Jason Leblond of Chisholm has been elected the new president of the Beef Farmers of Ontario.
The Beef Farmers of Ontario (BFO) has announced new leadership following its 64th Annual General Meeting, with directors electing Jason Leblond of Chisholm as president and Don Badour of Perth as vice president.
The election marks the conclusion of Past President Craig McLaughlin’s nine-year term on the board, the maximum allowed under BFO’s governance structure.
Two new directors were also welcomed to the board. Grey County’s Lisa Pallister will represent the feedlot sector for a one-year term, succeeding Tom Kroesbergen. Pallister, a seventh-generation farmer, operates a beef feedlot and cropping operation with her family near Dundalk.
Don Scott of Grenville County was elected to represent the eastern region, replacing McLaughlin. Scott, a third-generation farmer, runs a beef and cash crop operation, raising replacement females and stocker calves, marketing direct farmgate beef, and developing herd sire prospects.
Several directors were re-elected or acclaimed, including Don Hargrave (cow-calf), Jairus Maus (feedlot), and Joost van der Heiden (background). Youth representative Emily Bromley will complete her term this year.
Leblond said he is ready to take on the role and continue the association’s advocacy efforts. “It's an honour to serve as President of the Beef Farmers of Ontario, which is a responsibility that I don't take lightly. I'm proud to be part of an association with such strong leadership and engaged members, and I look forward to working hard on their behalf in the year ahead,” he said.
He added that “We have important advocacy work ahead of us to help create a business environment that supports Ontario beef farmers, particularly as we seek a provincial guarantee under our Beef Breeder Loan Program.”
Nearly 400 attendees participated in the two-day AGM taking place February 18-19, 2026, which featured keynote speaker Dr. Frank Mitloehner discussing livestock sustainability and a cattle market outlook from Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness Chief Economist Steve Duff. Ontario Agriculture Minister Trevor Jones also addressed delegates, committing to modernizing the Beef Cattle Marketing Act to improve equity in the check-off system and align Ontario with other livestock sectors and provinces.
BFO continues to emphasize leadership development, noting that its BUILD Leadership program will return in April to support governance and advocacy skill-building for beef producers. The organization represents 19,000 beef farmers across Ontario, advocating on sustainability, animal care, environment, food safety, and market development. For more on the BFO, visit www.ontariobeef.com.