Board
The CCA’s producer-elected board brings a collective experience and commitment to the national table providing the leadership necessary to set the direction to propel the industry forward. Representing nine Canadian provinces and all sectors and stages of beef production, these dedicated producers carry forward this national voice at federal and international levels on matters of importance to the industry.
To learn more about our Board Members, click on the photos. We are still gathering information from our new representatives, please check back for updates.
2025–2026 Representatives
Tyler Fulton
Manitoba
President
Tyler is currently CCA’s President. He became involved with CCA as a natural extension of his work with the Manitoba Beef Producers.
Tyler feels it is important to advocate on behalf of cattle farmers and ranchers as they play a unique role in Canadian agriculture, by using a natural landscape to grow food. Tyler hopes to grow a greater awareness and support for CCA amongst farmers and ranchers while having a positive influence on improving equity and effectiveness of Business Risk Management programs in Canada. Additionally, he aims to continue shifting the global and Canadian public perception of the cattle industry towards that of responsible stewards because cattle play an important role in enhancing sustainable food production.
Learn more about Tyler’s operation and family
Tyler is the third generation on his farm and together with his wife, Dorelle, and kids Evan and Mae, they own and operate Tyton Farm Ltd, just south of Birtle, Manitoba. They run about 600 cow-calf pairs and a small backgrounding lot that they use for their own calves. The herd is a commercial herd with influence from Simmental, Red and Black Angus, and Gelbvieh. They grow hay and corn for silage and winter grazing and have a small amount of grain production that integrates well with the cattle operation. The farm consists of about 5,500 acres of owned and rented land with most of this as tame and native pasture.
The Fultons are focused on constant improvement and are quick adopters of new technology. They are certified by Verified Beef Production Plus and are proud members of the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef! Tyler is an advocate for improving soil health through the use of Adaptive Multi-Paddock (AMP) Grazing and regenerative agriculture practices. His family is focused on managing risk and are therefore strong proponents for using forage insurance and Livestock Price Insurance (LPI).
Ryan Bierbach
Saskatchewan
Vice President
Ryan is Vice President, a Director for Saskatchewan and chair of the Foreign Trade Committee. He sees the importance of producers giving their time to CCA and other boards to ensure the industry is successful now and in the future. Ryan’s goal on the CCA board is to have cattle production recognized as being important for environmental sustainability and he hopes to see ranchers receive credit for carbon sequestered and stored in our soil. Additionally, he hopes to see fair and competitive markets for feeder and fed cattle and inputs like vaccines, antibiotics, dewormers, and fly control products.
Ryan is currently the Chair of the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef. He is also the Past President of the Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association and Past Chair of the Beef Cattle Research Council. Ryan is a Canadian Cattle Young Leaders (CYL) graduate and a past CYL mentor.
Learn more about Ryan’s operation and family
Ryan runs a family farm with his wife, Tania and their three teenage children Lara, Rana, and Jace. Ryan comes from a multi-generation ranching family and Ryan and Tania bought their ranch near Whitewood, Saskatchewan in 2002. The cow herd is Black Angus-based and they use Hereford and Angus bulls. They sell most of their steers on video sales and the timing depends on feed availability. They also sell bred heifers out of the yard every fall. Their Hereford-Angus black-white face heifers are in high demand and make easy-doing, productive, fertile cows.
Ryan’s family ranch is mostly farmland that they seeded to grass and fenced for cattle. They have built a lot of single-wire cross fences and utilize Adaptive Multi Pasture Grazing. They have portable solar water troughs as well as water pipelines. In the winter, they swath graze and graze standing corn, usually until sometime in March, then feed bales and silage. Their cows then calve on pasture in May and June.
Ryan’s family also runs a ranch supply and tack store on the ranch. They sell many of the inputs that they use like forage and corn seed, electric fencing, and mineral. Ryan also works as a representative for the Southern Alberta Livestock Exchange.
Nathan Phinney
New Brunswick
Past President
Nathan Phinney, past president, initially got involved with CCA to be part of the policy making conversations in the beef industry to bring forward perspectives from his home region, the Maritimes, and share ideas on how to improve the industry. His goals are to unify the industry from coast to coast and ensure the industry’s success for the long term.
Nathan also sat on New Brunswick Cattle Producers for nearly two decades and the Maritime Beef Council for more than 15 years. Outside of the cattle industry, he coaches minor hockey.
Learn more about Nathan’s operation and family
Nathan is the third generation on the farm that was established by his grandfather. He also works closely with his wife, who also works off farm, and their three young kids. Together, they run a backgrounding feedlot where they typically feed 1,200-1,500 head. They are in the process of transitioning to a grass backgrounding operation and contracting cattle into the feedlot market. They were part of the pilot project for the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef.
One of Nathan’s main interests is health protocols for calves and ensuring good preconditioning practices. He has hosted field days on the farm with pharmaceutical companies for cow-calf producers to help teach proper practices like drug administration.
Jason LeBlond
Ontario
Officer
Jason is a Board Member representing Ontario, and is a member of both the Domestic Agriculture Policy and Regulations Committee and the Foreign Trade Committee. Jason appreciates the opportunity to represent Ontario producers at CCA and enjoys putting his skills and passion to work by helping CCA’s leadership team and staff advance policy files that are of importance to cattle producers across Canada.
Jason has been on the Beef Farmers of Ontario board for seven years and currently serves as vice president of the association. Jason also sits as first vice president of the Ontario Agriculture Commodity Council. He has been involved with his local Federation of Agriculture and local beef farmers group.
Learn more about Jason’s operation and family
Jason Leblond and his family operate a commercial grass-fed cow-calf beef farm in the Township of Chisholm, near Powassan. Since beginning his farming career in 2006, Jason has steadily expanded the operation with a goal of growing the herd to 100 cows. A Certified Engineering Technologist, Jason brings both technical expertise and practical experience to his work in agriculture. He is actively involved in the farming community, having contributed to organizations such as the East Nipissing–Parry Sound Ontario Federation of Agriculture and the Muskoka/Parry Sound/Nipissing Beef Farmers. Jason also serves as a Director with the Canadian Cattle Association, representing Beef Farmers of Ontario at the national level.
Brodie Haugan
Alberta
Officer
Brodie Haugan is chair of the Domestic Agriculture Policy and Regulations Committee, and a fifth-generation cattle producer from the southeast corner of Alberta. Brodie attended the University of Saskatchewan where he earned a Bachelor of Science in AgriBusiness (2013). Along with his parents and wife Melissa Lemmer, Brodie owns and operates a commercial cow-calf operation 40 miles south of Medicine Hat, AB, and 30 miles north of the American border, near Orion. Their operation, Haugan Land & Cattle Co. Ltd., also works with several feedlots, backgrounding, and finishing both home-raised and purchased cattle.
Brodie was an Alberta Beef Producer (ABP) delegate for 10 years, ABP Chair (2023–2025), a graduate of the Canadian Cattle Young Leaders program (2012), and a past board member of the Canadian Cattle Youth Council (2014–2016).
British Columbia
Renee Ardill
Renee is a Director and Board Member appointed by the British Columbia Cattlemen’s Association (BCCA). She is a member of the Environment, Domestic Agriculture Policy and Regulations, and Animal Health and Care Committees. Her goals are to work with her fellow board members to create awareness in the government and consumers about the value of cattle grazing on the environment. Additionally, she hopes to help find sensible and workable solutions to the care and transport of livestock.
Renee is a Past President of BCCA and currently President of the North Peace Cattlemen’s Association. Outside of the cattle industry, she is a Past President and long-time member of the Double H Saddle Club and served as arena director for her local rodeo.
Learn more about Renee’s operation and family
Renee’s grandparents settled in the Peace River Valley in 1920 and she is now the third generation on the ranch. She ranches with her brother Don, partner Karen McKean, and ranch hand and family friend Michelle Van Stam. Renee’s nephew Travis Winnicky and his family often help on the ranch as well.
They run a cow-calf operation with 350 mother cows and have a small purebred herd. They raise a few bulls for their own use and for sale. Their herd is mainly Hereford, and they use horned Hereford bulls. They have been selling calves through VJV auction both through the auction mart and on the satellite sale. Additionally, the ranch is Verified Beef Production Plus certified.
The ranch has wild range bounded by two rivers and good water. Renee is interested in learning about anything that improves the productivity and sustainability of the ranch.
Renee has a Bachelor of Physical Education from the University of British Columbia.
Brian Thomas
Brian is a third-generation rancher in Okanagan Falls. The Thomas family have a long history in cattle ranching in the South Okanagan having come to the area in 1898.
Working alongside his son-in-law and cousin, they raise 180 cow-calf pairs and 20 yearlings on the ranch.
An active volunteer, Brian has been involved in his local and regional stockmen’s associations as well as the BC Livestock Co-op board for many years. Elected as a BCCA Director in 2016, he was later elected to the roles of Vice-President and President in 2022. Brian is a second-generation President of BCCA, filling the position 50 years after his father Morrie. Now, as Past President, Brian still stays involved with external committees. He’s also served as a director for the South Okanagan Stockmen’s Association, the Grasslands Conservation Council of BC, and represents the BCCA on the BC Agriculture Council.
Brian and his wife Sandy have three daughters and five grandchildren, some of whom live on the ranch.
Alberta
Jim Bowhay
Jim Bowhay along with his wife and four children own and operate a successful mixed farming operation in the Sundre Area.
Jim has had leadership in a wide variety of organizations:
50+ years in 4-H (from a member, to a beef leader, to show and sale committee chair, to now enjoying being a mentor)
Sundre & District Agriculture Society – Current board member
Alberta Beef Producers- Delegate – Current
Livestock Identification Services: Brand Inspection (past)
– 4 years in the field as an Inspector
– Board member/Treasurer
– Board Chairman
Feeder Association of Alberta-Zone 2 Director and Vice-Chairman of Provincial Board
East Olds Feeder Association member for 37 years – current Board Chairman
Four-time Canadian Wild Cow Milking Champion – 1998, 2000, 2003, 2008
Calgary Stampede Wild Cow Milking Champion – 1998, 2001, 2002
Member of the Minister of Agriculture’s advisory committee (past)
2013 Sundre Small Business Awards, Farm Family of the Year
2019 Mountainview Farm Family Award
2019 BMO Farm Family Award at Calgary Stampede
Jim Bowhay has cultivated strong working relationship with many different levels of both municipal and provincial government officials.
Jim’s 40+ years in 4-H as a member, leader and later a mentor has given him an ability not only to speak but communicate with people whether in the work world or in the many different committees he has served on.
Jim has been a farmer/rancher his whole life and not only has a passion for the industry and its sustainability but more so the youth and how we can give them the tools to not only carry on but really succeed.
Jim is looking forward to this year sitting on the Environment and Domestic Agriculture Policy and Regulations committees.
In closing Jim prides himself in his ability of Listening to Understand not just to reply! His favorite saying is “God gave us 2 ears and 1 mouth for a reason!”
Brodie Haugan
Brodie Haugan is chair of the Domestic Agriculture Policy and Regulations Committee, and a fifth-generation cattle producer from the southeast corner of Alberta. Brodie attended the University of Saskatchewan where he earned a Bachelor of Science in AgriBusiness (2013). Along with his parents and wife Melissa Lemmer Brodie owns and operates a commercial cow-calf operation 40 miles south of Medicine Hat, AB, and 30 miles north of the American border, near Orion. Their operation, Haugan Land & Cattle Co. Ltd., also works with several feedlots, backgrounding, and finishing both home-raised and purchased cattle.
Brodie was an Alberta Beef Producer (ABP) delegate for 10 years, ABP Chair (2023–2025), a graduate of the Canadian Cattle Young Leaders program (2012), and a past board member of the Canadian Cattle Youth Council (2014–2016).
Craig Lehr
Craig was born and raised near Medicine Hat where he farms and ranches alongside his parents, brother and his family as well his wife Nicole (who keeps the office in check and him in line) along with their two kids. Craig is the third generation on the family operation which began in 1951. Short Grass Ranches operations include a backgrounding feedlot, cow calf as well as irrigated and dryland farming.
Industry involvement includes being involved with Alberta Beef Producers for the past 7 years and am now the past chair of the BCRC.
Chad Meunier
Chad Meunier was elected as a CCA director in 2026 and is a member of the Domestic Agriculture and Foreign Trade committees. He currently sits on the Alberta Cattle Feeders Board as well. Chad is passionate about the beef industry and is a strong advocate for all sectors of production. He felt it was time to devote his time and energy to the beef industry at a national level.
Chad is a fourth-generation farmer from Barrhead, Alberta, where he runs a diversified operation with his wife Stacey and four children as well as a dedicated staff. They run an extensive cow calf operation with a strong focus on grazing management and regenerative farming both in the growing season and winter months. He has a feedlot and finishes all his own progeny as well purchasing outside cattle.
Their farm vision is “Thriving Plants, Animals and People” and it guides all decisions. Recently Chad and his family have started a direct-to-consumer beef business. Chad enjoys mentoring youth and new entrants to our industry.
Graham Overguard
Graham was elected to the CCA board in 2023 representing Alberta Beef Producers and the Western Stock Growers Association (WSGA). He is a member of the Foreign Trade and Environment Committees. Graham got involved with CCA to advocate for the beef industry, the cow-calf sector, and family-run farms and ranches. His goals on the CCA board are to effect positive change for the beef industry with common sense solutions.
Graham has been on the board of directors of the WSGA since 2020 and has been President of WSGA since 2022. In 2014, Graham was elected President of the James River Community Association, a position he still holds to this day. He served on the board of directors of Friends of the Eastern Slopes from 2019 until the spring of 2023.
Learn more about Graham’s operation and family
Graham is a fifth-generation rancher from the James River area (Northwest of Sundre Alberta). While growing up, Graham was fortunate enough to work with cattle and in the field, alongside his father Dennis and grandfather George Overguard for many years.
Together with his father, Graham runs 230 commercial cow-calf pairs that are primarily Simmental-Angus cross cows, and 50 yearling heifers. Graham remains a committed and outspoken advocate for the beef industry. In particular, the cow-calf sector. He is and always will be a proud Albertan. They utilize rotational grazing and solar-powered seasonal watering systems.
Brayden Schmidt
Brayden is a board member for Alberta and member of the Domestic Agriculture and Animal Health and Care Committees. Brayden got involved with the CCA through the Canadian Cattle Youth Council where he is currently president. He is also a past Canadian Cattle Young Leaders mentee. Brayden believes it is important to have representation from the younger generation as they play a large role in the industry’s future.
Brayden was born and raised in Lumsden, SK and now resides near Didsbury, AB with his wife Andie and their son Traig. Brayden graduated from Olds College with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Agribusiness degree and now works for Bullseye Feeds as a Beef Nutrition Consultant. Brayden also works alongside Andie’s family at their farming operation Westway Farms Ltd; an operation which consists of Simmental and Angus purebred and commercial cow/calf pairs, a small feed yard, and pedigree grain seed production. Being involved in the community regarding agriculture and the cattle industry is a priority, which has also led Brayden to sit on the Breed Improvement Committee for the Canadian Simmental Association.
Miles Wowk
Miles is a Board Member for Alberta and member of the Animal Health and Care and Environment Committees. Miles got involved in CCA because he felt cattle producers needed a stronger voice with government especially regarding animal health and the environment. Miles’ goals on the board surround emergency preparedness, especially regarding Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and he is excited we are making some headway on that topic and collaborating with the hog industry.
Miles is also on the Verified Beef Production Plus (VBP+) Management Committee and North Saskatchewan Water Shed Alliance representing agriculture. He also donates his time to various charity auctions and 4-H sales.
Learn more about Miles’ operation and family
Miles is the fourth generation on the farm run by himself, his wife Melanie, and children and their partners. The farm consists of 250 red and black Simmental and red and black Angus cows. The farm is Verified Beef Production Plus and Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef certified. They make use of rotational grazing and solar-powered water pumps with a well every mile to ensure cattle always have fresh water.
Unique to their ranch, Miles’ wife Melanie is a Veterinarian which helps them greatly on the animal health front at home. They also breed 70 mares and market ranch, pleasure and team horses including exporting many to the United States.
Miles has been an auctioneer for 38 years with sales all over North America for cattle, horses, equipment and vehicles.
Saskatchewan
Garner Deobald
Garner Deobald
Lynn Grant
Lynn is a Board Member for Saskatchewan and member of the Environment and Domestic Agriculture Policy and Regulations Committees. He got involved in CCA under the realization that the government needs coaching in developing policy that affects the agriculture sector and he hopes to provide the government with recommendations on good policy.
Lynn is previously a Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association President and a Beef Cattle Research Council Beef Research Mentorship program Mentor.
Learn more about Lynn’s operation and family
Lynn farms with his brother and some staff at Val Marie in southwestern Saskatchewan on their mixed cattle and grain farm. The herd consists of 700 mixed-breed commercial cows. The farm is Verified Beef Production Plus Certified.
Lynn is a soil health enthusiast and is interested in learning how to make initiatives taken to improve soil more profitable to encourage more producers to use environmentally sustainable practices.
Karla Hicks
Karla and her husband, Jason ranch at Parkbeg, Saskatchewan. They have a cow/calf, background and grass operation. They also finish specialized cattle and market them through their own frozen branded beef product—Bluestone Home Grown Angus Beef.
Their children and spouses are the fifth generation of Hicks to ranch and work alongside Karla and her husband. The sixth generation with grandson Walker and granddaughters Evie Anne and Steelie has joined the family.
Karla is currently chair of the CCA Environment Committee, chair of Sask VBP+, a member of the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef Policy and Framework Committee, and a board member of the Saskatchewan Farmland Security Board. Her past experience also includes serving as a director and past chair of Saskatchewan Cattle Feeders Association, Director at Large for Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association, Chair of Saskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action Plan, board member of Saskatchewan Angus Association, as well as many years with 4-H as a member and a Leader of the Moose Jaw 4-H Beef Club. Her most memorable time was on the Canadian Beef Export Federation before it evolved into Canada Beef with the Canadian Cattle Association. Her experience there was priceless–learning about Canada’s role internationally and sharing time with international counterparts including many from Asia. Hearing how they loved and wanted Canada’s product was heart warming to her and proved over and over again that Canadian beef producers were on the right path.
Karla and Jason have hit every major market crash, black swan and weather event possible since 1995, but in the midst of it all, they tried to find a way to work for industry and to share their resilient ranching story.
They have developed excellent working relationships with Ducks Unlimited Canada, Nature Conservancy, South of the Divide Conservation Action Program and other conservation agencies whose plans and goals align with theirs.
In 2015, Karla and her husband were humbled to receive Saskatchewan’s The Environmental Stewardship Award (TESA). They always look for ways to or share awareness by volunteering their ranch for videos, tours or demos. Recently they participated in the videos the SK Cattlemen’s Association’s Dome event, sharing our ranching story and beef production with school age children. They also offer ranch tours to the University of Saskatchewan for land research projects and Beef Science tours.
Philip Lynn
Philip is a representative for the Saskatchewan Cattle Association on the board and a member of the Animal Health and Care and Domestic Agriculture Policy and Regulations Committees. He got involved with CCA to assist in maintaining a viable and competitive Canadian beef industry, hoping to be part of the solution to many industry issues. Philip’s goals are to allow our beef producers to be competitive within national and international markets with common sense policies and regulations.
Philip is currently on the Saskatchewan Cattle Feeders Association (SCFA). He is also a past District Representative and past SCFA rep on the Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association. He is currently a member of the Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association and Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association. Additionally, he is an alumnus of the Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers Program.
Learn more about Philip’s operation and family
With a strong partnership of family and like-minded partners, Philip has a ranching, farming, and feedlot operation near Moose Jaw, SK. Philip runs a diversified operation covering all aspects of beef production from cow-calf to backgrounding and from grass cattle to finish cattle. They are also involved in grain farming and trucking. He is a third-generation beef producer and farmer and is now proud to support the next generation in their beef production and farming operations.
Beef production has always been front and centre of Philip’s interests. He feels the biggest challenge of the future is the declining knowledge of animal health in our labour force. He is really interested in how new technology will address education challenges and labour shortages in the beef industry.
Manitoba
Matthew Atkinson
Matthew Atkinson
Byron Falk
Byron Falk
Arvid Nottveit
Arvid is a Board Member elected in 2022 representing Manitoba and serves on the Food Policy and Domestic Agriculture Policy and Regulations Committees. He is passionate about helping producers focus on transition planning and has a special interest in business risk management.
He volunteers locally on the Manitoba Beef Producers, Homebrook-Peonan Point Council, Interlake Cattle Cooperative. Arvid also sits on his local church Council and is a volunteer firefighter. His wife and family ranch on Peonan Point as the Tribar Ranching Company.
Their 350 cow-calf operation is located on the north end of Lake Manitoba, an area that experienced a large flood in 2011. Arvid recalls many local producers coming to his assistance to help him through the disaster and sees serving on the CCA Board as a way of repaying those Manitoba producers who helped him.
Ontario
Don Badour
Donald Badour is a Board Member representing Beef Farmers of Ontario, and a member of the Foreign Trade Committee, as well as the Food Policy Committee. As a new member to CCA, Don looks forward to getting to know the organization and being able to contribute wherever he can.
Don is a Cow-Calf Director on the BFO Board, as well as the current BFO Vice President. Je is a longtime director on the Lanark County Beef Farmers board, current chair of the Ontario Agricultural Commodity Council, current chair of the CRSB Certified Framework Committee and current chair of Canadian Sustainable Beef Framework Canada.
He farms along with his wife Barb, and their two teenage boys, Logan and Lucas in Lanark County in Eastern Ontario. They run a cow-calf operation, cash crop corn and soybeans and provide custom no-till planting and custom combining services. Don also transports livestock throughout Ontario.
Matt Bowman
Matt Bowman
Don Hargrave
Don Hargrave, with his brother and family, operate a fourth-generation beef farm in Grey County. The family maintains 100 purebred Black Angus cows, sells 20-25 bulls and 30 females per year, and finishes the balance for a branded beef program. They also grow grain crops, hay forage crops, and pasture. Don is a director with the Grey County Beef Farmers, chairperson of the Grey Dufferin Community Pasture, president with the Ontario Association of Community Pastures, and past director of the Ontario Angus Association. Don currently represents BFO as a board member with the Canadian Cattle Association and the Canadian Cattle Identification Agency.
Jason LeBlond
Jason is a Board Member representing Ontario, and is a member of both the Domestic Agriculture Policy and Regulations Committee and the Foreign Trade Committee. Jason appreciates the opportunity to represent Ontario producers at CCA and enjoys putting his skills and passion to work by helping CCA’s leadership team and staff advance policy files that are of importance to cattle producers across Canada.
Jason has been on the Beef Farmers of Ontario board for seven years and currently serves as vice president of the association. Jason also sits as first vice president of the Ontario Agriculture Commodity Council. He has been involved with his local Federation of Agriculture and local beef farmers group.
Learn more about Jason’s operation and family
Jason Leblond and his family operate a commercial grass-fed cow-calf beef farm in the Township of Chisholm, near Powassan. Since beginning his farming career in 2006, Jason has steadily expanded the operation with a goal of growing the herd to 100 cows. A Certified Engineering Technologist, Jason brings both technical expertise and practical experience to his work in agriculture. He is actively involved in the farming community, having contributed to organizations such as the East Nipissing–Parry Sound Ontario Federation of Agriculture and the Muskoka/Parry Sound/Nipissing Beef Farmers. Jason also serves as a Director with the Canadian Cattle Association, representing Beef Farmers of Ontario at the national level.
Quebec
Sylvain Bourque
Sylvain Bourque
Kirk Jackson
Kirk represents Quebec on the board, is chair of the Food Policy Committee, and a member of the Foreign Trade Committee. Kirk got involved in CCA when Les Producteurs des bovins du Quebec (PBQ) rejoined CCA. He saw the benefits of having a truly national organization and felt that both groups had a lot to offer each other. His goals on the board are to get all sectors in agriculture working together to be a more united front when working with government.
Kirk is also a member of the executive for Les Producteurs de bovins du Québec and a 4-H leader for 10 years.
Learn more about Kirk’s operation and family
Kirk is the second generation on his farm and his succession planning has allowed him to take over the majority ownership of the farm from his parents. The farm consists of 90 dairy cows and he finishes all 90 calves each year. He is currently using a beef-on-dairy breeding program, breeding his Holstein cows to Angus bulls which allows him to add more value and performance to his calves. In the future, Kirk is interested in implanting straight beef embryos in his Holstein cow to add even more value to his feedlot operation.
Kirk has a three-year diploma in Farm Management Technology
New Brunswick
Spencer Acton
Spencer Acton
Nova Scotia
Chris Sears
Chris is a board member with the Canadian Cattle Association, representing producers in Nova Scotia. His involvement with CCA is rooted in a strong commitment to the beef industry and a desire to contribute to discussions that support its long-term sustainability and success. Through his role, he brings a practical, producer-focused perspective to industry priorities and decision-making.
Chris is also a director with Nova Scotia Cattle Producers and is actively involved in his community, serving as President of the SCMHA Hockey Association and coaching youth hockey. He and his wife raise their three children on their farm, where family and agriculture are closely connected.
Chris owns and operates a beef operation based in Stewiacke, Nova Scotia. He purchased the farm in 2010, establishing a 50 head cow-calf operation. Expanding his operation, he acquired a second farm in River John, where he manages crop production and utilizes the land for summer pasture to support herd growth.
In addition to farming, Chris works full-time with Tidal Tractor, an equipment dealership, bringing valuable industry insight and hands-on experience to both his professional and agricultural roles. He is passionate about strengthening the connection between producers and industry and supporting the ongoing sustainability of cattle operations in Nova Scotia.
Prince Edward Island
Kevin Simmons
Kevin is a Board Member representing Prince Edward Island Cattle Producers (PEICP). He is a member of the Domestic Agriculture Policy and Regulations and Food Policy committees. Kevin’s involvement with CCA stems from him wanting to learn more about the opportunities and challenges in the beef industry and contributing to help make some positive changes for the benefit of cattle producers.
Kevin sits as a director for the PEICP and is a past Chair for PEICP. His community involvement includes sitting on the boards of his local Co-Op and a local community pasture, and being a 4-H leader for over 20 years.
Learn more about Kevin’s operation and family
Kevin owns and operates Wilsim Farms, which was established in 1993 as a cow-calf operation with 100 head. Kevin started finishing his own calves in 1997 and it grew to a 250 head feedlot by 2003. The farm started with mixed commercial breeds and changed to mostly black breeds by 2012. He currently uses three Black Simmental Bulls and calves 65 cows in April and May with the remaining 40 cows calving in August and September. Kevin uses no barns for the cow-calf portion of his operation; only the feedlot operation uses barns. The farm has been Verified Beef Production Plus certified since the program began.
In addition to the farm, Kevin has a trucking service that specializes in delivering dairy cull cows and finished beef animals to the local beef plant on PEI. Kevin is particularly interested in sustainability, nutrition, marketing, and soil health.