Several forage industry stakeholders, producers, and researchers came together at the Saskatchewan Forage Council Annual General Meeting in Saskatoon, SK on July 26, 2016. The day was planned in conjunction with the Saskatchewan Forage Seed Development Commission’s summer field tour. The event featured a tour of the University of Saskatchewan’s Kernen Farm forage plots as well as a tour of the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Saskatoon Research and Development Centre.
The day concluded with the announcement of the 2016 Forage Industry Innovation Award, which was presented to Dr. Paul Jefferson. “It is an honour to be recognized by the industry and I am very grateful to the nominators and to the Saskatchewan Forage Council Board of Directors,” said Jefferson. Jefferson, who has had a successful forage research career that has spanned over three decades, initially became interested in alfalfa breeding and genetics as a student at the University of Guelph. After a Master’s Degree, he came to Saskatchewan in 1981 where he started working at what is now the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Swift Current Research and Development Centre. Interested in drought-resistant forages, he obtained his PhD at Utah State University. “When I returned to Swift Current in 1987, I had the tools to conduct research in a number of areas related to forage and range in Saskatchewan, depending on the needs and issues in the industry,” he explained.
Jefferson has always been a great advocate for forage and uses every opportunity he can to raise awareness of the value and importance of forage and range to the livestock industries in Saskatchewan and Canada. In 2007, Jefferson moved to the Western Beef Development Centre at Lanigan, SK, where he is currently their Vice President of Operations.
The day also included the Saskatchewan Forage Council Board Meeting, where Dave Kerr was elected as the new president. Kerr, who is a forage and beef producer from Lashburn, SK, is prepared to take on the role. “I’m definitely looking forward to the challenge. I think the Saskatchewan Forage Council is playing a prominent role in forages and research in the province,” Kerr said recently.
To read the full press release, click here.
Posted August 21, 2016
