The Beef Cattle Research Council Elects 2025-2026 Executive Committee
The Beef Cattle Research Council is directed by a committee of beef producers from across the country, representing each of the provincial producer organizations that allocate part of the Canadian Beef Cattle Check-Off to research, plus one ex-officio member.
During its December BCRC meeting held in Calgary, Alberta, the 2025-2026 executive committee was named to provide leadership for the Council over the next year.
BCRC Chair Dean Manning, Atlantic
Dean Manning, a beef producer from Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia, has been named the BCRC’s new chair. Dean and his family have a mixed farm in the Annapolis Valley near Falmouth, Nova Scotia, and they were awarded the Environmental Stewardship Award (TESA) by the Canadian Cattle Association in 2021. Farming in this unique area, alongside all forms of agriculture from greenhouses and wineries to dairy and hogs, has provided Dean with opportunities and challenges which bring insight and experience to the Council.
BCRC Vice Chair Lee Irvine, Alberta
Lee Irvine, a beef producer from Rocky View County, Alberta, has been named the BCRC’s new vice chair. To balance off-farm income and work with the cattle operation, Lee and his family focus on agility and adaptability, choosing the class of cattle they purchase and sell based on market conditions, and they work to capitalize on emerging opportunities for their farm and the lease-pasture. Not being tied to a single production stream allows the family to pivot quickly based on market conditions.
BCRC Finance Chair Melissa Atchison, Manitoba
Melissa Atchison, a beef producer from Pipestone, Manitoba, has been elected as the BCRC finance chair. Melissa, along with her family and husband’s parents, own and operate Poplarview Stock Farms, a cow-calf and backgrounding operation with 650 cows and small cash cropping operation.
Outgoing BCRC Chair Craig Lehr, Alberta
Having completed three one-year terms as the BCRC chair, Craig Lehr will remain as past chair on the Council. Craig’s family owns and operates Short Grass Ranches, a third-generation operation consisting of a 7,000-head backgrounding feedlot, a 1,200-head cow-calf operation as well as both irrigated and dryland farmland for feed and cash crop production.
Members of the Council are beef producers appointed annually by provincial organizations. While there is no limit to the number of years a Council member may be appointed to serve, executive committee terms are limited to a maximum of two one-year terms.
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