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A g r i c u lt u r e a n d a g r i - f o o d f o r t h e W o r l d
Message from the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay,
Message from the Honourable Oneil Carlier,
Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Minister of Alberta Agriculture and Forestry
On behalf of the Government of Canada, I am pleased to welcome our international visitors to the 2016 Calgary Stampede.
As Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, it is my pleasure to extend greetings on behalf of Premier Rachel Notley and the Government of Alberta.
The Calgary Stampede is a unique showcase of our phenomenal Canadian livestock, agriculture and food products representing the outstanding work of our producers and stakeholders within our agriculture industry.
Agriculture is an enormous contributor to our communities and to our provincial economy, generating exports of nearly $10 billion each year and employing more than 86,000 people. Our agriculture sector’s ongoing success is a direct result of the hard work, innovation and dedication to excellence shared by Alberta’s producers and agri-businesses.
I’d like to thank all the International Agriculture and Agri-Food Committee volunteers for another great job this year of bringing the global agriculture community together. The Government of Canada is thrilled to support your great work to help visitors make those important business connections and grow our global trade. Canada is a trading nation. Our Government strongly supports initiatives like this because trade helps to grow jobs and economies around the world.
Our Government is committed to supporting a thriving and sustainable agriculture industry that will continue to diversify our economy and be a leader in the global marketplace. Thank you to the Calgary Stampede for their ongoing work to showcase the strength of Alberta’s agriculture community.
Once again, I welcome you all to this world-class show. Enjoy the Stampede!
than the rodeo or the attractions on the midway; it is an incredible opportunity to showcase the agricultural industry in Alberta.
Message from His Worship Naheed K. Nenshi, Mayor of the City of Calgary
The International Agriculture and Agri-Food Committee (IAAFC) help to showcase our products and producers on the international stage. The Calgary Stampede provides a wonderful opportunity for the world’s agricultural community to come together, share ideas, foster relationships and create business opportunities.
On behalf of my City Council colleagues and the citizens of Calgary, I am pleased to welcome you to the 2016 Calgary Stampede.
I am grateful to the Calgary Stampede for its continued commitment to promoting our agricultural industry to the world.
For over a century, the Calgary Stampede has played an integral role in shaping our city and our province. It is so much more
PROFILE 2016
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Message from Bill Gray,
Message from Brent Difley,
President and Chairman of the Calgary Stampede Board of Directors
Chair, Calgary Stampede International Agriculture and Agri-Food committee
Hello and welcome to the 2016 Calgary Stampede! I’m excited to share with you the news that the International Agriculture & Agri-food committee (IAAFC) has expanded their reach to now include the agri-food industry. Much like the Stampede itself, the committee is continually expanded its mandate in order to best serve a changing agriculture industry. Twenty-six years ago the IAAFC began as a purebred cattle promotion committee. Today, the Committee welcomes and hosts more than 2,000 visitors each year from numerous countries (47 in 2015!) around the world. Fostering friendship and cultural understandings is always top-of-mind at the Stampede and we are proud of the international relationships we continue to form. In committing to bringing together agriculture communities from around the world, we can all work together to explore and create new partnership opportunities. The Calgary Stampede is always looking for new ways to propel the agriculture industry forward, while respecting the traditions of what brought us to where we are now. Having an expanded focus on the agri-food industry is sure to further our international involvement. We are looking forward to connecting with you. I hope you enjoy the 2016 Calgary Stampede.
It’s an exciting time for the International Agriculture and Agri-Food committee (IAAFC). This is our first year with our new mandate expanding to include agri-food. We’re excited about the opportunities this will create for our committee to engage with local and international guests in 2016 and future years. We hope that you enjoy Profile magazine. The IAAFC hosts agriculture and agri-food guests from around the world year round. Our committee also hosts the International Reception in the BMO Palomino Room with the special support of McDonald’s Canada. A new offering from the IAAFC in 2016 is inbound tours of Alberta’s top tourism and agriculture attractions, including the Calgary Stampede, with guests from around the world. If you are interested in organizing a group from your country for a tour in 2017 or 2018, please contact us for more information. Through our contacts in the agriculture industry, we can customize the program to match your areas of interest. We are also planning to host our first outbound tour to New Zealand in November of 2016. All of these programs would not be possible without the support of our sponsors and the efforts of our hard working and talented volunteer committee. Special thanks to Byron Hussey, Aaron Grant and Dave Lantz for all their work and support of the IAAFC. The future of Alberta Agriculture and Agri-Food is bright and we hope to see you in 2016!
A B OUT THE CO V ER :
This photo was taken in the southwest corner of the province near Cardston, Alberta. Cattle are seen grazing on native rangelands with the Rocky Mountains in the background. Sam Wirzba lives in Lethbridge, Alberta and has been an agricultural stock photographer since 2004. He specializes in photographing the ranching industry and beef cattle on Alberta’s scenic rangelands. His photography has been recognized by the American Agriculture Editor’s Association. His photos have been widely used in agricultural publications, by stock producer organizations, and by the livestock animal health and nutrition industry. For more information on Last Light Photography visit: samwirzba.com. 2
I N T E R N AT I O N A L A G R I C U LT U R E A N D A G R I - F O O D C O M M I T T E E
The Calgary Stampede International Agriculture and Agri-Food Committee
With a reputation for success and positive leadership, the International Agriculture and Agri-Food Committee is committed to showcasing Alberta agriculture, agri-food and the Calgary Stampede to the world by bringing members of the global agriculture and agri-food community together to share ideas, facilitate business opportunities and to foster friendship and cultural understanding. Byron Hussey
Brent Difley
Aaron Grant Vice-Chair
Dave Lantz Vice-Chair Sponsorship Lead
Keith Jones
Cherie Copithorne-Barnes
Anila Lee Yuen
Christie Simpson
Leah Jones
Kristin Dennett
Terry Andryo
John Arnold
Paul Barker
Barry Bennett
Penny Blackwell
Dave Collins
Joan Cool
Graeme Finn
John Finn
Ramon Fosado
Candace Grimes
Shawn Hansen
Kerrie Harvie
Patti James
Larry Konschuk
Larry Koper
John Lee
Syd Loeppky
Kim McConnell
Ravinder Minhas
Sheila Morison
Drew Mundie
Holly Nicoll
Jenn Norrie
Ranjan Pant
Dave Phillips
Rick Smith
Bryan Walton
Jan Warren
Tina Zakowsky
Director
Strategic Planning, Innovation Lead
Sponsor Reception
IAAFC Reception
Chair
Communications Lead
Ag Tours Lead Profile Editor IAAFC Reception
International Room
Events Lead
Scheduling
Data Management
Agriculture Manager
Social Media
Past Chair Agri-Food Initiatives Lead Program Coordinator
Partner Communications
PROFILE 2016
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contents
5 Welcoming the World 6 2015 IAAFC Year In Review 8 International Year of the Pulses 2016
SHOWCASING AND PROMOTING THE ALBERTA AGRICULTURE AND AGRI-FOOD INDUSTRY TO THE WORLD. PROFILE IS DISTRIBUTED THROUGHOUT ALBERTA AND ACROSS CANADA TO AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS, ASSOCIATIONS AND INDUSTRY 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 SELECTED EMBASSIES, CONSULATES AND TRADE OFFICES. Editor:
Joan Cool Publisher:
The Calgary Stampede International Agriculture and Agri-Food Committee
Contributing Writers:
Photos courtesy of:
Jennifer Allford
Alberta Pulse Growers
Kristina Barnes
Bluefish Studios
Glenn Cheater Kelly Daynard
Chinook Honey Company CRSB
Monica Hadartis
Eau Claire Distillery
Anila Lee Yuen
Farm & Food Care
Deja Leonard
Field Stone Fruit Wines
Anila Lee Yuen
Lorraine Lynch
Paul Barker
Lauren McGougan
Penny Blackwell
Annemarie Pederson
McDonald’s Restaurants of Canada
Joan Cool
Rachel Peterson
Danuel McKenzie
Holly Nicoll
Brenda Schoepp
Holly Nicoll
Tina Zakowsky
Grainews Last Light Photography
Jesse Pigeon
Development Drives Opportunities for Agribusiness
20 A Seat At Our Table 22 Growing Forward 24 The Stampede Recognizes
50-year Commitment to the Beef Industry
26 The Story Behind
Farm & Food Care
Rock Ridge Dairy Tyler Schmidt ShowChampions Inc.
The Profile is available free of charge at the Calgary Stampede Agriculture department while supplies last. To request a copy email IAC@ calgarystampede.com or view it online at http://bit.ly/InternationalAg2016. 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. © 2016 Calgary Stampede International Agriculture and Agri-Food Committee (IAAFC). All rights reserved. Reproduction or reuse of any information in this publication, in whole or part, without the express written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited. While all reasonable care is taken in the preparation of this publication, the IAAFC cannot be held responsible for unintentional errors or omissions. Graphic Design: Eldon B. Rice Designs Printer: West Canadian Digital Imaging Inc. 4
14 From Field to Glass 18 Calgary Economic
Calgary Stampede
Claire Griffin
Jenn Norrie
Goes Global
Sebastian Buzzalino
Aaron Grant
Communications Team:
10 Food at the Fair 13 Alberta Based Farm
I N T E R N AT I O N A L A G R I C U LT U R E A N D A G R I - F O O D C O M M I T T E E
28 Graeme Finn –
Not Just Another Grazer
30 Canada is Leading the
Global Conversation on Sustainable Beef
34 Rock Ridge Dairy –
Leading the Dairy Goat Industry in Alberta
36
Sharing the Best of Alberta at the Calgary Stampede
37 IAAFC Sponsors
Welcoming the world
This year our committee changed our name and increased our mandate. We are now the International Agriculture and Agri-Food Committee. Comprised of volunteers who actively promote business networking opportunities in the agriculture and agri-food industry, we welcome international agriculture and agri-food guests with our famous western hospitality, during the 10 days of the Calgary Stampede, as well as year-round. BY ANILA LEE YUEN
We are committed to showcasing Alberta agriculture, agri-food products and the Calgary Stampede to the world by bringing members of the global agriculture and agri-food community together to share ideas, facilitate business opportunities and to foster friendship and cultural understanding.
please do come see us. We’d love to meet you. If you are traveling with a group of 8 or more and would like to pre-register to visit the International Agriculture Room, please contact kdennett@calgarystampede.com to receive a pre-registration form.
The committee has partnered with Leader Tours to offer an exceptional agricultural-based tour for our international guests. One major advantage of the tour being offered is that it can be modified to suit your group’s interests. You can find more information, as well as a link to a registration form at http://ag.calgarystampede.com/events/international-ag-tours.
For more information or to register visit: http://bit.ly/InternationalAg2016
@stampedeIAC #CSIAC
During the Calgary Stampede look for our green IAAFC flags in the Agrium Western Event Centre and our “Where in the World do You Farm?” signage.
stampede_IAC #CSIAC
If you are an international guest from the agriculture or agri-food industry visiting the Stampede, or are a part of the Southern Alberta agriculture and agri-food community,
Calgary Stampede International Agriculture and Agri-Food
Anila Lee Yuen is the IAAFC communications lead and works in the not-for-profit sector as CEO of the Centre for Newcomers in Calgary. @anilainyyc
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Roy Klassen (Honorary Consul of France), Bob Thompson (CS Past President), Bill Gray (CS President & Chairman of the Board)
Dave Lantz (IAAFC Vice Chair), Christina & Andy Stender (Crowfoot Ag Solutions)
2015 I A A FC I n Review The Honourable Oneil Carlier (Minister of AB Agriculture and Forestry)
Tina Zakowsky (IAAFC), Dave Collins (IAAFC)
Byron Hussey (CS Director), Candace Grimes (IAAFC), Kelly Grimes (DTA)
J ohn Betts (CEO & President McDonald’s Canada) 6
Kaitlynn Bolduc (Cudlob Angus ), Laura Niemi, Drew Mundie (IAAFC), Dice Bolduc (Cudlob Angus)
John Third (CS Director), Kate Thrasher (CS Director), Bev Jones, Keith Jones (IAAFC Past Chair)
I N T E R N AT I O N A L A G R I C U LT U R E A N D A G R I - F O O D C O M M I T T E E
D
Cherie Copithorne-Barnes (IAAFC ), Christie Simpson (IAAFC), Joan Cool (IAAFC), Anila Lee Yuen (IAAFC)
Keith Jones (IAAFC Past Chair), Dave Phillips (IAAFC), Marie Louise Kidd (2015 Miss Rodeo Colorado)
Jan Warren (IAAFC), Jason Krips (Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade)
Giovanni de Maria (Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Guinea) with Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Allison Ammeter (AB Pulse Growers), Garson Law (AB Barley Commission)
Megan Brown (Wildrose Caucus Staff ), Rick Strankman (MLA Drumheller-Stettler), Leela Sharon Aheer (MLA Chestermere-Rockyview), Kim McConnell (IAAFC), Todd Loewen (MLA Grande Prairie-Smoky), Bryan Walton (IAAFC)
Dave Lantz (IAAFC Vice Chair), Leah Jones (CS Agriculture Manager), The Honourable Gerry Ritz (2015 Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada), Jenn Norrie (IAAFC)
Ramon Fosado (IAAFC), Brent Difley (IAAFC Chair), Amelia Villanueva, Cecilia Villanueva (Mexican Consul General), John Lee (IAAFC)
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Join Alberta and the Rest of the World i n C e l e b r ati n g I n te r n ati o n a l Year of
P u l s e s 2 016
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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 A N D A G R I - F O O D C O M M I T T E E
Alberta Pulse Growers are celebrating International Year of Pulses (IYP) in 2016 along with its counterparts across Canada and around the world. Pulses – which include peas, beans, chickpeas, and lentils – are the edible seeds of legumes.
“IYP draws attention to important global issues like nutrition, food security and environmental sustainability,” said Allison Ammeter, Chair of Alberta Pulse Growers (APG) and the IYP Canada Committee. “This attention will ensure the Canadian industry will continue to grow and keep Canadian pulses competitive at the farm gate. It also emphasizes the important role that beans, peas, lentils and chickpeas play in contributing to healthy people and a healthy planet.” For pulse producing nations like Canada, 2016 is a year of events, activities and initiatives aimed at increasing consumer awareness and consumption of pulses, including inviting people around the globe to take the Pulse Pledge (pulsepledge. com) to include more pulses in their diets. “IYP is an opportunity to capture the attention of consumers and the global food industry, to demonstrate how incorporating more pulses into their diets and food products can improve nutrition and also support the environment,” Ammeter said. “It will leverage the international focus on pulses to build more demand for the pulses produced by Canadian growers, including those in Alberta.” As people eat more pulses, Alberta farmers will sell more pulses, Ammeter explained. This will contribute to APG’s mission and five-year strategic plan to increase
pulse consumption and influence the development of pulse products, as well as to develop a vibrant value-added processing industry in Alberta. This will, in turn, contribute to the realization of another APG target, which is to increase the arable land planted to pulse crops in Alberta from eight per cent to 15 per cent over five years. This past growing season, 5,000 Alberta farmers grew pulses on 1.8 million acres. The most commonly grown pulse crop in most areas of Alberta is field peas. Dry beans, lentils and chickpeas are primarily grown in the southern part of the province. The IYP Canada Committee consists of representatives from APG and its counterparts in other provinces, Pulse Canada, and industry representatives. Ultimately, the goal of IYP Canada is to contribute to the sustainable and profitable growth of the Canadian pulse industry. To learn more about national IYP activities, visit: iypcanada.ca. For more information visit: http://pulse.ab.ca/consumers/iyp2016
@albertapulse #lovepulses or #iyp2016
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Food at the Fair: making agricultural and appetizing connections at the Calgary Stampede
There were no mini donuts or corndogs at the very first Exhibition held by the Calgary District and Agricultural Society back in 1886. Scorpion pizza? Forget it. The quirky carnival foods that we now look forward to at the Calgary Stampede were still several decades away. by K ri s t ina B arn e s
Special treats such as flavoured ices and taffy likely were available though, as attending the Exhibition was a chance to indulge and have a good time, just as the Calgary Stampede is today. Then as now, agriculture and the agri-food industry were also a major part of the gathering. The initial Exhibition was an opportunity for those who attended to share knowledge about agriculture in the west. It was a hit, becoming an annual event and attracting large crowds. In 1908, the federal government recognized its success, awarding Calgary the Dominion Exhibition. The travelling fair brought with it the opportunity and finances to build a new exhibits building and barns, as well as show off what westerners were capable of producing.
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“Showing off this agricultural bounty was a major point of pride, and demonstrated that people in the West were successful at taming a difficult land,” says Calgary Stampede Historian Dr. Shannon Murray. “Photos from that 1908 exhibition show how proudly Albertans displayed what they could grow.” When war broke out in 1914, the focus of the Calgary Exhibition shifted slightly, with an emphasis not just on western agricultural production but its support for the war effort. The event continued to do well until post-war economics combined with crop failures forced change in the early 1920s. That’s when the Exhibition’s organizers looked to a Wild West show that had been held just twice before in Calgary, in 1912 and 1919, to boost attendance and revenue.
July 1923 was the first time the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede were held together, boasting both agricultural aspects as well as western entertainment. The newest event that year had a major connection to food on the frontier. It was Chuckwagon racing, inspired by food wagons racing to set up camp on the range. That year also saw the first pancake breakfast, something visitors still enjoy today. Alberta rancher and larger-thanlife character Jack Morton was cooking pancakes in his chuckwagon in downtown Calgary, feeding fellow cowboys. In the spirit of western hospitality, he began offering pancakes to everyone in the area, creating what is now a very popular yearly tradition.
“These events and people’s affinity for them have stayed strong through the decades. Visitors were excited to try new foods and indulge in fair treats,” says Murray, adding “For well over 100 years, food and agriculture have been drawing people here.” Now, in 2016, the Calgary Stampede’s focus on food is growing. Visitors can still look forward to the latest and greatest midway treat, but with the majority of Canadians living in urban settings, the Stampede is playing a bigger role than ever in helping people to understand where their food comes from.
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Educating our youth is a major part of that, and is now a yearround effort. Aggie Days is into its 31st year of bringing the farm to the city. Every spring it introduces elementary school children to animals and agricultural practices. A similar display during the ten days of Stampede gives kids a handson, exciting learning experience unlike any other. Newer educational initiatives include the Journey 2050 program. It invites classes of students from grades seven to nine to Stampede Park, challenging participants to become virtual farmers. Through fun and interactive games the students must figure out how to sustainably feed nine billion people, the world’s projected population in 2050. Students also have an opportunity to visit one of Alberta’s oldest ranches. Now in its second year, the Calgary Stampede OH Ranch Grade Five Education Program is held at the OH Ranch property near Longview, Alberta. Students spend the day at the authentic working cattle ranch, which was gifted to the Calgary Stampede in 2012. The cattle operation at the OH Ranch is the first time in the Stampede’s history that it is an active producer, raising beef. While working to preserve the property’s heritage and manage
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 A N D A G R I - F O O D C O M M I T T E E
and maintain the land, the Stampede is also creating new and deeper ties with the agricultural community. It is an effort that will continue in the years to come, to honour the Stampede’s rich history in agriculture as well as to support the next generation of Canadian producers. The long relationship between agriculture, food and the Calgary Stampede will continue on. From pancake breakfasts to midway treats, agricultural displays and learning opportunities, these food based Calgary Stampede traditions link us with our past and will continue to bring us together in years to come. For more information visit: calgarystampede.com
Calgary Stampede
@calgarystampede
Calgary Stampede
Kristina Barnes is the Communications Manager for Western Events and Agriculture at the Calgary Stampede. @Barnes_in_Barns
Alberta based farm
goes global
If you were to look at Barry Schmitt’s farming fields on a winter day, you would see snow and stubble. His bales have been collected, and are stored and ready for export. These bales could end up in Alberta, but more than likely they’ll be shipped off to China, Japan or Korea . by D e j a L e o nard Schmitts’s company, Barr-Ag Ltd., is a farm-to-farm based family business. The company may be fairly new, but Barry isn’t new to this business and they have already grown to be Canada’s leading exporter of timothy hay, non-GMO alfalfa hay and sweet hay. Finding success wasn’t easy though. Like many entrepreneurs, it was a challenge financially to sustain the business at first. “No one believes you can grow hay in Alberta and export it to Japan and China. They think you just need to stick to the feedlot next door,” Schmitt said. He attributes his good relationship with customers overseas to good communication, face-to-face visits and providing them with consistent, quality product. Schmitt had been running a farm at age 16, gotten a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture, and managed the farm at Olds College. It was in 2004 that he took the plunge and started Barr-Ag Ltd. “This industry would be better suited if you were producing your own hay, or as much of it as you could,” he said. Adding that the business would deal with the highs and lows in prices, and be able to provide customers with a reliable supply of high-quality hay.
In April, the company will begin to seed the fields they have on 15 different sites; which are operated as individual farms. When the hay has harvested, it is compressed into a bale format and loaded into 40-foot ocean freight containers at the Barr-Ag plant. It is then trucked to Calgary, taken to Vancouver by rail and then is loaded on an ocean vessel to go to Asia. Since dairy farmers in Asia don’t have the land and resources to grow all of their own hay, Barr-Ag is able to provide them with high-quality, digestible fibre for their cows. “This company is about hard work, being honest and it’s about giving good value. At the end of the day everyone is going home safe and being proud of what everyone said we couldn’t do,” he said. For more information visit: barr-ag.com
Barr-Ag Ltd
@BarrAg2 Deja Leonard has a passion for writing and is currently working in the not-for-profit sector in Calgary. @dejaleonard3
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From Field to Glass Alberta produces some of the best honey, grain and fruit in the world. These products have led to the production of many different products including mead wine, fruit wine and even gin rummy.
These three businesses use pure Alberta grown products, and take pride in using local, wholesome ingredients that create high quality results. Field Stone Fruit Wines makes extraordinary wines using locally grown fruit and produces all of the wine on site. Eau Claire Distillery uses Alberta grown grain products to
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 A N D A G R I - F O O D C O M M I T T E E
B y La u r e n Mc G o u gan
produce amazing gin, vodka, spring equinox and single malt whisky. Chinook Arch Meadery creates wines from high quality, natural honey. They are helping to put Alberta agriculture on an international stage by using locally produced items that greatly increase the quality of their products.
Winery Us ing Fruit to Create Unique Product
‘Alberta’s First Cottage Winery’, located just south of Strathmore, Alberta first planted its orchard in 1998; and began producing wine in 2005. Cottage wineries are defined as a business that allows fruit growers to create and sell fruit based wine. The winery is owned and operated by Elaine, Lynden and Marvin Gill and Lorraine and Glen Ellingson. During a typical year, the fruit is grown during the summer season and then picked in the fall. Once the fruit has been picked, it is frozen, which allows for the creation of wine at any time. When the wine maker wants to make a certain type of wine, the fruit required is mixed in with sugar and yeast, which ferments and creates alcohol within the wine. “We discovered wine making after we planted the orchard. We had a lot of extra fruit that we didn’t have a lot of use for. So we started making wine, and it just took off from there,” explains Marvin Gill. All Field Stone wines are crafted from 100 per cent Albertagrown fruit, at least 80 per cent of which is grown on the winery’s orchard. Along with fruit wine, Field Stone also makes dessert wines, which are sweeter than the fruit wines. Field Stone has a very extensive award winning history; however, one of the things that Gill is most proud of is winning a gold medal as a Winery of Distinction. There were only 14 winners, out of 250 wineries that entered. “It means a lot to have won the awards that we have. It gives our wine legitimacy. It means a lot when our winery is selected as one of the best out of the variety that enter,” Gill says. Today, Field Stone is not only the first, but the largest and most award-winning, artisanal wine producer in the province. “It is a very interesting business to be in. It is our passion and we have a lot of fun creating the wine,” Gill concludes. For more information visit: fieldstonefruitwines.com
Field Stone Fruit Wines
@FieldStoneFruit
Photo by Danual Mckenzie
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Eau Claire Distillery, located in Turner Valley is Alberta’s first single malt whisky distillery. Founded and owned by David Farran and Larry Kerwin, the distillery takes pride in crafting a wide variety of alcoholic drinks that are created using a variety of products grown in Alberta. The idea first came to Farran and Kerwin when they realized that Alberta sends a large amount of grain to other countries so they can make spirits. “We started noticing how much grain is sent overseas and that other countries were using Alberta products. However, we didn’t seem to be using that many here, and we have some of the greatest grain in the world. So we decided that it would be beneficial for us to create products right here,” Farran explains. The distillery sources all of its grain products from Alberta farmers and even still farms a portion of the grain using horses. Along with producing vodka, gin, single malt whisky and special edition rye, Eau Claire Distillery offers extensive tours, special events and Mixology 101. “Mixology 101 is a lot of fun. It is the perfect opportunity for people to come out and create drinks as a group. It is great for parties and even corporate events,” Farran says. Their gin is one of the few in the world which is actually distilled, meaning that these spirits go through the distilling process three times. All of the products are hand bottled and complete with a fitting, usually humorous, label. The distillery is also farm certified, which is extremely rare. ‘From Farm to Glass’ is Eau Claire Distillery’s motto. “It means that we are literally taking our products from the farm and putting it into your glass, that is how fresh and pure it is. We have a huge degree of pride. We are creating a premium single malt whisky right here in Alberta. We produce amazing products, that support local farmers and have a great taste,” Farran concludes. For more information visit: eauclairedistillery.ca
Eau Claire Distillery
@EauClaireCraft eauclairecraft 16 I N T E R N A T I O N A L A G R I C U L T U R E A N D A G R I - F O O D C O M M I T T E E
Alberta Distillery Creates Innovative Product
The Buzz About Bees, Honey and Mead
Chinook Honey Company is located in the rolling foothills just outside of Okotoks, Alberta on 71 acres of land. It is owned and managed by Art and Cherie Andrews. Art first took an interest in honeybees as a hobby and wanted some for his garden. “It started out small with only two hives. I just wanted a few around for better pollination. Then it just began to expand,” Art explains. That hobby expanded into a full-blown business. The company now offers a wide range of products all made with fresh, high quality Alberta honey. If you want to learn more about bees, tours are also offered which provide information about honeybees and the process of creating honey. “We just find bees so interesting. Society is always learning something new about bees and the benefits of honey, and we just think that they are such an amazing insect,” Cherie says. The Andrews are very involved in the creation of the honey, from start to finish. In 2008, they started Chinook Arch Meadery. Mead, a honey based wine, is the oldest alcoholic drink known to man with evidence of it dated back to 7000 B.C in China. There are three different types of mead. Traditional mead, which is made with honey, water and yeast; Melomel mead which has fruit added to it; and Metheglin mead which has various herbs and spices added to it. In all, 8 out of the 12 meads have won medals. At the 2015 Mazer Cup (International Mead Championships), the world’s largest mead competition, Fire ‘n Spice won Silver and John Cameron Classic won Bronze. “There is a quote about bees I like: ‘Unique among all of God’s creatures, only the honeybee improves the environment and preys not on any other species’,” Art concludes. For more information visit: chinookhoney.com
Chinook Honey Company
@chinookhoney Lauren McGougan is a 2015 SAIT Honours Journalism Diploma Graduate and is currently enrolled in Communications at the University of Calgary. @LaurenMcGougan
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Calgary Economic Development Drives Opportunities for Agribusiness Wh i le C algary ha s been qu i etly diver si fying over the pa st decade, the current econom ic down t urn ha s sh in ed a s pot l ig h t o n t h e n e ed fo r pu rpose f u l div e r si ficat ion . Purposef ul diver s i ficat i o n m e an s w e l e v e rage our e x i s t ing b us ine s s s treng t h s , in f ra s t ruc t ur e and lo cat i o n to s t rat egical ly grow and e xpand our economy by capitalizing on our strengths, including those that may not be direc tly ti ed to energy. Agriculture is an undisputed area of economic strength for Alberta, and one that is ripe with opportunity, particularly when it comes to innovation. Alberta boasts a diverse landscape making the province ideal for agriculture, particularly crops and livestock. Beyond primary production, we could and should be doing more to support growth for economic expansion in one of the province’s key sectors. The scope of Alberta’s agribusiness sector is promising, especially considering that the province is Canada’s third largest exporter of agri-food products. The messaging and uptake for the city of Calgary as an agribusiness hub has been slow, but significant. The Calgary region accounts for approximately 11 per cent of the agri-business related companies in the province; made even more attractive because of its central location as a key distribution hub and Inland Port, especially to U.S. markets (Canadian Business Counts, 2014). Global trade agreements like CETA (Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement – with Europe) and the TPP (Trans Pacific Partnership) in varying stages of ratification will be game changers for the industry, which is why a strategic framework focused on local business 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 A N D A G R I - F O O D C O M M I T T E E
expansion and new market investment attraction will be essential in positioning Calgary as an agribusiness hub. The addition of initiatives in Calgary such as District Ventures – Canada’s first accelerator for consumer packaged goods run by former Dragon’s Den personality Arlene Dickinson – is telling of the great momentum taking place in the city. This non-profit accelerator connects innovative entrepreneurs with strategic investors and business mentors, and chose Calgary as its hub because of the city’s strong entrepreneurial energy. Calgary Economic Development is taking a strong leadership position to support initiatives like District Ventures by advancing key actions that will foster economic growth in partnership with industry stakeholders and surrounding municipalities. ‘Building on our Energy’, the 10 year Economic Strategy for Calgary launched in November 2014, is a framework for achieving a sense of community, shared prosperity and sustainable economic and community development in Calgary. The strategy which is being stewarded by Calgary Economic Development, includes 31 actions with specific tactics and success metrics. It is being led by a Leadership & Implementation Team comprised
of City Administration, civic partners, post-secondary institutions, not-for-profit agencies and representatives from the provincial and federal governments. Specific actions are called out in support of stimulating economic growth and prospects within the agribusiness sector. In meetings with agribusiness stakeholders and local companies it is clear that substantial gaps in Alberta’s value chain is a big chance to invite investment and excite the global community. Calgary Economic Development’s role in supporting agribusiness economic growth will be an active one. A newly formed Agribusiness Advisory Committee has been assembled comprised of key industry stakeholders and associations representing a variety of agriculture verticals. This committee is chaired by Dr. David Chalack, whom among other notable successes, is a widely respected expert on the meat and livestock industry as the Board Chair of the Alberta Livestock and Meat Association (ALMA). Dr. Chalack is also the international business manager for Alta Genetics Inc. The current goal for the committee is to focus on three tangible areas that will highlight investment opportunities in Calgary and support our existing agribusiness sector. The three areas of focus include: 1.
I nvestment attraction and alignment of a headquarter strategy - Calgary Economic Development aims to leverage its relationships with local stakeholders to help identify what types of companies should be targeted for investment and where investment gaps might exist.
2.
algary Economic Development will have a laser focus on C agri-tech & innovation. Technology and process innovations in this sector should be a magnet for investment. There is also an opportunity to create alignment between agribusiness, energy, greentech and renewables to share best practices and cross pollinate innovation and technology making each sector stronger.
3.
he final area of focus will be on global competitiveness. T Telling Calgary and Alberta’s story on an international scale will highlight the competitive advantages of locating a business in the province, as well as doing business and trade with or investing in our local companies. There is a great deal of global focus on food security and safety. With the right access to trade opportunities, investment, and capital, local companies can provide meaningful solutions to these important issues.
With the support of local stakeholders, industry and Calgarians, Calgary Economic Development envisions the growth of the agribusiness sector as boundless. This is not a singular endeavor and ongoing industry feedback is not only welcomed; but critical to ensure this strategy for agribusiness is on track and best positions the City as a location of choice for investment and business expansion. For more information visit: calgaryeconomicdevelopment.com
Calgary Economic Development
@calgaryeconomic
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It’s amazing what can happen over dinner. Over the course of 2015, ATB and its partners AMA and the Alberta Culinary Tourism Alliance set a series of very long tables and invited a wide range of people to sit, eat, drink and talk.
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A Seat at
o u r Ta b l e C e l e bra t ing l o ca l f o o d , drink and c o nv e r s a t i o n
On three separate occasions, they got out the linen and an awful lot of cutlery for ‘A Seat at our Table:’ a feast of Alberta grown and produced foods, beer and spirits. In Calgary in June and Edmonton in November, 100 different guests were invited to enjoy a very special dinner. Local chefs teamed up with Alberta producers to create different courses—everything from pico de gallo relish to caramelized wild roots and organic black barley. Each plate was paired with a local beer or spirt and as the guests dug in, they learned about how their meal was grown or raised. Later in November at a third event, this one in Calgary, chefs came together to prepare a feast for 400 guests of the Mustard Seed, a not-for-profit organization that helps the less fortunate in the inner city. “Nothing really brings people together like food,” says Julie Van Rosendaal, a food writer and one of the organizers of the dinners. “I love that they are bringing the producers in and the farmers and actually introducing them to everybody,” she says. “You’re seeing more and more people and chefs using local ingredients and it’s nice to have them come from the farm to sit at the table.” Those local ingredients included the lovely market garden asparagus from a sixth-generation family farm, Edgar Farms in Innisfail. Farmers Elna and Doug Edgar delivered the fresh produce to Andrew Winfield of Calgary’s River Café who then created asparagus with brown butter, egg, lardo, crème fraiche and sorrel. Farmers Kent and Kassie O’Brien of 4K farms in Acme, Alberta teamed up with Chef Darren Maclean of Shokunin of Calgary to serve Tambuta pork with miso glazed eggplant, fava beans and scallions. Calgary’s CHARBAR restaurant and 7K Panorama Ranch near Okotoks got together to serve up an Asador platter with grass fed Longhorn beef, a la parilla. Chef Duncan Ly of Calgary’s Raw Bar served Rhubarb hot and sour soup with citrus cured trout, soy cured roe and herbs, using fresh produce grown in different urban backyard gardens thanks to Rod Olson of Leaf and Lyre Urban Farms.
As well as learning about the local food they’re eating, the dinner guests learn a lot about each other. Dozens of different people from different industries and with different interests are invited. The seating mixes them up to make sure to mix up the conversation too. “We really encourage people to meet their neighbour and learn about who they are and what they do,” says Van Rosendaal. “The whole idea is to encourage conversation and to bring interesting people together to see what comes of it.” At the November event in Edmonton, everyone from children’s book author and magician, Sheldon Casavant, to chair of the Bison Producers of Alberta, Roger Van Haren, were at the table. “Bison Producer Mike Mrdjenovich spoke to the crowd about raising bison and explained the health benefits of consuming the meat,” recalls Van Haren. “Mike also joked that the demand for bison is at such a high that only bison rib could be found to serve at the event as all the high end cuts were spoken for in Europe.” But the dinner guests talked about much more than ‘gate to plate’ and the dozen different beers and spirits they were enjoying. They talked about travel, home, arts, small business. “There is no better way to get to know someone than by sharing a meal” says Wellington Holbrook, Executive VP, ATB Business & Agriculture. “When people come together at a table they spark new friendships and new ideas and at our table, they also experience great things that are happening in local food and drink.” For more information visit: aseatatourtable.com
A Seat At Our Table
@aseatatourtable aseatatourtable
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Growing Every year, buyers from around the world come to Alberta to buy, sell or invest in the province’s robust and thriving agriculture sector. Through international buyers programs at major livestock and farming events like the Calgary Stampede, market representatives come to explore the opportunities for agricultural trade with Alberta and Canada. Canadian livestock breeders and genetics companies meet regularly with international representatives to conduct business and discuss trade opportunities at these important events. Alberta is the third largest exporter of agri-food products in Canada. Last year, the province’s exports of primary and processed agricultural and food products were a record $9.7 billion. Fifty-six per cent of those exports were primary commodities (animals and crops) and 44 per cent were valueadded exports of items such as: malt, processed potatoes, canola cake and meal, processed meat, prepared animal feeds, honey and prepared foods. Alberta has an international reputation as a reliable source of agricultural food and expertise. With more than 20.3 million hectares used for crop and livestock production, Alberta produces an abundant supply of agricultural commodities available for export and as ingredients for Alberta’s processed products.
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Alberta is home to more than 40 per cent of the Canadian cattle herd and there are at least two dozen breeds of beef cattle, including Angus, Charolais, Hereford and Simmental in the province. Alberta’s ranchers raise a variety of purebred, crossbreed and polled cattle. The quality of Alberta’s agricultural products are supported through an extensive network of meat inspection and licensing programs, animal traceability systems, accurate and consistent grading systems for grains and oilseeds, and food safety initiatives for producers, processors and consumers. As a partner in Canada’s national traceability system Alberta works closely with both local and national industry organizations, representing a diverse number of livestock species and poultry. The traceability system tracks the movement of livestock through the supply chain, which strengthens domestic and international consumer confidence while supporting animal health and food safety. Alberta has one of the world’s most productive agricultural economies, with a total farm area of more than 20 million hectares used for crop and livestock production.
F o r wa r d Approximately 70 per cent of the irrigated land in Canada is in Alberta – roughly 690,000 hectares. Irrigation supports the production of a diverse array of crops in the province, allowing producers to take advantage of a wider range of national and international markets. Although irrigation occurs on less than 5 per cent of Alberta’s cultivated land base, it generates almost 20 per cent of the total primary agriculture in the province. There are also intensive livestock feeding operations in the irrigated areas that provide a ready market for calves and feed grains. In times of low precipitation or drought, feed and forages from irrigation farms helps to supplement dryland producers affected by feed shortages. Alberta is also the largest honey producer in Canada, accounting for about 50 per cent of Canada’s honey exports to Asia, a key market for many of the province’s agri-food products. For investors and businesses, Alberta offers one of the most competitive business tax environments in North America, a diverse and educated workforce, modern infrastructure, an extensive transportation network and a large network of research and development facilities.
Agricultural research has resulted in better production methods, improved efficiencies and environmental practices, new crop varieties and a large and varied genetic pool of breeding livestock. An important tool that supports innovation and responsible growth within the agriculture sector is Growing Forward 2, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative, which sets out a fiveyear framework for business risk management programs, insurance and investment in agriculture. This includes over $400 million in strategic programs that support research and innovation, competitiveness and market development, environmental stewardship, food safety, and industry adaptability and capacity. With the world population’s population expected to reach 9 billion people by 2050, there are tremendous opportunities for Alberta. The province is well positioned to be a leader in the global marketplace with an innovative and market-responsive agriculture sector that has a well-earned reputation for quality and continues to adapt to the evolving needs of consumers For more information visit: agriculture.alberta.ca
Alberta Agriculture
@AlbertaAg
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P h o t o (left to Right): Sandra Clarkson (Chair WLA Committee), Chuck Groeneveld, Bill Gray (CS President & Chairman of the Board), Vanessa Stiffarm (2016 CS Indian Princess)
The Stampede Recognizes 50-year Commitment to the Beef Industry In November 2015, the Calgary Stampede hosted the 11 th annual Western Legacy awards. These awards were established to recognize unsung heroes in Southern Alberta who exemplify the Calgary Stampede’s values of commitment to community, pride of place, integrity and western hospitality. by A nn e m ari e P e d e r s e n Chuck Groeneveld won the sustained contribution, individual category, having demonstrated his long-term commitment to preserving Alberta’s rich history and building a more dynamic future. “I was so surprised and honoured to be nominated,” says Groeneveld. He said winning was just a bonus. “Really, they are thanking me for doing something I love to do.” Groeneveld remembers buying his first calf in 1944 and showing him at the Stampede in 1945. “I have been involved with Stampede in some way ever since then.” He has been involved with all parts of the industry, including serving as a board delegate and on the promotions committee for the Alberta Cattle Commission, which became Alberta Beef Producers as well as promoting the Simmental breed around the province. When asked, Rich Smith, Executive Director of Alberta Beef Producers said this, “We are delighted that Chuck received this richly deserved recognition. He has not only been a tireless ambassador for Alberta Beef and Alberta Beef
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Producers, but he also has been a strong supporter of the Canadian cattle and beef industry and a great friend and mentor to young producers in the 4-H program.” His first love though, is 4-H. “I was a leader for years and all of my kids and grandkids have gone through 4-H – I rate the program very highly.” Promotion of the beef industry has taken Groeneveld and his wife Lorraine all over Alberta. Annually they participated in women’s shows, ag education events, barbeques and as many as 18 parades in a year - “the cheapest way to reach a million people,” says the dedicated advocate for the industry. Groeneveld credits much of his success to his wife Lorraine, who accompanies him to most events. “This was a great award but the best prize was when she said she would marry me.” Happy Trails to Chuck Groeneveld, a 2015 Western Legacy Award winner. Annemarie Pedersen is a communications consultant primarily within the agriculture industry. She is also a volunteer with the Calgary Stampede.
@Hank_68
Annemarie Pedersen
The story behind
Farm & Food Care Today Canadians are more interested in the story behind their food than ever before. Yet with farmers representing less than TWO per cent of the population, most Canadians don’t know the people who grew the products on their plate or understand the often many complicated processes it takes to “magically” make that food happen. by K e l ly D aynard Building trust and confidence and proactively answering the public’s questions about food and farming is Farm & Food Care Canada’s mandate. One of the biggest challenges with having a conversation with the average Canadian about farming is their perceptions or questions are often based on issues, what’s been in the media or what they’ve “heard” somewhere. It’s often negative, inflammatory, special interest group driven or a grain of truth all stretched to the limit often well beyond the realities of Canadian farming. Farm & Food Care’s investment across Canada (with provincial organizations currently located in Ontario and
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Saskatchewan and discussions for programming in many other provinces, including Alberta) in ‘open the barn door’ transparency includes hosting farm tours for media and chefs, Breakfast on the Farm events that attract thousands, and creating resources like The Real Dirt on Farming booklet and www.virtualfarmtours.ca . The goal is to give Canadians a look into real farms and introduce them to the people who make their food. Donations to the national charity are used to support and develop national, provincial, regional and local projects supporting information, awareness and appreciation of food and farming. Some key initiatives include:
The Real Dirt on Farming – A 52-page, award-winning booklet answers the top questions Canadians have about food and farming. With the support of agri-businesses and commodity groups from coast to coast, nearly one million copies of the 2014 edition have been distributed across Canada. The Real Dirt on Farming Speakers’ Bureau Training Program was launched to compliment the booklet. The daylong workshop coaches farmers on how to tell their stories, specifically by improving their presentation skills. VirtualFarmTours.ca – a website enabling Canadians to tour 23 Canadian farms and see video interviews with the farmers from the comfort of their home computers. Food Influencer Farm Tours – Day-long farm tours now run in Ontario and Saskatchewan for food influencers (media, chefs, dietitians, cookbook authors and home economists). Over a decade, these tours have resulted in a stronger sense of the work that farmers do and many opportunities to get accurate information into the urban media.
Breakfast on the Farm events across Canada now give thousands of Canadians the opportunity to visit a real, working farm. Guests are treated to free breakfasts and farm tours. Farm & Food Care is the first coalition of its kind representing thousands of farmers and associated businesses with a mandate to build public trust in food and farming. Individuals, organizations and companies who support that objective can support this work by making a charitable donation to Farm & Food Care Canada. For more information visit: farmfoodcare.org
Farm & Food Care
@FarmFoodCare FarmFoodCare Kelly Daynard is the communications manager for Farm & Food Care.
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Graeme Finn
Not just another grazer “Being different is really just looking outside the box” claims Graeme Finn, western Canada’s thought leader in soils and forage. Graeme and Heather Finn run a cow calf and yearling grazing enterprise near Madden, Alberta. Tucked neatly in the foothills, their picturesque property does more than paint a pretty picture – it also makes money while improving their most valuable asset – soil.. by B r e nda Sc h o e pp
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Finn is tenant farming 1600 acres for year-round grazing, even in the depths of the Canadian winter. He implements swath grazing using oats, barley, Winfred and Hunter brassicas, Italian rye grass and hairy vetch for his cows. In summer yearling heifers weighing 650 pounds come onto the pasture that contain sainfoin, vetch and alfalfa and graze to 850 pounds at which time they are sold. He uses electric fence extensively in both operations as a cost effective and easy way to move cattle through rotations. Marketing females has been a good move as they present a product for three distinct markets – replacement females for breeding, hormone and antibiotic free females and commercial feeder females. To help develop both marketing and forage plans, Graeme turned to industry mentors Doug Wray, Grant Lastiwka and Don Evans along with groups like the Foothills Forage & Grazing Association. Graeme strongly advises producers to seek mentors and join local applied production research and land groups to bounce ideas and gather support. It wasn’t always this way for Finn; even though he arrived in Canada with a solid understanding of the importance of soil health from the Rural Land Care Group in Australia. “I came to Canada without any preconceived ideas and knew that I had to cut costs. I often felt alone in this.” That is no longer the case. Graeme and Heather are rarely alone as they host guests from around the world at their inviting country home. He thrives on the synergy they share together and the conversations with their guests. Now considered one of Canada’s top drivers for forages and soil health, he remains dedicated to have forage as a respected agricultural crop that has a great capacity to build soil included in sustainability discussions and programs.
Other commodities such as palm oil, fish and coffee have sustainability programs in place and now beef has the same opportunity through the McDonald’s Verified Sustainable Beef pilot. Graeme has hosted the corporation’s executives to describe how ranchers build soil, grass and other practises while contributing to the health and welfare of the livestock. “There may not be immediate financial gain” says Graeme “but this program really makes producers aware of what they are doing.” And it’s all part of the bigger picture as industry, food service and retail contribute to the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef. What keeps Graeme going is these types of industry innovators – those people who are grasping the idea that soil is first, then forages and thirdly livestock. Always on the move to learn, Graeme encourages world travel to broaden the mind. It is this type of curiosity that introduced him to Brassicas in New Zealand. Now the Canadian expert on using Brassicas in the crop rotation and for late season grazing, Graeme’s company Union Forage is breaking the barriers in the battle of high cost winter feeding. Asking Graeme if he was an advocate for change, “I am” he said “I can’t afford not to be.” True to form, this producer’s advocacy has been not only heard but put into practice. It is much more than reduced costs, new varieties of forages and better soils – it is also about transformation. “A lot of young people are getting it. The family farm is being transformed by young people coming on.” Building the soil by fearlessly using new varieties of forages for year-round grazing with a focus on reducing costs were Graeme’s goals but the mentor he has now become to the forage industry is the prize. He knows knowledge and practice make a difference and is pleased that real change is unfolding in the field and he appreciates that it is vital to the long term growth and profitability for his family farm and the Canadian industry. He wants to get us all thinking about what the cattle are eating and where that is coming from. “It all” he reminds us “comes back to soil”. For more information visit: southerncrosslivestock.ca @GraemeFinn1 Brenda Schoepp is a farmer, author, speaker and professional mentor in eight nations. http://brendaschoepp.com
(Left to right) John Betts (CEO & President, McDonald’s Canada), Steve
@BrendaSchoepp
Easterbrook (CEO & President, McDonald’s Corporation) with Graeme Finn P h o t o : McDonald’s Restaurants of Canada
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Canada is leading People agree that sustainability reflects the desire to achieve a balance between society, the environment and the economy. In the Canadian beef industry, sustainability means a socially responsible, environmentally sound and economically viable product that prioritizes the planet, people, animals and progress. B y M o nica Hadari t s The Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (CRSB) adopted this definition in 2014, following a process of industry engagement. Formed in 2013, the CRSB is a multi-stakeholder initiative comprised of member organizations and observers representing all aspects of the beef value chain. Members include producer organizations, processors, food companies, retailers, restaurants, non-governmental organizations, food and agriculture business, governments, youth, scientists and academia. The CRSB aims to increase the beef industry’s transparency and social license to operate, while moving discussions around sustainability forward. Much of the CRSB’s work involves opening up the lines of communication within the value chain, as well as communicating the sustainable practices already occurring in the beef industry to consumers and the public. Transparency is key to building consumer and public trust, maintaining the beef industry’s social license, and securing its ability to operate freely. The Centre for Food Integrity recently found that the following factors are important for 30 I N T E R N A T I O N A L A G R I C U L T U R E A N D A G R I - F O O D C O M M I T T E E
building transparency in the food system from the consumer’s perspective: (1) food safety; (2) the impact of food on health; (3) environmental impact; (4) labour and human rights; (5) animal well-being; and (6) business ethics. The public holds food companies and farmers the most accountable for performance in these factors, which means food companies and farmers need to communicate and work together – along with the rest of the value chain – to build that trust. The CRSB fosters and supports communication and collaboration within the beef value chain (see diagram on page 32). Consumers want to know more about where their food comes from and how it is being produced. Food companies, retailers and restaurants want to provide consumers with that information. Producers and processors can showcase their good practices by capturing that information and sharing it with the rest of the chain. All of these stakeholders play a critical role in communicating information across the value chain, and it is the CRSB’s role to facilitate this communication.
the global conversation on sustainable beef “The CRSB presents an excellent opportunity for communication and dialogue along the beef value chain, from the producer to the consumer and back,” explained Cherie Copithorne-Barnes, Chair of the CRSB and a producer from west of Calgary, Alberta. “The beef industry needs that dialogue to continue to thrive because consumers are asking questions, and producers have the answers. We want to showcase the good things our industry is already doing. We are not asking people to change their business. We are asking them to tell their story, which is what consumers and the public want to know.” Industry has become more efficient over time. Producers are stewards of the land. Keeping grasslands healthy helps support biodiversity and carbon capture. Producers take excellent care of their animals. Healthy and wellcared for animals require fewer resources and are more profitable. Producers also make significant contributions to rural communities by creating jobs and supporting rural businesses. These contributions help rural communities remain viable as well as attractive for younger generations.
Cherie Copithorne-Barnes,
Chair Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef PROFILE 2016
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These practices, along with many other industry practices, are considered to be sustainable and have social, economic and environmental benefits.
represents a major opportunity for Canada to demonstrate its leadership in sustainability and tell its important story to consumers, the public, and the world.
The CRSB wants industry to be recognized for its sustainable practices. It also wants to identify areas for continuous improvement. Therefore, it is developing a way to verify the sustainability of beef operations and processing plants. Only Brazil and the United States have initiated similar processes at the national level. Canada is already recognized as a global leader in beef production, and the CSRB’s hope is to help maintain this recognition. The CRSB’s verification framework
Canada is hosting the Global Conference on Sustainable Beef this year in Banff, Alberta. The conference will take place from October 4-7, 2016 at the Fairmont Banff Springs.
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For more information visit: crsb.ca @CRSB_beef Monica Hadarits is the Community Engagement Manager for the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef. Contact her at hadaritsm@cattle.ca
Rock Ridge Dairy Leading the Dairy Goat Industry in Alberta
Patrick and Cherylynn Bos are in it for the long haul. The couple began farming in 1998 and have seen a lot of changes in the dairy goat and milk business during that time. B Y A nn e m ari e P e d e r s e n
While the dairy goat sector has seen growth and down turns in the last two decades, Cherylynn says the key to success is stability in the industry and consistent supply. “We don’t have a quota in this sector, so we operate in an open market.� Because of their on-farm processing facility, Rock Ridge has the capacity to accommodate product from other dairy goat farms. They are now working with seven western Canadian farms to bottle and distribute milk and cheese under their own label as well as custom processing for Happy Days Dairy. Last fall, the Bos family was recognized as Outstanding Young Farmers in Canada. Annemarie Pedersen is a communications consultant primarily within the agriculture industry. She is also a volunteer with the Calgary Stampede.
@Hank_68
Annemarie Pedersen
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Busy Ponoka, Alberta couple named Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers B y G l e nn C h e at e r ; reprinted with permission from Alberta Farmer Express
Jammed packed doesn’t begin to describe it. On November 20, 2015 in Edmonton, Patrick and Cherylynn Bos were named co-winners of Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers award. Then it was back to Rock Ridge Dairy near Ponoka to fire up the most technologically advanced goat milking parlour on the continent and train 700 skeptical does to use the parlour. And then the couple hosted a meeting of dairy goat producers from across Alberta and British Columbia — part of their ongoing effort to grow the Western Canadian dairy goat industry. Sharing the Outstanding Young Farmers national award (with Ontario hog producers Amy and Mike Cronin) was “humbling,” said Cherylynn. “We were with some amazing people and I don’t think you can say one couple was more deserving than any other,” she said. “You could have put all the names in a hat, swished them around, and pulled two out and we all would have been fine with that because everyone was really outstanding.” The couple began farming 18 years ago, purchased their first milking goats in 1999, and began milking for a Ponoka-based processing company while also working off the farm. In 2004 the plant closed, and it was touch-and-go whether they could pay the bills and continue farming. Patrick and Cherylynn Bos worked with companies from Holland, Israel, and Ponoka to create the most technologically advanced goat milking parlour in North America. “We were there for a long time in our first years,” said Patrick. “But we always tried to look at the situation without blinders on and say, ‘These are the good things and these are the bad things. What can we do to build on the good things and overcome the bad ones.’” The couple eventually decided to build a goat milk- and cheese-processing facility on the farm, and their milk and cheese are now sold through major grocery chains across Western Canada under various labels as well under the Rock Ridge brand. The new milking parlour was also a result of regularly assessing what’s working and what isn’t.
The couple, who have four children, want to expand production but milking 700 goats twice a day in their old parlour was already an exhausting nine-hour process. The original plan was to buy a system from Europe. “This was something we’d be using for 25 years and when I looked at the systems out there, none of them had everything I wanted,” said Patrick. They ended up working with a Ponoka company to modify a Dutch system using new software developed by an Israeli firm. The system was ready to go in early November, but commissioning was delayed for the five days of the Outstanding Young Farmers event. The parlour, which can milk 900 goats an hour, was “running flawlessly,” Cherylynn said after the first week of operation. “Now we just have to convince the goats to cooperate just a little bit more,” she said, adding every single goat had to be led into the parlour on Day 1 but were catching on by week’s end. “Goats can be very sweet and cooperative just like dogs, but they can also have a lot of attitude.” The farmers they met in both the regional and national Outstanding Young Farmers events also have an attitude, one that Patrick described as, ‘Don’t tell me I can’t do something. Let’s find a way to do it.’ “It makes you look at your whole business with different eyes, and makes you think more about your future, where you’re heading, and why you’re heading that way,” said Cherylynn. “Even though their farms are different, they approach things with great enthusiasm and innovative ideas that you can apply to your own business.” For more information visit: rockridgedairy.com
Rock Ridge Dairy
@rockridgedairy Glenn Cheater is a veteran journalist who has covered agriculture for more than two decades. @glenncheater
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B e s t o f A l b e r ta
Sharing the best of Alberta at the Calgary Stampede
Ask Calgary Stampede Executive Chef Derek Dale about cuts of beef and how he likes to prepare them, and a sparkle comes to his eye. After nearly 30 years on the job, his passion for creation and innovation in the Stampede kitchens has not dimmed. by K ri s t ina B arn e s
A big reason for that, according to Chef Dale, is his connection to local producers through the Calgary Stampede’s Grown Right. Here. program. Created in 2008 to showcase products grown or raised in Alberta, the innovative program is still going strong. Of course, Alberta beef remains the number one item year-round visitors to the Calgary Stampede expect to see on the menu. “The ranchers themselves have done such a good job of producing Alberta beef and promoting Alberta beef, when people come from other countries it’s what they expect,” Dale says. Chef Dale and his team do not disappoint, using more than 68,000 kilograms (150,000 pounds) of locally-raised beef in the meals they create every year. Because of sheer volume, the beef is sourced through a supplier and comes from producers throughout the province. When it comes to bringing in many of the other local products that are served to guests at Stampede Park, it’s a much more hands on approach. The chefs often have direct contact with those who supply the poultry, pork, game, dairy, flours and even honey they use to cook with. That interaction includes visits to ranches and farms to experience firsthand where the food comes from. “The producers are just so passionate, and it’s inspiring for us to see their passion,” says Dale, adding, “We also know their products are second to none. There is no comparison.” For more information visit: calgarystampede.com
Calgary Stampede
@calgarystampede
Calgary Stampede
Kristina Barnes is the Communications Manager for Western Events and Agriculture at the Calgary Stampede. @Barnes_in_Barns
36 I N T E R N A T I O N A L A G R I C U L T U R E A N D A G R I - F O O D C O M M I T T E E
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BEEF 速
Crowfoot
Strathmore
PROFILE 2016
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