Long-term Angus breeders honoured
The Canadian Angus Association recently presented three 50 year and two 75 year long-term recognition awards to breeders who have been members of the association for 50 and 75 consecutive years.
Fifty year awards went to Doug Henderson of Alberta, the Willms family of Saskatchewan and Peak Dot Ranch from Saskatchewan.
Seventy-five year awards went to the Isla Bank Angus/Stables family of Saskatchewan and the Harold Spady family of Alberta.
Angus scholarship awarded
The Canadian Angus industry has named Matt Bates of Cameron, Ont., this year’s Robert C. McHaffie Junior Ambassador and awarded him the Dick Turner Scholarship.
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The first Outstanding Young Angus Breeder Award was presented to Colton Hamilton of Innisfail, Alta.
Bates grew up with Angus cattle and is majoring in animal science at the University of Guelph.
He is working for the Canadian Angus Association in Alberta this summer as a research and special projects intern. He represented Canada at the 2013 World Angus Forum in New Zealand, where he was named top individual.
Bates will represent the CAA at events across Canada and one international event as part of the ambassador program.
Other members who competed for the award are Breanna Anderson of Swan River, Man., Michael Hargrave of Maxwell, Ont., Katie Olynyk of Goodeve, Sask., and Katie Wright of Melfort, Sask.
Hamilton is a partner in Belvin Angus, his family operation. He was president of the Alberta Junior Angus Association, board member of the Canadian Junior Angus Association and president of the Alberta Angus Association.
The Outstanding Young Angus Breeder Award recognizes an Angus breeder between 22 and 30 who has demonstrated a desire to stay involved in the Angus business for years to come based on their involvement within the breed.
Alberta barley scholarships presented
Graduate students Alireza Akhavan, Larisa Jancewicz and Laurel Perrott are the first recipients of the first annual Alberta Barley Scholarship awards, which target top students studying agriculture in Western Canada.
The $2,000 scholarships were established to encourage and assist young scientists in achieving their educational and research goals.
Feed barley research was a key component of the successful applications:
- diversity in the population genetics of net blotch, which affects barley in Western Canada
- use of near infrared spectroscopy to track the efficiency and use of barley grain in feedlot cattle
- intensive agronomic practices required to maximize feed barley yields
Nominations sought for pollinator award
Nominations are being accepted until July 11 for the 2014 Canadian Farmer-Rancher Pollinator Conservation Award hosted by the Pollinator Partnership, the Canadian Federation of Agriculture and the Canadian Forage and Grassland Association.
Individuals or families who are implementing pollinator protection measures on their farms or ranches may apply.
The award recognizes farmers and ranchers who have made significant efforts to conserve natural ecosystems, foster additional pollinator habitat and protect pollinators on Canadian farms and ranches.
For more information, contact research director Victoria Wojcik at 415-362-1137 or vw@pollinator.org, environment and science policy director Drew Black at 613-236-3633 or envsci@cfafca.ca or environment committee co-chair Chad Anderson at 519-331-0526.
DuPont Pioneer renews rural safety program
Applications are being accepted for the Funding Initiative for Rural Emergencies (F.I.R.E.).
Now in its second year, DuPont Pioneer helps fund rural rescue organizations across Canada with rescue equipment and training.
More than $100,000 went to 32 emergency departments across Canada last year. F.I.R.E. helped buy key equipment and provide training, ranging from grain bin rescue equipment, oxygen tank refill stations, ventilation fans and jaws of life rescue tools.
Organizations interested in applying for the program can contact a Pioneer sales representative or email fireinvestment@pioneer.com.
Michael McCain receives honorary doctorate
Maple Leaf Foods president Michael McCain was recently conferred a Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, from Carleton University in Ottawa.
The honorary doctorate recognizes McCain’s leadership in economic development and exemplary values-based entrepreneurship.
McCain started at McCain Foods in the 1970s, eventually becoming president and chief executive officer of McCain Foods USA Inc. He joined Maple Leaf Foods in 1995.
McCain is a director of McCain Capital Inc., McCain Foods, Maple Leaf Foods and the Royal Bank of Canada. He is a member of the Richard Ivey School of Business Advisory Board and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Foundation.
