Alberta Lamb Producers held its first province-wide Annual General Meeting on November 3 in Leduc. There was a great turnout, with close to 90 producers and 30 guests taking in the day.
Alberta's Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Andre Corbould, gave warmly received opening remarks. The ALP business meeting followed, with Shannon Troke (King and Company Chartered Accountants) reviewing the 2017/18 financial statements, and ALP board members presenting the 2018/19 budget and ALP activity update (download the Annual Report now or from the ALP website).
Brief addresses were given by Annemarie Pedersen, Executive Director of Alberta Farm Animal Care and Bernadette Nikkel regarding the Alberta Sheep Breeders Association 2019 Symposium (view poster). ALP looks forward to continuing communications with both of these organizations.
Marc Carere, Chair of the National Sheep Network and Ontario Sheep Farmers, gave an update of recent National Sheep Network activities. ALP wishes to thank both Mr. Carere and Pierre Lessard of Les Éleveurs d'ovins du Québec for attending our AGM, and for the on-going collaboration of OSF and LEOQ as NSN partner organizations.
In-person votes cast at the meeting, together with those received through mail-in voting, resulted in a record number of ballots for an ALP director election. Darlene Stein was re-elected for her second three-year term. Marilyn Neville was elected for her first term, after joining the board as an appointed director in December 2017. Newly elected directors, Karl Denwood and Ryan Greir, are warmly welcomed to the board. The remainder of the 2018/19 Board is filled by current directors Elaine Neale, Erin Yaremko and Lianne Read.
ALP extends a sincere thank-you to outgoing directors, Scott Vuylsteke and Neil Caskey, for their time and efforts while serving on the board.
Producers were given time during the business meeting to share ideas about what they would like to see ALP work on in the future. This direction will be instrumental as the board develops a new strategic plan for the organization in 2019.
Rounding out the day were informative presentations by a great line-up of guest speakers:
Dr. Paula Menzies: New Developments in Parasite Management and Sheep Health & Induction of Estrus in Sheep – In and Out of Season
Dr. Wiolene Nordi & Dr. Karen Schwartzkopf-Genswein: Incidence & Characterization of Feedlot Lambs & Ewe Flock Lameness in Alberta
Dr Keith Lehman & Dr. Phil Buote: Antimicrobial Use and Antimicrobial Resistance
Gary Alexander: North American Lamb Company: Building an Integrated Value Chain
Copies of these presentations are posted on the AGM website page.
The AGM is only one day - we want to hear from you throughout the year! ALP is YOUR producer organization. Communicating with directors and staff will ensure you are getting the most from your check-off dollars. If you ever have concerns, comments, tips on what we can do better - or just want to say hello - please feel free to contact the directors or the office for a chat. Director and staff contact information is available on the ALP website and in every N'ewesletter.
AGM Sponsors
A final note of appreciation to the sponsors that helped make our AGM a success!
View our list of sponsors on the ALP AGM page.