New Beef Farmers of Ontario president takes the helm

Just a reminder, you have about 28 minutes left as president,” Craig McLaughlin joked with Jack Chaffe, Beef Farmers of Ontario’s outgoing president.

McLaughlin was elected as the new president during the organization’s 62nd annual general meeting in Toronto last month.

“It’s a big role for me and big shoes to fill following Jack Chaffe,” McLaughlin said.

The Renfrew cow-calf producer and backgrounder previously served as BFO vice-president and Canadian Cattle Association director. He’s the first BFO president from his county since 1998.

“I’m big on marketing. We have a world-class product we need to show the world,” he said. “Through education, we will continue to have a better product, and our farms will be more productive. There’s never an end goal for that; we keep achieving more.”

McLaughlin is also passionate about resource preservation, soil protection and biodiversity through cattle grazing.

Jason Leblond steps in as the new vice-president and northern director. The Powassan producer is a certified engineering technologist and operates a 35-head grass-fed cow-calf operation with his family. He will serve alongside McLaughlin as a CCA director.

Don Badour, cow-calf director, and Ron Stevenson, southern director, are new to the executive.

Chaffe spent nine years on the board of directors in different capacities and will continue to serve as a BFO representative for the CCA with past-president Matt Bowman.

Tom Kroesbergen replaced Chaffe as feedlot director, and Jim Whitley and Ralph Eyre were elected as cow-calf and at-large director, respectively.

Emily Croft, Amy Reinhart and Jason Desrochers are cow-calf committee representatives; Scott Cochrane, Gordon Dibble and David Millsap were acclaimed for the feedlot committee, as was Chris Pletch as backgrounder on the feedlot committee.

McLaughlin said the board lost its “starting lineup” with the departure of Chaffe, Jason Reid and Jordan Miller, who had a combined 24 years of experience.

Miller led the diversity, equity, and inclusion committee, creating positive buzz for the industry and highlighting the importance of accepting people for who they are and appreciating what they bring to the table.

“This experience has shaped me in a lot of ways,” said Miller about his six years on the board. “It’s lifted me up in a lot of ways. It’s made me realize that we were here at the BFO; when I’m home on my home farm, we stand on the shoulders of giants.”

Miller said 20 per cent of voting delegates are Ontario Beef Youth Alliance members, which he considers a significant step in the right direction.

Reid’s conviction and values provided leadership in his northern region and at the board, where his perfect attendance, attention to detail and ability to listen made everyone pay attention when he spoke, said McLaughlin.

“Jason is a straight shooter. I always say if you can’t get along with Jason, you can’t get along with anyone. Jason is just a tremendous person inside and out.”

As much as he gave to the industry, Reid said he got as much back through exposure to experiences, leadership and learning.

“The leadership in this industry will take it forward,” said Reid. “I’m very proud to have been part of it and leave it in the amazing and capable hands that are coming behind me.”

Mentorship and skill development from involvement on a cow-calf or feedlot committee provide a strong foundation for future board members, he added.

McLaughlin said additional members are an asset.

“It’s nice to see new blood, but it also provides a whole new challenge for the board. There’s going to be a learning curve for the new people coming in.”