Alltech’s Gator Giveaway Event Attracts 400 Farmers
Alltech’s 4th Gator Giveaway event drew crowds by the bus load across three provinces in Western Canada. Close to 400 producers from the three regions attended the event with the hopes of driving home in a brand new John Deere Gator.
On May 1, Alltech Western Canada hosted the Gator Giveaway finale in Strathmore, Alberta, Kyle, Saskatchewan and Portage La Prairie, Manitoba. Attendees came to the event to learn about Alltech’s innovation in the animal health and nutrition industry. Under the theme “What if?” the company encouraged attendees to consider pushing boundaries, challenging the status quo and aiming to achieve their dreams.
“Streaming live from all locations, each region took turns drawing a provincial winner, and those three winners went back into the final draw in Strathmore. Everyone was on the edge of their seats as names were drawn, and the crowd in Alberta erupted with cheers when the Gator was awarded to Schooten and Sons Custom Feedyard.
Riverside Colony in Manitoba was awarded a second place prize tool set, and third place gift certificate for Alltech products was awarded to Sandlake Colony of Saskatchewan.
EMF Nutrition brought four buses filled with customers to the events, a true testament of the excitement that surrounds the Gator Giveaway in Western Canada. •

Schippers Welcomes New Staff
Arian deBecker, General Manager of Schippers Canada is pleased to welcome Carien Huijzer to the Schippers team.
Carien will assume the role of a junior in office sales expert. In addition to helping out with the inside sales she will also be assisting with marketing. She will be on hand at trade shows too.
Carien grew up on a dairy farm close to Olds and commented that she already knows some of the customers she has helped. She spent time in Lethbridge and achieved a Bachelor of Management Degree with a marketing major.
Huijzer adds “ I love agriculture,” she spent time in 4H as a youngester and recently attended a youth ag summit. Carien currently sit on a Board of Young Farmers and Ranchers.
Cairen looks forward to meeting news customers and being helping currently ones. •

Alberta Pork Adds Position
Alberta Pork has added a position of New Marketing Manager to Promote Alberta-Grown Pork.
In Alberta Porks efforts to promote the many benefits of pork to consumers and media, they have hired a new Marketing Manager.
Karen Gurba brings 20 years of marketing experience to the position, including hospitality (Sherlock Holmes Group), sports (Edmonton Trappers), media (CFCW), festivals (Fringe, Cariwest) and corporate (Northlands Agriculture Dept.).
Karen will be working to enhance Alberta Pork’s visibility at multiple events, via the website, and to increase communication between her department and the producer.
Feel free to contact her at any time with your questions or ideas: karen.gurba@albertapork.com. •

Advanced Agri Direct
Expands Team
Shaun Heldt, President of Advanced Agri-Direct is pleased to introduce two new team members. Shaun is based out of the US office in Nebraska so needs a new right hand man to take care of the Canadian operations. Ted Skelton will assume the title of Canadian Branch Manager.
Ted comes to Advanced with many years of experience in the agriculture industry, going back to his routes in Rosetown Saskatchewan. In 2000 he along with his family relocated to Alberta. Ted does have a degree in Agriculture from the U of S. Most recently Ted has been managing a large ag dealership.
When this opportunity came up Ted was happy to be spending more time closer to home.
Rounding out the team is Jay McCarthy, he has been on site with Advanced since last fall. He is pleased to be looking after the day to day activities and inhouse sales of the Leduc office, as Branch Manager.
Originally from Newfoundland Jay, has a construction background and has been applying those same stong ethics and work place skills to the ag industry. Jay has throughly enjoyed his time so far at Advanced, getting to know more about not only the hog industry but all aspects of agriculture
Both Ted and Jay are excited to continue to offer the great service that you have come to expect from Advanced for current customers and look forward to expanding their business. •