July 1, 2010

Canadian cattle producers plan national mentorship programme

Canada's national cattle producers' group plan to test-run a nationwide mentorship initiative for young producers with a pilot programme in Alberta starting in July.

The Canadian Cattlemen's Association (CCA) recently rolled out its new Cattlemen's Young Leaders (CYL) Development Programme, expected to provide industry-specific training and mentorship opportunities to producers between the ages of 18 and 35.

The programme is meant to help provide younger producers with the expertise and business acumen necessary to sustain the cattle industry into the future. The CYL programme will be rolled out nationally following completion of the pilot phase in Alberta, with six Alberta producers participating, supported by Alberta Beef Producers.

The province's Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency (ALMA) is on board as a "major funder" of the CYL programme through its Industry Development Programme, with an investment of CAD198,900 (US$189,000).

The CYL programme will offer a combination of formal and informal mentorship opportunities to learn from leaders in the beef cattle industry as well as from other youth organisations with a focus on mentorship.

The CCA said its project is meant to set in motion a generation focused on optimising opportunities for beef cattle producers, by offering two types of mentorship: an industry leader mentorship programme, and a professional mentorship programme.

Under the CYL's industry leader mentorship programme, eligible producers can choose to be mentored by beef industry leaders from the CCA, including board members and committee chairs, and participate in CCA committees and conferences.

Participants in the professional mentorship programme would be exposed to direct mentoring with select cattle industry individuals and professionals in a beef-related profession, such as a cattle operator, pharmaceutical representative or veterinarian.

On successful completion of a mentorship, a qualified participant can apply to the CCA's international partnership programme, offering opportunities to represent Canada's beef industry at international forums such as the Five Nations Beef Alliance held recently in New Zealand.