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Participants in the Canadian Cattle Young Leaders program gathered in Calgary this week for their annual Spring Forum.
This annual event brings together the program’s 16 participants from across Canada for three days of industry tours, classroom sessions, and networking events.
The CCA's Youth Leadership Co-ordinator Jessica Radau says it's a great opportunity for the group.
"Overall, it's really about providing that hands-on skill-building opportunity for young people in the beef industry ages 18 to 35 that are in our program, giving them a chance to build those peer networks that'll serve them into the future."
Speakers and session topics covered building your personal and professional brand, leadership opportunities within the Canadian beef industry, improving animal welfare by investing in ourselves and our teams, and the latest innovations in precision agriculture technology.
She says this year's industry tour gave participants the opportunity to see the industry's supply chain from cow-calf operations all the way to a feedlot operation and processing facility.
They get a chance to talk to some of these producers and learn about the new industry efficiencies, technology, and innovation that's being applied at the farm level."
A new addition to this year’s forum was a Succession Planning Case Study Competition. Young leaders paired into teams and were provided with an example farm situation and financials. This provided hands-on financial literacy and problem-solving experience while preparing a transition plan to present to a panel of judges.
President of the Canadian Cattle Association. Nathan Phinney says they are grateful to the sponsors who are partnering with us to make these opportunities possible for the next generation.
"By empowering and equipping young leaders in the Canadian beef industry with these skills and resources, we are building a vibrant future for the industry that fosters sustainability, innovation, and global competitiveness."
Funding for the Canadian CYL Program is made available through generous Foundation Partners Cargill, MNP, McDonald’s Canada, and New Holland. The program also receives support from Gold Sponsors Farm Credit Canada, Elanco, RBC Future Launch, and Alltech.
Spring Forum Prime Sponsor, Telus Agriculture & Consumer Goods; Spring Forum AAA Sponsor, Utensil.ca; Spring Forum Professional Headshot Sponsor, RBC Future Launch; and our Spring Forum Friends of the CYL Sponsors, Cattle Health Management and Friends of the Bar U Historic Ranch Association.