Bullseye May 2015

WestGen Days 2015 – Wrap-up

While some companies struggle through tedious Annual General Meetings where attendees are barely able to keep their eyes open, such is far from the case at WestGen! The WestGen AGM, now a multi-day event known as WestGen Days, draws in scores of people from all across Western Canada with its engaging guest speakers, ample food and drinks, and fun social activities that bookend the more formal business of the AGM itself.

The festivities of the 2015 WestGen Days kicked off with a casual Wine and Cheese evening, an event which continues to grow in attendance each year. The room was filled with representatives from WestGen, Semex, EastGen, CIAQ, and Boviteq West, all evidently eager for the chance to mingle, since it was after midnight before the last guests had retired for the evening.

The following morning, the AGM moved briskly through its agenda of reports and kept things clear and concise. Financial reports from Treasurer Raymond Brink and Controller Vernon Smith showed that, despite some Alberta sales force turnover in 2014, overall successes in WestGen’s operations and investments have led the company to another net positive financial year. Later, while discussing the WestGen Endowment Fund, Tim Hofstra proudly announced that $1.5 million has been given back to the agricultural industry since its 2004 inception. Of that, nearly $418,000 has been invested in the cattle producers of tomorrow, in the form of scholarships and youth development programs.
Following the AGM was the much anticipated unveiling of the design for the new Abbotsford-based WestGen office, which is featured on the cover of this Bullseye issue. WestGen CEO Chris Parry and President Tony DeGroot, provided an in-depth look at the meticulous planning, design, and research that has gone into the project thus far. Abbotsford Mayor Henry Braun was also present to speak on his support of the project, and to welcome
WestGen to the City of Abbotsford.

The afternoon program concluded with the presentation of the prize John Deere Gator from a recent contest, as well as an open invitation to join the proposed 2016 Brazil trip. Finally, guests were treated to engaging presentations from Dr. Martin Darrow on the Greenbelt Genomics Project, and from Pierre Laliberté on the revised LPI Formula and new Canadian Economic Index.
After dinner, the air of the Convention Centre filled with laughter and the smell of cotton candy as guests turned their attention to the caricature artist and carnival games that took over the floor. It was the perfect combination of great company and playful competition to wrap up the day.

The following morning, guests toured the UBC Dairy Education Research Centre in Agassiz, and heard presentations from Jack Rodenburg on Cow Signals, Nina Von Keyserlingk on code-of-practice issues affecting the dairy industry, and Dr. Lisa McCrea on the WestGen supported Aqua Cow Rise System Project. Each presentation was very well received, so much so that one speaker was still captivated in discussion and debate, long after her presentation had ended and the wrap-up had concluded!
At the end of the day, it was unanimously agreed that the combination of the set-up, smoothly run agenda, engaging guest speakers, and general festivities had resulted in the best WestGen Days in recent memory. Members are encouraged to mark their calendars now for March 22nd, for what is sure to be an even more spectacular WestGen Days 2016!