2015 Profile Magazine

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Agriculture for the World

Message from the Honourable Gerry Ritz,

Message from the Honourable Verlyn Olson, QC

Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Minister of Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development

On behalf of the Government of Canada, I’m pleased to welcome our international guests to Canada and to the 2015 Calgary Stampede.

This world-class show continues to celebrate the best of Canadian agriculture, including our superior beef genetics. Canada’s reputation for beef quality rests on a strong platform of food safety, livestock traceability, genetics, animal husbandry and environmental sustainability.

Our Government understands the importance of trade to our agricultural industry and keeping the Canadian economy strong.

We support and promote market-oriented international trade that is based on sound science and fair rules. Our success in international trade plays an important role in creating jobs, increasing commercial opportunities and, of course, ensuring our farmers and food processors succeed.

I’m pleased that our Government is supporting the International Room to help you tap into everything Canadian agriculture has to offer. It also provides a great opportunity to make those face-toface connections that will help you grow your business.

Once again, welcome to Calgary. Enjoy the show!

It is an honour to welcome you to the 2015 Calgary Stampede.

When the first pioneers came to Alberta they were determined to take their futures into their own hands to build a strong and lasting legacy for future generations. That spirit is still strong as we celebrate our rural and agricultural heritage at the Stampede. Whether you come from across the country or around the world, I know you are going to enjoy experiencing the excitement and energy of our province.

I invite you to put on your white cowboy hat and take in the fantastic rodeo and chuckwagon events, the impressive cultural and grandstand shows, and enjoy the midway and livestock exhibits. When you are all done with that, feel free to check out some of the other wonderful sites Alberta has to offer. Whether you’re visiting our fast-paced cities, hiking our beautiful mountains or exploring our rolling prairies and badlands, you’re in for a one-of-a-kind experience.

hard throughout the year to ensure that our products and producers are presented in the best possible light to visitors – and potential trading partners – from around the world.

Message from Naheed K. Nenshi, Mayor of the City of Calgary

On behalf of my City Council colleagues and the citizens of Calgary, I am pleased to welcome you to the 2015 Calgary Stampede.

Whenever I get asked about the Calgary Stampede and the impact it has on our city, I make sure to mention that it is about more than the rodeo or the attractions on the midway; it is an incredible opportunity to showcase the agricultural industry in our province. The International Agriculture Committee works

Agriculture is not simply a rural pursuit. More and more people are taking a keen interest in knowing where their food comes from, and Calgarians are among those developing new ways to grow and market traditional products to a new audience. We might love Alberta beef, but we also enjoy Alberta dairy and grain products. And these markets have a significant impact on our entire city – they create jobs and promote creativity and innovation.

I am grateful to the Calgary Stampede for its continued commitment to promoting our agricultural industry to the world.

PROFILE 2015

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Message from Bill Gray,

Message from Keith Jones,

President and Chairman of the Calgary Stampede Board of Directors

Chair, Calgary Stampede International Agriculture committee

The roots of the Calgary Stampede go back to the mid-1880s when the Calgary and District Agricultural Society was formed.

Ever since, agriculture has been a fundamental component of the Stampede. We all share pride in shining a light on agriculture and developing an appreciation among young, urban audiences of our province’s second-largest, revenuebased industry. I’m excited to share two new ways we are doing that through education.

Students in the new school program Journey 2050: Growing Responsibly are learning that the act of planting a seed starts a ripple effect that helps a farm family, their community, their country and the world. In partnership with Agrium we are teaching up to 10,000 students a year the importance of sustainable agriculture, in a world that will see nine billion people by 2050.

Through our OH Ranch education program, students have the opportunity to connect with our 8,000-acre working cattle ranch near Longview, Alberta. Students learn ranching practices and the cattle production cycle as well as what it means to be stewards of the land. The program helps strengthen and build the relationship between urban and rural communities while encouraging children to understand the economic impacts of agriculture.

On behalf of all of the volunteers and employees at the Stampede I can assure you that Stampede’s agricultural roots are close to our hearts. Our focus on agriculture will continue to grow with the strong energy of our people as we preserve and promote the agricultural foundation of the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.

On behalf of the International Agriculture committee, we hope you enjoy the Profile magazine.

Profile is one way we bring our view of Alberta’s agricultural people, industry and opportunities to the world. We also have an active international agriculture hospitality program, and host the renowned International Agriculture Reception, which brings together business, political and community leaders to talk about agriculture in Alberta. In 2014, we were pleased to host 1,992 guests from 52 different countries.

Whether you take part in our programs simply by reviewing the exciting stories in Profile or by coming to the Calgary Stampede, we hope you are as excited by the opportunities in agriculture in Alberta as we are. We would be pleased to host you during Stampede, and connect you to the great people that make up this growing industry.

I would like to thank our immediate past Director John Third who has been a stalwart supporter. In 2015, we welcome back Byron Hussey, who enthusiastically encourages us.

I have the pleasure of working with a tremendous group of volunteers led by Brent Difley and Aaron Grant and volunteer leaders: Cherie Copithorne-Barnes, Dave Lantz, Anila Lee Yuen, and Christie Simpson. Of course, none of our programs would be successful without the enthusiasm, passion and hard work of our entire volunteer committee. Our programs come to you thanks to the support of our sponsors, who commit time, enthusiasm and financial contributions.

We’re looking forward to seeing you in 2015!

A B OU T T H E C O V E R :

Alberta agriculture is rich in history stemming back hundreds of years; traditions passed down through the generations. It embodies what’s great about our rural communities, our province and our country.

Photograph by Walt Browarny, courtesy of ShowChampions Inc. ShowChampions Inc. is a Calgary-based photography company that specializes in livestock photography and covers all major agricultural shows throughout North America. For more information visit showchampions.com.

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I N T E R N AT I O N A L A G R I C U LT U R E C O M M I T T E E

THE CALGARY STAMPEDE INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE Made up of volunteers representing the Southern Alberta community, the International Agriculture Committee (IAC) operates within the framework of the Calgary Stampede. The IAC serves as a connector between the Stampede, Southern Alberta agriculture and international agriculture guests before and during the Stampede.

With a reputation for success and positive leadership, the committee strives to be a meaningful contributor to the success of the Stampede, the Agriculture department and the Southern Alberta agriculture industry.

Our mission is to bring members from the world’s agricultural community together to share ideas, to facilitate business opportunities and to foster friendship and cultural understanding.

Byron Hussey Director

Cherie CopithorneBarnes Strategic Planning, Innovation Lead

Anila Lee Yuen Communications Lead

Dave Lantz Sponsorship Lead

Christie Simpson Events Lead

Keith Jones Chair

Doug Blair

Penny Blackwell Partner Communications

Graeme Finn

John Arnold Sponsor Reception Tour Program

Brent Difley 1st Vice-Chair

Dave Collins

Joan Cool Profile magazine

Shawn Hansen

Barry Bennett IAC Reception

Aaron Grant 2nd Vice-Chair

Ramon Fosado

Candace Grimes

Larry Konschuk

Kerrie Harvie Scheduling

Leah Jones Agriculture Manager

Shannon Haney

Holly Nicoll Data Management

John Lee

Harvey McKernon WEC Booth

Kristin Dennett Program Coordinator

Larry Koper

Jenn Norrie Social Media

Drew Mundie

Dave Phillips IAC Reception

Syd Loeppky

Jan Warren

Gary Pike

Kim McConnell

Tina Zakowsky

Bryan Walton

Rick Smith Registration

Ravinder Minhas

PROFILE 2015

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contents

SHOWCASING AND PROMOTING THE ALBERTA AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY TO THE WORLD. PROFILE IS DISTRIBUTED THROUGHOUT ALBERTA AND ACROSS CANADA TO AGRICULTURAL PRO DUCER S, A SSOCIATION S AND I NDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVES. IT IS SHARED WORLDWIDE WITH FRIENDS OF THE CALGARY STAMPEDE AND DISTRIBUTED AT MAJOR NORTH AMERICAN AND INTERNATIONAL STOCK SHOWS, THROUGH INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATIONS AND CANADIAN AND ALBERTA TRADE OFFICES OVERSEAS. Publisher:

Communications Te am:

Contributing Writers:

The Calgary Stampede International Agriculture Committee

Aaron Grant

Madeline Babinec

Anila Lee Yuen

Pam Barker

Penny Blackwell

Daryl Chubb

Candace Grimes

Karlee Conway

Kerrie Harvey

Léona Dargis

Kim McConnell

Crosby Devitt

Holly Nicoll

Tyler Difley

Jenn Norrie

Lotte Elsgaard

Jan Warren

Ted Haney

Tina Zakowsky

Cheryl Hazenberg

Editor:

Joan Cool

Wendy Lee Yuen Lauren McGougan

5 Welcoming the World 8 Alberta and the Asia Pacific 11 Passion for Farming 12 Canada: At the Forefront

of Sustainability

15 North American Sheep Shearing Challenge

17 #Farm Voices Movement 18 Saddle Up 20 The Calgary Stampede

OH Ranch

24 Stan Grad –

Alberta Entrepreneur

25

Opportunities

27

C anadian

in Alberta Agriculture

Beef Centre of Excellence

Brenda Schoepp Teresa Woo-Paw

The Profile is available electronically at http://bit.ly/InternationalAg or request a copy at IAC@CalgaryStampede.com.

Letters to the editor are always welcome. Please send your comments and suggestions to IAC@calgarystampede.com. The editor assumes publication rights for submitted content and reserves the right to edit submissions.

All rights reserved. Any reproduction of the contents without written authorization from the publisher is strictly prohibited. The publisher cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions found within this publication.

Copyright© 2015 Calgary Stampede International Agriculture Committee Graphic Design: Eldon B. Rice Designs Printer: Apache Superior Printing Ltd. 4

I N T E R N AT I O N A L A G R I C U LT U R E C O M M I T T E E

28 Nuffield Scholarships 30 Rocky Mountain Holsteins 31 Agriculture in the Caribbean

32 Cheese, Please!

W e l c o m ing th e w o r l d

I F YOU A R E A N I N T E R N AT I O N A L V I S I TO R F ROM T H E AG R I C ULT U R E I N D US T R Y O R I F YOU R E P R ESE N T A N I N T E R N AT I O N A L AG R I C ULT U R A L G ROU P P L A N N I N G TO ATTEND THE 2015 CALGARY STAMPEDE, WE WELCOME YOU TO CONNECT WITH US. B Y A N I L A LEE Y UE N

The Calgary Stampede International Agriculture committee actively promotes business networking opportunities in the agriculture industry – while also offering that famous western hospitality – for globetrotting agriculture travelers.

If you are an international guest from the agriculture industry visiting the Stampede, or are a part of the Southern Alberta agriculture community, please do come see us. We’d love to meet you.

This year we have launched our “Where in the World do you Farm?” campaign to invite international guests with an interest in agriculture to meet with us at our IAC booth in the Agrium Western Event Centre. We also invite Southern Alberta agricultural exhibitors and participants with an interest in doing business internationally. Our booth is open July 3 to 12 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day.

For more information about the IAC or to pre-register: http://bit.ly/InternationalAg

Calgary Stampede International Agriculture

@stampedeIAC #CSIAC

stampede_IAC #CSIAC

Anila Lee Yuen is the IAC communications lead and works in the not-for-profit sector in Calgary. @anilainyyc

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2 014 I nt e rnati o na l Agric u lt u r e R ec e pti o n Sandra Jansen (MLA Calgary-North West), Ravinder Minhas (IAC), Larry Konschuk (IAC)

Sheldon Gellner (Cervus Equipment), Dave Lantz (IAC), Cal Johnson (Cervus Equipment)

Jamie Curran (Assistant Deputy Minister Alberta Agriculture), Carla Rhyant (Co-chair of the Next Generation Advisory Committee), The Honourable Verlyn Olson (Minister of Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development), Jason Krips (Deputy Minister Alberta Agriculture)

Kim McConnell (IAC), Allan Browarny (ShowChampions), Dave Phillips (IAC)

Bob Lowe (Alberta Beef Producers), Cherie Copithorne-Barnes (IAC)

Dr. David Chalack (CS Past President and Chairman of the Board), Mary Beth Sibbald, Joanne Chalack, David Sibbald (CS first Vice Chairman)

Bill Gray (CS President and Chairman of the Board), Roc Spence (CS Director)

The Honourable Gary Ritz (Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)

6 JohnI NLee (IAC), Wynn McLean T E R N AT I O N A L A G R I C U LT U R E (Travel Alberta)

Keith Jones (IAC Chair), Judy Fenton (Fenton Ranching)

COMMIT TEE

Kevin Hoppins (UFA), George Jackson (Jackson Agri-Business), Doug Geier (Integra Air)

Nikolaus Demiantschuk (Honourary Consul for Austria), Patricia Pardo (Mount Royal University), Ted Haney (CS Director)

Alberta Asia Pacific and the

Natural Partners in Agriculture

Alberta is blessed with abundant resources, blue skies, clean water and pristine environments – this is where quality agriculture products and livestock are grown. B Y T e r e s a W o o - Paw

Our rich agricultural heritage along with modern value-added production will soon bring many new Alberta agri-food exports to the bowls of hundreds of millions of middle-class consumers in Asia.

As Alberta’s Associate Minister of Asia-Pacific Relations, I’ve spent the last three years identifying ways to enhance our relationships and ties with the Honourable Teresa Woo-Paw, Asia-Pacific region. All over Associate Minister of Asia Alberta, entrepreneurs and Pacific Relations organizations have amazed me with their creativity in exposing Asia to new products and services such as Oriented Strand Board (OSB), educational services and energy servicing equipment. Recently, Albertans have also drawn new customers from Asia to Alberta in obvious areas like tourism and environmental technology,

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I N T E R N AT I O N A L A G R I C U LT U R E C O M M I T T E E

but the agricultural sector has always been at the forefront of our successes and partnerships in Asia.

Alberta is the largest honey producer in Canada, accounting for about 50 per cent of Canada’s honey exports to Asia, and our Canola and wheat exports have made significant inroads. China and Japan import a total of just under $3 billion a year in Alberta agri-food products. China is in fact Alberta’s second largest trading partner, both overall and for agri-food exports. Other exciting opportunities in the region include our world-class animal genetics, agricultural research partnerships, and utilizing our advanced food processing infrastructure to develop high quality value-added food and beverage products for sale across Asian markets.

The recent Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement, our first such agreement in the Asia Pacific, opens up Asian markets even further for Alberta agri-food exports by eliminating over 86 per cent of agricultural tariff lines. In particular, it removes many remaining barriers for pork and beef exports

entering South Korea, allowing for increased exports of Alberta’s renowned meat products to a key Asian market. As the Government of Alberta continues to diversify into the region and emerging markets in Southeast Asia, and the ongoing negotiations of the Trans-Pacific Partnership and Economic Partnership Agreement with Japan, it’s exciting to imagine what the future holds for all partners in our agricultural supply chain to Asia.

I encourage those of you in the agricultural sector to come explore these exciting new opportunities in Alberta further, and to contact my office or one of our international trade offices with any questions or for more information.

For more information visit albertacanada.com.

Teresa Woo-Paw currently serves as the Associate Minister of Asia Pacific Relations (reporting to the Premier) with the Government of Alberta, and was also Chair of Alberta’s Asia Advisory Council. In her role, she actively meets with incoming delegations from the Asia-Pacific region, and supports interested businesses and investors from both Alberta and Asia identify and develop business and trade opportunities.

Associate Minister Woo-Paw and international guests discuss areas for greater Alberta-Asia collaboration and enjoy the sights and sounds of the Stampede.

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Passion for Farming You can tell when someone is pa ssionate about something. Talk to farmer Jay Schultz about his farm and you can tell that he is doing what he re ally loves. B y La u r e n Mc G o u gan The Schultz family farm is just outside Standard, Alberta, a small village with about 380 residents. It would be easy enough to assume, after driving gravel roads and after going through the small village, that the family is slightly isolated and sticks to the farm. That simply is not the case.

The farm just produced its 85th crop and has been in operation since 1929. Schultz’s grandfather started the operation and it has gone down through the generations.

Schultz didn’t always know that he wanted to farm full time.

“I’m the only boy of four kids, and my parents wanted me to farm. After high school, I travelled and went to the University of Calgary for a year and took natural sciences.

Then I transferred to the University of Alberta and earned my degree in crop science. The more I saw the world, the more I realized that the farm was a good place to be,” Schultz laughs.

Both the farm operation and farming promotion on social media are very family orientated.

Jay’s wife, Sarah, runs a blog called Nurse Loves Farmer.

The blog focuses on day-to-day life on the farm.

“At first, my dad didn’t understand how social media related to the farm. But now he sees the benefits of it in regards to global markets and the speed of information.”

Schultz is also proud of the family farming videos on YouTube. The most watched video is Canada Grain Harvest 2, Go Pro HD. “Farming changes so rapidly and farmers are very adaptive.

There’s such a positive outlook on farming right now. There are a lot of opportunities.”

For more information about the Schultz family: Jay Schultz @WheatlanderJay

Schultz shares farming tips on Twitter and keeps up with global grain markets using his smart phone.

Sarah Schultz Nurselovesfarmer.com

“This is very valuable for a lot of reasons. I share a lot of tips, but I also get a lot in return. It is also very interesting to see what farmers in other countries are doing.”

Farming has become more complex through the years, and Schultz is always looking to connect with other farmers.

@Nurselovesfarmer

Lauren McGougan is a recent graduate of the SAIT Polytechnic journalism program. She has experience with weekly newspapers, agriculture focused publications and sports writing.

@LaurenMcGougan

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CANADA: As the world moves towards a projected global population of 9.6 billion by 2050, the question looms increasingly larger: how are the farmers of the world going to feed 9.6 billion people while conserving the earth’s natural endowments of soil, water and air? B Y LO T T E ELS G A A R D A N D T E D H A N E Y

The question is at the centre of concerted discussion, consultation and joint analyses on many levels – from the global and national to the regional and local. The global livestock sector is moving to respond.

The Global Response On a world level, the Global Agenda for Sustainable Livestock (GASL) began in 2010 as a partnership of a broad range of sector stakeholders. Currently hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, GASL includes the usual mix of intergovernmental agencies, national governments, academia and civil-society NGOs. The full involvement of industry – livestock producers and meat processors – is new for the FAO and incredibly valuable to the process.

With one billion of the world’s poor deriving at least part of their livelihood from livestock, no other sector is more vitally important in developing countries. Further, as we 12 I N T E R N A T I O N A L A G R I C U L T U R E C O M M I T T E E

move toward 2050, the demand for livestock products is expected to increase by 70 per cent.

In grappling with the biggest global challenge of our era, the full beef supply chain must come together in order to successfully respond to the situation. The challenge may be on a global scale, but it will be defined through the practices of the farmer, rancher, feedlot operator, feed seller, processor, supermarket and restaurant in order to achieve advancement at the global level.

“The Global Agenda is a partnership that promotes concerted action by livestock sector stakeholder groups to support livelihoods, long-term food security and economic development by simultaneously addressing global food security and health, equity and growth, and resources and climate,” says Neil Fraser, Chair, GASL. “As such, it is becoming the ‘recognised platform’ for discussion and initiation of actions related to global livestock sector issues.”

At the forefront of sustainability

In 2012 the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (GRSB) was established. Founding members included more than 40 producer associations, meat processors, producers, civil society constituents, retailers, and food service operators.

Key to the new organization was support from McDonald’s, World Wildlife Federation, Walmart, Cargill, JBS, Elanco, Merck and Solidaridad.

The GRSB established Five Sustainable Beef Principles, including criteria on Natural Resources, People and Community, Animal Health and Welfare, Food and Efficiency and Innovation. The principles and criteria were purposely written in broad strokes to provide a common baseline understanding of sustainable beef that national roundtables and other initiatives can use to meet their needs.

The organization provides advice on how producers can meet the criteria on a national and regional basis by assisting aligned beef roundtables to develop their own standards

for sustainable beef. Groups have already been formed in Canada, Brazil, Colombia and Mexico. The United States, Australia, European Union, Argentina and Paraguay have groups in development.

“The guiding principle of GRSB remains local solutions that have global impact,” says Cameron Bruett, Chair, GRSB. “We view our efforts as an empowerment exercise for producers and other beef value chain participants around the globe to make on-the-ground improvements that will lead to a more sustainable future for us all.”

Canada Has Head Start on Sustainability In May 2014, McDonald’s announced that it had chosen Canada as the site of its first “sustainable beef” pilot project, which will see the company begin sourcing verified sustainable beef in 2016. That decision was based in part on the work already done by cattle producers and beef processors across Canada.

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In 2001 the Canadian cattle industry implemented a traceability program. The National Cattle ID Program requires cattle to be permanently identified with barcode tags upon leaving their farm of origin.

For many years, provinces have recognized and awarded producer performance in terms of the Verified Beef Production™ program, Beef InfoXchange System (BIXS) and the Environmental Farm Plan program. On the national level, each year the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) recognizes environmental achievements with The Environmental Stewardship Award (TESA).

As well, provincial cattle associations across the country have long-established animal care and environmental committees. When in 2014 the Canadian industry established the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (CRSB), it brought together at the national level efforts that were already underway at the provincial level. Its vision is: The Canadian beef industry is recognized globally to be economically viable, environmentally sound and socially responsible. The organization is inclusive, representing multi-stakeholders in the beef value chain, as well as different perspectives around animal care, the environment and the economy.

Neil Fraser Chair, Global Agenda for Sustainable Livestock

Cameron Bruett Chair, Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef

As one of its initiatives, the CRSB, is currently undertaking a benchmark study to establish a comprehensive baseline assessment of the environmental and socioeconomic impacts of beef production in Canada. The study will provide a life cycle assessment (environmental and social impacts) for the entire beef supply chain from farm to consumer. The study will provide the road map for the further development of Canada’s sustainability initiatives.

Work is about to commence on development of sustainability indicators for the cattle and beef sectors – providing the measurement system to support forward movement. The CRSB will also focus on communicating outside of the industry – building confidence and seeking examples of best practices that can be applied throughout the value chain.

The Canadian Roundtable on Sustainable Beef does not work in a vacuum. The CRSB will act as the primary industry liaison for McDonald’s Sustainable Beef Pilot Project. The lessons learned will be available for adaptation and adoption by all industry players across Canada. The CRSB will also work closely with Canadian legislators and regulators in support of the industry’s sustainability goals. At every step, the CRSB will work in conjunction with the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef to ensure that global and Canadian approaches to sustainability are consistent and effective.

“The Canadian beef industry is on the forefront of defining what sustainable beef looks like here in Canada,” says Cherie Copithorne-Barnes, Chair of CRSB. “The Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef looks forward to working with all of our stakeholders, focusing on, the common motto of ‘Continuous Improvement’ which is found in both our national Roundtable as well as the Global Roundtable.”

For more Information about the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef: crsb.ab

Cherie Copithorne-Barnes Chair, Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef

14 I N T E R N A T I O N A L A G R I C U L T U R E C O M M I T T E E

@crsb

Lotte Elsgaard is a freelance copywriter with expertise in the agriculture, food and energy sectors. Contact her at lotte9@shaw.ca.

Ted Haney is a member of the Calgary Stampede Board of Directors. He also is an international agribusiness leader. Contact him at Ted@TedHaney.ca.

NO RTH A ME R IC A N S HEEP SH E A R I NG CHA LLE NG E

In rodeo, a good day’s work is eight seconds or less. But for the world’s top shearers competing at the Calgary Stampede, they’re just getting warmed up at that, in their quest to win North America’s richest shearing championship.

B y Pa m B ark e r

The Calgary Stampede’s North American Sheep Shearing Challenge started in 1996 and attracts professional shearers from New Zealand, Australia, England, Scotland, Uruguay and the United States.

Competitors must shear quickly and cleanly, earning the fewest penalty points on a pen of four or more sheep in each go-round. They get one point for every 20 seconds. Judges watch their workmanship, adding points if the clippers go over an area twice to get the wool closer to the skin.

The competition is a test of speed, but more importantly, expertise. For 2001 Calgary Stampede Champion David Fagan of New Zealand, his record time to shear a single lamb is 14 seconds. Other shearing records are feats of endurance, as set by Steve Mudford and his two crewmates. In eight hours, they buzzed through 1,289 mature ewes. That’s less than one minute per sheep for each shearer. Mudford came to the 2014 Stampede and became the first Australian to win.

Canada’s best shearers also take to the stand like threetime Stampede Open Champion Don Metheral from Ontario and Pieter DeMooy from British Columbia.

Both have represented Canada at the World Shearing Championships.

Sheep shearing is unique – as both a career and a working sport. Men and women toil and compete side by side. Maria Stiglmayr from Manitoba is a three-time intermediate champion.

So for a real wild and woolly time, join us at the North American Sheep Shearing Challenge, the World Stock Dog Championship, and the Sheep Showcase.

For more information about the North American Sheep Shearing Challenge visit calgarystampede.com/ag.

Pam Barker is a member of the Calgary Stampede Sheep committee.

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# F A R M V O I C ES

MO V EME N T

CELEBRATES FARMERS ON EARTH DAY Food is the tie that binds all of humanity. It transcends country, race and creed, bringing people together in universal language through the nourishment of body and soul. For the few who feed the many, producing the food we eat is so much more than a job, it’s a calling.

Today, farmers are striving to drive global food security, and are facing the challenge of feeding 2.4 billion extra people with no more land by 2050. So with the majority of North Americans now three generations removed from the farm, the need for connection has never been greater. Bringing people back to their food, creating a better understanding of how it’s produced and of those whose life work is to provide it, is of utmost importance.

And that’s where the #FARMVOICES Movement, spearheaded by the FarmOn Foundation in 2013 as a way for farmers to utilize the power of social media to tell their stories and create meaningful conversation about the reality of farming, comes into play.

For the past two years on Earth Day, thousands of farmers from 26 countries around the globe have come together, engaging directly with each other, and the world, by posting a photo and a thought to Facebook, Instagram and/or Twitter about their experience as a farmer.

“The #FARMVOICES Movement is owned by farmers, period,” said Sarah Wray, with the FarmOn Foundation. This is their time, their movement, and we’re excited to see how they will come together again on Earth Day this year.”

For more information about the #FARMVOICES Movement: farmon.com/farmvoices

FarmOn.com

@farmon

FarmOn.com

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Saddle up

It’s time to see the world of international agriculture!

18 I N T E R N A T I O N A L A G R I C U L T U R E C O M M I T T E E

The Calgary Stampede International Agriculture committee has partnered with Leader Tours Inc. to bring visitors to the Calgary Stampede and to showcase Southern Alberta’s diverse agriculture to the world. The International Agriculture committee will also offer outbound agriculture tours to South America, Australia, New Zealand and Europe in the future.

handmade by local gauchos. Visit the San Telmo Market, enjoy a Paraná River delta cruise and tango show with dinner.

We round off the tour with a trip to the magnificent Mendoza wine country, where wine tasting and great food awaits you!

The tour will also include agricultural visits to a Criollos horse ranch, a feedlot, Hereford and Angus ranches and cropping farms in southern Argentina.

Clients always comment that the personal connections they make while visiting the local farmer stand out above all the sights and entertainment included on the tour. “Giving customers a real grass-roots element has been the key to growing our agri-tours product” says Lawrence Rowley, Leader Tours Inc. Managing Director.

The 2016 Southern Alberta Agriculture Tour, will feature two full days at the Calgary Stampede – The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth! Experience the World’s Richest Rodeo featuring the world’s toughest competitors, and the world’s most unique entertainment doubleheader. In the evening the GMC Rangeland Derby has been described as NASCAR for cowboys and the TransAlta Grandstand Show is a variety extravaganza that includes comedy, elaborate song and dance numbers, acrobatics and a spectacular fireworks finale.

The Calgary Stampede International Agriculture committee will run two tours – one inbound to Southern Alberta and one outbound to Argentina that will feature an agricultural focus with a blend of tourist highlights that appeal to all travellers.

Argentina Agricultural Tour 2015, starts in Buenos Aires with a city tour featuring the famous La Recoleta Cemetery, which contains the graves of notable people, including Eva Perón. Visit the Canadian Embassy, and experience the Liners’ Livestock Market, the largest cattle market in the world that sells over 140,000 heads per month.

Enjoy a two-night stay on the beautiful coastal city of Mar del Plata, visit the famous gaucho town of San Antonio de Areco, walk the historic streets and shop for leather and silver

The tour will include a one-night stay in the majestic Rocky Mountains; highlights include the Banff gondola, Lake Minnewanka boat cruise and a visit to the famous Lake Louise. Also included will be visits to grain and cattle operations, the World Heritage site of Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump and a Hutterite colony. We will also visit the Millarville Farmers’ Market, a feedlot and a bison ranch.

For more information about these exciting tours visit http://bit.ly/InternationalAg.

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The Calgary Stampede OH One of the oldest and most storied ranches in Alberta’s history, the 8,000-acre working OH Ranch became property of the Calgary Stampede Foundation in 2012. Upon receiving this gift and becoming the new stewards of the OH Ranch lands, the Stampede clearly laid out a management framework. B Y Mad e l in e B abin e c “Our first priority is to sustain the ranch as working land,” says Ken Pigeon, OH Ranch manager. “The Stampede has operated a horse breeding ranch near Hanna, Alberta, for almost 60 years so we are thrilled to expand our reach to raising cattle for beef production.” To assist in caring for the land, one of the first things the Stampede did was hire Pigeon to manage ranch operations. A graduate of Olds College in Alberta, Pigeon brings more than two decades of experience in ranch management with various ranches throughout Alberta. “For the last 24 years I developed extensive experience in care and maintenance of cow/calf herds, project and financial management and maintaining healthy range conditions for cattle, horses and wildlife,” Pigeon explains.

Ken Pigeon, OH Ranch manager

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Establishing the herd began with 225 red and black Angus cattle in 2013. As the year went by, the cows went through calving and weaning seasons resulting in positive numbers.

Pigeon was thankful for the OH Ranch’s neighbours who helped in the weaning process.

The Stampede sold the red heifers privately the first year and sold the black calves at market. The Stampede shipped 165 head averaging 558 pounds for steers and 562 pounds for heifers. Throughout the first working year, the cattle grazed the land which helped in sustaining the natural environment of the ranch while simultaneously creating rotation patterns.

During the first working year, the Stampede implemented limited and restricted access to the OH Ranch, to act as good stewards of the land. This low-traffic time frame helped restore pasture health and create pasture rotations, which is a part of the Stampede’s environment and range management plan. In creating this plan, the Stampede sought out the industry’s best practices in herd management, land and ecosystem management, pasture rotation, and livestock care and handling practices. After consulting their neighbours and industry’s best practices, the Stampede established cycles,

Ranch continues to thrive Its goal? To protect and preserve the natural environment and western authenticity of the working OH Ranch. Now, three years later, the Stampede reflects on the prosperity of the ranch.

processes and policies that guide all choices made on the OH Ranch. Pigeon was a great asset in this process as he has maintained longstanding relationships in the Longview, Alberta area including community groups, ranchers, cowboys, ranch owners and government agencies.

New fence installed at the OH Ranch

Once the land had been worked over a few rotations and the Stampede had identified the land as an authentic, strong working cattle ranch, the Stampede began upgrading the OH Ranch infrastructure. Updates included portable wind fence and calf shelters; calves can now lie down in a straw bed in The foundational Calgary Stampede OH herd at the OH Ranch on Steer Flats

the calf shelter to stay out of the elements, and cows can find protection behind the fence. “Updating infrastructure not only assists in herd management but also creates spaces for hosting guests where they are not disruptive to the land,� explains Pigeon.

With successful ranch operations up and running, the Stampede looked to its mandate of connecting urban and rural communities, and the idea for creating an OH Ranch education program was born.

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The OH Ranch Education program began in Fall 2014 with a program geared towards a few grade five classes from the Calgary and Foothills, Alberta regions. Students spend the day visiting the land and experiencing hands-on, memorable and inspiring agriculture lessons. Most of these students come from urban backgrounds, and for many it’s the first time in their lives they have visited a working ranch. This is why the education program focuses on the importance of agriculture and the need for sustainable farming practices.

Learnings focus on environmental matters, ranching practices and food production, all of which foster an understanding of conservation, plant life and life cycles.

The program is run by the OH Ranch education coordinator Sharon Lightfoot. “The success of this program relies on the support from the Calgary Stampede Foundation, and the assistance of Calgary Stampede employees and volunteers, and subject matter experts who care as much as I do about the wellbeing of this land, and the cattle, horses and multitude of fauna and flora species that call the OH Ranch home,” says Lightfoot.

Students engaging in hands-on activities during the OH Ranch education program

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This education program will continue as the Stampede works to develop additional ways to reach the Southern Alberta community and spread the word of the importance of agriculture education. Lightfoot says the Stampede is looking to improve and expand the education program beyond grade five students with the potential for workshops for ranch and land managers, and training for livestock veterinary students.

The Stampede is proud to live the ranching lifestyle alongside its fellow cattle producers who come to competitions, shows and exhibits at Stampede Park. And what started as an agriculture exhibition in 1886 continues today to be a front-runner in agriculture and animal care best practices, and industry standards. “I’m excited to promote Calgary Stampede western values though the OH Ranch and being a hands-on manager,” Pigeon reflects.

The Stampede looks forward to working with all stakeholders, including the Nature Conservancy of Canada, to ensure the OH Ranch is always moving in a positive direction. After all, what better way to preserve and promote western heritage than through a successful working ranch?

For more information about the OH Ranch: calgarystampede.com

calgarystampede

@CalgaryStampede

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Alberta entrepreneur

who sees a need, and gets things done!

Born near Calgary, where Crowchild Trail now runs, Stan Grad came from humble beginnings. He had supportive parents who worked for themselves and taught him the value of hard work. B y J an Warr e n After graduating from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) with a diploma in Petroleum Technology, Stan went on to obtain a petroleum engineering degree from the University of Wyoming.

His developing experiences in the oil business also spread to beef genetics. The simple start of owning a prize 1983 bull calf named “Roxy’s Jack Dempsey” (who became a superstar Charolais bull in the beef industry) was an unmatched opportunity. Meeting Willard Walker over a flat tire led to Willard purchasing a record-setting (at the time) American semen interest in the bull.

Stan is the owner of Soderglen Ranches Ltd., which is recognized as the largest seedstock cattle operation in Canada. The annual bull sales have met with tremendous demand from cattlemen worldwide and across the country.

He has developed a very strategic management team with employees who are working to develop the best DNA tracking and trait identification system. They are concerned with making the best cattle uniform and predictable for today’s market and presenting animals that are more efficient at finishing with a better percentage of yields.

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Stan was the President and Chief Executive Officer of Grad & Walker Energy Corporation that he founded with his partner Willard Walker.

His business and leadership skills have been used by numerous organizations as a founding member of the Calgary Stampede Foundation, as a member of the Board of Governors of Mount Royal College, and as past Chair of Alberta Shock Trauma Air Rescue (STARS).

The impact of creating genetics suitable for feeding today’s world, and acting as a leader, has made Stan Grad the kind of businessman, entrepreneur and philanthropist who sees a need and gets things done.

For more information visit soderglen.com.

Jan Warren is a member on the IAC and an innovative networker for the development of value-added agriculture businesses. Contact her at jan.warren@gov.ab.ca.

Opportunities in Alberta Agriculture – the province’s largest renewable industry

Alberta is actively seeking new markets for its innovative products and services, diversifying its economy and building strong international partnerships.

Agriculture continues to be a key economic driver of the provincial economy.

The province has 43,000 farms covering 20 million hectares dedicated to crop and livestock production with a total of $8.7 billion in agriculture and agri-food exports in 2013. Exports have grown an average of seven per cent annually.

Federal and provincial meat inspection and licensing programs, animal tracking systems, accurate and consistent grading systems for grains and oilseeds, and various food safety initiatives for producers, processors and consumers, assure the safety and quality of Alberta’s products.

Alberta’s top five agricultural exports are wheat, canola seed, beef, live cattle and crude canola oil, and Alberta’s top five export markets are the United States, China, Japan, Mexico, and Indonesia. In 2013, Alberta produced millions of tonnes of wheat, canola and barley in addition to a variety of pulses, including yellow and green peas and chickpeas. Alberta has:

> a growing food and beverage processing sector with manufacturing sales of $12.5 billion in 2013;

> experience in exporting genetics from a variety of livestock species.

Alberta’s agriculture industry has a lot to offer, and the province is committed to meeting the global demand for food with quality products and services by investing in innovation and research. Recently, the Alberta International Development Office, in partnership with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development, provided expertise to the World Bank on a livestock development project in Kazakhstan. This resulted in an increase in Alberta’s cattle exports to that region.

> a thriving livestock sector that contributed $4.8 billion

If you are an Alberta company looking to export your products abroad or an international partner interested in doing business with Alberta, the Government of Alberta has a number of services available, including Alberta’s network of international offices – valuable on-the-ground resources that help identify opportunities, provide key market intelligence and facilitate business connections.

> a strong food processing sector with meat exports

For more information on what Alberta has to offer, visit alberta.canada.com and www.agric.gov.ab.ca.

in livestock market receipts in 2013;

including beef, pork, poultry, bison, sheep and elk;

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The Canadian Beef Centre of Excellence is an exciting new culinary, food development and education facility located in Calgary in the heart of Canadian beef country. This region supports more than 70 per cent of the beef cattle finishing and processing in Canada.

New Canadian Beef Centre of Excellence Provides a Home for the Canadian Beef Industry to Connect, Innovate and Inspire Canada is one of the leading producers of high-quality beef in the world, and the beef and cattle sector makes a significant contribution to the Canadian economy.

Currently, Canadian beef is exported to the following international markets: Japan, China, Southeast Asia, U.S., Mexico, Latin America, Caribbean, Middle East, and the European Union.

The establishment of the Canadian Beef Centre of Excellence enables Canada Beef to further build Canadian beef brand loyalty with key customers in emerging and international markets.

In July 2014, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Minister Gerry Ritz and Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification Michelle Rempel joined Canada Beef Chair Chuck MacLean and President Rob Meijer to announce CDN $3,844,800 in government funding for the Centre.

“Our Government is proud to support this cutting-edge facility. This Centre will give our industry a competitive advantage in showcasing Canada’s top-quality meats and will allow our producers to capitalize on new and existing market opportunities,” said Minister Ritz during the announcement.

The key components of the Centre include a 24-seat meeting space that can function as a boardroom or dining room, a 20-seat state of the art demonstration theater with a full consumer kitchen and large commercial cooking line for food service presentations, and a refrigerated beef fabrication room with all the latest equipment to allow for cutting and fabrication demonstration and product development.

The Centre is also equipped with global broadcast capability to allow presentations, demonstrations, and client interactions.

“The Centre will further empower our industry to reach consumers and customers both here at home and around the world to build brand loyalty and generate new marketing opportunities,” said Rob Meijer.

For more information about the Canadian Beef Centre of Excellence: canadianbeefcentreofexcellence.ca

@canadianbeef

Canada Beef is a producer and government invested global agency, which is the catalyst to align the beef and veal industry with select global partners to ensure mutual success through brand, marketing and business development.

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NUFFIELD SCHOLARSHIPS Nuffield scholarships offer agriculture leaders around the world the opportunity to learn, network and promote advancement and leadership in agriculture. Recipients research their chosen topic while travelling the globe, and deliver their findings back to the industry.

We are proud to feature a few of Canada’s Nuffield scholars in this edition of Profile. Meet Léona Dargis, Brenda Schoepp, Crosby Devitt, Daryl Chubb and Cheryl Hazenberg, and learn about their Nuffield experiences. Follow them as they share their travels and experiences through blogs and social media sites. B Y J E N N N O R R I E

Léona Dargis, Red Deer, AB 2011 Nuffield Scholar

As a young, ambitious and globally connected agricultural ambassador, I was eager to challenge myself to a prestigious Nuffield Scholarship.

I chose to study the topic of succession planning. My appreciation for learning came from being raised on a family farm and now I was about to jet-set around the world. With a packed suitcase and a blank notebook, I traveled to 10 countries including Australia, New Zealand, India, Singapore and Kenya.

I titled my Nuffield report “Agriculture’s Future in the Hands of the Next Generation - Successful Succession Planning & Diversification on the Family Farm”. It was my goal to help people understand the challenges of succession planning while providing global perspectives on the capabilities of the next generation.

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A few of my key findings include: succession equals change and change is constant; communication is the foundation to strong relationships and businesses; and people from the city make good farmers too.

I feel privileged to live in a world that is becoming increasingly connected.

The use of social media has given us the capabilities to contribute and create change. My Nuffield journey has been a life-changing experience. leonadargis.com leona21d@hotmail.com @LeonaDargis

Brenda Schoepp, Rimbey, AB 2012 Nuffield Scholar

As international ambassadors for agriculture, our every word and action is felt. And because we are all connected in the production of food, there is a societal obligation to empower those who produce, process, prepare and present it. It is especially important to recognize and empower our global women who make up the majority of the agricultural workforce and grow more than half the world’s food.

I will always be connected to those I met by agriculture – by food – and I will continue to strive towards a universal understanding that we the world’s farmers, and in particular the world’s women farmers are as important as the air you breathe.

Together we are the weavers of economic prosperity. Individually we are symbols of hope.

My Nuffield report studied the development of mentorship programs for women in agriculture in 16 countries, meeting with national/ international leaders and working alongside the local people. brendaschoepp.com Brenda Schoepp @BrendaSchoepp

“ Farming is without the restraint of border, class, gender, location, income, culture or politics.” Brenda Schoepp

Crosby Devitt, Ripley, ON 2012 Nuffield Scholar

Daryl Chubb, Irricana, AB 2014 Nuffield Scholar

Cheryl Hazenberg, Calgary, AB 2014 Nuffield Scholar

My Nuffield experience provided me with the opportunity to not only learn, but to develop friends and acquaintances around the world that continue to shape and influence me every day.

My travels took me to Australia, New Zealand, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Western Canada, the United States, Mexico and Brazil. In every country, I met people that exuded absolute passion and enthusiasm for agriculture and their businesses.

I travelled for six weeks with seven Australian farmers on an organized Global Focus Program and spent another four weeks in Australia and the United Kingdom conducting research.

My report explored research partnerships to optimize return on investment in research by farmers.

Some of my key findings and conclusions are: reinvestment in research is critical; Canadian farmers have the opportunity to lead; and international research linkages should be expanded.

The Nuffield Scholarship provided an experience that helps me approach my work and business with a more global perspective. I learned that although we are involved in a land-based industry, at the end of the day, we are in the people business. cdevitt@gfo.ca CrosbyDevitt.wordpress.com @CrosbyDevitt

My study has taken me through four continents and 10 countries with more to come. Meeting with people from Australia, Kenya, Russia and Czech Republic showed me how diverse agriculture is globally yet how similar our challenges are and appreciative we are of our lifestyles.

I’ve had the chance to touch and feel soils from many parts of the globe, discuss different cropping systems, and discover how livestock are being successfully integrated for both social and economic reasons into sustainable agriculture enterprises.

Nuffield has given me a chance to travel to places and meet people that I would never have met otherwise. It helped me gain a global perspective on agriculture and has given me a massive network of people from around the globe. With all these experiences, I have expanded my personal barriers and have grown both personally and professionally.

Nuffield International along with Nuffield Canada have provided an excellent program to help improve agriculture both globally and within our country. denovoag.com @DarylChubb

My Nuffield experience has been focused on traceability in beef production with a specific interest in value added attributes and how that information can be used by the consumer. It has taken me to Australia, Hong Kong, China, United Kingdom, Ireland and France.

Every county has unique opportunities and challenges which their traceability system needs to work with. I have seen true pasture to plate traceability work in more than one country because export markets and/ or food labeling laws require it. In general the public supports eat local, and local farmer’s initiatives, and movements were especially strong in the United Kingdom, Ireland and Australia. Each of these countries has industry organizations supporting these programs which has helped them become recognized everywhere.

A Nuffield Scholarship is much more than a research project, the networking opportunities and the ability to see the agriculture industry in a global context have been a once in a lifetime experience.

Havevacationwilltravel.blogspot.ca Cheryl Hazenberg @CherylHazenberg

For more information about Nuffield Scholarships: Nuffield.ca

Jenn Norrie is a member of the IAC, an agriculture marketing and communications professional and a proud Agvocate.

@jennorrie

@NuffieldCanada

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ROCKY MOUNTAIN HOLSTEINS In the 11 years since its creation, Alberta-based Rocky Mountain Holsteins has become a key member of the Western Canadian cattle breeding community and a premier source of quality Holstein genetics worldwide. by T y l e r D if l e y The partnership of Dr. David Chalack, Doug Blair and Glenn Hockley founded the organization in 2004.

“We all had similar backgrounds in the sense that we’re all western Canadians,” Dr. Chalack says. “We had all been through 4H and were very much tied to our family home operations, showing cattle and meeting people, and being passionate about the business over the years.”

The Rocky Mountain Holsteins farm is located in Cochrane, Alberta. Farm manager Ron Churchill and his wife, Gail, who live onsite and oversee the herd.

After working with Holsteins all their lives, Dr. Chalack says it made sense for the partners to stick with the breed they know best.

“It is the predominant breed globally, and a very progressive breed in terms of evolution and development,” he says. “It’s the most dynamic, and it has left footprints in every country around the world.”

At Rocky Mountain Holsteins, the partners aim to breed top-quality Holsteins whose genetics can be sold to customers across the globe.

“Our preeminent goal is to develop high genomic males and females,” Dr. Chalack says. “Those males carry our Rocky Mountain prefix, which is great advertising.

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Among the partnership’s biggest successes, Dr. Chalack lists RockyMountain Uno Cheyenne – a heifer that tied for the highest selling Holstein in Canada in 2013 with a sale price of $265,000 – and RockyMountain Lottomax – the partnership’s highest ranking bull whose genetics are available through semen marketing firm Semex.

Since the 2013 sale, Dr. Chalack, Glenn and Ron have rebuilt the Rocky Mountain Holsteins herd and another sale is scheduled for July 2, 2015.

The Rocky Mountain Holsteins partnership has accomplished much in the last 10-plus years, but there’s still one achievement missing, according to Dr. Chalack.

“To develop a sire that might be ranked number one in Canada, or number one in the U.S., or number one in the world, or at least in the top five,” he says. “That’s a relentless journey that we think about every day.”

For more information about Rocky Mountain Holsteins visit rockymountainholsteins.com.

Tyler Difley is a freelance writer and a recent graduate of the journalism program at Carleton University. He calls Calgary, Alberta home.

@TylerDifley

To the world, the be autiful islands of the C aribbe an were not only famous for their sun, se a and sand, they were al so food ba skets; well-organized plantations producing food crops. B Y W E N DY LEE Y UE N Sugarcane, bananas, cocoa, citrus, rice, coffee, spices and tobacco were grown in abundance and exported through the slave trade. With emancipation almost 200 years ago, all of that is now history. And the current conditions are vastly different. Given our small acreages and expanding populations, there is greater competition for land use, and some of the best soils are now covered by concrete and steel.

Farmers pay high prices for marginal lands and struggle to produce crops for their families and the local market. Water is a scarce commodity and often limits production to the rainy season due to the lack of irrigation infrastructure.

Manual labour in hot sun is not an attractive occupation so it is difficult to hire workers outside of the family.

Despite these constraints, any visitor to the Caribbean islands will marvel at the variety and quality of fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs grown and sold in local markets. We are blessed with a climate that produces unique flavours and our typical Caribbean cuisine will have you coming back for more. The zesty jerk chicken in Jamaica or the delicious bake and shark on Maracas Bay in Trinidad are unforgettable local delights.

When you consider that a Caribbean farmer earns as little as one cent for growing the cocoa and sugar that goes into a chocolate bar, it is not surprising that export agriculture has been steadily declining. Instead of being producers of raw material, we must now move up the value chain and add value locally. The shift has to be towards agro-processing where more value is added to raw materials that capture our unique flavours: fine flavoured cocoa becomes chocolate rum balls and mango becomes spicy sun-dried mango slices. As production declines and traditional export crops contract, we need to add value to our unique flavours in our typical Caribbean style.

So the next time you visit the Caribbean, be adventurous, sample the local cuisine, taste some of the exotic fruits, dare to add a dash of zesty pepper sauce. Savour the flavours and take some home with you. Good food is one of the great pleasures of life, enjoy it, but most of all, be thankful for all the farmers of the world who feed us.

Wendy Lee Yuen, BSc Agriculture UWI, is the Chairperson of NAAC – National Agricultural Advisory Commission, Trinidad and Tobago.

TheGardenByWendyLeeYuen

Agriculture in the Caribbean‌ things to know

next time you visit the islands

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A TASTE OF ALBERTA

Cheese, Please!

Alberta’s Own: Sylvan Star Cheese

B Y K ar l e e C o nway

When John and Jenny Schalkwyk moved from Holland to central Alberta in 1996 to start a dairy farm, they never thought they’d become award-winning cheese makers. Quite frankly, they just couldn’t find any cheese that compared to what John’s mom used to make back home. So, with a yearning for quality and a lot of passion, Sylvan Star Cheese was born.

But Sylvan Star isn’t just an ordinary cheese company. They use the milk from their dairy farm, Lac La Nonne Ltd., which is only steps away from the on-farm cheese facility, to make all of their varieties of cheese including Gouda and Gruyere.

Their most awarded cheese, the Grizzly Gouda, has the most unique blend of flavours that makes it their top seller.

Best of all, it’s a family business. Jeroen, one of their three children, operates the dairy farm, and John and Jenny work together to manage the on-farm cheese portion.

Like the rest of the 550 dairy farms in Alberta, Lac La Nonne Dairy must follow the mandatory food safety standards set out in the national Canadian Quality Milk Program for the herd. Jeroen says that milk quality is an especially important priority for the family business as the milk sets the taste of the cheese. One or two days a week, a shipment of the milk goes from the dairy farm to the cheese operation that creates the 500 kilos of cheese produced per week. How’s that for fresh and local?

The same can be said for all milk in Alberta (and Canada) as the milk from the farms goes directly to the closest fluid processing plant, then to grocery stores in the area, all within days of leaving the farm.

Yearning for quality – with a lot of passion, Sylvan Star Cheese was born.

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For more information about Sylvan Star visit sylvanstarcheesefarm.ca.

For more information about the dairy industry in Alberta: albertamilk.com

Alberta Milk: More About Milk

@MoreAboutMilk

Karlee Conway is a corporate communications coordinator with Alberta Milk. @KarleeConway

Thank you to our generous sponsors for their support

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Crowfoot

Strathmore

Prairie Trail Farms

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