Who We Are

Ray McDougald

Ray ranches with his family 6 miles south of Maple Creek, in the lower areas of the Cypress Hills. They have always realized that grass is our livelihood. Without a good crop of grass, all a rancher has is a hungry herd of cows who are waiting for you to do the work. With good grass, our cows work with us to provide our requirements, and nurture an abundance of wildlife who depend on the grasslands. The grass is our crop, the livestock harvest it and convert it into a valued commodity. In 2006, my brother Angus and I, with our families received The Environmental Stewardship Award for Saskatchewan. Recognition of rancher’s being good stewards of the land is a story which goes hand in hand with beef promotion. The McDougald family has taken an active role in the livestock industry for generations. I have been involved with the Canadian Centre for Holistic Resource Management, the Native Plant Society of Saskatchewan, the SSGA, the Prairie Conservation Action Plan, and now the SSGF. My hope is that whatever I manage, or have an influence on, that they may be left in better condition yet for future generations.

Nancy McMahon

Nancy is originally from Duncan, British Columbia on Vancouver Island, where she gained over 20 years of experience as a Chartered Professional Accountant. She began her journey in Saskatchewan in 2016 when she purchased an accounting practice in Weyburn.  Nancy now enjoys meeting her clients and making their lives just a little bit easier each time. In her free time, she enjoys socializing with friends and exploring Saskatchewan with her puppy, Missy.

Cameron Carlyle

Cameron Carlyle is an Associate Professor of Rangeland Ecology at the University of Alberta. He teaches a course on rangeland conservation and management, and studies the effects of cattle grazing on forage production and soil carbon storage. While he grew up in northern British Columbia he has family roots in southern Saskatchewan. He lives in Edmonton with his wife and two young boys.

Miles McNeil

Miles runs a 250 head cow-calf and yearling operation west of Alameda, SK with his wife Melinda and four daughters Madison, Martina, Mary-Lee and McKenzie. In 2004, Miles took a Holistic Management Course to help with making farming decisions that are sociologically, environmentally and economically sound. They since have noticed immense improvements in their grassland health. Miles states, “As we continue to improve our grass, we also improve our profitability and our peace of mind.” Miles currently serves as a Director at Large for the SSGA and sits on the SSGF’s Producer Advisory Committee as well as the Finance Committee.

Jeremy Pittman

Jeremy Pittman is an Associate Professor in the University of Waterloo’s School of Planning. His research focuses on environmental governance and policy, and he works with a diverse range of communities and sectors in Canada and internationally on sustainability-oriented projects. Before joining the University of Waterloo, he worked for both provincial and federal governments in Canada as well as the private sector on issues related to the resilience of rural, agricultural, and fisheries-based communities to social and ecological change. He has held several prestigious fellowships and awards, most notably the Liber Ero Fellowship for young conservation scientists in Canada. He grew up on a farm in southern Saskatchewan, and the majority of his research focuses on the province.

Brian Weedon

Brian Weedon along with his wife Glenys operated a cow/calf backgrounding operation North West of Swift Current before retiring in 2018.  The ranch is primarily native range with the balance “tame forages” used for spring grazing and hay and they raised Black Angus cattle. Their basic philosophy is that if you look after your grass your cows will look after you. In 2011 Weedon Ranch Limited was honoured for their stewardship by winning the Environmental Stewardship Award (TESA). Brian and Glenys were nominated for the SLA honour scroll for their contributions to the Saskatchewan beef industry.
Brian’s involvement in the industry includes:  Past President of Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association,  Past Director on the Canadian Cattleman’s association, co-chaired the Quality Starts Here – Verified Beef Program in Saskatchewan and represented the Province at the National level.  Other boards and associations he has served on are PCAP, VIDO, FACS and the Saskatchewan Surface Rights Arbitration Board.  Brian also represented the Beef Industry on the Action Committee on the Rural Economy.

Chad MacPherson

Chad MacPherson joined the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association (SSGA) as General Manager in May 2008.  Chad is responsible for the overall administration, communications, operations and programming of the SSGA.  Chad also serves on a number of industry groups including: Livestock Services of Saskatchewan, SaskTips, Saskatchewan Stock Growers Foundation and Ministry of Environment Habitat Advisory Committee.

Calvin Knoss

Coming soon..

Kelcy Elford

Coming soon..

Brant Kirychuk

Received a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture majoring in Agronomy from the University of Saskatchewan. Completed a Master of Agriculture in Range and Forage Management at the University of Alberta.  The majority of my career was spent with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture and Agriculture and Agri-food Canada in a variety of roles.  Early in my career my focus was on Crown land administration, then range and forage extension.  Later I moved into a variety of management roles focussing on rangeland, riparian, biodiversity and conservation programming.  Most recently I spent six years at the Ministry of Environment as the Executive Director; Fish, Wildlife and Lands Branch.  I have had the opportunity to contribute to a variety of international development projects related to rangeland management, sustainable agriculture and agriculture extension in Ukraine, China, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan.

Tom Harrison

Tom has a BSA ‘84 and MSc ’93 from the College of Agriculture at the University of Saskatchewan. His recent work experience includes serving as the Executive Director for SODCAP Inc. Tom has more than 25 years experience as a Professional Agrologist in agri-environmental

programming both as a consultant and also with agencies such as Saskatchewan Wetland Conservation Corporation/Water Security Agency, Saskatchewan Indian Agricultural Program and Agriculture Canada. Currently, he also operates a 250 head cow calf ranch with his wife Tracy and their daughter Kaitlyn.

Marika Sherman

Marika grew up in Regina, and obtained a degree in Environmental Biology from the University of Saskatchewan, where she focused on grassland conservation and plant ecology.  After convocation she moved to Dawson Creek, BC to work as a Range Agrologist for the BC Ministry of Forests. She’s recently returned to Saskatchewan to work for the SSGF and resides in Balgonie with her husband and two children.

Mindy Hockley

Mindy grew up on small ranch outside of Yellow Grass, SK and obtained her Diploma of Veterinary Technology after high school. She worked as a Registered Veterinary Technologist for 6.5 years primarily in mixed animal practice before working for the SSGF. Mindy is still an active member of the Saskatchewan Association of Veterinary Technologists and serves as a member at large on the Board. She currently resides southwest of Fir Mountain, SK with her partner on their generational ranch.