What it means to be an ABP delegate

Fred Lozeman operates a mixed farming operation and feed yard near Claresholm, Alberta. Fred served as an ABP delegate for nine years, recently retiring in March 2025. Fred remains involved with ABP in a non-delegate role as chair of the governance committee.

Becoming an ABP delegate is a great way to provide leadership to the beef industry, expand personal and professional networks and stay informed on topics affecting the beef industry. A delegate contributes to decision-making processes, attends and participates in ABP meetings and events and is a key liaison between the organization and producers in their zone. With ABP delegate nominations this fall, we sat down with Fred Lozeman, a former ABP delegate who served for almost 10 years, to share his experience and insights about what the role meant for him.

“I became an ABP delegate for the Southwest zone in 2016 and recently retired in March of this year (2025), serving just shy of 10 years. I became a delegate at ABP for multiple reasons, but the most significant factor initially for me was that I was very interested in how our check-off dollars were allocated.

I attended producer meetings for several years and was always keenly interested in the organization. As a new delegate coming into ABP, I wasn’t sure what to expect. It was an incredible experience for me.

When I started, it was all new. I found it exciting to learn how commissions work, as well as the expectations and responsibilities of you as a delegate.

Being a delegate is an individual experience—an experience that reflects your skillset and interests. Delegates are encouraged to find a place within the delegate body of the organization to serve, and for me, that was research.

I was trained as a scientist before coming back to the farm. So that’s what really resonated with me, and I was surprised by the opportunity that I was given in my role as a delegate to engage in research. For others, it might be an interest in marketing or in government relations. During my time as a delegate, I was surprised to find that I had a strong interest in the governance of organizations as well. I took advantage of the opportunities available through ABP at the time to gain better experience and knowledge on the governance of commissions and other organizations. That has helped me develop those skills for myself and, in turn, other organizations that I have become involved in.

There is a community when you become a delegate too—it’s a sense of community—I have built friendships and a network stemming from my time as a delegate with ABP.

A Seat at the Table

When you get involved with a commission like ABP, there is an overwhelming opportunity—it’s surprising where it can lead you. As a delegate, you get a front row seat at the decision-making table on significant issues affecting our industry and the producers we serve. It definitely provides you with those opportunities, as well as extensive support and guidance, should you get the opportunity to engage with elected officials or their staff. There is an opportunity to attend meetings, receptions and special events. Ninety per cent of your time is simply being present. That seat at the table, your engagement, and interaction will undoubtedly have a resounding impact that can help our industry.”

Opening Doors of Opportunity

“Because of my particular interest and skillset as it pertains to research, I was chosen as the Chair of Research in my second year as a delegate. ABP was granted about three and a half million dollars from the provincial government to help for feed use and feed development (feed stuffs and forages). ABP organized the research investment into several research projects in short order. We had three years to accomplish this, and our research committee at ABP, alongside ABP staff, worked hard and accomplished this. It is an accomplishment that is directly benefiting producers today and into the future. It remains a highlight for me during my time serving as a delegate.

Being a delegate and director at ABP opened many doors of opportunity for me as well. I am currently involved in Results Driven Agriculture Research (RDAR), which is a big opportunity to invest taxpayer funds into impactful ag research for all of agriculture, not just in cattle. In addition, I was asked by our provincial Ag Minister Sigurdson, along with two other farmers from Alberta, to help set up Western Crop Innovations, which was the former Field Crop Development Centre in Lacombe. It was formerly operated as a provincial government crop breeding centre, but it has now turned into a not-for-profit corporation funded through the Government of Alberta, RDAR, and Industry Members (including ABP, and Alberta Grains). It’s an initiative that is receiving support across our agricultural sector.

Participating and helping to lead this initiative was intensive and rewarding. And, of course, when you get involved with a commission like Alberta Beef Producers, you make lifelong friendships and connections throughout the experience. A personal highlight for me was receiving the King Charles III Coronation Medal in recognition of my work with ABP, as well as my subsequent contributions to RDAR and the Beef Cattle Research Council, and Western Crop Innovations. All of which are a direct result of my time and journey as a delegate.

What I tell producers considering becoming an ABP delegate is that they absolutely should! It is an overwhelming opportunity. You never know where serving as a delegate will take you, the doors it will open, and the difference and benefits you can make for yourself, fellow producers, and our agricultural industry.”

This article was first published in Volume 5 Issue 3 of ABP Magazine (Fall 2025). Watch for more digital content from the magazine on ABP Daily.