New director for vet college’s medical centre
Dr. Duncan Hockley is the new director of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine’s Veterinary Medical Centre at the University of Saskatchewan.
Hockley, who is originally from Saskatchewan and a 1992 graduate of the WCVM’s doctor of veterinary medicine program, is returning to his alma mater with a broad range of experience in private veterinary practice, the animal health industry and veterinary research.
His most recent position was a four-year term as director of global veterinary services at Bioniche Life Sciences in Belleville, Ont.
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After graduation, Hockley spent five years as a veterinarian and co-owner of a mixed animal veterinary clinic in southern Saskatchewan.
His interest and expertise in bovine embryo transfer techniques led to international opportunities and new roles in the animal health industry as a veterinary researcher and senior leader for animal health companies.
Hockley’s experience includes research and development on products and services for large animals and companion animals.
Conservation centre projects approved
Eight projects have been approved for the Agriculture Demonstration of Practices and Technologies (ADOPT) program at the Conservation Learning Centre in Saskatchewan.
Agriculture ministry funding totals $62,150.
The program provides money to help producer groups evaluate and demonstrate new agricultural practices and technologies at the local level.
The projects include researching the effective rate and timing of fungicide applications, the costs and benefits of maximizing canola yield through fertilization, demonstrating forage corn varieties and optimal seeding rates for winter wheat.
The centre will use a new plot seed drill this spring, which makes seeding for plot research much easier.
This year’s annual CLC Field Day will be held July 25.
ODC appoints new president
Christina Lewis is the new president of the Ontario Dairy Council.
Lewis served as ODC vice-president for nearly 14 years. She replaces outgoing president Tom Kane, who retired after 34 years of service.
Lewis has served on the P5 Technical Committee, the Canadian Milk Supply Management Committee secretariat, the Ontario Food Industry Environment Coalition, the School Milk Task Force and the Transportation Quality Committee.
Before joining ODC, Lewis worked at Women Business Owners of Canada and the Baking Association of Canada.
Website promotes barley
Barley has a new consumer website that will serve as a one-stop shop for everything barley.
The website, at www.GoBarley.com, features more than 60 new recipes from main dishes to desserts, as well as how-to videos and blog posts from nutritionists and foodies.
It is part of a new market development initiative by the Alberta Barley Commission. The site will show consumers how versatile barley can be for cooking and baking.
Barley, which is Canada’s third largest crop, received approval from Health Canada for a new food claim, which concluded that daily consumption of the grain helps reduce blood cholesterol, a risk factor for heart disease.
The commission has also sent market development manager Linda Whitworth on a cross-Canada barley blitz.
GoBarley.com also features partnerships with Canadian bloggers covering other uses of barley such as malt barley used to produce beer. These blogs introduce consumers to Alberta’s craft brewers and breweries and provide tips for pairing food and beer.
Cheese makers face off in national competition
There were a record numbers of entries for this year’s Canadian Cheese Grand Prix.
Cheese makers from British Columbia to Prince Edward island submitted 225 cheeses in 19 categories. Fifty-eight finalists were selected in Montreal in February from aged cheddars to organic cheeses. An industry spokesperson said the diversity shows how the craft has evolved in Canada.
The category champions and grand champion will be named at the gala event in Montreal April 18.
A nationwide public relations campaign will follow to promote the winners and cheese.
For more information, visit dairyfarmers.ca.
