Delegates Returned to Toronto for BFO’s Annual Meeting

Beef Farmers of Ontario (BFO) celebrated its return to an in-person annual general meeting in Toronto, Ontario after a two-year hiatus as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which was complemented by this year’s event theme, Reflect, Reset & Reconnect. At the meeting in February, two new directors were acclaimed to join the BFO Board of Directors, and Jack Chaffe and Craig McLaughlin were re-elected to lead the association in the year ahead as president and vice president, respectively.

Joining the BFO Board of Directors were Joost van der Heiden from Perth County and Jairus Maus from Bruce County. Joost will serve as the director on the board representing the background sector, and will replace BFO Past President, Rob Lipsett, who completed the maximum nine years on the board. Jairus will represent the feedlot sector and will replace David Millsap who completed his term of three years.

Joost resides near Listowel, Ontario where he and his family operate a cow-calf-to-finish beef farm with a herd of full blood, purebred and commercial Limousin cattle. They also operate a custom farming operation with a broad range of services. Jairus, and his family, background and finish close to 3,000 head of cattle per year and also operate a 300,000 bushel on-farm storage and elevator facility.

BFO celebrated its return to an in-person annual general meeting after a two-year hiatus as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ontario’s Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Lisa Thompson and Parliamentary Assistant Rob Flack joined the membership for the return of the annual banquet featuring Ontario Corn Fed Beef.

BFO was pleased to welcome Canadian Senator Rob Black who attended the meeting, reception and banquet. Pictured here (L to R) is John Masswohl, Director Emeritus International Relations with CCA; Senator Rob Black; BFO President Jack Chaffe with his son Owen Chaffe.

Before the annual banquet, delegates were invited to attend the Past Presidents Reception. Pictured here is Past President Dick van der Byl (2001) and Past President Bob Gregson (1988).

On day two, the program included a meat and beef demand panel discussion with Jim Clark, Executive Director of the Ontario Cattle Feeders’ Association; Dan Jewell, CEO of J.S. Ferraro; and market analyst Kevin Grier. The session was moderated by OMAFRA’s Chief Economist, Steve Duff.

BFO continues to attract strong leaders, which is a tremendous asset as the association embarks on a refreshed strategic plan this year that will focus on market development and public engagement; producer excellence; sector growth; advocacy and government relations; and operations and governance.

In addition to the new directors, Don Hargrave of Maxwell, Ontario was acclaimed for a second threeyear term and will continue to represent the cow-calf sector on the board, and Craig McLaughlin of Foresters Falls, Ontario will continue to represent beef farmers in eastern Ontario in addition to his role as vice president.

BFO’s Board of Directors consists of 12 elected officialsthree from the cow-calf sector, three from the feedlot sector, one from the background sector, one each representing the southern, northern and eastern regions of Ontario, and two elected at-large. Directors are elected for three-year terms on a rotating basis.

“As farmers, there will be as many rewards as challenges in the upcoming year as prices for all classes of cattle could reach new historical highs, but all of our input costs are rising at the same time creating continuing tight margins,” shares Jack Chaffe, BFO President. “This is why the work of BFO, the Ontario Cattle Feeders’ Association, the Canadian Cattle Association, the Beef Cattle Research Council and Canada Beef will be so important this year.”

The BFO Board of Directors and staff welcomed close to 400 attendees during this year’s two-day annual general meeting. Delegates and guests heard from a number of speakers, including keynote speaker Dr. Vaughn Holder from Alltech who spoke about the role of livestock and the future of global food security. BFO was also pleased to welcome both Senator Rob Black and the Honourable Minister Thompson, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs on Wednesday evening during the annual banquet to address the delegates. Parliamentary Assistants to the Minister of Agriculture, Rob Flack and Trevor Jones, also joined guests for an Ontario Corn Fed Beef dinner.

The 2023 BFO Annual Report can be viewed on the BFO website or you can access a hard copy by contacting the office. OB

2023 Carried Resolutions

As resolutions are reviewed and responded to by the BFO Board of Directors throughout the year, the responses are posted to the BFO website. Archived responses from previous years are also posted to the website.

23-01 – AGE VERIFICATION AT SLAUGHTER

23-02 – INTEREST-FREE PORTION OF APP

23-03 – ELD EXEMPTION FOR LIVESTOCK TRUCKERS

23-04 – CROWN LAND ACCESS FOR AGRICULTURE

23-05 – AGRICULTURE IN THE CLASSROOM

23-06 – PRODUCTION AND LIVESTOCK MEDICINES TRAINING

23-07 – PROPERTY TAX RATES FOR PASTURE GROUND

23-08 – EAR TAG RETENTION

23-09 – PRODUCTION INSURANCE ON DOUBLE CROPPING WITH FORAGES

23-10 – COUNTY/DISTRICT DISSOLUTIONS AND AMALGAMATIONS

23-11 – BUTCHERING AS A SKILLED TRADE

23-12 – VETERINARIAN TELEHEALTH & VTAC MODEL

23-13 – SEPARATION OF COMMERCIAL LIVESTOCK IN PAWS ACT

23-14 – DESTRUCTION OF PRIME AGRICULTURE LAND

23-15 – JOYCEVILLE ABATTOIR

23-16 – CARBON TAX PAYMENTS FOR PASTURE PRODUCTION

23-17– PROMOTION OF ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF BEEF CATTLE