WestGen 2025 Board of Directors

Richard Boonstoppel

Richard Boonstoppel, along with his wife, Carol, are the proud owners of Tri Lea Farm in Grunthal, Manitoba. In their new innovative robotic dairy barn, with separate groups of Jerseys and Holsteins aiming for maximum productivity and efficiency. Richard and Carol have dedicated 30 years to dairy farming, with the first 19 years spent in New Brunswick. Together, they have five children, all of whom have pursued post-secondary education in agriculture and are now engaged in various careers within the agricultural sector.

Richard has been an active director with WestGen since 2019, and he has served as President for the last four years. He also contributes to the dairy industry as a member of the Advisory Council for Dairy Farmers of Manitoba and serves as Secretary of the Manitoba Dairy Farm Management Group.

A significant challenge currently facing the dairy industry is the adjustment of the milk pricing formula, which places greater emphasis on protein content. This change requires that cows produce more milk to meet quota requirements. WestGen plays a vital role in supporting dairy farmers by offering the appropriate genetic sires and services tailored to the needs of Western Canadian dairy producers. Additionally, Richard is eager to see a dedicated representative from the beef industry join the board of directors, acknowledging the importance of collaboration across different sectors within agriculture.

Bob Matzek

Bob Matzek and his wife are first-generation dairy farmers and owners of Westar Holsteins in Chilliwack, British Columbia. Bob began his career in the dairy industry in 1982 working with Meadow Gold Farms, and in 2003 started his own operation through the BC Ministry of Agriculture’s New Entrant Program under the Westar Holstein prefix. In 2013, the family built a modern robotic free-stall barn, which today milks approximately 95–100 purebred Holsteins using two DeLaval robots.

Today, Bob farms alongside his son Josh, with the two managing all aspects of the operation together. They grow the majority of their own forages, including corn silage and grass, and place a strong emphasis on feed quality, silage management, and efficient production systems. Bob is deeply involved in feed management and is known for his focus on careful harvest planning, packing, and storage practices to protect feed quality and maximize herd performance.

Bob has been a committed member of WestGen for more than 17 years and believes strongly in the value of progressive management, strong genetics, and continuous improvement. He is proud to work alongside the next generation on the farm and looks forward to continuing to contribute to the long-term success of both his operation and the Canadian dairy industry.

Tony Van Garderen

Tony Van Garderen owns and operates Kelton Holsteins in Abbotsford, British Columbia. He grew up on a dairy farm in Chilliwack and began farming on his own in 1982. Today, Tony farms alongside his wife and son, continuing a family tradition of dairy farming in the Fraser Valley.

Tony joined the WestGen board in 2016 and brings decades of hands-on dairy experience to the organization. He is committed to supporting the dairy industry through practical, producer-focused leadership and contributing to the continued success of WestGen and its members.

Ridley Wikkerink

Ridley Wikkerink is a second-generation dairy farmer and the owner and operator of Wedgwood Holsteins, a 300-acre farm in Cobble Hill on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. He has farmed all of his life and now leads the family operation, placing a strong emphasis on teamwork and the people who contribute to the farm’s success.

Wedgwood Holsteins is deeply committed to environmental stewardship and the local community, producing the majority of its own feed—including hay, grass, barley, and corn—and recycling nutrients back onto the land. Ridley believes strongly in building pride and ownership within his team, and credits his employees as a key reason for both the farm’s success and his continued enjoyment of the dairy business.

Ridley joined the WestGen board in 2016 and was elected Treasurer in 2018. He is also actively involved in breed leadership, currently serving as Vice President of BC Holstein for 2024–2025. He is committed to supporting a strong, progressive dairy industry and contributing to the continued success of WestGen and its members.

Tony DeGroot

Tony DeGroot grew up on a dairy farm in Chilliwack, British Columbia, and in 1981 started his own operation, Tonesa Holsteins Ltd., on a rented farm in Rosedale before purchasing his own farm in 1985. He takes great pride in running a successful family business that produces a high-quality, healthy product for the local community and believes strongly in the importance of trust and transparency between farmers and consumers.

Tony and his wife have always valued the trust their customers place in them and share a strong belief in the importance of knowing where food comes from and who produces it. This philosophy has guided the farm’s long-standing commitment to quality and safety and has helped inspire the next generation’s involvement in agriculture. Tony and his wife have three married children and eleven grandchildren. Their son Glenn farms alongside him and has five daughters, Craig operates a large animal veterinary practice in Alberta, and Carla works with Dairy Farmers of Canada.

Tony has been deeply involved in both the dairy industry and his community throughout his career. He has served as a volunteer firefighter for 25 years, a 4-H leader for 15 years, and has been active on church, curling club, and numerous other community and agricultural boards. He joined the WestGen board in 2009 and served as President from 2012 to 2017 and has now contributed 18 years of service to the organization. In addition, he has supported industry development through leadership in training and safety initiatives, including helping to develop and co-chair the industry’s apprenticeship course. He currently serves as Treasurer on the AgSafe Governance Board (2023–2026).

Looking ahead, Tony believes one of the key challenges is keeping WestGen strong and progressive to stay ahead in a rapidly changing industry. He remains committed to supporting a safe, innovative, and resilient dairy sector and to contributing his experience and leadership to organizations that serve producers and their communities.

Mike Duncan

Mike Duncan operates Bonnie Doone Dairy Ltd. alongside his father in Harrison Mills, British Columbia, where they milk 130 cows under the Boonemill prefix. A fifth-generation dairy farmer, his family has been farming and milking cows on the same land since 1890, representing more than a century of commitment to Canadian agriculture. In addition to dairy, the farm has a history as a former cow-calf and poultry operation, reflecting a long tradition of diversified farming.

He has been actively involved in industry leadership for the past eight years, serving both as a board member and as a representative on the Mainland Milk Producers Association. He is also deeply engaged in the local agricultural community, volunteering on the District of Kent agricultural advisory and drainage committees, and serving as Vice Chair of the Fraser Valley Holstein Club.

A key priority and vision for his work in the industry is improving transparency and ensuring that producers’ voices are heard more clearly and effectively at all levels of decision-making. He believes that strong communication and representation are essential to maintaining a healthy and sustainable dairy sector for future generations.

Together with his wife, he is raising their three children on the family farm, continuing the legacy of farming that has been passed down through generations and instilling in them the same values of stewardship, hard work, and commitment to agriculture.

Tim Hofstra

Tim Hofstra, along with his wife Debbie and family, owns and operates Detimdale Holsteins in Millet, Alberta. They began farming in July 1978 with just 39 cows and have grown the operation into a 1,900-acre diversified farm milking 125 purebred Holsteins, along with a cow/calf beef herd. In 2021, the family built a state-of-the-art dairy facility featuring robotic milking, feeding, and manure removal systems. Detimdale Holsteins has long been a strong supporter of animal improvement programs and progressive dairy management.

Tim was born and raised on his parents’ farm in Alberta and has spent more than 45 years building both his farm and his involvement in agriculture. Today, the farm remains a true family operation, with Tim managing the business and facilities alongside Debbie and the next generation.

Tim has been deeply involved in agricultural leadership at the local, provincial, and national levels for decades. He joined the WestGen board in 1997, served as President from 2002 to 2007, and held an Executive Director role from 2007 to 2012. He also represented WestGen on the Semex board for many years and currently serves as Treasurer, sits on numerous Antares and WestGen committees, and is Chairman of the WestGen Endowment Fund Committee. In addition, Tim is President and Chair of Agrifoods International, serves on the Edmonton Global board, and was recently elected to the Co-operators Insurance board.

Tim strongly believes in being active in industry and giving back to help support the future of agriculture. He remains committed to keeping WestGen strong and forward-looking in a rapidly changing industry and looks forward to continuing to contribute to its long-term success and the strength of Canadian agriculture.

Art Postma

Art Postma owns and operates a 450-cow dairy in Deroche, British Columbia, alongside his family and a dedicated team of employees at Postma Farms Ltd., where he also serves as Bovine Manager. He brings decades of hands-on experience in dairy and livestock production, with a background that includes previous roles at Cameron Farms and Dykman Cattle.

Art has long been involved in industry leadership and advocacy. He served as a Director with the BC Milk Producers Association beginning in 2010, contributing to provincial representation and governance for dairy producers. He is committed to progressive, sustainable farming practices and strong industry collaboration.

Art looks forward to contributing his practical experience and leadership to the WestGen Board and supporting the continued success of the dairy industry in British Columbia and across Western Canada.

Darrin Rasmuson

Darrin Rasmuson, along with his wife Lynn, owns and operates Darcor Holsteins in the Gwynne/Wetaskiwin area of Alberta. They started the operation in 1990 by taking over his father’s small commercial dairy and have since grown it into a 110-cow purebred Holstein herd while farming approximately 500 acres.

Darrin was born and raised in the area and, after earning his Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in 1993, returned home to continue building the family farm. Today, the operation is a true family farm, with their son Damien— a graduate of the Lakeland College dairy program—now farming alongside them. Darrin and Lynn have four children: Brianne, Sarah, Jaslyn, and Damien, all of whom have pursued or completed post-secondary education.

Darrin has a long history of industry and community involvement. He has served on numerous local and breed organization boards, including nine years on the executive of Northern Alberta Holsteins and as a delegate to Agrifoods International Cooperative. In 2017, he was elected to the board of Battle River Power Cooperative, where he now serves as an Executive Director, helping oversee electrical distribution services to more than 10,000 members across central Alberta.

In addition to his agricultural leadership, Darrin has spent many years coaching minor soccer and hockey and is now an active minor hockey referee and assignor in his community. He and his family were recently recognized as Farm Family of the Year for their volunteer contributions. Darrin is proud to serve as a Director with WestGen and looks forward to continuing to contribute to the strength and future of the Canadian dairy industry.

Jim Ross

Jim Ross, along with his wife, Laurel, farms near Grenfell, Saskatchewan. Together, they operate a 3,000-acre mixed farming operation that includes a dairy with 240 milking cows (approximately 600 head total). Their farm produces forage and grain to support the dairy, as well as canola as a cash crop. Laurel also operates her own farm. Jim and Laurel have two daughters, Erin and Michelle. They are also proud grandparents to two grandsons, Jace and Haden.

Jim has been involved in the dairy industry for more than 43 years and has a long history of leadership and governance within the agriculture sector. He has served as a board member with WestGen since 2017 and is also a director with Semex Canada, where he serves on the Governance Committee. His previous leadership roles include SaskMilk, where he served from 2010 to 2014 and chaired the Governance Committee, as well as Dairy Farmers of Saskatchewan and the Agriculture Producers Association of Saskatchewan, where he currently serves as Governance Chair.

One of the key challenges Jim sees facing agriculture is the formulation of strategy and then activating the strategy throughout an organization. The emergence of artificial intelligence can assist in this process. While AI presents ethical responsibilities, he believes it also offers significant opportunity to accelerate innovation and improve decision-making across the industry. Jim is a strong advocate for producers and industry leaders to begin learning and adapting now, using AI to augment skills and strengthen a producer-driven agricultural sector.