Supporting future industry leaders

The beef industry is a key economic driver for Alberta and Canada, and the Canadian Cattlemen’s Foundation (CCF) aims to keep it that way.

Established as a charity in 2014, the CCF connects producers and industry partners to support the next generation in beef business leadership. 

Contributing to youth education is an important focus of the CCF, which has already invested significantly in Ag in the Classroom programming. Now, an exciting new youth development and outreach program has been founded with a donation of $150,000 to W.A. Ranches at the University of Calgary. 

The new program will attract bright young minds to the industry and start a conversation among young people challenging global movements to eliminate animal agriculture. 

Transforming animal health education in real-time on W.A. Ranches

“You can’t paint the whole world with one brush. Canada’s grasslands wouldn’t be grasslands without the cattle industry,” says Bob Lowe, CCF board chair. “There is huge opportunity for us showcase the importance to the environment of grazing animals.”

The CCF board is led with industry insights and leadership from: Chair, Bob Lowe, Lynn Grant, Laura Laing, Stan Carscallen, Scott Dickson, Joe W. Gardner and Kelly Smith-Fraser. Their three main focus areas include youth, environment, and research. With the donation to W.A. Ranches, the youth pillar has had a major boost. 

Dr. Ed Pajor, director of W.A. Ranches and Anderson-Chisholm Chair of Animal Care and Welfare, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, says the ranch will hire a coordinator to develop youth-based programs and opportunities in areas such as animal health and welfare, wildlife interactions, regenerative agriculture, biodiversity, and emerging technologies.

“We’ll be able to create a wide range of hands-on and virtual experiences that will develop future industry leaders and educate young people about where their food comes from,” says Dr. Pajor.

To learn more or donate to the CCF funding effort.

This article was first published in the September 2021 edition of ABP Magazine. Watch for more digital content from the magazine on ABP Daily.