Last week, the Cattlemen’s Young Leaders Mentorship Program hosted its Spring Forum event with a virtual twist. Program participants, aged 18-35 from across Canada and involved in various aspects of the beef industry, connected online for a series of training and networking sessions to build their skills and stronger relationships amongst their peers.
On Tuesday, June 1, the Spring Forum kicked off with a Beef Advocacy Training session with Canadian Cattlemen’s Association Stakeholder Engagement Specialist, Lynsay Beavers. Through this interactive session, participants received helpful tools and strategies to amplify the positive story of the Canadian beef industry on topics such as nutrition and the environment. The second day of the Forum included a “Cattle Marketing 101- Perspectives from Canfax” training session on Wednesday, June 2. CYLs heard from Canfax Manager and Senior Analyst, Brian Perillat, and engaged with their thoughtful questions about the current market outlook and strategies for marketing their livestock.
Following the Cattle Marketing 101 session, the evening featured a highly anticipated Spring Forum tradition, the Sponsor Reception. It was an exciting event for the next generation of industry leaders to network with various stakeholders from our generous program sponsors through Zoom breakout room sessions. Thank you to our CYL Program Foundation Partners Cargill, MNP and McDonald’s, and our Gold Sponsors Alltech, Farm Credit Canada, New Holland and RBC Future Launch for their continued support of young leaders in the Canadian beef industry.
On Thursday, June 3, the Forum wrapped up with the Grand Finale virtual “Taste & Terroir- Steak and Wine Pairing” event. The event was led by one of this year’s CYL mentor and mentee pairs, Chef Mathieu Paré, who is the Canadian Beef Centre of Excellence Executive Director, and CYL Claye Harsany. By connecting online and following along in their own kitchens, CYLs cooked up a delicious tenderloin steak with peppercorn sauce meal to pair with a wine and learn about the attributes that make Canadian beef a world leader on the global stage.
(Left) Chef Mathieu Paré and CYL Claye Harsany leading a steak cooking and wine pairing demonstration. (Right) CYLs show off their impressive creations they prepared from the comfort of their own homes.
Please stay tuned for exciting news coming later this month when the CYL semi-finalists for the 2021-2022 program year will be announced.