UNews - agribusiness

AGILITY Innovation Summit to feature agriculture industry leaders

trevor.kenney — Tue, 07 Feb 2017 22:32:03 +0000

Agriculture industry leaders will gather at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, Feb. 9-10, for the annual AGILITY Innovation Summit: Future of Food.

This student-focused event features industry experts who will address key topics such as the explosive growth in agriculture, food production and technology-related sectors. Through a series of panel discussions and networking sessions, students will learn about innovation in agriculture, the impact of big data, food processing and the value chain, sustainable farming and current trends in investment and financing related to food and agriculture.

“One of the things I always valued while going to school was actually hearing from real people in the industry about what’s going on. They live and breathe it every day and bring a real-world component of what’s happening now in the industry,” says Remi Schmaltz (BMgt ’06), CEO & Director at Decisive Farming.

Schmaltz will be joined by fellow industry leaders such as Mark Thompson, Vice-President Strategy at Agrium, Tom Burke, Senior Investment Advisor at Canaccord Genuity Wealth Management, Preet Marwaha, Executive Vice-President of Hempco Canada Superfoods, Colin Rush, COO, Agriculture Division at Cleanseed Capital Group, among others.

“I think it’s a great event in terms of connecting industry with students and bridging that gap,” adds Schmaltz. “We’re always looking for good people at Decisive, so that’s an element that interests us, and I always learn things at these events from the other panelists. If you’re not out talking with other people, you’re not learning.”

Schmaltz grew up in Beiseker, Alta. and found his way to the U of L seeking both a smaller community and school atmosphere. His student experience, which featured occasional trips to Castle Mountain, fit him perfectly and he’s always eager to return to campus to help the next generation of students. He currently lives in Banff while Decisive Farming’s head office is located in Irricana, Alta.

A two-day conference, the AGILITY Innovation Summit also offers students a chance to tour local agriculture businesses to get a better sense of the innovative initiatives that are happening close to home.

“It’s important to recognize that agriculture is a key part of our regional identity and a driver of economic growth,” says the U of L’s Tyler Heaton (BFA ’15), manager of AGILITY. “This conference will expose students to the challenges and opportunities that exist in the agribusiness space, while inspiring them through direct access to the leaders who are driving this growth.”

Schmaltz says that is an important message to send to political leaders and the rest of the province.

“There’s a lot of talk about innovation and diversification in our economy these days and this event brings awareness to the innovation that exists right now,” he says. “Hopefully the government recognizes that there is a thriving agribusiness sector here, one that is distinct from oil and gas, that should be fostered to grow.”

A complete schedule for the AGILITY Innovation Summit, along with featured speakers and bios, can be found here: http://www.agility-ulethbridge.ca/.

Agriculture leader Cor Van Raay to receive U of L Honorary Degree

trevor.kenney — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 15:15:51 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Senate is honoured to announce it is recognizing Alberta agriculture innovator and entrepreneur Cor Van Raay with a 2015 Honorary Degree.

“Cor Van Raay has meant so much to agriculture and the world of agribusiness in southern Alberta, and we are thrilled to highlight his contributions to the region with an honorary degree,” says ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Chancellor Janice Varzari. “His entrepreneurial spirit is truly unique and has established his operations as an industry leader. Beyond that, Cor Van Raay has always been committed to bettering his community through charity, philanthropy and the furthering of education.”

Over the course of the last 50 years, Cor Van Raay has built one of the largest and most successful cattle production and feedlot operations in the country.

The U of L will present Cor Van Raay with the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, at the Fall 2015 Convocation ceremony on Saturday, October 17, 2015 at 10 a.m. in the 1st Choice Savings Centre for Sport and Wellness.

Cor Van Raay

Agricultural innovator and entrepreneur Cor Van Raay has made a significant impact on farming, ranching and livestock production in Alberta.

Originally from Holland, Van Raay began farming in Iron Springs, Alta. 50 years ago with a half-section of cropland and a small herd of Holstein cattle. Since then, he has built one of the largest and most successful cattle production and feedlot operations in the country. His agriculture endeavours over the last five decades have included co-founding a grain company in the 1980s, and becoming a majority owner of a highly successful John Deere dealership.

His big-picture thinking, intellectual curiosity and strong work ethic have not only enabled him to greatly advance Cor Van Raay Farms, but to do so in an ecologically sustainable fashion. Today he is recognized as a leader in the agriculture industry and his noteworthy achievements in cattle farming have earned him accolades such as a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Alberta Cattle Feeders Association and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.

Van Raay’s passion for agribusiness is not confined to the borders of his farmstead. His vision is a future where agriculture, an enterprise on which the southern Alberta economy was established, continues to be an attractive career option for young people. Further, he seeks to ensure that agriculture, regardless of the size of the operation, remains a significant force in our economy. Early in 2015, he gave the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and Lethbridge College $5 million to jointly establish the Cor Van Raay Southern Alberta Agribusiness Program. Designed to provide leading-edge training in agribusiness practices, the program will focus on agricultural economics, entrepreneurship and innovation.

Van Raay’s commitment to community is further reflected by his many other philanthropic gifts and charitable activities. Over the years, he has made generous donations to organizations such as the Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation, the Helen Schuler Nature Centre, the Interfaith Food Bank Society of Lethbridge and the YMCA.

In addition, he has funded a number of scholarships at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, including the Cor Van Raay AGILITY Scholarship in Agriculture and Agribusiness, and two Faculty of Management scholarships, including one that was created in memory of his late wife, Christine, who passed away in 2006.

Cor Van Raay Agribusiness Case Competition now accepting student registrations

trevor.kenney — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 15:59:53 +0000

Student participants are now being sought for the inaugural Cor Van Raay Agribusiness Case Competition, a unique new venture presented collaboratively by the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and Lethbridge College.

A student-directed initiative, the competition is designed for students to expand their knowledge in the areas of agriculture and business on a global scale, all the while introducing students to key players in the agribusiness sector. The competition is scheduled to run Nov. 6-8, 2015.

“It’s an amazing opportunity for students to gain practical experience in finding ways to improve agriculture practices by implementing modern business theories in an agricultural setting,” says ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge management student Monica Gorham, one of the event organizers. “It’s also a huge networking event, a chance for students to get to know future employers and for event sponsors to meet potential employees.”

Bringing students from both of the area’s post-secondary institutions together for the competition is a natural fit and speaks to the manner in which the schools’ programs complement each other.

The inaugural event will primarily include undergraduate students from the U of L and Lethbridge College. Teams of three to four students will be presented with a written business problem and given four hours to analyze and solve. Teams then present their findings to a panel of judges, often made up of ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, industry sponsors and the community at large.

The competition is open to all students at either the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge or Lethbridge College and students can register as an individual. It is not necessary to have a background in agriculture or business but they are considered strengths.

For more information on the Cor Van Raay Agribusiness Case Competition, and to register, visit uleth.ca/management/agribusinesscase. The registration deadline is Oct. 16, 2015.

Industry sponsors for the event include Cor Van Raay, MNP, Scotiabank, MacLachlan McNab Hembroff, Viterra, Cargill, Dow AgroSciences, Lethbridge Exhibition Park, FarmLink Marketing Solutions, Lethbridge County, Economic Development Lethbridge and UFA.

Any further sponsors looking to get involved in the competition are urged to contact Gorham at 403-382-8101 or agribusinesscase@uleth.ca.

Business of agriculture to be the focus of Cor Van Raay Agribusiness Case Competition

trevor.kenney — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 16:23:56 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and Lethbridge College are collaborating on a new venture that will present a challenge to students and begin to lay the foundation for the future of agribusiness in southern Alberta. The Cor Van Raay Agribusiness Case Competition, scheduled for Nov. 6-8, 2015, is the first of its kind in western Canada.

Bringing students from both of the area’s post-secondary institutions together for the competition is a natural fit and speaks to the manner in which the schools’ programs complement each other.

“Southern Alberta is an ideal location for this competition,” says Dr. Danny LeRoy, agricultural economist and coordinator of the agricultural studies program at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge. “Agribusiness is of local and global importance, encompassing a wide range of activities that are ultimately aimed at meeting the needs for food, feed, fibre and fuel. From farm gate to consumer, entrepreneurs are continuously responding to an ever-changing, consumer-driven marketplace.”

Bringing students from both of the area’s post-secondary institutions together for the competition is a natural fit and speaks to the manner in which the schools’ programs complement each other.

“Lethbridge College is delighted to partner with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge in this first annual competition, made possible through the generous support of Cor Van Raay,” says Chair, School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, Lethbridge College, Dr. Edith Olson. “This competition will allow students to apply theory to find practical solutions to real-world business problems, and will provide students with the skills employers are looking for. The competition is an example of the strong interrelationship between programs at Lethbridge College and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.”

Business case competitions have been commonplace for years but only recently has an agricultural component been incorporated.

Gorham, who is in her fourth year of studies and set to graduate in December, is a veteran of case competitions. She was part of a four-person team that included fellow organizer Phyllis MacCallum that claimed first place at the 3rd Annual International Agribusiness Case Competition at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Guelph in 2014. That led to a trip to South Africa for a world competition and thoughts of bringing an agribusiness case competition out west.

“When we were in South Africa, the Cor Van Raay gift to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and Lethbridge College was announced and we thought that maybe we now had a way to try and start something here,” says Gorham.

The inaugural event is scheduled for Nov. 6-8, 2015 and will primarily include undergraduate students from the U of L and Lethbridge College. Teams of four to five persons will be presented with a written business problem and given four hours to analyze and solve. Teams then present their findings to a panel of judges, often made up of ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, industry sponsors and the community at large.

“It really gives students the opportunity to apply theoretical material they learn in class to practical uses in areas of agriculture, natural resources and general business,” says Gorham.

The competition is open to all students and they can register as a group or individually. At least one agriculture student per team is required and Gorham advises a business student be included as well. Registration details will be announced in the fall.

“It’s amazing that through my experience in the competitions, how many doors have opened for me,” she adds. “Not being from an agriculture background, I’d always thought of agriculture as the family farm and it’s definitely opened my eyes.”

The cases for the competition will be mined from an online bank of business cases and tailored to include an agriculture element. Examples could include a scenario where a middle-sized corporation is looking to expand its operation, or the father of a family farm is retiring and has to design a succession plan for his business.

Industry sponsors for the event include Cor Van Raay, MNP, Scotiabank, MacLachlan McNab Hembroff, Viterra, Cargill and UFA.

Cor Van Raay gives $5 million in support of ag studies at ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and Lethbridge College

trevor.kenney — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 21:54:59 +0000

One of southern Alberta’s most prominent agricultural entrepreneurs is ensuring that the future of agribusiness and the agricultural sector remain strong through a major philanthropic gift that will benefit students at both the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and Lethbridge College.

Cor Van Raay, left, and U of L President and Vice-chancellor, Dr. Mike Mahon. Van Raay's gift ensures that the future of agribusiness and the agricultural sector remains strong in Canada and beyond.

Cor Van Raay, the founder of Cor Van Raay Farms and a leading Canadian cattle producer, has donated $5 million to Lethbridge College and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, jointly, to establish the Cor Van Raay Southern Alberta Agribusiness Program.

“This is an incredible gift, and we are extremely grateful to Cor and his passion for agriculture and his commitment to southern Alberta,” says ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge President and Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Mike Mahon. “Through the establishment of this program, we will be able to create student opportunities such that we educate future generations in agribusiness practices that enable them to successfully operate wide ranging businesses in the agricultural sector.”

Through the Cor Van Raay Southern Alberta Agribusiness Program, a joint program offered by the College and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ will be created, focusing on agriculture-related education opportunities in the areas of Ag-economics, business development, entrepreneurship, finance, human resource management, commodity and futures trading, and general management and leadership with a focus on agricultural innovation.

“Mr. Cor Van Raay is a philanthropist, a lifelong learner, an innovator and a collaborator,” says Lethbridge College President and CEO, Dr. Paula Burns. “His collaborative nature is seen in the structure of this gift, which will allow Lethbridge College and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge to create a unique partnership to meet the educational needs of agricultural professions for future generations.”

Van Raay and his late wife, Christine, settled in the Iron Springs area of southern Alberta in the early 1960s. The couple purchased a half section of cropland, to which Cor added a small herd of Holstein cattle in 1966.

By the 1970s, the Van Raays were growing grain and sugar beets and, as their cattle numbers grew, began to establish what would become one of the country’s most successful cattle operations.

In the early 1980s, Cor co-founded Butte Grain Merchants and continued to build his cattle business with an increasing emphasis on sustainable business practices. Around the same time, Cor became a majority owner of a very successful southern Alberta John Deere dealership from which he recently retired. Cor has now shifted his focus to a new farming operation he’s establishing in Saskatchewan.

The $5 million gift will be shared jointly between the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and Lethbridge College, establishing endowed student awards, academic programming, an Agriculture Entrepreneur in Residence (Lethbridge College) and an Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program (��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge).

“In partnership with Lethbridge College and the U of L, this gift will help position southern Alberta as a leader in the agricultural industry,” says Van Raay. “I’m really looking forward to the future.”

Program Details

$1 million for endowed student awards ($500,000 each to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and Lethbridge College)

$2 million for academic programming ($1 million each to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and Lethbridge College)

$1 million for an Agriculture Entrepreneur in Residence program at Lethbridge College. Visiting experts and successful agricultural business leaders will be welcomed into the program as Agriculture Entrepreneurs in Residence to create opportunities for students at the College and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ to gain practical, real-world experience while generating impacts for existing agriculture operations and businesses

$1 million for an Innovation and Entrepreneurship program at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge. This funding will be part of THINC (The Home for Innovative New Companies) and will be used to establish a 12-week course on business development and entrepreneurship, supported by agriculture mentors and entrepreneur mentors for students who have an innovative idea or concept that they would like to turn into potential business opportunities.

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