Ag represented in Order of Canada recipients

Jan 05, 2026
By Diego Flammini
Assistant Editor, North American Content, Farms.com

Wayne Brownlee is one of 80 Canadians to receive the appointment

A member of Saskatchewan’s ag community is among the 80 newest appointees to the Order of Canada.

Governor General Mary Simon appointed Wayne Brownlee, the CFO of PotashCorp who helped the company become Nutrien, to the Order of Canada on New Year’s Eve.

The Order of Canada is Canada’s second-highest honour for merit, and it celebrates Canadians who make significant contributions to the country.

In addition to his work with PotashCorp and Nutrien, Brownlee “has also made lasting contributions to education, heritage and health care through his generous support and dedicated service to charitable and community organizations,” the list of Order of Canada appointees says.

Order of Canada

Brownlee and his family’s philanthropic work include a $10 million donation to Early Learning Equal Start, $5 million to the Thundering Ahead campaign to support the revitalization of Wanuskewin Heritage Park, and a $1 million gift to the Saskatoon Community Foundation.

Brownlee grew up in Biggar, Sask., before attending the University of Saskatchewan and earning his BSc in 1975 and his MBA in 1977.

“Congratulations to our friend Wayne Brownlee on his appointment as a Member of the Order of Canada!” the Town of Biggar’s Facebook page says.

From there he worked in the provincial government for 12 years in the ministries of finance and energy and mines.

He joined PotashCorp in 1989 and retired from Nutrien in October 2018.

A member of B.C.’s ag community also received an Order of Canada appointment.

Marina Andrea Graefin von Keyserlingk, a UBC professor and leader in animal welfare science, is recognized for her work in that space.

“Her influential work has guided animal agriculture towards meaningful change worldwide,” the governor general’s release says. “As a dedicated mentor, she has established a legacy of leadership and innovation within her field.”

Her research includes how neck-rail placement in freestalls affect dairy heifer’s lying behaviour, and the effects of mixing on drinking and competitive behaviour of dairy calves.

Video: A Farm Song (Busy) | Parody of A Bar Song (Tipsy) by Shaboozey

Lyrics:

My days begin with workin’, Alarm’s at 5 o’clock,
I Fill 5 gallon buckets, The feeders and the troughs,
This five to nine ain’t workin’, why the heck do I work so hard?,
I can’t worry ‘bout health problems, I can sleep in when I’m gone,

One, here comes the two to the three to the four,
Tell em’ ‘buy another cow, we need plenty more’,
Blue jeans are gettin’ dirty, what else could I ask for,
Oh my, more chores

Someone pour me up another shot of sweet tea,
They know me and working hard’s got a history,
There’s another flock of sheep that still needs feed,
Everybody on the farm gettin’ busy,

Everybody on the farm gettin’ busy,
Everybody on the farm gettin’ busy,

I’ve been working pretty stressed but,
I ain’t changing for some cash,
Lord knows that I’m very blessed (More chores),
But I gotta say it’s hard,
Workin’ outside gettin’ charred,
Living out here on the farm, (more chores)

One, here comes the two to the three to the four,
Tell em’ ‘buy another cow, we need plenty more’,
Blue jeans are gettin’ dirty, what else could I ask for,
Oh my, more chores

Someone pour me up another shot of sweet tea,
They know me and working hard’s got a history
There’s another 20 chickens that still need feed,
Everybody on the farm gettin’ busy,

Everybody on the farm getting’ busy,
Everybody on the farm gettin’ busy,

Fun, here on ranch that’s what you can’t ignore,
Might be pretty hard but I love it to its core,
Flannel’s gettin’ dirty, what else could I ask for,
Oh my, more chores (Tell ‘em sing with me)

Someone pour me up another shot of sweet tea,
They know me and working hard’s got a history,
There’s another flock of sheep that still needs feed,
Everybody on the farm gettin’ busy,
Someone pour me up another shot of sweet tea,
They know me and working hard’s got a history,
Watching cattle in the dark, don’t miss me,
Everybody on the farm gettin’ busy,
(Yeeeeeehaw)
Everybody on the farm gettin’ busy,
Everybody on the farm gettin’ busy,
It’s the best bro, go get yourself a farm