Ag minister remembered
John Wise’s tenure as federal agriculture minister ended a generation ago, but his accomplishments during his two terms as minister remain.
The fifth-generation dairy farmer who served in municipal politics, numerous farm organizations and then as MP for Elgin died Jan. 9 in St. Thomas, Ont. at age 77.
“John was a capable and realistic minister with a knowledge of agriculture from the ground up,” said current agriculture minister Gerry Ritz in a statement.
He said Wise was respected by farmers and credited him for stronger federal-provincial-territorial relationships in agriculture.
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Wise was first elected as a Progressive Conservative MP in 1972 and re-elected four more times before retiring ahead of the 1988 election.
He served as agriculture minister from 1979-80 under Joe Clark and from 1984-88 in the Brian Mulroney government.
Ritz noted that Wise helped ensure agriculture’s place in the Canada-U.S. trade agreement, and laid the foundation for a strong Canadian wine industry by establishing transition assistance for grape growers.
Wise’s obituary listed the establishment of new research stations in London, Ont., Guelph, Ont., and other Canadian centres as highlights of his career.
He served farm organizations such as the Oxford and District Cattle Breeders Association, the Canadian Livestock Exporters Association and the Canadian Embryo Exports Association. He was recognized as an honorary member of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association after retiring from politics. A research branch in the federal agriculture department established the John Wise Fellowship Award in his honour. Wise was also the honorary founding president of Soil Conservation Canada. In 2009, a public school in St. Thomas was named for him.
Wise is survived by his wife, a daughter and two grandchildren. The family asked that memorial donations be made to Food Banks Canada.
Dairy farms named master breeders
Five dairy operations in Western Canada have been added to the list of Holstein Canada master breeders for 2012. Ken Lischka of Nexgen Farms in Steelman is the lone Saskatchewan designate. Ronald Boerchers of Laurier, Man., is the lone Manitoba designate. Also from the West are John Tamis of Surrey, B.C., Rudy and Trudy Russenberger of Abbotsford, B.C., and John, Colleen, Jason and Mark Ricka of Chilliwack, B.C.
The rest of the 2012 master breeders are from Quebec and Ontario. All will be honoured April 12 at the national Holstein convention in Niagara Falls, Ont. In a news release, Holstein Canada said master breeder designations represent the pinnacle of success for members.
“These master breeders are recognized for having the best ratio for breeding cows that possess the complete package: high production and outstanding conformation, with high proficiency in reproduction, health and longevity.”
