Radville -
SASKATOON, SK - The Saskatchewan Beef Industry Conference (SBIC) Dinner and Awards Banquet marked the culmination of meetings with one common theme - Saskatchewan beef.
With more than 30 industry meetings taking place at the Saskatoon Inn between Wednesday and Saturday, the inaugural SBIC, meeting under the theme Securing Beef Beyond 2020: A Collective Approach, has created a new awareness about this vitally important sector of the agricultural community.
A total of nine recipients were honoured at the Awards Banquet. The first awards of the evening presented were the Saskatchewan Livestock Association (SLA) Honour Scrolls. The SLA has recognized excellence in Livestock production since 1927. The 2010 recipients announced were:
• Neil and Marilyn Jahnke of Gouldtown
• Wayne and Dorothy Johnstone of Moose Jaw
• Larry and Dawne Toner of Kelfield
• The late Craig Andrew of Qu'Appelle
"Having the Honour Scrolls presented to such worthy recipients makes it even more special on the occasion of this inaugural Conference," noted SLA Manager Belinda Wagner.
A new Saskatchewan Beef Industry Hall of Fame Award was jointly introduced by the Saskatchewan Cattle Feeders Association (SCFA) and Pound-Maker Agventures, recognizing an individual who has dedicated his life to promoting and building the beef industry. Murray McGillivray, a rancher from Radville, was the first recipient of this very prestigious honour.
SCFA Past President Bill Jameson, who presented the new Award, stated: "Murray has given our industry so much over the years through his untiring leadership and his common sense approach to finding solutions."
A highlight of the evening was the launch of The Brad Wildeman Youth Mentorship Foundation inspired by the vision of Brad Wildeman to provide young leaders with opportunities to expand their knowledge, skills and practice of leadership in agriculture.
"In every industry there is always someone who stands out as a leader, as a listener and as someone who genuinely cares. That person in our industry is Brad Wildeman," SBIC Chair and President of the SCFA David Stuart said.
Mr. Wildeman accepted a $3,000 cheque on behalf of the new Foundation, donated jointly by the SCFA, Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association and Pound-Maker Agventures. As the Foundation grows, this unique award is designed to have lasting benefits for the entire cattle industry as young leaders in agriculture are formed.
