The Beef Cattle Research Council Appoints New Executive Committee
The Beef Cattle Research Council is directed by a committee of beef producers from across the country–14 members representing each of the provincial producer organizations that allocate part of the Canadian Beef Cattle Check-Off to research, plus one ex-officio member.
During a November 2022 BCRC meeting held in Guelph, Ontario, a new executive committee was named to provide leadership for the Council over the next year.
Craig Lehr, a beef producer from southern Alberta, has moved from vice chair to chair of the Beef Cattle Research Council. Craig’s family owns and operates Short Grass Ranches, a third-generation operation consisting of a 7,000-head backgrounding feedlot, a 1,200-head cow-calf operation as well as both irrigated and dryland farmland for feed and cash crop production.
Ron Stevenson, a beef producer from Walton, Ontario, has been named the BCRC’s new vice chair. Ron and his family operate a 100-head commercial cow-calf operation in the Great Lakes basin. His location as well as his off-farm position with Metzger Veterinary Services present unique challenges on his operation as well as distinctive opportunities for insights on the Council.
Fred Lozeman, a beef producer from Claresholm, Alberta, has been elected to a second term as the BCRC finance chair. His family operates a mixed farm including a cow-calf herd and feedlot. Fred brings a unique perspective to his operation and to the Council, with a PhD in diabetes research from the University of Oxford and having worked as a scientist in a Nobel Prize-winning lab at the University of Washington.
Having completed two one-year terms as the BCRC chair, Matt Bowman has now moved into a past chair position on the Council. The Bowmans raise 125 Charolais-cross cattle, plus operate 650 acres of cash crop production and a pick-your-own strawberry patch, near Thornloe, Ontario. As a longstanding member of the Council, Matt has made significant contributions to the Beef Cattle Research Council and its research and extension activities.
“Each of the innovative producers from across the country who serve on the Council and BCRC Executive Committee are instrumental in setting the direction of Canada’s beef and forage research and technology transfer efforts,” said BCRC Executive Director Andrea Brocklebank. “Their leadership and continued service to the beef industry is vital and greatly appreciated.”
Members of the Council are beef producers appointed annually by provincial organizations. While there is no limit to the number of years a Council member may be appointed to serve, executive committee terms are limited to a maximum of two one-year terms.
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