MenteeBiography:
Daniel Doerksen was born and raised in Gem, Alberta on his family’s mixed farming and ranching operation. Daniel married Kimberly in 2008 and they have two children Gradey and Kyleah. In high school, Daniel was actively involved in his community including the Gem 4-H Beef Club, serving as Vice President for two years and President for two years. Daniel graduated from Lethbridge Community College with a diploma in Animal Science in 2005. Among other community activities Daniel serves as the President of the Gem Grazing Association and a volunteer fireman.
Together with his family, Daniel runs a purebred Hereford and commercial cow herd where the focus is on raising efficient moderate framed cattle. They sell bulls by private treaty and use their own bulls in there commercial cowherd.
Daniel looks forward to expanding his knowledge and experience of the beef industry and the organizations that develop and implement strategies for success in agriculture. He also looks forward to making new contacts in the industry and learning from the experience of others.
Mike McMorris, MentorBiography:
Mike grew up on a beef and crop farm near Guelph, Ontario where he later went to University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science and a Master's degree in Animal Breeding and Genetics. Mike worked for thirteen years with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food, first in extension as the Provincial Beef Genetics Specialist and then in several management roles. In 1999, he moved to the Ontario Cattlemen's Association where he was Executive Director for a very busy five year period that included the Walkerton issue, a complete organizational review and restructuring, and, of course, BSE.
Following that, Mike spent 4 years with Agricorp as Director of Operations responsible for delivery of crop insurance, CAIS and other risk management programs to Ontario farmers. In 2008, he moved to BIO as General Manager. The past five years have seen BIO evolve into an international, multi-species organization, still focused on helping producers make better business decisions, primarily with bioTrack but also with genetic evaluations and genomics.
Mike is married with three children: one is studying for a Masters in International development; another is working toward a Master's degree in Health Science and the third is apprenticing as an electrician. Mike is a natural optimist as evidenced clearly by the fact that he is a Toronto Maple Leafs fan.
Daniel Muir, MenteeBiography:
Daniel Muir grew up on a commercial cow calf operation in Pictou County Nova Scotia, where his family raises Charolais cross cattle and custom markets pasture raised beef direct from the farm. He graduated in 2010 from the Nova Scotia Agricultural College with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture majoring in Animal Science, with a minor in Environmental Sciences.
Daniel was a 2010 recipient of an International Livestock Congress Calgary Student Bursary. Daniel moved to Southern Alberta to work as a Livestock Consultant with a focus on feedlot handling systems, RFID traceability, and traceability along the value chain. Along with his involvement in the Canadian industry, Daniel has traveled to Kentucky to work with the Southeastern Livestock Network LLC to work with and compare Canadian and US traceability systems.
Daniel is currently the Prince Edward Island Department of Agriculture and Forestry’s Environmental Stewardship Program Coordinator. In this role he helps design and administer programs that reduce on-farm environmental risk including erosion control and livestock runoff containment.
Rory Francis, MentorBiography:
Rory Francis has 30 years experience in professional, management and leadership roles in the public and private sectors. As an experienced senior executive, Mr. Francis has led transformative change in several public sector organizations encompassing economic and social policy, programs and services.
Mr. Francis is a native of Prince Edward Island. He earned a BSc in Geology and Chemistry from Mount Allison University and an MSc in Hydrogeology from the University of Waterloo.
Since 2004 he has been Executive Director of the Prince Edward Island BioAlliance, a not-for-profit network of bioscience businesses, academic and research organizations, and government agencies. The role of the BioAlliance is to facilitate the growth and development of the province's emerging bioscience cluster, working with industry, researchers, and government partners to establish the next generation of the Prince Edward Island economy.
From 1991 to 2003 Mr. Francis held Deputy Minister positions in several provincial government departments, including Environment; Agriculture and Forestry; Fisheries and Aquaculture; and Health and Social Services.
Mr. Francis is a member of the Canadian BioAccord and serves as a Board member with the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute, the Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce, the PEI AgriFood Alliance Inc., PEI Institute for Human Health Research, the Regional Advisory Board of Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC-Atlantic), and is President of the Eastern Canada Oilseeds Development Alliance. He chairs the Advisory Board for the Culinary Institute of Canada's Technology Access Centre. In 2008-09 he co-chaired The Commission on the Future of Agriculture and AgriFood in Prince Edward Island.
Mr. Francis is an avid naturalist and is active in community work. He has served as Finance Warden of St. Peter's Cathedral for over 20 years. He resides in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island with his wife Ann. Their three children have left the nest.
Debra Murphy, MenteeBiography:
Debra Murphy is a farmer, aspiring writer and amateur photographer in East Central Alberta. After graduating from the University of Alberta with a B.Sc. in Agriculture in 2010, Debra participated in a six-month volunteer exchange to Nova Scotia and Indonesia. Since then she has been actively involved as a Co-Manager of the family farm, Freelancer, Secretary for the Gooseberry Lake Rodeo Committee, three-time participant in The Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer and has been accepted to attend the 2013 International Youth Ag Summit in Calgary, Alberta in August.
Tim Wiens, MentorBiography:
As president of O & T Farms, Ltd., Tim believes in the value of continuous learning and improvement, which is the strength of the O&T team. A fellow of Quantum Shift at the Ivey School of Business, he is active in industry organizations and in the community. He is currently Chair of the Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership (STEP) and is a former member of The Executive Committee (TEC). Tim continues to focus his leadership efforts on creating a team dedicated to agri-value. He strongly believes the company's ground-breaking nutrition in Omega-3 energy in animal protein will enhance human health.
Kelcy Elford, MenteeBiography:
Kelcy and his wife Katherin along with their two young children live south west of Moose Jaw in the Missouri Coutea hills and operate a cow/calf operation. Kelcy grew up on a ranch south of McCord, SK and has always had a love for agriculture. In 1999, Kelcy and his brother purchased their first "piece of grass", with financial help from their father, and a herd of cows. As the years went by and their lives changed, Kelcy and Katherin decided to ranch on their own and bought the ranch they are on now. They are proud to have come through some of the worst economic times in Canadian cattle history. It was an incredible storm to weather, lots of young producers left the industry, he fears, not to return. He believes there is optimism beginning to return in this industry. He also believes this lifestyle is a great place to raise a family. Kelcy is proud to raise a quality product to feed the world, going forward in the great province of Sask. He hopes that we can all see many good years ahead. “We are the future of agriculture and the future is bright".
Garnet Altwasser, MentorBiography:
Garnet Altwasser manages a personal portfolio of ranching properties, cattle feeding, land development, futures trading and equity investments. His career accomplishments have focused on the development of agribusiness in Alberta that specifically centered on the founding and growth of Lakeside Farm Industries Ltd., headquartered in Brooks, Alberta. During his thirty year term as President and CEO of Lakeside, the company became a leader in Canadian agribusiness. Lakeside included a beef processing division with one third of the national slaughter capacity, the commercial feedmills, six fertilizer farm supply centers, hog and broiler production and a multi species livestock research center.
Upon the sale of Lakeside to IBP and the subsequent purchase by Tyson Food, he served both as a Vice President of IBP and the Vice President of Tyson Food.
Garnet graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in 1962. Upon graduation he started work with Canada Packers and in 1966 relocated to Brooks where, with his wife Faye, they founded Newell Feed and Supply which became one of the founding businesses of Lakeside. Garnet and Faye continue to live in the Brooks community where they raised four children.
Garnet's industry involvement has included serving as a Director of the Alberta Division of the Canadian Feed Manufacturer Association, Director of Alberta Cattle Feeders Association, President of Brooks Chamber of Commerce, Member of Southern Alberta Advisory Committee to Transalta Utilities, Chairman of Veterinary Infectious Diseases Organization, Chairman of Canadian Meat Council and served in numerous previous positions of Trinity Lutheran Church.
Garnet has been awarded "The Distinguished Agrologist Award" from the Alberta Institute of Agrologists and in 1994 was recognized as the Prairie Region 1994 Entrepreneur of the year for the Agriculture and Food Category. He has also received the Industry Builder Award from the Alberta Food Processor Association. Garnet is currently a Director of ATB Financial and Chairman of the Risk Committee.
Lance Leachman, MenteeBiography:
Lance Leachman grew up and lives at Big Gully Farm near Maidstone, SK.
Lance attended Dodge City Community College in Dodge City, KS where he was on the Livestock Judging Team and obtained an Associate of Arts Degree in Agriculture. After two years, he transferred to Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS and earned a Bachelor of Sciences Degree in Animal Sciences & Industry. He was a member of the 2006 Reserve National Champion Livestock Judging Team and named an All-American. Following graduation, Lance attended Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA acquiring a Master of Sciences Degree in Animal Breeding and Genetics. At Virginia Tech, he coached the Livestock Judging Team and served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant for Animal Genetics and Livestock Evaluation.
Big Gully Farm includes 160 breeding age purebred Horned & Polled Hereford females. Artificial insemination, embryo transfer, carcass ultrasound, ultrasound pregnancy testing, estrus synchronization, expected progeny differences and performance data are all critical tools he utilizes. Cattle are exhibited at Canadian Western Agribition and merchandised each fall through an internet sale.
Lance has a keen interest in both cattle breeding & genetics and livestock judging, respectively-having travelled throughout Canada, the United States and to Denmark for the latter.
Lance appreciates the opportunity to gain beef cattle knowledge from a mentor and also learn from fellow CYL participants.
David Bolduc, MentorBiography:
David Bolduc is an Angus breeder from Stavely. Alberta. David and his family, as well as his brother Dyce and his family, operate Cudlobe Farms. It is a mixed farm with 2000 acres of cereals and oilseeds and 500 Angus mother cows. His family has raised purebred livestock since 1898 in Alberta. David received his BSc in Animal Science from the University of Alberta in 1976. Cudlobe Farms has used genomics extensively in managing and marketing their seed stock operation. Cudlobe Angus was inducted into the Alberta Angus Hall of Fame in 2010.
David is the past president of the Canadian Angus Association and is the current president of the Canadian Beef Breeds Council. He represents them on the Livestock Gentec MAB and is their representative on the Board of Directors of the Beef Improvement Federation.
David feels the importance of the seed stock industry to "Canada's Beef Advantage" needs to be emphasized. As well, young seed stock producers in Canada need to understand and utilize emerging technology in Beef Improvement.
Meghan Black, MenteeBiography:
Meghan is a 22-year-old from Bloomfield, New Brunswick where she grew up on her family’s cow/calf operation. She currently attends Dalhousie Faculty of Agriculture where she’s majoring in Animal Science and minoring in Plant Science.
At a young age, Meghan got involved within the 4-H program and was very active in many different projects, especially beef where she had the opportunity to exhibit her family’s cattle at different shows around the Maritimes and across Canada.
In 2007, she became heavily involved with the Canadian Junior Hereford Association where she sat on the National Council for several years. She had the pleasure of attending several Junior National Shows across Canada and was a part of many projects the association offers its junior members, such as Heifer Lottery and the calendar project. In 2012, she was elected as President of the Maritime and the National Junior Hereford Association. In 2012 she was also the Canadian Junior Representative at the World Hereford Conference held in Olds, Alberta.
Meghan is very excited to be a part of the Cattlemen’s Young Leaders Program! She is eager to see what new doors will be opened through this mentorship and the many different opportunities and experiences she will be exposed to. She is thankful to have been given this opportunity and is looking forward to learning more about the industry that she has grown up in!
Dennis Serhienko, MentorBiography:
Dennis Serhienko is the Beef Sire Analyst for the Semex Alliance where he is responsible for the procurement of beef sires to fill the needs and demands for both the domestic and international marketplace. The demands of this position require Dennis to have a strong understanding of the current requirements of both the seedstock and commercial cattle industry on a global level as well as insight into future trends within the industry. As part of his role within Semex, Dennis is also the Beef Program Manager for Westgen (Semex Alliance partner) where he manages the sales, inventories and sales representatives for Western Canada. As an evaluator of livestock, Dennis has judged many major shows including Canadian Western Agribition, Toronto Royal, Denver National Western, Kansas City American Royal and Edmonton Farm Fair.
Dennis, along with his wife Lissa and daughters Katie & Cassidy, operate Serhienko/Voegeli Cattle Co., a purebred Charolais operation that has produced numerous influential sires within the Charolais industry as well as many champions throughout North America.
Noa Mullin, MenteeBiography:
Noa is the seventh generation to farm the area around Feversham, Ontario where he was raised on a beef and hay operation. Growing up Noa was involved in Jr. Beef Club, 4-H and went on to lead the local Jr. Farmers Club as well as other community initiatives. He continues to be in involved in coaching minor baseball, leading a new Jr. Beef Club as well as being involved in his local church.
Noa was backgrounding cattle with his brother when BSE hit in 2003. Discouraged by the financial losses he left the industry and told himself he wouldn't be back. After attending college and working in various industries he finally returned to his roots in agriculture and now works for Deer Lake Farms while also maintaining an interest in the family hay business.
Noa is passionate about international missions work, the business side of agriculture, people and politics. He is excited to be part of the CYL program and looking forward to getting involved in the beef industry at the national and international level.
Noa is married to Shawnna and has three wonderful kids.
Marty Seymour, MentorBiography:
Currently the CEO of Canadian Western Agribition and acting Board Member at Red Coat Cattle Feeders, Marty and his wife and 2 children live in White City, Saskatchewan. Marty's professional career spans all three prairie provinces where he specialized in animal health and nutrition support in the food animal business.
Shelby Froland, MenteeBiography:
Shelby Froland is a fourth year student at the University of Alberta pursing her BSc of Science degree in Agriculture, majoring in Animal Science. At the end of April 2013 she will be graduating and looking for a career in the agriculture industry. She is especially interested in taking a job focusing on agriculture education having enjoyed being a part of the Heifer in Your Tank program at the U of A and the Classroom Agriculture Program.
Having grown up on a 400 cow/calf commercial beef operation near Hughenden, AB and participating in the Amisk 4-H Beef Club for 9 years she has developed a keen interest and passion for the beef industry. In addition, she is currently the outgoing Vice President of the U of A 4-H Club and President of the U of A Multi-Species Judging Club and has also won a variety of scholarships in regards to academics and leadership.
Ultimately, Shelby hopes to expand on her knowledge and skills within industry for a few years before returning to the family farm. She looks forward to becoming a CYL mentee and utilizing mentor knowledge and resources in order to make the family farm more efficient and profitable. In addition, Shelby hopes her mentor will help her to more successfully tell the producer story and continue to educate beef consumers.
Scott Dickson, MentorBiography:
Scott Dickson, CA, is Director of Livestock Services and Vice President of Hutterite Services for MNP. A recognized authority on agricultural issues, Scott advises on a wide range of government agriculture programs, acts as an advocate for producers and assists with various business issues including succession, estate and tax planning.
Drawing on more than 25 years of experience working with Hutterite colonies in Manitoba and then Alberta, Scott delivers a broad range of services to some of MNP's more than 300 colony clients. As Director of Livestock Services, he plays a lead role in delivering key services to approximately half of MNP's 15,000 Agriculture clients in the beef, dairy, swine and poultry industries.
Scott's clients benefit from knowledge gained through MNP's involvement in a number of cost of production surveys in Western Canada and in extensive profitability consulting especially with respect to various trade dispute issues. Scott also uses MNP's proprietary TransitionSMART™ process to help producers develop a succession plan and address their personal situation. Scott earned his Chartered Accountant (CA) designation in 1988.
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