Highlights from the Canadian Cattle Young Leaders Spring Forum

Jun 07, 2023

Each spring, Canadian Cattle Young Leaders (CYL) mentees from across Canada gather for the the annual Spring Forum. This three-day event, which was held from May 30 to June 1, 2023 in Calgary, AB and the surrounding area, offered this year's 16 program participants a range of industry tours and training designed to enhance their knowledge and connections in the Canadian beef industry.

One of the key features of the Spring Forum is the speaker sessions throughout the three days, where industry experts shared their insights on various topics. Crystal MacKay of Utensil.ca provided valuable guidance on building your personal and professional brands in agriculture. Dennis Laycraft and Ryder Lee from the Canadian Cattle Association spoke on leadership in the beef industry. Elanco's Chief Animal Welfare Officer, Dr. Michelle Calvo-Lorenzo, joined the young leaders to speak to how we can meet our animal welfare goals by investing in ourselves and our teams. And New Holland's David Zeinstra joined the young leaders at the Vanee Farm Centre in High River, AB to shed light on the latest precision agriculture technology, showcasing innovative approaches to maximize efficiency and productivity.

In an exciting addition to this year's program, young leaders collaborated in groups to tackle farm succession planning problems through a case study competition organized by MNP. Teams analyzed different scenarios of an example farm with financials provided, discussed solutions and financial implications, and presented their findings to a panel of judges. This interactive exercise enabled the young leaders to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills while addressing real-life challenges in the agricultural sector.

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Video: Five Confirmed New World Screwworm Cases Raise Alarm for Livestock and Pet Owners

Pat Hoffmann, Swine Technical Consultant at Elanco Animal Health tells us about the impact of New World Screwworm. The emergence of New World screwworm in the U.S. creates a threat for veterinarians, livestock producers and pet owners that has not been seen north of the Florida Keys since the fly was eradicated from the United States more than 50 years ago. New World screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) larvae feed on living tissue and can affect a wide range of warm-blooded animals, including livestock, companion animals, wildlife, and even humans.
“New World screwworm could have a devastating impact on animal health, welfare, and producer livelihoods,” said Jeff Simmons, President and CEO, Elanco Animal Health. “We want to thank the FDA, EPA and USDA, for all their work to prepare for this threat. We’re committed to supporting our customers during this challenging time by delivering innovation, scientific expertise, and available resources to help treat New World screwworm and support the health and well-being of animals.”
Elanco is working alongside the U.S. animal health industry to help them fight against this parasite, offering a portfolio of options for pets and livestock that can help treat New World screwworm larvae infestations.