Don Dewar, a seed grower and grain farmer from Dauphin, Man., is the new president of Manitoba’s farm lobby group.
Dewar takes the helm of Keystone Agricultural Producers from Arborg farmer Les Jacobson, who is retiring after 14 years of involvement with the group, the last three as president.
Dewar, who served as the group’s first vice-president last year, edged out former second vice-president Marcel Hacault for the job.
Hacault, a hog farmer from Niverville, was acclaimed as first vice-president at the group’s annual meeting last week in Winnipeg.
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Weldon Newton, who farms at Neepawa, was acclaimed as second vice-president.
In his final address, Jacobson said he leaves the organization with stable membership and funding, and credibility with governments that consult the group on agricultural policy.
But he warned the group that farmers are squeezed by tight margins as never before, and it will be challenging to develop strong safety nets and other policies.
“Our industry has a vast potential, but it is going to take a great deal of hard work to ensure that we as producers realize the benefits of the potential that we can have back home at our farm gates,” he said.
