Change is a freight train

My predecessor, Mike McMorris, told me once that the status quo carries tremendous inertia. Change can be difficult—especially when we don’t control it—but in today’s livestock sector, driving the change we need is more critical than ever.

For years, agriculture has relied on public trust and positive perception to maintain our social license to produce food. But that foundation is shifting as society becomes further removed from farming. The reputations that once propped us up – established decades ago – are no longer enough to sustain us on the domestic or international stage.

Now is the time to challenge the status quo. In Ontario, we face looming elections, political uncertainty beyond our borders, and ever-evolving animal disease pressures. But rather than simply reacting to these forces, we must proactively shape our own future.

At LRIC, we believe that innovation isn’t just about new technologies—it’s about reimagining how we work together. It’s about being bold, fostering collaboration, and taking risks to drive the kind of change that keeps our industry competitive and resilient.

Change is a freight train. It’s coming, whether we like it or not. So rather than standing in its path, let’s be the ones laying the tracks.