Meet the Mentors – Bringing Real-World Beef Industry Experience to Research

Research is most valuable when it addresses real-world challenges and can be translated into practical solutions. For researchers focused on beef-related topics, understanding the realities of the Canadian beef industry can help ensure their work is relevant to the people who will ultimately use it.

The Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC) Beef Researcher Mentorship Program helps build those connections by pairing early-career researchers with innovative cattle producers and industry professionals. Through conversations, farm tours and industry events, mentors share their knowledge, experience and networks, providing valuable insight about the realities and priorities of Canada’s beef industry.

Together, the 2025-26 Beef Researcher Mentorship Program mentors bring a diverse range of experiences from across Canada’s beef industry, from cattle production and veterinary medicine to research, marketing, animal health and industry leadership. By sharing their on-the-ground perspectives, the following industry mentors are helping this year’s researcher mentees better understand the challenges and opportunities facing Canadian beef producers and are supporting the development of research that can make a practical difference throughout the beef industry.

2025-26 Beef Researcher Mentorship Program Participants

Mentee:

Dr. Flavia van Cleef is an expert in forage-based ruminant systems and greenhouse gas mitigation strategies. She currently serves as the Industry Chair in Integrated Forage Management and Utilization at the University of Saskatchewan, leading research and extension initiatives to enhance forage management and sustainability in livestock production systems. Read more.

Mentors:

Janice Bruynooghe holds a Master of Science degree and is a professional agrologist with extensive experience in the beef and forage industry, with a background in research and project management, strategic planning, communications, governance and organizational development. She has partnered with industry associations, producer groups, private business, governments and universities. Janice remains closely connected to the beef industry, ranching with her husband and son near Outlook, Saskatchewan. 

Cyle and Erika Stewart and their daughters operate Pine Ranch in Morse, Saskatchewan, where they run a commercial cow-calf and yearling operation. Soil health, grazing management and low-stress handling are integral components of their operation. They both enjoy competing in ranch roping and Cyle also competes in dog trials with his Border Collies. Both are actively involved in the industry, with Erika serving as Saskatchewan’s Verified Beef Production Plus provincial coordinator and Cyle serving on the Saskatchewan Cattle Association and Saskatchewan Ag Matters boards.

Mentee:

Dr. Kaidi Wang is a food microbiologist currently working as an assistant professor in the Department of Food and Bioproduct Sciences at the University of Saskatchewan. She is also an Agriculture and Agri-Food Innovation Chair in Applied Microbiology. Throughout her academic journey, she has led various projects focused on enhancing food microbial safety. Read more.

Mentors:

Chad Ross is a fourth-generation cattle producer and owner/operator of L7 Land and Cattle with his wife Crystal near Estevan, Saskatchewan. The Ross family has operated the ranch since 1906 and combines long-term stewardship with a progressive approach to cattle production and business management. Chad also serves as chair of the Saskatchewan Cattle Association, representing producers and helping advance priorities that support a sustainable, competitive and value-added beef sector.

Will Lowe, his wife Cindy and their four children live at Saskatchewan Landing. Their three-generation operation, LZ Farms Inc, includes approximately 3,000 crop acres, 800 acres of hay and a 200-head Black Angus-cross cow herd producing Charolais-cross calves. The family backgrounds or grazes their calves, with some custom finished in local feedlots. Will spent seven years as a cattle buyer with Cargill Meat Solutions before helping establish Northwest Consolidated Beef Producers. He currently chairs the Saskatchewan Cattle Feeders Association and represents the organization on national industry boards.

Mentee:

Dr. Sawsan Ammar is an assistant professor at the University of Calgary and the clinical parasitologist supervising the parasitology diagnostic section of the Diagnostic Services Unit. In this role, and through her research, she aims to advance diagnostic capabilities in Alberta and assist beef producers in managing challenging parasitic diseases. Read more.

Mentors:

Dr. Carling Matejka earned her veterinary degree from the University of Calgary and, after several years in mixed animal practice, transitioned to Veterinary Agri-Health Services, where she focuses on cattle medicine and supporting the long-term success of Canadian beef producers. Carling volunteers with 4-H and junior livestock programs, mentors veterinary students and has participated in the Canadian Agriculture Youth Council, Canadian Cattle Young Leaders and Canadian Cattle Youth Council. She lives near Olds, Alberta, with her husband and is involved in their beef, dairy and cereal crop operation.

Dr. Melanie Wowk is a livestock veterinarian, practice owner and rancher with more than 20 years of experience. Since 2016, she has served as a technical services veterinarian with Zoetis Canada and is past chair of the Alberta Beef Producers. During her time with the organization, Melanie advocated for Alberta’s beef producers and raised awareness about challenges facing rural communities, including access to large-animal veterinary services. Alongside her veterinary career, Melanie is involved with their family’s multigenerational cattle and horse operation near Beauvallon, Alberta.

Mentee:

Dr. Muhammad Tufail is a research scientist in robotics and automation in livestock and meat production with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Lacombe Research and Development Centre. He holds a Ph.D. with a specialization in manufacturing and mechatronics from the University of British Columbia, an M.Sc. degree in mechatronics engineering and a B.Sc. degree in computer systems engineering. Read more.

Mentors:

Mauricio Arcila serves as director of technical services with Canada Beef. He works with the scientific research community and industry stakeholders, focusing on food safety, beef quality and regulatory affairs across the beef value chain, while monitoring emerging technologies and industry challenges. He has more than 20 years of experience in technical and quality roles within Canada’s cattle and meat industry, including positions with Cargill, Canada Beef Export Federation, the Canadian Beef and Breeds Council, IdentiGEN and BHJ Canada Meat Products Inc.

Phil Hamar is owner and operator of Lazy H Ranch, a family-owned cattle ranch near Entwistle, Alberta. As a fourth-generation rancher, Phil carries forward a legacy of nearly a century, blending traditional ranching practices with modern innovations. The ranch specializes in developing tame, high-performance heifers ready for breeding success through their custom background feeding program. Phil is currently a board member of Alberta Beef Producers and the Beef Cattle Research Council.

Mentee:

Dr. Aneesh Thakur is a principal scientist with the University of Saskatchewan’s Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO). His research program focuses on improving animal and human health by creating novel therapeutic and prophylactic agents using nanoparticle-based bioengineering and delivery strategies. Read more.

Mentors:

Joleen Shea runs a cow-calf operation alongside her parents near Kindersley, Saskatchewan. After working in the grain industry, she joined the family operation full-time in 2020. Joleen has served on the Saskatchewan Cattle Association board since 2021 and is currently vice chair. She also serves as the SCA representative and vice chair on the Saskatchewan Verified Beef Production Plus board, as well as Saskatchewan’s representative on the national VBP+ Management Committee. 

Dr. Andrew Acton has been practicing at Deep South Animal Clinic since his graduation from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in 1992. He became a Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners in Beef Cattle Practice in 2008 and was recognized as the 2022 Western Canadian Association of Bovine Practitioners Practitioner of the Year. Andy, his wife Yvonne and their two kids, Kelsey and Corin, are actively involved in their community of Ogema, Saskatchewan.

Mentee:

Dr. Kristen Edwards is an assistant professor in ruminant health management in the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph. Passionate about beef calf health and nutrition, her research program centers on nutritional and nutraceutical interventions to improve antimicrobial usage and enhance farm profitability. Read more.

Mentors:

Dr. Calvin Booker is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and a Master of Veterinary Science. He currently serves as general manager for services and research for TELUS Agriculture’s Animal Health team. In this role, he supports teams working with a global client base and leads research and development that contributes to the growth and sustainability of both TELUS Agriculture and its clients.

Dr. Jacques Van Zyl serves on the Metzger Veterinary Services Animal Health Team. He was born in South Africa and moved to rural Saskatchewan at a young age. After moving to Ontario, his family started farming bison near Owen Sound. Jacques completed a degree in wildlife biology at the University of Western Ontario before graduating from the Ontario Veterinary College in 2020.

Mentee:

Dr. Nisha Puthiyedth is an assistant professor of computing science at Thompson Rivers University. Her work focuses on applying computational methods to address real-world challenges in healthcare and agriculture. She leads projects on antimicrobial resistance in beef cattle. Read more.

Mentor:

Cassie Marchand is a fourth-generation rancher on Clifton Ranch in the South Okanagan, British Columbia. She remains actively involved there while also raising cattle with her husband and his family in the North Okanagan. In addition to ranching, Cassie has more than 15 years of experience as an agricultural lender. She serves as a director of the North Okanagan Livestock Association and sits on the BC Cattlemen’s Public Affairs and Education Committee.

For more information and past participants, visit the Beef Researcher Mentorship Program page.

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The BCRC is funded by a portion of the Canadian Beef Cattle Check-Off.

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