CEO Commentary: New beginnings

Sep 27, 2024

CEO Commentary by Kelly Somerville

This fall is ushering in some big changes for me and LRIC alike. As I step into the role of CEO of this organization, I am invigorated by the tremendous work LRIC has undertaken and the excitement of projects to come.

In my previous position as Industry Services Manager, I had the opportunity to work closely with Mike McMorris, our outgoing CEO who has just retired, and am so humbled at the prospect of continuing the great work already underway.

The coming months promise to be busy as LRIC prepares to host our International Research Advisory Committee for a two- day in person event September 25-26th. The role of this committee, which includes members from across Canada and internationally, is to bring international perspectives, ideas and practices to the Ontario livestock sector. At this upcoming meeting, the committee will work on developing a strategy for maximizing value from Ontario’s world class livestock research facilities.

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Video: Why Invest in Canada’s Seed Future? | On The Brink: Episode 3

Darcy Unger just invested millions to build a brand-new seed plant on his farm in Stonewall, Manitoba so when it’s time for his sons to take over, they have the tools they need to succeed.

Right now, 95% of the genetics they’ll be growing come from Canadian plant breeders.

That number matters.

When fusarium hit Western Canada in the late 90s, it was Canadian breeders who responded, because they understood Canadian conditions. That ability to react quickly to what’s happening on Canadian farms is exactly what’s at risk when breeding programs lose funding.

For farmers like Darcy, who have made generational investments based on the assumption that better genetics will keep coming, the stakes are direct and personal.

We’re on the brink of decisions that will shape our agricultural future for not only our generation, but also the ones to come.

What direction will we choose?

On The Brink is a year-long video series traveling across Canada to meet the researchers, breeders, farmers, seed companies, and policymakers shaping the future of Canadian plant breeding. Each week, a new story. Each story, a piece of the bigger picture.

Episode 3 is above. Follow Seed World Canada to catch every episode, and tell us: Do you think the next generation will have the tools they need to success when they takeover? How is the future going to look?