Canada's Beef Sector: Essential and Sustainable - Looking Forward

In 2017, the report from the Advisory Council on Economic Growth entitled “The Path to Prosperity” pinpointed initial focus areas that could help grow Canada’s economy in an exceptional way. Agriculture and agri-foods was at the top of this list. Canada currently exports 40% of its beef production, and the international market will continue to grow rapidly as countries like China have a large and growing wealthy middle class with more discretionary dollars to spend. Layered into this is the immediate need for Canada to kick-start its economy into recovery and growth mode, post-Covid-19.

In March, 2020 the agriculture and agri-food sector was deemed essential. This session discusses why, as the beef industry prepares to be a strong part of Canada’s economic recovery, it has more to offer than just economic positives: it is focused on sustainability as well, and can help the world manage its GHG emissions while meeting global market demand for beef.

Friday, June 26, 2020
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. MDT

There is no cost to register. Webinar will be hosted via Zoom. Please share this with those who might be interested.

About the Speakers

Bob Lowe is the President of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association, a council director of the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, and a board member of the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef. Bob is part of a long line of ranchers that came to Alberta in the late 1800’s and continues that legacy with feedlot operations based in Nanton and a cow-calf operation in Eriksdale, Manitoba. He is an outspoken advocate for sharing information about raising cattle, feedlots and best management practices, and promotes the understanding of the stewardship and conservation that is inherent in sustainable beef production. Bob has two children and two grandchildren. He is focused on farming for future generations.

Jill Harvie is the Alberta Agriculture Industry Advisory Committee Co-Chair and owner/operator of Harvie Ranching. Jill ranches with her husband, Cole, and their daughters near Olds, Alberta. Harvie Ranching runs 250 purebred polled Hereford and Charolais cattle, holds an annual bull sale and specializes in genetic exports globally. Jill and Cole have had the honour of judging the national breed shows in Sweden, the United Kingdom, Denmark and the first national Hereford show in France. Jill has worked in the Canadian beef industry in animal health policy development and public relations and recently her passion for agriculture can be seen through her new podcast called Food Careers. Jill received a bachelor of applied science in agribusiness at Olds College and a diploma in agriculture in animal science from the University of Guelph.

Nichole Neubauer is the Alberta Agriculture Industry Advisory Committee Co-Chair and owner/operator of Neubauer Farms. Established in 1910, Neubauer Farms grow grains, oilseeds and pulses on both irrigated and dryland acres in Southeast Alberta. Mark and Nichole Neubauer also produce dry forage and manage the native pasture that sustains their cow/calf operation. Since 2005, the Neubauer’s have proudly welcomed more than 20,000 students to their farm to provide an authentic, hands-on opportunity for children to learn all about where their food comes from. In 2016, the Neubauer’s were recognized as the BMO Farm Family of the Year and in 2017, they received the Medicine Hat and District Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year Award. Nichole currently serves on the Chamber of Commerce Agriculture Education Task Force and is an interim board member with Results Driven Agriculture Research.