Quebec producer heads national swine improvement centre

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

by SUSAN MANN

Quebec pork producer Lyse Grenier was elected chair of the Canadian Centre for Swine Improvement at the organization’s annual meeting held earlier this month in Toronto.

She replaces John Gough of Novastar Genetics in Ontario. He served as chair since June 2008.

Grenier has more than 30 years of experience in the pork industry. Grenier and her husband, Normand Audet, are commercial pig producers in the Beauce region of Quebec. She has been very involved in several other swine industry organizations including being a member of the Federation des producteurs de porcs du Quebec for 14 years.

Other members of the newly elected executive committee are: first vice-chair Phil Smith of Bodmin Swine Genetics in Ontario; second vice-chair Wim Van Berkel of the Western Swine Testing Association; Donald MacDonald of Apple Valley Farms in Prince Edward Island and Rod deWolde of BMR Genetics in Ontario.  Others serving on the 11-member board of directors are: Dan Hurnik appointed by Atlantic Swine Centre, Pierre Falardeau appointed by the Centre de developpement du porc du Quebec Inc., Keith Rasmuson appointed by Western Swine Testing Association, Line Theroux appointed by Canadian Swine Breeders Association, Claude Vielfaure appointed by Canadian Pork Council, and John Webb appointed by the Canadian Meat Council.

In other news from the annual meeting, past board chair Gough received the Brian Kennedy Memorial Award for this year. The award recognizes individuals who through their involvement in scientific research, program development or program implementation have made a significant contribution to the Canadian swine improvement program and swine industry. As a breeder, Gough has participated in numerous research projects led by or in collaboration with the swine improvement centre.

Another award presented at the annual meeting June 14 and 15 was the Swine Breeders Merit Award. It went to Jim Whitehouse. This award is given to swine breeders who have made a significant contribution to the Canadian Swine Improvement program through their leadership, achievements and participation in performance testing. Whitehouse was the manager of Pureline Swine, a breeding herd in Guelph for many years. He was also extensively involved in the swine industry and served on numerous swine industry organizations.

The swine improvement centre is a national, non-profit corporation created by the Canadian swine industry to provide leadership, coordination and services for swine genetic improvement in Canada. BF