Animal science award
Lee Whittington, manager of information services at the Prairie Swine Centre, is this year’s recipient of the Canadian Society of Animal Science’s animal industries award in extension and public service.
The award is presented annually in recognition of outstanding service in animal sciences in the areas of technology transfer, leadership and education. It is sponsored by the Canadian Pork Council, Chicken Farmers of Canada and the Dairy Farmers of Canada.
Whittington played a leading role in building the pork interpretive gallery at the swine centre’s research farm near Elstow, Sask. He helped raise more than $1 million for the project, with half of that amount coming from pork industry stakeholders.
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He has also produced a quarterly newsletter that reaches more than 4,500 prairie pork producers and co-ordinated a national satellite conference, study tours to the United States and a training course that focuses on safety issues surrounding hydrogen sulfide gas.
Bank sponsors program
Scotiabank has announced it will become a national sponsor of the Canadian Association of Farm Advisors.
Bob Funk, vice-president of agriculture with Scotiabank, said the sponsorship will demonstrate the bank’s commitment to farm clients and publicize its intent to work co-operatively with other farm advisers.
Funk said Scotiabank’s Scotia Farm Legacy Services is designed to assist farmers through succession planning, providing solutions through a team approach that involves local accountants, lawyers and other advisers.
Best Red Angus breeders
The Canadian Red Angus Promotion Society has named Chris and Janet Veltman of Gunn, Alta., its commercial Red Angus breeders of the year.
The Veltmans started in commercial beef production in 1989, beginning with 10 cows of mixed breeding. They gradually introduced Red Angus genetics into their herd and now have nearly 150 breeding females.
Taking top honours as purebred Red Angus breeder was the Stewart Cattle Co., of Cochrane, Alta. The company’s purebred herd, established by the late Don Stewart, was sold in December 2004 following Stewart’s death. Another herd is now being rebuilt with foundation cows by his son, Sebastien, and his wife Sarah.
