Hi-Bred specialist
Pioneer Hi-Bred has named Harry Bekkering its livestock end-use specialist for Western Canada.
Bekkering will focus on customers’ needs in the beef, dairy and forage industries and act as liaison between Pioneer and western Canadian producers.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in management from the University of Lethbridge and has worked for Pioneer for 18 years as a district sales manager and forage specialist in Alberta and Saskatchewan.
Bekkering will be based in Calgary and work with the western Canadian sales team to share information with beef and dairy producers about Pioneer brand corn hybrids, forages, silage and inoculants.
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Organic program
Manitoba Agriculture has announced a new program to encourage expansion of the province’s organic industry.
The Manitoba Organic Transition Program will provide financial assistance to producers and processors who wish to switch farmland, livestock and processing facilities to certified organic operations.
The program will reimburse fees charged by qualified organic certification agencies during the transition to organic certification. Producers and processors can be reimbursed for two-thirds of the cost of their transition fees up to $800 per year.
For more information, call the program administrator at 204-745-5663.
Horse industry award
The Horse Industry Association of Alberta is seeking nominations for the 2009 Alberta Horse Industry Distinguished Service Award.
The award is presented annually to an individual who has made a significant contribution to the development of the Alberta horse industry.
It will be presented to the nominee who has had the greatest impact on the horse industry in one or more of these areas: breeding, manufacturing, facilities, organization, education, auction sales, export sales, communication and training people and horses.
For details on the nomination procedure and required documents, contact the Horse Industry Association of Alberta, 97 East Lake Ramp NE, Airdrie, Alta., T4A 0C3, or e-mail tvanbryce@albertahorseindustry.ca.
The deadline for nominations is Nov. 15.
The recipient will be recognized at the Alberta Horse Breeders and Owners Conference Jan. 10 in Red Deer.
Special crops website
The Manitoba Corn Growers Association, Manitoba Pulse Growers Association and National Sunflower Association of Canada have launched a new website about the Manitoba Special Crops Symposium planned for Winnipeg Feb. 11-12.
The site at www.manitobaspecialcrops.ca will provide information for symposium visitors and exhibitors.
This year’s keynote speaker is Jolene Brown, an Iowa resident who farms with her husband, Keith, and travels across the continent discussing important agricultural issues.
Brown’s keynote address is entitled The Top 10 Stupid Things Families Do To Break Up Their Business.
